On November 16, 1881, during the legal proceedings that followed the gunfight near the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday were examined after the prosecution concluded its primary evidence. The defendants were informed of their right to make a statement under section 133, page 22, of the Arizona laws approved on February 12, 1881. Wyatt Earp elected to provide a sworn statement.
Earp began by giving his name and age. He stated that he was Wyatt Earp, 32 years old as of March 19 last. He said he was born in Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois, and had resided in Tombstone, Cochise County, Arizona, since December 1, 1879. At the time of his statement, he gave his occupation as saloon keeper, with prior service as a deputy sheriff and detective.
Earp then described the events that led to the deaths of William Clanton and Frank McLaury. He traced the trouble to the previous spring, when he joined a pursuit of Tom and Frank McLaury and two other parties who had stolen six government mules from Camp Rucker. The pursuing party included Earp, his brothers Virgil and Morgan Earp, and Marshal Williams, along with Captain Hurst and four soldiers.
The trail led to the McLaury ranch. While at Charleston, Earp met a man named Dave Estus, who told him the mules would be found at the McLaury ranch and that he had seen them there the day before. Estus said the men were branding the mules with a "DS" brand made from the letters "D" and "S." Earp said they tracked the mules to the ranch and also found the branding iron.
After their arrival at the McLaury ranch, a man known as Frank Patterson appeared and made some kind of compromise with Captain Hurst. Hurst later told Earp's party that a compromise had been reached to ensure the return of the stolen mules. Although Earp and the others wanted to pursue the matter further, Hurst convinced them to return to Tombstone.
Two or three weeks later, Hurst told them the men would not give up the mules. Hurst said the group had only wanted to get the posse away and that they could stand off the soldiers. Hurst also warned Virgil and Morgan Earp that the adversaries had made threats against their lives.
About a month after the mule pursuit, Earp met Frank and Tom McLaury in Charleston. He said they tried to provoke a quarrel and warned of dire consequences if the Earps ever pursued them as closely again.
Earp then turned to the killing of Bud Philpot during an attempted robbery of the Benson stage. He said the killing prompted his involvement as a detective working for Wells Fargo and Co. He became convinced that three men, Billy Leonard, Harry Head, and James Crane, were involved in the robbery.
Earp said he knew Leonard, Head, and Crane were friends of the Clanton and McLaury families and frequently visited their ranches. Among law enforcement and those with criminal information, it was widely acknowledged that Ike Clanton played a leading role among the Cowboys. The Clanton and McLaury ranches were reputed to be haunts of cattle thieves and were implicated in the stage robbery. Earp said the ranches served as meeting points and shelters for the gang.
Earp admitted he wanted to become sheriff in the upcoming county election. He believed that capturing those responsible for Philpot's killing would greatly improve his standing with the public and local businessmen. Rewards of about $200 each had been offered for the capture of the robbers, totaling about $3,600.
Hoping to entice Ike Clanton and Frank McLaury to disclose the whereabouts of Leonard, Head, and Crane, Earp approached them along with Joe Hill when they visited town. The meeting took place in the backyard of the Oriental Saloon. Earp explained that he wanted credit for capturing Leonard, Head, and Crane because it would boost his chances in the sheriff race.
Earp proposed that if they provided information leading to the capture of the robbers, he would ensure they received the full reward and remained anonymous. Ike Clanton expressed interest, citing a dispute over a ranch claimed by both him and Leonard. Clanton believed that removing Leonard would eliminate opposition to his claim.
Clanton also warned that Leonard, Head, and Crane would likely resist capture. He insisted that Earp inquire whether the reward applied to their capture dead or alive. Earp then approached Marshal Williams, Wells Fargo and Co.'s local agent, who at Earp's request telegraphed the company's San Francisco superintendent in June 1881. The response assured that the reward would be paid whether the robbers were captured dead or alive.
The following day, Earp encountered Ike Clanton and Joe Hill on Allen Street in front of a small cigar store adjacent to the Alhambra. He told them the dispatch had arrived. Earp asked Marshal Williams to see the dispatch. Williams could not locate the original but obtained a copy from the telegraph office and handed it to Earp. Earp presented the contents to Ike Clanton and Joe Hill before returning it to Williams.
