Your right, except it's not the foot of his grave, that is his headstone, because in the old days, the writing was opposite. Wriiten on the back of the "headstone" :)
Thanks for taking me home again! I lived in Ft. Sumner until 86. Didn't know the museum had closed, it had a lot of interesting NM history inside. Wish I'd stayed there, not a single case of corvid in De Baca county.
That's interesting. There are pockets like that. I would have loved to have gone in that museum and it made me wonder what was still inside. Thank you for watching.
Thank you Jay! I hope one day you make it out there. Go early in the morning. Like bc as the sun comes up. No one was out there until I was bgg leaving and then about 6 or 7 cars pulled up. And that was a Monday morning.
His grave is on my list to see next month on my road trip. I had no idea so many people he knew were also buried in the same cemetery. Thanks for the preview, Rhetty!
It's an interesting one to visit. My biggest advice to you is get there early. His grave gets a lot of visitors. When I got there I had the cemetery to myself. When I left at 8:15 to 8:30 there were probably 7 or 8 cars pulling up as I was exiting. They had tags from everywhere so not the same group. And that was a Monday morning.
@@RhettyforHistory Thanks for the tip. I'm usually up before sunrise, but not sure when I will be driving through this town. If possible I'll try to make it early.
Great video.; I have been there to visit his grave a few years ago.; The Museum was still open then. I think you are right that the exact location in the cemetery is unknown for several reasons . There was a significant flood that come through that unearthed several grave. I think some went down the Pecos River and were lost.. And the Military came through to remove Soldiers buried there to a Military cemetery in Santa Fe. The Military Members were careful to only remove people in Military clothing, in an effort to not disturb other graves and were knowledgeable of the famous outlaw being there. But for those and other reasons. knowing where he is in the cemetery or even possibly not being there at all. The marker was placed in the center. I believe that's the story anyway. I have also visited the Grave in Hamilton Texas of Brushy Bill Roberts who claimed to be Billy the Kid in 1950. I don't think I believe his story , but I figured either way. Fort Sumner or Hamilton. I've probably been to his grave. Oh and Billy the Kid was killed in Pete Maxwells house like you said. The house was washed away by the flood. But there is a marker in the field where Billy was shot . where the house once stood. its only a couple hundred meters from the gravesite. . Sorry for the long comment. I just have always been interested in his story. thanks for the video.
Yeah there really is no telling for all the reasons that you stated. I didn't realize there is a marker where the house once stood. That's interesting. Thanks for watching and sharing that.
So sad about museum. Visited Ft. Sumpter twice as a young girl. First time original headstone was still there and no fence around grave. Second time a fence had been put up. Museum still open for both visits. They had some great memorabilia. I drove through Hico, Tx the other day and wanted to stop at that museum but didn’t get a chance. Great video!
Thank you. I'm not sure when they put up a fence around Billy in Ft Sumner. I did find a photo of Brushy Bill Robert's visiting the grave and there was a tall chain link fence around it. He died in 1950 so it had to be before then. I was thinking that the museum by the cemetery wasn't that old. It didn't seem to be anyways. I appreciate you watching.
This was really good!!! Really like how you had so much info on people. That's what keeps me interested in watching these shows is having the information looking around reading the stones that's what keeps me wanting more. Good job on research
Thank you Lisa! I try to add quite a bit of information if I can find it. If I don't and you ever do find something or you can add to what I had please do. I'm always interested in learning more. Thanks for watching!
Thank you Rhetty for this superb presentation. The cast of characters you discussed gave great depth to the subject matter, just like fleshing out a skeleton. These were all real people who had a moment in the sun and then disappeared like a vapor. For better or worse you showed these persons had meaning and truly lived interactive lives and once casted shadows on the wordly stage. It really moved me.
Thank you Billy! I appreciate you watching. I think we often seen Billy the Kid talked about but probably not the others so much. They all had an impact though.
Awesome job on the history and sharing the history story with us all. I knew his marker had been stolen once, but did not know about the other times. Yes, amazing that his grave has all the iron bars surrounding the grave like a jail house, but I am assuming that it's there to keep further damage being done to the markers. Thanks again for sharing and doing all that hard work with research.
You're right it's really there to protect the markers. It's ironic though because there never were any jails that could hold him. This one is a lot more permenant. It's crazy people want to steal those things. Thanks for watching my friend!
Billy's rifle is on display at the Museum that is in the center of town. The museum owner acquired it from the original family. Story being that Billy was good friends with a stagecoach driver, he asked the driver to keep it for him, however, he never retrieved it.
A little late to the party as I’ve just discovered the channel, but I’m loving these. As a huge fan of history the Billy the kids story is so interesting. It’s also disappointing that there are so many discrepancies. I NEED to know these things!
RhettyforFun Yes there are. On the other hand the unknowns lead to the intrigue of Billy. Thanks for the great vids. Bonnie and Clyde is another one of my favorite vids of yours.
Wow, Rhetty ... a REALLY good vid!! I didn't realise that "Young Guns" was actually a dramatisation loosely based on real events. I love learning about the Old West period, although as a woman I'm grateful that I wasn't born in that time. Those ladies had to be tough, and their men even tougher. Life was difficult enough in the cities without deciding to pack up and head West to pioneer new lands, mine for silver and gold, cut new lumber, and build new farms and cities etc - and in the midst of such lawlessness where outlaws ruled. And BTW, that's a mighty fine beard you're growing there, Rhetty!
