Wells Spicer – Tombstone Judge
Wells W. Spicer, a figure etched into the annals of the American West, embodies the multifaceted nature of life on the frontier. His story is not one of simple heroism or villainy, but rather a complex tapestry woven from threads of journalism, prospecting, law, politics, and ultimately, judgment. Wells Spicer – Tombstone Judge was immersed in two significant historical events that shaped the narrative of the West: the horrific Mountain Meadows Massacre in the Utah Territory in 1857 and the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, in 1881.
Born near Chemung, New York, Spicer’s lineage connected him, perhaps distantly, to the famed Earp brothers. This connection, while not directly influencing his early life, would later become a crucial element of his legacy. After diligently pursuing his education and being admitted to the bar, Spicer, like many ambitious individuals of his era, felt the irresistible pull of the West. He ventured westward, establishing himself as a lawyer and mining engineer in the burgeoning city of Salt Lake City, Utah. This choice reflected the dual nature of the western economy – the legal framework necessary for a developing society and the lure of riches from the earth.
His involvement in the Mountain Meadows Massacre trial in 1875 marked a turning point in his career. He undertook the formidable task of defending John D. Lee, a man accused of orchestrating the brutal slaughter of a wagon train of emigrants. The Mountain Meadows Massacre remains one of the most controversial and tragic events in American history, and Spicer’s decision to defend Lee, regardless of his personal beliefs, speaks to his commitment to the legal profession. Despite his efforts, Lee was ultimately convicted, and the trial cast a long shadow, impacting Spicer’s reputation and likely influencing his subsequent decisions.
Three years later, in 1878, Spicer relocated to the booming silver mining town of Tombstone, Arizona. Tombstone, a microcosm of the Wild West, was a place of opportunity, danger, and constant flux. He established himself as an attorney, a mining broker, and a U.S. Commissioner for Deeds, actively participating in the legal and economic life of the town. Wells Spicer – Tombstone Judge quickly became an integral part of the community, witnessing firsthand the tensions and conflicts that simmered beneath the surface of this lawless frontier town.
The event that cemented Spicer’s place in history occurred on October 26, 1881: the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. This legendary shootout, a clash between the Earp brothers and the Clanton-McLaury faction, has been immortalized in countless books and films. The immediate aftermath saw Sheriff Johnny Behan, a man often seen as sympathetic to the Cowboy faction, arrest Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan Earp, along with Doc Holliday, for murder. As Tombstone’s Justice of the Peace, Spicer was thrust into the center of the storm.
The pre-trial hearing, held on November 29, 1881, became a pivotal moment in the history of the West. Wells Spicer – Tombstone Judge presided over the proceedings, meticulously examining the evidence and listening to the testimonies of numerous witnesses. The hearing was not just about the guilt or innocence of the defendants; it was a referendum on the very nature of law and order in Tombstone. The town was deeply divided, with strong opinions on both sides. The pressure on Spicer was immense.
After weeks of deliberation, Spicer delivered his verdict. He concluded that the defendants – the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday – had been justified in their actions. His concluding statement, a carefully worded justification, stated, "In view of all the facts and circumstances of the case, considering the threats made, the character and position of the parties, and the tragic results accomplished, in manner and form as they were, with all the surrounding influences bearing upon the result of the affair, I cannot resist the conclusion that the defendants were fully justified in committing these homicides that it was a necessary act done in the discharge of official duty."
This decision, while perhaps legally sound in Spicer’s eyes, had immediate and far-reaching consequences. It effectively exonerated the Earps and Holliday in the eyes of the law, but it also made Spicer a target for the Cowboy faction, who saw him as an enemy and an obstacle to their own brand of justice. The verdict ignited a firestorm of resentment and animosity, further escalating the tensions in Tombstone.
The threats against Spicer were immediate and explicit. In December 1881, he received a threatening letter, a chilling testament to the volatile atmosphere of Tombstone. The letter, dripping with venom and menace, warned him to leave town, suggesting that he was "liable to get a hole through your coat at any moment." The author made it clear that Spicer’s presence was no longer welcome and that his life was in danger. The letter served as a stark reminder of the price of justice in a lawless land. Wells Spicer – Tombstone Judge was now a marked man.
Although Spicer managed to avoid being killed by the Cowboy faction, his decision in the Earp case effectively ended his career in Tombstone. The political and social climate had become too toxic for him to continue practicing law or holding public office. Recognizing the danger he was in and the impossibility of maintaining his position, he soon left Tombstone, seeking refuge in a less hostile environment.
After departing Tombstone, Spicer returned to his previous profession as a mining engineer. He continued to wander the deserts of Arizona, searching for his fortune and attempting to rebuild his life after the tumultuous events of Tombstone. The weight of his decision and the constant threat of violence had taken their toll.
The circumstances surrounding Spicer’s death remain shrouded in mystery and speculation. Some accounts suggest that he wandered into the desert in 1887, near Ajo or Quijotoa, Arizona, and died by suicide, unable to cope with the pressures and consequences of his past. Other, more intriguing, stories claim that he staged his death to evade creditors and made his way to Mexico, disappearing into the shadows of the borderlands. Whether he succumbed to despair or orchestrated his own disappearance, the details of his final days remain elusive, adding to the enigmatic nature of his life. Wells Spicer – Tombstone Judge had left an indelible mark on the history of the American West.
Regardless of the manner of his death, Wells Spicer’s legacy is inextricably linked to the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the subsequent legal proceedings. His decision to exonerate the Earps and Holliday, while controversial, demonstrated his commitment to upholding the law, even in the face of intense pressure and personal risk. He stands as a symbol of the complex challenges faced by those who sought to establish law and order in the turbulent frontier of the American West. His story serves as a reminder that justice often comes at a price and that even the most well-intentioned decisions can have unintended and far-reaching consequences. Wells Spicer – Tombstone Judge, a man caught in the crossfire of history, remains a fascinating and enduring figure of the Old West.