Wyatt Earp Historical Home Page Part 2

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Links to....... Wyatt Earp Historical Home Page      The Old West History Net    New...The Frontier Marshal Lives On

Links to Fire on the Streets of Tombstone in 1881    Fire on the Streets of Tombstone in 1882

Link to..... "Here Lies A Man"

Continued from the Wyatt Earp Historical Home Page

.......In 1876, Earp had moved on to Dodge City, Kansas and was hired on the Police Force there. This is the only instance where I have noted that brother James Earp is supposed to have worked in law enforcement. It is claimed that he was a Deputy Sheriff at this time under Sheriff Charlie Basset of Ford County. (8) It is more likely that the documentary where I found this information was referring to Morgan. Morgan was known to work for Sheriff Basset even before Wyatt became a police officer. It is in Dodge City where Wyatt solidifies his friendship with Bat Masterson, future Sheriff of Ford County, and a former dentist turned gambler and killer, John Henry "Doc" Holliday. It is also believed that this is where Wyatt met Celia Ann Blaylock, called "Mattie". Wyatt continues to build his reputation as a lawman in Dodge City and it is here that historians speculate Wyatt slowly started to make a name for himself across the West as being a fearless and brave police officer. (8) Officers like Masterson and Earp earned reputations as being more apt to "buffalo" someone alongside the head with their pistols then to get into a shoot-out. This was a practice that Wyatt Earp refined in those early days.

While most of the stories about Wyatt Earp's life in Dodge are made up of Hollywood bravado, he was involved in at least one known killing there. Wyatt shot cowboy George Hoy, who would later die of gangrene from the wound, after the latter came riding into town and starting "shooting the place up". Some would claim that Hoy was attempting to kill Earp, but this has never been substantiated. During this time came the notorious Clay Allison incident. Allison was an infamous gunman, known as one of the most dangerous gun-throwers of his time. (13)Earp would claim that Allison had been sent to Dodge to run him out of town since, reportedly, George Hoy was a friend of his. Like the Ellsworth story, there is circumstancial evidence this event may have taken place. Earp had heard that Allison was looking for him, and they literally ran into each other as Wyatt was walking out of a saloon. There was no tense shoot-out or stare-down in the middle of the street. Allison most likely backed down from Earp when he realized that Bat Masterson was standing nearby with a shotgun pointed at him.(14)

While Wyatt was making his name as a lawman in Dodge, he was making an even bigger name for himself as a gambler, a trade that would be his primary income for the rest of his life. His close friend Bat Masterson probably refined his own gambling trade by watching Wyatt, who was known to be slick with the cards and not above cheating. Gambling was somewhat of a respectable profession in those days, and many people knew that professional gamblers were not above giving themselves the upper hand through deception. Cheating, if done with finesse, was considered part of the game. (11)
Link to Ford County Historical Society, Dodge City, Kansas

When the cattle season ends, Wyatt and brother Morgan leave Dodge to go to the Black Hills and take part in the Gold Rush and also to spend some time in Fort Griffin, Texas. During his absence, City Marshal Ed Masterson is murdered in Dodge City. (Brother Bat has recently won the election of Sheriff over Larry Deger. Ed had replaced Deger when he was dismissed as City Marshal on December 4, 1877.) 1878 finds Wyatt back in Dodge working as a police officer during another cattle drive. The reason for this brief absence was probably best explained by the A&E Network's Documentary, "Wyatt Earp, Justice at the OK Corral". Dr. Paul Hutton notes that in the days of Wyatt Earp, being a police officer in a cattle town was highly seasonal. When the cattle weren't running, things were very slow. This is probably why Wyatt and Morgan took time to go try to make some money digging gold while the cattle season was down. When Wyatt returned to Dodge in 1878, the newspapers were singing his praises immediately. When the Dodge City Times heard that Wyatt was back in town, they reported, "Wyatt Earp, who was on our police force last summer, is in town again. We hope that he will accept a position on the force once more. He had a quiet way of taking the most desperate characters into custody which invariably gave one the impression that the city was able to enforce or mandate and preserve her dignity. It wasn't considered policy to draw a gun on Wyatt unless you got the drop and meant to burn powder without any preliminary talk." The Dodge City Times (9) "Wyatt Earp, the most efficient officer this town has ever known has just returned from Texas. He was immediately reappointed Marshal by our city dads, much to their credit." Ford County Globe, 1878 (8) Contrary to popular belief, Wyatt was never the Marshal of Dodge City, although in his later years he made the claim, as well as did newspapers of the time refer to him as "Marshal". No evidence has ever been found of Wyatt being the Marshal in Dodge City. Some authors have explained this confusion by noting that in that time period, the word "Marshal" was used very loosely.

