TERROR OR ORGANIZED CRIME?
The shots fired at the OK Corral were the final shots of the Civil War. The terror that began with William Clark Quantrill evolved into the James and Younger Gangs. From there, taking its cue, the Boys terrorized Lincoln County. Once they reached Cochise County they became known as The Cowboys. They became organized crime. The other day Pink Flamingo reader Sally Vee reminded me that I needed to watch the Brad Pitt version of Jesse James, in The Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford. Sally mentioned how she felt the film portrayed Jesse James as more of psychopathic killer than the American version of Robin Hood. I have a different take on the life of James. I think he was a man of his times. Men were tough. They were sculpted by a hard pioneering life and then many of them by the Civil War. Following the war many of these men lived the life of the disenfranchised.
Is Sally right about James? I don't know. I know that some of the men he rode with and associated with were psychopaths - maybe. They too, could also be men of their era. When one looks at Doc Holiday, there are some who might consider him a psychopath unless his life and actions are examined. I do know, though, that the man who basically invented the idea of organized crime, William Clarke Quantrill was.
We first need to answer several questions:
!. Was Quantrill a Confederate "patriot"?
2. Was Quantrill the first organized crime "don" in America?
3. Was Quantrill the first modern "terrorist"?
These questions lead to one other question: Was Quantrill a terrorist or was he a criminal? Were the men who rode with him and invented modern crime: Frank & Jesse James and the Youngers terrorists, patriots, or criminals? Or - was it a little of all three? The Lawrence (Kansas) Massacre is to this day, one of the most devistating acts of American based terrorism, committed on American soil.
As a researcher and writer I have found hear-say evidence that another individual, Newman Haynes Clanton, may have ridden with Quantrill at one time or another. I have yet to be able to verify this information. One of the top Civil War researchers has been looking for additional information on this for me for years. He feels it is a possibility but there is no proof, that there were many men who rode with Quantrill who were not recorded and their time with him cannot be verified.
Was it terror, or was it criminal? More importantly, how is the Gunfight at the OK Corral connected to Quantrill, Jesse James and Billy the Kid?
Modern organized crime was born during those horrifying years leading up to, during, and after the Civil War - in Kansas. When men like Frank and Jesse James and Cole and Jim Younger headed home after the Civil War, they discovered their lives were never going to be the same. Cole Younger was named after his uncle, Col. Coleman Younger, was was married to Augusta Peters. Her sister, Mary Peters was married to a man named Martin Ringo.
CONNECTING THE DOTS
While the James and Youngers were making history as the most illustious outlaws in American history, the nephew by marriage of Col. Coleman Younger was having problems adjusting to life in California with his recently widowed mother. Young Johnny Ringo did not like being the man of the family. Col. Younger suggested young Johnny spend some time in Texas with the Younger cousins. While in Texas, Johnny Ringo became involved in the "Hoodoo" or Mason County War. This is in 1875. After a few "misadventures" Ringo made his way to New Mexico. It was now 1878.
Not long afterward, John Ringo was seen in Lincoln County, in the Hondo Valley, not far from the very spot where my parents are now living. During the time frame he was "seen" in the Hondo Valley and also near Carlsbad, there was a little affair going on here in Lincoln County, known simply as the Lincoln County War.
One of the more famous combatants of the Lincoln County War was John Chisum (not John Wayne). John Chisum had a famous ranch in Roswell, New Mexico. He also had a ranch and was in business with another famous rancher Henry Clay Hooker. Chisum did not like being in business in what was then Pima County, Arizona. There were too many problems with the Apache. He sold out to Hooker. Two of Chisum's drovers, Frank and Tom McLaury remained in Pima County to try their luck as ranchers.
Frank and Tom McLaury soon became boosom buddies with another family - the Clantons.
Meanwhile - back in Lincoln County, guns were blazing. Billy the Kid, working for Chisum, then 'freelancing' formed a loose association with a group of men known as "The Boys" or the Jessie Evans Gang. Fellow gang members included Tom Hill, Dick Loyd, Pony Diehl, William Brocius. It is also possible that Charley Snow and Frank Stilwell were part of this group.
These men formed another lose association with a rancher named John Slaugher. While there are still those in Cochise County who see John Slaugher as The Great Cochise County Sheriff, I see him entirely different. I am still not unconvinced that he did not have a role in the Lincoln County War. Slaughter made it a habit to pick up "dogeys" and brand them as his own, even if they were not orphans and were nursing from their mommy cows. He made the mistake of doing this little trick with some of John Chisum's prize cattle.
