Billy the Kid Rides Again: Digging for the Truth

By Jay Miller

Book Overview

In early 2003, three sheriffs set out to prove that Pat Garrett killed Billy the Kid, thereby also proving that Brushy Bill of Hico, Texas was not the real Kid. Along their way, the sheriffs enlisted New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's support and took two communities on a wild ride through court battles to dig up Billy and his mother. Governor Richardson found an attorney willing to work free and provide Billy with a voice. Follow "Billy" as he speaks for himself in court, requesting that he and his mother be dug up to examine the DNA in their dusty remains for evidence that they were related. And follow the small towns of Fort Sumner and Silver City, New Mexico as they fight to retain the integrity of their municipal cemeteries and keep the legend of Billy the Kid from crumbling away. Author Jay Miller followed the strange unfolding of events, digging to find the source of the money that financed an official murder investigation and the court action against two courageous small towns struggling to prevent the exhumations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0865344582
• ISBN13: 9780865344587
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Sunstone Press
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Let the Dust Fly

I found Jay Miller's book refreshing, thought-provoking, and most importantly, entertaining. Mr. Miller knows the flavor of New Mexico and shook alot of bones, some buried, and some still rattling. I found the dust flying, and I loved it!

A refreshing look at Billy facts and myths

It is a refreshing look at an old legend. The author shares his comprehensive knowledge of New Mexico politics to reveal that the legend of Billy the Kid is as much about the political motivations of Governor Lew Wallace and the presidential ambition of Governor Bill Richardson. It is a must read for those curious about how western mythology is perpetuated and defended.

A Welcome Antidote to Snake Oil

To me, one of the most interesting aspects of 19th century Western history is the flim flam man, the con who made his living by foisting fake 'cures' and other swindles upon a credible public eager to sample every new little thing. I'm always reminded of this snake-oil aspect of western history when I read about another attempt to dig up Billy the Kid's remains from the old cemetery at Fort Sumner. Simply to "disprove" a phony mystery--that Billy the Kid somehow escaped and lived to be an old man--a vocal minority persists in trying to re-write history. Apparently, they don't care that attempts to dig up Billy the Kid have caused great anguish to Fort Sumner residents, who understandably revere their old cemetery, and don't wish to see it become a circus side show. Jay Miller deserves great credit for writing a series of columns decrying the flim flammery of digging up Billy the Kid. Undeterred by vicious name-calling, Jay persisted in pointing out the real harm in distorting history, and ruining one of the most iconic images of the old West: the gravestone of the West's most famous outlaw. Fortunately, Jay's tough. He's also a hell of a good writer. I loved his book, and passed it on to friends. I recommend it highly.

Facts vs factoids

My research into Billy the Kid's life and career began in 1952 -- so I have been seeking the truth about him longer than many of the individuals who are participating in this discussion have been alive. That alone, I believe, entitles me to voice my opinions here. My mentors were Maurice Garland Fulton, William A. Keleher, Philip J. Rasch and Robert N. Mullin and their byword was integrity, a quality conspicuously lacking in some of "reviews" presently appearing at this site. If the investigation launched by ex-Sheriff Sullivan and his deputy has any integrity at all then Jay Miller surely has an equal right to question it. The burden of proof is incumbent upon all those who seek to overturn accepted historical fact and it is because Mr. Miller's brave little book highlights the continuing lack of any such proof, not to mention the constantly-changing positions of both playing field levels and the goalposts that he has become the target for such abuse. Mr. Miller documents and (rightly) criticizes those aspects of the case that substitute hubris for honesty, Billingsgate and blatherskite -- badmouthing and ballyhoo to you -- for bona-fide research. He has -- all of us have -- an inalienable right to question the actions of those in office if we believe those actions to be counter to the public good. This is as true for presidents as it is for sheriffs and that is why I believe Mr. Miller has done a much-needed good deed in a very murky world

Billy the Kid-Updated History

I have followed the saga of the kid for years and I am well aware of the controversy. Living in NM I am closer to the realty of the Kid's history than most people and in that light I would say this is the closest writing I have seen on the who, what. why and when on Billy the Kid. For historical accuracy this is a must read.