Wyatt Earp was earning sometimes grudging respect as a law officer in the Kansas cattle towns, despite stepping on a few toes along the way. He would (and several times did) throw very prominent city officials into jail whom he suspected of breaking the law. Your average police officer today who valued his job wouldn't think of doing such a thing. Political savvy, needless to say, was not his strong suit. The strange relationship and respect between the townspeople and the lawmen like Earp might have best been explained by author Casey Tefertiller, "He (Earp) may have spent much of his time at the gambling tables, but that was expected since his job was to protect the business...He was no plaster saint with a spotless record, but he was the kind of man the citizenry wanted walking in front of the procession during dangerous times. Men like Earp were also the men whom the "good" citizens wanted out of town during peaceful times. Earp seemed most at home with the gambling crowd, surrounded by prostitutes, with men whose morals would not meet high standards..."(15)

As is the Earp family tradition, Wyatt is growing restless again. In 1879, he leaves Dodge City with Morgan and Doc and spends a short time in Las Vegas, New Mexico. From there they move on to Prescott, Arizona where Virgil is living. It is at this point that a plan is hatched to move to a booming town where silver has been found, Tombstone.................



Tombstone Links

     The Testimony of Wyatt Earp      Ike Clanton's Testimony

Wyatt Earp takes the stand     Where is Wyatt?    The Return of Wyatt Earp by Leo Banks

Wyatt Earp Flees Arizona Life & Trial of Wyatt Earp The Desert Lawman

Spicer Decision

Wyatt Earp: Gaslamp Legend Doc Holliday Timeline

Wyatt Earp Movies

Movie link to..... My Darling Clementine [DVD](1946) DVD Was $14.99 $11.99 DVD
Masterful Western from John Ford about Wyatt Earp's arrival in Tombstone and his blood feud with the Clantons, culminating in a fateful meeting at the O.K. Corral. Henry Fonda is Earp, Walter Brennan is Pa Clanton and Victor Mature is Doc Holliday, Earp's ally. This disc contains both the theatrical and alternate pre-release versions of the film. 96 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English stereo, mono, French mono, Spanish mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; featurette.

Movie link to..... Tombstone [DVD](1993) DVD Was $19.99 $15.99 DVD
Exciting and stylish retelling of the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral, in which retired lawman Wyatt Earp and his brothers teamed with Doc Holliday in a fierce showdown against the Clanton family in the sprawling Western town of Tombstone, Arizona. Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Michael Biehn, Dana Delany, Charlton Heston and Powers Boothe star. 130 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English, French, Spanish; Subtitles: Spanish; theatrical trailer; scene access.

Movie link to..... Wyatt Earp [DVD](1994) DVD Was $26.99 $22.94 DVD
The legendary lawman is the subject of this modernist Western epic from co-writer/director Lawrence Kasdan and star Kevin Costner. Follow Earp's tumultuous life, from his days as a farmer and buffalo hunter to his tenure as marshal of Dodge City and his involvement in the fateful shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Dennis Quaid co-stars as dentist-turned-gunfighter/gambler Doc Holliday. With Michael Madsen, Jeff Fahey, Isabella Rossellini, and Gene Hackman. 190 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; "making of" documentary; audio commentary; deleted scenes. Two-disc set.

After fleeing Arizona,.....

