Jacksonville, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/11/2014 -- “Brushy Bill Roberts” was a colorful character; a highly-interesting and alluring old man with a bold claim – he was Billy the Kid. As the most plausible possible identity to the famed Wild West outlaw, millions have taken him at his word. However, an entertaining and insightful new book by Brushy’s maternal half great-grandnephew bursts his bubble and proves this claim as nothing more than an elaborate hoax.

Synopsis of ‘Brushy Bill ... Just Another Billy the Kid Tall Tale?’ by Roy Haws:

A man known as Brushy Bill Roberts proclaimed to all who would listen that he was, in fact, the historical and legendary Billy the Kid! After recorded Brushy Bill interviews with a probate attorney beginning in 1949 and subsequent 1955 publication of the book Alias Billy the Kid, many became convinced of the validity of his claim.

Brushy Bill Roberts died from a massive heart attack on the streets of Hico, Texas on December 27, 1950. This was less than a month after an unsuccessful attempt of gaining a pardon promised to Billy the Kid by Governor Lew Wallace many years in the past.

Over the years, additional books were published advancing the theory Brushy was indeed Billy the Kid. In addition, the movie Young Guns II began with a re-enactment of Brushy promoting his imaginative tale to probate attorney, William V. Morrison. Other documentaries and television programs including Unsolved Mysteries have also promoted the idea that this elderly man was the Billy the Kid of historical lore.

Spoiler alert! Brushy Bill Roberts was NOT Billy the Kid! He was, in fact, just an interesting elderly man, known by his family and acquaintances as a colorful Old West storyteller.

Over the years, Brushy's elaborate fable captured the imagination of many. In my book, I have attempted to dispel the elaborate hoax for once and for all!

“Many believe the leading claim of Billy the Kid surviving past that July night in 1881 belongs to a flamboyant individual calling himself Brushy Bill Roberts. As we’re related, I’ve always been engrossed by Brushy’s story and can now reveal that his claims were a hoax,” explains Haws. “This book takes a holistic look at who Brushy really was, why he said what he did, and how it can’t possibly be true.”

Continuing, “His name was Oliver Pleasant Roberts, born August 26, 1879 and died on the streets of Hico, Texas from a massive heart attack December 27, 1950 at the age of 71. He was just shy of two when Billy the Kid was allegedly killed, so for Brushy to have been Billy, he would have been the most outlawing baby on the planet! While his hoax is now revealed, he still has a story that the world needs to hear.”

‘Brushy Bill ... Just Another Billy the Kid Tall Tale?’, published by Roy Haws Bargain Books, is available now on Amazon:
http://amzn.to/144MVvK

It may also be purchased on eBay:
http://ebay.to/144N2r3

For more information, follow the book’s discussion on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brushybilldebunk

About Roy Haws
This the first book penned by Roy Haws. He has experienced a variety of careers after graduation from the University of Texas at Austin in Mechanical Engineering. His careers included sales engineer and sales manager for electrical equipment manufacturers; Country Music artist manager and record producer; publisher of Indie Bullet Country Music magazine; cattleman in East Texas; mathematics instructor at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, TX; and internet college textbook retailer.