Page 68 - All About History - Issue 12-14

WYATT EARP’S WILD WEST

hatred within Wyatt’s eyes before both barrels were issued arrest warrants for all five members of the
unloaded into his torso. posse and sent a telegram back to Tombstone,
Stilwell’s short scream was immediately stating that Sheriff Behan should arrest them. What
terminated with the blast, with six buckshot holes Meyer couldn’t have known, however, was that the
blown through his body and powder-burnt holes telegraph office manager was a friend to the Earp
The outlaws on the back of his coat. Drawing his .44 Schofield family and upon receiving the telegram showed it
marked for death Smith & Wesson revolver from his holster, Wyatt to Wyatt when he rode into town.
carefully aimed for Stilwell’s head and then fired The gunslinger knew that if his old adversary
WILLIAM ‘CURLY BILL’ BROCIUS a single round into his skull. Stilwell had been a Behan saw the telegram he would try to stop the
1845-1882 lying, double-crossing, murdering rabid dog. There vendetta posse in its tracks, so began preparing a
A violent criminal, cattle was only one thing to do with rabid dogs – put quick exit. However, Behan had rushed to the hotel
rustler and assassin, them down. Leaving Stilwell’s corpse to grow and found the men he was looking for in the lobby,
Curly Bill was the cold in the early morning sun, Wyatt and his heavily armed and about to leave. Walking straight
leader of the outlaws posse watched as the train with Virgil and his up to Wyatt he told him that he was to accompany
responsible for the wife on slowly pulled out of the station, bound for him back to the sheriff’s office. Wyatt ignored him
murder of Wyatt Earp’s
brother Morgan. He California and safety. before walking through the lobby and outside.
was known as ‘Arizona’s The gang made their way back to Tombstone They were met outside the hotel by further
most famous outlaw’ and spent most of his but back in Tucson the remains of Stilwell had members of the posse, John ‘Texas Jack’ Vermillion
time leading up to the vendetta ride robbing been discovered and his killing linked to the Earp and Dan ‘Tip’ Tipton, Charlie Smith, Fred Dodge,
stagecoaches and threatening rivals with a posse. Tucson Justice of the Peace Charles Meyer Johnny Green and Lou Cooley. Continuing to ignore
bloody death.
“ Stilwell had been a lying, double-
PETE SPENCE 1852-1914
Pete Spence was a crossing, murdering rabid dog. There
well-known outlaw
in Arizona, robbing was only one thing to do with rabid
stagecoaches and
rustling cattle. He was
a friend and business dogs – put them down”
partner of fellow outlaw
and killer Frank Stilwell,
who along with Spence, was a key suspect in
the assassination of Morgan Earp.

FRANK C STILWELL 1856-1882
A miner and livery
stable owner who was
known to partake in
illegal activities, Stilwell
was famously identified
as one of the outlaws
who had ambushed and
murdered Morgan Earp.
Lack of evidence saw Stilwell walk free of any
punishment, placing him high up on Wyatt Wyatt’s boyhood home
Earp’s vendetta kill list.

OK Corral casualties – Tom and Frank McLaury and Billy
Clanton in their coffin after being killed at the famous gunfight A photo of Wyatt Earp, circa 1882

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