Earp later shared the information with Frank McLaury. Their agreement stipulated that they would receive the entire $3,600 reward, excluding necessary expenses for horse hire during the pursuit. Joe Hill was designated to travel to the location near Silver City, New Mexico, where Leonard, Head, and Crane were hiding. His task was to lure them toward Frank and Tom McLaury's ranch near Soldiers Hole, about 30 miles from Tombstone. Earp committed to being present with a posse to effect their capture.
Earp asked Joe Hill, Ike Clanton, and Frank McLaury what story they would use to bring the men in. He said they agreed on a plan to tell them a paymaster would be going from Tombstone to Bisbee to pay off the miners, and they wanted the men to come in and take him. Ike Clanton entrusted Joe Hill with the mission.
Before departing, Joe Hill handed over his watch chain and between $200 and $300 to Virgil Earp for safekeeping until his return. After around 10 days, Joe Hill came back and reported that he had arrived a day too late. Leonard and Harry Head had been killed by horse thieves the day before he reached their location. Earp later learned that the horse thieves had themselves been killed by members of the Clanton and McLaury gang.
Ike Clanton and Frank McLaury then announced that Earp had turned them over to Marshal Williams and Doc Holliday. When they entered town, they avoided the Earps. Wyatt, Morgan, and Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday began hearing their threats.
Earp said his connection with Doc Holliday went back to his time as city marshal of Dodge City, Kansas, where Holliday came to his aid and saved his life when he was surrounded by outlaws.
In October 1881, about a month or more before his statement, Morgan Earp and Wyatt assisted in the arrest of Stillwell and Spence on charges of robbing the Bisbee stage. The McLaurys and Clantons maintained a close friendship with Spence and Stillwell and blamed the Earps for their arrest, despite the Earps' role as a sheriff's posse.
When Spence and Stillwell were brought into town, Ike Clanton and Frank McLaury arrived. Frank McLaury confronted Morgan Earp in front of the Alhambra, where John Ringo, Ike Clanton, and the two Hicks boys were present. Frank McLaury berated Morgan Earp for pursuing Spence and Stillwell and expressed his disdain for Spence's arrest.
Frank McLaury told Morgan Earp, "If you ever come after me you will never take me." Morgan Earp replied that if the need arose, he would indeed make an arrest. Frank McLaury then declared, "I have threatened you boys' lives and a few days later I had taken it back, but since this arrest it now goes." Morgan remained silent and walked away.
Before and after these events, Marshal Williams, Farmer Daly, Ed Barnes, old man Ides, Charlie Smith, and several others informed the Earps at various times about threats to their lives by Ike Clanton, Frank McLaury, Tom McLaury, Joe Hill, and John Ringo. Earp said he was well aware that these individuals were dangerous and desperate, with connections to outlawry, cattle thieves, robbers, and murderers.
Earp said he knew of the McLaurys' involvement in stealing six government mules and cattle. When the rightful owner pursued his stock to the McLaury ranch, he was driven off and threatened with death if he spoke about it. The man kept silent until recently out of fear for his life.
Earp also said he heard accounts of John Ringo cold-bloodedly shooting a man near Camp Thomas. He was convinced that Frank and Tom McLaury had committed robbery and murder in Skeleton Canyon against Mexicans about three or four months earlier. Earp said he remained vigilant, determined not to let any of the gang catch him off guard.
About five or six weeks before his statement, Ike Clanton confronted Earp at the Alhambra, accusing him of divulging information about the capture of Head, Leonard, and Crane to Holliday. Earp denied any such disclosure and promised to prove it when Holliday returned from Tucson. Ike claimed that Holliday had informed him otherwise.
When Holliday returned, Earp asked him if he had said that. On the night of October 25, Holliday met Ike Clanton in the Alhambra saloon and asked him about it. Clanton vehemently denied it, sparking a three- to four-minute quarrel. Holliday labeled Clanton a liar, and they engaged in a heated exchange.
