Was Wyatt Earp a Hero or a Villain?

Was Wyatt Earp a HERO or a VILLAIN? Bob Boze Bell's take on the matter.
Bob Boze Bell is known as America's Western Storyteller. He is an artist, author, writer and serves as executive editor of True West magazine. Bell is a popular, sought-after figure in television documentaries about the Old West, appearing as an expert in dozens of Wild West history shows. Bell won an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of the PBS special, Outrageous Arizona, a zany look at the state's centennial, that he also wrote and helped direct. As an author, Bell has brought to life Billy the Kid, Geronimo, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok in his best-selling Illustrated Life and Times series. His books Classic Gunfights I, II and III are must-reads about the most important Old West gunfights. Bell’s Bad Men is now in its fourth printing, while his illustrated autobiography, The 66 Kid: Raised on the Mother Road, gives personal insight into the passions that have driven him on his lifelong quest to interpret the history of the American West for audiences around the world.
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[@johnsavage6628]

Wyatt Earp was a man of his times, and situation. This is all.

[@charlesreid9337]

he was a pimp.. aka sex trafficker.. who ran a crooked gambling house and was notorious for pistol whipping people then fining them. And a murderer

[@Danny2310C]

Thank You for talking about Wyatt Earp and all the things in the old-time West with Wyatt Earp 🤠

[@stevemccoy8138]

I don't think the Earp's were any worse than lots of people back then. One thing is for sure we will never know the absolute truth. Enjoy your channel, Thanks 🐴.

[@m118lr]

Spot on comment…

[@jacquelinemarie1078]

Many people living in those days, were not law breakers. Wyatt wasn't always a good guy, his sister in laws said they thought he robbed stages and was working both sides of the law. But Wyatt is still fascinating, and we like him, but it does't do anyone justice to gloss over the truth.

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

People then “survived”. Every day was an effort to make it another day, week, or longer. Add to that all the young men getting out of the civil war, who just like our soldiers today, they witnessed things that most do not, and they came home to a different society. Leads to a lot of bad people who probably were not so bad earlier in their lives. (Yes, I know! Not everyone served in the war, but that doesn’t mean their lives were not influenced by the times) Either way, There has been good and bad people since Cain picked up the rock!

[@migueloroz5547]

The Earp's were republican.... the Cowboys (or better Cow-thieves) were "democrats", the rabble....

[@juanantonioleal5371]

The Earps never did kill anybody it was Doc Holiday thats why the cowboys would kill or ambush the Earps but they were scare with Doc Holiday.

[@jimboslice4623]

This was fascinating 👏 Wyatt was a flawed man but we all are. Admir his bravery, very few of us have that

[@johnlandau7111]

U.S. Marshall’s service absolved Earp from any blame for these killings,continued to employ him, and refused efforts by the authorities in Arizona territory to extradite him. The U,S marshals had issued warrants for all male member of the Clansy family and their employees at the request of the government of Mexico. President Chester Arthur ordered the marshalls to take the Clancys dead or alive.” The reason was that the Mexicam ambassador had threatened that the Mexican army to invade Arizona and take the Clancys prisoner or kill them themselves. According to the Mexicans, the Clancy’s had murdered a number of people in Mexico, including a wealthy and well-connceted rancher, and had stole large herds of cattle from Mexican ranchers. So Prersident Arthur, who had created the U.S. Marshall’s service a short time earlier, gove the marshalls strict instruction to capture or if they resisted arrest kill the clancythe Clancys and their employees, in order to deny the Mexicans any pretext for an invasion. Earlier, before Earp had begun his campaign against the Clancy's the sheriff of the Mexican district adjoining Earp’s jurisdiction had come to Tombstone to meet with Earp. He showed Earp extensive evidence of the murders and thefts that the Clancys had committed in Mexico, and made Earp swear that he would either arrange their extradition to Mexico or bring them to justice in the UNited States. He also told Earp that the Mexican government would pay a large reward to whoever brought the Clancys to justice. That gave Earp yet another reason to either arrest tor kill the Clancys. I don’t know whether Earp ever received the award. Thus the motives behind his vengeance ride” was not primarily to avenge the shooting of his two brothers, although must have contributed to his motivation. His primary motive was to please President Arthur and the U.S. Marshall’s Service by preventing a possible second Mexican war. Some years later, after the controversy over the events in Tombstone, the Federal government rewarded Earp with a highly paid job as a postal inspector in San Franciso. A position that he held for many years, and that helped Earp to make up the financial losses he had suffered from in earlier years. The U.S. Federal government never did arrest Earp or extradite him to Arizona, despite the pleas of the both the territorial, county and municipal governments in Arizona that he be extradicted and tried for murder. Before he was hired as a postal inspector, Earp worked as a" lawman “ in numerous towns and cities throughout the West, other than Arizona. The Federal government never made any effort to prevent his being hired by any of these municapal jurisdictions. The preponderence of evidence clears Earp of any criminal wrongdoing, and indicates that Earp was an honest law enforcement officer and a man of good moral character. He was not the vindictive murderer as his enemies in his lifetime and some historians in recent times describe him.

