# It is no coincidence that Billy the Kid looks like the Wizard of Oz scarecrow. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2017, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531 "2017-10-22T08:04:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sir\_Marmalade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Sir\_Marmalade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Marmalade)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/1 "2017-10-22T08:04:36Z")
Admittedly, not many people in the Old West are remembered for their superior intellect but Billy did look like an exceptional simpleton. In fact, scientists are now unanimously decided that Billy is the illegitimate offspring of the Wizaard of Oz scarecrow and Goofy. Discuss. [http://https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=billy+the+kid&rlz=1C9BKJA\_enGB590GB590&hl=en-GB&prmd=inv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjmyvHB4IPXAhXMIMAKHfQWAdgQ\_AUIEigB&biw=1024&bih=653#imgrc=zPkbY31twd5qKM:](http://https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=billy+the+kid&rlz=1C9BKJA_enGB590GB590&hl=en-GB&prmd=inv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjmyvHB4IPXAhXMIMAKHfQWAdgQ_AUIEigB&biw=1024&bih=653#imgrc=zPkbY31twd5qKM:) ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/2 "2017-10-22T08:06:14Z")
No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/3 "2017-10-22T09:38:43Z")
Linky no worky. Discuss ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Marmalade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Sir\_Marmalade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Marmalade)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/4 "2017-10-22T11:07:33Z")
[https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=billy+the+kid&rlz=1C9BKJA\_enGB590GB590&oq=billy+the+kid&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i61j0j5.3212j0j4&hl=en-GB&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=tdDNLbIeyIcDZM:](https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=billy+the+kid&rlz=1C9BKJA_enGB590GB590&oq=billy+the+kid&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i61j0j5.3212j0j4&hl=en-GB&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=tdDNLbIeyIcDZM:) ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/5 "2017-10-22T11:48:40Z")
In the words of Frank Pembleton: Crime makes you stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/6 "2017-10-22T12:05:00Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Linky no worky. Because of the double http at the start. [Corrected link](https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=billy+the+kid&rlz=1C9BKJA_enGB590GB590&hl=en-GB&prmd=inv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjmyvHB4IPXAhXMIMAKHfQWAdgQ_AUIEigB&biw=1024&bih=653&gws_rd=ssl#imgrc=zPkbY31twd5qKM:). It’s just a Google image search with a picture of Billy selected. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Marmalade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Sir\_Marmalade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Marmalade)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/7 "2017-10-22T12:52:13Z")
I’m sorry, link or no link, for a very famous criminal he still looks a bit dumb. How did he evade capture so long ? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/8 "2017-10-22T13:03:57Z")
For a time, he hid behind a botched URL. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Marmalade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Sir\_Marmalade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Marmalade)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/9 "2017-10-22T13:07:21Z")
Yes and whilst I am amused and embarrassed at the same time it doesn’t detract from the fact that all these cowboys made it into the annals of history yet they were all a bit dopey and none of them lived past 35. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/10 "2017-10-22T13:17:51Z")
Most people did most of their life’s work before age 35 since until very recently that was about average life expectancy. Looks can be deceiving. You cannot judge a person’s intelligence or aptitude by their appearance. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Marmalade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Sir\_Marmalade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Marmalade)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/11 "2017-10-22T13:49:57Z")
I am well aware of this. I have been an English Professor for 18 years but I still think (and I am 70% joking now) that even the most dim wittest person can put on a clever face when need be. I’ve been totally pissed at the best of parties and managed to compose myself for the photographs. And since photographs were incredibly expensive and not commonplace in the 1800s, you’d think that one could at least try to look a bit savvy. The only person I’ve ever seen looking that stupid in a photo was the best man at my wedding and he was half cut and very nervous. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/12 "2017-10-22T13:53:59Z")
> [@Sir\_Marmalade](#): > > I have been an English Professor for 18 years but I still think (and I am 70% joking now) that even the most dim wittest person can put on a clever face when need be. Care to make it interesting? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/13 "2017-10-22T14:02:45Z")
How’s Lady Marmalade doing? Itchy gitchi yaya dada… ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Marmalade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Sir\_Marmalade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Marmalade)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/14 "2017-10-22T14:10:34Z")
Of course…I challenge you to a duel. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/15 "2017-10-22T14:12:34Z")
So are you saying that Pat Garrett did not, in fact, kill Billy the Kid, who subsequently escaped to Oz and took up a career scaring crows? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/16 "2017-10-22T14:16:43Z")
> [@Sir\_Marmalade](#): > > And since photographs were incredibly expensive and not commonplace in the 1800s, you’d think that one could at least try to look a bit savvy. Tintypes like that picture of Billy the Kid cost about a nickel in the 1880s, and could be had at just about any street corner in a good sized town. They were cheap and common. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Marmalade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Sir\_Marmalade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Marmalade)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/17 "2017-10-22T14:22:54Z")
Well, that’s why I’m not a history teacher…and thank you for clearing that up. I stand corrected. But I’m still adamant that he looks a bit like that cousin at a wedding that stands in the corner and everyone tries to avoid. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/18 "2017-10-22T19:58:22Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Most people did most of their life’s work before age 35 since until very recently that was about average life expectancy. 30% of children died before the age of 5. People who lived past 5 would make it into their 60s and 70s most often. The high infant mortality rate brought down the average. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/19 "2017-10-22T20:11:52Z")
I have a good photo of my wife standing next to Billy the Kid’s gravestone in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. After the present one was put there in the 1940s, it was stolen and recovered no less than three times, so they finally [put a steel cage around it](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Old-Fort-Sumner-Cemetery.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531/20 "2017-10-22T20:28:39Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Linky no worky. > Discuss OP no worky. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-no-coincidence-that-billy-the-kid-looks-like-the-wizard-of-oz-scarecrow/799531.md?page=2)