Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Quick Facts: Who was Gunfight at the O.K. Corral?

Subject:

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Known for:

A brief, pivotal 1881 shootout in Tombstone that defined the American Old West myth.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The gunfight at the O.K. Corral pitted lawmen against members of a loosely organized group of cattle rustlers and horse thieves called the Cochise County Cowboys on October 26, 1881. While lasting less than a minute, the gunfight has been the subject of many books and films. Taking place in the town of Tombstone in Arizona Territory, the battle has become one archetype of the American Old West. The gunfight was the result of a long-simmering feud between five outlaws (including two sets of brothers) and four representatives of the law, including three brothers. The trigger for the event was the local marshal's decision to enforce a city ordinance that prohibited the carrying of weapons into town.

Career & Major Achievements

To enforce that ordinance, the lawmen would have to disarm the Cowboys. The lawmen were three brothers, Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan Earp, and Wyatt’s close friend Doc Holliday. As Deputy U.S. Marshal and Town Marshal, Virgil was in charge, and it was his decision to enforce the ordinance that led to the gunfight. His two brothers and Doc Holliday had been appointed temporary assistant marshals. At the time of the gunfight, there were five members of the Cowboys in Tombstone: Billy Claiborne, brothers Ike and Billy Clanton, and brothers Tom and Frank McLaury.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Despite its name, the gunfight did not take place within or next to the O.K. Corral, which fronted Allen Street and had a rear entrance lined with horse stalls on Fremont Street. The shootout actually took place in a narrow lot on the side of C. S. Fly's photography studio on Fremont Street, six doors west of the O.K. Corral's rear entrance. About thirty shots were fired in thirty seconds. During that brief battle, three men were killed, three were wounded, two ran away, and one fought but was unharmed. Ike Clanton subsequently filed murder charges against the Earps and Holliday.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1881: 1881 Milestone — Corral pitted lawmen against members of a loosely organized group of cattle rustlers and horse thieves called the Cochise County Cowboys on October 26, 1881.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

True or False: “The gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place directly within or immediately next to the actual structure of the O.K. Corral.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The shootout actually occurred in a narrow lot on the side of C. S. Fly's photography studio on Fremont Street, six doors west of the O.K. Corral's rear entrance.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alcide De Gasperi — Historical peer (Born in 1881) (1881): Key statesman who led Italy through its post-war reconstruction and founding of the EU.
• Aleksey Pisemsky — Historical peer (Died in 1881) (1881): A prominent Russian novelist and dramatist, contemporary to Turgenev and Dostoyevsky.
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• Gunnar Ekelöf — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Influential Swedish poet, known for surrealist themes and literary revolt.

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