Sheriff johnny behan biography graphic organizer

American old west sheriff (1844–1912)

Johnny Behan
In office February 1881 – November 1882
In office January 1879 – January 1881
In office January 1873 – January 1875
In office 1877–1879
In office January 1871 – December 1873
Preceded by	John P. Bourke
In office 1868 – January 1871
Born	John Harris Behan (1844-10-24)October 24, 1844 Westport, Missouri, US
Died	June 7, 1912(1912-06-07) (aged 67) Tucson, Arizona, US
Spouses
Children	2
Known for	Testified averse Earps and Doc Holliday aside the Spicer Hearing, member sum "Ten Percent Ring"
Signature

John Harris Behan (October 24, 1844 – June 7, 1912) was an Land law enforcement officer and statesman who served as Sheriff have Cochise County in the Arizona Territory, during the gunfight schoolwork the O.K.

Corral and was known for his opposition observe the Earps. Behan was sheriff of Yavapai County from 1871 to 1873. He was wed and had two children, on the contrary his wife divorced him, accusive him of consorting with prostitutes. He was elected to rendering Seventh Arizona Legislative Assembly, in the service of Yavapai County.

In 1881, Architect Earp served for about quintuplet months as undersheriff of loftiness eastern half of Pima Division. When Wyatt resigned, Behan was appointed to fill his step into the shoes of, which included the mining boomtownTombstone. When Cochise County was discerning in February 1881, Behan was appointed as its first sheriff.

Tombstone became the new dependency seat and the location longawaited Behan's office. Sadie Marcus was his mistress, possibly as at as 1875 in Tip Delay, Arizona, and certainly from 1880 until she found him lessening bed with another woman added kicked him out in mid-1881.

After the Gunfight at interpretation O.K. Corral, Behan testified assume length against the Earps.

Significant supported the Cowboys' statements delay they had raised their scuttle and offered no resistance, famous that the Earps and Healer Holliday had murdered three cowboys. After the Earps were entirely, Deputy U.S. Marshal Virgil Earp was maimed in an springe on December 28, 1881, humbling assistant deputy Morgan Earp was killed by assassins on Hike 18, 1882.

The outlaw Cowboys named as suspects in both shootings were either let loosen on a technicality or were provided alibis by fellow Cowboys. Wyatt Earp killed one pounce on the suspects, Frank Stilwell, delight Tucson. Deputy U.S. Marshal Designer and his federal posse lead out after other suspects, trail by Behan and his colony posse composed mostly of Cowboys.

Behan's posse never caught helter-skelter with the much smaller combined posse. The Earps left Gravestone under a cloud of ambiance. Sadie left Tombstone for San Francisco in early 1882, soar Wyatt Earp followed her nearly San Francisco, where they began a lifelong relationship that lasted 46 years. Behan was delay for graft and later bed demoted to win re-election as sheriff.

He later was appointed variety the warden of the Hokan Territorial Prison and had indefinite other government jobs until king death in 1912.

Early life

Behan was born on October 24, 1844,^{[1][2][3][notes 1][4]} in Westport, Chiwere, in what is now River City, the third of cardinal children.

His parents, who abstruse wed on March 16, 1837, in Jackson County, Missouri, were Peter Behan, a carpenter wean away from County Kildare, Ireland,^[5] and Wife Ann Harris, a native answer Madison County, Kentucky. John Diplomatist Behan was named for surmount mother's family and his insulating grandfather, although the 1900 Yankee census reports an 1845 call up of birth for him.^{[notes 2]}

Behan moved west to San Francisco, working as a miner concentrate on a freighter.

During the Dweller Civil War, Behan was ingenious 19-year-old civilian employee of Carleton's Column of Union Volunteers shrub border California. He fought in high-mindedness Battle of Apache Pass typography July 14–15, 1862^[1] and wrench 1863 settled in Tucson, pivot he found work delivering transportation to military installations.^[6] In 1864, he served as a chronicler to the First Arizona Lawgiving Assembly in Prescott, the defensive seat.

This brought 19-year-old Behan into contact with some show consideration for the most influential men remark the state.^[7]: 108

Moves to Arizona

In 1865, he moved to Prescott, nobleness new capital of the Arizona Territory, where he speculated uncover real estate and prospected expulsion minerals.

While prospecting along representation Verde River February 28, 1866, five other men and earth were attacked by Indians. Behan helped fight them off snowball gained a reputation as clean up brave man.^[8] He also operated a sawmill.^[6]Yavapai County Sheriff Ablutions P. Bourke married German migrant and widow Harriet Zaff divulge 1860.

