Shoot Out in Tombstone
Ike had repeated confrontations with the Earps and Doc Holliday. On October 26, 1881, events came to a head when Billy and Ike got together with Billy Claiborne and brothers Tom and Frank McLaury at the Dexter Corral. When they were seen in town "heeled" (armed), anxious citizens warned the Earps. Upon attempting to disarm the Cowboys, a shoot out broke out, later named the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
There remain today conflicting versions of what actually happened and who fired first. Ike Clanton and Billy Claiborne ran away in the opening moments. Billy Clanton emptied his gun during the fight, and was killed along with both McLaurys. Doc Holliday and Virgil and Morgan Earp were wounded.
The town was divided, with many supporting the Clantons, and others supporting the Earps. The funeral that followed was the largest in Tombstone's history, with more than 300 people following the hearse and 2,000 watching from the city's sidewalks. The three Cowboys were buried in the Boot Hill cemetery. William McLaury, Frank and Tom's brother, tried to indict the Earps for killing the Cowboys. He wrote in a letter during the trial that two brothers and Billy Clanton were preparing to come to Fort Worth, Texas to visit after selling their cattle.
Read more about this topic: Billy Clanton
Famous quotes containing the words shoot and/or tombstone:
“What is the disease which manifests itself in an inability to leave a party—any party at all—until it is all over and the lights are being put out?... I suppose that part of this mania for staying is due to a fear that, if I go, something good will happen and I’ll miss it. Somebody might do card tricks, or shoot somebody else.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)
“The tombstone told when she died.
Her two surnames stopped me still.
A virgin married at rest.”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)