Doc Holliday

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Doc Holliday in Prescott AZ

John Henry "Doc" Holliday (August 14, 1851 – November 8, 1887) was an American gambler, gunfighter, and dentist, and a good friend of Wyatt Earp. He is best known for his role as a temporary deputy marshal in the events leading up to and following the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Early Life

Born in Griffin, Georgia, Holliday was raised in Valdosta, Georgia. He was born with a cleft palate and had surgery to correct it; this led to him speaking with a lisp for the rest of his life. He received a classical education before studying at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, from which he graduated in 1872. Shortly after beginning his dental practice in Atlanta, Holliday was diagnosed with tuberculosis, the same disease that had claimed his mother when he was 15. Seeking a drier climate for health reasons, he moved to the American Southwest.

Career

Holliday moved to Dallas, Texas, where he opened a dental office. However, his health problems and possibly his temperament made it difficult for him to maintain his practice. He soon turned to gambling as a full-time occupation. His reputation as a skilled gambler and fearsome gunfighter spread, and he traveled across the West, living in various cities and getting involved in their local gambling scenes.

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

In 1880, Holliday settled in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, where he became friends with Wyatt Earp, a former lawman, and his brothers. The Earps were in a feud with a group of outlaws known as the Cowboys. The conflict escalated, leading to the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881. Holliday was deputized by Virgil Earp and took part in the 30-second shootout, which is considered a seminal moment in the American Old West.

Later Life and Death

After the gunfight, Holliday and the Earps were embroiled in the aftermath, which included further violence and legal battles. Eventually, Holliday left Arizona for Colorado. His health continued to deteriorate, and he spent his last years moving between Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, looking for relief from his tuberculosis. He died at the age of 36 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Despite his notoriety, he was buried in the town's Linwood Cemetery, with a simple grave marker that belied his legendary status.

Legacy

Doc Holliday remains a figure of fascination in American folklore, symbolizing the rugged individualism and lawlessness of the Old West. He has been portrayed in numerous films, television shows, and books, contributing to the mythologizing of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the characters involved.