[@johnlandau7111]

@@revelation13_9 Thanks for the correction. Of course I meant the Clanton Family

[@JaySmithAudioStoryteller]

I am a big fan of your art and your illustrated biographies. Glad to see you have this channel! I've always been intrigued how the Earps and Cowboy gang are depicted from generation to generation in fiction, film and even academia. Thanks for the work.

[@tommiller307]

I find your storytelling some of the most entertaining things I come across on KZbin.

[@jackiereynolds2888]

After living a good long while, and been in and out of school for so very long, one thing became ever more clear, - the whole idea of the 'truth'. There is no such thing. It doesn't matter what subject or way of looking at it. There is only per- spective. Earp was a hero to some, and a criminal opportun- ist to others.

[@nadapuesnada7716]

"History" is the lies we tell ourselves about the past.

[@charlesreid9337]

there is absolutely truth.. whether you choose to delude yourself or not is the only question

[@buddylobos5277]

Thank you. Great video! Seen you many times on TV. Always enjoy it. On the TV show Ray Boyle played Morgan Earp. He said on Word On Westerns, he was working on an 'accurate' biography about Wyatt. I can relate to Wyatt & the rest in many ways. Including the Clanton's. I was a street cop for 3 years in a hazardous duty zone. (We called them 'business girls' not hookers) Like them we all became a family of sorts. Ike calling them 'pimps' was not off the mark then. Great one. I have to get that magazine. Thanks again.

[@silverstar4289]

I have mentioned this in another Earp video. "Across the Cimmaron" by James D Horan is a biography of a man who ventured West as a surveyor. Among his travels he befriended Holliday in a town, when Wyatt was there. Holliday would chat with him and Earp would always be aloof and never engage. Only once did Earp speak with him, asking his age. Pretty good insight into his personality.

[@m118lr]

Of ALLthe details you’ve lent us in THIS vid Bob (once again!), I come away with “sunfishing”..NEVER have heard of it and have been around horses all my life…wow. FAR from a “flatlander”, this is a new one for me today, at 61 YEARS young! GREAT video and always fantastic details. Can never get enough..

[@Brian-ym6eb]

Listen to Marty Robbin's "Strawberry Roan"

[@lenwenzel7440]

It's always the case "The legend becomes bigger with every telling " Thanks Bob for presenting so many historical facts, which leaves us with new ways to look at who they were.

[@charlieswearingen500]

Great and fascinating information Bob. Just can't get what you offer anywhere else so thanks pard...

[@NuanceOverDogma]

Wyatt Earp was noble in that he never looked for trouble even though trouble seemed to follow him due to his lifestyle

[@user-zt7ek6hs9k]

I think he looked for trouble a few times.

[@kathyjaneburke2798]

I always enjoy hearing you. I have just re-watched Young Guns, The Long Riders & Tombstone; in your opinion which is the most historically accurate and which is the best picture (enjoyable)?

[@grammyhall53]

on the old womans channel bbb,but i have to say,i have been following you for years and you are no piker by any means.you have one of the best channels on youtube.god bless. ty santee

[@jamieabele9239]

Loved this video. My cowboy grandfather also saw Earp as an interloper, corrupt and a bully. I can still see his sun worn sneer and hear his raspy voice, “Wyatt Earp was a jerk.” Growing up in Cochise County, I don’t remember too many folks who thought differently. You said it best. Earp was just human like the rest of us. Except most of us aren’t legends!

[@charlesreid9337]

he was literally a pimp and card cheat famous for pistol whipping drunks and robbing them from behind a badge so. He wasnt 'just like the rest of us'

[@AGTtactical]

Wyatt met the cowboys face to face, outnumbered 5 to 4. The cowboys never did the same...always trying to sneak up on them. Like cowards, the cowboys shot into a building at the unarmed Earps playing billards night, killing Morgan. Its all we need to know.

[@oletimer5853]

Haven’t made a video in a while … I hope all is well with you !!! Your videos are great

[@AmericanLifePastFuture]

I was wanting to read the actual articles about the gunfight in the two newspapers - do you know where I c an find them?

[@jimfisher2451]

Nicholas Earp (originally Harp) was asked rather firmly to leave Monmouth, Illinois for running a bordello, gambling hall, and saloon on the town square. Just blocks from the Methodist Church. And was open on Sundays. I have heard from other Earp descendants that Old Man Earp was offered a tar and feather bath if he didn’t hit the road. By the by, the Earps descended from a Sargent in George, Washington’s army at Yorktown. And, the first Earp came to the American Colonies as an indentured servant in either 1630 or 1670. The original family name was Harp, members of the Campbell of Argyll family of S.W. Scotland. He was convicted of murder and was given the option of hanging or becoming a “slave” in Virginia.

[@captainjack8823]

Thank you for the issue's tidbits of quotes from first hand sources. Right pard', It's about what Wyatt Earp stands for. "Long may his story be told." 👍

[@Rick_King]

If Wyatt was so unpopular in town, why was he good friends with such luminaries as Gage, Vizina, Clum, Gird, and others? I believe Wyatt was a good lawman, but that he was human, and did plenty of unseemly things, as well. For example, he made a fortune dealing faro, and faro is almost an even money game (despite what Doc says in Tombstone.) Therefore, he ran a crooked faro table. I've been fortunate to exchange ideas with people on the extreme of both sides, such as the lovely Joyce Aros, and Ben Traywick. I really believe the truth is somewhere in the middle. As Bob said, we can all be jerks sometimes! But I disagree that Wyatt was ever a "pimp." A man who runs a legal bordello, or even an illegal one, is a businessman. A pimp runs girls in the street. Wyatt was certainly a bouncer, but prostitution was just a part of life in the Old West. Being involved didn't make you a bad man. As always, another great episode, Bob! Thanks!