I love the Old West as well. Speaking of Young Guns I went thru a town where they did some filming of that movie. I had no idea about that when I was there though. I do have couple videos that will be coming out soon on the town though. You're right about the times being tough. It might have been tougher for women to make it out that way than men. Thanks for watching as well as the comment on the beard!
@@RhettyforHistory I look forward to seeing the video on the town where they filmed some of Young Guns .. My husband and I just watched it last week, followed by Tombstone! I've read the biographies of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday, and apparently the movie portrayed the gunfight at OK Corral and its aftermath pretty much just how it happened. Which is rare for a dramatic retelling. And yes, the West must have been tough on women. I read a book recently which described what 'ladies of wealth and good breeding' had to endure just to go to the loo whilst dressed in those dresses with miles and miles of fabrics in the skirts over the top of whale-bone hoops over camisoles and long pantaloons ... That was bad enough in the relatively clean conveniences of city living, but I can barely even begin to imagine the difficulties they faced with the lack of facilities in the West! And yes, your beard is looking very healthy and glossy .. We've been watching it grow for a long time now! It's a very lovely colour too - no greys at all. (Yet, LOL!) I bet you'd look 10 years younger without it, though. My husband just shaved his own beard off this evening after 3 years - and I'm absolutely delighted with the toy-boy that was lurking just underneath!!! I can't wait to take him out and show him off, LOL! Thanks again, Rhetty.
I do love that movie Tombstone. It's my favorite western movie. They have a few historical difference but that's to be expected with anything going to the screen. I've watching it a ton of times which is how I started noticing some of the continuity errors in filming. 😁 So really maybe too much but it's just really good! I can't imagine having to dress in that attire back then. Definitely a different lifestyle for sure!
@@RhettyforHistory Tombstone is a GREAT movie! Did you know that according to Doc Holiday's biography, he actually stepped out and said, "I'm your huckleberry" .. !! I don't know what a huckleberry is but it sure sounded good, LOL. It was so well cast, and I can't imagine anyone else in Earp's role : ) I have two other far less serious favourite Westerns: 'The Quick and the Dead' with Leonardo Dicaprio & Sharon Stone, and the best laugh around has to be Seth MacFarlane's 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' with Charlize Theron ... We watch it at least once a month because it appeals to our senses of humour - but it's certainly not one for the kiddies! I don't know if you've seen it but I recommend it for some very light hearted viewing, and it highlights a lot of reasons why the West was so tough. I'm just grateful I wasn't born in that day and age. Thanks so much for your replies, you are always so diligent and put such a lot of work into your videos. It's always very much appreciated : )
There have been some historians debating on the actual words that Doc said. The popular version and what's most accepted is the huckleberry. It has definitely become part of our pop culture especially after Val muttered it and made it awesome. But there is a smaller portion of historians that think he said huckle bearer. So "I'm Your Huckle Bearer." A huckle on a casket is the handle. Bearer just means carrier. So basically he was telling the guy I'll kill you, carry your body and bury you. It's much more violent with the Huckle bearer. But Val nailed Huckleberry and made it cool. They used so many old sayings in that movie. I do love a good western though.
@@RhettyforHistory I would think because it's out there in the middle of nowhere and didn't get enough traffic to keep the lights on, or whoever was running it probably died an nobody wanted to carry on with it.
It's really surprising how much traffic this place gets. I was there bright and early before anyone wants to get up but as I was leaving there were 6 or 7 cars pulling up. They were from all over. I would have thought someone would have purchased it.just to the right and down a short drive way is another museum dealing with native Americans, Spanish, the fort etc. Its new ane big. I'm not sure which museum may have the artifacts the closed museum might had. But I also wonder what is inside the old museum.
Just found your channel,I joyed your video,very interesting,injoy history about the old west even thoe I don't live in the USA,also it's good I see you reply to comments,that I see some other tube channel s don't,I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Welcome to the channel and thank you so much for watching. If you enjoy the old west then you are on the right channel. It's certainly one of my favorite time periods.
That is so weird to me. I saw his grave more than fifty years ago. Scrubby trees like those in the background were in the graveyard, and his grave was overrun with some kind of coarse, gourd vines. I remember a building being close to the grave that was in worn, poor condition. Seems like it was a stucco and low fire brick or even adobe construction. The place was desolate, with very little traffic. Somehow this empty lot is even more desolate than that Old Mexico feeling place that I remember. I would doubt my recollection except that I definitely remember that rough concrete mound with his name. So strange.
That is interesting to hear of the difference. I think it has built up around it due to the profit they could make off of his name. Thank you for watching William!
Lucien Maxwell died in quiet retirement...at the ripe old age of 57. I never understood why people steal famous artifacts. It's not like you can display them, and any attempt to sell them will most likely end with your arrest. So you pretty much have to leave them in the attic and not tell anyone you have them. Nice job on the video.
You're right about people stealing these old artifacts. I'm not sure what joy that would bring when you can't share it. Really seems pointless. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Henry A.K.A Billy the Kid is Bushy Bill.. died at 91.. He was in the army most of his life... killed legally. Nice jail grave... Great Video man ! Great Info ..
I’m working my way back to watch all of your videos, since I watched the Edmond Right Of Way Graves this morning. Clearly I’m not going in order. This was brilliant, thanks 🙏 for the info. I’m 4 videos down, don’t know how many I have to go, or how long it will take, but I’m going to enjoy the journey. 😀 🇦🇺 🐨
I'm glad you enjoyed today's video. I really don't know how many there is to watch but I know there is quite a few. I appreciate you going back and watching more!
