DOC HOLLIDAY
Holliday aged 20
taken in 1879 in Prescott, Arizona
Born
John Henry Holliday
August 14, 1851
Griffin, Georgia, United States
Died
November 8, 1887 (aged 36)
Glenwood Springs, Colorado, United States
Education -
Graduated from Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery
in 1872 at age 20
Occupation
Dentist, Professional gambler, Gunfighter
Known for-
Arizona War
*Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
*Earp Vendetta Ride
Mini-Biography
Full Biography- Doc Holliday-Wikipedia
John (Doc) Holliday was born in Griffin, Georgia, on 14th August, 1851.
His mother died of tuberculosis and Holliday also suffered
from the disease for most of his life.
After studying at dental school Holliday worked as a dentist at Atlanta.
He then moved to Dallas where he attempted to make a living as a professional gambler.
He also developed a drink problem and a reputation for a short temper.
Accused of shooting several men, including the killing of a soldier,
Holliday moved to Denver.
In 1878 he arrived in Dodge City where he became a close friend of Wyatt Earp.
Holliday worked as a dentist before moving on to Las Vegas.
In 1879 he killed Mike Gordon but was not charged with murder.
Later that year he was accused of robbing the Santa Fe-Las Vegas stagecoach.
Autographed photo of Holliday
taken in 1879 in Prescott, Arizona
In 1880 Holliday moved to Tombstone where he once again met up with Wyatt Earp.
Holliday was soon in trouble and Sheriff John Behan arrested him on suspicion
of killing a stage driver during an attempted hold-up outside of town.
Holliday protested his innocence and was eventually released.
In September 1881, Virgil Earp retaliated by arresting one of Behan's deputies,
Frank Stilwell, for holding up a stagecoach.
On 25th October, Ike Clanton and Tom McLaury arrived in Tombstone.
Later that day Doc Holliday got into a fight with Ike Clanton in the Alhambra Saloon.
Holliday wanted a gunfight with Clanton, but he declined the offer and walked off.
The following day Ike Clanton and Tom McLaury were arrested by Virgil Earp
and charged with carrying firearms within the city limits.
After they were disarmed and released, the two men joined
Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury, who had just arrived in town.
The men gathered at a place called the OK Corral in Fremont Street.
Virgil Earp now decided to disarm Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury
and recruited Wyatt Earp, Morgan Earp, James Earp and Doc Holliday
to help him in this dangerous task.
Behan was in town and when he heard what was happening
he raced to Fremont Street and urged Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury
to hand over their guns to him. They replied: "Not unless you first disarm the Earps".
John Behan now headed towards the advancing group of men.
He pleaded for Virgil Earp not to get involved in a shoot-out
but he was brushed aside as the four men carried on walking towards the OK Corral.
Virgil Earp said: "I want your guns". Billy Clanton responded by firing at Wyatt Earp.
He missed and Morgan Earp successfully fired two bullets at Billy Clanton
and he fell back against a wall.
Meanwhile Wyatt Earp fired at Frank McLaury.
The bullet hit him in the stomach and he fell to the ground.
Ike Clanton and Tom McLaury were both unarmed and tried to run away.
Clanton was successful but Doc Holliday shot McLaury in the back.
Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury, although seriously wounded,
continued to fire their guns and in the next couple of seconds Virgil Earp,
Morgan Earp and Doc Holliday were all wounded.
Wyatt Earp was unscathed and he managed to finish off Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury.
Behan arrested Virgil Earp, Wyatt Earp, Morgan Earp and Doc Holliday
for murder of Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury and Frank McLaury.
However, after a 30 day trial Judge Wells Spicer, who was related to the Earps,
decided that the defendants had been justified in their actions.
Over the next few months the Earp brothers struggled
to retain hold control over Tombstone.
On 28th December, Virgil Earp was seriously wounded in the left arm
by an attempted assassination.
Morgan Earp was killed when he was playing billiards with Wyatt Earp on 18th March, 1882.
Eyewitnesses claimed that Frank Stilwell was seen running from the scene of the crime.
Three days later Stilwell's was found dead.
A Mexican who was also implicated in the crime was also found murdered in a lumber camp.
It is believed that Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday were responsible for the killing of both men.
In February, 1883, Luke Short moved to Dodge City and purchased the Long Branch Saloon
with W. H. Harris.
A power struggle now took place between Short and Nicholas B. Klaine,
the editor of the Dodge City Times.
In the election for mayor of the city later that year Klaine
supported Larry Deger against Short's partner,
W. H. Harris. Deger defeated Harris 214 to 143.
Soon after gaining power Deger published Ordinance No 70,
an attempt to ban prostitution in Dodge City.
Two days later the local police arrested female singers being employed
in Short's Long Branch Saloon and accused of being prostitutes.
That night Short and L.C. Hartman, the city clerk, exchanged gunfire in the street
. Short was now arrested and forced to leave town.
Short had some powerful friends and in June 1883 he returned to Dodge City with Holliday,
Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and Charlie Bassett and other well-known gunfighters
such as, M. F. McLain, Neil Brown and W. F. Petillion.
However, Deger and Klaine refused to be intimidated and when they refused to back down,
Short and his friends had to accept defeat.
In November 1883, Short and Harris sold the Long Branch Saloon and moved to Fort Worth.
Doc Holliday died of tuberculosis on 8th November, 1887.
Edited and Compiled by ethanedwards
With Information and Photographs from
Spartucus Educationaland wikipedia