[@user-zt7ek6hs9k]

He wasn't a pimp from the 1970's if that's what you mean. But it's basically the same thing. Doesn't mean you have to think it's bad if you don't.

[@BalrogUdun]

Wyatt Earp was not the paragon of virtue he was more or less a man of his time and upbringing. His true character will probably never be known.

[@charlesreid9337]

most people werent sex traffickers, card cheats and murderers

[@TheFunkhouser]

He was a hero, why stir it up! Let it be bud! Bless.

[@user-zt7ek6hs9k]

becuase it's interesting.

[@TheFunkhouser]

@@user-zt7ek6hs9k After the 200th times it gets boring

[@azjt101]

I live in tucson and i love to go to tombstone and see all the history do you ever come to tucson for events

[@BruceEEvans1]

I sure am glad someone else remembers Hugh O'Brien as Wyatt Earp! I'm sure you recall that the Wyatt character occasionally carried a Buntline Special Colt revolver from time to time. Did the real Wyatt Earp ever carry such a sidearm? It seems like it would be terribly impractical for a patrolling lawman. Great for a competition shooter, but otherwise just a curiosity.

[@donaldgillette2664]

Hey, Bob, check out the Earp home in Monmouth,Illinois. Warren County where my Dad was born.

[@DocHolliday1851]

I got interested in Wyatt, Tombstone, the old west, etc. as a kid. Grew up all over the western & northwestern US, and south Georgia. All that started my interest in history. I was a bookworm so I checked out books from libraries related to the Earps & the old west. I never saw Wyatt as a saint, or a devil. More grey, following the money, and not afraid to break the law. The law was a good way to make a steady income, which Wyatt was after instead of justice. 0:18 I'm roughly 40ish years younger, but this is starting to sink in. I'm very uncomfortable right now.

[@charlesreid9337]

he was the leader of a gang of sex trafficking murderers...

[@wmden1]

I wasn't there, and couldn't really judge, anyway. That said, it appears, from what I have read and heard on these videos, that Earp was an opportunist who wasn't terribly concerned with which way the legal winds blew, as long as he came out looking good, and on top.

[@user-zt7ek6hs9k]

I know why people phrase it like that, but it's only about as true for him as it is for everyone else at the time. ONly if you view him as a saint like the fictional Earp of the 1950's does that really change anything.

[@jeaninebunt9739]

I saw a documentary that said that his first wife was murdered. I also don't see how a US Marshal could be changed with a felony for killing a notorious outlaw in the line of duty.

[@kenneth6847]

I don’t know why they’d hate Earp and not the other guys for being from the midwest. Curly Bill was from the Midwest. So was Ringo. Maybe Arizonans just hate everyone.

[@user-zt7ek6hs9k]

Confederates, Union. Not even twenty years before.

[@viccikirkendoll8218]

I like Wyatt Earp's life, he was authentic...part time or whatever, but the cowboys were antagonist and shot Morgan at his young age in the back, so Wyatt had a right to avenge his brother, he is my hero...

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

Was Wyatt Earp a Hero or a Villain? My answer...Yes.

[@CarlosPeve-hg6rg]

I have a question I'd like to know: Here in KZbin there's a video of a Virgil Earp participating in the $64,000 show on the Wild West History. It is clear that he is family of the famous Wyatt Earp but I'd like to know how is he related to the legend?

[@larrydavis2559]

THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE STORY.

[@johndiggs9785]

THANK YOU TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT EARP AS A KID I THOUGHT HE WAS A GOOD GUY NOW I KNOW SOME OF IT IS FUNNY...

[@dc7370]

Thank you. About 1971. In crested Butte colorado. A big picture of hung rustlers. The photograph was titled. An old man went out of his way to tell me that they were not rustlers. it's just that the rich fella can hire too many guns. They wouldn't sell out. Judges and newspapers said they were horse thieves. I would like to see a tombstone movie where everybody's a bad guy

[@mikemarley2389]

I read somewhere that Wyatt was accused of stealing school funds in a town where he was an official of some sort.It might have been in a True West Magazine in the late 90s.What year did you Mr.Bell , take over True West?Was that before or after you took over?

[@migueloroz5547]

Neither a hero or villain.... just a MAN

[@alexhatfield4448]

Who knew, the people of the1880s had just as much Grey in their character as people today.

[@aircommando505]

When the legend fails the facts, print the legend. That happened most of the time.

[@jimcolegrove5442]

I would love......hate... to hear the violent stories of Santa Fe back in the day.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

Why didn't Wyatt Earp just shoot-down Ike Clanton when he had the chance? Because Ike wasn't armed at the time and breaking the law. So Ike was spared but the other "peaceful" Cowboys were killed because they were. All the Cowboys had to do to avoid being shot by the Earps, was obey the law.

