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On this Day. . .


Doc Holliday

Well technically I am late/early for this entry but I thought since they take place in the same year I would talk about them both here since I find them both rather interesting.


September 27th, 1880:

Doc Holliday is firstly recorded to have been in Tombstone Arizona through his records of registering to vote in Pima County District 17.


October 10th, 1880:

Not long after Doc settles in Tombstone, Arizona does he have his familiar run in with Johnny Tyler. If anyone has seen the film Tombstone from 1993, they should all remember the Johnny Tyler scene. After Johnny Tyler's refusal to raise to Doc's threats, Milt Joyce the bartender demanded that Doc turn over his guns. Having been chewed out and given too much heck for the incident Doc's temper got the best of him and he turned over his guns and left the saloon in a hurry. Only to return with another pistol in his hand. Now unsteady possibliy from anger as he didn't drink to get drunk, Doc opened fire in the Oriental Saloon. Milt Joyce was no more than ten feet away from Doc when the firing occured and though hit in the hand Joyce was able to buffalo Doc with one of the pistols he had from behind the bar. Mr. Parker, a bartender, was also struck on the left foot big toe. Two officers were nearby and ble to step in and stop the fight quickly. Doc had looked seriously wounded from the blow to his head if not fatally wounded the Tombstone Epitaph reported. Doc was arrested for the incident and held on bond of $200. Doc paid it and showed up in court two days later. None of the prosecution witnesses showed up to testify and at this point Doc plead guilty to assault and battery and was fined $20 plus the $11.25 in court costs.


I know we didn't start off with a very good story about Doc but he had his trials and tribulations as a man that was dying and had no reason of living anymore. I can understand why he let his anger get the best of him sometimes. I am in the camp that agrees that A) He doesn't drink to get drunk and B) he might not be the fastest with a gun or the best with a gun, just more level headed than most opponents he goes against. However, this incident that occurred on the 10th of October is a perfect example of how not perfect he was.


Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed that little part of history and hope you learned something. I know I did when I learned of this incident. But it gives credence to what I know in my heart to be true about Doc Holliday.


~Shadow

1 Comment


Souji Okita
Souji Okita
Oct 02

Now I just read somewhere else that Milt Joyce wasn't just berating Doc for his interaction with Johnny Tyler but physically bodily picked Doc up and threw him out into the streets. Temper or no temper I think I'd go get a gun too. That's an awful thing to have happen to you.

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