The one brought back from Ca would have been the small one not the big one. If I understood the story correctly. The small one at the foot of Billy's grave wouldn't have been difficult to bring back. Thanks for sharing... This one was particularly interesting.
They've taken a lot of stuff away from there since I went three years ago. I think the museum was still active then and they had some stuff sitting outside. They apparently took a lot of the coins off the grave too. There were a lot more there when I went.
I bet the coins go for maintenance of the cemetery. That's usually how it goes. I wondered what was still in that museum and if anything went to the other museum since they were fueding. I also wondered why the museum by the cemetery closed.
THANK YOU for keeping B.T.K.'s memory alive. Was there & in old museum, if memory serves me correctly? Artifacts in old museum. Luv 2 see peeps 😍😍✌✌💪💪💘💘🧠🧠4 The Merchant War men! Accidentally found you-got me 4life now bro!
The word “Pals” was engraved on the stone. Tourists looking for complete authenticity may be disappointed, however-it's likely none of the men are actually buried under the tombstone. O'Folliard and Bowdre are buried in separate graves nearby, but their graves are unmarked. And because Billy's grave was unmarked for decades, his exact burial location is now unknown. His birth name was William Henry McCarty Jr. good video.
Why desecrate someone's headstone? Thats so sad. Take a picture. You would have that forever. You don't need to chip away his headstone to have a memory of him. Leave Billy's headstone alone. Leave pat Garrett's headstone alone. What is wrong with you people? They are passed on. Let their souls rest.
It's been going on a long time. Long before America was even a country. I'll never understand it and especially when you can take photos. Thank you for watching!
The small stone is the original. The large one was added at a later date. It has changed over the past few years. We stopped by in August of 2017. It looked so much nicer than what you got to see. Most the ground was green with grass. There also was a big bush or two behind the cage. Pepole had left many things for Billy. Playing cards to drinks and money. Also a lot of coins and rocks placed on the large headstone. Apparently that is all gone now. Even the money and rock I placed is no longer in your video pictures. Did you check out the town. You can go to the Tunstall Store. It's amazing the history of that little place. See the actual spot that Billy hid under the floor. You will find two wood crosses in back. They mark the graves of Tunstall and McSween.
I drove past it but did not see it otherwise. The wife and kids were still in the hotel in Santa Rosa. I had to get back up there and didn't have too much time as we still needed to check out that morning and head on to Santa Fe. There is a lot of history in NM so I will definitely be back.
I have always thought he looked an odd character and mistakenly thought he looked almost a bit dim in his photo. However, it would seem he was often underestimated and was quite intelligent and fast with a gun. His childhood was pretty tough and probably contributed enormously to his life choices.
I have been to that old billy the kid museum where his grave is located when I was just a boy. I had no idea that the museum had been moved. I would love to take my family there one day.
The museum hasn't been moved it has closed. The other museum in town is and always has been a completely separate museum. That one is still open. They were competing museums open at the same time at one point.
@@RhettyforHistory that's the trick it's almost always closed i grew up in San Miguel county and i have only seen it open twice you can look though windows and see artifacts
Unfortunately, many if not all of the headstones were moved due to floods. 1904 flood is the main one. They "guessed" as to where to put them back. We will never know the exact spot. I remember a bunch of years ago they wanted to do DNA tests, it was shot down. Its also would still have been a guess if the right grave, leaving the whole thing doubtful. Nice video, I did enjoy it.
You could be thinking of Buffalo Bill or possibly Doc Holliday? Both are buried west of Denver. I have plans to cover both of them at some point. Thank you so much for watching!
We were there in 2008. The museum was still open then and was interesting to browse through. I don't think the cage around Billy's grave was quite as fortified then - I don't remember there being a top to it - that was a while ago though. There was a very interesting Native American museum just down the road from there at the time as well. Its grounds cover the old fort and there were markers where Billy was shot and other events about the fort.
They do have a new museum there but I'm not sure what all they have. I didn't make it over to it. I'm still curious what happened bc to the old museum of Billy.
@@RhettyforHistory when we were there it was ran by a gentleman who was quite aged. Maybe he has passed and the family didn't want to keep it going? The Native American Museum had pottery and art displays and a film you could watch. I don't think it had been open long when we were there so it may have more now.
The smaller on is not a footstone, But a headstone, IN old days, the writing on the stone would be opposite of today. So Billys head is right on the other side of the headstone not his feet. Again the smaller stone is the headstone. :)
The story of how Billy got shot doesn’t make sense. Why would he go inside and ask who is it when strangers horses were present. He was a wanted man with people after him and willing to kill him on site. Seems like he would’ve been smarter than to drop his guard like that.
The reason why they put the jailhouse cage around his tombstone is to keep PEOPLE from stealing it and defaceing it ... and also the other reason why is BECAUSE he said that there is no jail that could hold him ..
I don't believe that version. Because like Garrett's other embellishments, it is not likely. Some workers say Billy came for Pete's sister and they were an item. Garrett ambushed him. Pete set him up said he is in there. Garrett was waiting. That isn't romantic, so Garrett changed the story. According to some workers at the compound.
@@RhettyforHistory Wherever they buried him that day. That version adds up. Outdrawing Billy after turning around...is another story Pat told. I suppose it is why people think he survived and fled to Mexico. Because Mr Garrett embellished. Thumbs up, thanks for sharing the video.
I've seen a few photos of him but there was a debatable one that is supposedly him and it brought a lot at an auction. Someone bought it at garage sale or something. Thanks for watching and commenting!
