“Buckskin Frank” Leslie – A Tombstone Rowdy
The annals of the American West are filled with figures both celebrated and notorious, men and women who carved their legends into the unforgiving landscape. Among these figures, "Buckskin Frank" Leslie stands out as a complex character – a gunfighter, Indian Scout, prospector, and a man whose life was interwoven with the turbulent tapestry of Tombstone, Arizona. He is perhaps best known for his deadly encounter with Billy Claiborne, a member of the infamous Clanton Gang, forever linking his name to the Earp-Clanton feud.
Born Nashville Franklyn Leslie on March 18, 1842, in San Antonio, Texas, the early chapters of his life remain shrouded in mystery. Records offer little insight into his upbringing or the formative experiences that shaped the man he would become. The historical narrative picks up in the early 1870s, with Leslie serving as a scout for the U.S. Army. His work took him across the vast expanses of Texas, Oklahoma, and the Dakotas. It was during this period that he earned the moniker "Buckskin Frank," a testament to his habitual wearing of a buckskin jacket, a practical and iconic garment that became synonymous with his identity.
Before his arrival in Tombstone, Leslie spent time in San Francisco, working as a bartender. This experience likely honed his skills in observation and self-preservation, essential qualities for navigating the often-dangerous social landscape of the era. However, it was Tombstone, a town rife with opportunity and peril, that would cement his place in Western lore.
By 1880, Tombstone, Arizona, was a boomtown fueled by silver mining, drawing fortune seekers, entrepreneurs, and those seeking to exploit the burgeoning economy. The town teemed with outlaws and other dubious characters, creating a volatile atmosphere. Amidst this chaos, the Earp Brothers attempted to establish law and order, their efforts often clashing with the criminal element. Into this powder keg stepped "Buckskin Frank" Leslie.
Despite his relatively small stature – standing at just 5 feet 7 inches and weighing a mere 135 pounds – Leslie possessed a reputation as a formidable gunfighter. He typically carried a matched pair of six-shooters, and his skill with these weapons was legendary. Even Wyatt Earp, a figure renowned for his own gunfighting prowess, reportedly compared Leslie’s abilities to those of Doc Holliday, a chilling endorsement in a town where life often hung by a thread. This reputation, coupled with his demonstrated proficiency, allowed Leslie to seamlessly integrate into Tombstone’s rowdy culture. He was known to demonstrate his shooting abilities frequently, often discharging his weapons into the ceilings of the numerous Allen Street saloons, a reckless display of skill that both impressed and intimidated those around him.
Beyond his gunfighting abilities, "Buckskin Frank" Leslie was characterized as an ill-tempered and violent man, especially when under the influence of alcohol. Even within the context of Tombstone’s notorious population, his quick fuse and readiness to resort to violence set him apart. He was a man who lived on the edge, constantly teetering between respect and infamy.
Upon arriving in Tombstone, Leslie initially worked at the Cosmopolitan Hotel on Allen Street, a prominent establishment that catered to the town’s diverse clientele. He also filed several mining claims, suggesting an interest in participating in the silver boom that fueled Tombstone’s economy. However, historical accounts indicate that he spent more time in the town’s gambling halls, a testament to his penchant for risk and the allure of quick riches. It was during this time that he became involved in a passionate affair with Mae Killeen, a married woman who was separated from her husband, Mike. This entanglement set the stage for a deadly confrontation.
Despite their separation, Mike Killeen harbored deep resentment toward Leslie and made his intentions clear, vowing to shoot any man he found with Mae. Tragically, his threat became a reality when he discovered "Buckskin Frank" Leslie with Mae on the porch of the Cosmopolitan Hotel on June 22, 1880. In the ensuing confrontation, Mike Killeen was killed. The shooting was officially ruled as self-defense, but the incident further cemented Leslie’s reputation as a dangerous man. Just one week later, Leslie and the recently widowed Mae Killeen were married, a swift and controversial union that further fueled speculation and gossip within the already gossipy town.
In the aftermath of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, the Earps, who were reportedly friends with Leslie, sought refuge at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, believing it to be a safer location than their own homes. This association further linked Leslie to the Earp faction in the ongoing power struggles within Tombstone.
Later, Leslie was involved in an incident where he severely pistol-whipped a man outside the Oriental Saloon. This act of brutality further solidified his image as a volatile and unpredictable figure, even among Tombstone’s hardened residents.
