Though he looked and talked the part of a noble, no one believed him, chalking his talk up to tall tales or downright lies.

Bill made his way to New Mexico, where he hooked up with the likes of the San Simon cowboys, sometimes referred to as the Clanton Gang, but more often, simply called the “the cowboys.” Notorious rustlers in southern New Mexico and Arizona, they stole cattle from Americans and sold them in Mexico and vice versa. They were also involved in stage coach robberies and other thieving practices along the border.

Though it is known that he spent time with some of the most illustrious characters in the west – people like the Clantons and "Curly Bill" Brocious, many believe that he was little more than an “errand boy” who amused the tough element. Tombstone citizens saw him as a strange eccentric and he was often made the butt of humor. During his time with the “cowboys,” he made the acquaintance of Sandy King, a hard-drinking gunman who had a penchant for barroom brawls. Though no pair could have more different, they became friends. Later, when King left Tombstone for Shakespeare, New Mexico, Russian Bill followed him and the two began to rustle cattle.

King quickly made himself known in Shakespeare as the town bully and on one occasion, when King got into an argument with a storekeeper, he shot off his index finger. King was hauled to jail. In the meantime, Russian Bill was out rustling cattle, and obviously not a talented thief, he was caught red-handed on November 9, 1881 and was tossed in the pokey with his friend Sandy King.