Book SummaryTombstone, by Tom Clavin

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Tombstone

The rapid growth of Tombstone into a thriving center for mining activities, along with the increasing struggle between lawfulness and disorder.

The narrative chronicles how a once desolate area in the Arizona Territory evolved into a thriving city, driven by the flourishing trade in silver. The author depicts the rapid growth of Tombstone, resulting in a combustible mix of those in pursuit of wealth and individuals intent on founding legitimate businesses. The Earp brothers are depicted as figures molded by the swift growth of the frontier, actively participating in the quest to bring stability to the inherently disordered surroundings of a quickly developing community.

The region of Tombstone experienced a surge in population with miners and settlers arriving after the discovery of silver deposits.

Clavin portrays the rapid arrival of miners and settlers, attracted by the discovery of new silver veins, all eager to claim their share of the substantial profits expected. Driven by the allure of wealth and new opportunities, these individuals braved the harsh conditions in the Arizona region, hoping to uncover riches. Ed Schieffelin's tireless and unorthodox search for minerals resulted in the discovery of a vein rich in silver, sparking the founding of Tombstone.

The rugged terrain of the Dragoon Mountains offered a prime location for mining activities, despite the challenges presented by harsh climatic conditions and potential Apache incursions.

Clavin highlights the significance of the Dragoon Mountains as the central hub for the extensive extraction of silver that fueled Tombstone's mining activities. The story captures how the mountainous region's promise of prosperity and triumph drew in people like Ed Schieffelin. The author also highlights the challenges presented by the harsh desert terrain, underlining the extreme heat, the common occurrence of dust disturbances, and the limited availability of water. The area was traditionally a stronghold of the Chiricahua Apache, which kept the settlers constantly alert to the possibility of invasions.

Context

• The Dragoon Mountains are part of the Basin and Range Province, known for its rich mineral deposits, including silver, which was a major draw for prospectors in the late 19th century.
• The influx of miners and settlers due to the silver rush led to a diverse and often lawless society, contributing to Tombstone's reputation as a legendary Wild West town.
• The limited availability of water not only affected personal consumption but also mining operations, as water was essential for processing ore and maintaining equipment.
• Leaders like Cochise and Geronimo were prominent figures among the Chiricahua Apache, known for their leadership in resisting U.S. expansion and defending their territory.
• The Apache were skilled in navigating the harsh desert terrain, which gave them a strategic advantage in launching surprise attacks and evading capture by U.S. military forces.

Tombstone swiftly transformed into a thriving center for frontier life, boasting a wide variety of enterprises, recreational facilities, and civic establishments.

Clavin depicts how, in just over a year, Tombstone evolved from a simple collection of tents to a bustling settlement on the frontier. Ed Schieffelin was instrumental in establishing a settlement that reflected the impact of California's Sutter's Mill, as he pursued the conversion of raw silver into wealth, echoing the earlier gold rush that had enthralled California. The rapid arrival of prospectors eager for wealth in the area led figures such as Solon Allis to quickly claim territory for both mining and city planning, establish businesses, and build necessary infrastructure to support the rapidly expanding population.

Tombstone aspired to develop into a respected and prominent settlement, even though cowboys, ranchers, and assorted groups from the frontier presented considerable obstacles.

The author portrays the community's aspiration to evolve into a respectable settlement on the edge of the unknown territories, harboring ambitions akin to those of San Francisco, particularly in terms of the diversity and quality of food offered by its burgeoning eateries. Clara Brown praised the amenities in her letters to a newspaper in San Diego. Clavin also depicts the challenges that emerged with the expansion of Tombstone, as cowboys, ranchers, and a host of...

Tombstone Summary The intricate and mounting conflicts involving the Earp brothers and the area's ranchers culminated in the notorious confrontation called the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

The section details the crucial influence of the Earp brothers in promoting initiatives to establish order in Tombstone. Additionally, Clavin delves deeply into their family history and examines the individual ambitions and relationships that shaped each brother. The author describes the intensifying disputes involving local ranchers, among them the Clanton clan and notorious figures such as Curly Bill Brocius, culminating in the historic gunfight that transpired on that October day.

The arrival of the Earp brothers in Tombstone and their pursuit to establish a foothold sparked increasing conflicts with the area's cowboys and ranchers.

This section recounts how the Earp brothers, led by Virgil, who had settled in nearby Prescott, were lured to Tombstone in search of opportunities to make money and perhaps even find a measure of respectability. The author details how they planned to utilize their family connections and social standing to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the flourishing community. He also depicts the Earps' efforts to secure steady employment and assimilate into a society divided between respectable businesspeople and individuals such as the...

Tombstone Summary The notorious clash known as the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, coupled with Earp's leading of the subsequent vendetta ride and the persistent hostilities between the Earp/Holliday group and the cowboys

The narrative segment in question highlights the aftermath of the gunfight, showing its role in sparking a chain of vengeful incidents which culminated in more deaths and the eventual departure of the Earp brothers from Tombstone.

The subsequent legal consequences and their resolutions originated from the skirmish that occurred at the O.K. Corral.

Clavin delves into the lasting effects and significance of the infamous gunfight, emphasizing its legal and personal consequences for the participants. The findings of the coroner's inquest established that the cowboys met their demise due to gunshot injuries, but did not assess the lawfulness of the Earps' actions. The author details how the uncertain result, shaped by the conflicting reports from the two local newspapers, led to Ike Clanton's formal charges of murder directed at the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday.

The details surrounding the clash, the tally of victims, and the range of narratives followed by ensuing legal proceedings.

Clavin provides a detailed account of the events that precipitated the confrontation, the gunfight itself, and the subsequent consequences, including the trials where Behan's evidence...

Tombstone Summary European colonization encroached upon indigenous territories, which precipitated bloody conflicts.

The book's initial section sheds light on the profound hardships faced by indigenous tribes, stripped of their ancestral lands that they had occupied for countless generations, as a result of the relentless push of European colonists towards the west. The author emphasizes Kentucky's historical nickname, "Dark and Bloody Ground," by comparing the Boone family's odyssey to the equally renowned expedition of Lewis and Clark, highlighting the challenges faced by settlers who were determined to claim its wealth and beauty, which necessitated either conflict with or relocation of the indigenous inhabitants.

The long history of violent conflict between European-American settlers and Native American tribes as the frontier expanded westward

Clavin provides a succinct description of the cultural clashes that occurred when European Americans settled in North America, as the relentless push towards the west resulted in clashes with the indigenous inhabitants. He suggests that despite periods of tranquility, the predominant narrative of the American frontier's development was marked by growth and domination.

Native American communities faced decimation due to diseases, violent...