Monday, March 26, 2007
Cowboys
People often use the term “cowboys” when talking about the gunfight at the OK Corral: the Earps shooting it out with the cowboys in a vacant lot by Fly’s Photo Studio. In fact, the cowboys were a very loosely tied together group, very loosely tied. Most of the people in Tombstone who cared for law and order considered anyone who lived outside of “law and order” a cowboy. This feeling increased after “Curly” Bill Brocius shot and killed Marshall Fred White. In reality, the cowboy represented anyone who lived life outside of established society. These were people who both ranched and rustled. So they weren’t always on the other side of the law, just on the outside of the community. There is also the political aspect to consider. We have to consider the political. Most cowboys, especially around Tombstone, were Democrat. Republicans, like the Earps, did their best to fuel the anti-cowboy fire. If you are wondering why some ranching and rustling cowboys would care about politics, just remember that it is easy to live your lifestyle when the people in charge, especially in law enforcement, are on your side.
