Tag: Charleston Arizona

Charleston, Arizona, was a boomtown founded in 1879 to support nearby silver mines in Tombstone. It was located along the San Pedro River and served primarily as a milling site for ore extracted from Tombstone’s mines. Charleston flourished for a brief period, with saloons, businesses, and residents drawn to the mining boom. However, the town’s success was short-lived, as flooding, labor strikes, and the eventual depletion of silver led to its decline by the late 1880s. Today, Charleston is a ghost town, with only remnants of its buildings and a few artifacts left behind, providing a glimpse into its vibrant but fleeting history.

Robert Findley McLaury

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The only known portrait photo of Frank McLaury of Tombstone.
The only known portrait photo of Frank McLaury of Tombstone.

Robert Findley McLaury, known as Frank McLaury (1857–1881) was a notable figure in the American Old West, primarily remembered for his involvement in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Born in 1857 in the town of Belton, Texas, McLaury, whose birth name was Frank McLowery, was the youngest of four siblings. His family moved to Arizona Territory in the early 1870s, seeking new opportunities.

In Tombstone, Frank, along with his brothers Tom and an associate, Ike Clanton, became known for their involvement in various outlaw activities. The McLaury brothers were cattle ranchers and occasionally engaged in rustling, which contributed to their controversial reputation.

The most notable event in Frank McLaury’s life was the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which occurred on October 26, 1881. This 30-second shootout between the Earp brothers (Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan) and their ally Doc Holliday against the Clanton-McLaury faction is one of the most famous confrontations in Western history. The clash was fueled by longstanding tensions between the two groups, primarily over control of the town and its surrounding cattle interests.

During the gunfight, Frank McLaury, who was armed and prepared for confrontation, was killed alongside his brother Tom McLaury. Frank’s death, along with the broader context of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, played a significant role in shaping the legendary status of Tombstone and its associated figures.

Frank McLaury’s legacy is largely defined by this dramatic episode in Western history, contributing to the enduring mythology of the American frontier. His life and death continue to be subjects of fascination and speculation in both historical accounts and popular culture.

References

William Harrison Clanton 

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William Harrison Clanton also known as Billy Clanton was an American outlaw known for his involvement in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Born in 1856 in the Arizona Territory, he was the son of a Confederate veteran, which shaped much of his early life and affiliations.

Clanton’s family, including his brothers Frank and Ike, were cattle ranchers and became involved in various conflicts with local law enforcement and other groups. Billy Clanton, along with his brothers and their associates, became entangled in the intense and often violent disputes that characterized the lawless frontier era of the American West.

The most notable event in Clanton’s life was his participation in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona. This legendary shootout was a pivotal confrontation between the Clanton gang and the Earp brothers, along with Doc Holliday. The conflict emerged from longstanding tensions between the two groups, who clashed over issues of law and order and local influence.

During the gunfight, Billy Clanton, Frank Clanton, and Tom McLaury, who were associated with the Clanton faction, faced off against the Earp brothers and Holliday. The shootout lasted only about 30 seconds but resulted in the deaths of Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury, and Frank McLaury. The incident cemented the Earps’ and Holliday’s reputations as legendary figures in the Old West and marked a significant moment in the history of law enforcement in the region.

The bodies of Tom & Frank McLaury and Bill Clanton after the shoot-out in Tombstone
The bodies of Tom & Frank McLaury and Bill Clanton after the shoot-out in Tombstone

Billy Clanton’s life was cut short at the age of 25, but his legacy lives on as a symbol of the tumultuous and often violent nature of frontier life in the American West. The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral remains one of the most famous events in Western history, and Clanton’s role in it continues to be a subject of interest and debate among historians and enthusiasts.

References

Newman Haynes Clanton

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Newman Haynes Clanton was a central figure in the tumultuous period of the American frontier, representing the complex interplay of law, crime, and social dynamics in the late 19th century. His activities, reputation, and eventual death were key factors in the broader historical context of the American West, particularly in the notorious events surrounding Tombstone and the O.K. Corral.

Newman Haynes “Old Man” Clanton (1816 – 1881 )
Newman Haynes “Old Man” Clanton (1816 – 1881 )

Name: Newman Haynes Clanton
Alias: Old Man Clanton
Birth: January 1, 1816, in North Carolina, USA
Death: August 13, 1881, in Bonita, Arizona, USA

Early Life and Background

Newman Haynes Clanton, often known as “Old Man Clanton,” was born in 1816 in North Carolina. He grew up in a period of significant change and migration in the United States. His early life was characterized by the hardship and instability common to many families of the era, which influenced his later life decisions and actions.

Clanton migrated westward to Texas in the 1840s, where he began to build a life as a rancher. The challenges of frontier life and the opportunities presented by the burgeoning cattle industry were significant factors in shaping his future.

Migration to Arizona

In the 1870s, Clanton moved to Arizona Territory, settling in the area around Tombstone. He became a prominent rancher and cattleman, managing large herds of cattle and establishing a reputation as a significant local figure. His move to Arizona was part of the larger westward expansion and settlement that characterized the American frontier.

Criminal Activities and Reputation

Clanton’s involvement in criminal activities was well-known in the region. He and his family, including his sons Ike, Billy, and Phineas, became notorious for their involvement in cattle rustling and other illicit activities. Clanton was believed to be the leader of a group known as the “Cowboys,” which was involved in various criminal enterprises, including robbery and smuggling.

His criminal activities and the subsequent conflicts with law enforcement and rival groups significantly impacted the social and political landscape of the region. The tension between Clanton’s Cowboys and the law enforcement officials, including the Earp brothers, was a central issue leading up to the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Family and Legacy

Newman Haynes Clanton’s family was deeply involved in the activities of the Cowboys. His sons, particularly Ike Clanton and Billy Clanton, were key figures in the confrontations with the Earps and their allies. The Clanton family’s reputation for lawlessness made them a focal point of the conflicts in Tombstone.