The murder of the notorious gunslinger John Ringo further cast a shadow of suspicion over "Buckskin Frank" Leslie. Although law enforcement officials could never definitively prove his involvement, Leslie became a prime suspect in the minds of many Tombstone residents. The lack of concrete evidence, however, prevented any formal charges from being filed.
After the departure of the Earps from Tombstone, Leslie became embroiled in a dispute with Billy Claiborne, a survivor of the O.K. Corral gunfight. Claiborne, seeking to elevate his status and capitalize on the notoriety of the deceased William Bonney, demanded to be called "Billy the Kid." However, this self-proclaimed title was met with ridicule, particularly given Claiborne’s perceived cowardice during the O.K. Corral shootout.
On November 14, 1882, Claiborne confronted Leslie, demanding that the gunfighter address him as "Billy the Kid." Leslie refused, dismissing Claiborne’s attempts at self-aggrandizement. Later that night, a drunken Claiborne confronted Leslie again at the Oriental Saloon, reigniting their earlier argument.
Fed up with Claiborne’s persistent provocations, Leslie escorted him out of the saloon. However, Claiborne returned shortly thereafter, armed with a Winchester rifle, and threatened to kill Leslie on sight. When word of Claiborne’s threats reached Leslie, he emerged from the saloon, initiating a gunfight.
In the ensuing chaos, Claiborne’s shots missed their mark, while Leslie’s bullets found their target, striking Claiborne multiple times. As Claiborne lay wounded in the street, Leslie approached him. Claiborne pleaded for his life, stating, "Don’t shoot me anymore; I’m killed." Friends rushed Claiborne to a doctor, but he succumbed to his wounds six hours later. According to legend, his last words were: "Frank Leslie killed John Ringo. I saw him do it."
Claiborne’s epitaph reflected the circumstances of his death, reading: "Billy the Kid takes shot at Buckskin Frank. The latter promptly replied, and the former quickly turns up his toes to the daisies."
In the mid-1880s, with the resurgence of Apache uprisings, "Buckskin Frank" Leslie once again served the U.S. Army as an Indian scout on at least two separate occasions. His knowledge of the terrain and his ability to navigate the complex dynamics of the region made him a valuable asset to the military.
Upon returning to Tombstone, Leslie’s personal life was in turmoil. After seven years of marriage, he and Mae divorced in 1887. Mae cited Leslie’s erratic behavior as a primary reason for the separation, including his unsettling habit of using her silhouette as a target for his shooting practice.
By this time, Leslie was working as a bartender at the Oriental Saloon, but he spent much of his free time at the Bird Cage Theater, a notorious establishment known for its gambling, entertainment, and prostitution. It was at the Bird Cage that he met Mollie Williams, a young singer and prostitute also known as Blonde Mollie and Mollie Bradshaw. The two quickly became involved in a relationship and began living together. Mollie’s promoter, whose last name was Bradshaw, was later found dead under suspicious circumstances. Leslie was immediately suspected, though he never admitted or denied any involvement in the man’s death.
Frank and Mollie’s relationship was characterized by a shared fondness for whiskey, which often led to violent arguments. The violence escalated on July 10, 1889, when Leslie shot Mollie in the head. The murder was witnessed by another man, James Neil, nicknamed "Six-Shooter Jim," who was also shot by Leslie. Mollie died from her injuries, but Jim survived and later testified against Leslie.
As a result of his actions, "Buckskin Frank" was sentenced to 25 years in the Yuma Territorial Prison. The residents of Tombstone were reportedly relieved to be rid of the gunfighter, who had confessed to killing 14 people.
However, after serving only seven years, Leslie was granted parole with the assistance of a young divorcee named Belle Stowell. Upon his release, the two traveled to California, where they were married in Stockton on December 1, 1896. The couple then embarked on a lavish honeymoon to China before returning to the United States and settling into a more peaceful existence.
Reportedly, Leslie traveled to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush before eventually moving to San Francisco, California, in 1904. In 1913, he was operating a pool hall in Oakland, California. The 1920 census lists him as a 77-year-old, unemployed, single man residing in a lodging house in Sausalito, California.
By 1922, "Buckskin Frank" Leslie had disappeared from public records. While the circumstances of his death remain unconfirmed, some believe that he may have been the same broke and homeless man with the same name who died in San Francisco in 1930. The final chapter of his life remains shrouded in mystery, a fitting end for a man who lived a life of both notoriety and intrigue.