RhettyforFun The one of him playing in yard of a home. They say it was authenticated to be him. I love your stuff. Look forward to the next. Thanks Rhetty.
@@RhettyforHistory If you're referring to the croquet photo. It never sold. It was VALUED at $5 million by a coin dealer, because every auction house specializing in western Americana and old west photos refused to represent it (not believing it showed Billy or any of the other people claimed to be in it).
It's very difficult to tell. You have to really zoom in and it's still not clear. From what i had seen many people are still debating over whether or not that is him.
Seems like Billy got a raw deal in life. He probably would have been a noble guy if he had better luck in life. I don't believe he wanted to kill anyone.
Fort Summer is a place of sorrow. The Navajo were marched ( the long walk) to Ft Summer (called Basque Redondo) from their homelands in Northeast Arizona and Western New Mexico to a reservation here without adequate water, shade and no real interest in growing white man crops. Great starvation, flooding and exposure led to many deaths. A treaty in 1868 allowed the Dine' to return to their homelands. To this day, this long march is a part of the Navajo identity.
I was there in 1998. Not much of a museum. Mostly western items made in China. Woman working there was VERY nice and informative Grave site interesting. Museum and store was disappointing. Worth the stop..
The stone at the foot of the grave is the one that was stolen.
Thanks for clarifying that!
How u know that ?
@@lafaziaraymond2326 It says it on the sign next to the grave that's why it's shackled down.
Your right, except it's not the foot of his grave, that is his headstone, because in the old days, the writing was opposite. Wriiten on the back of the "headstone" :)
Jamie that is true
Thanks for taking me home again! I lived in Ft. Sumner until 86. Didn't know the museum had closed, it had a lot of interesting NM history inside. Wish I'd stayed there, not a single case of corvid in De Baca county.
That's interesting. There are pockets like that. I would have loved to have gone in that museum and it made me wonder what was still inside. Thank you for watching.
I love that you did this man! Big Billy The Kid enthusiast! Old Fr Sumner is in my bucket list. Thanks for sharing man great video
Thank you Jay! I hope one day you make it out there. Go early in the morning. Like bc as the sun comes up. No one was out there until I was bgg leaving and then about 6 or 7 cars pulled up. And that was a Monday morning.
His grave is on my list to see next month on my road trip. I had no idea so many people he knew were also buried in the same cemetery. Thanks for the preview, Rhetty!
It's an interesting one to visit. My biggest advice to you is get there early. His grave gets a lot of visitors. When I got there I had the cemetery to myself. When I left at 8:15 to 8:30 there were probably 7 or 8 cars pulling up as I was exiting. They had tags from everywhere so not the same group. And that was a Monday morning.
@@RhettyforHistory Thanks for the tip. I'm usually up before sunrise, but not sure when I will be driving through this town. If possible I'll try to make it early.
Great video.; I have been there to visit his grave a few years ago.; The Museum was still open then. I think you are right that the exact location in the cemetery is unknown for several reasons . There was a significant flood that come through that unearthed several grave. I think some went down the Pecos River and were lost.. And the Military came through to remove Soldiers buried there to a Military cemetery in Santa Fe. The Military Members were careful to only remove people in Military clothing, in an effort to not disturb other graves and were knowledgeable of the famous outlaw being there. But for those and other reasons. knowing where he is in the cemetery or even possibly not being there at all. The marker was placed in the center. I believe that's the story anyway. I have also visited the Grave in Hamilton Texas of Brushy Bill Roberts who claimed to be Billy the Kid in 1950. I don't think I believe his story , but I figured either way. Fort Sumner or Hamilton. I've probably been to his grave. Oh and Billy the Kid was killed in Pete Maxwells house like you said. The house was washed away by the flood. But there is a marker in the field where Billy was shot . where the house once stood. its only a couple hundred meters from the gravesite. . Sorry for the long comment. I just have always been interested in his story. thanks for the video.
Yeah there really is no telling for all the reasons that you stated. I didn't realize there is a marker where the house once stood. That's interesting. Thanks for watching and sharing that.
Love hearing the history of these old cemeteries. Thank you for your videos!
watching! Cemeteries just seem to have so much. This is one of them. Thanks for watching!
So sad about museum. Visited Ft. Sumpter twice as a young girl. First time original headstone was still there and no fence around grave. Second time a fence had been put up. Museum still open for both visits. They had some great memorabilia. I drove through Hico, Tx the other day and wanted to stop at that museum but didn’t get a chance. Great video!
Thank you. I'm not sure when they put up a fence around Billy in Ft Sumner. I did find a photo of Brushy Bill Robert's visiting the grave and there was a tall chain link fence around it. He died in 1950 so it had to be before then. I was thinking that the museum by the cemetery wasn't that old. It didn't seem to be anyways. I appreciate you watching.
This was really good!!! Really like how you had so much info on people. That's what keeps me interested in watching these shows is having the information looking around reading the stones that's what keeps me wanting more. Good job on research
Thank you Lisa! I try to add quite a bit of information if I can find it. If I don't and you ever do find something or you can add to what I had please do. I'm always interested in learning more. Thanks for watching!
Thank you Rhetty for this superb presentation. The cast of characters you discussed gave great depth to the subject matter, just like fleshing out a skeleton. These were all real people who had a moment in the sun and then disappeared like a vapor. For better or worse you showed these persons had meaning and truly lived interactive lives and once casted shadows on the wordly stage. It really moved me.
Thank you Billy! I appreciate you watching. I think we often seen Billy the Kid talked about but probably not the others so much. They all had an impact though.
