The "Gunfight at the OK Corral" was not even arguably the most famous gunfight in western history. It took place on October 26, 1881 in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, between the "lawmen" Earps and Doc Holliday and the "cowboys," a group of rowdy and dangerous armed men.
It lasted only 30 seconds, but left several dead and injured. Morgan Earp was shot in the shoulder and his brother Virgil had a leg wound. Doc Holliday was barely injured with a grazed hip. Wyatt Earp made it through the gunfight without any injury. The other side didn't fare very well. Frank and Tom McLaury were dead from the guns of Wyatt and Doc respectively. Also, Billy Clanton lay dying from the shotgun of Doc Holliday. Morgan was later ambushed, shot and killed, apparently in revenge, causing Wyatt to undertake a murderous vendetta against the supposed perpetrators. Brother James was not present at the gunfight.
I came across these period pictures of Wyatt and his brothers in the old Birdcage Theater (actually a theater, gambling hall, bar and brothel all rolled into one) in Tombstone. I thought it might be interesting for you to see what these guys looked like for real.
...and here is a picture of the "cowboys" as they appear today.
This is an aerial photograph showing you the layout of Tombstone today, pretty much the same in the 1880s. You will note that Wyatt Earp's home (where he lived with Mattie Blaylock, his common-law wife) is in the upper left hand corner, and the Birdcage Theater in the lower right hand corner. Just above the Birdcage is the Oriental Saloon, and to its left is the Crystal Palace Saloon. Both of these saloons were watering holes for the Earps and others. The OK Corral is in the upper left area between Fremont Street and Allen Street. Right next to it is the old City Hall, still standing since it was built in the 1880s. The Old County Courthouse is in the lower left hand corner. My grandfather served on juries there in the early part of the 20th Century.
John
It lasted only 30 seconds, but left several dead and injured. Morgan Earp was shot in the shoulder and his brother Virgil had a leg wound. Doc Holliday was barely injured with a grazed hip. Wyatt Earp made it through the gunfight without any injury. The other side didn't fare very well. Frank and Tom McLaury were dead from the guns of Wyatt and Doc respectively. Also, Billy Clanton lay dying from the shotgun of Doc Holliday. Morgan was later ambushed, shot and killed, apparently in revenge, causing Wyatt to undertake a murderous vendetta against the supposed perpetrators. Brother James was not present at the gunfight.
I came across these period pictures of Wyatt and his brothers in the old Birdcage Theater (actually a theater, gambling hall, bar and brothel all rolled into one) in Tombstone. I thought it might be interesting for you to see what these guys looked like for real.
...and here is a picture of the "cowboys" as they appear today.
This is an aerial photograph showing you the layout of Tombstone today, pretty much the same in the 1880s. You will note that Wyatt Earp's home (where he lived with Mattie Blaylock, his common-law wife) is in the upper left hand corner, and the Birdcage Theater in the lower right hand corner. Just above the Birdcage is the Oriental Saloon, and to its left is the Crystal Palace Saloon. Both of these saloons were watering holes for the Earps and others. The OK Corral is in the upper left area between Fremont Street and Allen Street. Right next to it is the old City Hall, still standing since it was built in the 1880s. The Old County Courthouse is in the lower left hand corner. My grandfather served on juries there in the early part of the 20th Century.
John
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... too bad there is no mustache smilie face...
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