Tales from Tennessee and Beyond: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral was one of the Old West's most famous conflicts. The skirmish only lasted 30 seconds, but the build up took much longer. The issue that had been brewing for some time was a feud between the Earp men, and the Clanton cowboys. The two sides had been involved in a fight earlier and the effects were still being felt by both sides. The Earp brothers and Doc Holliday were lawmen who were looking to keep the peace and drive the troublesome cowboys out of Tombstone. The Clanton cowboys had been working on local ranches, illegally buying and selling cattle. This did not sit well with the Earp boys, as they were looking to rid Tombstone, and the surrounding territories of all illegal activity. To sum this all up, Ike Clanton was brought in on charges of cattle rusting, which he was able to beat. Later on in September 1880, there were a series of stage hold ups. Frank McLaury was arrested for the stage hold ups. This made all the cowboys mad, and they vowed to get back at the Earps for persecuting the cowboys. The first thing that the cowboys did was to attempt to frame Doc Holliday for the robberies. His girlfriend Big Nose Kate was bribed into telling the local judge that Doc was indeed responsible for the stagecoach robberies. Fortunately for Holliday, the Earps were able to find witnesses that said none of this was true. On the eve of the shootout, Ike Clanton, and Doc Holliday got into a fight. Nothing happened as Morgan Earp was able to intervene quickly. On the morning of the fight, both sides were gambling and drinking. Ike Clanton was set for trial for the assault on Doc Holliday. When the cowboys arrived in Tombstone, they refused to disarm. The two sides met in an alley, where Virgil Earp attempted to disarm the cowboys again. The cowboys instead pulled their guns on the lawmen. This caught the lawmen by surprise because the were not expecting a fight. The first to fire was Billy Clanton, but he missed. Frank McLaury aimed his gun at Wyatt Earp, but Wyatt drew faster and shot McLaury in the stomach. Ike Clanton ran and grabbed hold of Wyatt Earp, saying that he was unarmed and wanted no trouble. He then ran away unharmed. Morgan Earp latter fired hitting Billy Clanton in the wrist. Clanton then got back to his feet, and he and Frank McLaury fired on Morgan Earp wounding him. Morgan and Doc Holliday were able to return the fire and finish McLaury off. By the time the fight was over, Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury were dead. Morgan and Virgil Earp were wounded, but would survive. The only ones to come out of the skirmish unscathed were Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. After the skirmish was over the bodies of the three deceased cowboys were put on display in Tombstone for all to see. The battle made the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday famous and men to be feared. These 30 seconds would be vital in determining how the west was won. The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, while a small battle, still has big implications.