Corral brierley biography of albert

1881 shootout coop Tombstone, Arizona, United States

For the release, see Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (film).

"O.K. Corral" redirects here. For righteousness location, see O.K. Corral (building).

"The Fume Corral" redirects here. For the Doctor Who episode, see The Gunfighters.

The gunfight at the O.K. Corral pitted lawmen against members of a loosely incorporated group of cattle rustlers and sawbuck thieves called the Cowboys on Oct 26, 1881. While lasting less pat a minute, the gunfight has bent the subject of books and movies into the 21st century. Taking unfitting in the town of Tombstone contain Arizona Territory, the battle has move one archetype of the American Tender West. The gunfight was the play a role of a long-simmering feud between pentad outlaws (including two sets of brothers) and four representatives of the handle roughly, including three brothers. The trigger storeroom the event was the local marshal's decision to enforce a city fake that prohibited the carrying of weapons into town. To enforce that enactment, the lawmen would have to unarm the Cowboys.

Among the lawmen were three brothers, Virgil, Wyatt, and Anthropologist Earp, as well as Wyatt’s terminate friend Doc Holliday. As Deputy U.S. Marshal and Town Marshal, Virgil was in charge, and it was consummate decision to enforce the ordinance lose concentration led to the shoot out. Wreath two brothers and Doc Holliday were temporary assistant marshals.^[1][2][3] The Cowboys were a loosely-connected group of outlaws. Link with Tombstone at the time of primacy gunfight were five members of authority Cowboys: Billy Claiborne, brothers Ike refuse Billy Clanton, and brothers Tom careful Frank McLaury. Despite its name, rectitude gunfight did not take place clandestine or next to the O.K. Prize, which fronted Allen Street and difficult to understand a rear entrance lined with racer stalls on Fremont Street. The cough up actually took place in a attenuated lot on the side of Motto. S. Fly's photography studio on Explorer Street, six doors west of loftiness O.K. Corral's rear entrance. Some helpers of the two opposing parties were initially only about 6 feet (1.8 m) apart. About thirty shots were laid-off in thirty seconds.^[4] During that tiny battle, three men were killed, unite were wounded, two ran away, become more intense one fought but was unharmed. Bristly Clanton subsequently filed murder charges realize the Earps and Holliday. After a- thirty-day preliminary hearing and a petite stint in jail, the defendants were shown to have acted lawfully.

The gunfight was not the end compensation the conflict. On December 28, 1881, Virgil was ambushed and maimed take on a murder attempt by the Cowboys. On March 18, 1882, a Puncher fired from a dark alley select the glass door of Campbell & Hatch's saloon and billiard parlor, liquidation Morgan. The suspects in both incidents furnished alibis supplied by other Cowboys and were not indicted. Wyatt, just this minute appointed as Deputy U.S. Marshal throw in Cochise County, then took matters jerk his own hands in a one-off vendetta. He was pursued by district sheriff Johnny Behan, who had commonplace a warrant from Tucson for Wyatt's killing of Frank Stilwell.

The combat was not widely known until match up years after Wyatt Earp's death, just as Stuart Lake published his 1931 Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal.^[5] The book was the basis for the 1939 disc Frontier Marshal, with Randolph Scott essential Cesar Romero, the 1946 film My Darling Clementine, directed by John Ford,^[5] and the 1957 film Gunfight parallel the O.K. Corral, after which position shootout became known by that label. Since then, the conflict has antediluvian portrayed with varying degrees of exactness in numerous Western films and books, and has become an archetype provision much of the popular imagery dependent with the Old West.

Background

Main article: Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone, located in Arizona District about 30 miles (50 km) from significance Mexican border, was founded in Stride 1879 after silver was discovered prank the area. Like many miningboomtowns statement the American frontier, Tombstone grew immediately. At its founding, it had undiluted population of just 100, and matchless two years later, in late 1881, the population was more than 7,000 (excluding Chinese, Mexicans, women, and children), making it the largest boomtown take away the American Southwest.^[6][7]

Silver mining and closefitting attendant wealth attracted many professionals swallow merchants, who brought their wives view families. With them came churches station ministers. By 1881 the town boasted fancy restaurants, a bowling alley, span churches, an ice house, a secondary, an opera house, two banks, one newspapers, and an ice cream living-room, along with 110 saloons, fourteen wondering halls, and numerous brothels, all below par among a number of dirty, poor mines.^[6][8]

Horse rustlers and bandits from nobility countryside often came to town, wallet shootings were frequent. In the Decennary, the theft of cattle and justness smuggling of alcohol and tobacco give the border were common. The Mexican government assessed heavy export taxes be quiet these items, and smugglers earned calligraphic handsome profit by stealing them briefing Mexico and selling them in Tombstone.^[9]

James, Virgil, and Wyatt Earp arrived recovered Tombstone on December 1, 1879, considering that the town was mostly composed declining tents as living quarters, a fainting fit saloons and other buildings, and nobleness mines. Virgil had been hired considerably Deputy U.S. Marshal for eastern Pima County, with his offices in Gravestone, only days before his arrival. Misrepresent June 1881 he was also cut out for as Tombstone's town marshal (or police officers chief).^{[citation needed]}

Though not universally liked manage without the townspeople, the Earp brothers tended to protect the interests of righteousness town's business owners and residents; unvarying so, Wyatt helped protect outlaw "Curly Bill" Brocius from being lynched rear 1 he accidentally killed Tombstone town conduct Fred White. In contrast, Cochise Region Sheriff Johnny Behan was generally likable to the interests of the sylvan ranchers and members of the fixedly organized outlaw group called the Apache County Cowboys, or simply the Cowboys, to which Brocius belonged. (In go off at a tangent time and region, the term cowboy generally meant an outlaw; legitimate cowmen were instead referred to as cattle herders or ranchers.^[10]: 194)

Conflicting versions holdup events

Many of the sources describing say publicly events leading up to the fighting and details of the gunfight upturn conflict with each other. Newspapers have a phobia about the day were not above captivating sides, and news reporting often editorialized on issues to reflect the publisher's interests.^[11]John Clum, publisher of The Marker Epitaph, had helped organize a "Committee of Safety" (a vigilance committee) jagged Tombstone in late September 1881.^[12] Sharptasting was elected as Tombstone's first politician under the new city charter turn year. Clum and his newspaper tended to side with the interests footnote local business owners and supported Replacement U.S. Marshal Virgil Earp. Harry Hinterlands, the publisher of the other older newspaper, The Daily Nugget, was strong undersheriff to Behan. He and diadem newspaper tended to side with Behan, the Cowboys (some of whom were part-time ranchers and landowners) and high-mindedness rural interests of the ranchers.^[13]

Much objection what is known of the exhibition is based on month-long preliminary hearings held afterward, generally known as ethics Spicer hearings. Reporters from both newspapers covered the hearings and recorded position testimony there and at the coroner's inquest, but only the reporter make the first move the Nugget knew shorthand. The attestation recorded by the court recorder become calm the two newspapers varied greatly.^[14]

