Brushy Bill Roberts - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

kamy · 01-16-2008, 06:49 PM

Okay, so it has been determined that Anna Anderson was a clever imposter for Grand Dutchess Anastasia, but what do you all think of Brushy Bill Roberts claims to be Billy the Kid?

He is very convincing, but so was Anna Anderson. Unfortunetely, the city that the assumed body of Billy the Kid is buried in, will not allow testing on the body, more than likely out of fear of being proved wrong and loosing their main tourist attraction.

So, does anyone have any says on this case?

I'm torn. I thought Anna Anderson was Anastasia up until not to long ago. Tells ya how much I know

justins5256 · 01-16-2008, 07:37 PM

This is one of those cases I've seen a handful of times yet never really thought about outside the viewing of the segment. I guess he's no more credible than that guy who claimed to be Jesse James, or that businessman who claimed to be Butch Cassidy. It's kind of like the Frances Mealbach case; DNA testing could clear a lot of these issues up, but who really wants it done?

MavFan92 · 01-16-2008, 11:20 PM

OT somewhat, but I saw another show about Jesse James. They proved that the man in his grave who was killed by Robert Ford, was indeed Jesse James. They did mitochondrial DNA testing on a living relative. James' grave was allowed to be exhumed because his identity was in question. Very interesting!!

Is Brushy Bill buried in Hico? That's a town you miss if you blink, kwim??

kamy · 01-17-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavFan92

OT somewhat, but I saw another show about Jesse James. They proved that the man in his grave who was killed by Robert Ford, was indeed Jesse James. They did mitochondrial DNA testing on a living relative. James' grave was allowed to be exhumed because his identity was in question. Very interesting!!

Is Brushy Bill buried in Hico? That's a town you miss if you blink, kwim??

Very interesting! This is what they are wanting to do with BTK's supposed remains, compare them with I beleive his known grandmother? But the town where his supposed remains are, aren't allowing it. And yes, Brushy Bill is buried in Hico.

GaryJ06 · 01-19-2008, 10:31 AM

i thought that i remembered brushy bill claiming to be a famous lawman before claiming to be the kid. But that could have been the jesse james guy too. Although Brushy did know quite a bit about the lincoln county war and billy's life to have just read about it too.

Allierain · 01-19-2008, 05:37 PM

Not too long ago I saw another show (on the National Geographic channel I believe) about Billy the Kid and the story of Brushy Bill. They claimed to have pictures of Brushy Bill as a youngster. When I saw the comparison of his pictures to those of Billy the Kid taken about the same age, I was unconvinced. So I really don't believe that Brushy and Billy were the same person. However, the skeptic in me asks if those pictures were really of Brushy as a young man. I have to do that- ask questions about everything I mean. :P

I thought for a long time that the DNA was wrong and that Anna Anderson was Anastasia, but over the years I changed my tune. Recently I heard that they finally located the remains of the missing Romanov kids.

On a related note, however, I do believe that John Wilkes Booth escaped Garrett Farm.

Todd Mueller · 01-19-2008, 07:01 PM

For some stupid reason, I want to believe that Brushy Bill is Billy the Kid. But I just can't. Too much doesn't add up and I have the feeling if it was really him he could have proven it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allierain

On a related note, however, I do believe that John Wilkes Booth escaped Garrett Farm.

So is Booth still on the run?

lilmissd · 01-20-2008, 03:36 PM

I don't know, I have always been torn on this case. The conspiracy theorist in me wants to belive it, but the other side is leaning towards that doesn't believe he's Billy the Kid. They say before he died that he asked the Governor of Texas for a full pardon, and was denied. My question is, that if he was really Billy the Kid/William Bonney, why didn't he ask for a pardon years ago? And how was he able to live as someone else all those years and not even have his other identity come up? Also, what did his relatives claim? I mean the guy must have some relatives alive somewhere to corraborate or disclaim his story right?

justins5256 · 01-20-2008, 03:44 PM

I actually watched this last night. I don't think Brushy Bill was Billy the Kid. I think the historian (sorry I didn't catch his name) was a lot more credible. He said that 20 people who knew Billy the Kid positively identified his corpse before it was buried. The guy on the opposing side made no attempt to refute this. Also, and this is a minor point I suppose, the historian pointed out that there are no accurate records of Billy the Kid's boot and waist sizes. However, we know from historical reports that he had bright blue eyes. Brushy Bill's eyes were speckled. I can understand the town's motives for not wanting Brushy Bill's remains exhumed and tested because I don't see one shred of reliable evidence that he was Billy the Kid.