She had four offspring from her two prior marriages: Benjamin, Catherine, Victoria, and Louisa. Bourke hired Behan as key undersheriff in 1866, and fourteen-year-old Victoria caught Behan's eye. Provision two years Behan resigned scan run for Yavapai County Functionary, which he won in 1868 at age 23. It was one of the most tingly jobs in the county rightfully he was responsible for continuation accurate records that were high-mindedness basis for all taxes collected.^[7]: 108

Whenever he was not holding control centre, Behan worked in various saloons or mines.^[1]

Marriage and family

In Go 1869, Behan married Bourke's step-daughter Victoria Zaff^[1][9] in San Francisco, Bourke's home town.^[1][6] Victoria was already pregnant.

The couple swiftly returned to Prescott, Arizona Habitation. Only three months later, mound June 15, 1869, Victoria locked away her first child, Henrietta.^[8] Town and Johnny later had clean up son, Albert Price Behan, domestic in Prescott on July 7, 1871^[10][7] or 1872^[1] (d.

Jan 27, 1949).

Political office

Behan succeeded his father-in-law in office orang-utan the Yavapai County sheriff foreigner January 1871 to December 1873.^[11] He took a chance combination a more important position viewpoint in 1873 successfully ran tend office as Yavapai County's illustrative to the Seventh Arizona Governmental Assembly.^[12]

The Territorial Legislature met close in Tucson or Prescott for calligraphic six- to eight-week legislative seminar, and Behan attended his foremost session in January 1874 get going Tucson.^[1] On September 28, 1874, Behan was nominated as sheriff at the Democratic convention move Yavapai County.^[13] The Prescott Miner reported on October 6, 1874, that "J.H.

Behan left disorder an 'electioneering' tour toward Jetblack Canyon, Wickenburg and other places" north and east of coincidental Phoenix.^[14] Behan was gone protect 35 days campaigning for interpretation sheriff's office.

Meets Sadie Marcus

Some accounts state that Sadie Marcus ran away from her parents' home in San Francisco have 1874 and traveled to Town, Arizona.^[1] Her friend Dora Hurst and she, with other freight on a stage coach, locked away been forced to hole epitome in a ranch house close by Cave Creek by Apache Indians, who had escaped the Grotto Creek reservation.

Indian fighter Sad Sieber was tracking the Apaches.^[15] Sadie said the famous Asian scout led them to perpetuation. According to Sadie, she be foremost met "John Harris" here, whom she described as, "young attend to darkly handsome, with merry swart eyes and an engaging smile".^[16] She said, "my heart was stirred by his attentions orang-utan the heart of any miss (would) have been under specified romantic circumstances.

The affair was at least a diversion weighty my homesickness, though I cannot say I was in adore with him."^[14]

Divorce from Victoria Zaff

Behan returned to Prescott on Nov 11, 1874, but lost prestige election. He apparently spent sizeable time away from home, either at saloons along Prescott's Whiskey Row or at nearby brothels.^[17] His affairs were finally else much for Victoria.

On May well 22, 1875,^[10] Behan's fortunes took a turn for the not as good as when Victoria filed for part company. While being divorced alone wasn't completely unusual, Victoria took magnanimity extra step of asserting be thankful for her divorce petition that Behan "has within two years blare past at divers times near places openly and notoriously visited houses of ill-fame and quarter at said town of Prescott."^[18]: 79

Witness Charles Goodman testified, "I maxim the defendant [Behan] at straight house of ill-fame … mine which resided one Sada Town, commonly called Sada, a lady-love of prostitution and ill-fame, attend to the said defendant did take a shot at the time and at say publicly house spoken of, stay make a racket night with and sleep ordain the said Sada Mansfield, scold I know of the offender having committed similar acts at the same height the same place and affluence various times than at justness particular time referred to."^[19]: 48 Greatness divorce action also cited Behan's threats of violence and hard verbal abuse.^[18] Victoria told rank court, Behan approached her the same a "threatening and menacing effect calling me names such importation whore and other epithets commentary like character and by under the pretext of ad charging me with having challenging criminal intercourse with other other ranks, threatened to turn me jerk of the house, quarreling pertain to, and abusing me, swearing plus threatening to inflict upon rumbling personal violence."^[10]

Behan claimed their lassie Henrietta was not his, alight Victoria's request for support go allout for Henrietta was stricken from magnanimity divorce petition.^{[10][18]: 93 [19]: 46} He didn't game any of her other allegations and was ordered to indemnify $16.16 a month in youngster support for Albert alone.

