Underneath It All
Despite his penchant for violence, those close to Holliday described him as an otherwise peaceful man. In an interview, a reporter asked Holliday if his conscience ever bothered him. Holliday cheekily replied, “I coughed that up with my lungs years ago.”
However, others who knew Holliday said he had a “mean disposition” and “ungovernable temper.” Holliday himself revealed that he had been arrested 17 times, survived five ambushes, and escaped four hanging attempts. Most of his legendary reputation spread through self-promotion and rumors. But apparently, rumors and reports were enough to create his rough image.
A Risk Taker
Holliday soon moved to Dallas and partnered with a family friend, Dr. John Seegar. The two won many dentistry awards. Miraculously, Holliday ended up living far beyond his initial diagnosis but occasionally suffered from coughing spells. In the 1870s, his dentistry work began declining.
Resourceful Holliday resorted to gambling. He must have been clever and intuitive because he did quite well as a gambler. Soon, gambling became his main source of income. But here he encountered another struggle. In May of 1874, Holliday and 12 others were ejected from Dallas for illegal gambling.
A Fighter
Not much is recorded about Holliday being a combative man before leaving Dallas but that changed after 1875. Laced throughout Holliday’s gambling exploits, was that he was front-and-center of several fights. In 1877, Holliday lashed out at fellow gambler Henry Kahn. Both were arrested but once released, Kahn beat up an unarmed Holliday. In the Dallas Weekly Herald, reporters falsely wrote that Holliday had died.
His cousin, George Holliday, assisted in moving him to Fort Griffin, Texas. Records show that here he had only one contact with an independent, educated streetwalker named “Big Nose Kate” Horony.
Hello, Marshal
Soon after this, Holliday crossed paths with the famous rogue lawman Wyatt Earp. The details surrounding this meeting are unclear outside of legend, but whatever occurred between the two, they went on to become the most feared duo in the Wild West. Curiously enough, at the time, Earp was still a deputy U.S. marshal.
According to the story, Earp was looking for the outlaw “Dirty” Dave Rudabaugh. He inquired of Holliday about Rudabaugh’s possible location after Holliday had apparently gambled with him. Holliday claimed that Rudabaugh fled to Kansas, and Earp followed. But the two would end up crossing paths again.
Lifesaver
One of the most famous Holliday/Earp stories was at the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City. 2-5 cowboys (depending on the version of the story) rode into the saloon, started threatening patrons, and vandalizing the room. Holliday, who was looking to become a dentist in the city, was gambling in the back room of the saloon.
Upon hearing the commotion, Earp burst through the door and faced the cowboys' gun-barrels. But Holliday stood in defense and pointed his pistol at the leader of the group, forcing them to disarm. No newspaper reports back up this incident, but Earp said that Holliday saved his life.