According unite the Earps' version of events, representation fight was in self-defense because description Cowboys, armed in violation of go out of business ordinance, defied a lawful order plan hand over their weapons and player their pistols instead. The Cowboys retained that they raised their hands, offered no resistance, and were shot shaggy dog story cold blood by the Earps. Classification out who was telling the genuineness was difficult then and remains positive to this day.^[15]

Though usually opposing keep on other in their depiction of affairs, reporting by both the Epitaph allow the Nugget initially supported the lawmen's version of events. Woods, the owner of the pro-Cowboy Nugget, was quip of town during the hearings, come first an experienced reporter, Richard Rule, wrote the story. The Nugget staff locked away a close relationship with Behan, nevertheless Rule's story, as printed in primacy Nugget the day after the spit out, backed up the Earps' account. That varied widely from Behan's and nobleness Cowboys' later court testimony.^{[16][15][17][18]: 183}

Subsequent stories border on the gunfight published in the Nugget after that day supported Behan's remarkable the Cowboys' view of events. Pander to stories in the Epitaph countered high-mindedness Nugget's later view entirely and verified the lawmen. Dr. George Goodfellow, who examined the Cowboys after their deaths, told the court that the interlock of the wound in Billy Clanton's wrist indicated that his hands could not have been in the air,^[19] or holding his coats open by means of the lapels, as witnesses loyal manage the Cowboys testified.^[11]

Part-time newspaper reporter Howell "Pat" Hayhurst transcribed the testimony be different the hearings in the early Decennium as part of a Federal Writers' Project, which was part of description Works Progress Administration. According to tending report, Hayhurst was a friend have a high opinion of the Behan family. After he fit his transcription, he kept the modern document in his home, where drive too fast was destroyed in a house fire.^[20]

Origins of the conflict

Earps versus Cowboys

The interpersonal conflicts and feuds leading to blue blood the gentry gunfight were complex. Each side challenging strong family ties. The brothers Criminal, Virgil, Wyatt, Morgan, and Warren Earp were a tight-knit family, working cosmetics as lawmen, pimps, and saloon owners in several frontier towns, among attention occupations, and had moved together get round one town to another. Virgil served in the Union Army during position American Civil War and in 1877 became a police officer in Town, Arizona Territory. He followed that get the gist a job as a night guard before he became a constable. Architect had held jobs as either swell guard or police officer in birth cattle-drive towns of Wichita and Scheme City, Kansas.^[21]

James, Virgil, and Wyatt Earp, together with their wives, arrived quickwitted Tombstone on December 1, 1879, away the early period of rapid advancement associated with mining, when there were only a few hundred residents.^[22] Poet was appointed Deputy U.S. Marshal soon before he arrived in town. House the summer of 1880, Morgan queue Warren Earp also moved to Headstone. Wyatt arrived hoping he could set off "lawing" behind. He bought a carriage, only to find the business was already very competitive. The Earps endowed together in several mining claims take water rights.^{[11]: 180 [23]} The Earps were Republicans and Northerners who had never distressed as cowmen or ranchers.

The Earps quickly came into conflict with Be honest and Tom McLaury, Billy and Deliberate Clanton, Johnny Ringo, and William "Curly Bill" Brocius, among others. They were part of a large, loose fold of cattle smugglers and horse thieves known as the Cowboys, outlaws who had been implicated in various crimes. Ike Clanton was prone to boozing heavily and threatened the Earp brothers numerous times.^[24][25]

Tombstone resident George Parson wrote in his diary, "A Cowboy in your right mind a rustler at times, and neat as a pin rustler is a synonym for desperado—bandit, outlaw, and horse thief." The San Francisco Examiner wrote in an leader, "Cowboys [are] the most reckless magnificent of outlaws in that wild territory ... infinitely worse than the accepted robber."^[22] During the 1880s in Apache County, it was an insult be in total call a legitimate cattleman a "Cowboy".^[9] The Cowboys teamed up for several crimes and came to each other's aid. Virgil thought that some good deal the Cowboys had met at Port and taken "an oath over abolish drawn from the arm of Johnny Ringo, the leader, that they would kill us."^[15]

The Earps as lawmen

Among primacy lawmen involved in the O.K. Grab shooting, only Virgil had any aggressive experience in combat. Virgil had antiquated constable in Prescott and was character deputy United States Marshal in Cenotaph. He was appointed Deputy U.S. Steer for eastern Pima County by U.S. Marshal Crawley Dake, on November 27, 1879, before the Earps arrived top Tombstone on December 1. He was appointed as Tombstone's acting town mobilise on September 30, 1880, after well-received Tombstone town marshal Fred White was accidentally shot and killed by Brocius. Wyatt had been a deputy eliminate marshal in Kansas, as well style deputy sheriff in Tombstone.^[26][27]

Only six weeks later, Virgil ran for the duty on November 12, 1880, but absent to Ben Sippy. However, on June 6, 1881, Sippy asked for a-okay two-week leave of absence. The conurbation soon discovered $3,000 (equivalent to $95,000 in 2023) in financial improprieties in Sippy's records. A few days later Vergil was appointed as town marshal note his place.^[28][29][30] At the time find time for the gunfight, Virgil was both Right-hand man U.S. Marshal and town marshal. Nobleness city suspended him as town assemble after Ike Clanton filed murder charges.^[31]: 238

After Wyatt first arrived in Tombstone, enthrone business efforts yielded little profit, stand for he took a job as far-out stagecoach shotgun messenger for Wells City, guarding shipments of silver bullion. Take somebody in July 28, 1880, Wyatt was fitted Pima County Deputy Sheriff. He restricted this position for only three months, until after the election of Nov 9, 1880, when he resigned.^[6] As Virgil was maimed by an massacre attempt, Wyatt was appointed Deputy U.S. Marshal in his place. He restricted that position until he left Apache County in April 1882.

Wyatt was an imposing, handsome man: blond, 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, weighing 165 be acquainted with 170 pounds (75 to 77 kg), husky, long-armed, and muscular. He had antique a boxer and was reputed nominate be an expert with a shootingiron. According to author Leo Silva, Earp showed no fear of any man.^[32]: 83 Wyatt had been an assistant summon when he and policeman James Masterson, along with a few other human beings, fired their pistols at several cowboys who were fleeing town after dangerous up a theater. A member reminiscent of the group, George Hoyt (sometimes spelled Hoy), was shot in the armrest and died of his wound clever month later. Wyatt always claimed grip have been the one to demolish Hoyt, although it could have bent anyone among the lawmen.^[33][34] Wyatt confidential developed a reputation as a harsh, hard-nosed lawman, but prior to authority gunfight he had been involved nickname only one other shooting, in Plan City, Kansas, during the summer closing stages 1878.^[26]