Slaughter talked John Chisum into playing a game of poker for the cattle, instead of Chisum turning him into Pat Garrett. Slaughter won. Furious, Chisum went straight to the governor of New Mexico Territory, Lew Wallace (who by then, was more interested in working on his novel Ben Hur, than dealing with the likes of Slaughter and Billy the Kid).
Around that same time, in July of 1879, Billy the Kid and Jesse James had a meeting in Las Vegas, New Mexico. For some time this meeting was consider the stuff myths were made of, but I've uncovered enough evidence to point to the actuality of the meeting.
Several years ago I discovered the long lost legal papers, arrest warrants, and correspondence between Wallace, Slaughter, and the "law". The end result, Slaughter was given the option of leaving the New Mexico Territory or going to prison. He opted for the former. Before leaving New Mexico, Slaughter picked up the orpahaned cattle belonging to murdered John Tunstall. Following the route I still take to Tombstone (Highway 70 to Las Curces and hang a right at I-10) Slaugher headed to Cochise County Arizona. He took with him the following men: John Ringo, Frank Stilwell, Curly Bill Brocius, Tom Hill, Dick Loyd, Pony Deal, and Billy Claibourn.
Not long after Slaughter arrived in Cochise County, we can now prove that Billy the Kid followed his buddies, and spent some time in Tombstone. We also know in 1881 he visited Curly Bill who was recovering from a serious wound at the time.
In December of 1879 four brothers arrived in Tombstone. I am now fairly certain that Wyatt Earp was a Deputy US Marshal before he arrived in Tombstone. He soon went to work as a deputy sheriff for Pima County, then ran for sheriff of Cochise County. He also worked as a guard for Wells Fargo, Inc.
Virgil Earp was a Deputy US Marshal. He soon became the police chief of the city of Tombstone.
Morgan Earp did freelance work as a cop. He was also a Wells Fargo, Inc guard.
James Earp, seriously injured during the Civil War, managed the Earp's beverage businesses.
The brothers also owned the faro games in several saloons. At that time, the owning a faro game was a respected position. In towns were there was no established bank, the 'faro bank' was considered so respectable, it would operate as an actual bank.
Wyatt Earp was soon joined by his best friend, Doc Holiday.
THE CONFLUENCE
The mineral strike, primarily silver, in Tombstone was one of the richest in the history of the United States. The movement of ore out of Tombstone was fairly safe until not long after the arrival of John Slaughter, who opened a humble butcher's shop in Charleston township.
Not long after the arrival of Slaughter and his lovely little group of drovers, the cattle rustling industry in Cochise County became a major business. The Slaughter drovers soon made friends with Frank and Tom McLaury and the Clantons. Some of his drovers, such as Johnny Ringo became associated with stage robberies. Another of his drovers, also a stage robber, became a deputy sheriff in Cochise County for newly elected sheriff, John Behan.
This association of "characters" became known as The Cowboys. Ike Clanton (I discovered) was their leader. He was joined in leadership by John Ringo and Curly Bill Brocius.
THE REST IS HISTORY
In March of 1881 the Benson stage is robbed. Bud Philpott is murdered. In August of 1881 Old Man Clanton, and a few of his "associates" were killed by Mexican soldiers at Guadalupe Canyon. This allegedly put something of a psychological strain on son Ike, who took over the family "business". It is also possible that Ike Clanton began using cocaine at that time. He was also suffering from serious migraine headaches.
On the October 25, 1881 Ike Clanton and Frank McLaury rode into Tombstone for a little R & R. Ike was drinking. In the evening they became involved in a poker game that included Doc Holiday and VIrgil Earp. Wyatt was nowhere to be seen.
I suspect the reason Wyatt was not present was that he was home trying to keep his wife, Mattie away from Frank McLaury. I also have good reason to suspect his wife, Mattie, was having an affair with Frank McLaury.
Men being men, things did not go so well. Ike and Frank were joined by Billy Clanton and Tom McLaury on the morning of the 26th. All consumed a goodly amount of adult beverages. Ike decided the world would be better off if the Earps were no longer alive. He let everyone know this.
By early afternoon the stage was set.
Around 2:20 or so, Virgil deputized Wyatt and Morgan. Doc Holiday joined them. The four men walked down Allen street to Fourth Street. They then walked to Fremont (today Highway 80). If you are pacing the location today, they ended up in front of Fly's Boarding House (where Doc was living, with or without Big Nose Kate - who may have been having an affair with John Ringo).
The Gunfight at the OK Corral did not actually occure inside what we today know as the OK Corral, but basically out on the street. If I had my way, bodies would be painted in the middle of the highway to show who was where.
When it was all over Ike Clanton ran away like a coward.
Billy Clanton was dead.
