Dr John Henry Holliday, also known as Doc Holliday, was an American gambler, gunfighter, and dentist. He was born on August 14, 1851, in Griffin, Georgia. He is best known for his association with Wyatt Earp and the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
Early Life and Education
John Henry Holliday was the son of Henry Burroughs Holliday and Alice Jane Holliday. His father was a major in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. John Henry Holliday grew up in Valdosta, Georgia, and attended the Valdosta Institute, where he excelled in academics.
After graduating from the Valdosta Institute, Holliday attended the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery in Philadelphia, where he earned his degree in dentistry in 1872.
Health Problems
Unfortunately, Holliday was diagnosed with tuberculosis shortly after he graduated from dental school. He was advised to move to a drier climate to improve his health, so he moved to Texas.
In Texas, Holliday started gambling and quickly became a skilled poker player. He also became involved in a number of altercations and gunfights, which earned him a reputation as a dangerous man.
Friendship with Wyatt Earp
In 1879, Holliday moved to Dodge City, Kansas, where he met Wyatt Earp. The two became fast friends and often gambled together. When Earp moved to Tombstone, Arizona, Holliday followed him there.
In Tombstone, Holliday continued to gamble and became involved in a feud between the Earps and a gang of outlaws known as the Cowboys. The feud culminated in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, in which Holliday and the Earps were victorious.
Legal Troubles
After the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Holliday and the Earps were arrested and charged with murder. They were eventually acquitted, but Holliday continued to have legal troubles.
In 1882, Holliday was involved in another gunfight in which he killed a man named Frank McLaury. He was arrested and tried for murder, but he was once again acquitted.
Later Life and Death
After his legal troubles, Holliday continued to move around the West, gambling and working as a dentist to support himself. He eventually moved to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where he died on November 8, 1887, at the age of 36.
Despite his reputation as a gunfighter and gambler, Holliday was also known for his intelligence and his skill as a dentist. He is buried in Glenwood Springs, and his grave is a popular tourist attraction.
Legacy
Dr John Henry Holliday's legacy lives on today in popular culture. He has been portrayed in numerous films and television shows, and his association with Wyatt Earp and the gunfight at the O.K. Corral has become a legendary part of American history.
Despite his reputation as a dangerous man, Holliday is still remembered as a skilled dentist and a loyal friend. His life and legacy continue to fascinate people more than a century after his death.