Tombstone – Newspaper, Letters, & Book Excerpts
The dusty streets of Tombstone, Arizona, resonate with echoes of gunfights, fortunes won and lost, and the stark realities of frontier life. This collection of historical texts, culled from newspaper articles, personal letters, sworn statements, and excerpts from books, offers a glimpse into the tumultuous period leading up to and following the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. It also sheds light on other dramatic events that shaped the town’s character, including the Bisbee Massacre and the controversial lynching of John Heath. While every effort has been made to preserve the integrity of the original accounts, minor spelling and grammatical corrections have been applied for clarity.
These firsthand accounts provide a vivid tapestry of life in Tombstone, revealing the social dynamics, the prevalence of violence, and the complex relationships between lawmen, outlaws, and ordinary citizens striving to build a life in the unforgiving desert.
Early Days and Disputes
The seeds of conflict were sown early in Tombstone. An article from the Arizona Daily Star on December 14, 1879, recounts a shooting incident in Safford involving John Ringo, highlighting the volatile nature of interactions in the region. Ringo, displeased that Louis Hancock preferred beer to whiskey, assaulted and shot him. The article’s tongue-in-cheek moral serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of defying social expectations in such a climate.
The Tombstone Epitaph of July 25, 1880, details the fatal shooting of T.J. Waters by E.L. Bradshaw, stemming from a seemingly trivial dispute over a new shirt. The article paints a picture of Waters as a man easily provoked when drunk, contrasting sharply with Bradshaw’s reserved and peaceable nature. This event underscores the quick tempers and readily available violence that characterized life in Tombstone.
Law and Order Takes Shape
As the town grew, so did the need for law enforcement. The Tombstone Epitaph reported on July 29, 1880, the appointment of Wyatt Earp as Deputy Sheriff, praising his bravery and determination. On the same day, the paper noted that Morgan Earp succeeded his brother Wyatt as shotgun messenger for Wells, Fargo & Co., illustrating the prominent role the Earp family played in maintaining order.
Ike Clanton’s arrival from New Mexico was reported in the Tombstone Epitaph on August 6, 1880. He brought news of booming mining activity in the Victorio District and rapid emigration from other states, emphasizing the rapid growth and influx of people into the territory.
However, maintaining law and order proved challenging. An October 12, 1880, article from the Tombstone Nugget describes a violent dispute between Doc Holliday and John Tyler at the Oriental Saloon, resulting in injuries to multiple parties. This incident reveals the prevalence of alcohol-fueled altercations and the constant threat of violence in the town.
The Killing of Marshal Fred White
The shooting of City Marshal Fred White on October 28, 1880, marked a turning point in Tombstone‘s history. The Tombstone Epitaph reported on the incident, describing how White was shot while attempting to disarm a group of cowboys firing their pistols on Allen Street. Deputy Sheriff Wyatt Earp quickly intervened, arresting William Brocius, later known as Curly Bill, for the assault.
Further investigation, as reported by the Tombstone Epitaph on October 31, 1880, revealed Brocius to be an escaped convict wanted in Texas for a previous murder. The Arizona Daily Star of November 13, 1880, noted the highly contested special election to fill the City Marshal vacancy caused by White’s death, which was won by Ben Sippy.
Wyatt Earp’s testimony regarding the shooting, published in the Arizona Daily Citizen on December 27, 1880, provides a detailed account of the events leading up to White’s death. He described how White confronted Brocius and attempted to disarm him when the pistol discharged during the struggle.
Tensions Rise
Life in Tombstone was a constant balancing act between opportunity and danger. Wells Spicer, the District Attorney, noted in a letter from 1881 the presence of dance halls, gambling dens, and numerous saloons, but also expressed hope, knowing of two Bibles in town.
An article from the Tombstone Epitaph on January 17, 1881, recounts the brutal murder of W.P. Schneider in Charleston by a gambler known as "Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce," highlighting the lawlessness that extended beyond Tombstone itself. The article also details the efforts to apprehend the murderer and prevent a potential lynching.
Reports from the Arizona Daily Star on May 26, 1881, tell of Curly Bill being shot in Galeyville by Jim Wallace, another cowboy. This incident, born out of a drunken brawl, further illustrates the volatile and dangerous environment.
The near-shooting affray between Ike Clanton and "Denny" McCann on June 9, 1881, prevented by Acting City Marshal Virgil Earp, underscores the constant potential for violence, as reported in the Tombstone Epitaph.
