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John Ringo, after arriving in Tombstone, joins the Clanton Gang of outlaws and cattle rustlers.
Ringo became a heavy drinker and, when well into his cups, enjoyed quoting long literary passages. He often was seen with a book bulging one of his pockets and, after sufficiently lubricating his vocal cords in a saloon, would even give forth with a few lines of poetry. Just one look at Ringo's size, as well as the glint in his eye and the twin ivory-handled colt pistols he sported, kept a smart fellow from laughing as the gunslingers recitations. Leaving Dodge City and moving further west, Ringo stopped to give Tombstone, Arizona a look over. There, he renewed his acquaintance with the Earp brothers as well as with Doc Holliday, whom he hated. It was in Tombstone that Ringo finally got into the cattle business, but usually his business was with someone else's cattle. Ringo's cattle venture came about when he joined up with the Clantons who were mostly earning their keep by rustling cattle and robbing stagecoaches. And that's when the famed trouble started in Tombstone. Ringo, to show his loyalty to the Clanton group, picked a quarrel with Wyatt Earp. He offered to fight a duel with Wyatt but the whole event did not come off, even though Doc Holliday managed to get himself involved in the situation. The mayor, a Mr. Thomas, stepped in and stopped the show. But Ringo wasn't through attempting to irritate the Earps, and Holliday too if possible. One day the Earps and Doc were just starting to cross the San Pedro Bridge on their way to hunt down killer Curly Bill Brocius. Ringo just stood there with his shotgun ready and told the law enforcing group to come on if they "wanted to feel the bite" of his bullets. It's said that the Earps and Holliday turned tail and went back the way they'd come, even though they had Ringo outnumbered. John Ringo continued. Photo Identification:A Faro game in progress at the Orient Saloon at Bisbee, Arizona. Recognized: Left to right- Doyle, a concert hall singer, sitting at the corner of table wearing a derby. Back of Doyle, standing, is the Dutch Kid. Sleepy Dick, the porter, is to the right with light felt hat. Charlie Bassett, wearing a soft felt hat in rear and next to the wall. The dealer is Johnny Murphy, with Smiley Lewis in silk hat. Photo is by Camillus S. Fly, ca. 1900.
The copyright of the article John Ringo 2 in American History is owned by Mary Trotter Kion. Permission to republish John Ringo 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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