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.”
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.
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.
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.
The Famous Showdown
The McLaury brothers and Billy Clanton died on the spot during the shootout and Clanton fled. It was reported that Holliday may have been the one to inflict the fatal wounds on the three men. Although he, Morgan, and Virgil were wounded, they came out victorious.
The shootout happened a few doors down from the Corral and became known as the fight at the O.K. Corral. It is one of the most famous battles of the Wild West, but this fight was only the beginning for Holliday and the Earp brothers, though they wouldn’t stay together forever.