Tombstone Arizona. 1870 - 1900

The Town Too Tough To Die!

Opening Narration

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Tombstone 1870-1900: The Town Too Tough To Die!

 

            This digital history project is designed to bring the incredible story of the American Frontier to life for public audiences eager to learn about the Old West using Tombstone as an exciting example. It is important because America’s identity was in fact shaped by the frontier and the mythology found in its legendary towns like Tombstone according to one historical scholar, Fredick Turner. Tombstone was a Western mining town that followed a path similar to Fredrick Turner’s stages of frontier development. As Turner points out in his thesis of 1893 ‘The Significance of the Frontier’, the Western frontier was settled in waves of development that transformed the people of the West into something new that redefined the American identity. [1]  The first wave of settlement in Tombstone consisted of miners, prospectors, and gamblers who arrived in search of wealth and adventure. These individuals often lived in makeshift camps and faced the harsh realities of frontier life. The second wave saw the establishment of more permanent structures and institutions as the town grew. Entrepreneurs, merchants, and families moved in, building homes, businesses, schools, churches, and civic organizations to support the burgeoning community. The third wave of settlers included investors and capitalists who sought to capitalize on Tombstone's economic potential. This phase witnessed the consolidation of mining interests, the expansion of commercial enterprises, and the development of infrastructure to facilitate trade and transportation. In Tombstone, as in other frontier towns, the process of settling the wilderness contributed to the formation of American identity. Turner's notion of conversion resonates here, as European immigrants and migrants from the Eastern United States transformed into American pioneers through their experiences on the frontier. They exhibited qualities such as resilience, self-reliance, and determination as they confronted the challenges of frontier life. Tombstone’s reputation as the town too tough to die is a shining example of Turner’s Frontier Thesis.

Tombstone’s story begins when the United States sought reconciliation and forged a treaty with Cochise, the Chiricahua Apache Tribe's chief, paving the way for exploration and settlement in what would later evolve into Cochise County, the site of Tombstone, Arizona. Tombstone soon emerged as a pivotal mining hub in the Old West that followed Turner’s formula. Ed Schieffelin's discovery of a lucrative silver vein, dubbed the "Tough Nut Mine," in the late 1870s proved transformative for the region. “He joined a party of soldiers on their way to establish Fort Huachuca in the foothills of the Huachuca Mountains and when he told them he was going prospecting, they laughed and said, ”All you’ll find out there will be your tombstone” [2] . Despite discouragement due to its harsh conditions, Schieffelin's find sparked a mining frenzy, attracting a multitude of fortune seekers as word spread through word of mouth and newspaper articles. The subsequent ‘waves’ of prospectors, miners, and entrepreneurs facilitated the rapid expansion of Tombstone, culminating in its establishment as a bustling mining town in 1879.

  The rapid waves of settlers caused significant chaos in frontier towns and Tombstone was not immune. By 1881 many estimates put the Tombstone population at over 4,000 residents, “the town soon boasted all the trappings of a modern community, with two newspapers, hotels, restaurants, four theaters, two bakeries, clothing and shoe stores, six Chinese laundries, five physicians, two dentists, eight attorneys, schools, and four churches” [3] . The turmoil in Tombstone was epitomized by incidents such as Curly Bill Brocius's accidental fatal shooting of Deputy Marshal Fred White in 1880 and the daring ambush on a stagecoach near Contention City in 1881. These events underscored the pervasive lawlessness that plagued the Arizona Territory during this era, exacerbating tensions between law enforcement and outlaw factions.

The Earp brothers Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan along with Wyatt's common-law wife, Josephine Marcus, relocated to Tombstone enticed by the burgeoning silver industry's prospects [4] . Their arrival heralded their involvement in pivotal events, notably the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, solidifying their enduring legacy in American frontier lore. The now-famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral that happened in an empty lot near Fly Photography created the mythic gunfighter image of Wyatt Earp. His story was then repeated over and over through dime novels and Hollywood films for decades afterward.

This ideal cowboy persona became a fictional part of American culture and helped shape the American identity as much as the frontier did naturally. One aspect of the gunfight, as it was portrayed in Hollywood and how it happened in real life, was the rugged individual taking the law into their own hands which appealed to the American ideal of self-governance. In the court transcript from Sheriff Behan, he states, “I ordered them back, told them not to go down that I was there for the purpose of disarming this party they paid no attention to what I said” [5] . The Earp’s and Doc Holliday had enough of the Clanton’s and McLaury’s threats and went down to the empty lot where the cowboys were watering their horses to confront them, violently if necessary. According to the Tombstone Nugget, the gunfight that ensued left three men dead on the Clanton and McLaury side and two men injured on the Earp side of the fight [6] .