Clanton’s legacy is closely tied to the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which took place shortly before his death. Clanton himself was not present at the gunfight, but his influence and actions were critical in the events leading up to it.

Death and Aftermath

On August 13, 1881, Newman Haynes Clanton was killed by a group of Mexicans in a gunfight near Bonita, Arizona. The circumstances of his death remain somewhat mysterious, but it is widely believed that it was related to his ongoing conflicts and the animosity he faced due to his criminal activities.

Clanton’s death marked the end of an era of intense lawlessness in the region. His life and actions had a lasting impact on the history of the American West, particularly in relation to the law enforcement efforts in Tombstone and the broader narrative of frontier justice.

References

Thomas McLaury 

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Thomas McLaury of Tombstone in 1879
Thomas McLaury of Tombstone in 1879

Tom McLaury, born as Thomas McLaury, was a key figure in the tumultuous environment of the American frontier during the late 19th century. His involvement in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and his role in the broader context of frontier lawlessness and conflict make him a significant, though controversial, figure in Western history.

Tom McLaury was born in 1853 to a Southern family in Texas. He grew up in a post-Civil War environment that was marked by economic challenges and social changes. Details about his early life are sparse, but it is known that McLaury, along with his family, moved westward in search of better opportunities. His family settled in various frontier towns and became involved in ranching and other activities typical of the expanding West.

Life in Tombstone

McLaury, like many others, was drawn to Tombstone, Arizona, by the promise of wealth from the booming silver mines. He and his brothers became prominent figures in the region, engaging in ranching and business.

Tom McLaury, along with his brothers Frank and Ike, became known as part of the “Cowboys,” a loose group of outlaws and rustlers. The McLaurys were involved in various activities that brought them into conflict with law enforcement and other local figures.

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place on October 26, 1881. Tom McLaury was present during the gunfight, which erupted between the Cowboys and the lawmen led by Wyatt Earp, his brothers Virgil and Morgan, and their ally Doc Holliday.

Tom McLaury, along with his brother Frank and fellow Cowboys Billy Clanton and Ike Clanton, was involved in the gunfight. During the confrontation, Tom McLaury was shot and killed. The gunfight lasted only about 30 seconds but had significant repercussions for both sides.

The aftermath of the gunfight saw the surviving Cowboys and their sympathizers rallying against the Earps and their allies. The gunfight deepened the rift between the law-abiding citizens and the outlaws in Tombstone, with ongoing tensions and conflicts.

The bodies of Tom & Frank McLaury and Bill Clanton after the shoot-out in Tombstone
The bodies of Tom & Frank McLaury and Bill Clanton after the shoot-out in Tombstone

Personal Characteristics and Legacy

Tom McLaury was known to be a rugged frontier individual, characteristic of many who lived during this turbulent period. His involvement with the Cowboys placed him in direct opposition to law enforcement, reflecting the broader lawlessness and instability of the frontier. His Legacy is intertwined with the broader history of the American West. His involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and his role as part of the Cowboys has cemented him as a notable figure in Western folklore. The gunfight remains one of the most famous and mythologized events in Western history.

Tom McLaury’s life was emblematic of the harsh and often violent realities of frontier life. His death in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral marked a significant moment in the history of the American West, illustrating the intense conflicts that characterized the period and the complex nature of law and order in the frontier towns.

Joseph Isaac Clanton

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Joseph Isaac Clanton, commonly knows as “Ike” Clanton was a notable figure in the American Old West, primarily recognized for his involvement in the notorious gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Born on March 1, 1847, in Calloway County, Kentucky, as Isaac Clanton, he grew up in a tumultuous time marked by the expansion and conflict of the frontier.

Historical photo of Ike Clanton in 1881 by photographer Camillus S. Fly, Tombstone, Arizona Territory.
Historical photo of Ike Clanton in 1881 by photographer Camillus S. Fly, Tombstone, Arizona Territory.

Early Life

Ike Clanton was the eldest of a large family that moved westward, eventually settling in Arizona. His father, Newman Clanton, was a prominent rancher and ranch hand, contributing to Ike’s early exposure to the rough and often violent life of the frontier.

The Clanton Family and the Cowboy Faction


Ike, along with his brothers and other family members, was part of a group known as the Clanton Gang, or the Cowboys. This group was a faction involved in various criminal activities, including cattle rustling and other illicit operations. The Clantons were known to have frequent conflicts with law enforcement and other factions in the region.

The O.K. Corral Gunfight

Ike Clanton is perhaps best known for his involvement in the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, which took place on October 26, 1881. The gunfight was a pivotal event in the Earp-Clanton feud and involved notable figures such as Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, Morgan Earp, and Doc Holliday.

On the day of the gunfight, Ike Clanton and his brothers, along with other members of their faction, had a violent confrontation with the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday. The altercation lasted only about 30 seconds but became one of the most infamous shootouts in American history. Clanton, who had been verbally threatening the Earps, was disarmed and fled the scene. Although he survived the gunfight, the event marked a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict between the Cowboys and the lawmen.

Later Life and Death

After the O.K. Corral gunfight, Ike Clanton faced increasing challenges and threats. His involvement in the events surrounding the gunfight made him a target for both law enforcement and rival factions. In 1887, Clanton was killed in a gunfight with a lawman named Frank “Buckskin” Leslie in a dispute over a stolen horse.

Ike Clanton’s life and actions reflect the tumultuous nature of the Old West, characterized by lawlessness, frequent violence, and personal vendettas. His involvement in the O.K. Corral gunfight solidified his place in Western history, often remembered as a symbol of the frontier’s rough and dangerous era.