I was watching a John Wayne/Jimmy Stewart western the other day, one titled “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” It is a great noir western, with beatiful black and white photography used to enhance the storyline. One of the best parts of the movie is where the editor of the town newspaper learns that most of the career of Jimmy’s character was built on a lie. One of the best lines of the movie (and all movies) is uttered, “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” That quote goes to the heart of the western mystique of our country. What is legend, and what is fact? What is truth and what is fiction? Today we look at a site about one of the most infamous characters of the old west, and where truth and legend are explored to the heart’s content.

The name of the site is called About Billy the Kid. If you are looking for a site that has information about William H. Bonney, then you are at the right place. There is no other historical figure from the old west that has stirred up more controversy, and eluded more biographers, than Billy the Kid. (The relatives of Jesse James may argue that point, but that remains to be seen.) Mr. Bonney, in his short life, established his claim to immortality with his deeds and actions. But like the film “Liberty Valance,” you have to seperate the legend from the fact. This site does that job quite well.

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