Deaths on January 13

Wyatt Earp, American police officer (b. 1848)

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp, born on March 19, 1848, and passing away on January 13, 1929, carved out a complex and often contradictory legacy as a prominent figure of the American Old West. Throughout his life, he transitioned between roles as a lawman, a gambler, and an entrepreneur in various boomtowns across the expanding frontier, including well-known locales such as Dodge City, Deadwood, and Tombstone. His name is inextricably linked with the iconic gunfight at the O.K. Corral, an event that profoundly shaped his public image and continues to captivate the imagination.

While often erroneously depicted as the central figure or leader in the famed confrontation, historical records confirm that it was his elder brother, Virgil Earp, who held the official authority that day as both the Tombstone City Marshal and a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Virgil possessed considerably more practical experience in combat and law enforcement, having served in multiple capacities as a sheriff, constable, marshal, and soldier, providing him with a deeper understanding of frontier justice than Wyatt.

Wyatt Earp's Early Ventures in Law and Order

Earp's journey into law enforcement began in 1874 when he arrived in the burgeoning cattle town of Wichita, Kansas. There, his reputed common-law wife, Sally Heckell, established a brothel, a common if often controversial enterprise in such rapidly growing settlements. Wyatt himself secured an appointment to the Wichita police force, where he quickly developed a solid reputation for his fearlessness and effectiveness in maintaining order. However, his tenure was abruptly cut short when he was fined and subsequently "not rehired as a police officer" following a physical altercation with a political opponent of his superior. This incident led to his immediate departure from Wichita.

He swiftly followed his elder brother, James Earp, to Dodge City, Kansas, another booming cow town that served as a critical railhead for cattle drives. In Dodge City, Wyatt secured a position as an assistant city marshal, where he further honed his skills in law enforcement amidst the often-turbulent environment of the cattle trails. During the winter of 1878, Earp embarked on a pursuit into Texas to track down an outlaw, a journey that proved pivotal in his life. It was during this expedition that he first met the notorious gambler, gunfighter, and dentist John Henry "Doc" Holliday. Earp later credited Holliday with saving his life during this period, forging a close and enduring bond between the two men.

The Tumultuous Years in Tombstone and the O.K. Corral

Wyatt Earp's restless nature led him to consistently move from one boomtown to another, chasing opportunities and the promise of the American West. In 1879, he departed Dodge City and relocated with his brothers James and Virgil to Tombstone, Arizona Territory, a remote desert outpost experiencing an unprecedented silver mining boom. The Earps quickly became embroiled in the escalating tensions between the town's law-abiding citizens and a formidable, loosely organized group of outlaws known simply as "the Cowboys." This faction, primarily composed of cattle rustlers, smugglers, and other criminal elements, frequently challenged the authority of the Earps and their allies.

Wyatt, Virgil, and their younger brother Morgan Earp held various law-enforcement positions within Tombstone, which inevitably brought them into direct conflict with key figures among the Cowboys, including brothers Tom and Frank McLaury, and Ike and Billy Clanton. These individuals repeatedly issued threats to kill the Earp brothers, intensifying the already volatile situation. The simmering animosity culminated in the infamous shootout near the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881. In a chaotic exchange of gunfire lasting approximately 30 seconds, the Earps (Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan) along with Doc Holliday, confronted and killed three members of the Cowboy faction: Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury, and Frank McLaury. This brief but bloody encounter became one of the most mythologized events in American frontier history.

The aftermath of the O.K. Corral was devastating for the Earp family. Over the next five months, the Cowboys retaliated fiercely. Virgil Earp was ambushed and severely maimed, losing the use of his left arm, which effectively ended his law enforcement career. Tragically, Morgan Earp was assassinated while playing billiards, shot through a window. Driven by grief and a sense of justice, Wyatt, along with his youngest brother Warren Earp, Doc Holliday, and a small group of loyal allies, formed a federal posse. This posse embarked on a vengeful pursuit known as the Earp Vendetta Ride, systematically tracking down and killing several more Cowboys whom they held responsible for the attacks. A notable aspect of Wyatt Earp's legacy is that, unlike his brothers Virgil and Morgan or his friend Doc Holliday, he was never wounded in any of the numerous gunfights he participated in, a detail that significantly contributed to his mystique and legend after his death.

