Tombstone · Chapter
Flashes of Storm explained
This chapter delves into the origins and escalation of the Earp-Clanton feud, examining the conflicting narratives surrounding the attempted Benson stage robbery, the theft of Wyatt Earp's horse, and the subsequent threats and violence that
What happens
This chapter delves into the origins and escalation of the Earp-Clanton feud, examining the conflicting narratives surrounding the attempted Benson stage robbery, the theft of Wyatt Earp's horse, and the subsequent threats and violence that defined the conflict. It analyzes the testimonies of Wyatt Earp and Ike Clanton, highlighting the plausibility of Earp's account versus the inconsistencies in Clanton's story, and explores how the feud evolved into a deadly war between the Earps and a powerful criminal organization.
Themes in this chapter
Law and Lawlessness
The chapter explores the conflict between lawmen (the Earps) and outlaws (the Clantons and McLowerys), highlighting the breakdown of legal order and the use of personal justice.
Character and Reputation
The testimonies of Wyatt Earp and Ike Clanton are contrasted, with the chapter weighing their credibility and the impact of reputation on the feud's narrative.
Violence and Death
The feud is characterized by threats, murder, and a 'war to the death,' with the chapter detailing the violent escalation and the constant danger faced by the Earps.
Community and Memory
The feud's legacy persists in the memories and hatreds of subsequent generations, showing how historical events are transformed into myth and passed down.
Characters to notice
- Wyatt Earp
Central figure in the feud; recounts the theft of his horse and the pursuit of stolen mules, and testifies about his proposition regarding Leonard, Head, and Crane.
- Ike Clanton
Key antagonist; makes accusations against the Earps and Holliday, claiming they confessed guilt to him, though his story is filled with errors.
- Doc Holliday
Allegedly confessed guilt to Ike Clanton; his flaming resentment is cited as a contributory cause of the feud.
- Virgil Earp
Participates in the pursuit of the stage robbers and is accused of misleading Sheriff Behan's posse, though the chapter argues this is unlikely.
- Morgan Earp
Involved in the search for stolen mules and receives threats from Ike Clanton and others; part of the posse chasing the highwaymen.
- Buckskin Frank Leslie
Veteran army scout who was part of the posse and agreed with the Earps on the direction of the robbers' trail.
- John Behan
Sheriff who served a subpoena on Ike Clanton and commanded the posse; his actions are scrutinized in the chapter.
- Billy Breakenridge
Deputy Sheriff and experienced man hunter who was part of the posse pursuing the stage robbers.
Key passages
“The Earp-Clanton feud has passed into the melting pot of tradition in which so much frontier history has been changed into myth.”
The feud between the Earps and Clantons has become part of the legendary folklore that has transformed much of frontier history into myth.
Introduces the theme of mythologization of frontier events.
“The opinions of the fathers have become the convictions of the children, and the hatreds that were quick with flaming life nearly a half century ago stalk grimly today as the ghosts of hatreds.”
The beliefs of one generation have become the firm convictions of the next, and the intense hatreds from nearly fifty years ago still haunt the present as lingering ghosts.
Illustrates the enduring nature of the feud's animosity across generations.
“Only a few days after Wyatt Earp arrived in Tombstone, a horse was stolen from him.”
Shortly after Wyatt Earp came to Tombstone, his horse was stolen.
Key incident that sparked early tensions between Earp and the Clantons.
“Ike Clanton’s story was utterly at variance with that of Wyatt Earp regarding Wyatt Earp’s proposition relating to Leonard, Head, and Crane.”
Ike Clanton's account completely contradicted Wyatt Earp's version of the proposition concerning Leonard, Head, and Crane.
Highlights the conflicting testimonies central to the feud's narrative.