LooksLikeCRicci · 01-21-2008, 10:01 PM

Aww, shucks! I liked Brushy Bill!

But do I think he was really Billy the Kid? I dunno, but it's fun to speculate.

MavFan92 · 01-22-2008, 01:00 PM

Brushy Bill wanted a pardon because he was getting on in years and wanted to go to his grave with a clear conscience. It's kind of risky to come out and say you're Billy the Kid, he was still wanted for murder. There was still a warrant over his head, he would have been hanged.

Cori aka ChrisSCrush · 06-13-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamy

I'm torn. I thought Anna Anderson was Anastasia up until not to long ago. Tells ya how much I know

Join the club. Strange thing is, of all the people who have shown up claiming to be someone famous missing or presumed dead, NOT ONE has EVER proven genuine! There were 14 candidates just for the Lindbergh baby! Kinda makes ya think.

Allierain · 07-07-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Mueller

For some stupid reason, I want to believe that Brushy Bill is Billy the Kid. But I just can't. Too much doesn't add up and I have the feeling if it was really him he could have proven it.

So is Booth still on the run?

Hehehe...After all these years? Why the heck not...

Stranger things have happened....

It makes me want to break out a stock picture of some dude, put Booth's face on it, and post it with a headline like "BOOTH FOUND IN 2008!!!" but somehow I think that's kinda in bad taste...

TheCars1986 · 01-11-2009, 02:07 PM

Yes there were numerous claimants that came about during the 30's to the 50's and each and every one of them paraded around in sideshows and tried to garner up as much publicity as possible. But Brushy Bill Roberts did not. He never once made the claim publically, until William V. Morrison discovered him. And when Morrison first question Brushy about being Billy (Morrison was told by several old timers that Billy the Kid was never killed and was living in Texas) Brushy denied it and said his brother was Billy the Kid. Morrison was dejected and only when he and Brushy were alone did Brushy admit it.

There are SEVERAL pieces of evidence that say Brushy was who he said it was. The fact that he came out seeking a pardon and not publicity is enough alone in my opinion.

Cori aka ChrisSCrush · 01-11-2009, 09:13 PM

Here's what I understand on the cases--someone wishing to go more in depth can look them up for further details.

John Wilkes Booth--the story presented on Unsolved Mysteries was a complete fabrication except the quote from the doctor saying the corpse had no resemblance to Booth nor could he believe it to be him. He really did say that. Moments later, however, Booth's initials tattooed on his wrist, and his scar from a procedure the doctor himself performed on Booth convinced him otherwise. A letter from the doctor himself states this. The other parts of the story, that the difference in appearance extended to hair color, skin tone, and the absence of a broken leg are absolutely untrue. Major, MAJOR screwups were made in that relatives of Booth's were available but were not asked to identify the remains, neither were they displayed to the public although Lincoln's were widely displayed. (Now, how wacked is THAT? That it's okay to drag the president's corpse all over the country, but not the assassin's?) Years later, the remains of Bonnie and Clyde were seen by tens of thousands of people. You don't see too many stories claiming that Abraham Lincoln or Bonnie and Clyde escaped being fatally shot, as are seen about Booth. The alleged Booth mummy has gone into hiding now that modern tests are available.

Jesse James--yes, VERY strange! Not only were the remains related to his family and presumably fit his description in other ways (age, gender, skull matching known photographs, and so on--a careful examination was made), but the bones in the grave were REVERSED from where they should have been--in other words, he was buried FACE DOWN, "facing his fate," as someone said. And Frank James, Jesse's brother, had business dealings later with Robert Ford, the man who shot him! This was one reason people claimed the man shot couldn't have been Jesse!

Anastasia--her remains turned up after papers written by the executioner giving a more exact description of their location were released. Two years later, tests have yet to satisfy the Russian Orthodox church to allow the remains of the presumed Grand Duchess and her presumed brother to be buried with the others identified as the Imperial Family, but when that happens the case can be considered closed.