U.S. Secretary of State John Gosper’s report from September 1881 paints a grim picture of the "cowboy" element dominating the region, with law enforcement often unwilling or unable to control them. He accused local officers, including Sheriff Behan, of colluding with the outlaws, revealing a deep-seated corruption and lack of confidence in the justice system.
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and Its Aftermath
The events of October 26, 1881, forever etched Tombstone into the annals of American history.
The Coroner’s Inquest on the bodies of William Clanton, Frank McLaury, and Thomas McLaury provides various accounts of the gunfight. C.H. Light’s statement describes the chaotic scene, with multiple individuals firing weapons and bodies falling in the streets.
Reports of the gunfight spread quickly. The Ford County Globe of October 27, 1881, reported that the marshal, his brothers, and Doc Holliday had encountered the cowboys, resulting in a bloody shootout.
The Tombstone Epitaph of October 27, 1881, provided a detailed account of "Yesterday’s Tragedy," describing the events leading up to the gunfight and the aftermath. The article highlights the tensions between the Earp brothers and the "cowboys," attributing the conflict to the Earps’ involvement in pursuing stage robbers.
The funeral of the McLaury brothers and William Clanton was described in the Tombstone Epitaph of October 28, 1881, as one of the largest ever witnessed in Tombstone, reflecting the deep divisions and intense emotions within the community.
Sheriff Behan’s testimony at the Coroner’s Inquest, published in the Tombstone Epitaph of October 29, 1881, offers a different perspective on the events, portraying the Earps as aggressors who disregarded his attempts to disarm the cowboys.
Additional statements from the Coroner’s Inquest, published in the Tombstone Nugget of October 30, 1881, reveal conflicting accounts of the events, with witnesses offering differing perspectives on who initiated the shooting and the actions of the various participants.
Wyatt Earp’s statement, published in the Tombstone Epitaph of November 17, 1881, provides his version of the events, detailing the history of conflict between the Earps and the Clanton-McLaury faction, and justifying his actions as self-defense and the performance of official duty.
Judge Wells Spicer’s conclusions after the pre-trial of the Earps and Doc Holliday, from November 29, 1881, found that the defendants were justified in their actions, considering the threats made, the character of the parties, and the circumstances of the case.
The Aftermath of the Gunfight
The gunfight at the O.K. Corral did not bring peace to Tombstone. Tensions remained high, and violence continued to plague the town.
The Dodge City Times of January 5, 1882, reported on an attempt on the life of Virgil Earp, who was ambushed and seriously wounded by unknown assailants.
An article in the Tombstone Nugget on December 16, 1881, describes an altercation between M.E. Joyce and Virgil Earp, highlighting the continued animosity and the potential for further violence.
Reports from the Los Angeles Times in January 1882 indicated that the Earp party had been commissioned as Deputy United States Marshals and were pursuing suspects in a stage robbery, suggesting that their pursuit of law and order continued despite the controversy surrounding the gunfight.
The resignations of Virgil and Wyatt Earp as Deputy Marshals, published in the Tombstone Epitaph on February 3, 1882, demonstrate the intense pressure and scrutiny they faced as a result of their actions.
The Arizona Daily Star of March 25, 1882, reported that Frank Stillwell was found dead and that the Coroner’s jury concluded he was killed by Wyatt Earp, Warren Earp, Sherman McMasters, J.H. Holliday, and one Johnson.
The Earp Vendetta Ride
Morgan Earp’s murder on March 20, 1882, ignited a brutal cycle of revenge known as the Earp Vendetta Ride.
Ed Colborn of the Dodge City Times, on May 23, 1882, reported on Wyatt Earp’s arrival in Dodge City, recounting his version of the ongoing conflict with the cowboys and his belief that he had killed Curly Bill.
The End of an Era
By the summer of 1882, many of the key players in the Tombstone drama were gone. The Arizona Daily Star reported on July 18, 1882, the death of John Ringo, who was found dead in Morse’s Canyon, likely by suicide.
James Coyle’s testimony at the inquest into Billy Claibourne’s death, from November 14, 1882, and the statement of Frank Leslie from November 18, 1882, provide insight into the circumstances surrounding Claibourne’s killing, further demonstrating the pervasive violence in Tombstone.
The lynching of John Heath in February 1884, as reported by the New York Times on February 24, 1884, represents a descent into mob rule and vigilante justice, underscoring the breakdown of law and order in the community.