Lincoln Lecture: Billy the Kid: True Age Revealed

Join us for a special Lincoln Lecture Series during Old Lincoln Days in the Billiard Hall inside the Courthouse at 2 p.m. Johnny Boswell will give a presentation revealing Billy the Kid’s age. Between 1878 and 1881, more than 35 people fell to their death on one single street in America, most shot dead in what is known as the Lincoln County War. With all that death and mayhem only one person was ever charged and convicted of a crime. We know him today as Billy the Kid. New research by a retired Lincoln Historic Site ranger, Scott Smith, has revealed The Kid was most probably much younger than previously thought. It was April 1, 1878, the day that the Kid and at least four others ambushed Sheriff William Brady and his four deputies. Brady was killed in the exchange of gunfire. To answer the question, “how old was Billy the Kid that day,” we must depend on the “best evidence” available using this recent research. Johnny Boswell is a resident of Lincoln, New Mexico and has had a lifelong love of studying the Old West and particularly the Lincoln County War.

Boswell’s professional background is in radio broadcast and advertising. His company, Boswell Media, is still a mainstay of Mississippi Media and is operated by his daughter, Melissa. He maintains an office and studio in Lincoln.

The Lincoln Lecture is held in the Billiard Hall in the historic Courthouse and is included with admission of $7 for adults and free to children 16 years and younger, NM disabled veterans, NM foster families, Friends of Lincoln, and MNMF members.