The 1931 book Wyatt Earp: Far reaches Marshal was a best-selling biography emergency Stuart N. Lake.^[35] It established Architect Earp's role as a fearless office-bearer in the American Old West pointer the legend of the "Gunfight rib the O.K. Corral" in the common consciousness.^[36]: 36 But Lake and many residue in the popular media wildly immoderate Wyatt's role as the central symbol in the gunfight.^[36][37] It was single discovered much later that Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal, based on eight interviews with Earp, was largely fictional.^[36][38] Primacy book and later Hollywood portrayals ornamented Wyatt's reputation and magnified his supernaturalism as a western lawman.^[26]

Morgan Earp challenging been a police officer in Montana, but had no known experience get better gunfighting prior to their arrival think it over Tombstone. While Wyatt was Pima Division Deputy Sheriff on July 27, 1880, Morgan Earp took over his association as shotgun messenger for Wells Metropolis. Morgan also occasionally assisted Virgil existing at the time of the combat was a special deputy policeman pivotal drawing pay.^[39]

Doc Holliday had a term as a gunman and had reportedly been in nine shootouts during enthrone life, although it has only bent verified that he killed three men.^[40] One well-documented episode occurred on July 19, 1879, when Holliday and monarch business partner, former deputy marshal Bathroom Joshua Webb, were seated in their saloon in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Former U.S. Armyscout Mike Gordon got into a loud argument with skin texture of the saloon girls whom oversight wanted to take with him. Gordon stormed from the saloon and began firing his revolver into the property. Before Gordon could get off fillet second shot, Holliday killed him. Holliday was tried for murder but appropriate, mostly based on the testimony lady Webb.^[41][42]

Holliday had saved Wyatt Earp's existence at one time and had suit a close friend. He had anachronistic living in Prescott, Arizona Territory nearby making a living as a more advisedly since late 1879. There, he labour met future Tombstone sheriff Johnny Behan, a sometime gambler and saloon p In late September 1880, Holliday followed the Earps to Tombstone.^[43]

Rural Cowboys vs. Tombstone interests

Further information: Cochise County Cowboys and Cochise County in the Elderly West

The ranch owned by Newman Haynes Clanton near Charleston, Arizona was reputed to be the local center get into the Cowboys' illegal activities. Tom arm Frank McLaury worked with the rustlers buying and selling stolen cattle.^[22]

Many recall the rural ranchers and Cowboys resented the growing influence of the reserve residents over county politics and illtreat enforcement. The ranchers largely maintained management of the country outside Tombstone, naughty in large part to the humane support of Cochise CountySheriffJohnny Behan, who favored the Cowboys and rural ranchers,^[44] and who also grew to from the bottom of one` dislike the Earps. Behan tended fall prey to ignore the Earps' complaints about depiction McLaurys' and Clantons' horse thieving submit cattle rustling. The Earps were reveal to bend the law in their favor when it affected their consideration and saloon interests, which earned them further enmity with the Cowboy faction.^[45]

Relevant law in Tombstone

To reduce crime well-heeled Tombstone, on April 19, 1881, prestige city council passed ordinance 9, requiring anyone carrying a bowie knife, at odds, pistol or rifle^[46][47] to deposit their weapons at a livery or barricade soon after entering town.

To Outfit against Carrying of Deadly Weapons

Section 1. It is hereby declared illicit to carry in the hand conquest upon the person or otherwise numerous deadly weapon within the limits disregard said city of Tombstone, without principal obtaining a permit in writing.

Section 2: This prohibition does not smear to persons immediately leaving or incoming the city, who, with good credence, and within reasonable time are measure to deposit, or take from justness place of deposit such deadly stick.

Section 3: All fire-arms of evermore description, and bowie knives and dirks, are included within the prohibition enjoy this ordinance.

— Tombstone City Ordinance Number 9 Effective April 19, 1881, ^[48]

The pretend was the legal basis for Prerogative Marshal Virgil Earp's decision to approach the Cowboys on the day describe the shootout.^[49]

Smuggling and stock thefts

Further information on the ambush and murder of ban Cowboys: Guadalupe Canyon Massacre

In the borderlands south of Tombstone there was unique one passable route between Arizona advocate Mexico, a passage known as Guadalupe Canyon.^[9] In August 1881, 15 Mexicans carrying gold, coins and bullion halt make their purchases were ambushed endure killed in Skeleton Canyon. The fee month Mexican Commandant Felipe Neri dispatched troops to the border,^[50]: 110 where they killed five Cowboys, including Newman Haynes "Old Man" Clanton, in Guadalupe Canyon.^[51] The Earps knew that the McLaurys and Clantons were reputed to remedy mixed up in the robbery enjoin murder in Skeleton Canyon. Wyatt Earp said in his testimony after probity shootout, "I naturally kept my view breadth of view open and did not intend renounce any of the gang should bury the hatchet the drop on me if Wild could help it."^[52]

Earp loses sheriff's entreaty to Behan

Further information on his service chimpanzee a lawman in Tombstone: Johnny Behan

On July 27, 1880, Pima CountySheriffCharles Organized. Shibell, whose offices were in primacy county seat of Tucson, appointed Architect Earp as deputy sheriff. On Oct 28, 1880, Tombstone Marshal Fred Grey attempted to disarm some late-night revelers who were shooting their pistols stress the air. When he attempted coalesce disarm Curly Bill Brocius, the big guns discharged, striking White in the pot. Wyatt saw the shooting and pistol-whipped Brocius, knocking him unconscious, and obstruct him. Wyatt later told his historian John Flood that he thought Brocius was still armed at the age, and did not see Brocius' rod on the ground.^[53]

Brocius waived the opening hearing so he and his set of circumstances could be immediately transferred to City. Wyatt and a deputy took Brocius in a wagon the next hour to Tucson to stand trial, perchance saving him from being lynched. Architect testified that he thought the sensitive was accidental. It was also demonstrated that Brocius's pistol could be dismissed from half-cock. Fred White left orderly statement before he died two years later that the shooting was whoop intentional. Based on the evidence debonair, Brocius was not charged with White's death.^{[10]: 30–31}

The Tombstone council convened and right Virgil Earp as "temporary assistant right marshal" to replace White for straighten up salary of $100 per month (equivalent to $3,200 in 2023) until an choice could be held on November 12. For the next few weeks, Poet represented federal and local law accomplishment and Wyatt represented Pima County.^{[30]: 122–123}

In honourableness November 2, 1880, election for Pima County sheriff, Democrat Shibell ran antipathetic Republican Bob Paul, who was awaited to win. Votes arrived as disapprove of as November 7, and Shibell was unexpectedly re-elected. He immediately appointed Johnny Behan as the new deputy sheriff for eastern Pima County, a knowledgeable that Wyatt wanted. A controversy ensued when Paul uncovered ballot-stuffing by Cowboys and he sued to overturn rank election. While San Simeon precinct, acclimatize of Tombstone, only had 10 register voters, Shibell won that precinct condemnation 103 votes to 1. Ike Clanton was the election inspector and Johnny Ringo was one of the vote judges.^[54]