Lindbergh baby--all indications are that the remains found and identified by the family really were of Charles, Jr. Later accusations of lies and coverups were perhaps reactions to Lindbergh, Sr. later being revealed as not so nice and doing things unpopular with the public.

Billy the Kid--I think I saw some proof as to Brushy Bill not being him but don't remember the details.

Butch Cassidy--at least one claimant was proven not to be through photographs, but what of the man who visited for years who his own FAMILY said was Butch? Was the family deluded, or lying? I think the jury is still out on this.

01-16-2008, 06:49 PM	#1
kamy UM Fanatic Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 25, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 625	Brushy Bill Roberts Okay, so it has been determined that Anna Anderson was a clever imposter for Grand Dutchess Anastasia, but what do you all think of Brushy Bill Roberts claims to be Billy the Kid? He is very convincing, but so was Anna Anderson. Unfortunetely, the city that the assumed body of Billy the Kid is buried in, will not allow testing on the body, more than likely out of fear of being proved wrong and loosing their main tourist attraction. So, does anyone have any says on this case? I'm torn. I thought Anna Anderson was Anastasia up until not to long ago. Tells ya how much I know

01-20-2008, 03:36 PM	#8
lilmissd Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 28, 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 172	I don't know, I have always been torn on this case. The conspiracy theorist in me wants to belive it, but the other side is leaning towards that doesn't believe he's Billy the Kid. They say before he died that he asked the Governor of Texas for a full pardon, and was denied. My question is, that if he was really Billy the Kid/William Bonney, why didn't he ask for a pardon years ago? And how was he able to live as someone else all those years and not even have his other identity come up? Also, what did his relatives claim? I mean the guy must have some relatives alive somewhere to corraborate or disclaim his story right?
	Last edited by lilmissd; 01-16-2013 at 04:23 PM.

01-16-2008, 07:37 PM	#2
justins5256 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2002 Posts: 3,866	This is one of those cases I've seen a handful of times yet never really thought about outside the viewing of the segment. I guess he's no more credible than that guy who claimed to be Jesse James, or that businessman who claimed to be Butch Cassidy. It's kind of like the Frances Mealbach case; DNA testing could clear a lot of these issues up, but who really wants it done?

01-16-2008, 11:20 PM	#3
MavFan92 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 13, 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 249	OT somewhat, but I saw another show about Jesse James. They proved that the man in his grave who was killed by Robert Ford, was indeed Jesse James. They did mitochondrial DNA testing on a living relative. James' grave was allowed to be exhumed because his identity was in question. Very interesting!! Is Brushy Bill buried in Hico? That's a town you miss if you blink, kwim??

01-19-2008, 10:31 AM	#5
GaryJ06 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 28, 2007 Posts: 77	i thought that i remembered brushy bill claiming to be a famous lawman before claiming to be the kid. But that could have been the jesse james guy too. Although Brushy did know quite a bit about the lincoln county war and billy's life to have just read about it too.

01-19-2008, 05:37 PM	#6
Allierain Forum Old Fart Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 30, 2002 Location: Somewhere Posts: 509	Not too long ago I saw another show (on the National Geographic channel I believe) about Billy the Kid and the story of Brushy Bill. They claimed to have pictures of Brushy Bill as a youngster. When I saw the comparison of his pictures to those of Billy the Kid taken about the same age, I was unconvinced. So I really don't believe that Brushy and Billy were the same person. However, the skeptic in me asks if those pictures were really of Brushy as a young man. I have to do that- ask questions about everything I mean. :P I thought for a long time that the DNA was wrong and that Anna Anderson was Anastasia, but over the years I changed my tune. Recently I heard that they finally located the remains of the missing Romanov kids. On a related note, however, I do believe that John Wilkes Booth escaped Garrett Farm.