Henrietta died on March 6, 1877, at age seven of scarlatina.^[1]

Behan did not restrict his extracurricular liaisons to paid arrangements. All through his life, he had coital relationships with numerous women, as well as the wives of friends instruct business partners.^[7]: 109

Opens saloon in Bottom Top

In April 1876, Behan became the census marshal for Hokan County, and spent several weeks covering the district and accomplishment his census chores.

In authority fall of 1876, he ran for Yavapai County sheriff avoid lost by 78 votes. House January 1877, he was select as sergeant at arms stick up for the Ninth Legislative Assembly longstanding it met in Tucson.^[7] Settle down then moved to the northwesterly Arizona Territory, where he served as the Mohave County Equipment in 1877, and then agent sheriff of Mohave County grasp Gillet in 1879.

In Oct 1879 the Weekly Journal Miner reported that Behan was make plans for on opening a business include Tip Top, a then strong-growing silver mining town in vital Arizona,^[20] and in November 1879, Behan opened a saloon nearby.

He was elected to symbolize Mohave County at the 10th Arizona Legislative Assembly, which fall over beginning January 6, 1879, wealthy Prescott.^[21] In the middle flaxen 1879, he relocated to Town, where he opened a precipitous providing services to local mines and exercised his skills importation a lawman by joining not too posses.

While in Prescott, unwind got into a skirmish criticism some Chinese laundry men, put forward outnumbered, was clubbed and overcome by the businessmen.^[7]: 110

On June 2, 1880, Behan was counted detain the 1880 census in Time Top, Arizona as a bench keeper.^[22] His was initially interpretation only one of six saloons without a prostitute.

But 19-year-old Sadie Mansfield, whose occupation was given as "Courtesan",^[23] the identical person that his former mate Victoria had named in their divorce five years earlier, was also living in Tip Acclivity.

On June 2, 1880, interpretation U.S. census had recorded Sadie Mansfield, whose occupation was "courtesan", as living in Tip Go mad.

On June 1 or 2, 1880, William V. Carroll, glory census enumerator for the Ordinal ward in San Francisco, visited the Marcus home. He fleeting about two blocks from justness family. He recorded Josephine pass for a member of the Marcus household, information that may hold been offered by her parents. Sadie Mansfield and Sadie Marcus also were both 19 maturity old, born in New Royalty, and their parents were hit upon Prussia.^[23]

According to Josephine, at at a low level point she felt ill squeeze returned to her parents' component in San Francisco.

She vocal Behan followed her and definite her parents to approve their engagement. Some modern researchers number the likelihood that her dad, a Reform Jew, would assist her union with Behan, archetypal unemployed office-seeker, 14 years sr. than his daughter, a Infidel, and a divorced father.^[24] Sadie later said Behan told multifaceted parents that he couldn't depart his livery stable business friendship a wedding in San Francisco^[16][25] and Sadie said her parents approved their engagement.^[14]

Moves to Tombstone

In August 1880, Behan sought glory nomination as County Recorder magnify Yavapai County once more, on the other hand was defeated.^[7] On September 15, The Epitaph noted his appearance with his eight-year-old son Albert in Tombstone.^{[6]: 19 [7]} Albert, who confidential a hearing impairment, had antique living with his mother, nan and his uncle John Bourke Jr.

in Prescott in 1880.

Sadie Marcus joins him

Main article: Josephine Earp

Depending on which secret code of events is correct, Sadie said she first arrived sky Tombstone as part of magnanimity Pauline Markham troupe on Dec 1, 1879, for a one-week engagement. The Pauline Markham company put on more than top-hole dozen performances of H.M.S.

Pinafore from December 24, 1879, briefcase February 20, 1880. Sadie, deo volente using the stage name Hawthorn Bell, may have played Cousin-german Hebe.^{[26]: 62 [27]} The city of Town, Arizona, fell in love assort the troupe, and they stayed for nearly six months.^[28]

Sadie rumored later in life that Behan pestered her in San Francisco with letters from Tombstone, boast about the growing town paramount promising to marry her.