At that moment, Earp was seated at the lunch counter, and Morgan Earp stood at the Alhambra bar talking with the bartender. Observing the altercation, Wyatt called Morgan over. Aware of Morgan's role as an officer, Wyatt instructed him to intervene and stop the quarrel. Morgan climbed over the lunchroom counter and escorted Holliday outside, with Clanton following seconds later.
After finishing his meal, Wyatt exited the bar and saw the ongoing dispute outside. Virgil Earp arrived, likely from the Accidental, and warned Holliday and Clanton that he would arrest them if they did not cease the quarrel. They dispersed. Morgan headed down the street to the Oriental Saloon, and Ike crossed the street to the Grand Hotel.
Earp entered the Eagle Brewery, where he had an open faro game, and stayed for a brief period. When he returned to the street, he met Ike Clanton, who asked if Earp would like to walk with him because he wanted to talk. Earp agreed on the condition that Clanton not take him too far, as he needed to oversee the closing of his game in the brewery and handle the money.
They walked halfway down the brewery building on Fifth Street and halted. Clanton told Earp that when Holliday approached him in the Alhambra, he was not "fixed just right." Clanton declared his readiness for a one-on-one confrontation the next morning, citing the prolonged history of confrontational talk and deeming it time to put an end to it.
Earp conveyed his reluctance to engage in a fight, emphasizing the lack of financial gain in such conflicts. Clanton walked away, leaving Earp with the statement, "I will be ready for you in the morning."
Earp strolled over to the Oriental, and Clanton trailed behind. Clanton entered and had a drink with his six-shooter in clear view. He said, "You must not think I won't be after you all in the morning," and expressed a desire to engage Holliday in a fight immediately. Earp conveyed that Holliday had no intention of fighting but merely sought to clarify that the alleged talk had not occurred.
At that moment, the dealer in Earp's game closed it and brought the money. Earp secured it in the safe before heading home. While walking between the Oriental and the Alhambra, he encountered Holliday on the street. They walked down Allen Street together, Holliday heading to his room and Earp to his house, where he retired for the night.
The next day, October 26, Earp rose around noon. Before he could get up, Ned Bole informed him that he had encountered Ike Clanton near the telegraph office on Allen Street. Clanton was allegedly armed and declared that as soon as the Earps appeared on the street, the confrontation would commence. He expressed the intent to fight, saying, "We are here to make a fight. We are looking for the sons of bitches."
Earp remained in bed for a short while, then got up and went to the Oriental Saloon. Harry Jones approached him and inquired about the situation, revealing that Ike Clanton was actively seeking the Earps with a Winchester rifle and a six-shooter. Deciding to confront the situation, Earp left the saloon.
At the corner of Fifth and Allen, Earp encountered Virgil Earp, the marshal. Virgil informed him of Ike Clanton's pursuit. Wyatt proceeded down Allen Street while Virgil took Fifth Street and then Fremont Street. Virgil eventually found Ike Clanton on Fourth Street near Fremont Street, positioned at the entrance of an alleyway.
Wyatt approached him, stating, "I hear you are hunting for some of us." This encounter took place as Wyatt walked down Fourth Street. In response, Ike Clanton swung his Winchester rifle toward Virgil. Acting swiftly, Virgil seized the rifle and struck Ike Clanton with his six-shooter, causing him to fall. Clanton had his rifle, and his six-shooter was holstered in his pants.
When Wyatt arrived, Virgil and Morgan Earp took Clanton's rifle and six-shooter and took them to the Grand Hotel. After inspection, Wyatt took Ike Clanton before Justice Wallace for further proceedings. During the investigation, Morgan Earp assumed control of Ike Clanton while Virgil was temporarily absent inside Wallace's court.
After Wyatt sat down on a bench, Ike Clanton glanced at him and declared, "I will get even with all of you for this. If I had a six-shooter now I would make a fight with all of you." Morgan Earp responded, "If you want to make a fight right bad I will give you this one." Simultaneously, he offered Ike Clanton his own six-shooter.
Clanton began to rise to accept it when Campbell, the deputy sheriff, intervened, pushing him back into his seat and prohibiting any altercation. Contrary to Ike Clanton's claim, Earp said he did not handle Clanton's arms at any point.
