Mark Lee Gardner’s latest book, titled Brothers of the Gun, delves into the lives of two iconic figures of the American West: Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Scheduled for release on November 7, 2023, the book intertwines the narratives of Earp and Holliday, chronicling their adventures from Dodge City, Kansas, to Tombstone, Arizona, with significant events in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The narrative highlights the complex and often violent lives of these historical figures, particularly during a tumultuous period in the late 19th century.
Gardner, an established author and historian recognized with the Frank Waters Award for Literary Excellence, aims to enrich the historical accounts of Earp and Holliday. He believes that their stories deserve to be told together, as they share a deep connection in the annals of history. “I felt like this dual biography was a great angle that no one had really looked at prior to this book,” Gardner explained.
Las Vegas: A Hub of Activity
The narrative takes a closer look at Las Vegas, New Mexico, where significant events unfolded in 1878. At that time, Holliday, alongside his partner known as Big Nose Kate, traveled down the Santa Fe Trail after a violent incident in Trinidad, Colorado. While the town had yet to see the arrival of the railroad, it was a bustling place filled with excitement and opportunities, particularly for gambling.
Gardner notes, “Las Vegas is this really hopping town. There’s all this enthusiasm and excitement; there’s lots of gambling places.” The nearby Montezuma Hot Springs also attracted health-seekers, including Holliday, who suffered from tuberculosis. Although the exact location of their stay remains uncertain, it is clear that Holliday was not in Las Vegas for dental work.
Between March and August of 1879, Holliday faced multiple run-ins with the law, culminating in a significant incident during the grand opening of a saloon on July 19, 1879. A former Army scout named Mike Gordon fired shots in a moment of distress, which ultimately led to Holliday fatally shooting him. Gardner highlights the mystery surrounding this event, stating, “One of the interesting things about that killing is that apparently there were no witnesses. Nobody wanted to testify in case it went to trial.”
Insights and Challenges in Historical Research
Following their departure for Arizona in 1881, Holliday and Kate earned a negative reputation in Las Vegas. The then-editor of the Las Vegas Daily Optic described Holliday as a “shiftless… character — a killer and professional cutthroat.” Such perceptions, according to Gardner, are likely exaggerated, but they reflect the societal views of that era.
The process of writing Brothers of the Gun involved extensive research, including visits to archives and historic sites. Gardner faced challenges in verifying facts, especially given the often questionable claims made by historical figures. He noted that auction houses and collectors frequently acquire records related to Earp and Holliday, complicating the task for historians. “That takes a chunk out of a chronology or timeline or information that might be useful to tell their histories,” Gardner remarked.
In conclusion, Gardner believes he has successfully enriched the narrative surrounding Earp and Holliday by incorporating the latest findings and exploring the lives of the women who influenced them. A book signing event is scheduled for November 15 at the Barnes & Noble in the Santa Fe Place Mall, where Gardner will discuss his work and the fascinating histories of these two legendary figures.
