Post by HulaHoops on Jan 7, 2023 16:26:31 GMT -5
Below I found the photo of the guy on the left online. The photo, in my mind, bears as much resemblance to the authentic tintype as any proposed photo yet to come forth. The odd hat is perplexing, but the photo's owner put forth the idea that maybe whoever was guarding Billy at the time made him wear it as a source of mockery. Then again, Billy was known for his sense of humor, so maybe he chose to wear the hat (a photo studio prop?) as a goof
According to the owner, the photo bears remarkable similarities to Billy the Kid with which he was captured at Stinking Springs in December 1880; Dirty Dave Rudabaugh, Billy Wilson, and Tom Pickett. As one can expect, I was dubious when I first heard such an idea, but nonetheless optimistic. When I finally saw the photo, I had to agree with their owner's conclusion, that he does strongly resemble known photos and/or descriptions of Billy.
As usual, there is no real provenance, other than the photo was purchased by their current owner in Texas, a locale within the realm of Billy's wanderings. I am no photo expert, and for all I know there may be something in the photo that could automatically discredit it (i.e. clothing of a later period, subject able to be identified as someone else, etc.). Still, one can't deny it is intriguing. One theory I have as to how the photo, if it is genuine, came to be as it was taken when Billy was brought to Las Vegas after his capture. It would make some sense, as Vegas was known to have photographers at the time and the capture of such an outlaw was a celebrated event. No contemporary source mentions anything of such photo, but that doesn't innately discredit it. Also, the clothing and overall appearance of Billy is perhaps not what we would like of a rogue. However, it is possible after it was taken to Vegas, he was permitted to wash and change clothes; in fact, if the photo were to be taken, then it is very likely he would be cleaned up beforehand.
According to the owner, the photo bears remarkable similarities to Billy the Kid with which he was captured at Stinking Springs in December 1880; Dirty Dave Rudabaugh, Billy Wilson, and Tom Pickett. As one can expect, I was dubious when I first heard such an idea, but nonetheless optimistic. When I finally saw the photo, I had to agree with their owner's conclusion, that he does strongly resemble known photos and/or descriptions of Billy.
As usual, there is no real provenance, other than the photo was purchased by their current owner in Texas, a locale within the realm of Billy's wanderings. I am no photo expert, and for all I know there may be something in the photo that could automatically discredit it (i.e. clothing of a later period, subject able to be identified as someone else, etc.). Still, one can't deny it is intriguing. One theory I have as to how the photo, if it is genuine, came to be as it was taken when Billy was brought to Las Vegas after his capture. It would make some sense, as Vegas was known to have photographers at the time and the capture of such an outlaw was a celebrated event. No contemporary source mentions anything of such photo, but that doesn't innately discredit it. Also, the clothing and overall appearance of Billy is perhaps not what we would like of a rogue. However, it is possible after it was taken to Vegas, he was permitted to wash and change clothes; in fact, if the photo were to be taken, then it is very likely he would be cleaned up beforehand.