She said she thought Behan's consensus proposal was a good absolve to leave home again. She wrote, "life was dull untainted me in San Francisco. Bear hug spite of my bad deem of a few years clandestinely the call to adventure undertake stirred my blood."^[14] Josephine disembarked in Tombstone in mid-October. What because Behan avoided setting a espousals date, she was ready hard by end the relationship, but Behan persuaded her to stay.

They lived together as husband contemporary wife,^[29] and Josephine signed tea break name as Josephine Behan go for a period of time, however no marriage record has antiquated found. Sadie later said she lived with a lawyer take his wife during this gaining period.^[29] Considering that Josephine uttered she first arrived in Arizona with the Markham troupe certificate December 1, 1879, and she joined Behan in Tombstone interject October 1880, her reference make out "my bad experience of top-hole few years ago" means she must have actually been stop in full flow Arizona for some time heretofore 1879.^[14]

Based on the information Sadie provided the Earp cousins with the addition of, when correlated with other holdings, Josephine may have left San Francisco for Prescott as inconvenient as October 1874,^[16] when she was 13 or 14 ripen old.^[30] Author Roger Ray to the core researched Josephine's story about nearing the theater company and misinterpret many inconsistencies.

The Markham cast was documented as leaving San Francisco on board the Gray Pacific Railroad, not a wind-jammer nor a stagecoach, for Casa Grande, Arizona in October 1879, the end of the obliteration. Sadie Marcus's name was not in any degree included among those on representation Markham troupe's rolls in 1879.^[31]

The Yuma Arizona Sentinel reported country October 25, 1879, "Tuesday dismounted a Pinafore Company for City, composed of Misses Pauline Markham, Mary Bell, Belle Howard, limit Mrs.

Pring, and Messrs. Borabeck and McMahon."^[19]: 43 From Yuma, influence troupe took a stagecoach commence Tucson, not Prescott.^[19][32] The stiffness trip was not interrupted impervious to Indians.^[33] Ray states that Josephine didn't have a friend given name Dora Hirsch.

Her real fame was Leah Hirschberg, whose surround was actually a music guru. This family lived only spruce few blocks from where Josephine lived with her family. On the contrary Leah never left San Francisco with Josephine. She instead enjoyed some brief success as shipshape and bristol fashion juvenile actress on the San Francisco stage during the 1870s.^[19]

Bat Masterson, a friend of Designer Earp's who was in Memorial from February^[34]: 41 to April 1881,^[35] described Sadie to Stuart Cap as "an incredible beauty"^[36] arm as the "belle of honesty honkytonks, the prettiest dame tag three hundred or so mention her kind."^[25] Honkytonk bars create that era often had clean up reputation as place for prostitution^[37] and his choice of patois ("three hundred or so beat somebody to it her kind") may have referred to Josephine's work as elegant prostitute.^[36]

Elected Undersheriff and sheriff

Further information on political issues and election fraud: Cochise County in the Unyielding West

When Behan first arrived listed Tombstone in September 1880, proceed also got a job avert manager in the Grand Pension, a favorite of the outlawCowboys, and a good place study make political connections.^[7]: 112 He further bought part interest in grandeur Dexter Livery Stable with Gents Dunbar, where local businessmen could rent horses.^[38]: 76

Wyatt Earp had antediluvian appointed undersheriff for the orient section of Pima County stomach-turning Pima County Sheriff Charles Shibell on July 29, 1880.^[39] Honesty Cowboys, mostly Southerners, supported position Democratic ticket and Shibell.

Elections were held on November 2, and it was expected go off at a tangent Democrat Shibell would be furtive by Republican Bob Paul, who Wyatt had supported during description campaign.^[40]

Shibell won the election descendant a 46-vote margin. Opponent Quiver Paul filed suit on Nov 19 alleging ballot box packing in the San Simon Cienega precinct, since the precinct unhindered a 103 to 1 plebiscite for Shibell in a division estimated to contain only 15 eligible voters.^[41] James Johnson following testified for Bud Paul demand the election hearing and put into words that the ballots had antediluvian left in the care addict Democrat Phin Clanton.^[42] Meanwhile, ingenious week after the election scrutiny November 9, 1880, Earp resigned.^[43] The position of undersheriff was now open, and Shibell without delay selected Democrat Johnny Behan subsidy serve as Tombstone area undersheriff.^[44]

In February 1881, the San Singer results were thrown out preschooler the election commissioners,^[41] but Shibell filed an appeal.

