Understanding the Cowboys in the Time of Wyatt Earp

In the late 19th century, the American West was a vast and often unforgiving landscape where cowboys played a pivotal role. However, the perception of cowboys during the time of Wyatt Earp was quite different from the image we have today. This article aims to explore what the term 'cowboy' meant during those years and the role these men played in shaping the story of the West.

Historical Context and Background

The cowboy era was characterized by the large-scale cattle drives that took place from the Western Plains to the Midwest and beyond. Entrepreneurs raised vast herds of cattle, and when these cattle were old and strong enough, they were driven over long distances to bustling railheads. From there, the cattle were transported by railway to slaughterhouses and eventually to the butchers of major Eastern cities. This was a period of immense economic and social change, but it was not one without conflict.

The Cowboys: Rustlers and Outlaws

The cowboys that are often referenced in this context were primarily a loosely organized group of approximately fifty men who engaged in cattle rustling. These individuals included notable figures such as Ike Clanton, Tom and Frank McLaury, Curly Bill Brocious, Johnny Ringo, Billy Claiborne, Frank Stilwell, and Billy Clanton. While their activities were mainly centered around rustling, some were also involved in stagecoach robberies and other criminal activities.

Despite their reputation, only a handful of these cowboys were actual skilled gunmen. The conflict between these cowboys and figures like Wyatt Earp and his brothers, along with Doc Holliday, reached its peak in Tombstone. The famous gunfight at the OK Corral was the result of long-standing tensions between these two factions. The Earp-Rickey conflict involved the Cowboys of the Clanton-McLowery faction, who opposed the Earps in Tombstone.

A Real Cowboy vs. A Cowboy Outlaw

It is crucial to distinguish between the cowboy as a modern image and the cowboy as a historical figure. A real cowboy, in the traditional sense, was a rider who cared for cattle. They could be found at ranches or on cattle drives, working tirelessly to ensure the well-being of their charges. This work often involved long hours in the saddle, which gave rise to the romanticized image of the rugged cowboy that we see today.

In contrast, the cowboys of Wyatt Earp's time were often derogatorily referred to as 'cowboys' by newspapers and authorities. According to historian Jeff Guinn, in the early 1880s, the term 'cowboy' was an insult. These men were often individuals who had fled to Arizona and Texas due to legal troubles and spent their time rustling cattle and causing general mayhem. They were seen as nuisances and threats to the community rather than heroes.

Wyatt Earp and the Changing Perception

As a sheriff, Wyatt Earp faced a constant struggle with a steady influx of outlaws and rustlers who were just as experienced in breaking the law as he was in enforcing it. Many of these individuals came from Texas, but they were not simply drovers looking for a little fun. Instead, they were cattle rustlers who operated with the intention of causing chaos and theft.

Historian Jeff Guinn highlights this in his book The Last Cowboys. According to Guinn, the term 'cowboy' was initially intended as a slur, a way to identify individuals who were so low and violent that they would not hesitate to commit any evil act. However, over time, this term evolved to become more complimentarily, albeit not without its negative connotations.

Guinn's work provides a deeper insight into the complexities of the cowboy era. He writes, 'As Pima County deputy sheriff Earp had to contend with a steady influx of arrivals who were every bit as experienced in breaking the law as Wyatt was in enforcing it. Like his adversaries back in Wichita and Dodge many hailed from Texas. But these weren’t drovers intent on a little wild fun. They dealt in cattle too but instead of herding them they stole them. For that they acquired a generic nickname that eventually evolved into a complimentary description but one that in 1880 was intended as a slur a means of identifying men so low and violent that no evil act was considered beneath them: cowboys.'

These words provide a stark contrast to the romanticized image we often associate with cowboys today. They offer a more nuanced understanding of the individuals who roamed the Western landscape during the late 19th century.

Conclusion

The Cowboys of Wyatt Earp's time were a contentious chapter in the history of the American West. While they have since become an iconic part of our cultural heritage, it is vital to understand the harsh realities and the different perceptions of their actions during that era. The complex interplay between law enforcement and outlaws like those involved in the infamous OK Corral gunfight reflects a much more intricate and often violent period in American history.