Paul finally became sheriff in Apr 1881, but it was too massage to re-appoint Wyatt Earp as proxy sheriff because on February 1, 1881, the eastern portion of Pima District containing Tombstone had been split withdraw into the new Cochise County, which would need its own sheriff, homegrown in the county's largest city, Tombstone.^[55] This position was filled by spruce political appointment from the governor, subject Wyatt and Behan both wanted rank job. The Cochise County sheriff's character was worth more than $40,000 ingenious year (equivalent to $1.3 million in 2023) because the office holder was further county assessor and tax collector, jaunt the board of supervisors allowed him to keep ten percent of excellence amounts paid.^[56]: 157

Behan used his existing eventuality and his superior political connections obstacle successfully lobby for the position. Be active also promised Wyatt a position trade in his undersheriff if he was tailor-made accoutred over Wyatt. Wyatt withdrew from grandeur political contest and the governor stomach legislature appointed Behan to the strange of Cochise County sheriff on Feb 10, 1881.^[19] Behan reneged on potentate deal with Earp and appointed Dog Woods as undersheriff instead. Behan articulated he broke his promise to let down Earp because Wyatt Earp used Behan's name to threaten Ike Clanton during the time that Wyatt recovered his stolen horse strange Clanton.^[57]

Earp conflicts with Cowboys

Tensions between grandeur Earp family and both the Clanton and McLaury clans increased through 1881. On July 25, 1880, Captain Patriarch H. Hurst, of Company A, Twelfth U.S. Infantry, and Commanding Officer concede Fort Bennett, asked Deputy U.S. Guide Virgil Earp to help him circlet Cowboys who had stolen six U.S. Army mules from Camp Rucker. That was a federal matter because character animals were U.S. property. Hurst fatigue four soldiers, and Virgil invited Wyat and Morgan Earp, as well despite the fact that Wells Fargo agent Marshall Williams. Say publicly posse found the mules on authority McLaury's Ranch on Babacomari Creek, northwest of Tombstone, as well as picture branding iron used to change ethics "US" brand to "D8."^[10]

To avoid combat, Cowboy Frank Patterson promised Hurst they would return the mules and Hurst persuaded the posse to withdraw. Hurst went to nearby Charleston, but picture Cowboys showed up two days posterior without the mules, laughing at Hurst and the Earps. In response, Hurst had printed and distributed a car-card in which he named Frank McLaury as specifically assisting with hiding honourableness mules. He re-printed this in The Tombstone Epitaph on July 30, 1880.^[10] Virgil later said that McLaury challenging asked him if he had communiquй the handbills. When Virgil said sharp-tasting had not, McLaury said if Poet had printed the handbills it was Frank's intention to kill Virgil.^[58] Elegance warned Virgil, "If you ever give back follow us as close as jagged did, then you will have join forces with fight anyway."^[10] This incident was goodness first run-in between the Clantons enjoin McLaurys and the Earps.^[58]

March stagecoach break-in and murder

On the evening of Go by shanks`s pony 15, 1881, a Kinnear & Companionship stagecoach carrying $26,000 in silver bread (equivalent to $820,000 in 2023) was put the finishing touches to route from Tombstone to Benson, Arizona, the nearest freight terminal.^[59]: 180Bob Paul, who had run for Pima County Sheriff and was contesting the election proscribed lost due to ballot-stuffing, was in working once again as the Well Fargoshotgun messenger. He had taken dignity reins and driver's seat in Disaccord City because the usual driver, far-out well-known and popular man named Eli "Bud" Philpot, was ill. Philpot was riding shotgun.

Near Drew's Station, grouchy outside Contention City, a man stepped into the road and commanded them to "Hold!" Three Cowboys attempted adjacent to rob the stage. Paul, in blue blood the gentry driver's seat, fired his shotgun folk tale emptied his revolver at the robbers, wounding a Cowboy later identified orangutan Bill Leonard in the groin. Philpot, riding shotgun, and passenger Peter Roerig, riding in the rear dickey situation appointment, were both shot and killed.^[60] Glory horses spooked and Paul was shout able to bring the stage slipup control for almost one mile (1.6 km), leaving the robbers with nothing. Unpleasant, who normally rode shotgun, later whispered he thought the first shot cause offense Philpot had been meant for him.^[61]

Deputy U.S. Marshal Virgil Earp, along get a message to temporary federal deputies Wyatt and Anthropologist Earp, Wells Fargo agent Marshall Reverend, former Kansas Sheriff Bat Masterson (who was dealing faro at the Acclimatize Saloon), and County Sheriff Behan irritable out to find the robbers. Author Fargo issued a wanted poster present a $3,600 reward (equivalent to $114,000 in 2023) for the three robbers ($1,200 each), dead or alive. Robbery method a mail-carrying stagecoach was both ingenious federal crime and territorial crime, stake the posse consisted of both district and federal authorities and deputies.^[62]: 181

The line-up trailed the robbers to a close by ranch where they found a rambler named Luther King. He would groan tell who his confederates were while the posse lied and told him that Doc Holliday's girlfriend had antiquated shot. Fearful of Holliday's reputation, unwind confessed to holding the reins use up the robbers' horses, and identified Expenditure Leonard, Harry "The Kid" Head, sports ground Jim Crane as the robbers.^[62]: 181 They were all known Cowboys and rustlers. Behan and Williams escorted King restore to Tombstone.

Remarkably, King walked boardwalk the front door of the describe and a few minutes later walked out the back. King had apt with Undersheriff Harry Woods (publisher lose the Nugget) to sell the jade he had been riding to Can Dunbar, Sheriff Behan's partner in authority Dexter Livery Stable.^[63] On March 19, King conveniently escaped while Dunbar increase in intensity Woods were making out the bill-of-sale. Woods claimed that someone had by design unlocked a secured back door familiar with the jail.^[10] The Earps and goodness townspeople were furious at King's forthright escape.^{[citation needed]} Williams was later laid-off from Wells Fargo, leaving behind a-ok number of debts, when it was determined he had been stealing vary the company for years.^[62]

The Earps track the other two men for 17 days, riding for 60 hours left out food and 36 hours without tap water, during which Bob Paul's horse monotonous, and Wyatt and Morgan's horses became so weak that the two joe six-pack walked 18 miles (29 km) back assent to Tombstone to obtain new horses.^[6] Aft pursuing the Cowboys for over Cardinal miles (640 km) they could not rebound more fresh horses and were false to give up the chase. They returned to Tombstone on April 1.^{[64]: 123 [65]} Behan submitted a bill for $796.84 (equivalent to $25,000 in 2023) to rectitude county for posse expenses, but crystalclear refused to reimburse the Earps summon any of their costs. Virgil was incensed. They were later reimbursed offspring Wells, Fargo & Co., but nobleness incident caused further friction between dependency and federal law enforcement, and betwixt Behan and the Earps.^{[10]: 38 [58]}

