Mattie Blaylock – Wyatt Earp’s Common Law Wife

Celia Ann "Mattie" Blaylock’s life, though intertwined with the legendary figure of Wyatt Earp, is a poignant tale of hardship, resilience, and ultimate tragedy. Often referred to as Wyatt Earp’s "common-law" wife, Mattie’s story offers a glimpse into the complex social dynamics of the American West and the personal struggles that often remained hidden beneath the veneer of frontier bravado. Her connection to the iconic lawman has ensured her place in history, but her own experiences as a woman navigating a harsh and unforgiving landscape deserve recognition.

Born in Wisconsin in 1850, Mattie’s early life was rooted in the Midwest. She spent her formative years in Fairfax, Iowa, until the age of sixteen, when she made the pivotal decision to leave home. This act of rebellion set her on a path that would lead her through various frontier towns and ultimately into the orbit of Wyatt Earp. The circumstances surrounding her departure from home remain largely unknown, but it’s likely that a combination of youthful restlessness and limited opportunities in her hometown fueled her desire for a different life.

Mattie’s journey took her westward to Kansas, where she, like many women of the era, faced limited employment options. In Scott City, she turned to prostitution, a common, though often stigmatized, means of survival for women in the burgeoning Western towns. The work was dangerous and demanding, but it provided a degree of independence and a means to support herself in a world where opportunities for women were scarce. This chapter of her life, while controversial, highlights the harsh realities faced by many women seeking to carve out a place for themselves in the American West.

From Scott City, Mattie Blaylock moved on to Dodge City, Kansas, a bustling frontier town known for its saloons, cattle drives, and reputation for lawlessness. It was here, around 1873, that her life intersected with that of Wyatt Earp. Earp, a figure already gaining notoriety as a lawman, was drawn to Mattie Blaylock, and they soon became romantically involved. Their relationship was unconventional, to say the least. Mattie Blaylock continued to work as a prostitute during the early years of their partnership, a reflection of the social norms and economic realities of the time.

As Mattie Blaylock and Wyatt’s relationship deepened, they began to live and work together. She adopted the surname "Earp," further solidifying their bond in the eyes of the community. This act, while not formalized through marriage, indicated a commitment and partnership that was recognized, at least informally, by those around them. By the time they relocated to Tombstone, Arizona, in 1879, Mattie Blaylock was widely considered to be Wyatt’s common-law wife.

Tombstone, a boomtown fueled by silver mining, presented both opportunities and challenges for the couple. Wyatt’s reputation as a lawman grew, and he became embroiled in the escalating tensions between the Earp faction and the notorious outlaw gang known as the Cowboys. While Wyatt navigated the dangerous world of frontier justice, Mattie Blaylock faced her own personal struggles.

During their time in Tombstone, Mattie reportedly suffered from severe headaches. In an era before modern medicine, laudanum, an opiate-based tincture, was a commonly prescribed painkiller. Sadly, Mattie became addicted to the drug, a dependency that would further complicate her life and contribute to her eventual downfall. Her addiction likely stemmed from a combination of physical pain and the emotional strain of living in a volatile environment.

As Mattie’s addiction worsened, the dynamics within the Earp household began to shift. Wyatt’s attention started to stray towards Josephine Marcus, a captivating actress who had arrived in Tombstone with a traveling theater troupe. The affair between Wyatt and Josephine would ultimately lead to the dissolution of his relationship with Mattie.

The events of 1882 marked a turning point in the lives of both Wyatt and Mattie. In March, Morgan Earp, Wyatt’s brother, was brutally murdered in an ambush, further escalating the conflict with the Cowboys. Virgil Earp, another brother, had already been severely wounded in a previous attack. In the aftermath of Morgan’s death, Wyatt, fueled by grief and a thirst for revenge, embarked on his infamous "Earp Vendetta Ride."

In the wake of Morgan Earp’s death, Virgil, along with the Earp women, were escorted back to Colton, California, for safety. Wyatt sent Mattie along with the group, promising to send for her once the vendetta was complete. However, the telegram summoning her return to Tombstone never arrived.

Unbeknownst to Mattie, Wyatt was becoming increasingly involved with Josephine Marcus. Their affair deepened during the tumultuous period following Morgan’s death, and it became clear that Wyatt’s future lay with Josephine, not Mattie. The betrayal must have been devastating for Mattie, who had dedicated years of her life to Wyatt and had considered herself his wife.

Left adrift in California, Mattie eventually made her way to Globe, Arizona, a mining town where she returned to prostitution. The decision to return to this profession speaks volumes about the limited options available to her and the desperation she must have felt. Her life had taken a tragic turn, and she found herself back in the same circumstances she had faced before meeting Wyatt.

On July 3, 1888, in Pinal City, Arizona, Mattie Blaylock took a lethal dose of laudanum. Her death was ruled a suicide. The circumstances surrounding her death are undoubtedly heartbreaking, and it’s clear that she had been struggling with addiction, emotional distress, and a sense of abandonment. She was laid to rest in a cemetery about a mile from the old townsite, her final resting place a testament to the hardships she had endured.

Mattie Blaylock’s life, though tragically cut short, offers a compelling glimpse into the lives of women in the American West. Her story is one of resilience, hardship, and the complex dynamics of relationships in a frontier society. While she is often remembered as Wyatt Earp’s common-law wife, her own experiences and struggles deserve recognition. She was a woman who faced difficult choices, navigated a challenging world, and ultimately succumbed to the pressures of her circumstances. Her story serves as a reminder that the legends of the West often overshadow the individual stories of the people who lived and died there, and that even those connected to famous figures like Wyatt Earp had their own unique and often painful journeys.