Gunfight at the OK Corral
IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE FIGHT...
Ike Clanton, Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury, and Frank McLaury
have been itching for a fight all day. Earlier in the day,
Ike and Tom had been pistol whipped, in seperate
incidents, by the Earps. Swearing revenge, they have been
seen down by the OK Corral, armed, and talking of killing
the Earps.
Virgil Earp, the town marshal, enlists Wyatt and Morgan
Earp, and Doc Holliday. Walking down Fremont street on the
way to the OK Corral, Virgil hands Doc his shotgun in
exchange for Doc's cane. Doc has a long overcoat and
conceals the shotgun underneath it as not to frighten the
townspeople.
Sheriff Johnny Behan, who has just spoken with the Cowboys
comes running up, and Virgil says "Johnny, I am going to
disarm them." Behan replies, "I have already disarmed
them." Knowing that Johnny is a Cowboy sympathizer, Virgil
ignores him and continues on to the OK Corral, but
holsters his pistol and puts Doc's cane in his gun hand.
As the Earps approach the Cowboys, Morgan blurts out, "You
sons-of-bitches have been looking for a fight, now you can
have it!" All the Earps but Virgil have their guns drawn
and pointed at the Cowboys.
"Don't shoot, I don't want to fight!" exclaims Billy
Clanton. "I have nothing," says Tom McLaury, yet his shirt
is untucked from his pants and he seems to be hiding a gun
in his pocket.
"Throw up your hands!" yells Wyatt Earp. Virgil immediatly
follows with: "We have come down here to disarm you and
arrest you. Throw up your hands - I want your guns!"
Virgil was waving the cane about for dramatic affect.
In the tense moment that followed, Morgan and Doc cock
their guns. Suddenly, Billy Claibourne, who was standing
away from the area, bolts and runs. Ike grapples with
Wyatt, who was about to pistol whip him. The tension
explodes and the fight begins.
THE GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL...
(This is an animated RECONSTRUCTION of the Gunfight at the
OK Corral. Historians, reconstructionists, and
enthusiasists have proposed different ways that the fight
occured. This is one POSSIBLE way. )
Based on eye-witness accounts and historical research,
this reconstruction depicts the fight lasting about 23
seconds with 32 shots fired.
The Earps and Doc are colored in green and the Clantons,
McLaury's and allies in blue. Gunshots are the
red lines
that streak across the screen. Also in
red are the wounds
sustained by the combatants and their locations. The two
horses are shades of brown. After you have viewed the
fight, read the step-by-step description of the fight. The
steps are numbered and correspond to the number in the
orange box in the animation.
AND NOW, THE GUNFIGHT AT THE OK
CORRAL ....
1
The Fight Begins |
Doc Holliday shoots Frank McLaury in the abdomen
from less than three feet away. Morgan fires and hits
Billy Clanton in the chest, knocking him backward
against the nearby house. Billy, who was in the
process of pulling his gun, shoots in Virgil's
direction. Tom jerks on his horses reins, trying to
maneuver the horse between himself and his aggressors.
Virgil stands in disbelief at all that has happening
around him. Morgan fires a sed hits Billy Clanton in the hand.
Amazingly, Billy still holds the gun, but slumps down
against the house.
Ike an struggle causes Wyatt's pistol to go off,
grazing the running Billy Claibourne. . |
2
A Pause in the Action |
Wyatt and Ike still struggle against
the side of Fly's Rooming House. Tom and Frank use
their horses as shields. Billy Clanton, is wounded and
dazed. Billy Claibourne vacates the scene. Virgil is
still trying to get the Cowboy's to surrender. Morgan
and Doc are looking for clear fields of fire, now
obstructed by the Cowboy's horses.
It takes just a few seconds before the fight
resumes. |
3
Ike Flees |
Ike pushes off from Wyatt and bolts
behind Virgil. Doc fires at Frank, who is now
obstructed by his horse, and misses him. Frank
continues to turn his horse around for better
protection. Billy begins to switch his gun from his
mangled right hand to his left.
Morgan fires two consecutive shots at Frank,
missing him both times. Doc whirls and also shoots two
consecutive shots, this time at the escaping Ike
Clanton. Both miss. |
4
The Mystery Gunman |
Even the Gunfight at the OK Corral
would not be complete without a "second gunman on the
grassy knoll." One or two shots were possibly fired
from the area behind Fly's Boarding House known as the
Stoop. Who was this mystery man? In the area were many
Clanton allies, including Sheriff Behan, Billy
Claibourne, Wesley Fuller, and Billy Allen.
Many scholars charge Billy Allen with the deed, yet
there is little clear evidence. Wyatt fires a single
shot in the direction of the stoop to suppress further
firing from that direction.
In any case, Tom McLaury is able to draw his
concealed pistol and shoot over his horse at Morgan.
By now, Virgil gives up on trying to make the Cowboys
surrender, drops Doc's cane, and draws his pistol.
Doc, fearful of the position he is now in, holsters
his pistol and draws the shotgun from under his coat.
Frank, using his horse as a shield, circles the fight
and waits for a good shot. |
5
Morgan is Wounded |
Tom quickly fires again at Morgan,
this time successfully toppling Morgan backwards into
the street. Billy Clanton, using his left hand, shoots
at Virgil, missing. Virgil delays in any shooting for
another few seconds. Frank has now completely circled
his horse and prepares to shoot.
Wyatt takes a shot at Tom, missing him, but grazes
his horse, causing it to bolt. |
6
Virgil is Wounded |
Frank's first shot passes through the
calf of Virgil, who stumbles and uses Fly's house as
support. Doc blasts Tom, whose horse has bolted, with
the shotgun at point blank range. The shot sends Tom
flying down the street.
Virgil returns Frank's shot and misses. Frank
shoots under his horses neck, and also misses.
Gravely wounded Billy Clanton tries another left
handed shot at Virgil but misses him. Wyatt takes a
long shot at Tom, who has just been blown down the
street by Doc's shotgun. |
7
The Final Shots |
Virgil turns to finish off Billy
Clanton. Virgil shoots Billy twice, missing once,
while Billy misses both of his shots.
Wyatt, Doc, and the wounded Morgan all line up
shots on Frank. Frank's last words were to Doc: "I
have you now."
Doc replies: "You're a good one if you have."
Four guns go off simultaneously. Doc is hit in the
hip by Frank, and Morgan shoots Frank in the head,
killing him instantly. |
8
Conclusion |
Within an hour, both Tom and Billy
die of their wounds.
Virgil, Morgan, and Doc are wounded, but live to
fight another day.
Only Wyatt and Ike survived the fight unscathed. |
 THE EARPS DOC,
AND THE COWBOYS AFTER THE GUNFIGHT...
After the gunfight, the three Cowboys, Tom and Frank
McLaury and Billy Clanton were put on view at the Ritter
and Ream Funeral Parlor. A large sign read: "MURDERED
IN THE STREETS OF TOMBSTONE". |