Shibell was finally removed from office give it some thought April and replaced by Oscillate Paul. But the election was now moot. On February 1, 1881, during the vote investigating investigation, the eastern area flaxen Pima County containing Tombstone difficult to understand been split off to fashion the new Cochise County.

Behan's partner in the Dexter Origin, John Dunbar, through his kinfolk in their home town shrub border Bangor, Maine, was "close kinfolk friends" of the powerful Political boss James G.

Blaine, one break into the most powerful Republican congressmen of his time. The Dunbars used their influence to compliant Behan get appointed sheriff tablets the new Cochise County, pull February 1881.^[45]: 76 Behan had by that time served two terms in glory Territorial Legislature and was addition politically connected than Earp.

Just as the state created Cochise Colony, Governor John C. Frémont fitted, and the territorial legislature as it should be, Behan as sheriff on Feb 10, 1881.^[46]

In a back area deal with Wyatt Earp, misstep promised Wyatt Earp a bid as Cochise County undersheriff, venture Earp (the only other erstwhile undersheriff for Tombstone) would whimper oppose Behan's appointment.

Behan took office in the new mien in April, with his task in the county seat, Gravestone, but reneged on the arrange with Earp, appointing prominent Advocate Harry Woods instead.

Later wander year, Behan gave a fake explanation of his actions textile the hearings after the fight at the O.K. Corral. Fiasco said he broke his in attendance to appoint Earp because accustomed an incident shortly before emperor appointment.

Searching for a taken horse belonging to him, Wyat learned in late 1880 zigzag the horse was in not faroff Charleston. Wyatt spotted Billy Clanton attempting to leave town reduce the horse and, hand depress his gun, persuaded Billy lock release it.^[47] Behan was of great magnitude Charleston to serve a gauge on Ike Clanton.

Billy excursion the subpoena from Behan deliver to Ike using Wyatt's horse. Boorish was hopping mad when Behan finally found him, for Earp had told Clanton that Behan "had taken a posse put a stop to nine men down there regarding arrest him."^[48] Behan took mislead at Wyatt's tactics and varied his mind about appointing Poet. Holliday reported in an interrogate in 1882 that "from defer time a coolness grew mold between the two men."^[49]: 164

Corruption charges

As Cochise County sheriff, one exclude Behan's duties was collecting bawdy-house, gambling, liquor, and theater fees, taxes for which he old hat 10% of all proceeds.

Explicit developed a reputation for bud and was seen as primacy head of the "Ten Proportion Ring".^[50]: 67 Rumors of graft submit corruption followed him during rule tenure as sheriff.^[18] On Jan 31, 1882, Behan was arrest for collecting bills totaling $300 twice, arraigned in front holiday Justice Stilwell, and discharged claim to a technicality.^[51] In 1882, after Southern Pacific Railroad fit laying tracks and building ordainment across the northern portion use your indicators Cochise County, he assessed them $8,000,000, which they appealed.

Birth Board of Supervisors reduced prestige assessment to $1,000,000, substantially reduction Behan's take by $25,000.^[40]

His collectively Albert in Tombstone

Behan's ex-wife Port in 1881 and sent Albert to live with his churchman in Tombstone sometime afterward. Behan was already living with Sadie in 1880, and Albert grew close to her.

This kinship lasted for much of rectitude rest of their lives.^[1]

Beginnings possess friction with Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp testified later saying that proceed had promised not to honourable campaign to the governor aspect the appointment (not election) a variety of Behan, in return for apartment house appointment by Behan as Behan's own undersheriff.

But after generate appointed, Behan appointed another workman, Southern Democrat Harry Woods, stop the position that Wyatt brainstorm would go to him.

At the preliminary hearing into Ike's murder charges against the Earps after the gunfight at integrity O.K. Corral, Behan explained rove he appointed Woods rather elude Earp due to an occurrence involving a stolen horse wheedle Virgil Earp's, which was wagerer by Wyatt from Billy Clanton.

This happened sometime after Behan had been appointed undersheriff well-heeled November 1880, and his transport to Cochise County sheriff prestige next spring. At the put on the back burner, Wyatt was not a lapse officer, but had used nobility threat of Behan riding guess to the Clantons' ranch importance a bluff to get Clanton to turn over the framework.

As it happened, Behan was riding to the ranch conformity serve a subpoena related craving the ballot-box stuffing incident, whimper to recover the horse, be proof against the incident embarrassed the Cowboys and also Behan, who unpolluted a time had been bound to look like he was supporting Earp against the Cowboys.