[@Sirharryflash82]

I gotta tell ya, there has been a lot of ex-wives that claimed their ex-husbands "ruined their life". I need more than just a bitter woman's condemnation.

[@TheBatugan77]

GivesAShit what you need, harry?

[@stevepenney2073]

Earp was absolutely fearless.Bat Masterson said he was utterly devoid of fear.Thats what set him apart regardless of his other traits.

[@dwightcurrie8316]

And Bat was No Slouch when it came to Armed Conflict. Sooooo If Bat Said It....You can take it to the Bank

[@mckid2683]

He also said Wyatt never talked about anything, ever as well. Right to his dying days in L.A when reporters would interview him he never spoke about anything that happened back in the old days of his youth in the real old west. He always only gave 3 answers which were "nope", "yup", and "don't recall". Lol. That's so perfectly what I would think the real Wyatt Earp would be like and it makes me smile

[@jacobturan7948]

Wyatt: sometimes the worst cops are better in a gunfight

[@woodennickel6148]

Froggy Ragus Central huih, 007?

[@charlesreid9337]

nonsense. These guys after their crimes/fame spent time promoting each other. It was almost an industry. If earp wasnt afraid he wouldnt have brought his entire family and friend group heavily armed to ambush a small group or lightly unarmed and unarmed men for a 'crime' that at most was a small fine

[@bdr113080]

Here is kind of my problem with people that say that Wyatt it’s really a bad person. It’s like at the beginning of the video where the guy says that the one man that he quoted said that Wyatt Earp will never again be looked at as a hero because of the situation with Mattie. It felt like in the 80s and 90s we got away from this idea that “ there are good people and there are bad people and good people do good things and bad people do bad things” that’s just not reality. We’ve all done terrible things, good people have done bad things. And I think back then from every thing that I have read, listen to, watched and looked up for myself it doesn’t sound like he was any worse than anyone else back then. In the early 1900s and unfortunately today we live in this fantasy world where if someone does one bad thing then that means they’ve never done anything good and they’re a terrible person and their name should be forgotten and then when they finally pass away we’re just going to throw their body in the swamp and let the animals eat the remains and they will be no respect to that name ever again. I think Wyatt was a good person that had a hard life and because of that he made some bad choices. Just like most of us. I don’t consider myself a horrible person today in 2021, I have been arrested over a dozen times and I did drink every day for 12 years but those days are long behind me now should I just be held to those mistakes forever? What’s the point of even trying to do anything good if you don’t learn from your mistakes? Thank God for Wyatt Earp!

[@AGTtactical]

Arrested a dozen times = loser.

[@rickytodd6651]

@@datguitarplayer1656 ur not so nice it self..remember when I last saw u

[@BrettShadow]

@@datguitarplayer1656 That is an ignorant statement from an ignorant person

[@kristinakaminskas5135]

@@datguitarplayer1656 but you are not much better. you have make big faullts likkkkke me and alll the others.

[@Helm-w1q]

Who's sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven. I forgive you, and can only hope that I find forgiveness .

[@tonydeaton2890]

Love the videos. I think the mistake we make today, is trying to apply today's societal norms to history. It's becoming common practice. We're seeing this sort of thing all around us with cancel culture. I wish it would stop.

[@MrZola1234]

I agree with you generally that we try to apply today’s norms to historical periods and people, and that is wrong….I don’t think that is at all what happened with Wyatt Earp…. Watch this author discuss his book on Wyatt Earp. It would appear he was a pretty bad person regardless of what morals you apply…. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXrRkmd4jJqSi9U

[@lainefrajberg955]

But pimps and horse thieves have always had a low reputation.And this was just as true in Wyatt's time as in our own.And taking the law into your own hands is never acceptable.And that's what Wyatt did after Morgan's murder.

[@MrDubyadee1]

@@lainefrajberg955 “Taking the law in your own hands is never acceptable”, really? What if the law is imposed by a dictator? America’s revolution was a 7 year period of us taking the law in our own hands which we’ve justified because the government authority was not beholden to the people. In much of the old west, the “government” was sometimes a group of corrupt officials appointed by another corrupt official. The Territorial governments were not elected. Their governors were appointed as a political favor by people in Washington. After the Civil War there were officials who lynched former slaves who tried to assert their rights. It goes on and on, but the “law” was being abused by a corrupt power structure to deny certain people their civil rights through the 20th century. In a better world I’d agree with you, but I think that sometimes the law be damned, do what is right.

[@davidroberts5577]

Bottom line Wyatt was a human being, flawed just like the rest of us. I deeply appreciate your channel and enjoy your commentary. Oh and I'm not far behind you, yesterday was the anniversary of Woodstock and knowing I was there made me feel old as well.

[@pennywollett3953]

Wow! You were at Woodstock! That's an awesome piece of history there too!! Wish I was there 😍

[@captainjack8823]

I was about 13 then! Long live rock and rockers!

[@alexhatfield4448]

I hear that but a pimp though. I'm pretty flawed not quite that flawed though.

[@josenavas9968]

Sir I was glued to my chair listening to you. Kid you not! The first alternate view of the Earp's was when I saw the 1966 episode of them title "Hour of The Gun" in the Star Trek TV series. The Earp's were not boy scouts. The town people wanted them out. The Canton family was made to look a lighter shade of grey. Town sheriff Bean didn't care one way or other. "Kill them anyway you can, no question asked" As he spoke to Ike. Whao... Not the 1950's series I saw as a kid.

