Tag: Billy Claiborne

Billy Claiborne

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William "Billy" Claiborne was one of five outlaw Cowboys at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He was unarmed and fled
William “Billy” Claiborne was one of five outlaw Cowboys at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He was unarmed and fled

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.

Testimony of W.C. Claiborn in the Preliminary Hearing in the Earp-Holliday Case

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The transcribed testimony of W.C. Claiborn regarding the gunfight on Fremont Street in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. Claiborne was with the Clanton, McClaury faction when the confrontation started, however Ike Claiborne and Clanton excaped the gunfight without incident.

A Brief History

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, one of the most famous shootouts in the American Old West, took place on October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. The confrontation involved lawmen Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan Earp, along with Doc Holliday, against the outlaw Cochise County Cowboys, including Ike and Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury, and Frank McLaury. Tensions had been building for months between the Earps and the Cowboys, stemming from political differences, law enforcement disputes, and personal grudges. The actual gunfight lasted only about 30 seconds, with the Earps and Holliday emerging victorious, killing Tom and Frank McLaury and Billy Clanton.

Although the gunfight was relatively brief and took place in a small alley near the O.K. Corral, its impact on American folklore and the mythos of the Wild West has been significant. The shootout was later romanticized in literature, film, and popular culture, often portraying the Earps and Holliday as heroic figures standing up against lawlessness. However, the events leading up to and following the gunfight were complex, involving legal battles, public opinion, and ongoing violence, reflecting the broader conflicts of power and law in the tumultuous frontier society.

Testimony of W.C. Claiborn

Testimony of W.C. Claiborn - William "Billy" Claiborne was one of five outlaw Cowboys at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He was unarmed and fled
William “Billy” Claiborne was one of five outlaw Cowboys at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He was unarmed and fled

W. C. Caliborn being duly sworn deposes and says that his name is W. C. Caliborn and that he resides at Hereford, Cochise County A. T.


His business is a driver in the employ a New York M’ Co .
A. I was present on the afternoon of Oct . 26th” 1881 when the shooting commenced between certain parties.

A. I am acquainted with the parties engaged in that affair .

A. Their was Frank and Tom McClaury and Ike and Billy Clanton on one side and the Earp boys and Doc Holliday , Morgan Earp and two other brothers I do not know their names on the other side .

A. I was present at the time that the shooting took place

A. I was standing there with Mr. Behan and the McLowery~ and Clantons~. I was there when Behan came up

A. I was talking to Billy Clanton then he came up


Statement:


The day that this thing happened I went down with Ike Clanton to Doctor Gillingham’s office to assist him to assist him in getting his head dressed and the .n I walked up 4th street and met Billy Clanton and Frank McLowery and Billy asked me where was Ike. He said I want to get him to go out home. He said I did not come here to fight anyone and no one didn’t want to fight me. Then he asked me to go down to Johnny Behan’s stable with him and we went down to Johnny Belan’s corral and got Billy Clanton horse and went through the OK Correl. Billy Clanton said he wanted to go to some other correll to get his brothers horse. and then we got down where the McLowery boys and Ike Clanton and he told his brother Ike that he wanted him to go and get his horse and come home to the ranch and his brother told him that he would go directly. And then Mr . Behan the Sheriff came up and was talking to the boys I did not hear what he said to them. I was talking to Billy and Behan was talking to Ike Clanton Frank and Tom McLowery. And then shortly afterwards Mr. Behan turned his back and walked up the street and the next thing I saw was Morgan Earp his two brothers and Doe Holliday and Doc Holliday and Marshall Earp said YOU sons of bitches you have been looking for a fight and now you can get it, and they both said the same thlng and at the same time and Marshal l Earp said throw up your hands, which Billy Clanton Ike Clanton and Frank McLowery did and Tom McLowery took hold of the lappels of his coat threw it open and said I have not got anything. At that instant the shooting commenced by Doc Holiday and Morgan Earp. The first sho taking Tom Mc Lowery was fired by Doc Holliday and the next one was fired by Morgan Earp taking Billy Clanton and Billy Clanton was shot with his hands in this position showing his hands raised in front and to one side. Billy Clanton said don’t shoot me I don’t want to fight he said this after the the shot was fired and that was the last I saw of Billy Clanton alive. Mr. Behan put me in the photograph gallery out of the way . 0 he said stay there until I get back I stayed their 5 or ten minutes. That was all I saw except I saw the bodies afterwards. I saw the bodies in the presence of the coroners jury at the house where they were taken to by the undertaker. I recognized the bodies as the bodies or Tom McLowery, Frank McLowery and Billy Clanton. I knew them well in their lifetime and have known them about four years. I was sworn that night by the coroner and the statement I made to the Jury at that time was made under oath.

That is all I know. While I was standing talking to the Clantons and McLowerys in the presence of Mr . Behan. Ike Clanton and
Tom and Frank McLowery were standing on the sidewalk below the photograph gallery about 10 feet facing up the street. I think one of the McLowery boys had a horse holding it and Billy and I. was standing in the vacant place about half away between the front and back end of that building l leaning up against the building and Billy were about 4 feet a little more or less from the others. I don’t know whether Billy heard the conversation on the part of the Sheriff or not – Billy was talking with me there about 15 minutes while the Sheriff was there and Billy left me after the Sheriff went away in about 2 or 3 minutes and joined the other boys. When the Earp party came up they had their pistols in their hands.

I saw Billy Clanton draw his pistol after he was shot down. I saw also Frank McLowery draw his pistol after about 6 shots had been fired by the Earps. I am positive that the first two shots took effect as I have before stated. McLowery staggered backwards after the first shot – that was Tom McLowery. I did not see him fall. Tom McLowery did not have a weapon of any kind. I thlnk their was about 16 shots fired before I went to the photograph gallery. I was kind of at one end in a vacant place. I was struck with a bullet through the pants leg – Ike Clanton got away from there after the first 7 or 8 shots I did not see what Ike Clanton done before he go t away. I think that the Sheriff was their about 20 minutes. Behan asked if I was one of the party I told no I was not. The distance between the two parties when they first commenced firing I think was about 4 feet. Doc Holliday fired the first with a nickle plated six shooter. Billy Clanton did not exactly fall at the first shot, but just laid back, but I think that he got up afterwards. I was not armed that day. I came into to town the day before the shootings and l eft my arms at Kellogg’ s saloon. I think that I saw the Sheriff when he met the Earp party coming down. I judge it was about twenty feet from the other party where the Sheriff met the Earp party – I did not see a shotgun in the fight . Ike Clanton threw up his hands at first, when the first two shots were fired by Morgan Earp and Holliday. The other two Earps were I think behind them or close to the side of them. I did not see the Sheriff at that time I don’t remember of seeing him after he went up to meet the Earp boys – Behan put me in the house after the killing. I think that their was a couple of shots fired after I got into the house. I think that there was 28 or 30 fired. I think there was 16 or 17 fired before I was put into the house. As I was .standing there talking to the Clanton boys they were talking about going home and were not talking about fighting. I think that it was while Behan was there – I saw the other two Earp brothers fire a shot. I think that Billy Clanton was in town about a half an hour before the shooting. Frank came in with Billy so I understood. I do not know how long Tom McLowery had been in. I can not exactly tell when the other two Earps commenced to shoot. I don’t remember how many shots had been fired before they commenced to fire. I don’t know that the other two Earps commenced firing before Billy Clanton and Frank McLowery commenced firing. I think I saw Wm A. Cuddy pass by while I was stading in a vacant place. I was not talkin gto any body .

/s/ Willie Claborn

References