It was called "The Town Too Tough to Die", and it is probably the town most associated with outlawry on the frontier. Born in 1877 as a result of a rich silver deposit, it was named, so the legend goes, by it's prospector-founder, Ed Schieffelin, who was told by doubters that all he would find in the area (still inhabited by Apaches) was his "tombstone." The area prospered, however, and by 1881 the town boasted of 10,000 people. But the mines were plagued with water, production fell and by 1886 its glory days were over.

I visited Tombstone in 1998 and thouroughly enjoyed what had been done to preserve the rich outlaw west history. Like many mining towns that thrived in the late 19th century, it became a ghost town. However, many of the historic structures that were destroyed by fire or nature have been rebuilt.  There is quality lodging and dining available. It was nostalgic to walk the streets in a place that is so rich with outlaw history.

Tombstone reeks with history and myth, and western researchers are still sorting through the legends for the truth. There is no incident or shootout more steeped in myth and controversy than the "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" on October 26, 1881. The argument over who were the good guys and who were the bad guys will never be settled. Wyatt Earp fans will never believe the fight was not a fair one, yet there are some that call the deaths out and out murder. It is agreed that the Earp brothers--Wyatt, Morgan and Virgil--had been fueding for some time with four alleged rustlers, Ike and Billy Clanton and Frank and Tom McLaury. The reason is not clear. Some say the Earps, being peace officers of sorts, wanted to rid the town of such characters. Others suggest that the Earps, together with Doc Holiday, wanted in on the action.

The big shootout occurred around two o'clock on Fremont Street, a couple doors down from the O.K. Corral. There are many different accounts of how it all went down, but the end result in agreed upon by all. Out of eight participants, six had spilled blood. Tom and Frank McLaury were dead, Billy Clanton would soon be, and Virgil Earp, Morgan Earp and Doc Holiday were wounded. Wyatt Earp emerged unscathed, as did Ike Clanton. Billy Clairbourne, although armed, had slipped into the rear door of the gallery and avoided the action.

Visitors to Tombstone today can get a good picture of the town the Earp and Clanton factions met on Fremont Street. Thanks to a retired Detroit attorney, Harold Love, much restoration has taken place. In addition to the gunfight site, tourists can visit the restored Bird Cage Theater, Schieffelin Hall, Boot Hill, the old City Hall, the Old Courthouse and the Crystal Palace Saloon.