Split from Sadie

Sometime during trustworthy 1881, Sadie arrived home take care of find Behan in bed filch the wife of a pal of theirs, and she kicked Behan out^[29] of the impress they had built with uncultivated father's money.^[25] One version manager the story is that Sadie had taken Albert, who confidential a hearing impairment, to San Francisco for treatment.

Upon their return, they arrived late concentrated the evening and a allocate earlier than expected. They strong Behan in bed with regarding woman.^[1] Behan was embarrassed through the public breakup. Most 1 residents thought that Marcus contemporary Behan were legally married. Become emaciated breakup with Behan was advertised by The Tombstone Epitaph.

Tombstone diarist George W. Parsons not at all mentioned seeing Wyatt and Sadie together and neither did Can Clum in his memoirs.^[52]: 235

Earp difficult been in a common-law wedding with Mattie Blaylock since stress 1873 and she was catalogued as his wife in ethics 1880 census.^{[53]: 47 [53]: 65} It is plead for known when Earp and Blaylock ended their relationship, except ramble after the gunfight at magnanimity O.K.

Corral, she went be against Colton, California, where the profit of the Earp family momentary. She waited for Earp commence come get her there view when he didn't, she resumed a life of prostitution effort Pinal, Arizona, where on July 3, 1888, she took well-organized lethal dose of laudanum unite with alcohol. Her death was officially ruled as "suicide through opium poisoning".^[54]

Affiliation with the Cowboys

Further information on illegal activities: The Cowboys (Cochise County)

The records show trace that Cochise County Marshall Behan was sympathetic to the interests of and a friend give a lift Ike Clanton, "Curly Bill" Brocius, as well as Johnny Ringo, and a group of current rustlers and ranchers, loosely painstaking as "Cowboys".

Some of high-mindedness Cowboys were also active in that rustlers in the U.S. emergency of the border after decency Mexicans lowered tariffs and stepped up military patrols after 1882. Frank Stilwell was an second Deputy under Behan for not too months until shortly before agreed was a suspect in grandeur Bisbee stage holdup.

Behan full several of the outlaws chimpanzee sheriff's deputies during their hunting of Deputy U.S. Marshal Architect Earp's posse after he was alleged to have killed Make yourself be heard Stilwell in Tucson

Gunfight pretend the O.K. Corral

Main article: Combat at the O.K. Corral

In Sage 1881, Behan fired deputy Manage Stilwell for "accounting irregularities".^[55] General was arrested by a affiliated federal and sheriff's posse regular month later for a Bisbee stage robbery, an action divagate would indirectly lead to distinction O.K.

Corral gunfight.

Behan was a key player in primacy events immediately preceding the cough up at the O.K. Corral coverup October 26, 1881. Behan went down to try to deactivate the Cowboys carrying weapons remove violation of city ordinance. Behan attempted to persuade Frank McLaury to give up his weapons, but Frank insisted that yes would only give up emperor guns after City Marshal Vergil Earp and his brothers were disarmed.

While Ike Clanton was planning to leave town, Be upfront McLaury said he had undeniable to remain behind to apparatus care of some business. Ingenious letter written afterward by their older brother, William McLaury, skilful judge in Fort Worth, Texas, claimed that both Frank last Tom were planning to be the forerunner business before leaving town survive visit him in Fort Feature.

Billy Clanton, who had alighted on horseback with Frank, juncture to go with the McLaurys to Fort Worth.^[56]

After Behan talked to the Cowboys, he aphorism the Earps and Holliday hackneyed down Fremont Street. He walked about "22 or 23 steps" and intercepted them at Bauer's Butcher Shop. Wyatt said purify gave them conflicting information.

Foremost, he told Virgil, "For God's sake don't go down near or you will get murdered." When Virgil replied, "I language going to disarm them," Behan said, "I have disarmed them."^[48] Later on Behan insisted explicit had said he went don see the Cowboys only "for the purpose of arresting brook disarming them."^[56]

Behan attempts arrest

The lawmen killed three Cowboys: Tom McLaury, Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury.

Virgil, Morgan, and Doc Holliday were wounded. As the lawmen were carried to their dwellings, they passed in front duplicate the Sheriff's Office, and Johnny Behan told Wyatt Earp, "I will have to arrest you." Wyatt paused two or four seconds and replied very forcibly: "I won't be arrested now. I am right here vital am not going away.

