Background
Tombstone, near the Mexican border, was formally founded in March 1879 and was a rapidly growing frontier mining boomtown. The Earps arrived on December 1, 1879, when the small town was mostly composed of tents as living quarters, a few saloons and other buildings, and the mines. Virgil Earp had been given the job of Deputy U.S. Marshal for the region around Tombstone only days before his arrival. In June 1881 he became Tombstone's town marshal (or police chief).
Though not universally liked by the townspeople, the Earps tended to protect the interests of the town's business owners and residents, although Virgil's brother Wyatt helped keep a Cowboy from being lynched after he accidentally killed Tombstone Marshal Fred White. Cochise County Sheriff Johnny Behan was generally a friend to the interests of the rural ranchers and Cowboys. In that time and region, the term "cowboy" generally meant an outlaw. Legitimate cowmen were referred to as cattle herders or ranchers.
Read more about this topic: Gunfight At The O.K. Corral
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