October 26 1881 2:30 pm

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH


The Cowboys were watching with terror as the Earp party walked right passed Sheriff Behan. The Earps rounded the corner and then everyone was in lot 2 block 17 just off Freemont street. So on one side you had Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan Earp and John Henry Holliday and on the other you had Billy Claiborne, Isaac and William Clanton , Frank and Tom Mclaury along with 2 horses.(the identity of the horse is not known.)

The most disputed part of the battle was now unfolding, the testimony of the witnesses is clearly divided and politically motivated to some degree. A Clanton supporter would see all of the cowboy's announce that they did not want to fight and throw their hands in the air, while the Earp's and Holliday opened fire and gunned down unarmed men. An Earp witness would say that Frank and Billy both drew their guns and fired on the Earps, and the Earps only were defending themselves and doing their duty. So we are giving the choice of believing that the Earp's are either cold blooded murderers or that they are Hero's and that the Clanton's failed in their attempt to murder the Earps. I don't believe either of those scenario's. The following is what I believe really happened.

Doc Holliday was carrying Virgil's shot gun under his overcoat along with his nickel plated six shooter. Morgan and Wyatt also had six shooters. Virgil was carrying Doc's cane and had his six shooter on his person. Virgil's reason for holding Doc's cane instead of his shot gun was not to bring any extra tension to the scene. Virgil was the acting Marshall at the time and he would not want to have a gunfight if he could avoid it.Wyatt also would not want a fight if he could help it. Wyatt was not an angel mind you but he did have a cool head and was no stranger to tense situations.(Doc and Morgan may or may not have had their guns drawn when the party arrived on the scene). Virgil then announced to the cowboys "Boys throw up your hands, I want your guns." many witnesses stated that they heard someone say "you son of a bitches, you have been looking for a fight and you can have it" (if the Earp's indeed said the later can you blame them after considering Ike's threats?)

Billy Claiborne and Ike Clanton had no weapons. Frank Mclaury and Billy Clanton both had colt revolvers as well as rifles saddled on their horses. Whether or not Tom had a gun will never be proven, he did have access to the rifle on his brothers horse. (for arguments sake I'm assuming he was un armed but the Earp party was just in assuming he was armed, they would be foolish not to.) It's clear that the cowboys were not wanting ambush the Earps or they would have opened fire as the Earps rounded the corner. Its safe to say that Billy Clanton and Tom Mclaury had wanted no part of the fight and Billy Claiborne soon would run away. If any of the cowboys would want to draw on the Earps it would have been Frank. Ike would prefer to run away. Upon hearing Virgil's request or threat (you choose) Tom promptly opened his coat as to show he was unarmed, Billy Clanton thrust his hands forward as for them to stop don't shoot, Ike threw his hands straight up, Frank may have reached for his revolver or put his hands up, and Billy Claiborne stated that he was not with that party and led into Fly's photo gallery by Behan.

Considering the tense situation, Ike's remarks that morning, the suddenness and poor choice of hand gestures made by Tom and Billy, the closeness of the parties (around 8 feet),questionable deputy/gunfighter Doc Holliday, and a blood thirsty gathering of onlookers. Yep you had the makings for a gunfight.