Billy Claiborne

Billy Claiborne was an American Old West gunfighter and outlaw known for his involvement in some of the most famous events of the period, particularly in Tombstone, Arizona. Born in 1860 in Yazoo County, Mississippi, Claiborne’s early life is somewhat obscure, but he rose to infamy during his time in Tombstone, where he became associated with notorious figures like the Clanton and McLaury brothers.

Early Life

Little is known about Claiborne’s early years, including his family background or what led him to the West. Like many young men of the time, he was likely drawn by the prospect of adventure, opportunity, and perhaps the hope of striking it rich in the burgeoning mining towns.

Tombstone and the Earp-Clanton Feud

Claiborne arrived in Tombstone, Arizona, during a time of significant tension between lawmen and outlaws. The town was a hotbed of conflict, particularly between the Earp brothers (Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan) and a group of outlaws known as the Cowboys, which included Ike Clanton, Curly Bill Brocius, and the McLaury brothers.

Claiborne became associated with the Cowboys, a loose affiliation of rustlers, ranchers, and bandits who were at odds with the Earp brothers. Claiborne wasn’t as prominent as some of the other members of the group, but he was known for his quick temper and willingness to engage in violence.

The Shootout at the O.K. Corral

Claiborne’s most infamous connection is with the Shootout at the O.K. Corral, one of the most famous gunfights in the history of the American West. The shootout occurred on October 26, 1881, and involved the Earp brothers, their ally Doc Holliday, and members of the Cowboys. Claiborne was present during the events leading up to the gunfight but did not directly participate in the shootout itself. However, he was friends with Billy Clanton, one of the Cowboys who was killed in the gunfight.

Claiborne did testify for the prosecution at the preliminary hearing of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holladay, but the two men are exonerated.

Violent End

After the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, Claiborne’s life took a downward spiral. He idolized William “Billy the Kid” Bonney and even adopted the nickname “Billy the Kid” after the latter’s death in 1881. Claiborne’s growing reputation as an outlaw and his increasingly erratic behavior led to a series of confrontations with lawmen and citizens alike.

In November 1882, Billy Claiborne’s life came to a tragic end in Tombstone, Arizona. The exact circumstances of his death involve a confrontation that escalated into violence. Claiborne, who was reportedly intoxicated, had a dispute with a local gambler and gunman named Franklin “Buckskin” Leslie.

Leslie, known as a skilled marksman and a man not to be trifled with, was confronted by Claiborne on the streets of Tombstone. Claiborne, emboldened by alcohol and his desire to prove himself as a dangerous gunman, challenged Leslie to a fight. Accounts of the event vary, but it is generally believed that Claiborne drew his weapon first. However, Leslie, quick on the draw, fired at Claiborne, hitting him and inflicting fatal wounds.

Billy Claiborne succumbed to his injuries shortly after the confrontation. He was buried in Tombstone’s Boothill Graveyard, a resting place for many of the town’s notorious characters. His death marked the end of a brief and troubled life, largely overshadowed by the more infamous figures of the Old West.

Franklin “Buckskin” Leslie, the man who shot Claiborne, continued his life as a gambler and gunman, eventually fading into obscurity. Claiborne’s death is often remembered as a cautionary tale of the dangers of living by the gun in a lawless and tumultuous time.

Legacy

Billy Claiborne is remembered as a minor figure in the tumultuous history of Tombstone and the American West. While he lacked the notoriety of more famous gunfighters, his life and death are emblematic of the chaotic and often violent nature of frontier life. His involvement with the Cowboys and his death at the hands of “Buckskin” Frank Leslie have ensured that he remains a part of the legend of Tombstone, even if his role was a relatively small one.