Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp (March 19, 1848 - January 13, 1929), was an officer of the law, gambler and saloon keeper in the Wild West. He is most known for his participation in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral along with Doc Holliday, Virgil Earp, and Morgan Earp.

Lawman

In spring 1868, the Earps moved again, this time settling in Lamar, Missouri where Nicholas became the local constable. By November 17, 1869, Nicholas resigned to become Justice of the Peace. Wyatt was immediately appointed constable in place of his father. On November 26 and in return for his appointment, Earp filed a bond of $1000. His sureties for this bond were his father Nicholas Porter Earp, his paternal uncle Jonathan Douglas Earp (April 28, 1824 - October 20, 1900) and James Maupin.

Related Topics:
1868 - Lamar - Constable - November 17 - 1869 - Justice of the Peace - November 26 - Bond - April 28 - 1824 - October 20 - 1900

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On January 10, 1870, Earp married his first wife, Urilla Sutherland (1849 - 1870/1871). She was daughter to William and Permelia Sutherland from New York City. The marriage was short-lived. Urilla is believed to have died either a few months or about a year later. There are two reported versions of her cause of death. One version claims that she died of typhus, the other that she died in childbirth.

Related Topics:
January 10 - 1870 - 1849 - 1871 - New York City - Typhus - Childbirth

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In August 1870, Earp bought a house and the share it occupied for $50. In November, he resold the house for $75. The later event has been used to estimate the death of Urilla, based on the perception that a widower has less need of permanent residence than a married man expecting to have children. That November, Earp ran for and won his constable's post, beating his older half-brother, Newton 137 votes to 108 votes. It would be the only time Earp would ever run for office.

Related Topics:
1870 - House - November - Widower

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After his wife's death, Earp started to have some difficulties with the law. On March 14, 1871, Barton County, Missouri filed a lawsuit against Earp and his sureties. He had been in charge of collecting license fees for Lamar. The collected money were to be used as funding for the local schools. Earp was accused of never having delivered the collected money. The action was eventually vacated, probably because Earp and his father had moved out of the state. Then on March 31, James Cromwell filed his own lawsuit against Earp. The suit alleged that Earp had falsified court documents referring to the amount of money that Earp hand collected from Cromwell to satisfy a judgment. To make up the difference between what Earp turned in and Cromwell claimed he paid, the court seized Cromwell's mowing machine and sold it for $38. Cromwell's suit claimed that Earp owed him $75, the estimated value of the machine.

Related Topics:
March 14 - 1871 - Barton County - Lawsuit - Funding - School - March 31

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On April 1, Earp was one of three men facing accusations for horse theft, alongside Edward Kennedy and John Shown. On March 28, the accused had reportedly stolen two horses, "each of the value of one hundred dollars", from William Keys while in the Indian Country. On April 6, Earp was arrested by Deputy United States Marshal J.G. Owens for the latter charges. The arraignment of the charges against him was read to him by Commissioner James Churchill on April 14. Bail was set at $500. On May 15, the indictment against Earp, Kennedy and Shown was issued.

Related Topics:
April 1 - March 28 - Horse - Indian Country - April 6 - United States Marshal - Arraignment - Commissioner - April 14 - Bail - May 15 - Indictment

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Anna Shown, wife of John Shown, claimed that Earp and Kennedy got her husband drunk and then threatened his life in order to earn his assistance. However on June 5, Edward Kennedy was acquitted while the case against Earp and John Shown remained. Faced with two lawsuits and a trial, Earp apparently chose to flee the State of Missouri. An arrest warrant was issued. By November 21, the date of their trial, the local officials were unable to locate either Earp or Shown. Nicholas Earp had also left Lamar.

Related Topics:
Threat - June 5 - Warrant - November 21

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Both lawsuits and the horse theft case were eventually dropped because of the disappearance of Earp. Researchers of his life do not have enough evidence to conclude whether he was guilty of the charges. They tend to note however that this would be the first but not the last controversial incident of his life.

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