The gunfight at the O. Corral pitted lawmen against members of a loosely organized group of cattle rustlers and horse thieves called the Cowboys on October 26, While lasting less than a minute, the gunfight has been the subject of books and films into the 21st century. Taking place in the town of Tombstone in Arizona Territory , the battle has become one archetype of the American Old West.
The gunfight was the result of a long-simmering feud between five outlaws including two sets of brothers and four representatives of the law, including three brothers. The trigger for the event was the local marshal's decision to enforce a city ordinance that prohibited the carrying of weapons into town.
To enforce that ordinance, the lawmen would have to disarm the Cowboys. As Deputy U. Marshal and Town Marshal , Virgil was in charge, and it was his decision to enforce the ordinance that led to the shoot out.
His two brothers and Doc Holliday were temporary assistant marshals. Despite its name, the gunfight did not take place within or next to the O. Corral , which fronted Allen Street and had a rear entrance lined with horse stalls on Fremont Street. The shootout actually took place in a narrow lot on the side of C. Fly 's photography studio on Fremont Street, six doors west of the O. Corral's rear entrance.
Some members of the two opposing parties were initially only about 6 feet 1. About thirty shots were fired in thirty seconds. Ike Clanton subsequently filed murder charges against the Earps and Holliday. After a thirty-day preliminary hearing and a brief stint in jail, the defendants were shown to have acted lawfully.