Doc holes up in Denver and Wyatt, Warren, Jack and Sherm hole up in Gunnison, Colorado. In May of 1882, Holliday is arrested in Denver and authorities from Arizona attempt to have Wyatt and Doc extradited. Governor Pitkin refuses, citing "faulty wording" in the extradition papers. It probably doesn't hurt things that both Pitkin and Earp are Republicans. Friend Bat Masterson also is credited with what amounted to saving Wyatt and Doc's life at this point. Masterson, not only a friend of Wyatt's but a fellow Republican, met with Pitkin and probably talked him out of any ideas about extradition. Bat, who was Marshal of Trinidad, Colorado at that time, also trumped up some fake charges against Doc Holliday so that Colorado could claim that they could not extradite Holliday since he was wanted on charges there. Masterson never liked Holliday, but he did it for Wyatt. Wyatt will soon send for Josie to come from California and join him in Colorado. Wyatt is behaving himself in Gunnison. Gunnison Police Officer Judd Riley states, "Earp was a fine looking man, tall with drooping mustaches that curled at the ends. He was quiet in manner and never created a bit of trouble here, in fact, he told us boys on the police force we could call on him if we needed help at any time." (1) Doc and Wyatt weren't together long in Colorado before they are reported to have a "falling out". The cause of their trouble is variously reported by different sources. Apparently their falling out wasn't too severe, as Doc is reported as going to Gunnison to spend some time with Wyatt before they parted ways.(2) Doc continues to get into trouble after Tombstone, he is arrested in Denver in 1884 for shooting a man named Will Allen, a cowboy faction member from Tombstone. He will eventually die alone in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on September 8, 1887.

Shortly after arriving in Colorado, Wyatt is notified that his good friend Luke Short, from Dodge City is in need of his help. Apparently Short had stepped on some toes when he got in a shoot-out with a city police officer. Short first went to his other good friend Bat Masterson for help. Even though Bat was a former Dodge City Police Officer and Sheriff of Ford County, he was run out of town along with Short when he tried to intervene. Masterson called upon Wyatt to see if he could come help out in the situation. Wyatt came to Dodge with Josie and arranged to have a meeting with the City Council. He was able to convince them to let Short come back to Dodge. It was during this stay back on Dodge City that the Dodge City Peace Commission was formed in 1883. Even though Wyatt was able to work out a deal for Short to stay in Dodge, apparently Short didn't like the idea of staying in Dodge when he knew that Wyatt would be leaving and along with Wyatt would go the slight protection he had been afforded by the City Council's healthy respect for Wyatt. Short would leave Dodge City shortly after Wyatt. Shortly after arriving in Colorado, Wyatt is notified that his good friend Luke Short, from Dodge City is in need of his help. Apparently Short had stepped on some toes when he got in a shoot-out with a city police officer. Short first went to his other good friend Bat Masterson for help. Even though Bat was a former Dodge City Police Officer and Sheriff of Ford County, he was run out of town along with Short when he tried to intervene. Masterson called upon Wyatt to see if he could come help out in the situation. Wyatt came to Dodge with Josie and arranged to have a meeting with the City Council. He was able to convince them to let Short come back to Dodge. It was during this stay back on Dodge City that the Dodge City Peace Commission was formed in 1883. Even though Wyatt was able to work out a deal for Short to stay in Dodge, apparently Short didn't like the idea of staying in Dodge when he knew that Wyatt would be leaving and along with Wyatt would go the slight protection he had been afforded by the City Council's healthy respect for Wyatt. Short would leave Dodge City shortly after Wyatt.

