WYATT'S READING ROOM
Historical documents that relate not just to the Earp's, but
Tombstone and the West. Wyatt Earp loved to read the news
of his day, now so can you.
Historical documents that relate not just to the Earp's, but
Tombstone and the West. Wyatt Earp loved to read the news
of his day, now so can you.
This article points to Earp support by John Clum of the Tombstone Epitaph, and others as the reason for the attack on the stage which Clum was riding, who then fled to the Grand Central Mill. The larger point that article is attempting may be a message to those who fired on the Stage on which Clum was a passenger-why shoot at those who did not shoot Frank and Tom McLaury, or Billy Clanton, at the gunfight near(now known as) the O.K.Corral?
Though it may not have been a comfort to Wyatt Earp, his family, and Doc Holliday, it further adds..."Why the feeling of deadly hatred should exist in relation to the Earps and Holliday every one here can understand; but as to the others..." That "feeling of deadly hatred" which the Earp supporting Epitaph agrees that "every one here can understand" will explode into an assassination attempt on the life of U.S. Marshall Virgil Earp, less than two weeks after the printing of this article. It will cost him the use of his left arm for the remainder of his life, and the healthful disposition that many in the Earp line long enjoyed. The successful assassination of Morgan Earp would take place the following March(18th) of 1882.
This Tombstone Nugget newspaper from the collections of John D. Rose
This claim for land about one half mile North of Contention City gives a small idea of the substantial activity in these small river towns which were part of the Tombstone district. The term Tombstone district signifies the economic reach of Tombstone's mining operations, not only where the Tombstone mines were located. Ore processed at Contention City came from the mines at Tombstone. If Tombstone and it's mines did not exist, neither would Contention City, Charleston, Millville, Emery City or the Boston Mill, all located miles from Tombstone along the San Pedro River. The signing witness to this claim is E.A Rigg. Edwin Augustus Rigg was a former military man and Contention City justice of the piece, and it was partly due to his law and order approach which allowed others in Contention boast that unlike it's larger sister city to the southeast,(Tombstone) Contention City did not "have a man for breakfast every morning." This oft repeated contemporary quip was a local exaggeration of Tombstone's intermittent violence.
Located nine miles North of Tombstone and four miles south of the Dragoons, this claim is for a water source located in a Gulch. Though the claim states that it's use is for a millsite and also irrigation and water for Tombstone, it further points out that it is located just a half mile Easterly from Sycamore Spring. Sycamore Spring was the site of the first water aqueduct to Tombstone, bringing a more reliable water supply than mules hauling canvas water bags from Mountain remote springs on their backs and selling for three cents per gallon. Being this close to Tombstone's first aqueduct may have given the claimant hopes of some future advantage. Soon a second aqueduct from the Huachuca Mountains on the opposite side of the valley would make this water claim and the Sycamore Springs aqueduct of diminished importance.
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Cottonwood Mill Site
In the search for the location where Wyatt Earp killed Curly Bill Brocius, few records have been located that could further the search of this famous encounter.
The recent discovery by John Rose of this document brings a new source to add to the discourse. It's for a mill claim for a location called "Cottonwood." Note that it does not say Cottonwood Spring. That is not titled Cottonwood Spring does not in itself prove that it is a different location than this claim known as Cottonwood. In fact, as the map study below shows, it is in the same area as the actual Cottonwood Spring. We share this exciting discovery to further the discourse for those who like ourselves, simply wish to follow the trail of primary source research wherever it leads, without agenda. As the claim states, "This claim is situated in the Southwest end of the Whetstone Mountains, County of Pima, [Cochise County had yet to be formed] and Territory of Arizona, about sixteen miles due west of the San Pedro River, and eight miles north west of old Camp Whallen..." ( The correct spelling is Wallen)
It's important to note that not all mill claims were turned into mill sites, and not all mills in mining were of the same significance. There were far more mills on paper in the 1880's in this part of Arizona than there were ever mills actually completed on the ground. Lack of funding, the playing out of the once promising mine, the drying up of a nearby water source, are just a few of the possibilities which explain this. The claim further lists a nearby ranch which is not on any of our current maps, though we continue to search, as well as looking for information related to the "Rocket" Mine which may or may not offer further clues. What this claim does show is that there was a known water supply at a location known as Cottonwood, described in the correct area of Cottonwood Spring, over two years before the Iron Spring fight. Recorded January 2nd,1880, it is reasonable that this location would still have water on March 24th,1882, the day that Wyatt Earp gunned down Curly Bill. Whether this claim proves to be related to Iron Spring or not, the uncovering of such documents is part of the hunt, and an important part at that. We are sharing this raw information while this research is still in progress, so that this can aid others in their research as well.
John Rose
The recent discovery by John Rose of this document brings a new source to add to the discourse. It's for a mill claim for a location called "Cottonwood." Note that it does not say Cottonwood Spring. That is not titled Cottonwood Spring does not in itself prove that it is a different location than this claim known as Cottonwood. In fact, as the map study below shows, it is in the same area as the actual Cottonwood Spring. We share this exciting discovery to further the discourse for those who like ourselves, simply wish to follow the trail of primary source research wherever it leads, without agenda. As the claim states, "This claim is situated in the Southwest end of the Whetstone Mountains, County of Pima, [Cochise County had yet to be formed] and Territory of Arizona, about sixteen miles due west of the San Pedro River, and eight miles north west of old Camp Whallen..." ( The correct spelling is Wallen)
It's important to note that not all mill claims were turned into mill sites, and not all mills in mining were of the same significance. There were far more mills on paper in the 1880's in this part of Arizona than there were ever mills actually completed on the ground. Lack of funding, the playing out of the once promising mine, the drying up of a nearby water source, are just a few of the possibilities which explain this. The claim further lists a nearby ranch which is not on any of our current maps, though we continue to search, as well as looking for information related to the "Rocket" Mine which may or may not offer further clues. What this claim does show is that there was a known water supply at a location known as Cottonwood, described in the correct area of Cottonwood Spring, over two years before the Iron Spring fight. Recorded January 2nd,1880, it is reasonable that this location would still have water on March 24th,1882, the day that Wyatt Earp gunned down Curly Bill. Whether this claim proves to be related to Iron Spring or not, the uncovering of such documents is part of the hunt, and an important part at that. We are sharing this raw information while this research is still in progress, so that this can aid others in their research as well.
John Rose
The above Cottonwood Mill Site claim states that it is to be used for milling ore from the "Rocket Mine."
This document further explores the history of this important area, which may in turn further the search for where Wyatt Earp killed Curly Bill Brocius in the Whetstone Mountains of Arizona. Note that the location date of the claim for the Rocket Mine is dated January 2nd, 1880, as is the location date of the claim for the Cottonwood Millsite. Also, the three claimants are the same on both documents.
-John Rose
This document further explores the history of this important area, which may in turn further the search for where Wyatt Earp killed Curly Bill Brocius in the Whetstone Mountains of Arizona. Note that the location date of the claim for the Rocket Mine is dated January 2nd, 1880, as is the location date of the claim for the Cottonwood Millsite. Also, the three claimants are the same on both documents.
-John Rose
Copyright John D. Rose, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. All rights reserved.
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