Digging up Billy the Kid!

Would DNA solve the mystery?

I’m often asked if any known blood relations of Catherine or Joseph McCarty exist and, if so, could their DNA be compared to whoever/whatever lies below Billy the Kid’s headstone.

The answer is no; there are no known relations.

Joseph Antrim, brother of Billy the Kid

However, we could always dig up Billy the Kid and test what we find against Brushy Bill Roberts's DNA. That is something that could be done.

My only question is, why?

First, let me say that I’m personally agnostic as to whether or not we should exhume the grave. I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be curious about certain details. For instance, where exactly was Billy shot? Would there be any way of determining if the bullet struck him from behind? Was it a pistol wound or buckshot? Is he truly buried under the headstone at all?

In other words, while I’m not a proponent of the Kid being disturbed, I’d also be a hypocrite if I railed against it. The fact of the matter is I would be excited to discover what lay in his grave.

That said, I do not believe a DNA test would solve anything.

In 1995, the body of Jesse James was exhumed, and DNA was recovered from two teeth, as well as strands of hair taken from his original burial site. A mtDNA test was then conducted, comparing Jesse’s with a known James relative. The result? It was an exact match. Simply put, this scientifically proved what historians already knew – Jesse James was killed in 1882.

Be that as it may, conspiracy theorists refused (and still refuse) to accept these results. The hilariously and ironically named “History” channel was promoting such conspiracies as recently as 2009 in its documentary Jesse James’ Hidden Treasure.

So, no, a DNA test would prove nothing.

The evidence showing that Garrett killed Billy the Kid is overwhelming. All historians agree that Garrett killed the Kid in 1881. Literally. All. Of. Them.

So, long story short, while I’m not necessarily opposed to a DNA test, I’m also fully aware that it would solve nothing. Conspiracy theorists are going to theorize – it’s what they do.

You need to ask yourself: Would you be ok with your grandmother’s grave being disturbed solely due to a handful of loonies claiming that she was General Patton?

Essentially, this is what’s happening with Billy the Kid’s grave. A small minority of conspiracy theorists want to dig up several people and test their DNA to satisfy their curiosity despite the abundance of evidence showing that their claims of a hoax are warrantless.

And while we’re on the topic of Jesse James, it’s worth noting that his photograph WAS taken after he was killed.

Jesse James in death

So, for everyone concerned that there’s no photo of a dead Billy the Kid, just know that a photo – much like DNA – would convince absolutely no one. If a person wants to believe that Billy the Kid escaped death at the hands of Pat Garrett in 1881, then that’s exactly what they’re going to believe. Facts, DNA, and photographic evidence be damned.

On that note, there will not be a new episode of The Wild West Extravaganza this week. I have a few scripts that are nearly complete, but I have family obligations to fulfill, which will always come first.

Look for new material next week!  Till then, thank you SO MUCH for your continued support!