How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

Stockton Daily Independent
Stockton, California, Friday Morning, October 28, 1881. Vol. XLI, No. 72. Printed newspaper. Folio. (4) pp. Disbound; light edge-wear and toning.

Tucked away on the third page is a report on the legendary October 26, 1881 shootout between the Earp brothers and the Clanton-McLaury gang at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona: "A Tombstone dispatch of the 26th says: A sanguinary shooting affray occurred on Fremont street this afternoon. Four cow-boys had been in town for a few days past, drinking heavily and making themselves obnoxious by their boisterous conduct. This morning, the City Marshal, V.W. Earp, arrested one for disorderly conduct, and he was fined $25 and disarmed in the Justice's Court. He left, swearing vengeance on the Sheriff and Marshal Earp ... About three o'clock P. M., the Earp brothers and J. H. Halliday [Doc Holliday] met the four, who drew upon them at once, when a lively fire commenced from the cow-boys against the three citizens. About thirty shots were fired, rapidly. When the smoke of battle cleared away... Jim and Frank McLoury were gasping in the agonies of death. Bill Clarton was mortally wounded and died shortly after. Morgan Earp was wounded in the shoulder...V.W. Earp had a flesh wound...Halliday escaped unhurt...There was great excitement, but no further trouble is anticipated...The Sheriff's posse is now under arms..."