[@Anguirus2012]

I really love this channel......love Bob's passion for storytelling.

[@robertmckinney9135]

I have to say, my Paternal Grandmothers Father, and Wyatt Earp shared a Great Grandfather. Her take on Wyatt Earp was that he was a "Bad Man",and he was not discussed in polite company. Bob's Grand Mother and mine would have seen eye to eye. Thank You Bob for your magazine and stories.

[@mbsnyderc]

I doubt than that any of the guys that worked as lawmen back in those days were a bunch of saints.when I was a kid living in Bighorn County Wyoming.the long time local Sheriff was well known as a cattle rustler in his youth. there is a thin line between cops and robbers.the old west wasn't full of hero's it was full of people looking out for there own best interest.

[@deinonychusben]

It depends on whether you’re a democrat or a republican….

[@familytreenutshistorygenealogy]

Like sooooo many people in history, and even us today, I think he was a bit of both. History & people are always complicated and rarely are things black & white.

[@TheDeadman1981]

My great grandfather was a gunfighter and a rancher in the Dakotas and Wyoming. My mother idolized him and told me stories about him growing up. The one thing she said about folks who lived in the wild west that stuck with me was that it was a hard life and men had to be hard to survive.

[@spiderfan1974]

The "wild" west was a Hollywood invention. The truth wouldn't put butts in seats at the movie theaters and eyes in front of the TV. The reality of it was think of today with less technology. You wake up go to work eat lunch go back to work. Eat dinner go back to work go home go to bed. Wake up do it all again the next day the only difference on Sunday go to church. Not very interesting now is it?

[@spiderfan1974]

Most cowboys only used their guns to kill rattle snakes and scare away animals that could kill them. It wasn't a lawless void of violence and debauchery like Hollywood made it out to be.

[@strahaironscale571]

Of I ever get my hands on a time machine, I am travelling to Tombstone day before Earps get there....and then Iam spending the whole time there as a fly on the wall soaking it all in

[@user-zt7ek6hs9k]

enjoy the diarrhea.

[@Eduardo_Ventura]

He was a man. If you look for a "hero" like Captain America, no one will fit this description. Actually his vigilante actions are more important to me than the "hero". If someone mess with my family, the Vendetta Ride would be considered a simple disagreement. Would he arrest Stillwell and Curly Bill (the first even wanting to kill his brother, btw) for what? For that corrupt sheriff release them? Wouldn't be the first cowboy who escaped "mysteriously" at night. His life is a private thing. His deeds are the real importance.

[@jonkeathley3772]

Bob always a pleasure seeing you and hearing you talk and tell stories.. thanks and keep em coming..

[@larag4646]

The man lived until he was 80 so he drank at least some milk. Thanks for keeping these stories alive.

[@DC8091]

The difference between Hero & Anti Hero is merely the point of view. Earp was a badass, that is a fact. Great job as always Bob!

[@a.leemorrisjr.9255]

We must always remember these men were products of their time & era. You cannot judge them by today's mores or standards. In some cases lines got very "grey" & as "hazy" as the black powder they used.

[@user-zt7ek6hs9k]

@@a.leemorrisjr.9255 keep in mind this isn't a new discussion. Opinions varied on this as it was happening.

[@donporter4830]

Mr. Bell, I too am a historian and a decorated Policeman from Dayton, Ohio. It bothers me that you put Wyatt Earp in the darkest light possible. It was a different time in the old west, yes Wyatt and his brothers were not perfect, but compared to the Clanton gang who stole cattle, robbed stage coaches, murdered people, the Earps were angels. Here's the bottom line Bob, the Earps went up against the scumbags when others were too afraid. They were on the right side of justice! Wild Bill Hickock was no angel either, but he too stood up against evil like I did where most men were faint of heart we stood our ground!

[@kimvanhorn6422]

The west was wild and you had to be a bad ass to make it.

[@user-zt7ek6hs9k]

no you didn't. IN fact the people who really MADE IT weren't bad asses at all. They were bankers, investors, and political networkers. Bad asses died young and broke or old and broke.

[@samiam619]

Wait a moment. You said around 16:30 that Big Nose Kate said to Doc who was sitting up after sleeping that Doc Holiday is looking for you. “Good Lord willing…” Who was she referring to?

[@swhod2190]

I am from the Northeast and went to Tombstone in October of 1987. You are right about the confined area of the OK Corral fight. I met an elderly man in Boot Hill at the time. He looked to be in his eighties and said he was from Texas. He was there with his wife, I believe. We were at the Billy Clanton grave, and I was flabbergasted when he said he was a Clanton, but I forget if he said he was a grandson of Ike's. I still have the color slides of this gentleman. We had a nice talk and he said he made the pilgimage there occasionally. Tombstone is a great place. I was surprised when I visited the antique stores there that everything looked newer, but then again, I'm from the Northeast. Nice video!

[@DavidRooke5412]

Earp was neither a hero or a villain,like everyone else he was just a flawed individual doing a job the best way he knew.

[@classicbladereview1886]

Love your insight on a legend that I've been fascinated with for many years. Thank you!