" Regulators,... mount up!"
Definitely has become a part of pop culture!
Did you see the size of that chicken?
I love the old West
I always wanted to visit fort Sumter
Great video
I love the old west too Carrie! It's one of my favorite time periods. Thanks for watching!
Nice place I used to live there..
Fort Sumner
Ft Sumter is in South Carolina. If you love the old west, you should know this is about Ft SUMNER.
I enjoyed this video very much, thanks again Rhetty.
Im glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching Colleen!
Love your videos Rhetty......keep them coming and thamxs for the history lessons.
Thank you and will do! I appreciate you watching!
Once again you have made history interesting. Keep up the good work. God bless.
Thank you for watching Sharon and I'm glad you are enjoying the videos!
Thanks again Rhetty. Loved the video.
You're welcome and I'm glad you loved it. I appreciate you watching Janice!
Another fantastic video , ,loved it, thank you Rhetty
You're welcome and I'm glad you liked it! Thank you for bc watching!
Awesome job on the history and sharing the history story with us all. I knew his marker had been stolen once, but did not know about the other times. Yes, amazing that his grave has all the iron bars surrounding the grave like a jail house, but I am assuming that it's there to keep further damage being done to the markers. Thanks again for sharing and doing all that hard work with research.
You're right it's really there to protect the markers. It's ironic though because there never were any jails that could hold him. This one is a lot more permenant. It's crazy people want to steal those things. Thanks for watching my friend!
I bet you're right!
Billy's rifle is on display at the Museum that is in the center of town. The museum owner acquired it from the original family. Story being that Billy was good friends with a stagecoach driver, he asked the driver to keep it for him, however, he never retrieved it.
Very interesting!
Thank you for all of your hard work in bringing us these amazing videos!
You're welcome and I'm glad you enjoy them. Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
Awesome!!! Looking forward to kicking back tonight and watching this.
Thanks for watching Portia!
Great job. Always enjoy your off the beaten path tours of little known interesting places and facts.
Thank you Paul! I'm glad you enjoy them!
Thanks for all your hard work on these videos. Really enjoy them.
You're welcome and I'm glad you're enjoying them. Thanks for watching and commenting!
very interesting bit of history on the old outlaws...Love the video!
Thank you Michael! I'm glad you liked it!
Great video Rhetty I really enjoyed the history lesson. Keep up the great work.
Thank you Nature! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I really enjoy your videos. Thanks for the hard work
I'm glad you enjoy the videos and I really appreciate you watching them.
That was a great video and history lesson. I've read dozens of books about " Billy the Kid ", " Jessy James ", etc., Love the old west tales.
I'm fascinated with the Old West as well. So many interesting characters whether lawmen or outlaws.
A little late to the party as I’ve just discovered the channel, but I’m loving these. As a huge fan of history the Billy the kids story is so interesting. It’s also disappointing that there are so many discrepancies. I NEED to know these things!
There are a lot if unknowns surrounding Billy and there really always will be. Thank you so much for watching and welcome to the channel!
RhettyforFun Yes there are. On the other hand the unknowns lead to the intrigue of Billy. Thanks for the great vids. Bonnie and Clyde is another one of my favorite vids of yours.
Thanks for watching! You and I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the videos.
I read that he wasnt killed by Pat Garratt at all and he lived until he was 91 years old and is buried somewhere else
Great research!
Thank you Annie!
Always Great and informative vids.......from the UK
Thank you for watching from the UK!
Nice video. Thank you.
Thank you for watching Thomas.
Another good on...Keep up the good work....Thanks...
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching John!
Wow, Rhetty ... a REALLY good vid!! I didn't realise that "Young Guns" was actually a dramatisation loosely based on real events. I love learning about the Old West period, although as a woman I'm grateful that I wasn't born in that time. Those ladies had to be tough, and their men even tougher. Life was difficult enough in the cities without deciding to pack up and head West to pioneer new lands, mine for silver and gold, cut new lumber, and build new farms and cities etc - and in the midst of such lawlessness where outlaws ruled.
And BTW, that's a mighty fine beard you're growing there, Rhetty!
I love the Old West as well. Speaking of Young Guns I went thru a town where they did some filming of that movie. I had no idea about that when I was there though. I do have couple videos that will be coming out soon on the town though. You're right about the times being tough. It might have been tougher for women to make it out that way than men. Thanks for watching as well as the comment on the beard!
@@RhettyforHistory
I look forward to seeing the video on the town where they filmed some of Young Guns .. My husband and I just watched it last week, followed by Tombstone! I've read the biographies of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday, and apparently the movie portrayed the gunfight at OK Corral and its aftermath pretty much just how it happened. Which is rare for a dramatic retelling. And yes, the West must have been tough on women. I read a book recently which described what 'ladies of wealth and good breeding' had to endure just to go to the loo whilst dressed in those dresses with miles and miles of fabrics in the skirts over the top of whale-bone hoops over camisoles and long pantaloons ... That was bad enough in the relatively clean conveniences of city living, but I can barely even begin to imagine the difficulties they faced with the lack of facilities in the West!
And yes, your beard is looking very healthy and glossy .. We've been watching it grow for a long time now! It's a very lovely colour too - no greys at all. (Yet, LOL!) I bet you'd look 10 years younger without it, though. My husband just shaved his own beard off this evening after 3 years - and I'm absolutely delighted with the toy-boy that was lurking just underneath!!! I can't wait to take him out and show him off, LOL! Thanks again, Rhetty.