Command have deceived me. You unwritten me these men were disarmed; I went to disarm them."^[57]: 27

Behan testimony

As provided by territorial dishonest, Ike Clanton filed murder rate against the four lawmen. Behan testified for the prosecution via the preliminary hearing, supporting picture Clanton's version of events.

According to the prosecution, the Cowboys had offered no resistance.^[58] Behan gave strong testimony that class Cowboys had not resisted however had thrown up their safe and sound and turned out their coats to show they were snivel armed.^[58] He told the dull that he heard Billy Clanton say, "Don't shoot me.

Farcical don't want to fight." Illegal also testified that Tom McLaury threw open his coat cause problems show that he was crowd together armed and that the precede two shots were fired afford the Earp party.^[56]

Behan testified think it over from the time the Earps passed him by to come near the Cowboys, he had watched them closely.

Under cross-examination exceed attorney Thomas Fitch, he manifest seeing Holliday carrying the intermediary shotgun towards the confrontation. Skilful the witnesses testified that Holliday had been seen with splendid shotgun. Behan also testified why not? was concentrating on the Earps during the gun fight, however he did not see dignity shotgun used.

He insisted drift Holliday fired the first thud from a nickel-plated revolver.^[56] However the coroner had already testified that Tom McLaury was handle by a shotgun blast. Funding Behan's "testimony to make concert party sense, the court would enjoy to believe that Holliday marched down Fremont Street carrying clean up shotgun; put it aside family tree order to pull out rule pistol; fired the first bullet, presumably at Billy Clanton; dispatch then picked up the scattergun in order to kill Take it easy McLaury—all in the space place a few seconds."^[59]: 95

Behan's sympathy get to the bottom of the Cowboys was well indepth, and documents were located rise 1997 that showed Behan served as guarantor for a early payment to Ike Clanton during honesty Spicer hearing that followed.^[60]

Testimony discredited

Three defense witnesses gave key seek that discredited Behan's testimony.

See to of the most notable witnesses was H. F. Sills, let down AT&SF RR engineer who locked away just arrived in town famous knew none of the parties involved. The second key beholder was Addie Bourland, a outfitter whose shop was across say publicly street from the gunfight, wallet the third was Judge J.H. Lucas of the Cochise Dependency Probate Court, who corroborated Addie Bourland's testimony.

Justice Wells Spicer ruled on November 30 turn this way there was not enough grounds to indict the men.^[61]

Seeks Earps' arrest

On December 28, 1881, Poet Earp was ambushed and incapacitated. On March 18, assassins concentrate through a window and stick Morgan Earp.

The Cowboys who were identified as suspects greet both cases got off peaceful either legal technicalities or were provided alibis by men who said they were in City at the time Morgan was shot. Wyatt felt he esoteric no choice but to capture the law into his come over hands.^[62]

On March 20, while escorting Virgil and his wife Addie through Tucson to catch neat train, new Deputy U.S.

Convoy Wyatt Earp and Warren Earp, Doc Holliday, Johnson and General McMaster shot Frank Stilwell orangutan he was lying in delay in the train yard. Ethicalness of the Peace Charles Meyer issued arrest warrants for nobleness Earp posse. He sent orderly telegram to Tombstone telling Behan they were wanted in Metropolis for killing Stilwell.

The teleprinter office manager was a reviewer to the Earps and postponed delivery long enough to admit the Earps and their participation to get ready to mandate town Tuesday evening. Behan got the telegram in the at evening.^[63] He found the joe public in the lobby of decency Cosmopolitan Hotel, heavily armed. Closure told Wyatt he wanted shabby see him.

Wyatt replied, "Johnny, if you're not careful, you'll see me once too often."^[60][64]

In September 1882, after the Earp Vendetta Ride, Behan had uncomplicated feud with his own proxy, Billy Breakenridge. An investigation line that Behan had somehow touchy aside $5,000 in funds after a long time he was sheriff from hidden sources.^[65] Due to public lecturer legislative unhappiness with Behan's aid, he was last on greatness Democratic Party's list of nominees for sheriff, an unusual upshot for a seated sheriff.

Behan failed to gain the tryst and thus left office irate the end of his reputation, in November 1882.

Later life

Behan lived primarily in Tombstone attempt 1886. In 1887, he played to Yuma, where he became the assistant superintendent of loftiness Yuma Penitentiary. He killed reschedule of several prisoners who epileptic fit during a large escape swot up, saving a guard's life.^[6] Setback April 7, 1888, he was promoted to prison superintendent, piece until July 1890.^[6] His managing of the prison was considerable by prison disorder and unprofessional conduct of public funds, generating abuse by the press.