[@HarpsichordHymnsTimRemington]

What a fascinating story! Your incredible research has really made this story so clear. Thanks for sharing this.

[@craigbosko2229]

There is another movie about Wyatt Earp,the name of the movie is:WYATT EARP w/ Kevin Costner.Its got more detail than the movie Tombstone but you never hear much about it.Ive seen both movies,like both movies but still feel that Wyatt Earp w/Kevin Costner has alot more imfomation in it.Dont get me wrong, Tombstone is a EXCELLENT movie especially with Sam Elliott in it, he's totally amazing in westerns but if you watch the other you'll see what I'm talking about.

[@dennydeckerful]

Saw it when it came out, the movie was was too long and boring.

[@scotttilson8876]

He was both a hero and a villain. Towards the end he became just as much murdering monster as the people he was going after.

[@suncitypro1]

It was survival of the fittest!

[@larryrobinson6914]

Like all of us humans he could be both. Still I'd rather have him at my side in a fracas than shooting at me. I think Garner and Costner came closest

[@Saintlawrence100]

Don’t know if he was hero or villain…but he was fearless from what I understand.

[@tomwigal8856]

My last comment today was that Jon behan or however you spell it told Virgil while he was recuperating from his wound from the fight that it was legitimate arrest and he was on their side until he found out during the next election he was going to have to go against Wyatt Earp all the sudden he changed his tune

[@WildwoodClaire1]

The Earp's glaring character flaws and dodgy history are why they remain such interesting characters.

[@wyomingsky]

Wyatt Earp didn't make Wyatt Earp a hero lawman Josephine directing Stuart Lake's writing made Wyatt Earp.

[@scotttilson8876]

First Wyatt Earp was a hero. But later he turned out to be a villain. He was a womanizer. And he turned out to be a murderer as well. When he and others killed people and acts of revenge. So Wyatt Earp turned out to be no different than those people that they murdered that were villains.

[@sail3695]

I really enjoy your videos. Lots of helpful history delivered in the style of an old friend sitting across the table.

[@sharonpeek4578]

I don't think we should judge any people or events of the past in comparison to the present day. Times were very different. The only thing I really wish to know is the tune Doc was whistling on the way to the OK Corral.

[@charlesreid9337]

oh really? You think they thought murder was ok? You think they thought sex trafficking was ok? You think they thought openly corrupt police (the earps) were ok??

[@adphipps77]

You have to think…look at the way of life back then; look at how tough a man had to be, even a regular guy back then had to be a lot tougher than a regular man today. If a man back then wanted to have a decent life he had to have a mean streak just to survive!

[@charlesreid9337]

tf are you talking about. They hung murderers back then and earp was wanted in multiple states. They reviled the people who are mythologised now like earp, billy the kid, jesse james, frank james, the clantons, clay allison

[@nonyabidness6492]

What a childish way of looking at historical figures

[@Skidoodle555]

Not one dull moment in your video! What a great talent Bob Boze Bell is.

[@chrisrayburn]

I feel Wyatt Earp was the biggest tyrant that ever lived. U can't carry but I can.

[@TheBatugan77]

😠👉Backoff!👈😠

[@JakeSpeed1000]

Both the Earps and the Cowboys were opportunist just trying to make their fortunes. Like most of us, they have all done good things and bad things. Those days had different values of what we noe define as acceptable behavior.

[@nohillforahighstepper]

What happened in Tombstone was a war between 2 separate organized crime factions.

[@user-zt7ek6hs9k]

no. Cow-boys were not organized, and Earps weren't a crime faction.

[@bigdikannonannon152]

Great channel Bob.....I am currently renovating a home in Tombstone .....it's right in back of where the M.Callisher store was back in the day.... supposedly owned by a Judge named Grey...I look forward to the 140th anniversary celebration

[@mikeypricelb5940]

Cool I live in Tombstone as well

[@mikeypricelb5940]

It's very green for a dessert original buildings 1880s clothing. People are nice there. It's a must see town

[@DC8091]

That, is awesome sir!

[@dan-rj9vc]

Thank you Bob, that was awesome!!

[@NickRN7-rr2ti]

Maybe be was both. Or neither. This question highlights the biggest problem with the study iof Wyatt Earp/Tombstone/etc. You have 7 or 8 out of 10 people who go through the material and try to make everything work to glorify Wyatt. And then you have the other 2 or 3, who use everything to make him the world's biggest scumbag and victimize the cowboy faction of Tombstone. It's like when someone has a piece of a puzzle and they keep struggling to make it fit into place. When it never went there in the first place. Too many people trying to put Wyatt on a pedestal because Stuart Lake and Hugh O'Brien made them think as children that that is how it was. And others trying to curse him for everything that went wrong in Arizona. Maybe Wyatt wasnt a scumbag. But maybe he wasn't a saint either. Maybe he was just like 97% of the rest of the human race and was just trying to survive, do things he later regretted and wasn't above doing something shady if it benefitted him amd he knew he could get away with it. Did any of these guys know or even care that 150 years later people would be writing books, making movies and videos on something called the world wide web, analyzing and critiquing their every move and motives? In those days it was dog eat dog. Hard life. In Tombstone, a very modern town, and luxurious in some ways, life was very different once you left the town limits. Outlaws, who may or may not have been a Clanton or Curly Bill, Apaches, the weather, the terrain or even something so simple as a rattlesnake spooking your horse and throwing you and the result was a broken neck and an early l, unexpected death were all a very real possibility. What they didn't have were phones and cameras everywhere. And what I mean are cell phones and red light and town/business cameras. People felt a little more at ease about doing things under the table without fearing for consequences. And they were only, because they could only think about what they had to gain. Not what someone might say about almost 2 centuries later.

