Billy the Kid was not born a legend. He was shaped by hunger violence and a lawless era in American history. In this episode the hosts explore how Henry McCarthy went from a struggling orphan stealing food to one of the most infamous outlaws of the Old West. The conversation traces his early crimes the brutal environment of the Lincoln County War and his rise as public enemy number one.
With humor and sharp commentary the episode breaks down the myths surrounding Billy the Kid the legendary manhunt that followed him and the unanswered questions surrounding his death at just twenty one. This is a look at how violence folklore and survival combined to create one of the most enduring figures in American history.
Chapters
00:00 The Legend of Billy the Kid
02:21 Orphans and the Edge of Outlaw Life
04:39 The Lincoln County War and Rising Infamy
06:08 The Manhunt and the Myth of Billy the Kid