I do love that movie Tombstone. It's my favorite western movie. They have a few historical difference but that's to be expected with anything going to the screen. I've watching it a ton of times which is how I started noticing some of the continuity errors in filming. 😁 So really maybe too much but it's just really good! I can't imagine having to dress in that attire back then. Definitely a different lifestyle for sure!
@@RhettyforHistory
Tombstone is a GREAT movie! Did you know that according to Doc Holiday's biography, he actually stepped out and said, "I'm your huckleberry" .. !! I don't know what a huckleberry is but it sure sounded good, LOL. It was so well cast, and I can't imagine anyone else in Earp's role : ) I have two other far less serious favourite Westerns: 'The Quick and the Dead' with Leonardo Dicaprio & Sharon Stone, and the best laugh around has to be Seth MacFarlane's 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' with Charlize Theron ... We watch it at least once a month because it appeals to our senses of humour - but it's certainly not one for the kiddies! I don't know if you've seen it but I recommend it for some very light hearted viewing, and it highlights a lot of reasons why the West was so tough. I'm just grateful I wasn't born in that day and age. Thanks so much for your replies, you are always so diligent and put such a lot of work into your videos. It's always very much appreciated : )
There have been some historians debating on the actual words that Doc said. The popular version and what's most accepted is the huckleberry. It has definitely become part of our pop culture especially after Val muttered it and made it awesome. But there is a smaller portion of historians that think he said huckle bearer. So "I'm Your Huckle Bearer." A huckle on a casket is the handle. Bearer just means carrier. So basically he was telling the guy I'll kill you, carry your body and bury you. It's much more violent with the Huckle bearer. But Val nailed Huckleberry and made it cool. They used so many old sayings in that movie. I do love a good western though.
Thanks for sharing I live close to Ft Sumner.very interesting!!
You're welcome and thanks for watching!
Very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for watching Debbie!
I was there back in 1997 the museum was nice.
I wonder if the other museum got some of the artifacts or if they were still inside this one. I'm also wondering why this one was closed?
@@RhettyforHistory I would think because it's out there in the middle of nowhere and didn't get enough traffic to keep the lights on, or whoever was running it probably died an nobody wanted to carry on with it.
It's really surprising how much traffic this place gets. I was there bright and early before anyone wants to get up but as I was leaving there were 6 or 7 cars pulling up. They were from all over. I would have thought someone would have purchased it.just to the right and down a short drive way is another museum dealing with native Americans, Spanish, the fort etc. Its new ane big. I'm not sure which museum may have the artifacts the closed museum might had. But I also wonder what is inside the old museum.
Just found your channel,I joyed your video,very interesting,injoy history about the old west even thoe I don't live in the USA,also it's good I see you reply to comments,that I see some other tube channel s don't,I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Welcome to the channel and thank you so much for watching. If you enjoy the old west then you are on the right channel. It's certainly one of my favorite time periods.
Wow, man! New sub. I'm totally diggin' all your uploads. Thank you.
Thank you for watching and welcome to the channel!
That is so weird to me. I saw his grave more than fifty years ago. Scrubby trees like those in the background were in the graveyard, and his grave was overrun with some kind of coarse, gourd vines. I remember a building being close to the grave that was in worn, poor condition. Seems like it was a stucco and low fire brick or even adobe construction. The place was desolate, with very little traffic. Somehow this empty lot is even more desolate than that Old Mexico feeling place that I remember. I would doubt my recollection except that I definitely remember that rough concrete mound with his name. So strange.
That is interesting to hear of the difference. I think it has built up around it due to the profit they could make off of his name. Thank you for watching William!
I saw the original tombstone in 1979. It was pretty awesome. But sad that he died so young.
It's difficult to say what was original and what wasn't. That is part of the argument that the museum in town has. Thank you for watching!
Thank you! ❤️
You're welcome and thanks for watching Ellen!
Lucien Maxwell died in quiet retirement...at the ripe old age of 57.
I never understood why people steal famous artifacts. It's not like you can display them, and any attempt to sell them will most likely end with your arrest. So you pretty much have to leave them in the attic and not tell anyone you have them.
Nice job on the video.
You're right about people stealing these old artifacts. I'm not sure what joy that would bring when you can't share it. Really seems pointless. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Excelente trabajo!!!!!
Gracias!
this is very interesting...thank you so very much
You're welcome and thanks for watching Jody!
I really enjoy all of your videos
Thank you Terry! I appreciate you watching!
@@RhettyforHistory no problem man I enjoy videos like this and the history behind them
Really nice video. Very informative and interesting. I would love to come out there and see all of this in person
Thank you Brutus! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate you watching!
Henry A.K.A Billy the Kid is Bushy Bill.. died at 91..
He was in the army most of his life... killed legally.
Nice jail grave...
Great Video man !
Great Info ..
I’m working my way back to watch all of your videos, since I watched the Edmond Right Of Way Graves this morning. Clearly I’m not going in order. This was brilliant, thanks 🙏 for the info. I’m 4 videos down, don’t know how many I have to go, or how long it will take, but I’m going to enjoy the journey. 😀 🇦🇺 🐨
I'm glad you enjoyed today's video. I really don't know how many there is to watch but I know there is quite a few. I appreciate you going back and watching more!
@@RhettyforHistory it’s my pleasure 🙂
The one brought back from Ca would have been the small one not the big one. If I understood the story correctly. The small one at the foot of Billy's grave wouldn't have been difficult to bring back.
Thanks for sharing... This one was particularly interesting.