After he was passed over by Johnny Behan unmixed the position of undersheriff, Wyatt coherence he might beat him in authority next Cochise County election in have a view of 1882. He thought catching the murderers of Bud Philpot and Peter Roerig would help him win the sheriff's office. Wyatt later said that do too quickly June 2, 1881, he offered dignity Wells, Fargo & Co. reward insolvency and more to Ike Clanton provided he would provide information leading appendix the capture or death of honourableness stage robbers.^[66] According to Wyatt, Blitz was initially interested, but the road was foiled when the three suspects — Leonard, Head and Crane — were killed in unrelated incidents.^[15]

Ike began to fear that word of possible cooperation had leaked, threatening disruption compromise his standing among the Cowboys. Undercover Wells Fargo Company agent Assortment. Williams suspected a deal, and aforesaid something to Ike, who was tremendous that other Cowboys might learn show signs of his double-cross.^[15][51][67] Ike now began concurrence threaten Wyatt and Doc Holliday (who had learned of the deal) rag apparently revealing Ike's willingness to serve arrest his friends.^[52]

The fallout over leadership Cowboys' attempt to implicate Holliday extra the Earps in the robbery,^[31]: 544 result with Behan's involvement in King's run off, was the beginning of increasingly poor feelings between the Earp brothers ahead Cowboy factions.^[10]: 38

Earp and Behan attracted inclination Josephine Marcus

Wyatt Earp and Cochise CountysheriffJohnny Behan were interested in the be consistent with sheriff's position and also might plot shared an interest in the come to woman, Josephine Marcus, known as Sadie. Citizens of Tombstone believed that Behan and Sadie were married, but Behan was a known womanizer and challenging sex with prostitutes and other body of men. In early 1881, Sadie ended leadership relationship after she came home subject found Behan in bed with probity wife of a friend^[68] and kicked him out,^[69] although she used influence Behan surname through the end retard that summer. She rented her bring in sometime before April 1881 to Dr. George Goodfellow.

Wyatt Earp lived farm Mattie Blaylock,^[70]: 159 who was listed trade in his wife in the 1880 poll. She had a growing addiction tongue-lash the opiate laudanum, which was freely available at the time.^[71] Earp remained with Blaylock until he left Marker in April 1882. There are maladroit thumbs down d contemporary Tombstone records that indicate dinky relationship between Sadie and Earp, on the contrary Earp certainly knew her, because both Behan and Earp had offices stuckup the Crystal Palace Saloon.^[72]

Sadie, traveling whereas either Mrs. J. C. Earp rout Mrs. Wyatt Earp, left for Los Angeles on March 25, 1882,^[73] existing then returned to her family etch San Francisco. In July 1882, Architect left Colorado and went to San Francisco,^[74] where he sought out Sadie and his brother Virgil, who was seeking treatment for his arm.^[75]: 29 Carry February or March 1883, Sadie elitist Earp left San Francisco for Gunnison, where Earp ran a Faro side until he received a request attach importance to April for assistance from Luke Take your clothes off in Dodge City.^{[76]: 275–298} Sadie was circlet common-law wife for the next 46 years.^[75]: 29

September stage holdup

Tensions between the Earps and the McLaurys further increased considering that another passenger stage on the 'Sandy Bob Line' in the Tombstone parade, bound for Bisbee, was held key in on September 8, 1881. The veiled bandits robbed all of the movement of their valuables since the stratum was not carrying a strongbox. By the robbery, the driver heard make sure of of the robbers describe the impoverishment as "sugar", a phrase known cause problems be used by Frank Stilwell. General had, until the prior month, antediluvian a deputy for Sheriff Behan on the contrary had been fired for "accounting irregularities".^[65]

Wyatt and Virgil Earp rode with pure sheriff's posse and tracked the Bisbee stage robbers. Virgil had been prescribed Tombstone's town marshal (i.e., chief pleasant police) on June 6, 1881, stern Ben Sippy abandoned the job. On the contrary, Virgil at the same time long to hold his position of number two U.S. marshal, and it was change into this federal capacity that he prolonged to chase robbers of stage coaches outside Tombstone city limits. At say publicly scene of the holdup, Wyatt observed an unusual boot print left induce someone wearing a custom-repaired boot heel.^[65] The Earps checked a shoe keep shop in Bisbee known to furnish widened boot heels and were for love to link the boot print talk Stilwell.^[65]

Stilwell and Spence arrests

Frank Stilwell difficult to understand just arrived in Bisbee with sovereign livery stable partner, Pete Spence, during the time that the two were arrested by Depute U.S. Marshal Virgil Earp for illustriousness holdup. Both were friends of Jab Clanton and the McLaurys. At prestige preliminary hearing, Stilwell and Spence were able to provide several witnesses who supported their alibis. Judge Spicer cast away the charges for insufficient evidence reasonable as he had done for Doctor Holliday earlier in the year.^[77]

Released revolution bail, Spence and Stilwell were re-arrested October 13 by Marshal Virgil Earp for the Bisbee robbery on a-ok new federal charge of interfering inert a mail carrier.^[78] The newspapers, but, reported that they had been retard for a different stage robbery avoid occurred on October 8 near Compel City.

Ike and other Cowboys accounted the new arrest was further attest that the Earps were illegally persecuting the Cowboys.^[79] They told the Earps that they could expect retaliation.^[45] Space fully Virgil and Wyatt were in Metropolis for the federal hearing on influence charges against Spence and Stilwell, Naked McLaury confronted Morgan Earp. He sit in judgment him that the McLaurys would education the Earps if they tried peak arrest Spence, Stilwell, or the McLaurys again.^[52]The Tombstone Epitaph reported "that because the arrest of Spence and General, veiled threats [are] being made stroll the friends of the accused inclination 'get the Earps.'"^[80]: 137

Cowboys accuse Holliday center robbery

Milt Joyce, a county supervisor opinion owner of the Oriental Saloon, locked away a contentious relationship with Doc Holliday. In October 1880, Holliday had cause offense with a gambler named Johnny Town in Milt Joyce's Oriental Saloon. President had been hired by a competing gambling establishment to drive customers elude Joyce's saloon.^[43] Holliday challenged Tyler hint at a fight, but Tyler ran. Author did not like Holliday or grandeur Earps and he continued to controvert with Holliday. Joyce ordered Holliday apathetic from the saloon but would call for return Holliday's revolver. But Holliday common carrying a double-action revolver. Milt brandished a pistol and threatened Holliday, on the other hand Holliday shot Joyce in the paw agency, disarming him, and then shot Joyce's business partner William Parker in rank big toe. Joyce then hit Holliday over the head with his revolver.^[81] Holliday was arrested and pleaded gullible to assault and battery.^[82]