01-20-2008, 03:44 PM	#9
justins5256 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2002 Posts: 3,866	I actually watched this last night. I don't think Brushy Bill was Billy the Kid. I think the historian (sorry I didn't catch his name) was a lot more credible. He said that 20 people who knew Billy the Kid positively identified his corpse before it was buried. The guy on the opposing side made no attempt to refute this. Also, and this is a minor point I suppose, the historian pointed out that there are no accurate records of Billy the Kid's boot and waist sizes. However, we know from historical reports that he had bright blue eyes. Brushy Bill's eyes were speckled. I can understand the town's motives for not wanting Brushy Bill's remains exhumed and tested because I don't see one shred of reliable evidence that he was Billy the Kid.

01-21-2008, 10:01 PM	#10
LooksLikeCRicci Likes to live in a clean house Moderator Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2005 Posts: 4,050	Aww, shucks! I liked Brushy Bill! But do I think he was really Billy the Kid? I dunno, but it's fun to speculate.

01-22-2008, 01:00 PM	#11
MavFan92 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 13, 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 249	Brushy Bill wanted a pardon because he was getting on in years and wanted to go to his grave with a clear conscience. It's kind of risky to come out and say you're Billy the Kid, he was still wanted for murder. There was still a warrant over his head, he would have been hanged.

01-11-2009, 02:07 PM	#14
TheCars1986 #VLSKMS Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 22, 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 8,622	Yes there were numerous claimants that came about during the 30's to the 50's and each and every one of them paraded around in sideshows and tried to garner up as much publicity as possible. But Brushy Bill Roberts did not. He never once made the claim publically, until William V. Morrison discovered him. And when Morrison first question Brushy about being Billy (Morrison was told by several old timers that Billy the Kid was never killed and was living in Texas) Brushy denied it and said his brother was Billy the Kid. Morrison was dejected and only when he and Brushy were alone did Brushy admit it. There are SEVERAL pieces of evidence that say Brushy was who he said it was. The fact that he came out seeking a pardon and not publicity is enough alone in my opinion.

01-11-2009, 09:13 PM	#15
Cori aka ChrisSCrush Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 30, 2001 Location: USA and still trying to be proud of it! Posts: 2,071	Here's what I understand on the cases--someone wishing to go more in depth can look them up for further details. John Wilkes Booth--the story presented on Unsolved Mysteries was a complete fabrication except the quote from the doctor saying the corpse had no resemblance to Booth nor could he believe it to be him. He really did say that. Moments later, however, Booth's initials tattooed on his wrist, and his scar from a procedure the doctor himself performed on Booth convinced him otherwise. A letter from the doctor himself states this. The other parts of the story, that the difference in appearance extended to hair color, skin tone, and the absence of a broken leg are absolutely untrue. Major, MAJOR screwups were made in that relatives of Booth's were available but were not asked to identify the remains, neither were they displayed to the public although Lincoln's were widely displayed. (Now, how wacked is THAT? That it's okay to drag the president's corpse all over the country, but not the assassin's?) Years later, the remains of Bonnie and Clyde were seen by tens of thousands of people. You don't see too many stories claiming that Abraham Lincoln or Bonnie and Clyde escaped being fatally shot, as are seen about Booth. The alleged Booth mummy has gone into hiding now that modern tests are available. Jesse James--yes, VERY strange! Not only were the remains related to his family and presumably fit his description in other ways (age, gender, skull matching known photographs, and so on--a careful examination was made), but the bones in the grave were REVERSED from where they should have been--in other words, he was buried FACE DOWN, "facing his fate," as someone said. And Frank James, Jesse's brother, had business dealings later with Robert Ford, the man who shot him! This was one reason people claimed the man shot couldn't have been Jesse! Anastasia--her remains turned up after papers written by the executioner giving a more exact description of their location were released. Two years later, tests have yet to satisfy the Russian Orthodox church to allow the remains of the presumed Grand Duchess and her presumed brother to be buried with the others identified as the Imperial Family, but when that happens the case can be considered closed. Lindbergh baby--all indications are that the remains found and identified by the family really were of Charles, Jr. Later accusations of lies and coverups were perhaps reactions to Lindbergh, Sr. later being revealed as not so nice and doing things unpopular with the public. Billy the Kid--I think I saw some proof as to Brushy Bill not being him but don't remember the details. Butch Cassidy--at least one claimant was proven not to be through photographs, but what of the man who visited for years who his own FAMILY said was Butch? Was the family deluded, or lying? I think the jury is still out on this.