Some Key Tombstone Townfolk

John Behan John Clum George Whitwell Parsons William Breakenridge William Claiborne Judge Wells Spicer Pete Spence Frank Stillwell

HISTORY PAGES Part II, Coming Soon! PROFILES

John Behan Tombstone Profession: Sheriff of Tombstone

The flambouyant Johnny Behan. Man about town, ladies man. Behan courted and brought young Josie Marcus to Tombstone to be his wife. A decision he would come to regret as she left him for his arch-rival, Wyatt Earp. Behan was key in the development of the fued between the Earp and cowboy factions. Although Behan seemed to have won the overall battle against the Earps, by removing them from town, he to had lost favor in the eyes of Tombstone and soon left, himself.

John Clum Tombstone Profession: Mayor of Tombstone Editor of the Tombstone Epitaph

The quintesential frontier administrator. As an Indian agent, he dealt with great Apaches warriors like Geronimo and Naiche, son of Cochise. As mayor and editor of the Tombstone Epitaph, Clum had much to do in helping to foment the high levels of tension in Tombstone. After the streetfight and subsequent trial, Clum learned he was on a "deathlist" made up by the cowboy gang. In December 1881, Clum narrowly escaped what he considered an assasination attempt when highwaymen attempted to rob the stagecoach he was in. Clum was a life-long friend of Wyatt Earp and was one of Earp's pallbearer at his funeral.

George Whitwell Parsons Tombstone Profession: Prospector Miner

The Tombstone diarist. Looking to make his fortune in the Arizona hills, miner George Parson kept a journal on the daily life in and around Tombstone. His meticulous account of daily life in the 1880's has done more to fill out the Tombstone story than any other single work of writing. Like John Clum, Parsons was a life-long friend of Wyatt and was a pallbearer at his funeral.

William Breakenridge      aka: Billy Tombstone Profession: Deputy Sheriff of Tombstone

Deputy Sheriff of Tombstone under Sheriff Behan. Billy Breakenridge was friendly with many of the the cowboy outlaw element, including Curly Bill Brocius and Johnny Ringo. Breakenridge coined the term Helldorado for the title of his 1928 book. The name stuck and the Town of Tombstone celebrates Helldorado Days annually.

William Claiborne      aka: Billy the Kid Tombstone Profession: Miner Gambler

Despite his alleged affiliations with the cowboys, Claiborne lived in Tombstone and Charleston. He is listed in the 1880 U.S. Census, Pima County, as an assistant amalgamator out of Charleston. Claiborne was an eyewitness to the streetfight and testified against the Earps and Holliday. Billy "the Kid" Claiborne met his fate in a Tombstone shootout of his own when he made the mistake of calling out "Buckskin" Frank Leslie in 1882.

Wells Spicer Tombstone Profession: Lawyer Justice of the Peace

The Judge for the Earp/Holliday Inquest. A staunch Republican, Spicer caused a stir during the trial when he seemed to have privately coached a witnesses (Addie Borland) statement, then recalled her to the stand. Spicer's name was rumored to be on the alleged cowboy hitlist. He defiantly wrote a scathing letter in response, printed in the Epitaph. The cowboys never did get Judge Spicer and he left soon Tombstone for good. Many years later, Wells Spicer wandered off into the desert one day. When his body was found, it was assumed he had committed suicide in a fit of depression.

Peter Spencer aka: Pete Spence, Spence

Frank Stillwell Tombstone Profession: Deputy Sheriff of Tombstone

Arrested by the Earps for the September 8, 1881 Bisbee stagecoach holdup. Spence and Stillwell's arrests allegedly prompted a confrontation between Frank McLaury and Morgan, then later, Virgil in which Frank threatened to kill them if they were ever to come after him. Stillwell was a suspect in the killing of Morgan and made the mistake of getting caught stalking the Earp party at the Tucson train station (must have been a squeaking bootheel). Stilwell's bullet riddled body found next day marked the beginning of Wyatt's Cowboy killing-spree. Pete Spence was able to evade Wyatt's vengeful wrath. He left Tombstone for better parts but ended up in Yuma Prison.

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