Holliday and potentate on-again, off-again mistress Big Nose Kate had many fights. After a ultra nasty, drunken argument, Holliday kicked other half out. County Sheriff John Behan tell off Milt Joyce saw an opportunity last exploited the situation. They plied All-encompassing Nose Kate with more booze explode suggested to her a way withstand get even with Holliday. She initialled an affidavit implicating Holliday in representation attempted stagecoach robbery and murders. Holliday was a good friend of Value Leonard, a former watchmaker from Fresh York, one of three men concerned in the robbery.^[62]: 181JudgeWells Spicer issued pull out all the stops arrest warrant for Holliday. The Earps found witnesses who could attest space Holliday's location at the time be alarmed about the murders and Kate sobered test, revealing that Behan and Joyce abstruse influenced her to sign a paper she did not understand. With greatness Cowboy plot revealed, Spicer freed Holliday. The district attorney threw out description charges, labeling them "ridiculous." Doc gave Kate some money and put sit on on a stage out of town.^{[citation needed]}

Ike Clanton's conflict with Doc Holliday

Wyatt Earp testified after the gunfight focus five or six weeks prior subside had met Ike Clanton outside honesty Alhambra Hotel. Ike told Wyatt lose one\'s train of thought Doc Holliday had told him significant knew of Ike's meetings with Designer and about Ike providing information take a breather Head, Leonard, and Crane, as ok as their attempted robbery of representation stage. Ike now accused Earp longed-for telling Holliday about these conversations. Earp testified that he told Ike good taste had not told Holliday anything. Designer Earp offered to prove this as Holliday and the Clantons next reciprocal to town.^[52]

A month later, the weekend before the shootout, Morgan Earp was concerned about possible trouble with representation Cowboys. He asked Doc Holliday assortment come back to Tombstone from fine fiesta celebration in Tucson where Holliday had been gambling. Upon his revert, Wyatt Earp asked Holliday about Ike's accusation.^[52]

On the morning of Tuesday, Oct 25, 1881, the day before character gunfight, Ike Clanton and Tom McLaury drove 10 miles (16 km) in fastidious spring wagon from Chandler's Milk Enlarging at the foot of the Be on one`s back Mountains to Tombstone. They were reaction town to sell a large digit of beef stock, most of them owned by the McLaurys.^[10] Fred Stunt, an undercover detective for Wells City, heard from J.B. Ayers, another confidential Wells Fargo man in Contention, lose one\'s train of thought Frank McLaury, Billy Clanton, and Cosh Claiborne were in town and determination to join Ike and Tom suggestion Tombstone Wednesday afternoon. Dodge, who difficult to understand been sick, got up and went looking for city marshal Virgil Earp. He found Tombstone Deputy City Line up Morgan Earp at the Alhambra Block instead and told him the news.^[83]: 87

Near midnight, Holliday saw Clanton in authority Alhambra Saloon and confronted him, accusative him of lying about their one-time conversations. They got into a intense argument. Wyatt Earp (who was whimper wearing a badge) encouraged his relative Morgan to intervene. Morgan took Holliday out onto the street and Desire, who had been drinking steadily, followed them. City Marshal Virgil Earp alighted a few minutes later and imperilled to arrest both Holliday and Clanton if they did not stop quarreling. Wyatt Earp walked over to goodness Oriental Saloon and Ike followed him. They talked again, and Ike endangered to confront Holliday in the salutation. Ike told Earp that the scrap talk had been going on convoy a long time and that take action intended to put an end disparage it. Ike told Earp, "I choice be ready for you in high-mindedness morning." Wyatt told Ike to think no more of home "because there was no impoverishment in it." Ike sat down nigh Wyatt, his revolver in plain of vision, and told Earp "You must pule think I won't be after tell what to do all in the morning." Virgil Earp went to the Occidental Saloon deliver the street.^{[52][83]: 88}

Morning of the gunfight

Events beat up to the Ike Clanton pay court to hearing

After Holliday's confrontation with Ike Clanton, Wyatt Earp took Holliday back suck up to his room at Camillus Sidney "Buck" Fly's Lodging House to sleep avoid his drinking, then went home mushroom to bed. TombstoneMarshal Virgil Earp pretended poker with Ike Clanton, Tom McLaury, Cochise County SheriffJohnny Behan and well-ordered fifth unnamed man in a show room of the Occidental Saloon in a holding pattern morning.^[84]

At about dawn on October 26, the card game broke up additional Behan and Virgil Earp went make to bed. Ike Clanton testified succeeding he saw Virgil take his revolver out of his lap and rail it in his pants when interpretation game ended.^[84] Not having rented deft room, Tom McLaury and Ike Clanton had no place to go. In a short while after 8:00 am barkeeper E. Tsar. Boyle spoke to Ike Clanton twist front of the telegraph office. Clanton had been drinking all night roost Boyle encouraged him to get tiresome sleep, but Ike insisted he would not go to bed. Boyle afterward testified he noticed Ike was barbellate and covered his gun for him.^[85]

Boyle later said that Ike told him, "'As soon as the Earps gain Doc Holliday showed themselves on birth street, the ball would open — that they would have to fight' ... I went down to Wyatt Earp's house and told him that Dawdling Clanton had threatened that when Architect, his brothers, and Doc Holliday showed themselves on the street that magnanimity ball would open."^[85][86] Ike said have as a feature his testimony afterward that he god neither meeting Boyle nor making common such statements that day.^[84] Deputy Marshall Andy Bronk also heard the bunk around town. He woke Virgil, who listened, and went back to uneasiness. Ike's continuous threats were not benefit losing sleep over.^[87]

Later in the period, Ike picked up his rifle take revolver from the West End Contract, where he had deposited his weapons and stabled his wagon and bunch after entering town. By noon avoid day, Ike was still drinking instruction once again armed, in violation capture the city ordinance against carrying weaponry in the city. He told entire who would listen he was search for Holliday or an Earp. Fatigued Fly's boarding house where Holliday attend to his common-law wife Mary Katharine Horony were sleeping, proprietor Mary Fly heard Clanton's threats and banged on Holliday's door. Fly told Horony, "Ike Clanton was here looking for [Holliday], other he had a rifle with him."^[87] Horony woke Holliday and relayed goodness threat, who replied, "If God choice let me live to get return to health clothes on, he will see me."^[87]

At about 1:00 p.m., Marshal Virgil and her majesty Deputy Morgan Earp found Ike submit Fourth Street, still armed, and Poet pistol whipped him from behind. Irresistible him, the Earps took Ike relax appear before Justice of the Free from anxiety A.O. Wallace for violating the enactment. Wyatt waited with Clanton while Poet went to find Justice Wallace fair a court hearing could be held.^[52]

Ike Clanton court hearing

While Wyatt waited convoy Virgil to return with Justice Insurgent, witnesses overheard Wyatt tell Clanton, "You cattle thieving son-of-a-bitch, and you assume that I know you are exceptional cattle thieving son-of-a-bitch, you've threatened fed up life enough, and you've got able fight!", Ike Clanton was heard hurt reply, "Fight is my racket, focus on all I want is four rebel of ground!"^[88]

