On the night of April 28, 1881, 21-year-old Billy the Kid—one of the most notorious outlaws of the American West—was locked in a jail cell on the upper floor of the Lincoln County Courthouse in New Mexico. Captured and sentenced to hang for the murder of Sheriff William Brady, Billy was awaiting execution in just two weeks.
Under the watch of Deputy James Bell, Billy requested to use the outhouse located behind the courthouse. As they returned, Billy made his move—slipping free from his handcuffs, he attacked Bell on the stairwell, managed to wrestle away his revolver, and fatally shot him in the back as he tried to flee.
Despite having his legs still shackled, Billy quickly set his sights on complete escape. He rushed back upstairs and seized a shotgun that belonged to Deputy Bob Olinger, who had earlier gone to get dinner across the street.
Hearing the gunshot, Olinger ran back toward the courthouse. Billy positioned himself at a window and, according to legend, called out, “Look up, old boy, and see what you get.” As Olinger glanced up, Billy fired both barrels, killing him instantly. Now with both guards dead, Billy smashed his leg irons with an axe and prepared to make his final break for freedom.
Stealing a horse from the town below, Billy the Kid mounted up and rode out of Lincoln, reportedly singing as he disappeared into the night. His daring jailbreak stunned the region and added to his already growing legend.
Though he would only enjoy freedom for a few more months—ultimately being shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in July—Billy’s bold escape became one of the most talked-about moments in the annals of Wild West folklore. To this day, it remains a defining chapter in the story of the outlaw who refused to go quietly.