Between 1883 and 1884, Josie and Wyatt packed up their belongings and headed for Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where they were met by brother James. Wyatt was apparently a Deputy Sheriff for a short time in 1884 for Kootenai County, Idaho. It was during this stay that critics claim Wyatt was charged with claim jumping with brother James. Supporters have defended Earp by stating that James and Wyatt were simply testing the validity in court of disputed claims. I have not read any evidence of either Wyatt or James physically forcing people off their claims or attempting to occupy someone else's claim under threat of physical harm. Between 1883 and 1884, Josie and Wyatt packed up their belongings and headed for Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where they were met by brother James. Wyatt was apparently a Deputy Sheriff for a short time in 1884 for Kootenai County, Idaho. It was during this stay that critics claim Wyatt was charged with claim jumping with brother James. Supporters have defended Earp by stating that James and Wyatt were simply testing the validity in court of disputed claims. I have not read any evidence of either Wyatt or James physically forcing people off their claims or attempting to occupy someone else's claim under threat of physical harm.

Perhaps nothing is more notable in Wyatt's later years than the Sharkey-Fitzsimmons fight on December 2, 1896 in San Francisco. This event would catapult Wyatt into the headlines more than the Tombstone incident. Wyatt was very well known in the gambling and "sporting" circles as they were called in those days. About noon of the day of the match, Wyatt was chosen to be a referee for the bout. He initially declined the offer, but finally accepted when he was told that they couldn't find any other referee that was acceptable to both fighters. Wyatt first caused a ruckus when he removed his coat in the ring and it was noticed he was wearing his pistol. His gun is taken away and he is fined $50.00 for carrying a concealed weapon. Fitzsimmons was the heavy favorite of the match and Sharkey the underdog. When Fitzsimmons threw a punch that knocked Sharkey down, Wyatt called a foul and gave the match to Sharkey. This caused a huge controversy. Just as he faced in Tombstone, Wyatt faced a bitterly divided public. There was just as many people who saw a foul blow as there was that didn't see it. There were charges that Wyatt was fixed and he ended up in court, being sued by Fitzsimmons for the purse that he lost. The case was thrown out of court not due to Wyatt being found not guilty, but because the court found they had no jurisdication over what was considered to be an illegal fight. Before the case was thrown out, however, two of Sharkey's trainers were able to give compelling testimony that perhaps Wyatt was involved in some sort of under-the-table deal. Trainers George Allen and Bill Smith gave testimony that it was their impression Earp had been "fixed" and that when Sharkey fell to the mat, his manager was heard to tell him to hold his groin like he had been hit there.(1) Since the case was thrown out, we have no way of knowing whether Wyatt would have been found guilty. Of further interest is the fact that Tom Sharkey admitted in a story he would tell years later how he and Earp were good friends and were running around together after the match. Sharkey would relate the following story that he says occurred when he and Earp walked into a saloon together after the match. There is no evidence this incident ever took place, except for Sharkey's word and the word of one of Wyatt's cousins who stated it happened, but whether true or not, it makes for a great story. Sharkey stated that a few days after the fight, Fitzsimmons was telling a group of about 30 people in a saloon that Wyatt Earp had robbed him of his title and that if he ever met him face to face and within punching distance, he would show everyone that the closed fist could move faster than a man could draw a gun. Sharkey and Wyatt entered the bar together at the tail end of these comments. The room got very quiet and Fitz suddenly became aware of Wyatt standing shoulder to shoulder with him. Wyatt ordered a shot of whiskey and holding the small shot glass in his left hand, raised it to his lips but did not drink from it. His right hand was just inches from the butt of his gun. Wyatt slowly turned to Fitz and looked him in the eye. Fitz stumbled back a few steps as if he had been struck, and hastily walked out of the saloon. The Suppressed Murder of Wyatt Earp, Glenn Boyer, 1967, page 112.

   Wyatt Earp Referees the Fitzsimmons/Sharkey Boxing Match

               Bob Fitzsimmons        "Sailor" Tom Sharkey



For the next several years Josie and Wyatt took part in the Alaska Gold Rush. They spent time in Nome and the Yukon and other mining cities that had popped up over night. In 1897 Wyatt arrived in Wrangell, Alaska. According to Josie, Wyatt was offered a Deputy US Marshal Commission by the Alaska US Marshal. Wyatt apparently turned it down but did offer to help out for a week or so until they could find someone permanent. Wyatt's first trip to Alaska that year was cut short when Josie became pregnant. She had already miscarried one child and this one would also die, they never would have any children. For the next several years Josie and Wyatt took part in the Alaska Gold Rush. They spent time in Nome and the Yukon and other mining cities that had popped up over night. In 1897 Wyatt arrived in Wrangell, Alaska. According to Josie, Wyatt was offered a Deputy US Marshal Commission by the Alaska US Marshal. Wyatt apparently turned it down but did offer to help out for a week or so until they could find someone permanent. Wyatt's first trip to Alaska that year was cut short when Josie became pregnant. She had already miscarried one child and this one would also die, they never would have any children.