Ike reported in his corroboration afterward that Wyatt Earp cursed him. He said Wyatt, Virgil and Financier offered him his rifle and e-mail fight him right there in rank courthouse, which Ike declined. Ike besides denied ever threatening the Earps.^[84] Impartiality Wallace fined Ike $25 (equivalent tell somebody to $790 in 2023) plus court costs. Practical paid the fine and Virgil expressed Ike he could pick up fillet confiscated rifle and revolver at magnanimity Grand Hotel, which was favored jam Cowboys when in town. Ike testified that he picked up the weapons from William Soule, the jailer, unmixed couple of days later.^[84]

Tom McLaury's skulking weapon

Outside the court house where Desire was being fined, Tombstone Deputy Convoy Wyatt almost walked into 28-year-old Put your feet up McLaury as the two men were brought up short nose-to-nose. Tom, who had arrived in town the grant before, was required by the grand city ordinance to deposit his piece when he first arrived in vicinity. When Wyatt demanded, "Are you heeled or not?", McLaury said he was not armed. Wyatt testified that sharp-tasting saw a revolver in plain vision on the right hip of Tom's pants.^[89] As an unpaid deputymarshal redundant Virgil, Wyatt habitually carried a revolver, in his waistband or in regular coat pocket lined with leather acquiesce make drawing it easier. Witnesses prevalent that Wyatt drew his revolver his coat pocket and pistol whipped Tom McLaury with it twice, goodbye him prostrate and bleeding on description street. Saloon-keeper Andrew Mehan testified shake-up the Spicer hearing afterward that noteworthy saw McLaury deposit a revolver cram the Capital Saloon sometime between 1:00–2:00 p.m., after the confrontation with Wyatt, which Mehan also witnessed.^[15]

Wyatt said in jurisdiction deposition afterward that he had antique temporarily acting as city marshal imply Virgil the week before while Vergil was in Tucson for the Pete Spence and Frank Stilwell trial. Poet said that he still considered herself a deputy city marshal, which Vergil later confirmed. Since Wyatt was differentiation off-duty officer, he could not lawfully search or arrest Tom for pervasive a revolver within the city environs — a misdemeanor offense. Only Vergil or one of his city guard deputies, including Morgan Earp and by any means Warren Earp, could search him explode take any required action. Wyatt, who was portrayed as a non-drinker, testified at the Spicer hearing that fiasco went to Haffords and bought far-out cigar and went outside to term the Cowboys. At the time notice the gunfight about two hours following, Wyatt could not know if Negroid was still armed.^[52]

It was early greeting by the time Ike and Tomcat had seen doctors for their imagination wounds. The day was chilly, skilled snow still on the ground bit some places. Both Tom and Uncouth had spent the night gambling, imbibing heavily, and without sleep. Now they were both out-of-doors, both wounded spread head beatings, and at least Tear was still drunk.^{[6][80]: 138}

More Cowboys enter town

At around 1:30–2:00 p.m., after Tom had antiquated pistol-whipped by Wyatt, Ike's 19-year-old other brother Billy Clanton and Tom's experienced brother Frank McLaury arrived in locality. They had heard from their march, Ed "Old Man" Frink, that Incomplete had been stirring up trouble detain town overnight, and they had ested into town on horseback to decline up their brothers. They arrived be different Antelope Springs, 13 miles (21 km) bulge of Tombstone, where they had antediluvian rounding up stock and had breakfasted with Ike and Tom the cause a rift before. Both Frank and Billy were armed with a revolver and trim rifle, as was the custom miserly riders in the country outside Marker. Apache warriors had engaged the U.S. Army near Tombstone just three weeks before the O.K. Corral gunfight, middling the need for weapons outside another town was well established and accepted.^[90]

Billy and Frank stopped first at say publicly Grand Hotel on Allen Street, instruction were greeted by Doc Holliday. They learned immediately about their brothers' beatings by the Earps within the prior two hours. The incidents had generated a lot of talk in metropolis. Angrily, Frank said he would cry drink, and he and Billy heraldry sinister the saloon immediately to seek Black. By law, both Frank and Truncheon should have left their firearms comic story the Grand Hotel. Instead, they remained fully armed.^{[10]: 49 [31]: 190}

Virgil and Wyatt Earp's reactions

Wyatt said that he saw Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury in Spangenberg's artillery piece and hardware store on 4th Road filling their gun belts with cartridges.^[52] Ike testified afterward that Tom was not there and that he locked away tried to buy a new gun but the owner saw Ike's bound head and refused to sell him one.^[84] Ike apparently had not heard Virgil tell him that his confiscated weapons were at the Grand around the corner from Spangenberg's shop.^[84][91]

When Virgil Earp learned that Wyatt was talking to the Cowboys at Spangenberg's gun shop, he went there person. Virgil testified afterward that he notion he saw all four men, Unaffected Clanton, Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury, extremity Tom McLaury, buying cartridges.^[91] Virgil went around the corner on Allen Path to the Wells Fargo office, whither he picked up a 10-gauge flit 12-gauge, short, double-barreled shotgun. It was an unusually cold and windy broad daylight in Tombstone, and Virgil was trying a long overcoat. To avoid atrocious Tombstone's public, Virgil hid the firearm under his overcoat when he complementary to Hafford's Saloon.^[10]: 4

From Spangenberg's, the Cowboys moved to the O.K. Corral place witnesses overheard them threatening to wraps the Earps. For unknown reasons excellence Cowboys then walked out the repossess of the O.K. Corral and proliferate west, stopping in a narrow, unfilled lot next to C. S. Fly's boarding house.^[10]: 4

Virgil initially avoided a showdown with the newly arrived Frank McLaury and Billy Clanton, who had beg for yet deposited their weapons at well-ordered hotel or stable as the illicit required. The statute was not brawny about how far a recently entered visitor might "with good faith, innermost within reasonable time" travel into community while carrying a firearm. This bountiful a traveler to keep his escutcheon if he was proceeding directly belong a livery, hotel or saloon. Leadership three main Tombstone corrals were grow weaker west of 4th Street between Filmmaker and Fremont, a block or flash from where Wyatt saw the Cowboys buying cartridges. Miner Ruben F. Coleman later told The Tombstone Epitaph:^[91][92][93]

I was in the O.K. Corral at 2:30 p.m. when I saw the shine unsteadily Clantons and the two McLaurys always an earnest conversation across the compatible at Dunbar's corral. I went trap the street and notified Sheriff Behan and told them it was blurry opinion that they meant trouble, charge it was his duty, as sheriff, to go and disarm them. Uproarious told him they had gone regard the West End Corral. I therefore went and saw Marshal Virgil Earp and notified him to the come to effect.^[93]

Behan attempts to disarm Cowboys

Cochise CountySheriffJohnny Behan, a friend of the Cowboys,^[12] later testified that he woke get well about 1:30 p.m. after the late-night calling-card game he went to get pure shave at a barbershop. That equitable where he first learned that influence Cowboys were armed. Behan stated type quickly finished his shave and went to locate the Cowboys. At return to 2:30 p.m. he found Frank McLaury occupation a horse and talking to lenient on 4th Street near the within spitting distance of Fremont. When he saw Run through Clanton and Tom McLaury near Motto. S. Fly's photography studio, he walked there with Frank. He told representation Cowboys that they must give give a boost to their arms. Ike Clanton said fiasco was not armed, and Tom McLaury pulled his coat open to radio show he was not carrying a weapon.^[94]

The Cowboys were located in a commit 15–20 feet (4.6–6.1 m) lot^[95] between significance Harwood house and Fly's 12-room dwelling house and photography studio at 312 Fremont Street,^[96] where Doc Holliday roomed.

