“Damn, This Is Funny”

Ever wonder how John Henry Holliday became known as "Doc" Holliday? Here is a story about the infamous gunfighter and where he is laid to rest.

“Damn, This Is Funny”

         These were the last words spoken by someone you may have come to know. John Henry Holliday, came to be known as an iconic figure in Western history by “ Doc” Holliday! “Doc” or Henry became a legend in his own right as a gunfighter, card shark, and also a part-time dentist. This is where he got the nickname “ Doc”, because of his formal training as a Dentist.

        This gentleman was born down in the city of Griffin, Georgia. In the year 1851 on August 14, to the proud parents Alice Jane McKay and Henry Burroughs Holliday. Much to their surprise since they had recently lost a baby the year before, a daughter that they named Martha Eleanora.

         Doc's father, Henry was a trained Pharmacist who also served in several wars. Not only the Cherokee Indian, and the Mexican War, but he also was a Major in the Confederate Army. After serving in the Mexican War, he went back home but not alone. He brought an orphaned Mexican boy named Francisco Hidalgo, thus giving young Henry an older step-brother. After Major Holliday inherited a piece of land in Valdosta, Georgia, the family moved to Lowndes County. This is where John Henry started attending grade school at the Valdosta Institute. From the ages between 7-8, he began studying the languages of Greek, Latin, and French. While his father began becoming one of the town's leading citizens, serving two terms as their Mayor.

       At the age of 15, his mother passed away from what they called consumption. It has been since changed to the lung disorder called tuberculosis. Doc being a young teenager was greatly impacted by her death, since they had a very close relationship. His father remarried only 3 months after his wife's death which only made his grieving for his mother harder. But life went on for the Holliday family, and between the community and the fact his cousin built the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery John found his chosen profession, Dentistry. So in 1870, at the age of 19 he enrolled into his cousins college that was in Philadelphia. Then on March 1, 1872, along with 26 others he graduated as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Going on to begin working as a Dentist in the city of Atlanta under Dr. Arthur C. Ford.

         Shortly after he began working as a Dentist, John Henry found out he had the same illness that took his Mother's life. His stepbrother Francisco was also diagnosed with it and subsequently died. Leading some to believe they both might have contracted the disease from her. After numerous doctors told him that he didn't have long to live, they suggested him to move to a dryer climate. So in the yer 1873, he decided to pack up his belongings and move west to Dallas, Texas. Where he worked for another dentist, Dr. John A Seegar, yet due to his sporadic coughing spells his work was affected, especially during delicate procedures. He was forced to find another way to make a living.

          While living out West he was known as a Southern gentleman, very refined and extremely educated. Where most people at that time was very uncommon. Not only was he fluent in Latin, but was an accomplished piano player and a ' nappy' or classy dresser. Life seemed to be going well for John and his intelligence helped him be a natural at gambling, so this became his new job not only as a participant but as a dealer. Although he was still plagued with his illness, and the knowledge that he wouldn't live very long. Making him become moody, so he began to drink heavily.

         With his new found profession as a gambler, he knew he'd have to protect himself. So he started practicing with a six-shooter and a long wicked knife making sure he was able to use both with skill. On January 2, 1875, he got into a gunfight with a local saloon keeper named Austin; this was his first recorded gunfight after they had a disagreement. Neither man was hit, yet both were arrested according to a report by the Dallas Weekly Herald newspaper. The local citizens were amused by the gunfight, until a few days later when Doc got into another disagreement with someone else, ending with Doc killing a prominent citizen with point blank accuracy, using only two bullets.

       Needing Doc to flee Dallas, as the posse nipped at his heels. Onto the city of Jacksonville, another lawless cow-town where he got a job as a Faro dealer all the while carrying one gun in a shoulder holster and another on his hip, along with his wicked knife. Here he met more trouble since he was involved in three more gunfights. Even though he left one dead, no action was taken against him.

       Then in the year of 1876, he got into another fight leading to violence. Yet this time he wasn't getting away with this murder since he had killed a soldier from the Fort Richardson nearby. Thus bringing in the United States Government to do the investigating, and an offer of a reward for his capture. So now Doc was being aggressively hunted by the Army, Texas Rangers, U.S. Marshall's, local lawmen, but many citizens eager to get their hands on the cash reward. Which now wouldn't be very much, yet at that time was a lot to most.

Not only was Doc being stricken by an illness, he now had people wanting to see him hang. Doc fled for his life, going to what is now known as Colorado; but at the time it was Apache country in the Kansas Territory. Leaving three more dead bodies along his way as he made some stops in Pueblo, Leadville, Georgetown and then Central City. He finally settled into the town of Denver, where he changed his name to Tom Mackey and worked as a Faro dealer and a place called Babbitt''s House. This is where he laid low for awhile, until he got involved in an argument with Bud Ryan, a well known tough gambler.

       Doc took out his knife and nearly cut Ryan's head off, although he survived he was left mutilated on his face & neck. Doc was once again on the run after being publicly resented for his actions. Going first into Wyoming, then New Mexico, and finally back to the state of Texas. While at Fort Griffin, he came to meet what later became his good friend- Wyatt Earp; and a female companion “ Big Nose” Kate who stayed with him until he died.

         After meeting Wyatt Earp, they later met up again in Tombstone, Arizona. This was were the infamous legend of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, with one side being Doc, Wyatt and his two brothers, Morgan and Virgil. Then on the other side was the Clanton brothers and the Mc Laurey brothers, only lasting for 30 seconds the gun battle spent out 30 shots being fired. Thus being the most legendary gunfight in American West history. Even though this battle left three dead, and others severely wounded including Doc. Both Doc and Wyatt were arrested for the murders, but quickly released. One of the dead was Wyatt's brother Morgan, initiating what was called Earp's Vendetta Ride. Which began in the year 1881 and lasted well into the following year, leaving an astonishing number of killings.

         After this killing spree, Wyatt and Doc parted ways. This is where Doc moved to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where his health continued to deteriorate. He soon passed away on November 8, 1887 at the young age of 36. With his passing reaching every part of the known world at that time. As Doc laid in the Hotel Glenwood, his blonde hair turned to being prematurely gray and very sick. He had hoped to be cured from his ailment from the sulfurous springs nearby, but they could have made his condition worse. While laying in the bed, Doc asked the attending nurse for a shot of whiskey but she said “no.” After that he looked down at his bootless feet, and amusingly said “ Damn, this is funny.” As it had been reported that “Doc” Holliday would never die with his boots off.

        Also after his death the Denver Republican wrote about him, “Few men have been better known to a certain class of sporting people, and few men of his character had more friends or stronger companions.” They also stated “ He represented a class of men who are disappearing in the new West. He had the reputation of being a bunco man, desperado, and bad-man generally, yet he was a mild-mannered man, was genial and companionable, and had many excellent qualities.”

       Another interesting tidbit about Doc Holliday, is that it can't be confirmed that he was the one who shot Johnny Ringo. Several books have been written where one states that Holliday shot Ringo at a distance with a rifle; thus contradicting the coroners report of Ringo committing suicide. Also the day Ringo died, July 14, 1882 down in Arizona, was the same day that Doc and his attorney were to appear in court on July 11, 1882. And according to the paper in Salida, Colorado it reported that on July 7^th that Doc was there, which is 500 miles away from the site of Ringo's death. Either way the legend of

“Doc” John Henry Holliday will live on forever.

All information derived from the following sources:

Wikipedia " Doc Holliday

Legends of America

History.com This Day in History- 7/19/1879

Biography.com Doc Holliday

photos from Google images