1 of 6
Dennis Begin
Tombstone, AZ
Earp brothers and Doc Holiday walking into history.
2 of 6
Dennis Begin
Tombstone, AZ
OK Corral
3 of 6
Dennis Begin
Tombstone, AZ
The graves of Billy Clanton, Tom and Frank McLaury lie in Boot Hill Cemetary, on the way out of town.
4 of 6
Dennis Begin
Tombstone, AZ
Statue of Wyatt Earp beside the house where he lived.
5 of 6
Dennis Begin
Tombstone, AZ
6 of 6
Dennis Begin
Tombstone, AZ
Story & photos by Dennis Begin
Tombstone, Arizona, plays only a small part in the mythology of the American Wild West. This small town of 1,400 people is billed as ‘The Town Too Tough to Die’, but it is the famous ‘Shootout at the O.K. Corral’ that really keeps the legend alive. This famous historical event also provides conflicting viewpoints on the real character of Wyatt Earp.
The Shootout
On the morning of Wednesday, October 26, 1881, after gambling and drinking all night, Ike Clanton, a member of the group called the Cowboys, walked around town with a rifle threatening to kill the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday. Virgil Earp was the Deputy U.S. Marshal who had to deal with the threats from the belligerent Clanton. Virgil, Morgan and Wyatt Earp, along with Wyatt’s friend, Doc Holliday, met at the corner of 5th Street and Allen, walked west to 4th Street and crossed over to Fremont, now US-80. The Clantons and McLaury brothers, along with other Cowboys, were spotted near the corner of 3rd and Fremont in a small vacant lot. They were armed, which violated the bylaw of carrying guns within town limits. As the four lawmen walked down Fremont Street towards the group and possible death, they walked into history.
The vacant lot was #2, Block 17 and located between Fly’s Boarding House/Photography Shop and William Harwood’s House. The OK Corral, ninety feet away, was a mere backdrop to the gunfight and played no role in what happened next. At 2:47 pm, both sides faced one another in the vacant lot, exchanged angry words and then exchanged bullets.
Who fired the first shot is still of historical debate. From where the men were standing and eye witness accounts, combined with Doctor Matthew’s Coroner’s Report, it is possible to fit together the sequence of shots. The vacant lot was a small space with the eight men and two horses a mere six to ten feet apart. Wyatt fired and hit Frank McLaury, because Wyatt felt Frank was the best shot. Doc Holliday used a double barrel shotgun, hitting Tom McLaury, who had tried to hide behind his horse. Virgil and Wyatt both shot Billy Clanton as the “fight then became general”. The Earps got off twenty shots from close range with multiple hits. During the first shots, Ike Clanton and Billy Claiborne run away from the gunfight, not wanting to participate. Billy, Frank and Tom all had six-shooters, despite claims they were unarmed. The three Cowboys, despite their wounds, got off ten shots, with three shots wounding Morgan Earp, Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday. The gunfight was over in thirty seconds, with an equal number of total shots. Billy and Tom died within an hour from painful chest and stomach wounds. Only Wyatt Earp remained standing when the famous gunfight was over.
Why the Shootout Took Place
The simplest explanation for the shootout is that the Earps were enforcing the ordinance prohibiting the carrying of guns within town limits. Violating this law was, at best, a misdemeanor with a fine. On the morning of October 26th, Ike Clanton had already been fined $27.50 for carrying a gun and was pistol-whipped by Wyatt Earp. Ike and Wyatt’s differences stemmed from previous agreements over catching the Benson-Tombstone Stage Coach robbers for the theft of Wyatt’s favourite horse. As the feud escalated, both sides continued to trade insults and threats, looking for a gunfight to settle their differences. Ike Clanton said it best during the preliminary hearing ”……we want to clear out the Earps…..and make a fight.”
Why would nine men risk their lives over a $27.50 fine? The real issue was not the gun bylaw, but who was going to control Tombstone - the Earp brothers or the Cowboys. The Cowboys were supported by Cochise County Sheriff John Behan, while Tombstone was badly divided along political lines. The miners, merchants and most of the people from the north were Republicans, while the ranchers and saloon keepers were Democrats. The Earps were caught in the middle, wanting acceptance and respect from both sides. There was a third group called the Cowboys, a loosely-organized band of thieves, cattle rustlers and murderers. For months, Virgil had been investigating claims of stolen army mules and cattle from Mexico, as well as other crimes. The leading suspects were the Cowboys, particularly the Clantons and the McLaury brothers.
Court Proceedings
Following the gunfight, not everyone was happy with the Earps, as half of Tombstone felt they should stand trial for murder. Sheriff John Behan was the main witness and claimed he tried to stop the gunfight. Eye witness accounts were very conflicting. After a thirty day preliminary hearing, Judge Wells Spicer ruled that there was not enough evidence to go to trial and the Earps had “…acted within the law….in the discharge of an official duty”.
Life of Controversy
Following the preliminary hearing, Wyatt’s life continued to be one of controversy. During his Vendetta Ride, he murdered the four men who had wounded his brother Virgil and killed another brother, Morgan. When the State of Arizona issued warrants for his arrest, Wyatt escaped to New Mexico and then to California, where Arizona had no legal jurisdiction. In Los Angeles the police knew of his reputation for crooked card games and other shady activities. While living in Alaska, it was gambling debts that were a problem and in 1896, Wyatt was alleged to be involved in fixing a heavy weight boxing fight. Trouble always seemed to follow Wyatt or did he seek out the trouble?
Enjoy Tombstone
Tombstone is a modern western town. Allen Street is full of shops, restaurants and saloons. Have lunch at Big Nose Kate’s, the girlfriend of Doc Holliday. Walk down Fremont Street in the footsteps of the Earps. A fence and plaque now cover the entrance to that vacant lot. Visit the Tombstone Court House, Historama Museum and watch the reenactment of the shootout. On the way out of town, stop at Boot Hill Graveyard and visit the actual graves of Billy Clanton and the McLaury Brothers. The graves remind you that what happened in Tombstone was not a movie, but a tragic event.