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The spelling and grammar errors have been purposely preserved
Vidal, March 15th 1927
Dear Mr Burns:
Your letter came several days ago, having been forwarded to me from Oakland here to Vidal. I was out to my mining property and only returned here yesterday. I was glad to get your letter, and to know you are getting along so fine with the Doc Holiday story. I will give you what information you ask as near as I can. I would much rather not have my name mentioned to freely. I am getting tired of it all, as there have been so many lies written about me in so many magazines in the last few years that it makes a man feel like fighting. I know you mean to do the right thing by me, but I would ask of you please to say as little as possible about me and I am more then sorry Mr. Burns, that I was not in the position to give you my life story. Have as yet done nothing with it. And I may have it all rewritten.
No doubt you were filled up with lots of things which never happened about me while you were in Tombstone. Naturally I have my enemies as well as friends. I may take a run into Arizona while I am in this part of the country. Yes, I met Mr. Brekenridge two years ago. I can't undersand why they dont let me alone. I can truthfully say that I have never had any trouble with a living being as an officer and then I was very careful always that I was in the right and I can't understand why they don't let me alone and I think it time to put a stop to it all. Now here for your story and I will give you facts as near right as I know. And I think you are getting the right thing. You know your self, that every and each man you talk to, all have a different tale to tell.
Holiday was a friend of Lenards, having known him in Las Vegas New Mexico, where Lenard was established in the jewelry business, and was considered at that time a respectable citizen. And from Las Vegas he came to Tombstone and with Harry Head, Jim Crane, Bill Crane, also Bill King and himself, all went batching in a house ten miles north from town, which was known as the Wells. And all three remained there for several months. Holiday would make them a visit now and then, knowing Lenard so well, which many people knew how friendly they were. Holiday went to the livery stable on this day, hired a saddle horse which he did quite often to visit Lenard at the Wells. The horse came from Dunbar stable, and not Tribletts, as Tribletts did not have any stable in Tombstone. Holiday remained there until 4 P.M. Old Man Fuller was hauling water into Tombstone at that time and leaving the Wells with a load of water. Holiday tied his horse behind the wagon and rode into town with Fuller, and which many people knew. After Holiday ate his dinner, he went to playing faro, and he was still playing when the word came to Tombstone from Bob Paul to me that there had been a hold up, and the coach was stopped and held up. And lots of Doc enemies started the report that he was one of them, because he was known to be friendly with Lenard. There were 4 men in that hold up, who were Billy Lenard, Harry Head, Jim Crane, and Billy King. They were the four men who attacked the coach. King was arrested the second day out, and we turned him over to Sheriff Behan. He took King to Tombstone. King then made his escape and was never again heard from. Lenard and Head were both killed by the Hesletts brothers. Crane was killed by the Mexicans while in possession of a bunch of stolen cattle.
Texas Jacks real name was John Vermilion, was a carpenter by trade. Died in Chicago. McMasters was prospecting around Tombstone Came from very nice people in Denver Colorado. I heard he went to the Philippines and I have never heard from him again. Jack Johnson was from Missouri, was a book keeper and very well educated. He died in Salt Lake City twenty five years ago.
Curly Bill was killed at Iron Springs where the whetsone mountains and Mustang come together, and about thirty five miles a little west of north from Tombstone, and about half way from Tombstone to Tucson. It was Luke Short who killed Storms. Jack Vermilion, Jack Johnson[,] McMasters, Holiday were my depties.
Virgil Earp died in Goldfield Nevada, buried in Portland Oregon. James died in Los Angeles, twenty eighth day of Jan [19]26, and buried in San Bernardino, Cal.
Doc and I were the only ones in Tucson at the time Frank Stillwell was killed. Others remained in Bensen. The men who murdered my brother were Curly Bill, Ringo, Stillwell, Hank Swilling, and the Mexican Florentine. I was told by their lawyer that I must be careful that they were going to assassinate us all. I don't care to tell who the lawyer was who told me, as he was good friend of mine, and at the same time was handling the other side.
The Behan posse was not very anxious to find us, as Hooker told them where they could find us. Hooker a fine man was also our friend. Pete Spence was a stage robber and at the time my brother Morgan was killed, was out on bonds. I am satisfied that Spence had nothing to do with the assassination of Morgan, although he was a against us. In Behans party were Ike and Finn Clanton, John Ringo, Pete Spence, Hank Snelling, and two of the Tyle brothers, and besides those who I have mentioned were several others who names I have since forgotten. And all of them were outlaws of the worst kind, and a very tough bunch of men. Hooker did just as you said he did. Put Behan at a table by himself. After Behan told him that those men not his associates only in that one occasion to hunt the Earps. A nice bunch of men for a sheriff to have for a posse. Hooker did [not] hesitate in telling them that the whole bunch of them were cattle and horse theifs, and that they have every one of them stolen cattle and horses from him.
Doc was not in the Benson stage hold up, and he never did such a thing as hold ups in his life. He was his own worst enemy, comes from a very respectful family in the south, gratuated as a dentist. Slaughter did not know everything.
I am telling you right, and I hope my information which you asked for will be of some help to you. But I am going to ask you please to pardon this very poorly written letter. I am afraid you will find it very hard to make out. I am just down from my camp, and it is hot as H and I wanted to get this away to you as soon as possible, so I did not wait to send it to Los Angeles to have it typed. But hope you will be able to read it. I am sending it by express so as to make sure you will get it, as the mails are very irregular here, so everything must be well sealed. I will be glad to read your book when it is completed, and lots of good luck to you. Remember us kindly to your wife, and best wishes for your self
Always Sincerely Yours,
Wyatt S. Earp
P.S. I will remain here until April 18th, should you write me here. Kindly seal letter with wax. A letter will always reach me at my Oakland address.
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