American History Tellers Shootout at the O.K. Corral | Law and Disorder | 2
Oct 15, 2025
Tensions in Tombstone reach a boiling point as election fraud stirs conflict between the Earps and the Clantons. Virgil Earp's defeat in the marshal race highlights the political divide, while Curly Bill's provocations deepen hostilities. The fear of stagecoach robberies escalates, culminating in violence that shocks the town. Wyatt Earp attempts to restore order but faces obstacles as public outrage grows. Ike Clanton's descent into paranoia sets the stage for an inevitable showdown, leaving the community on edge.
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Ballot Stuffing Around Tombstone
- Voters in Tombstone openly stuffed ballot boxes to elect Democrat candidates and block Virgil Earp.
- Curly Bill and his allies supplied pre-filled ballots to secure wins for cowboy-friendly officials.
Politics Fueled Tombstone's Violence
- Tombstone split into cowboys who prized independence and town leaders who wanted stability and enforcement.
- That political divide made law enforcement and elections a battlefield between rustlers and business interests.
Behan's Cowboy Alliance
- Johnny Behan rose in Tombstone politics by courting cowboys and using contacts from Prescott.
- He aligned with Curly Bill and offered him a tax-collection role that enriched both men and angered citizens.
