Wyatt Earp

Who was Wyatt Earp?

Wyatt Earp was a lawman in the American West from May 1874.

How did Earp become a lawman?

Earp helped a local deputy marshal when some cowboys got too rowdy in Wichita. He was then offered a job as deputy marshal by the mayor.

What jobs did Earp have?

After starting as deputy marshal in Wichita, Earp became marshal of Dodge City. He was later the deputy sheriff of Tombstone.

What happened to Earp in Tombstone?

In 1880 Earp was employed by the rich businessmen of Tombstone to recover stolen property - cowboys had been stealing mules and horses, and robbing stagecoaches. This was the start of a long feud between the cowboys and Earp and his brothers.

What happened to Earp at the OK Corral?

On 26th October, 1881, Earp and his brothers - Virgil and Morgan - exchanged gunfire with the Clantons and McLaurys. The Earps killed Tom and Frank McLaury, along with Billy Clanton, during the gunfight.

How did the feud with Earp and the others end?

Virgil Earp was shot in 1881, and Morgan Earp was shot and killed in 1882. Wyatt Earp then shot 2 men he believed were responsible for the killing, but the public saw him as a lawless murderer. He and his family were forced to leave Tombstone.