Page 73 - 2007 DT 12 Issues

In This Issue !

Featured Article
“Doc Holliday”................................1

Departments
News & Notes.................................2
Programs & Hikes...........................4
October 2007 Desk Schedule...............................6
Bulletin Board...............................8

“Doc” Holliday—dentist, was about to reflect famed lawman Earp. Doc met Kate while dealing faro
gambler, gunfighter . . . a true legend and gunfighter Bat Masterson’s com- in a saloon owned by his friend, John
in his time. ment, “. . . he was afraid of nothing Shanssey. She was a rough and tumble
on earth.” In January, 1875, Holliday prostitute with a generous figure and
killed a prominent Dallas citizen and a fearless temper that matched Doc’s.
by Chuck Kleber
gambler who knew how to shoot, They hit it off.
but not well enough. With a posse One day, a stranger rode into town.
e could have lived a quiet life on his heels, he rode west to Jacks- His name was Wyatt Earp. A peace
as a fully-qualified dentist, but boro, Texas. This was the real Wild officer who already had a reputation,
Hillness forced John Henry West and Doc became a faro dealer. he had been engaged by the Santa
Holliday to turn his eyes west. He was Along with his fine Fe Railroad to hunt
born in 1852 to a wealthy Georgia fam- clothes and neat down the outlaw,
ily. After serving in the Confederate appearance, Doc Dave Rudabaugh,
Army as an officer, his father quickly carried two pistols who had robbed
re-established himself in a position of and a long knife. one of their trains.
prominence when the conflict ended. Though never one Earp was looking
It was almost incumbent upon John to avoid a fight, he for clues. An old
to enter a profession, and he chose was self-effacing- acquaintance, John
dentistry. Then came the event that ly polite and gave Shanssey, suggested
changed his life. While practicing in men their due until talking to Doc Hol-
Georgia, it became apparent that he he felt crossed. liday. When Wyatt
had tuberculosis, and it was getting Unlike Dal- asked if he was the
worse. His doctors gave him little hope las, gunfights in well-known killer,
other than going west to a warmer Jacksboro did not Shanssey replied,
and drier climate. Holliday did so, stir up vigilante “He’s killed some,”
resuming a dental practice in Dallas, action. But when adding that Doc was
Texas. But the coughing put patients Doc shot a trooper Dental school graduation-1872 in his debt for some
off, and with that Holliday realized he from the Sixth Cavalry in a gambling favors and would help if asked. Hol-
had to find an alternative to earning a dispute during the spring of 1876, he liday liked Earp’s self-assured and
living. He not only had a penchant for found both the U.S. Government and forthright manner. He agreed to help
gambling, he was good at it. Here was the Texas Rangers out for his hide. and within a week, he was able to
the alternative. Doc fled to Colorado. It wasn’t long, tell him that Rudabaugh and his gang
Texas gamblers were surprised to however, that the “Wanted” notices for were holed up near Fort Davis, a post
find a Southern gentleman from one of Doc faded away and he drifted back to west of the Pecos River. Wyatt pursed
the professions in their midst. Around Fort Griffin, Texas. There, he would Rudabaugh while Doc remained at
this time, the name “Doc” was attached meet the two most important people in Fort Griffin.
to the young Holliday. His reputation his adult life, Big Nose Kate and Wyatt
“Doc” Holliday, continued on page 6