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.

Tombstone

Wyatt, Jim and Virgil all moved to Tombstone, Arizona in December 1878. Wyatt brought a wagon with him that he planned to convert into a stagecoach. When he arrived in Tombstone, he found two established stage lines already running. Virgil was appointed deputy U.S. marshal prior to arriving in Tombstone. The Earps started staking mining claims, hoping one would become a big producer. Wyatt also went to work for Wells, Fargo, riding shotgun for their stagecoaches. Eventually Morgan Earp moved to Tombstone as well.

Related Topics:
Tombstone - Arizona - Stagecoach - Wells, Fargo

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On July 25, 1880, Virgil accused Frank McLaury, a known cowboy, of taking part in stealing of six mules from Camp Rucker. It would mark the beginning of the animosity between the Earps and the cowboys. Near the same time, Wyatt was appointed deputy of Tombstone and the surrounding area. In September, Doc Holliday moved to Tombstone. On October 28, 1880, while trying to break up a group of revelers shooting at the moon, "Curley" Bill Brocious shot city marshal Fred White when White tried to take Brocious' gun away. Wyatt arrested Brocious and took him to Tucson for a hearing before a lynch mob could be formed.

Related Topics:
July 25 - 1880 - Frank McLaury - Cowboy - Camp Rucker - October 28 - "Curley" Bill Brocious - Fred White - Tucson - Lynch mob

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Earp resigned as deputy sheriff of Pima County on November 9 because of an election dispute. Around the same time, the Earps started making money on their mining claims. Charlie Shibell, sheriff of Pima County, appointed Johnny Behan, as the new deputy to replace Earp. When the southern portion of Pima County was formed into Cochise County, Behan made a deal with Earp that if Earp didn't seek the position of sheriff of the new county, that Behan would name Earp as undersheriff. After Behan was appointed sheriff of Cochise County, he reneged on his deal with Earp and chose Harry Woods to be the undersheriff.

Related Topics:
Pima County - November 9 - Charlie Shibell - Johnny Behan - Cochise County - Harry Woods

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Shortly after Earp arrived in Tombstone, he had a horse stolen. Later he found out that it was in the possession of Ike Clanton, who was in Charleston, Arizona at the time. Earp and Holliday rode to Charleston to recover the horse. The incident, while nonviolent, made the Clanton's look bad, and they would hold a grudge. Also, it was the beginnings of the Earp's difficulties with Behan, who believed that Earp and Holliday were in Charleston to warn Clanton that Behan was going to subpoena Clanton.

Related Topics:
Ike Clanton - Charleston - Subpoena

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On December 27, 1880, Earp testified in court about the events that led to Brocious shooting White. Because of Earp?s testimony, the judge ruled that the shooting was accidental and he set Brocious free. Brocious would later become one of the principal targets in what became know as the Arizona War.

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Earp became part owner with Lou Rickabaugh in the gambling concession at the Oriental Saloon in January 1881. Shortly thereafter, John Tyler was hired by a rival gambling operator to cause trouble at the Oriental to keep patrons away. Tyler purchased $100 in chips and sat down at Rickabaugh's faro table. After losing a bet, Tyler started to get belligerent with Rickabaugh. Earp took Tyler by the ear and threw him out of the saloon.

Related Topics:
Lou Rickabaugh - Gambling - 1881 - John Tyler - Faro

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Tensions between the Earps and the Clantons/McLaurys increased during the beginning of 1881. In March, 1881, three cowboys held up a stage coach in which the one of the drivers was killed. There were rumors about the Earp's involvement, so to help clear his name, Wyatt went to Ike Clanton and offered to pay him for information leading to the three cowboys. Clanton agreed, fully knowing if word got out to the cowboys that he had double crossed them that they would kill him. After the three cowboys were killed in unrelated incidents, Clanton accused Earp of leaking their deal to either his brother Morgan or to Holliday.

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