The History of Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp carried the paradoxical honors of being "a man of few words" and someone who enjoyed telling stories about his past. Known for his involvement in the Tombstone, Arizona, "Gunfight at the OK Corral," in October 1881, Wyatt Earp also joined forces with his brothers Virgil and Morgan to take on well known adversaries, buy and sell land, run brothels, ride with Wells Fargo and stir up controversy wherever they went. Wyatt Earp has become a part of American history as an icon of the "Wild West."

Young Wyatt Earp

Born in Monmouth, Illinois, in March 1848, Wyatt Earp was the middle son, with two older brothers and two younger brothers. He also had three sisters. His family later moved to Pella, Iowa, where his father received a 160-acre land grant for serving in the Mexican War. The family eventually moved to California and later to Missouri.

Life in Missouri

In November 1869, at the age of 21, Wyatt Earp was appointed constable of Lamar, Missouri. He married Urilla Sutherland the following January and bought property with a house in August. Urilla died during that year, but the cause is unknown. Afterward, Wyatt Earp sold his property and made a profit. In November 1870, after the town incorporated, he was elected to the constable position. Surrounded by controversy, Wyatt Earp had lawsuits filed against him for theft and not returning seized property. Rather than face the court, he chose to leave the state.

More Controversy

Controversy continued to follow Wyatt Earp. He was accused of stealing horses in April 1871. He was taken into custody, but he escaped shortly afterward. He moved to Peoria, Illinois, where he became a saloon keeper and head of a brothel. After a couple of arrests, Wyatt Earp left Peoria.

Life in Kansas

Earp moved to Kansas and befriended Bat Masterson. In April 1875, Wyatt Earp was appointed to the Wichita, Kansas, police force but dismissed a year later after an altercation with another man.

Life in Tombstone

In 1879, Wyatt Earp and Mattie Blaylock, his common-law wife, went to Tombstone, joined by two of his brothers and their wives. After they arrived, the Earp brothers filed mining claims. They bought and sold land in town at first. However, Wyatt Earp went back to his old ways of working in saloons, gambling and working as a lawman. His friend "Doc" Holliday joined him in September 1880.

The Last Days of Wyatt Earp

Fame eluded Wyatt Earp until the very end, when his involvement with the OK Corral shootout drew the attention of the film industry. He was invited to be a technical consultant on Hollywood Westerns. During this time, he told and embellished stories of his past. Wyatt Earp died in 1929.

References

• Wyatt Earp History
• History of the Old West