The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: PegLeg45 on January 01, 2009, 05:16:18 PM
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For all you Old West history buffs, this book's been out a couple of years, but it is well worth your time.
It covers the life and legend of John "Doc" Holliday and was written by a professor at my hometown college (ABAC) named Gary L. Roberts. He is an old west historian and has done several segments on several History channel shows on the old west.
I had never heard of it before now, but received a copy for a Christmas gift. I'm several chapters into it and I am hooked.
I do not know Mr. Roberts personally except a nod in passing from time to time, so I am not 'hawking' his book except to bring it to others attention.
You can get a copy from several online places for less than $15.00.
For more info and a synopsis: http://www.earpmorgan.com/GaryBook.html
http://www.amazon.com/Doc-Holliday-Gary-L-Roberts/dp/0470128224/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230851566&sr=1-4
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Thanks Pegleg, a friend of mine turned me on to a video, that of course I loaned to my boss and they can't find it. But it is very good. It is called " Out ride the Devil - A morning with Doc Holliday " acted by a man named Kit Hussey, it is a one man show done on stage, and the man gets your attention. It starts at 4pm on a given day as that was Doc's morning, started with a whiskey not coffee. His account of the OK Corral will startle you.
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Much of what is known about the OK shootout was taken supposedly from Doc's own written accounts. At least that's what I heard somewhere.
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Much of what is known about the OK shootout was taken supposedly from Doc's own written accounts. At least that's what I heard somewhere.
His Girlfriend "Big nosed Kate" also contributed to the historical accounts of what happened, she was looking out a window that opened onto the alley, she ducked when it got shot out, but is credited with being the closest witness who was not a participant.
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For the various investigations of the OK Corral shootout (yes even in 1881 they investigated cop shootings !) here are all the records. Pretty fascinating to read the original transcripts. This is on the Univ. of Missouri KC website. As only a law school could do it :) ...
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/earp/earphome.html
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His Girlfriend "Big nosed Kate" also contributed to the historical accounts of what happened, she was looking out a window that opened onto the alley, she ducked when it got shot out, but is credited with being the closest witness who was not a participant.
I know that several books also quote testimony from the trial and how it compares to recorded accounts by others.
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Thanks for that link, 1776. I had not found that page before. Very good info.
I have always been interested in the history of Doc Holliday (because he was from my state of Ga., and lived only 40 miles from where I live now).
I have also been an avid fan of Tombstone-related history and the Earps, by nature of their association with Doc.
I've added some quick links from the site here.
http://www.oldwesthistory.net/oldwest2.html/
http://www.ok-corral.com/
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/WWokcorral.htm
http://www.clantongang.com/
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As a side note, my Great Grandmother was born in the spring of 1881. I learned the game of checkers at an early age (3-4) from sitting on the floor at the foot of her chair using Coke bottle caps and an old checkerboard. She was 90 then and still wore the old style dresses and bonnets (think of Little house on the Prairie) that she made herself. Although she was just an infant when the OK shootout took place, she did grow up during that era and could tell some great stories about life back then.
I guess that had a lot to do with my great interest in the Old West.
Well, thanks for letting me ramble. ;)
Chuck
(PegLeg)
8)
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PegLeg if you haven't already, you might want to find a copy of HORSE AND BUGGY WEST: A BOYHOOD ON THE LAST FRONTIER by Jack O'Connor. As a kid I idolizied him. He was like a god to me. When this book of his came out I had to get a copy, read it and cried. O'Connor was a wonderful writer and this one evokes the era of the turn of the century south west. Pretty much like the John Wayne movie THE SHOOTIST. I guarantee that you'll enjoy it.
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Thanks, a friend of mine has a copy, I believe. I may borrow it if I can't find a copy.
8)
Here is a link to a list of his works:
http://www.outdoorlife.com/outdoor/adventure/article/0,19912,638953,00.html
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Here are two other interesting reads on Doc Holliday. The second one is by a descendant.
Doc Holliday
by John Myers Myers and Wayne Ed. Myers
http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780803257818?id=4372295329361
Doc Holliday : A Family Portrait
by Karen Holliday Tanner and Robert K. Dearment
http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780806133201?id=4372295329361
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If I recall he died a relatively young man. I will check my library system and see if they have either of those...tks
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If I recall he died a relatively young man. I will check my library system and see if they have either of those...tks
Yes, 36 years old, if I remember correctly.
The first of the two books in my last post was written many years ago and uses a writing style not often seen today. It did catch me off guard a little.