Tombstone's Early Years

by John Myers Myers

Tombstone’s Early Years is packed with dramatic events like the gunfight at the O.K. Corral and colorful characters such as Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson. John Myers Myers brought all his skill as a writer and historian to this authoritative account of "the town that would not die."

Genres: Westerns, Nonfiction, History

266 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Myers was born and grew up on Long Island, New York. He attended the University of New Mexico briefly, but was expelled for being one of the writers in a rebel newspaper, The Pariah. After extensive travel through Europe and the United States, Myers worked for the New York World and San Antonio Evening News. He was also an advertising copywriter. Myers served a short term in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1943, he married Charlotte Shanahan, with whom he had two daughters. He settled in Tempe, Arizona in 1948. John Myers Myers died October 30, 1988.

Reviews

[Theo Logos · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Myers Myers had a comfortable way of relating Western history. He would take his time leading up to his tale, giving pertinent background for his main story, setting the tone and the context for what was to come. He then would launch into his tale like a grizzled, wise old-timer, complete with rambling, colorful asides that might seem to diverge from his story, but often proved to be surprisingly pertinent in the end. He never forgot that "Story" is the most important element in his-story, and his folksy style was uniquely suited to the Western histories that he wrote. Last Chance: Tombstone's Early Years is a fine little history of that town "too tough to die".

Myers began the story with Ed Schieffelin, the prospector who was told by soldiers that all he would find in that dangerous part of the Arizona territory was his tombstone. Instead, he found a silver claim that made him a rich man and he ironically christened that claim Tombstone. Soon, others flocked to the region in search of their dreams of silver wealth, and the town of Tombstone grew up around the rough mining camp that was established there. Myers worked his way slowly from there up to the chaos and lawlessness that engendered the Earp/Clanton feud for which Tombstone is best known. While this feud and its climax at the OK Corral shoot-out are the heart of his story, he never lost sight of the town itself and the regular citizens who watched it unfold, whose lives were affected by it, and who rooted for one side or the other.

The feud between the Earps and the Clanton Cowboy gang has always been associated with controversy, and even now well over a century removed from the events, there are still strong partisans for both sides who bring great passion to their positions. Myers was firmly in the Earp camp with his interpretation of the history. He did not make Wyatt and his brothers out to be pure, white-hat heroes out of old dime westerns, but he definitely made it clear on which side of that largely lawless divide he believed that the right lay, and it was not with the Cowboys. But agree with him or not, you will find his storytelling first rate.

In the final sentence of the book, Myers wrote,

the great thing about Tombstone was not that there was silver in the veins of the adjacent hills, but that life flowed hotly and strongly in the veins of its people.

Myers did a great job of capturing the feel of that hot blooded passion that fueled the town and the legend. If you enjoy old west histories, or are captivated by the infamous Earp/Clanton feud, give his book a read.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written book and filled some gaps in my knowledge of the history of Tombstone very well.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect example of a library book sale book that sits on my shelves for years and then turns out to be a gem. John Myers Myers not only tells us about the OK Corral, but the years leading up to it and the years after in the life of Tombstone. His writing style is very conversational as he also explains the discrepancies in sources (or total lack of sources) in the history of a legendary Western town.

[Joshua Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1954 so the vernacular took some getting used to. If I was offered $100K or getting to spend the afternoon with Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp, I’m taking the latter.

This was my first book of 2025 and I will be adding all my read books this year.

[Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific history of Tombstone and the famous Earp-Clanton feud.

[SB · Rating 4 out of 5]

So engagingly written you can enjoy it even knowing it's regularly inaccurate.

[Brian Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, enjoyable read about one of the most well known towns of the American old West.
Starts with the founding of the town, and it's choice of name, by prospectors. Then follows up with the inhabitants, cattle men and the types of people who follow on as a town grows.

The Earps and the OK Corral have their place, but not to the detriment of the other characters or events. Everything is handled in its right place and time, forming a coherent history of a brief period when Tombstone was the most prosperous town in the west.

[Thom Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want the real story of Tombstone this is the book. I'm an avid fan of the movie with Val Kilmer as Doc. I recommend this to anyone who loves history and the Old West.