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.

The Arizona Vendetta

Wyatt, determined to avenge one brother's death and another brother's maiming, made arrangements to send Virgil and his wife Allie to the family home in Colton, California. When Wyatt took Virgil and Allie to the train station in Contention, he received a warning that Ike Clanton, Frank Stilwell, Billy Miller and another cowboy were watching all the trains leaving the area so they could kill Virgil. Wyatt, Warren Earp, Holliday, John Johnson and Sherman McMasters decided to stay on the train until it reached Tucson. After having dinner in Tucson, Virgil and Allie got back on board headed for California. When the train pulled away from the station, the firing commenced.

Related Topics:
Colton - Frank Stilwell - Billy Miller - John Johnson - Sherman McMasters

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Apparently Wyatt saw Stilwell and another man he believed to be Clanton lying prone on a flatcar, shotguns in hand. As Wyatt approached, the two men ran. Stilwell stumbled, and, by Wyatt's own admission, he shot Stilwell while Stilwell was begging for his life. Wyatt Earp, a man who took pride in avoiding bloodshed, had crossed the line to become what Clanton always claimed he was, a murderer. Clanton once again got away. A warrant against Wyatt, Warren, Holliday, McMasters and Johnson for the murder of Stilwell was issued.

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Based on the testimony of Pete Spence's wife, Marietta, at the coroner?s inquest on the killing of Morgan, the coroners jury concluded that Spence, Stilwell, Frederick Bode, and Florentino "Indian Charlie" Cruz were the prime suspects in the assassination of Morgan Earp. Spence immediately turned himself in so that he would be protected in Behan's jail instead of out in the open where Wyatt could find him. The trial for the murder of Morgan Earp began on April 2 and ended very quickly when the prosecution called Mrs. Spence to the stand and the defense objected. The prosecution dropped the case.

Related Topics:
Pete Spence - Frederick Bode - Florentino "Indian Charlie" Cruz - April 2

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Pima County justice of the peace Charles Meyer sent a telegram to Tombstone saying that the Earps were wanted in Tucson for the killing of Stilwell, and Behan should arrest them. The manager of the telegraph office, a friend of the Earps, showed the message to Wyatt before delivering it to Behan; he agreed to hold on to it long enough for the Earp posse to leave town again. Behan got the message just as Earp's posse was getting ready to leave. Behan approached them to arrest them, but they told him that they would be seeing Pima County sheriff Bob Paul about the matter and rode out of town.

Related Topics:
Charles Meyer - Telegram - Bob Paul

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By then, "Texas" Jack Vermillion had joined the Earp posse and Behan had deputized Johnny Ringo, Fin Clanton and other cowboys so that they could be part of the posse that went out to arrest the Earps for the murder of Stilwell. Before Behan's posse reached the Earps, the Earps found Cruz in the Dragoon Mountains. After getting Cruz to confess to being the lookout while Stilwell, Hank Swelling, Curly Bill and Ringo killed Morgan, Wyatt shot Cruz.

Related Topics:
"Texas" Jack Vermillion - Johnny Ringo - Fin Clanton - Dragoon Mountains - Hank Swelling

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In Iron Springs, Arizona, the Earp party was ambushed by a posse led by Curley Bill. Wyatt jumped from his horse to fight when he noticed the rest of his posse retreating as fast as their horses could carry them. Curley Bill got off a few shots that perforated Wyatt's long coat before Wyatt returned fire and hit Curley Bill in the chest with a shotgun blast. After the gunfight, the Earp party returned to the outskirts of Tombstone where Charlie Smith joined the posse.

Related Topics:
Iron Springs - Charlie Smith

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