To provide context for their positions in the courtroom, Earp said Ike Clanton sat on a bench facing the north wall. Wyatt occupied a bench along the same wall facing Ike. Morgan Earp stood with his back against the wall, positioned to Wyatt's right and a few feet away. Morgan held Ike Clanton's Winchester in a similar fashion, with one end on the floor, while Clanton's six-shooter was in Morgan's right hand. They maintained control of the weapons throughout the incident.
Virgil Earp was not present in the courtroom during this period. He arrived after Wyatt had exited. Virgil informed Wyatt that he had been outside looking for Judge Wallace.
Fed up with the constant threats from Ike Clanton and his gang and perceiving their intentions to assassinate him, Wyatt decided that if he had to defend his life, it would be on his terms in an open fight. Positioned about eight feet away from Ike Clanton, Wyatt addressed him, stating, "You damn dirty cow thief, you have been threatening our lives and I know it. I think I would be justified in shooting you down any place I should meet you. But if you are anxious to make a fight, I will go anywhere on Earth to make a fight with you, even over to the sand hills among your crowd."
Clanton's response was, "I will see you after I get through here. I only want four feet of ground to fight on."
Wyatt exited the courtroom. Just outside near the justice's office, he encountered Tom McLaury. McLaury approached him, suggesting, "If you want to make a fight I will make a fight with you anywhere." Assuming McLaury had heard the exchange with Ike Clanton and aware of his previous threats, Wyatt decided to confront the situation while having a fair chance to defend himself.
Wyatt agreed, saying, "All right, make a fight right here." Simultaneously, he slapped McLaury in the face with his left hand and drew his pistol with his right. Although McLaury had a pistol visible on his right hip, he made no move to draw it. Wyatt said to him, "Jerk your gun and use it." McLaury made no reply. Wyatt then struck him on the head with his six-shooter and walked away.
Wyatt proceeded to Halford's Corner. Inside Halford's, he purchased a cigar and stood by the door. Shortly after, he encountered Tom McLaury, Frank McLaury, and William Clanton. He observed them proceed down Fourth Street toward the gunsmith shop. Curious about their intentions, he followed them.
Upon arrival, Wyatt found Frank McLaury's horse on the sidewalk. Acting in his capacity as deputy city marshal, he began to back the horse off. Tom, Frank, and Billy Clanton emerged from the shop, with Billy Clanton placing his hand on his six-shooter. Frank McLaury took control of the horse's bridle. Wyatt insisted, "You will have to get this horse off the sidewalk." Frank backed the horse into the street.
Ike Clanton joined them, and they all entered the gun shop. Wyatt observed them inside loading cartridges into their belts. Exiting the shop, they proceeded along Fourth Street toward the corner of Allen Street. Wyatt followed them to the intersection of Fourth and Allen streets, where they continued down Allen Street and headed to Dunbar's Corral.
At that time, Dunbar and Bayon were present. Virgil Earp, the city marshal, and Morgan Earp, serving as a special policeman, were joined by Doc Holliday and Wyatt on the corner of Fourth and Allen streets. Although Virgil had returned several days prior, Wyatt was still acting in his place, having been sworn in during Virgil's absence for Spence's and Stillwell's trial in Tucson.
Recognizing Virgil's duty to disarm these men and anticipating potential trouble, especially considering their prior threats against the Earps, Wyatt followed to provide assistance if needed. Approximately 10 minutes later, while standing on the corner of Fourth and Allen streets with Virgil, Morgan, and Doc Holliday, they received reports from several individuals warning of impending trouble with the armed men.
A man named Coleman advised Virgil, "They mean trouble. They have just moved from Dunbar's Corral into the O.K. Corral, all armed, and I think you had better go and disarm them." Responding to this information, Virgil turned to Doc Holliday, Morgan Earp, and Wyatt, instructing them to join him in disarming the men.
Morgan Earp suggested, "They have horses. Had we not better get some horses ourselves, so that if they make a running fight we can catch them?" Wyatt responded, "No, if they try to make a running fight we can kill their horses and then capture them."