          Wyatt Earp (center) in Nome Alaska

     Link to.... Gold Rush and Alaska

In September of 1899, Wyatt and friend C.E. Hoxsie build the Dexter Saloon in Nome, Alaska, the very first wood building in that mining town. As saloons did in those days, the Dexter made money hand over fist. When Wyatt became restless later and decided to move on, he took home $85,000.00 for his share of the Dexter, a very handsome sum in 1900. In September of 1899, Wyatt and friend C.E. Hoxsie build the Dexter Saloon in Nome, Alaska, the very first wood building in that mining town. As saloons did in those days, the Dexter made money hand over fist. When Wyatt became restless later and decided to move on, he took home $85,000.00 for his share of the Dexter, a very handsome sum in 1900.

In July of 1900, Wyatt's youngest brother, Warren, is shot and killed in the Headquarters Saloon in Wilcox, Arizona by a man named John Boyette. It would be claimed in Josie's "memoirs" that Wyatt and Virgil went to Wilcox and possibly killed Boyette in retaliation. This story is questionable as Wyatt was in Alaska at the time and Virgil wasn't in the best of health. The inquest would show that Warren was indeed unarmed and that the men had been seen arguing earlier in the day. It was reported by some that Boyett was never seen again, perhaps he just left town fearing that the remaining Earps might come looking for him. Considering what Wyatt had done to the men who killed Morgan, it is not beyond belief that if he had been a little younger and closer to Wilcox at the time of the killing, he might indeed have tried to kill Boyette. In July of 1900, Wyatt's youngest brother, Warren, is shot and killed in the Headquarters Saloon in Wilcox, Arizona by a man named John Boyette. It would be claimed in Josie's "memoirs" that Wyatt and Virgil went to Wilcox and possibly killed Boyette in retaliation. This story is questionable as Wyatt was in Alaska at the time and Virgil wasn't in the best of health. The inquest would show that Warren was indeed unarmed and that the men had been seen arguing earlier in the day. It was reported by some that Boyett was never seen again, perhaps he just left town fearing that the remaining Earps might come looking for him. Considering what Wyatt had done to the men who killed Morgan, it is not beyond belief that if he had been a little younger and closer to Wilcox at the time of the killing, he might indeed have tried to kill Boyette.