Thanks for clarifying that Buddy. I'm sure it was still quite the expense. Crazy that people want to take those. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I need to make a bucket list of outlaws to visit..
This cemetery seems to a good one to see..💙
It is a great one to see. Lots of NM history is in it. Thank you got watching!
The graves are not actually under that spot, they dont know the exact location anymore, due to flooding and time left without a marker over the years.
You're right about that. Thank you for watching.
Thanks! I’ll stop there in Oct to pay respect to BtK!!
They've taken a lot of stuff away from there since I went three years ago. I think the museum was still active then and they had some stuff sitting outside. They apparently took a lot of the coins off the grave too. There were a lot more there when I went.
I bet the coins go for maintenance of the cemetery. That's usually how it goes. I wondered what was still in that museum and if anything went to the other museum since they were fueding. I also wondered why the museum by the cemetery closed.
THANK YOU for keeping B.T.K.'s memory alive. Was there & in old museum, if memory serves me correctly? Artifacts in old museum. Luv 2 see peeps 😍😍✌✌💪💪💘💘🧠🧠4 The Merchant War men! Accidentally found you-got me 4life now bro!
Welcome to the channel! Thank you so much for watching!
Thankyou so interesting 😊☺
Thank you! I appreciate it!
Classic Industries Catalog Old Cars Is In Huntington beach California. Henry McCarty was Born 1859 + 21 yrs old only Killed 5 Men. LW 943 am Wed 29th
The word “Pals” was engraved on the stone. Tourists looking for
complete authenticity may be disappointed, however-it's likely none of
the men are actually buried under the tombstone. O'Folliard and Bowdre
are buried in separate graves nearby, but their graves are unmarked. And
because Billy's grave was unmarked for decades, his exact burial
location is now unknown. His birth name was William Henry McCarty Jr. good video.
Great video!
Thank you Mike!
Sad that people disrespect graves. Very interesting story.
Yes it is sad. Seems to be common among outlaws. Thanks for watching.
Why desecrate someone's headstone? Thats so sad. Take a picture. You would have that forever. You don't need to chip away his headstone to have a memory of him. Leave Billy's headstone alone. Leave pat Garrett's headstone alone. What is wrong with you people? They are passed on. Let their souls rest.
It's been going on a long time. Long before America was even a country. I'll never understand it and especially when you can take photos. Thank you for watching!
Great american old western history!
Yes he's one of the famous ones!
@@RhettyforHistory Also another one you'll never find in school books anymore. Good to see you keeping some of this history alive!
I'll keep getting them one at a time. Thanks for watching and helping to ensure these continue!
Billy the Kid (Legends Never Die)
Great place to visit when it was open!
At least the cemetery still is.
Most Western Historians place the number of men Billy killed at 6-8 still a bloody trail. Great video very interesting.
Thank you. I appreciate you watching!
Wyatt Earp died somewhere in the Los Angeles area though I have no idea where he’s buried.
He is buried in Colma, CA. At some point I will do a story ok him. Thank you for watching!
Hi Rhett, this was a very interesting video, I've always loved outlaws and gangster's, don't ask me WHY, because I can't tell you , I just do☺
Thank you Carole. I have always found them interesting as well as the lawmen. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@RhettyforHistory You're welcome ☺
The small stone is the original. The large one was added at a later date.
It has changed over the past few years. We stopped by in August of 2017. It looked so much nicer than what you got to see. Most the ground was green with grass. There also was a big bush or two behind the cage. Pepole had left many things for Billy. Playing cards to drinks and money. Also a lot of coins and rocks placed on the large headstone. Apparently that is all gone now. Even the money and rock I placed is no longer in your video pictures.
Did you check out the town. You can go to the Tunstall Store. It's amazing the history of that little place. See the actual spot that Billy hid under the floor. You will find two wood crosses in back. They mark the graves of Tunstall and McSween.
I drove past it but did not see it otherwise. The wife and kids were still in the hotel in Santa Rosa. I had to get back up there and didn't have too much time as we still needed to check out that morning and head on to Santa Fe. There is a lot of history in NM so I will definitely be back.
The Tunstall store is in Lincoln NM, not Ft. Sumner.
Poor Billy. Even in death he's in protective custody.
Thank you for watching!
I have always thought he looked an odd character and mistakenly thought he looked almost a bit dim in his photo. However, it would seem he was often underestimated and was quite intelligent and fast with a gun. His childhood was pretty tough and probably contributed enormously to his life choices.
I have been to that old billy the kid museum where his grave is located when I was just a boy. I had no idea that the museum had been moved. I would love to take my family there one day.
The museum hasn't been moved it has closed. The other museum in town is and always has been a completely separate museum. That one is still open. They were competing museums open at the same time at one point.
In Las Vegas, New Mexico they have a old wild west museum with Billy the kid's gun's and other artifacts
It's amazing how many places claim to have his guns. I would love to go there and see that though.
@@RhettyforHistory that's the trick it's almost always closed i grew up in San Miguel county and i have only seen it open twice you can look though windows and see artifacts
@@RhettyforHistory it's called the Rough rider's museum
Hmm...I wonder if you have to call and schedule a tour?
LOL Even in the after life bill the kid resting place he is still behind bars... lol
Unfortunately, many if not all of the headstones were moved due to floods. 1904 flood is the main one. They "guessed" as to where to put them back. We will never know the exact spot. I remember a bunch of years ago they wanted to do DNA tests, it was shot down. Its also would still have been a guess if the right grave, leaving the whole thing doubtful. Nice video, I did enjoy it.