The four of them proceeded through Fourth to Fremont Street. As they turned the corner of Fourth and Fremont, they spotted the men near the vacant space between Fly's photograph gallery and the adjacent building to the west. Initially, Wyatt noticed Frank McLaury, Tom McLaury, Billy Clanton, and Sheriff Behan standing in that vicinity.
They advanced along the left-hand side of Fremont Street. When they approached within about 150 feet of them, Wyatt identified Ike Clanton, Billy Clanton, and another individual. Continuing their approach, Behan left the group and approached the Earps, frequently glancing back as if anticipating danger.
Wyatt overheard Behan caution Virgil Earp, "For God's sake, don't go down there. You will get murdered." Virgil, leading the group, replied, "I am going to disarm them." When Morgan and Wyatt reached Behan, he informed them, "I have disarmed them."
Upon hearing this, Wyatt discreetly placed his pistol, which he had in his hand, beneath his coat into his overcoat pocket. Behan then proceeded up the street. As the Earps continued down, closing in on the men, they found Frank McLaury, Tom McLaury, and Billy Clanton aligned along the east side of the building opposite the vacant space west of Fly's photograph gallery.
Ike Clanton, Billy Clayborn, and an unidentified man stood in the vacant space, positioned midway between the photograph gallery and the adjacent building to the west. Wyatt observed Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury, and Tom McLaury with their hands at their sides, noting that Frank McLaury and Billy Clanton openly carried their six-shooters.
Virgil Earp commanded, "Throw up your hands. I have come to disarm you." Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury placed their hands on their six-shooters, prompting Virgil to clarify, "Hold, I don't mean that. I have come to disarm you." Despite this, Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury began to draw their pistols.
Simultaneously, Tom McLaury swiftly moved his hand to his right hip, throwing his coat open to demonstrate, and jumped behind his horse, which in reality belonged to Billy Clanton. Wyatt's pistol was in his overcoat pocket, having placed it there when Behan informed them that he had disarmed the others.
Upon seeing Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury draw their pistols, Wyatt drew his. Billy Clanton aimed his pistol at Wyatt. Wyatt did not return the aim at him. Aware of Frank McLaury's reputation as a skilled and dangerous shooter, Wyatt aimed at him.
The initial shots were exchanged between Billy Clanton and Wyatt, both firing almost simultaneously, leading to a general exchange of gunfire. Approximately four shots into the altercation, Ike Clanton approached and grabbed Wyatt's left arm. At that moment, Wyatt perceived no weapon in his hand and urged him to either join the fight or retreat. Wyatt pushed him away with his left hand. Ike sprinted down the side of the building and disappeared between the lodging house and photograph gallery.
Wyatt's first shot struck Frank McLaury in the abdomen, causing him to stagger onto the sidewalk, but not before firing one shot in Wyatt's direction. When the Earps ordered them to raise their hands, Clayborn raised his left hand and fled. Wyatt did not see him again until the afternoon after the battle.
Wyatt said he refrained from drawing his pistol or making any threatening gestures until after Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury drew their weapons. If Tom McLaury was unarmed, Wyatt said he was unaware of it. He believed Tom was armed and fired two shots at their party before Holliday, armed with a shotgun, fired and fatally wounded him.
Wyatt said he did not shoot at Ike Clanton during the gunfight because he believed he was unarmed. Based on the actions, threats, and conspiratorial intentions conveyed through the acts of Tom McLaury, Frank McLaury, and Ike Clanton, along with additional threats communicated by others, Wyatt firmly believed these individuals conspired to murder his brothers Morgan and Virgil, Doc Holliday, and himself.
Despite having what he considered legal and moral justification to shoot any of them on sight, Wyatt said he did not take such action or attempt to do so. When he assumed the role of deputy marshal to assist in disarming and arresting them, he did so as part of his duty and under the guidance of his brother, the marshal. His intention was not to engage in a fight unless it became necessary for self-defense and in the fulfillment of official duties.
Once Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury drew their pistols, Wyatt recognized it as a fight for their lives, prompting him to draw his weapon in defense of himself, his brothers, and Doc Holliday.
