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Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys

Sat, Jul 26, 2025 11:00AM EDT
  2025-07-26 11:00:00 2025-07-26 11:00:00 America/New_York North American Auction Company North American Auction Company : Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys https://live.naabid.com/auctions/north-american-auction/tombstone-western-heritage-museum-auction-the-earp-brothers-cowboys-20021
Join North American Auction Company on July 26th for a once-in-a-lifetime auction of the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Collection. This extraordinary sale features the largest private collection of Tombstone history, including rare and historic pieces tied to Wyatt Earp, the Earp Brothers, and the infamous Cochise Cowboys. From original artifacts, outlaw relics, and the largest collection of C.S. Fly photographs, this is a can’t-miss event for collectors of the Old West’s most legendary chapter.
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Lot 526

Morgan Earp's Funeral Notice March 19, 1882

Estimate: $600 - $800
Starting Bid
$50

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Offered in this lot is a Rare Morgan Earp Funeral Notice, 1882. Provenance: Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Tombstone, museum rendition copy. The funeral notice has a letter written on it by Morgan's widow Louisa Alice Earp. Louisa's letter recounts the details of Morgan's murder; Morgan lived for nearly an hour after being mortally wounded, and speaks to Morgan's strong and honourable character. Morgan Seth Earp was an American sheriff and lawman serving as Tombstone, Arizona Territory Special Policeman when he helped his brothers Virgil and legendary Old West gunslinger, gambler and lawman Wyatt, as well as Doc Holliday, confront the outlaw Cochise County Cowboys in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881. The lawmen killed Cowboys Tom and Frank McLaury and Billy Clanton. All four lawmen were charged with murder by Billy's older brother Ike Clanton, who had run from the gunfight. During a month-long preliminary hearing, Judge Wells Spicer exonerated the men, concluding they had been performing their duty. Friends of the slain outlaws retaliated, and on December 29, the Cowboys gang ambushed Virgil, leaving him maimed. Two and a half months later, on March 18, 1882, they ambushed Morgan, shooting him at night through the window of a door while he was playing billiards and killed him. The Cowboys suspected in both shootings were let off on technicalities or lack of evidence. The day after Morgan's murder, Deputy U.S. Marshal Wyatt Earp formed a posse to track down the suspects. The coroner reports credited the Earp posse with killing Frank Stilwell, Curly Bill, Indian Charlie, and Johnny Barnes in their two-week-long ride. The attached Tombstone Western Heritage Museum label on the face of the clear protective plastic sleeve, "Morgan Earp's funeral notice with a letter from his wife Louise. This copy compliments of Craig Fouts." The Funeral Notice is in two parts, both in good condition. These are museum copies of a rare unseen document. Each measures 5.5"W x 8.25"L, sleeve is 6.375"W x 9.25"L. Weight is U6.

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