The Billy the Kid Connection

Catherine McCarty and the Beginnings of Wichita

The Outlaw’s Mother: Catherine McCarty and the Beginnings of Wichita

Joshua Payne

Billy the Kid was a notorious outlaw that terrorized communities in the Old West for years before meeting an untimely end at the young age of 21 on July 14, 1881, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

His mother Catherine McCarty and stepfather William Antrim briefly resided in Wichita from 1870 to 1871 and took part in founding the city.

Historians do not entirely agree on many of the particulars of Catherine and William’s lives; what follows is derived from historical public records and research conducted over the years by many writers and biographers. Speculation still exists regarding some of the details.

Catherine Devine, at the age of 17, immigrated to New York during the Irish Great Famine of 1845, arriving on the HMS Devonshire out of Liverpool. Records indicate that she may have been married to a Patrick McCarty during her time in New York. It is not known how her marriage to Patrick ended. In 1867 she moved with her children, 11-year-old William (Billy the Kid) and his younger brother Joseph to Indianapolis, Indiana, where she met William Henry Harrison Antrim and began a relationship with the 23-year-old laborer and Union Army veteran.

Like many Americans at the time, they were captivated by the possibility of riches and a better life in the West and moved to Wichita in 1870. With her own funds, the source of which is in dispute, Catherine purchased real estate in her own name and established a hand laundry business in town, while William lived in a small cabin outside of town and farmed.

On July 21, 1870, Catherine McCarty signed the petition to Judge Reuben Riggs of Sedgwick County to incorporate the town of Wichita. Of 124 signers, she was the only woman. William Antrim signed below her. Judge Riggs granted the petition and the town of Wichita was born.

In 1871, both William and Catherine purchased lots in town on what are now Market and Main Streets and quarter sections of land near what is now Wichita State University.

At some point in time, whether in New York, Indianapolis, or here in Wichita, Catherine contracted tuberculosis. The family sold their properties in Wichita to prepare for a move to New Mexico, where William believed he could strike it rich prospecting and the climate would be beneficial for Catherine’s health. William and Catherine married in 1873.

Catherine Devine McCarty Antrim passed away at the age of 45 on September 16, 1874, in Silver City, New Mexico. William Antrim sold his property and placed Billy and Joseph with guardians. Orphaned at 13, Billy turned to a life of crime.

William Henry Harrison Antrim was 80 when he died on December 10, 1922, at his home in California.

Billy the Kid was remembered after his death at 21 as a “gamin” (an archaic word for mischievous street kid) in the Wichita Weekly Eagle of 1881.

McCarthy Laundry 3.15.1871 Wichita Tribune

linen made clean

McCarty-Antrim Documents

Catherine McCarty and William Antrim Real Estate Records in Sedgwick County, Kansas

Date Recorded	Book	Page	Doc Type	Grantor	Grantee	Property Description
11/1/1870	Deed A	219	Deed	A.F. and Maria Horner	Catherine McCarty	Lot 48, Chisholm Street, Town of Wichita
11/1/1870	Deed A	220	Deed	D.S. and Julia Munger	Catherine McCarty	Lot 50, Chisholm Street, Town of Wichita
02/23/1871	Deed A	369	Deed	James R. Mead	William H. Antrim	Lot 54, Chisholm Street, Town of Wichita
02/23/1871	Deed A	370	Deed	D.S. and Julia Munger	William H. Antrim	Lot 70, Chisholm Street, Town of Wichita
03/27/1871	Deed A	414	Receipt	United States	Catherine McCarty	NW/4 Section 12, Township 27S, Range 1E (160 acres)
06/24/1871	Deed A	478	Receipt	United States	William H. Antrim	SE/4 Section 1, Township 27S, Range 1E (160 acres)
06/28/1871	Deed B	165	Deed	Catherine McCarty	David S. Orr	NW/4 Section 12, Township 27S, Range 1E (160 acres)
07/12/1894	Misc B	141	Affidavit	James Minnis	Public	NW/4 Section 12, Township 27S, Range 1E (160 acres)
09/23/1894	Misc B	143	Affidavit	James Minnis	Public	NW/4 Section 12, Township 27S, Range 1E (160 acres)
06/28/1871	Deed B	168	Deed	William H. Antrim	Catherine McCarty	Lot 54, 70, Chisholm St, bldg lot 75, Court St, Town of Wichita
08/23/1871	Deed C	421	Deed	A.F and Maria Horner	Catherine McCarty	Lot 75, Court, Town of Wichita
08/25/1871	Deed C	33	Deed	Catherine McCarty	Henry J. Cook	Lots 48, 50, 54, 70, Chisholm St, lot 75, Court St, Town of Wichita
08/25/1871	Mtg A	129	Mortgage	Henry J. Cook	Catherine McCarty	Lots 48, 50, 54, 70, Chisholm St, lot 75, Court St, Town of Wichita
08/05/1892	Deed 127	402	Affidavit	Henry J. Cook	Public
5/13/1919	Deed 316	597	Deed	William H. Antrim	Anson Scott	SE/4 Section 1, Township 27S, Range 1E (160 acres)