Wyatt Earp

Era: 19^th Century

Importance: Lawman and gunfighter

Module: American West

Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp was born in Illinois in the middle of the Nineteenth century and had a variety of jobs including a freight hauler and buffalo hunter before becoming a leading lawman as the Assistant Marshall of Dodge city in 1878, alongside County Sheriff Bat Masterson.

Wyatt Earp is most famous for his time in Tombstone, Arizona where Wyatt became Deputy Sheriff of the County alongside his brother, Virgil, who was Deputy Marshall.  Tombstone was rich because it was a cattle centre and a silver mining area. The town easily attracted the attentions of criminals and rustlers.

Working closely with the local and wealthy business community Wyatt helped them turn Tombstone into a safe and respectable town. The hub of the problems were identified as the Clanton and McLaury families.

The problem came to a head on 26^th Oct 1881 – the Gunfight at the OK Corral. The shooting lasted a minute and two McLaurys and a Clanton lie dead. This did not bring the families into line however.

Morgan Earp, another brother, was shot dead a year later, Wyatt avenged his murder by hunting down the two men suspected of the murder.

A key element in Wyatt Earp’s enduring iconic status was the fact he lived until he was eighty, in 1929. He was able to secure his legacy by telling his story to writers and Hollywood producers.