Frank McLaury was dead.
Tom McLaury was dead.
Doc Holiday was grazed by a bullet.
Morgan Earp and Virgil Earp were more seriously injured.
Only Wyatt Earp was uninjured.
Is Sally right about James? I don't know. I know that some of the men he rode with and associated with were psychopaths - maybe. They too, could also be men of their era. When one looks at Doc Holiday, there are some who might consider him a psychopath unless his life and actions are examined. I do know, though, that the man who basically invented the idea of organized crime, William Clarke Quantrill was.
We first need to answer several questions:
!. Was Quantrill a Confederate "patriot"?
2. Was Quantrill the first organized crime "don" in America?
3. Was Quantrill the first modern "terrorist"?
These questions lead to one other question: Was Quantrill a terrorist or was he a criminal? Were the men who rode with him and invented modern crime: Frank & Jesse James and the Youngers terrorists, patriots, or criminals? Or - was it a little of all three? The Lawrence (Kansas) Massacre is to this day, one of the most devistating acts of American based terrorism, committed on American soil.
As a researcher and writer I have found hear-say evidence that another individual, Newman Haynes Clanton, may have ridden with Quantrill at one time or another. I have yet to be able to verify this information. One of the top Civil War researchers has been looking for additional information on this for me for years. He feels it is a possibility but there is no proof, that there were many men who rode with Quantrill who were not recorded and their time with him cannot be verified.
Was it terror, or was it criminal? More importantly, how is the Gunfight at the OK Corral connected to Quantrill, Jesse James and Billy the Kid?
Modern organized crime was born during those horrifying years leading up to, during, and after the Civil War - in Kansas. When men like Frank and Jesse James and Cole and Jim Younger headed home after the Civil War, they discovered their lives were never going to be the same. Cole Younger was named after his uncle, Col. Coleman Younger, was was married to Augusta Peters. Her sister, Mary Peters was married to a man named Martin Ringo.
CONNECTING THE DOTS
While the James and Youngers were making history as the most illustious outlaws in American history, the nephew by marriage of Col. Coleman Younger was having problems adjusting to life in California with his recently widowed mother. Young Johnny Ringo did not like being the man of the family. Col. Younger suggested young Johnny spend some time in Texas with the Younger cousins. While in Texas, Johnny Ringo became involved in the "Hoodoo" or Mason County War. This is in 1875. After a few "misadventures" Ringo made his way to New Mexico. It was now 1878.
Not long afterward, John Ringo was seen in Lincoln County, in the Hondo Valley, not far from the very spot where my parents are now living. During the time frame he was "seen" in the Hondo Valley and also near Carlsbad, there was a little affair going on here in Lincoln County, known simply as the Lincoln County War.
One of the more famous combatants of the Lincoln County War was John Chisum (not John Wayne). John Chisum had a famous ranch in Roswell, New Mexico. He also had a ranch and was in business with another famous rancher Henry Clay Hooker. Chisum did not like being in business in what was then Pima County, Arizona. There were too many problems with the Apache. He sold out to Hooker. Two of Chisum's drovers, Frank and Tom McLaury remained in Pima County to try their luck as ranchers.
Frank and Tom McLaury soon became boosom buddies with another family - the Clantons.
Meanwhile - back in Lincoln County, guns were blazing. Billy the Kid, working for Chisum, then 'freelancing' formed a loose association with a group of men known as "The Boys" or the Jessie Evans Gang. Fellow gang members included Tom Hill, Dick Loyd, Pony Diehl, William Brocius. It is also possible that Charley Snow and Frank Stilwell were part of this group.
These men formed another lose association with a rancher named John Slaugher. While there are still those in Cochise County who see John Slaugher as The Great Cochise County Sheriff, I see him entirely different. I am still not unconvinced that he did not have a role in the Lincoln County War. Slaughter made it a habit to pick up "dogeys" and brand them as his own, even if they were not orphans and were nursing from their mommy cows. He made the mistake of doing this little trick with some of John Chisum's prize cattle.
Slaughter talked John Chisum into playing a game of poker for the cattle, instead of Chisum turning him into Pat Garrett. Slaughter won. Furious, Chisum went straight to the governor of New Mexico Territory, Lew Wallace (who by then, was more interested in working on his novel Ben Hur, than dealing with the likes of Slaughter and Billy the Kid).
Around that same time, in July of 1879, Billy the Kid and Jesse James had a meeting in Las Vegas, New Mexico. For some time this meeting was consider the stuff myths were made of, but I've uncovered enough evidence to point to the actuality of the meeting.