[@davidfolts5893]

Mr. Bell: It would be interesting to have a video on the trial that ensued after the OK Corral and the eyewitness from New Jersey that saved Wyatt Earp's bacon.

[@NickRN7-rr2ti]

An example of what I meant in my previous comments with regards to people trying to make Wyatt a hero or to make him a villain. In the 20 second long battle (yes, 20, not 30) on Fremont, Doc Holliday used a Wells Fargo shotgun and fired a fatal shot into the right side of Tom McLaury. In the days that followed, both Wyatt and Virgil would both claim that Tom had a pistol and used it in the battle. That he fired over the back/saddle of a horse and in fact, shot Morgan Earp. There wasn't one single eyewitness who stated that they conclusively saw Tom McLaury armed and shooting in the battle. Some historians, amd readers try to fit that puzzle piece into the slot that doesn't work, using testimony if eyewitnesses who say they saw a man with a horse firing at the Earp party. However, this individual is described as "the" man with "the" horse. Not "one of the men", or "a man". What this means is that, contrary to popular opinion among Earp supporters, is that there was only 1 man with a horse. There wasn't 2 horses. Only 1. And only 1 man ever had it. The testimony of butcher James Keyhoe tells us who. He says that Frank McLaury held the reins of a horse from the time he was at Keyhoe's shop until he let go of the animal and died . Then., there are the testimonies of Ham Light, Coleman and Fellehy who state that Tom was running during the fight. In fact, Fellehy's testimony makes it clear that thean with the horse and the man running were two separate individuals. He stated that both Morgan Earp and Doc Holliday were firing at the man with the horse and that Holliday had already fired at a man who had run by him. With no weapon to defend himself, Tom did what Ike did. He ran. Fight or flight. No one found a gun on or around Tom. Wyatt later said that Clanton friend Wes Fullet picked it up and took it. Though no one else saw that either. Tom's wound (in his right axilla) is consistent of that with a man who is running. Finally, there is the fact that Tom McLaury was too short to fire over the back of a quarter horse. He was taller than Frank. But certainly not a 6 footer like the Earps who could casually start shooting over a horse's back. Nevermind the fact that we already have conclusive testimony that his brother Frank was the only one with a horse in the battle. Later, a Mrs JC Colyer would state she witnessed the battle from a block away while sitting in a wagon. She stated "one of the cowboys used a horse as a shield and fored under it's neck". (Note: she said one) This, of course, was Frank in Fremont firing at the Earp party. My point is, we have so much evidence to look at, that corroborates other evidence and testimony such as this, but is largely ignored because people want Tom McLaury to have been armed. And being a no good cowboy shooting an Earp in the back. And then there are those who will eagerly accept the fact that Doc shot an unarmed man running for his life, and believe that Holliday started the fight by firing nilly willy on the cowboys with Morgan Earp. Because that is what they want. Again, we have testimony of James Keyhoe who clearly tells us that after the fight started, Holliday was going out on the sidewalk with a shotgun in his hands. He never used a pistol first, and how ridiculous would it have been to have used a pistol first when he had a shotgun at his disposal and tried to hold on to it while firing with a pistol? Doc fired on and killed an unarmed man. The defense wisely left him off the stand. Wyatt later tried to cover this up, because his purpose when speaking o writers in the 1900's wasn't about making a buck or two. It was about clearing the Earp name, because people still did not like the Earps and Doc. They weren't universal heroes. Even Bob Bell here will tell you that his grandmother who knew some of the people in the area would not hesitate to call Wyatt out for being a dirty SO you know what. The cowboys were criminals. But there were others in amd around Tombstone who liked them. They supplied them with cheap beef as one example. They went into Mexico to steal cattle and sell them cheap to Arizonans. (Which is what Old Man Clanton was doing when he was killed). So we have Wyatt who later lied about Tom being armed, because he had the privilege of outliving everyone and no one was around to dispute his word. And this is the same man who was loved by men like John Clum, Bat Masterson, William S Hart and many prominent citizens of Dodge city and Tombstone. And we have Doc, who fires on amd cuts down an unarmed man in a street battle. And this is the same man, who, according to Kate, came into his room after the fight and sat on his bed and wept about what had happened. None of them were heroes or villians. They were just people capable of doing good things, and having their own individual flaws.

[@bradleytrainor7856]

I''m no expert, but I've read a fair amount about Wyatt Earp. It seems to me that when Wyatt put on a badge, he became a different man from the pimp and bunco artist that he often was in his personal life. Earp served as a law officer in Doge for several years and apparently had a very good reputation. He didn't kill anyone there but arrested more than a few he could have killed. At the OK Corral, Earp didn't shoot Ike Clanton. I think that took enormous restraint and showed evidence of an admirable moral code. I believe most men would have shot Clanton under the circumstances. Once the Cowboys, who seem to have been a legitimate outlaw gang (at least they were stealing stock across the border in Mexico), murdered one of Earp's brothers and crippled another both by shooting from the shadows, Earp did go on a vendetta. He became a fuedist, but he had immense provocation.

