I suggested Gilchrieses map and the back route as a possibility for discussion by putting up the first post and after I said he might not know what he was doing, I added “but who knows?” I think that indicates I was giving consideration to his view and was interested in his views. 63 is labeled as you suggest in very small letters that only a young man like you could easily see. Here is the rest of what he said, “a later photograph of this site (Lot 6 owned by Montgomery and Benson) sometimes erroneously identified as scene of O.K. Corral battle.”

Here is what I said about Gilchriese and what you said I said. Do you see the difference?
Me—“That leads me to doubt Gilchriese knew what he was doing but who knows?”
You—“. Your characterization that Gilchriese did not know what he was doing is also unmerited.”

I intended the issue to be what evidence is there that some of the cowboys entered the lot next to Fly’s by a rear route and, much more importantly what is the evidence for that?

I know that Mullins and Gilchriese worked together on occasion and on the map. As you know Mullins map listed the following as the bldgs. on Fremont.

63 was Capitol Saloon, 62 was TOMBSTONE NUGGET, 61 was L.W. Blum & Co. 60 was A. O. Trantrum, recorder and City attorney, 59 was CITY HALL (under construction; completed Summer ’82), 58 was POPAGO CASH STORE (Frank B. Austin, Prop) A later photograph of this site (Lot 6 owned by Montgomery and Benson) sometimes erroneously identified as the scene of O. K. Corral Battle, although all accounts, including court testimony, indicate that before encountering the Clanton’s and McLowerys, the Earp party had advanced west past Bauer’s (Lot 5) and Fly’s (Lot 3), 57 was BAUER’S BUTCHER SHOP (Everhardy’s), 56 was Property of Tombstone Townsite Company, 55 was C. S. Fly’s Photo Studio, 54 New bldg. occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Olsen “Oil Paintings & Hair Goods. Previously (Fall ’81)vacant and used as part of O.K. CORRAL YARD. THIS AND GROUND IMMEDIATELY WEST, SCENE OF BATTLE OF O. K. CORRAL, October 26, 1881, 53 was VACANT PROPERTY AND OPEN STALLS USED IN COMNNECTION WITH O. K. CORRAL, 52 W. A. HARWOOD’S HOUSE (Occupied by Assay office in spring of 82). There is Mullins rendition of the whole block south side.

Note there is no entry on the map or the explanation for an O. K. Corral entrance on Fremont St. This in spite of his acknowledgement that Montgomery and Benson own Lot 6 and it’s sometime tie in with the gunfight. He shows only the two openings to Fremont Street in 53 and 56. Gilchriese map apparently added the tiny entrance to the corral you noted and I missed as 63 on Gilchriese map. On the maps I have, Mullins map is dated 1916 and Gilchriese’s 1975.

I’m familiar with what Casey said on page 120 but was more interested in the issue and was seeking the evidence for the idea the Billys split off and entered Fly’s from the rear. The whole point being Nick claims Billy Clanton left his horse at the butchers (Bauers). If Billy Clanton never passed the butchers but went the back way into the lot next to Fly’s and Claiborne says they were together all the way, Nicks theory of Billy’s horse being tied up at the butchers during the fight won’t hold together well. Claiborne's credibility will also take a hit if i understand the issue correctly.

Here is the assertion from you I am seeking the evidence for, “The youngsters, Billy and Will, with nothing to do but wait on the others, turned behind the businesses on Fremont and walked through an open area and turned again into the vacant lot between Fly's and Harwood's. Claiborne testified that he and Billy went directly from the O. K. Corral "to where the difficulty occurred."--NUGGET, November 9.” Are you hanging it on the word “directly?” If so, how do you arrive at that meaning they went behind the businesses? Down Fremont seems pretty direct also.


You also say, “The evidence indicates that Billy Clanton and Will Claiborne, the young guys, were walking behind the others carrying on a separate conversation.” Coleman says, “Ike Clanton fetched up in the rear” as they crossed Allen street. Why do you believe the Billy’s were walking behind?

I’m not arguing for or against the back route but seeking the information that supports it or not.
Have you given it all in this post, “directly” and the Billy’s arrived first?

I believe one lesson from studying this a bit is that there was an unofficial and not regularly used way to enter or exit the O. K. corral from the lot next to Fly's. This may reflect some light on why the cowboys or others might end up in that area, independent of who lived at Flys. I still don't understand how the O.K. Corral could use that area for stock as it was open, according to the maps to both Fremont and Third?

I almost always consider what you say to be of good worth and always worth a listen.

Keep Laughing

Tom