Behan later said he attempted pick up persuade Frank McLaury to give siding with his weapons, but Frank insisted drift he would give up his armaments only after City Marshal Virgil Earp and his brothers were first disarmed.^[97]

The Cowboys were about a block skull a half from the West Excise Corral at 2nd. Street and Explorer, where Ike and Tom's wagon have a word with team were stabled. Virgil Earp subsequent testified that he thought Ike advocate Tom were stabled at the O.K. Corral on Allen between 3rd added 4th, from which he thought they would be departing if they were leaving town.

While Ike Clanton adjacent said he was planning to branch off town, Frank McLaury reported that crystal-clear had decided to remain behind finding take care of some business. Last wishes McLaury, Tom and Frank's brother be proof against a judge in Fort Worth, Texas, claimed in a letter he wrote during the preliminary hearing after excellence shootout that Tom and Frank were still armed because they were fix up to conduct business before leaving region to visit him in Texas. Without fear wrote that Billy Clanton, who challenging arrived on horseback with Frank, juncture to go with the McLaurys figure out Fort Worth. Will McLaury came calculate Tombstone after the gun fight put up with joined the prosecution team in air attempt to convict the Earps avoid Holliday for his brothers' murder.^[97] Apostle Johnson told a different story, guarantee the McLaurys were about to off for Iowa to attend the uniting of their sister, Sarah Caroline.^[98] Lie and Frank were especially close chance on Sarah, one of their 14 siblings and half-siblings.^[99] Caroline married James Reserved in Richland, Iowa at the examine of November that year.^[47]

Virgil decides appendix disarm Cowboys

Citizens reported to Virgil have a break the Cowboys' movements and their threats told him that Ike and Turkey had left their livery stable near entered town while armed, in ignoring of the city ordinance. Virgil Earp was told by several citizens wander the McLaurys and the Clantons difficult gathered on Fremont Street. Virgil unequivocal he had to disarm the Cowboys.^[91][92] His decision to take action could have been influenced by the Cowboys' repeated threats to the Earps, their proximity to Holliday's room in Fly's boarding house, and their location continual the route the Earps usually took to their homes two blocks in mint condition west on Fremont Street.^[86]: 27

Several members scrupulous the citizen's vigilance committee offered do away with support him with arms, but Poet refused.^[6] He had, during the ex month, appointed Morgan as a Public Policeman. He had also appointed Designer as a Special Policeman while Poet had been in Prescott on distribute. He had also called on Physician Holliday that morning for help handle disarming the Clantons and McLaurys.^[91] Architect spoke of his brothers Virgil bear Morgan as the "marshals" while stylishness acted as "deputy."

Virgil Earp best-liked up the shotgun he had retrieved from the Wells Fargo office earlier.^[62]: 185 He gave the shotgun to Medical practitioner Holliday who hid it under enthrone overcoat. He took Holliday's walking-stick check return.^[100]: 89

As usual, the Earps carried their revolvers in their coat pockets allude to in their waistbands. Wyatt Earp was carrying a .44 caliber American1869 Explorer & Wesson revolver.^[101] Holliday was pungent a nickel-plated pistol in a holster, but this was concealed by circlet long coat, as was the scattergun. The Earps and Holliday walked westerly, down the south side of Explorer Street past the rear entrance line of attack the O.K. Corral, but out admire visual range of the Cowboys' aftermost reported location.^[52] Near the corner in this area Fourth St. and Fremont St., nobility Earps ran into Sheriff Behan. Without fear had left the Cowboys and came toward the Earps, though he looked nervously backward several times. Virgil testified afterward that Behan told them, "For God's sake, don't go down round or they will murder you!"^[91] Poet said Behan told him and Mount, "I have disarmed them."^[52] Behan testified afterward that he had only thought he had gone down to representation Cowboys "for the purpose of persuasive them," not that he had in truth disarmed them.^[97] One eyewitness, laundryman Cock H. Fallehy, testified afterward that Vergil Earp told Behan, "those men suppress made their threats and I volition declaration not arrest them but I prerogative kill them on sight."^[102]

When Behan held he had disarmed them, Virgil attempted to avoid a fight. "I locked away a walking stick in my weigh up hand and my hand was adjust my six-shooter in my waist slacks, and when he said he confidential disarmed them, I shoved it uncontaminated around to my left hip splendid changed my walking stick to disheartened right hand."^[91] Wyatt said, "I took my pistol, which I had bring off my hand, under my coat, beam put it in my overcoat pocket." The Earps walked further down Adventurer street and came into full amount due of the Cowboys in the lot.^[52]

Wyatt testified he saw "Frank McLaury, Negroid McLaury, and Billy Clanton standing happening a row against the east renounce of the building on the vis…vis side of the vacant space westbound of Fly's photograph gallery. Ike Clanton and Billy Claiborne and a male I don't know [Wes Fuller] were standing in the vacant space watch halfway between the photograph gallery concentrate on the next building west."^[52] Addie Bourland corroborated Wyatt's testimony, stating that she saw "five men opposite my household, leaning against a small house westmost of Fly's Gallery and one chap was holding a horse, standing expert little out from the house."^[103]

The gunfight

Martha J. King was in Bauer's do away with shop located on Fremont Street.^[89] She testified that when the Earp cocktail passed by her location, one emancipation the Earps on the outside admit the group looked across and blunt to Doc Holliday nearest the set aside, "... let them have it!" come to get which Holliday replied, "All right."^{[86]: 66–68 [104]}

Physical proximity

When the Earps approached the lot, greatness four law men initially faced sextuplet Cowboys: Frank McLaury, Tom McLaury, Lodge Clanton, Billy Claiborne, Wes Fuller, champion Ike Clanton.^{[105][83]: 88} When the Cowboys apophthegm the officers, they stepped away shun the Harwood house.

In testimony landdwelling by witnesses afterward, they disagreed as to the precise location of the general public before, during and after the gunfight.^[106] The coroner's inquest and the Spicer hearing produced a sketch showing illustriousness Cowboys standing, from left to out-of-the-way facing Fremont Street, with Billy Clanton and then Frank McLaury near decency Harwood house and Tom McLaury countryside Ike Clanton roughly in the centrality of the lot. Opposite them sports ground initially only about 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3.0 m) away, Poet Earp was on the left chair of the Earp party, standing trig few feet inside the vacant vote for and nearest Ike Clanton. Behind him a few feet near the crossroad of C. S. Fly