Reasons Brushy Bill Roberts Might Have Been Billy the Kid
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Detailed Knowledge of Billy’s Life
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Brushy Bill reportedly gave extremely specific, historically accurate details about events in Billy’s life, including people, places, and dates not widely known until decades later.
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Matching Physical Description
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Witnesses from the Lincoln County War era described Billy the Kid as having certain facial features, height, and build that matched Brushy Bill’s appearance in old age.
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Facial Recognition Studies
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Some forensic photo comparisons between known Billy the Kid images and photos of Brushy Bill suggest high similarity in facial proportions.
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First-Hand Accounts of Key Events
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He claimed personal involvement in documented historical events (e.g., the Lincoln County War) with insider details that could have been difficult to fake convincingly.
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Language & Habits
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Brushy Bill reportedly used similar slang, mannerisms, and skills (notably horsemanship and gun handling) that matched contemporary descriptions of Billy the Kid.
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Knowledge of People from Billy’s Past
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He recognized and named former associates of Billy the Kid, some of whom allegedly confirmed that they knew him as “Billy” in his youth.
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Scar & Injury Matches
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Supporters point to scars, gunshot wounds, and physical marks on Brushy Bill’s body consistent with injuries Billy was documented to have sustained.
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Questionable Death of Billy the Kid in 1881
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Some historical inconsistencies suggest Sheriff Pat Garrett may not have killed Billy at Fort Sumner, leaving open the possibility of an escape.
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Attempt to Secure a Pardon
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In 1950, Brushy Bill attempted to obtain the pardon supposedly promised to Billy by Governor Lew Wallace, suggesting a motive for finally revealing his identity late in life.
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Contemporary Supporters
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Notable figures such as attorney William Morrison believed Brushy Bill’s story after interviewing him extensively and reviewing historical evidence.
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