The McLaurys in Tombstone, Arizona

An O.K. Corral Obituary, A. C. Greene Series

By: Paul Lee Johnson

Narrated by: Claton Butcher

On a chilly October afternoon in 1881, two brothers named Tom and Frank McLaury were gunned down on the streets of Tombstone, Arizona, by the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday. The deadly event became known as the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and in a quirk of fate, the brothers' names became well-known, but only as bad men and outlaws. Did they deserve that reputation?

The McLaurys in Tombstone, Arizona: An O.K. Corral Obituary explores this question, revealing details of their family background and the context of their lives on the frontier. Paul Lee Johnson begins their story with the McLaury brothers' decision to go into the cattle business with an ambition to have their own ranch. When they moved to Arizona, they finally achieved that goal, but along the way they became enmeshed with the cross-border black market that was thriving there. As "honest ranchers", they were in business with both the criminal element as well as the legitimate businesses in Tombstone.

Another principal in this story was an older brother, William, who set aside his law practice in Fort Worth to settle his brothers' affairs, and associated himself with the prosecution of the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday. Despite his efforts, the Earps and Holliday were exonerated, and the "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" became the opening salvo of a feud that took several more lives.

Johnson has interviewed family descendants and mined their sources, government correspondence, and letters that have never before been published to reveal the human lives behind the storied events. For the first time the events of the O.K. Corral gunfight are presented from the viewpoint of the McLaurys, two brothers who lost their lives and reputations, and a family who tried in vain to find restitution.

The book is published by University of North Texas Press.

©2012 Paul Lee Johnson (P)2014 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

He [Paul Lee Johnson] skillfully recounts the familiar background story with clarity and freshness, and he has produced a volume that is a notable addition to the literature of Tombstone's most compelling drama." ( Journal of Arizona History)

"Paul Lee Johnson is one exceptional researcher. His work on the McLaurys in Tombstone... is the best compendium available of events in that boomtown..." ( Wild West History Association Journal)

A Deeper Look Into An Historic Icon

If you could sum up The McLaurys in Tombstone, Arizona in three words, what would they be?

Eye-opening, Enlightening, Engrossing

What was one of the most memorable moments of The McLaurys in Tombstone, Arizona?

To be honest, the entire book. Very much indeed an eye-opening glimpse into a very well know event. Well...what I THOUGHT was well known. This look into the 'other side' of the story proves that every event has two sides, both of which are 'right'.

What about Claton Butcher’s performance did you like?

Claton's voice and pacing is superb, especially for this genre. The way in which Mr. Butcher delivers the story quickly makes it feel as if he was really there - lending an air of validity to it all! I would gladly listen to more books by this narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Cowboys of Tombstone

Fascinating History of Tombstone

What did you love best about The McLaurys in Tombstone, Arizona?

I loved this entire audiobook on Tombstone and the McLaurys, the Earp brothers, and all the other people that contributed to settling Tombstone in the late 1800's. There were many details that I had never heard before making this an excellent book for anyone that loves history of the old west.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The McLaurys in Tombstone, Arizona?

Oh gosh, there were so many memorable moments in The McLaurys in Tombstone. Way too many to name. I come from a Texas background and a railroad family and this had so much appeal to me. I already knew quite a lot about Tombstone but found the McLaury story pretty fascinating.

Have you listened to any of Claton Butcher’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I believe this is the first time I've listened to Clayton Butcher and I found his performance to be outstanding. He made this audiobook easy to listen to and easy to understand. He gave the book a nice flow and as for the writing of this book it was a very cohesive piece of important history from beginning to end.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The McLaurys in Tombstone.

Any additional comments?

I received this audiobook foc in exchange for an unbiased review. I'd be interested in more historical books like this one.

Historical

Any additional comments?

The study to date on two of the often-misunderstood participants at the gunfight near the OK Corral. It is true that history is written by the winners but now Paul L. Johnson has stepped in to represent two of the deceased. Tom and Frank McLaury were not able to tell their story before their death.

Nothing new here.

I hoped for some new information about the McClaurys, and while there was some insight into the actions of their brother, it mostly retold the same stories.