Between the early 1900's and the 1920's, the Earps lived primarily in California, prospecting and mining all those years. They never would own a house but would occasionally rent cottages or stay in hotels. When they were prospecting, they would stay in camp tents out in the deserts of California. Wyatt Earp could never settle down, he continued to wander, gamble, and look for that vein of gold that might make him rich. Even though he had promised Josie a nice ranch to settle down on years before, she faithfully stood by him in his later years, without complaint. The only close family Wyatt had left was brother Jim and sister Adelia (Virgil had died in 1905 of pneumonia in Nevada). In those later years Jim would accompany Wyatt on many of his prospecting trips. Wyatt's life was never without adventure. In 1911 Wyatt was arrested in Los Angeles for running an illegal bunco game. He was found not guilty but it was interesting to note that he gave the arresting officers a fake name, William Stapp. Some historians have claimed that Wyatt and Josie lived in squalor and were very poor in their later years. It is hard to determine how much money Wyatt made during his prospecting. It is known he came away virtually rich when he sold out his share of the Dexter Saloon in Nome, Alaska. But knowing Wyatt, he probably gambled most of this away (or Josie gambled it away, she reportedly had a serious gambling problem). It is doubtful that the Earps were living in complete poverty, as they were still able to rent cottages and live in hotels. However, they probably relied to a great extent on the hospitality of friends and Josie's sister, who may have given them money at times. Between the early 1900's and the 1920's, the Earps lived primarily in California, prospecting and mining all those years. They never would own a house but would occasionally rent cottages or stay in hotels. When they were prospecting, they would stay in camp tents out in the deserts of California. Wyatt Earp could never settle down, he continued to wander, gamble, and look for that vein of gold that might make him rich. Even though he had promised Josie a nice ranch to settle down on years before, she faithfully stood by him in his later years, without complaint. The only close family Wyatt had left was brother Jim and sister Adelia (Virgil had died in 1905 of pneumonia in Nevada). In those later years Jim would accompany Wyatt on many of his prospecting trips. Wyatt's life was never without adventure. In 1911 Wyatt was arrested in Los Angeles for running an illegal bunco game. He was found not guilty but it was interesting to note that he gave the arresting officers a fake name, William Stapp. Some historians have claimed that Wyatt and Josie lived in squalor and were very poor in their later years. It is hard to determine how much money Wyatt made during his prospecting. It is known he came away virtually rich when he sold out his share of the Dexter Saloon in Nome, Alaska. But knowing Wyatt, he probably gambled most of this away (or Josie gambled it away, she reportedly had a serious gambling problem). It is doubtful that the Earps were living in complete poverty, as they were still able to rent cottages and live in hotels. However, they probably relied to a great extent on the hospitality of friends and Josie's sister, who may have given them money at times.
How Wyatt Earp got buried in a Jewish Cemetery

Wyatt Earp Historical Timeline "Here Lies A Man"

The Shoot-Out "Near" the OK Corral

Tombstone, Oct. 26th--

A Sanguinary shooting affray occurred on Fremont Street this afternoon. Four cowboys have been in town for a few days past, drinking heavily making themselves generally obnoxious by their boisterous conduct. This morning City Marshal V. W. Earp arrested one for disorderly conduct, was fined $25, which he paid, and was disarmed. He left the Justice's Court swearing vengeance. The Sheriff, Marshal Earp and his brother Morgan tried to induce the party to leave town, but they were thirsting for gore and refused to be pacified. About 3 P.M. the Earp brothers and J.H. Holliday met the cowboys who drew upon them at once, when a lively fire commenced from the cowboys against the three citizens.

About thirty shots were fired rapidly, and when the smoke of the battle cleared away it was found the Jim (Tom) and Frank McLowry (McLaury) were gasping in the agonies of death. Bill Clayton (Clanton) was mortally wounded and died shortly after. Morgan Earp was wounded in the shoulder, it is thought seriously. V.W. Earp received a flesh would in the calf of the leg and Holliday escaped unhurt, with several bullet holes in his cloths. The streets immediately filled with resolute citizens, many of them armed with rifles and pistols. There is great excitement but no further trouble is anticipated. Ike Clayton (Clanton), one of the cowboys, escaped with a slight wound, and is now in jail. The Sheriff's posse are now under arms. Morgan Earp, after he was wounded and had fallen, struggled to his feet and continued the fight till he emptied his revolver. His wound is not thought to be serious. The citizens are determined to put down the riotous element at all hazard.

It seems the Sentinel didn't like Wyatt or just more proof that Virgil was the "Real Lion"

Let The Old Times Speak Gunmen I Have Known

Wyatt Earp & Friends Another friend of Wyatt Earp: Tombstone's Bob Paul

Wyatt's Legacy Wyatt Earp Photo Page Wyatt Earps Speaks

Buntline Special Shillingberg's Buntline

Wyatt Earp Letters to Bill Hart Wyatt Earp Letter to Burns

Earp Graves

Wyatt Earp Movies
Tombstone Western Heritage Museum .Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Video

Links to.... The Old West History Net Wyatt Earp Historical Home Page OldWestVideo.com

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Wyatt Earp grave, Nome, Alaska photos couurtesy Nick Swinhart

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