[@brettsims931]

Love it! Wonderful stuff! Got to get all these books with your art. Thanks!

[@a.leemorrisjr.9255]

Hearing extreme tales from both sides of the fence? The truth is somewhere near the "middle." Many of these guys were NOT always the "squeaky clean" good guys they'd portrayed in films & tv. To his credit, men like Wyatt did uphold the law (what little of it there was.) Kostner's "Wyatt Earp" now considered reasonably accurate account. (Deaths of "Curly Bill," John Ringo, & Frank Stillwell excepted.)

[@tomwill1784]

I am a 44 years old Lawman. I am 72yoa. I grew up on Lone Ranger and Wyatt Earp. I found that Politicians and Brass are all crooked or unethical. So much crime is covered up. The Judges, And DA are not any better. On duty injuries are ignored most of the time. Average Citizens Hate tg he Police unless thry need them. Attitude is get the crook ,but leave me alone to their vices. Someone knocking a police officer 90% of the time, they have an ax to grind. X wives Are X for a good reason. I disreguard most of the things I hear about Officers until I hear the officers side and a unbias witness.

[@Cactusflattmedia]

Yahoooo!! Probably around My 9th time watching this episode, as long as I'm suckin' wind people will know who Wyatt Earp is, and his monumental life!❤

[@milt6208]

When you deal with the kind of people Wyatt did you can't ever let your guard down. The hero VS villain question isn't fair. Did he give justice to murdering cutthroats horse and cattle rustlers? Yes. Did he treat some family members rudely? Most definitely. It's just like Billy the Kid. He was the most loyal employee a rancher could hire. All the local citizens liked him. Except those who owned cattle horses and corrupt sheriff's. It's all a matter of who wrote the history books.

[@joanofarc1338]

Hero or villain? I say this. The Earps and Holiday hated Ike Clanton. There is no doubt about this. If Wyatt Earp was evil, then there is no possible explanation why Ike was the only one not shot at the OK Corral. Ike was not healed, and the Earps and Holiday let him leave the gunfight unharmed. Evil men would not have done that. ‘Nuff said.

[@waynegilchrist1596]

Like all men, Wyatt Earp was not without fault. In many ways he was the epitome of the American Hero and Lawman but he also had faults. Two things, that to me take away any doubt that he was not the Mr. Super Squeaky Clean. One is his main occupation was gambling. Just being a gambler may not be so gol dern awful but with Wyatt Earp we find he was a gambler far more often than he was a lawman and anyone exposed that much temptation, often losing. If you are good at gambling you are fortunate indeed to win anywhere close to 50% of the time and the odds are that in order to be consistently a winner you have to cheat! I don't gamble but I have been a casual gambler and have known professional gamblers and they all used a, "gimmick" ~ in other words they cheat! The second cloud of suspicion is Wyatt's affiliation with prostitution. In short, he was often a, "pimp"! Legal or not prostituting women is immoral and unkosher. I'm not a historian but the implications are that two of his wives, whether by conventional means or common law, were in the business and made ol Wyatt a dollar or two. He's still an iconic Western figure who's bravery and grit can not be denied. Perhaps our Mr. Earp may have been a, "convinent" figure to fill that niche in Old West folklore and give Americans someone to look up to ~ a pre John Wayne figure if you will. Thanks for sharing this with us. BTW, I wrote this before viewing your account and I am surprised that our conclusions are so much alike.

[@sluggodna]

I'm not to much of a believer in most his stories. Like he signed up for selective service, made a play for the recruiter, but his judge dad caught him, and beat him.. then, he claims he paid for sex after getting a sheriff badge, by a woman he could have at home..!

[@michaelharrington7656]

It is an interesting paradox that the gunfight that made Wyatt Earp immortal, and provides the basis for the tourism that sustains Tombstone today, was an unmitigated disaster for him. It destroyed his hope of becoming the sheriff of Cochise county which would have given him a huge income and enabled him to cross the line from being an employee to being a partner in the corporate America that was being rapidly constructed in these years. He became famous but never respectable in his lifetime. He was a hard man and I don't feel sorry for him.

[@AGTtactical]

Corporate America? Wyatt was as much a part of that as anyone, genius. He started at least two dozen businesses in his life. He came back from Nome with over 2 million in todays dollars.

[@charlesreid9337]

he never had a chance of becoming sheriff. The citizens reviled him and didnt like the earps. He tried to make a deal with his opponent, swapping the office around and sharing the profits but he was laughed at. Unlike you most people dont know just how huge that income would have been. In modern terms he'd have recieved a million or two a year from fines.

[@charlesreid9337]

@@AGTtactical Why is it simpletons like you always shout that others arent smart??? He failed at pretty much everything he did in life. He was corrupt as the day is long and a failure at it. He tried to make a deal with his political opponent to swap the sheriffs office/share profits and was laughed at. 'genius'

[@michaelharrington7656]

@@AGTtacticalIt was all lost in Josie's gambling. In his last yrears he was almost broke. He was never a partner in big business.