Tombstone · Chapter
IX: Ringo explained
This chapter profiles John Ringo, a brooding, tragic outlaw of Tombstone, contrasting his literate, chivalrous nature with his life of crime.
What happens
This chapter profiles John Ringo, a brooding, tragic outlaw of Tombstone, contrasting his literate, chivalrous nature with his life of crime. It recounts his background, his role as Curly Bill's right-hand man, his quixotic code of honor, and his challenge to Wyatt Earp to a duel, which Earp refuses. The chapter also details Ringo's friendship with Deputy Breakenridge, his robbery of a poker game, and his eventual arrest on Breakenridge's warrant.
Themes in this chapter
Character and Reputation
Ringo is depicted as an 'honourable outlaw' with a personal code of chivalry, contrasting his criminal life with his dignified, literate demeanor.
Violence and Death
The chapter centers on Ringo's willingness to die in a duel, his past killings, and the constant threat of violence in Tombstone.
Frontier Mythology and Legend
Ringo is mythologized as a tragic, Hamlet-like figure, embodying the romanticized outlaw of the Old West.
Characters to notice
- John Ringo
Portrayed as a Hamlet-like outlaw, introspective, tragic, and chivalrous; challenges Wyatt Earp to a duel and later robs a poker game.
- Wyatt Earp
Refuses Ringo's duel challenge, citing his role as a peace officer and candidate for sheriff.
- Doc Holliday
Accepts Ringo's handkerchief duel challenge, but is stopped by Mayor Thomas.
- Billy Breakenridge
Deputy who arrests Ringo on a robbery warrant; later allows Ringo to retrieve his guns and trusts his word to surrender.
- John Behan
Sheriff who disarms Ringo after the duel attempt, ordering him to give up his guns.
- Curly Bill
Mentioned as Ringo's associate; avoids Tombstone after killing Town Marshal White.
Key passages
“John Ringo stalks through the stories of old Tombstone days like a Hamlet among outlaws, an introspective, tragic figure, darkly handsome, splendidly brave, a man born for better things, who, having thrown his life recklessly away, drowned his memories in cards and drink and drifted without definite purpose or destination.”
John Ringo is remembered as a tragic, Hamlet-like outlaw—handsome, brave, and born for a better life—who wasted his potential, drowning his memories in gambling and alcohol, drifting aimlessly.
Establishes Ringo's mythic, tragic persona.
“He was, if ever there was such a thing in the world, an honourable outlaw. His word once given was kept inviolately.”
Ringo was considered an honorable outlaw; he always kept his promises without fail.
Highlights Ringo's personal code of honor.
“Wyatt Earp looked at Ringo for a moment in amazement. 'Ringo,' he said, 'I'm not given to makin' sucker plays. If you're drunk or crazy, I'm neither one nor the other. I'd be a fine simpleton—a peace officer and candidate for sheriff—to fight a duel with you in the street. Go and sleep it off.'”
Wyatt Earp refused Ringo's duel challenge, calling it a foolish move for a peace officer and candidate for sheriff, and told him to sleep it off.
Shows Earp's pragmatic refusal to engage in a duel.