Gary Roberts
Observations
Wed Apr 11, 2012 08:13
The Pella article owes a lot to the SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER account of August 2, 1896. Some things are verbatim from the EXAMINER, but there are a few curious differences.
Courtroom witnesses are admonished to speak to the point and not volunteer unnecessary detail. This would be true even with a prepared statement.
The passage of fifteen years does affect memory.
The 1896 EXAMINER article was done by a ghost writer based on Wyatt's account.
Sometimes reporters are inaccurate. Some years ago, I was interviewed by a Denver paper about the Sand Creek Massacre. When I read the article as published, I was surprised to find myself quoted as saying things that I had specifically challenged during the interview.
Courtroom witnesses are admonished to speak to the point and not volunteer unnecessary detail. This would be true even with a prepared statement.
The passage of fifteen years does affect memory.
The 1896 EXAMINER article was done by a ghost writer based on Wyatt's account.
Sometimes reporters are inaccurate. Some years ago, I was interviewed by a Denver paper about the Sand Creek Massacre. When I read the article as published, I was surprised to find myself quoted as saying things that I had specifically challenged during the interview.
- "fear and whiskey robbed him of his discretion" — bfrey, Mon Apr 9 16:51In a Pella Advertiser, November 7, 1896, article it quotes Wyatt Earp on the gunfight and the deal leading up to the gunfight. Wyatt makes mention of the stage robbery that killed the driver and a... more
- Re: "fear and whiskey robbed him of his discretion" — Peter Love, Mon Apr 9 23:09Hi Bruce Wyatt told lots of stories, didn't he? This version does not explain why Williams or Doc would be so concerned about "treachery" regarding murderers. It does not explain how Doc found out.... more
- curious about all of Wyatt's claims? — bfrey@charter.net, Tue Apr 10 12:29Wyatt goes through the shootout in greater detail than he was allowed to do in his written statement. I can't for the life of me understand how he says he saw Tom shoot under the horse and hit Morgan ... more
- Observations — Gary Roberts, Wed Apr 11 08:13
- So? — bfrey, Thu Apr 12 06:05The ghost writer made up the quotes and comments based on preexisting accounts? Wyatt never participated or provided info for this account? I know papers take great liberties with the truth, was this ... more
- So — Gary Roberts, Thu Apr 12 06:25I'm not suggesting that Wyatt was not interviewed or otherwise participated in the development of the articles. It is obvious that he did. What we don't know is how much editorial control he had over ... more
- I am curious... — bfrey, Thu Apr 12 15:55How we arrive at determining what statements can be attributed to Wyatt and how truthful they are. Would the writer put in that "Frank yelled out when first hit" or was that something Wyatt related.... more
- I don't have an easy answer for you — Gary Roberts, Fri Apr 13 06:23Wyatt pretty consistently said that Tom fired from behind the horse (over its back or under its neck), so we can pretty well conclude that Wyatt said that. You can see similar patterns in other... more
- Thanks/ telegram — bfret, Fri Apr 13 11:38Thanks for the insight. I believe I have been looking at the information with a very suspicious eye and maybe over thinking some aspects. Some of the information seems straight forward and it just... more
- Re: I don't have an easy answer for you — harveycmd, Fri Apr 13 09:14While it is true that looking or checking for bias is an important part of historical inquiry (or just about any other kind of inquiry for that matter), it is no less important to question the... more
- Because a defense team was in charge during the hearing. — K.t.K., Tue Apr 10 13:18Not Wyatt. He read what he was supposed to read. k
- or at least posture he wanted to do that? — bfrey, Tue Apr 10 06:08I think he was a big bag of air that had no intention of caring out his threats. He brought the others into it and I don't know if they realize how deadly of a situation Ike had put them in? The... more
- Re: or at least posture he wanted to do that? — Bob Cash, Wed Apr 11 05:30If Ms Haroney's account of Ike hunting Doc at Fly's boarding house earlier that day is true, one wonders if he mentioned this minor detail to his companions when they apparently took shelter from the ... more
- windy? — Billy Langston, Wed Apr 11 20:21Were they taking shelter from the wind, or from Ike? Ike was known for being quite windy, particularly when drinking. Does anyone know what Ike had been eating that day?
- What brought them together as a group? — bfrey, Wed Apr 11 08:37It seems Frank was taken back when told about Wyatt's assault on Tom. Sounds like the plan may have been to get out and regroup? How much did they know of Ike's threats that entire morning and what... more
