With individuals like Ike Clanton, we learn that there are many gray areas when it comes to distinguishing outlaws from law enforcement. Tombstone, Arizona, was a boomtown. And boomtowns were targets for criminal activity because of their massive wealth.
Clanton and his cronies from the gang, The Cowboys, became embroiled in a conflict with the Earp law enforcers. Clanton’s kid brother died during such a conflict on October 26, 1881. Law enforcement was not punished. It is believed that Clanton was part of a plot to assassinate Virgil Earp, but there was not enough evidence to prove it.
Kinman Bar
Did you notice that the patrons of this bar are sitting on chairs that are seemingly made from bear coats? That’s right – this bar’s furnishings include bear-lined seats. The story behind the seats is the barman, Seth Kinman. Apparently, this barman had a passion for hunting, specifically grizzly bears. It is claimed that during his life, he killed 800 grizzly bears.
This scene from his bar in California in 1889 seems to suggest that Kinman’s exploits are true, especially since the proof is in the pudding, or rather in the whiskey.
Bear Hunting
This grizzly photo (no pun intended) shows the result of a bear hunt in 1874. In a Black Hills expedition, General Custer and Colonel Ludlow killed the first grizzly bear of their hunt.
At the time, the Old West was in the throws of converting wild lands into livestock pastures, so free-roaming bears became fair game for landowners and those looking to prove whatever point they felt they needed to prove.
Celia Ann Mattie Blaylock
We cannot imagine that farm life was completely attractive to everyone who grew up in the Old West. And one such individual who turned away from farm life was Celia Ann "Mattie" Blaylock.
Known for her association with Wyatt Earp, the American lawmaker, and being his common-law wife, Celia Ann Blaylock turned away from life on a farm at a young age. After fleeing, she had little choice but to turn to harlotry. And one of her major destinations was Dodge City, a city renowned for its significance during the Wild West.
Mine in Montana
In 1852, gold was discovered in Montana. However, only ten years later did prospectors begin flocking to the state. As seen in this photograph, discovering gold in the state was anything but easy. The rugged, harsh mountains in the backdrop are one of the reasons why.
Much of Montana’s gold deposits are found in the mountains between Montana and Idaho, but this makes for difficult conditions to mine in. In 1889, this photo was taken – a clear reminder of how difficult mining was 130 years ago.