28th of October, 1881
Sand, dust and the scorching sun. I arrived in Tombstone, Arizona by postal carriage yesterday. A special welcome was waiting for me: the three well-dressed men resting peacefully in their wooden suits, in the window of the local undertaker's. Photographers were taking proof of the bodies and I was too close to getting caught in one of the shots. I must be more careful!
This small city is known as the final frontier of the Wild West. I'm eager to take in this unbelievable era before it vanishes.
It's said that Tombstone, a city established just odd five years ago, has the reputation of being the last battleground for the fight between the law-abiding republicans, and the democratic outlaw cowboys of the South.
I'm staying at Tombstone Grand Hotel, and it's admittedly just as beautiful as they say. I went to see the saloon the first thing after checking in. Once I had a bite to eat I went straight to Kelly's winery next door. Would you believe, they had their own micro-brewery! I got to chat with some locals, and learned about the three gentlemen I had met earlier at the undertaker's. Turns out that they were the McLaury brothers Tom and Bill. The third one was Bill Clanton. Their lives had been ended by the Earp brothers during a big shooting just two days ago. The notorious Doc Holliday had also been involved.
The Earp Brothers as interpreted by Tuomas Ikonen
I was to rent a horse and enjoy the wilderness for a day or two, but with the Clanton clan hiding outside the city borders, my initial plans had to change. I don't think the Clantons are too kind to passersby, with their leader being shot to death. That, along with the Mexican gangs and Apaches patrolling the area, don't exactly tempt me to go out there alone.
I think I'll try to take part in the poker game that's being set at the local Bird Cage theater. The funny thing is that this game has been ongoing for several years, and there's a three-day queue for the tables. That leaves me plenty of time to spend in the city.
I hope to travel to Tucson later on and learn from the few stereophotographers residing there. It's a fascinating style and technique that I'd love to learn myself.
My old acquaintance William Cody will be arriving in Tucson with his new live act, and I'm sure he won't be expecting to run into me there. It says a lot that a living legend of the Wild West is re-staging his old battles in theaters. His show is really popular, and the venues are sold out, city after city and night after night. The old Wild West has become a money-making machine, which to me is proof that the era is coming to an end.
William Cody a.k.a Buffalo Bill by Tuomas Ikonen
However, I've been witnessing new theaters appearing in every city, which is making way for the likes of the Cody Show, Vaudeville, and touring circuses. The entertainment business is stepping up.
Publisher’s Note: Thank you Tuomas Ikonen for the illustrations! Find more of his work at tuomasikonen.com