Not too mention they do not know the exact spot of where his mother is. The DNA test just isn't possible. Thank you so much for watching!
Im surprised they don't do a cage like that for people serving multiple life sentences
I remember the movie Pat Garret and Billy the Kid in which Bob Dylan sang Knock Knock Knocking on Heaven's Door.
I love the history of Billy the Kid
I do too. He's a big character in the old west. Thanks for watching!
I thought Billy the kid was buried in Denver, CO unless I am thinking buffalo Bill
You could be thinking of Buffalo Bill or possibly Doc Holliday? Both are buried west of Denver. I have plans to cover both of them at some point. Thank you so much for watching!
Great videos. One suggestion - in your videos, please be more precise as to the city and state where the cemetery is located. Thank you.
It’s crazy that he has “multiple graves”!
Wow this is really cool.
Thank you Lisa!
He have so many graves no one cant tell which one is his
He could be in this cemetery somewhere or he could have washed out.
I'd love to visit that place 🐴🌵
It's really a cool cemetery to visit.
Someone I think Billy lived to a R. I. P. E old age.
We were there in 2008. The museum was still open then and was interesting to browse through. I don't think the cage around Billy's grave was quite as fortified then - I don't remember there being a top to it - that was a while ago though. There was a very interesting Native American museum just down the road from there at the time as well. Its grounds cover the old fort and there were markers where Billy was shot and other events about the fort.
They do have a new museum there but I'm not sure what all they have. I didn't make it over to it. I'm still curious what happened bc to the old museum of Billy.
@@RhettyforHistory when we were there it was ran by a gentleman who was quite aged. Maybe he has passed and the family didn't want to keep it going?
The Native American Museum had pottery and art displays and a film you could watch. I don't think it had been open long when we were there so it may have more now.
Yeah it a big museum now just off to the right and down a drive from the old museum.
The smaller on is not a footstone, But a headstone, IN old days, the writing on the stone would be opposite of today. So Billys head is right on the other side of the headstone not his feet. Again the smaller stone is the headstone. :)
I just went to clovis. ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME RHETTY. Lol legit passed through summer and went to clovis.
I'm trying to! 😁
Hopefully, when you got to Clovis, you sped up and kept moving. The place is awful.
That is one of three different grave sites around the USA and they all claim that theirs is real grave site of Billy the Kid
It isn't really where he was buried. The cemetery was washed away by a flood. They just the head stone there.
This is what I call history
Thank you for watching!
@@RhettyforHistory love the channel you just earned a subscriber
I appreciate you subscribing too!
The story of how Billy got shot doesn’t make sense. Why would he go inside and ask who is it when strangers horses were present. He was a wanted man with people after him and willing to kill him on site. Seems like he would’ve been smarter than to drop his guard like that.
You’d think they would put the wire mesh so it covers the whole back part of where the headstone is.
The reason why they put the jailhouse cage around his tombstone is to keep PEOPLE from stealing it and defaceing it ... and also the other reason why is BECAUSE he said that there is no jail that could hold him ..
I don't believe that version. Because like Garrett's other embellishments, it is not likely. Some workers say Billy came for Pete's sister and they were an item. Garrett ambushed him. Pete set him up said he is in there. Garrett was waiting. That isn't romantic, so Garrett changed the story. According to some workers at the compound.
So where is Billy?
@@RhettyforHistory Wherever they buried him that day. That version adds up. Outdrawing Billy after turning around...is another story Pat told. I suppose it is why people think he survived and fled to Mexico. Because Mr Garrett embellished. Thumbs up, thanks for sharing the video.
Seem to think every photo with a guy with a hat on is Billy the kid.
Everyone wants to cash in on a paycheck!
Did you know there is a picture of Billy at a ranch that sold for over million dollars. It's the only second picture of him. Fantastic video again.
I've seen a few photos of him but there was a debatable one that is supposedly him and it brought a lot at an auction. Someone bought it at garage sale or something. Thanks for watching and commenting!
RhettyforFun The one of him playing in yard of a home. They say it was authenticated to be him. I love your stuff. Look forward to the next. Thanks Rhetty.
Thanks Nadia! Is this the one you're talking about or is it different? truewestmagazine.com/billy-the-kid-experts-weigh-in-on-the-croquet-photo/
@@RhettyforHistory If you're referring to the croquet photo. It never sold. It was VALUED at $5 million by a coin dealer, because every auction house specializing in western Americana and old west photos refused to represent it (not believing it showed Billy or any of the other people claimed to be in it).
It's very difficult to tell. You have to really zoom in and it's still not clear. From what i had seen many people are still debating over whether or not that is him.
Seems like Billy got a raw deal in life.
He probably would have been a noble guy if he had better luck in life.
I don't believe he wanted to kill anyone.
I think I might a large pizza till it dude
Fort Summer is a place of sorrow. The Navajo were marched ( the long walk) to Ft Summer (called Basque Redondo) from their homelands in Northeast Arizona and Western New Mexico to a reservation here without adequate water, shade and no real interest in growing white man crops. Great starvation, flooding and exposure led to many deaths. A treaty in 1868 allowed the Dine' to return to their homelands. To this day, this long march is a part of the Navajo identity.
I was there in 1998. Not much of a museum. Mostly western items made in China. Woman working there was VERY nice and informative Grave site interesting. Museum and store was disappointing. Worth the stop..
Sounds like I didn't miss anything then. I didn't bother stopping at the museum and gift shop in town because I figured it was going to be the same.
Coooool
Thank you!