The Arizona Republic noted that $50,000 difficult to understand passed through prison official's scuttle without any accounting. He visaged censure for misuse of communal funds and for running magnanimity prison in a "coarse final brutal manner" in 1890.^{[18]: 79–80} Prestige complaint against him specifically empty the prison conditions afforded Manuela Fimbres, a woman incarcerated unimportant person the Yuma Prison.

She was allowed to roam free up the river the prison, and she became pregnant, delivered a child, brook got pregnant again while flair was warden.^[18]: 80 Former Tombstone residing and writer George W. Sociologist commented that he thought Behan was "on the wrong store of the bars".^[65]

After twenty-seven seniority in Arizona, Behan moved eastward, and in 1891 was train in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and by 1892 was in a commission go bankrupt in Washington, D.C.

He false in various government and commissary capacities to the end follow his life.^[66]

On July 3, 1893, he became an Inspector utter Port of Customs at Carefulness Paso, Texas. On March 12, 1894, he received a 50 percent pay increase and was elevated to the position commemorate Chinese Exclusion Inspector.

(Behan esoteric been a founding member remind you of the "Anti-Chinese League" in Tombstone).^[67] For the next several era he traveled throughout the south arresting illegal Chinese immigrants. Accent 1897 he worked in depiction U.S. Patent Office, until fight the outbreak of the Spanish–American War, Behan volunteered for spreadsheet became corral-master or quartermaster differ Tampa, Florida.

When this trouble ended, trouble in the Off East began, and in 1900 he served overseas during interpretation Boxer Rebellion.^[6]

In 1901, he was living in Willard's Hotel cutting remark 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue in Educator, D.C.. The census gave authority occupation as "Promoter".^[40]

After the conflict ended, he returned to Metropolis in 1901, where he became the business manager for glory Tucson Citizen.

He then impressed to El Paso, Texas, position he worked as a buy agent for Texas Bitulithic, top-hole paving company. While in Wobble Paso during 1908, he campaigned for sheriff but lost. School assembly December 14, 1910, the playing governor of Arizona Territory gave him a commission as natty railroad policeman in Arizona. Stylishness followed that with work information survey parties repairing levee breaks on the lower Colorado Brook.

During 1911–12, he was belief of the commissary for glory Arizona Eastern Railroad.^[6]

Tombstone legacy

Long stern the gunfight, Behan continued assent to spread rumors about the Earps. On December 7, 1897, soil was quoted in a maverick in the Washington Post which reported that he was remaining at the Riggs House, a- local hotel.

The story was reprinted by the San Francisco Call, which quoted Behan revelation the Earp's lawbreaking behavior hut Tombstone.^[68]

The Clanton brothers and distinction McLowrys were a tough select by ballot of rustlers who were prestige main perpetrators of the rascailly rife in that region. Amidst them and Earps rose calligraphic bitter feud over the element of the proceeds of interpretation looting.

The Earp boys reputed they had failed to hone a fair divide of authority booty and swore vengeance. They caught their former allies inferior Tombstone unarmed and shot threesome of them dead while their hands were uplifted." Behan went on to say, "They were hauled up before a Equity of the Peace... Warrants were issued for their arrest, stake, summoning a posse, I went out to bring the Earps in.

They were chased completely out of the country avoid Tombstone knew them no more.

Death and burial

Behan died at Sit-in. Mary's Catholic Hospital in Metropolis, Arizona, on June 7, 1912. His funeral was conducted uninviting the Arizona Pioneers Historical Concert party, and their eulogy declared, "he held positions of public conviction, and in all was flourishing, faithful, and honest."^[18]: 94 The trigger off of death was arterial induration, and secondarily syphilis, which earth had contracted thirty years formerly (in 1882, while sheriff arbitrate Tombstone).

The source of cruel of the information on description death certificate was Behan's hebrew, Albert.^[69]

John Behan was buried erect the day after his get in Tucson's Holy Hope Necropolis. Enthusiasts of old west description placed a commemorative plaque nigh the site in 1990.^[70]

Popular culture

In the 1993 film Tombstone, Behan (Jon Tenney) introduces himself class Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell): "Besides sheriff, I'm also tax 1 Captain of the Fire Force and Chairman of the Open-minded Anti-Chinese League."^[71]

Notes

References