  The relevance of this small but mythical piece of Western history lies in how Hollywood used it to great effect in influencing the American identity during the Cold War. In this way, Tombstone played a major role in shaping the American identity. Turner was celebrated for his frontier essay that described how the frontier helped to shape the American identity and Hollywood was keenly aware of this fact. After World War II Hollywood became involved in helping the United States government use the Old West mythology to create a masculine image for American males in a psychological attempt to subvert Soviet images of masculinity during the Cold War [7] . A lot of time and effort was put into differentiating the United States from the Soviet Union during the Cold War because it was a war of ideologies.

  Towns like Tombstone were perfect examples of this ‘identity’ the government wanted to cultivate, and it is no accident that it is similar to the one Fredrick Jackson Turner describes in his frontier thesis. “These portrayals of Earp in the 1950s reflected the cultural currents of the period, notably a feminine ideal centered around an image of postwar suburban domesticity, and a masculine ideal of hard-headed cold war resolve” [8] . This supports the idea that Turner had an accurate grasp of how the frontier shaped American identity. Another historical scholar, Tony Shaw aptly describes the image of the American West provided by Turner as our Trojan War or Arthurian Cycle. “In his (Turner) view, the central strength of the myth lay in the values of primitive individualism so essential to Americans: “physical vigor, physical courage, fortitude, sagacity, and quickness” [9] . Shaw’s take on depictions of the Old West supports that Turner was correct in his summation about how the frontier helped shape the American identity and Hollywood helped promote that idea using Old West towns like Tombstone. However, unlike some Hollywood depictions, the story of Tombstone and its significance did not end with the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, it was just getting started.

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral was a brief yet intense confrontation between lawmen and outlaws that became emblematic of the era's law enforcement struggles. Soon after, matters would grow worse when the outlaws sought revenge for the killings. Retaliation from the Cochise County Cowboys following the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, including the assassination of Morgan Earp, further fueled the feud between the Earps and the outlaw faction. Wyatt Earp's subsequent pursuit of retribution, marked by confrontations with figures like Frank Stilwell and Curly Bill Brocius, underscored the volatile nature of frontier justice.

In pursuit of justice for the murder of his brother Morgan Earp and the grievous injury inflicted upon Virgil Earp, the Earp Posse relentlessly pursued the suspected culprits, including Frank Stilwell and Cruz. A confrontation erupted when they encountered Stilwell near the tracks, resulting in his demise as Earp and his posse exchanged gunfire. Later, on March 22nd, the Earps ventured to Pete Spence's ranch at South Pass in the Dragoon Mountains in search of Spence, only to find "Indian Charlie," who admitted complicity in Morgan's death. Allegedly, Wyatt Earp shot and killed him, further fueling the notion of retribution for the attacks on his family.

Though the exact details are shrouded in controversy and conflicting testimonies, these events cemented Earp's reputation as a resolute, if sometimes ruthless, enforcer of law in the untamed West. The most significant clash between Wyatt Earp and Curly Bill Brocious took place during the Gunfight at Iron Springs on March 24, 1882, near Iron Springs in the Whetstone Mountains, Arizona. Earp, accompanied by his brother Warren and others, encountered a group of Cowboys, including Curly Bill, as they sought vengeance for Morgan's assassination. In the ensuing firefight, Curly Bill Brocious met his end, reportedly at the hands of Wyatt Earp. Although details remain unclear due to conflicting reports and the remote location of the incident, this event stands as a pivotal moment in the ongoing feud between the Earps and the Cochise County Cowboys. With Curly Bill's demise, the Earp Posse concluded their vendetta ride, marking the end of their tumultuous chapter in the Arizona Territory [10] .

The Vendetta Ride led by Wyatt Earp following the death of his brother Morgan Earp and the crippling of his other brother Virgil Earp is a complex historical event that blurs the lines between law enforcement and vigilante justice. On one hand, Wyatt Earp was a former lawman, having served as a deputy marshal in various frontier towns. However, during the Vendetta Ride, he and his posse took the law into their own hands, seeking revenge against the individuals they believed were responsible for the attacks on his brothers. While Earp and his posse believed they were seeking justice, their actions could be seen as vigilante justice because they were acting outside the established legal system. They pursued and killed several men without formal legal proceedings. Ultimately, opinions on whether the Vendetta Ride constituted law enforcement or vigilante justice can vary depending on one's perspective and interpretation of the events. Some may view Earp's actions as justified retaliation for the attacks on his family, while others may see it as a disregard for due process and the rule of law.

