The 1881 Stagecoach Robbery
In March 1881, three cowboys robbed a stagecoach heading towards Tombstone, Arizona. After this, rumors erupted that the now well-known Doc Holliday had led the robbery and slayings. During this time, his ex-lover Horony confessed to authorities saying that Holliday attempted to rob the stagecoach. Holliday was then arrested and convicted of assault.
Fortunately for Holliday, the Earps found witnesses who proved that Holliday had no involvement in the robbery. Horony later admitted that Sheriff Behan had pressured her to confess and sign a document that she did not understand. Tensions then began to brew between Holliday and Earp, and Behan.
Silver Rush
In October 1879, Wyatt Earp came to Las Vegas (New Mexico) to meet with Holliday. Before that, Holliday had tried, with no success, to strike gold in Dakota and Wyoming. But apparently, Earp told him that he was heading toward the silver boom in Tombstone, Arizona with his brother, and convinced Holliday to join.
In the West at this time, there weren’t many law enforcement organizations to prevent crime so Earp and his brother didn't bother county sheriff Johnny Behan at first. However, after Holliday joined the team, Behan suddenly labeled them as criminals.
What's up, Doc?
During his time in Fort Griffin, Texas, Holliday engaged in a conglomeration of fighting, gambling, and, oddly enough, dentistry. Holliday was now reputable for refunding customers for unmet expectations, which earned him the nickname “Doc.” Around 1878, Holliday permanently left his dentistry practice.
After several shootings, Holliday was renowned for his skill with weapons, all the while battling tuberculosis. When he heard of the alleged healing properties of the 22 hot springs, Holliday moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico for one year. Anti-gambling laws sent him back to Dodge City, however, but he later returned to Vegas and started building saloons. That's where he reunited with Earp.
A Duel
On October 25, 1881, Holliday was relaxing in the Alhambra Saloon. He got involved in a heated argument with fellow outlaw Ike Clanton and challenged him to a duel, but Clanton had no weapon. To make matters worse, rather than letting it go, Holliday goaded Clanton on by saying that he had recently done away with his father.
The next morning, Clanton gathered his weapons and went searching for Holliday. He found Holliday and his wife, Mary Horony, asleep and woke them with loud threats. Reportedly, Holliday famously said, “If God will let me live to get my clothes on, he will see me.”
From Duel to Battle
Before Holliday could go head-to-head with his opponent, the Earp brothers disarmed Clanton and took him to court. Even when Clanton was incarcerated, his fellow cowboys arrived to back him up, including his brother Billy Clanton as well as Frank and Tom McLaury. Holliday now faced the outlaws with the Earp brothers, Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan.
What happened next is not entirely clear. But what is clear is that the field erupted with gunfire and half a minute later, all fell silent. In about less than a minute, the men fired 30 bullets throughout the brief but bloody battle.