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what happened to billy the kids brother

Billy the Kid's Brother: Joseph Antrim's Life and Fate Billy the Kid, the infamous outlaw William Henry McCarty, had a brother (or half-brother) named Joseph McCarty, later known as Joe Antrim. Born around 1863 in New York, Joe shared a turbulent early life with Billy, marked by their mother's death and separation as they grew up in the Wild West. While Billy chased notoriety in New Mexico, Joe carved a quieter, nomadic path—drifting through Arizona, Colorado, and beyond as a professional gambler.

Key Life Milestones

  • Early Years and Split Paths : Census records confirm Joe's New York origins. The brothers parted ways as teens; Billy turned to crime in the Lincoln County Wars, while Joe headed west around 1880.
  • Post-Billy Rumors : After Sheriff Pat Garrett killed Billy in 1881, newspapers buzzed that Joe sought revenge. He reportedly met Garrett in Albuquerque in 1882, but they parted amicably—Joe even denied any grudge.
  • Gambler's Drift : Settling in Trinidad and later Denver, Colorado, Joe lived as a small-time gambler into old age. No major crimes or fame attached to him.

Recent Discoveries and Legacy

In a trending 2024 update , Joe's grave was rediscovered in Colorado after 90 years, sparking forum buzz on Reddit and history sites. This "lost" burial in Denver highlights his obscure end. He died on November 25, 1930 , at age 76 (or so), from apoplexy (a stroke), in poverty —a stark contrast to his brother's mythic status.

"Joe wound up in Denver, where he plied his trade as a small-time gambler. On November 25, 1930, the 76-year-old died in poverty."

Historians like those at the Pals of Billy the Kid Society note Joe was interviewed for Garrett's potential book, but he faded into obscurity. No evidence of violence or wealth; just a drifter's tale. Forums speculate on family ties, but facts point to separate, unremarkable lives post-1881.

TL;DR : Joe Antrim gambled his way through Colorado, outlived Billy by decades, and died poor in 1930—his grave found in 2024. No revenge, no drama, just survival.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.