Between 1886 and 1900, Tombstone, Arizona, faced a downturn in its prosperity and population due to multiple factors. As the silver mines in the region depleted, economic activity slowed, leading to the closure of numerous mines and businesses. The mines became inundated upon reaching the water table at a depth of 520 feet [11] . Despite efforts to pump water out, the cost became unsustainable, exacerbated by the destruction of the Grand Central hoist and pumping plant in a fire. With the silver mines flooded anew and silver prices plummeting to $0.90 an ounce, many residents sought better prospects elsewhere [12] . Despite attempts to revive the town's economy through mining ventures and tourism, Tombstone struggled to regain its former stature. Census records illustrate the population decline, dropping to less than 1,900 people, then further dwindling to only 700 in subsequent years [13] . By the turn of the century, Tombstone experienced significant depopulation and entered a period of stagnation. Nonetheless, its legacy as a symbol of the Wild West remains ingrained in American history, perpetuated through literature, film, and folklore, attracting visitors keen to explore its rich heritage. Tombstone has become a popular tourist attraction and maintains a renewed prosperity proving its motto as the Town Too Tough to Die.

References

 [1]  Turner, Frederick Jackson. "The Significance of the Frontier in American History". NEW YORK HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY. (1893). Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/22994/22994-h/22994-h.htm#Page_39.

 [2]  Trimble, Marshall. “Pay Dirt: Ed Schieffelin finds his tombstone”. Phoenix.org. (2021). Retrieved from https://phoenix.org/ed-schieffelin/

 [3]  Britz, Kevin. “Tombstone, Deadwood, and Dodge City”. University of Oklahoma Press. (2018). ISBN-10 080616204X ISBN-13 9780806162041

 [4]  Taylor, Don. Tombstone The First Fifty Years; 1879 to 1929. (2020). Old West Research and Publishing.

 [5]    Behan, J.H. “In the Matter of Inquest on the boddies of Wm. Clanton, T. McLowery and F. McLowery”. Territoy of Arizona. County of Cochise. (1881). Retrieved from https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/digital/collection/ccolch/id/160/rec/1

 [6]  Editor Tombstone Nugget. “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral”. Tombstone Daily Nugget Tombstone, Cochise County, Ariz. -1882. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/item/sn84027565/.

 [7]  Shaw, Tony. Hollywood's Cold War. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2007. Retrieved fom http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctt1r26fd.

 [8]  Isenberg, Andrew C. “The Code of the West: Sexuality, Homosociality, and Wyatt Earp.” Western Historical Quarterly 40, no. 2 (Summer 2009): 139–57. doi:10.1093/whq/40.2.139.

 [9]  Shaw, Tony. Hollywood's Cold War. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2007.

 [10]  Bailey, Lynn R. Tombstone, Arizona, "Too Tough to Die": The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Silver Camp; 1878 to 1990. (2010) Western Lore Pr. (ISBN10: 0870261150).

 [11]  Bailey, Lynn R. Tombstone, Arizona, "Too Tough to Die": The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Silver Camp; 1878 to 1990. (2010) Western Lore Pr. (ISBN10: 0870261150).

 [12]  Bailey, Lynn R. Tombstone, Arizona, "Too Tough to Die": The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Silver Camp; 1878 to 1990. (2010).

 [13]  United States Census Bureau Editors. “1910 Overview” and “1890 Overview”. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/overview/1910.html

Map markers of historical events surronding Tombstone Arizona between 1870-1900.

Tombstone (1993) | Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Bibliography

Primary Sources

Behan, J.H. “In the Matter of Inquest on the bodies of Wm. Clanton, T. McLowery and F. McLowery”. Territory of Arizona. County of Cochise. (1881). Retrieved from https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/digital/collection/ccolch/id/160/rec/1

Editor Tombstone Nugget. “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral”. Tombstone Daily Nugget Tombstone, Cochise County, Ariz. -1882. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/item/sn84027565/.

United States Census Bureau Editors. “1910 Overview” and “1890 Overview”. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/overview/1910.html

Secondary Sources

Bailey, Lynn R. Tombstone, Arizona, "Too Tough to Die": The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Silver Camp; 1878 to 1990. (2010) Western Lore Pr. (ISBN10: 0870261150).

Britz, Kevin. “Tombstone, Deadwood, and Dodge City”. University of Oklahoma Press. (2018). ISBN-10 080616204X ISBN-13 9780806162041.

Isenberg, Andrew C. “The Code of the West: Sexuality, Homosociality, and Wyatt Earp.” Western Historical Quarterly 40, no. 2 (Summer 2009): 139–57. doi:10.1093/whq/40.2.139.

Shaw, Tony. Hollywood's Cold War. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2007. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctt1r26fd.

Taylor, Don. Tombstone The First Fifty Years; 1879 to 1929. (2020). Old West Research and Publishing.

Trimble, Marshall. “Pay Dirt: Ed Schieffelin finds his tombstone”. Phoenix.org. (2021). Retrieved from https://phoenix.org/ed-schieffelin/

Tombstone, directed by George P. Cosmatos, perf. Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott (Hollywood Pictures, 1993), film. Tombstone, 1993.

Turner, Frederick Jackson. "The Significance of the Frontier in American History". NEW YORK HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY. (1893). Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/22994/22994-h/22994-h.htm#Page_39.