Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-14

att, Warren and Julian. They had n sister
Jessie, who was with them in Tombstone.
Virgil was the Oldest carp, Wyatt the wis
est, Warren tho most foolhardy, Julian the
bravest and Jessie the most loving.
Wyatt carp and for that matter ell the
Earps were gun fighters and men Of
prompt and bitter courage Wyatt carp
himself is credited with ten men, one his
own brother-in-law, Clauton. Every one
Of the Earps had killed his men-not man
and were famed in Tombstone and In
the Cochise country round about as quail
fed to pull and make n center shot in less
than one-tcnth of q second They had oil
filed the sights from their six shooters
when knew them in 1881 and 1882, and,
eschewing the intervention OF a trigger,
were prone to that prowess known as fan
ming" their pistols in a fight, whereby a
colt six shooter becomes for the nonce a
miniature gatling.
In the carly eighties there were two fac
lions in Tombstone. Virgil and WYATT
carp led one-the stage robbers Johnny
Behan, Ike Clauton and Jack Rinro led
the other-the rustlers. The stage robbers
were in politics Republican and stood IN
stages and plundered express companies
for a livelihood. Tho rustlers were DEM
ocrats, and devoted themselves to cattle
stealing, murder, whisky and faro bank
as steady pursuits. In those days Johnny
Behan was sheriff of Cochise county and
Virgil carp was tho marshal of Tomb
stone. Behan, as stated, belonged to the
cow thief Democracy party, while carp
robbed stages and voted with the Repub-
licans.
The Earps had treated themselves to
many killing. But there was no money
in understanding but relaxation. So
they devoted themselves to holding up the
stage. Virgil carp had a combination
with Barshel Williams, then the Wells
Fargo agent at Tombstone. When big
money went out on the stage, williams
tipped 1t off to Virgil carp. Tho hold ups
were then planted in a convenient canyon.
When the stage came along, at the word
Glands upr' Warren carp, who was q
stage company guard, meckly put his
hands over his head. Then the bold Dps
went through the express pouches and
boxes.
There was never any shooting. 1t was
from all standpoints family affair on the
part of the Earps. Often they got as high
as S35, 900. After q robbery the Earps
made further money by enlisting them
selves with posse comitatus and chasing
themselves Virgil. as marshal, would
enlist Wyatt, Warren and Julian, together
with Curly Bill, their cousin, and hunt
the hold ups. 1t was great industry, and
by thus playing both ends against the
middle, first robbing the stage and then
pretending to chase the robbers, Virgil,
Wyatt, Warren and Julian carp waved
opulent
But it all came out on them. Williams,
the Wells-Fargo agent, confessed. 1t hap
pened thus: 1t was q gala occasion in the
Birdcage Opera House in Tombstone
Sheriff Jimmy Behan, Ike Clauton, Ringo
and others of the COW thieves had boxes
on one side. The Earps, Curly Bill, Doc
Holiday, Nixon and others of tho stage
robbers had boxes opposite. When one
side cheered performer, the ethers Missed,
and as whisky flowed the spirits of both
gangs mounted.
At last Ike Clauton took umbrage be-
cause Nixon opposite reposed his boot on
the rail of his box. Clauton was too far
away for conversation, SO in testimony of
his condemnation Of Nixon's action he
pulled his gun and put q bullet through
Nixon's offensive foot. 1t came of the box
rail.
Much good and enthusiastic shooting en-
sued. Twelve men were killed and wounded
none Of the Earps, however williams,
the confederate Of Virgil and Wyatt carp
in the stage robbing. was badly shot up.
He expected to die and confessed At this
Wyatt carp and his three brothers, with
others of their gang, fortified themselves
in an old DOLBY house on the edge of Tomb
stone Behan and the COW thieves nut in
what time they could spare from faro bank
and theft in besieging them. The siege
was a stand OF At last Warren Earn, the