Several years ago I discovered the long lost legal papers, arrest warrants, and correspondence between Wallace, Slaughter, and the "law". The end result, Slaughter was given the option of leaving the New Mexico Territory or going to prison. He opted for the former. Before leaving New Mexico, Slaughter picked up the orpahaned cattle belonging to murdered John Tunstall. Following the route I still take to Tombstone (Highway 70 to Las Curces and hang a right at I-10) Slaugher headed to Cochise County Arizona. He took with him the following men: John Ringo, Frank Stilwell, Curly Bill Brocius, Tom Hill, Dick Loyd, Pony Deal, and Billy Claibourn.
Not long after Slaughter arrived in Cochise County, we can now prove that Billy the Kid followed his buddies, and spent some time in Tombstone. We also know in 1881 he visited Curly Bill who was recovering from a serious wound at the time.
In December of 1879 four brothers arrived in Tombstone. I am now fairly certain that Wyatt Earp was a Deputy US Marshal before he arrived in Tombstone. He soon went to work as a deputy sheriff for Pima County, then ran for sheriff of Cochise County. He also worked as a guard for Wells Fargo, Inc.
Virgil Earp was a Deputy US Marshal. He soon became the police chief of the city of Tombstone.
Morgan Earp did freelance work as a cop. He was also a Wells Fargo, Inc guard.
James Earp, seriously injured during the Civil War, managed the Earp's beverage businesses.
The brothers also owned the faro games in several saloons. At that time, the owning a faro game was a respected position. In towns were there was no established bank, the 'faro bank' was considered so respectable, it would operate as an actual bank.
Wyatt Earp was soon joined by his best friend, Doc Holiday.
THE CONFLUENCE
The mineral strike, primarily silver, in Tombstone was one of the richest in the history of the United States. The movement of ore out of Tombstone was fairly safe until not long after the arrival of John Slaughter, who opened a humble butcher's shop in Charleston township.
Not long after the arrival of Slaughter and his lovely little group of drovers, the cattle rustling industry in Cochise County became a major business. The Slaughter drovers soon made friends with Frank and Tom McLaury and the Clantons. Some of his drovers, such as Johnny Ringo became associated with stage robberies. Another of his drovers, also a stage robber, became a deputy sheriff in Cochise County for newly elected sheriff, John Behan.
This association of "characters" became known as The Cowboys. Ike Clanton (I discovered) was their leader. He was joined in leadership by John Ringo and Curly Bill Brocius.
THE REST IS HISTORY
In March of 1881 the Benson stage is robbed. Bud Philpott is murdered. In August of 1881 Old Man Clanton, and a few of his "associates" were killed by Mexican soldiers at Guadalupe Canyon. This allegedly put something of a psychological strain on son Ike, who took over the family "business". It is also possible that Ike Clanton began using cocaine at that time. He was also suffering from serious migraine headaches.
On the October 25, 1881 Ike Clanton and Frank McLaury rode into Tombstone for a little R & R. Ike was drinking. In the evening they became involved in a poker game that included Doc Holiday and VIrgil Earp. Wyatt was nowhere to be seen.
I suspect the reason Wyatt was not present was that he was home trying to keep his wife, Mattie away from Frank McLaury. I also have good reason to suspect his wife, Mattie, was having an affair with Frank McLaury.
Men being men, things did not go so well. Ike and Frank were joined by Billy Clanton and Tom McLaury on the morning of the 26th. All consumed a goodly amount of adult beverages. Ike decided the world would be better off if the Earps were no longer alive. He let everyone know this.
By early afternoon the stage was set.
Around 2:20 or so, Virgil deputized Wyatt and Morgan. Doc Holiday joined them. The four men walked down Allen street to Fourth Street. They then walked to Fremont (today Highway 80). If you are pacing the location today, they ended up in front of Fly's Boarding House (where Doc was living, with or without Big Nose Kate - who may have been having an affair with John Ringo).
The Gunfight at the OK Corral did not actually occure inside what we today know as the OK Corral, but basically out on the street. If I had my way, bodies would be painted in the middle of the highway to show who was where.
When it was all over Ike Clanton ran away like a coward.
Billy Clanton was dead.
Frank McLaury was dead.
Tom McLaury was dead.
Doc Holiday was grazed by a bullet.
Morgan Earp and Virgil Earp were more seriously injured.
Only Wyatt Earp was uninjured.
Wyatt Earp was a lifelong Republican. The Cowboys were part of the corrupt Democratic machine in Cochise County.
The Tombstone story is one of abject corruption. That, too, is another story.
Trackposted to Pirate's Cove, Rosemary's Thoughts, Cao's Blog, NN&V, McCain Blogs, and Democrat=Socialist, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
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