Wyatt said he had resided in Tombstone since December 1, 1879. He arrived directly from Dodge City, Kansas, where, against the objections of businessmen and officials, he resigned the position of city marshal that he had held since 1876. His journey to Dodge City followed his service on the police force in Wichita from 1874 until his relocation to Dodge City.
Wyatt stated that the testimony provided by Isaac Clanton alleging that Wyatt admitted involvement in any stage robbery, or provided information to Morgan Earp about an impending stage event, or engaged in any inappropriate dealings with criminal enterprises, was a fabrication from start to finish.
Wyatt also described an offer from Sheriff Behan. He said Behan extended an offer in his office on Allen Street, situated in the back room of a cigar store where he conducted his affairs. Behan proposed that if Wyatt withdrew from attempting to secure the appointment as sheriff of Cochise County, Behan would hire a clerk and they could share the profits. Wyatt acquiesced to this arrangement, yet Behan never revisited the agreement and later falsely justified his failure to comply with the contract in his statement, providing inaccurate reasons for his actions.
Wyatt explained that Doc Holliday and he happened to be visiting Charleston the night Behan went there to summon Ike Clanton. Their purpose was to reclaim a horse stolen from Wyatt shortly after arriving in Tombstone. Rumors had circulated that the Clantons possessed the horse, but Wyatt had no knowledge of Ike Clanton's ranch location at that time.
Subsequently, while in the Huachucas identifying water rights and returning home to Tombstone, Wyatt met a man named McMasters, who informed him that his horse could be found in Charleston if he hurried. Upon reaching Charleston, Wyatt observed his horse in the streets heading toward the corral. He lodged for the night in another corral and went to Bernette's office the next day to obtain recovery papers for the horse.
Bernette was away, having traveled to Sonora for gold field exploration. Wyatt telegraphed Tombstone to James Earp, instructing him to prepare and send the necessary papers. James consulted with Judge Wallace and Mr. Street, who crafted the documents and dispatched them to Charleston via Wyatt's youngest brother, Warren Earp.
That same night, while awaiting the papers, Billy Clanton learned of Wyatt's presence and attempted to take the horse from the corral. Wyatt asserted that it was his horse and prevented him from removing it. After the papers arrived, Billy Clanton immediately handed over the horse without giving the papers and asked Wyatt if he had any more horses to lose. Wyatt told him he would keep them in the stable after this and give him no chance to steal them.
As an integral part of his statement, Wyatt presented a document received from Dodge City following his arrest on this charge, which he requested be appended and labeled Exhibit A.
In connection with the discussions held with Ike Clanton, Frank McLaury, and Joe Hill, Wyatt said there were four or five distinct occasions, all conducted in the backyard of the Oriental Saloon. During one of these conversations, Wyatt conveyed to Ike Clanton that certain individuals in town were casting unfavorable suspicions on Doc Holliday, alleging his involvement in the attempted robbery and killing of Bud Philpot. Wyatt assured Clanton that if he could apprehend Leonard, Head, and Crane, it would substantiate Holliday's innocence to the community.
Wyatt said their pursuit of Leonard, Head, and Crane remained relentless, with an unbroken trail and scarcely a missed footprint from Drew's Ranch on the San Pedro to Helm's Ranch in the Dragoons. The trail extended approximately 80 miles down the San Pedro River. They captured one individual named King, believed to be associated with them.
Subsequently, they traversed the Catalina Mountains, approximately 15 miles from Tucson, following the trail around the mountain's base to Tres Alamos on the San Pedro River and onward to the Dragoons at Helm's Ranch. Departing from Helm's Ranch, they resumed tracking the trail, discovering that the men had stolen 15 or 20 head of livestock to obscure their path.
Virgil Earp, Morgan Earp, Robert H. Paul, Deputy Sheriff Breakenridge, Sheriff Johnny Behan, and a couple of others diligently pursued the trail into New Mexico. This refuted Ike Clanton's assertion that the trail led south from Helm's Ranch. Wyatt said they exerted every effort over 10 days, with Virgil and Morgan extending their pursuit to 16 days.
Wyatt stated with confidence that without the concerted efforts of himself and Morgan Earp, King would not have been apprehended. As King attempted to flee toward a sizable brush patch along the river, they intercepted him and prevented his escape.