Thankfully for Holliday, he could still salvage his relationship with Earp. When Wyatt Earp heard of the charges, he grew concerned that Holliday wouldn’t receive a fair trial in Arizona. He then asked his friend, Colorado Chief of Police Bat Masterson, to put bunco charges on Holliday.
Holliday met up with Masterson two weeks after his arrest. The two then went to Pueblo, Colorado, where Holliday was released on bond. In June 1882, Earp and Holliday reunited in Gunnison, Colorado. Although the two evidently had an unbreakable bond, this was the second-to-last time Holliday would see Earp.
The Life of a Cowboy
After Frank Stilwell’s death, a local sheriff issued a warrant for the arrest of the five deputies, including Holliday. But the group wouldn’t surrender.
Soon after the ambush, Wyatt Earp and Holliday arrived at Iron Springs in the Whetstone Mountains. Along with Earp, Holliday closed in on eight cowboys, who drew their weapons and began firing. Holliday and his posse killed at least three cowboys in the group. Amazingly, the only casualty for Holliday was a wounded horse. But with the threat of arrest, the group left Arizona for Colorado.
Parting Ways
Holliday and the group traveled throughout New Mexico to escape arrest, but in Albuquerque, Wyatt Earp and Holliday got into a fight. The fight seriously damaged their relationship, leaving Earp in New Mexico, while Holliday traveled to Colorado.
In 1882, Holliday went to Glenwood Springs, all the while battling tuberculosis. Holliday hoped that the springs would aid his health, but as soon as he arrived in Denver, he was arrested and jailed in Tucson for murdering Frank Stilwell. This time, Holliday seemed to have no one to rescue him.
How Did Johnny Ringo Die?
Before Holliday died, it was rumored that he killed yet another person. In July 1882, Holliday’s long-time enemy, Johnny Ringo, was mysteriously found dead in a tree. It was at first thought that he took his own life, but according to Earp’s third wife, Holliday and Earp traveled to Arizona with the purpose of killing Ringo.
Historically, there is no evidence to support Holliday being Ringo’s murderer. There was still a warrant for Holliday’s arrest in Arizona, so it’s unlikely that he would enter the area. It is presently held that this is only a rumor and unlikely to be true.
Goodbye, Doc
Holliday spent his final days in Colorado as his health rapidly declined. When Earp saw Holliday for the last time in 1886, he noted that Holliday had a persistent cough and weak legs. Meanwhile, Holliday's money was running out and he kept getting involved in saloon fights.
Glenwood Springs emitted sulfuric fumes which only worsened Holliday’s condition. Mary Horony joined him during his final days. In his last moments, Holliday looked at his bare feet and said, “This is funny” as he had always planned to die with his boots on.