Hysterical Journey To Historic Places

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WARREN EARP







Out of all six of the Earp brothers Warren, the youngest, was the scrappiest and had the worst temper. It was particularly bad when he was drunk, and he was quite fond of the bottle. Through his whole life Warren tried and failed to live up to reputation for toughness enjoyed by his brothers. He was always on the fight and frequently in trouble. In 1893 he was officially invited to leave Yuma after allegedly extorting money out of a man named Bahrens; after threatening to murder him and throw him off the bridge in a dispute over a woman. In due course of events Wyatt’s old pal, Henry Clay Hooker, put Warren on the payroll at Sierra Bonita Ranch near Willcox. Warren did okay for himself there as long as he stayed sober and everyone else stayed out of his way. The annual Fourth of July celebration was big doings in Willcox in 1900. Warren got drunk, of course, and true to habit got into an altercation with another ranch hand named Johnny Boyett over the affections of a loose woman. Johnny wanted no trouble and avoided the fight. A couple of days later at the Headquarters Saloon on Railroad Street Warren issued the challenge again. Both of them were drunk this time; not just Warren. Johnny jumped in to the fray with gusto, but Warren thought Johnny would back down again and his only weapon in that fight was a pocket knife. Johnny was so drunk that his first four gunshots missed and Warren got away, but he circled back around through an adjoining restaurant hoping to get close enough to Johnny to use the knife. Alas, he only got close enough so that Johnny could hardly miss with his fifth shot; right through Warren’s heart. Johnny was released on grounds of self-defense and Warren was buried the next day at the Pioneer Cemetery in Willcox. The photo shows where the gunfight occurred. In 1940 the Headquarters Saloon burnt down. The pink building on the corner was built in its place.

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Photos

WARREN EARP
Northeast corner of East Maley St and N. Railroad Avenue across the street from the little park where the Rex Allen Statue is. Rex's horse is at rest right beside the statue.

WARREN'S GRAVE
Go southeastward across the railroad tracks about a quarter mile to North 3rd Ave and turn left. Go northeastward half a mile on the dirt road. Pioneer cemetery is on the right across a little wash. Warren's grave is in the back near the fence. Warren is the only Earp buried in Arizona.