Life After Tombstone: From Gold Rushes to Hollywood

Following the violent period in Tombstone, Wyatt Earp left Arizona Territory. He eventually settled in San Francisco, California, where he reunited with Josephine Sarah Marcus, a woman who would become his lifelong companion and common-law wife. Together, they embarked on a nomadic existence, following the promise of prosperity to various boomtowns across the West.

One such venture led them to the gold rush in Eagle City, Idaho, where they owned mining interests and operated a saloon, capitalizing on the influx of prospectors. Upon returning to San Francisco, Wyatt briefly re-entered the world of professional horse racing, a sport he had a keen interest in. However, his reputation suffered an irreparable blow in December 1896 when he served as the referee for the highly anticipated boxing match between Bob Fitzsimmons and Tom Sharkey. Earp controversially called a foul on Fitzsimmons, awarding the fight to Sharkey. This decision was widely perceived as a fix, leading many to believe that Earp had manipulated the outcome for gambling purposes, severely damaging his public standing at the time.

Undeterred, Earp and Marcus joined the Nome Gold Rush in Alaska in 1899. There, Wyatt and his partner Charlie Hoxie invested a significant sum of $1,500 (equivalent to approximately $47,000 in today's money) to acquire a liquor license and open a two-story saloon named the Dexter. This enterprise proved exceptionally profitable, generating an estimated $80,000 in revenue (roughly $2,489,000 in contemporary value), a testament to the immense wealth generated during the peak of the gold rushes. Around 1911, Earp began working various mining claims near Vidal, California. He would spend the hot summer months in Los Angeles, retiring with Josephine, often socializing with early Western actors in Hollywood. He made efforts to have his life story adapted for the screen, but during his lifetime, he was only briefly portrayed in one film, "Wild Bill Hickok" (1923), failing to achieve the widespread recognition he sought.

Death and the Making of a Legend

Wyatt Earp died on January 13, 1929. At the time of his passing, he was known as a figure of the Old West – a lawman, a gunfighter, and a boxing referee – but his reputation was often tinged with notoriety, particularly due to the controversial Fitzsimmons-Sharkey fight and the lingering questions surrounding his precise role in the O.K. Corral gunfight. His public image, however, underwent a dramatic transformation shortly after his death. In 1931, Stuart N. Lake's biography, "Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal," was published. This book became an instant bestseller and played a monumental role in shaping Earp's posthumous reputation, presenting him as a fearless, upright, and uncompromising lawman, often glossing over or omitting the more controversial aspects of his life.

Since the publication of Lake's work, Wyatt Earp has become a towering figure in American folklore. He has been the subject of countless films, television shows, numerous biographies (both factual and fictionalized), and works of fiction, all of which have amplified his fame and, paradoxically, his notoriety. Long after his passing, Earp continues to inspire both devoted admirers who view him as a paragon of frontier justice and equally vocal detractors who emphasize his more morally ambiguous actions. His modern-day reputation is largely that of the Old West's toughest and deadliest gunman, a testament to the enduring power of his legend.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wyatt Earp

Who was Wyatt Earp?

Wyatt Earp was a notable figure of the American Old West, known for his diverse career as a lawman, gambler, and entrepreneur in various frontier boomtowns, most famously Dodge City and Tombstone.

What was Wyatt Earp most famous for?

Wyatt Earp is most famous for his involvement in the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, in 1881, alongside his brothers Virgil and Morgan, and Doc Holliday.

Was Wyatt Earp the leader at the O.K. Corral gunfight?

While Wyatt Earp was a participant, his brother Virgil Earp held the official authority as Tombstone City Marshal and Deputy U.S. Marshal that day, and possessed greater law enforcement and combat experience.

Where did Wyatt Earp serve as a lawman?

Wyatt Earp served as a lawman in Wichita, Kansas, as a police officer, and later in Dodge City, Kansas, as an assistant city marshal. He also held various law enforcement roles in Tombstone, Arizona Territory.

Did Wyatt Earp fix a boxing match?

Wyatt Earp served as a referee for the Fitzsimmons vs. Sharkey boxing match in 1896, where his controversial call of a foul was widely believed by the public to be a fix, damaging his reputation at the time.

How did Wyatt Earp's reputation change after his death?

After his death, Wyatt Earp's reputation transformed significantly, largely due to Stuart N. Lake's 1931 biography, "Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal," which portrayed him as a fearless and heroic lawman, solidifying his legendary status in American culture.