Tombstone, Cochise County ~ Arizona

"THE TOWN TOO TOUGH TO DIE"

Desperado Kidd Lawman

You probably know him as “Arizona’s Toughest Sheriff", a name given to him a long time ago by the Tombstone Epitaph and The Tombstone Sun-Review. It’s a name he certainly has earned when he was the Sheriff of Tombstone. But even before he became Sheriff in April 1897, Desperado Kidd was one tough lawman.

He began his career as a lawman in the early 1897 with Sheriff Clarence Bing who, impressed with his resolute manners hired him to be his Deputy.

These were the good old times of the Town Too Tough To Die, Clarence and Desperado were walking the dusty streets of Tombstone and were doing a hell of a job there...

Kidd really liked Bing, he had great respect for the man, and was learning from him. But one day, Sheriff Clarence Bing dissapeared mysteriously while he was riding his horse in the Sonoran desert... Desperado went looking for him, riding every places he could think of but never found him...

Did he got killed? Kidnaped? Did he left for some reasons? As today it still a mystery...

Clarence Bing gone, Conan Brule was named Sheriff. He was also a good friend of Kidd, but the man turned bad real quick and got killed in a poker’s game. His grave still stands in Boot Hill...

Tombstone had his next Sheriff all prepared: Desperado was named the 4th Sheriff of Tombstone, assuming command and responsibilities.

Lawman Meeting on June 1897. From left to right: Deputy Vince Giacomin ~ Deputy Questor Sinclair ~ Sheriff Desperado Kidd ~ Deputy Jerimiah Bertolucci ~ US Marshal Bill Hayabusa ~ Deputy Sheriff James912 Torok

He got promoted later for the position of County Sheriff, supervising the Sheriff’s Office and established a stellar record in infiltrating outlaws organizations.

He had a reputation for fighting crime, and during his tenure as County Sheriff, Desperado has consistently earned extraordinarily high public approval ratings.

With a lot of experience in law enforcement, Kidd knows what the public wants, “The public is my boss,” he says, “so I serve the public.”

The Sheriff's Office in August 1897...

Desperado made the famous Sheriff’s Office Mission Statement, that still stands today in the Tombstone’s Office, and had over 30 deputies in the Sheriff’s department, at his best.

He also organized the office who was almost empty when he arrived, and made most of the standards of the law for every deputy to follow.

Furthermore, County Sheriff Desperado Kidd has a philosophy of zero tolerance towards the criminal element, which has been embraced by deputies and community alike.

He has continued to reduce crime with hard-hitting enforcement methods.

His leadership and the excellent work of his staff have catapulted the Tombstone Sheriff’s Office and the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office into the ranks of elite law enforcement agencies.


The Sheriff’s Office was running good, Questor Sinclair and Katiana Flasheart were named the towns Sheriffs with Raven Cinquetti helping them, and Desperado who was still in command of the Sheriff’s Office, didn't see the point of staying in the Office, as everything were running with itself.

Kidd was thinking of going on a trip, taking a break, getting some vacation. Travelling a little.

On the 2nd of September 1897 in a letter to Mayor Adrian Wise he resigned his position of County Sheriff.

In fact, many thought he was looking for a new challenge, as he went for the position of Marshal but he didn’t stayed in the Marshal’s Office very long.

Soon, he realized he was not looking for another challenge, but trying to escape from his past. He was thinking too much of the old days that he misses so much.
Tired, feeling useless he needed a real break.

On the 26th day of September 1897 this remarkable success story that has attracted the attention of government officials, led him to a Certificate of Achievement given by the president William McKinley himself.

That’s when he thought it was time for him to hang up his guns. Unlike Clarence Bing and Conan Brule (the two Sheriffs who were on duty before him), he was still alive after all...

So he left the law on the 4th of October 1897. Leaving his life peacefully in the moutains of the Sonoran Desert, he was going to Tombstone once in a while to have a drink at Big Nose Kate Saloon and to say hi to his friends.

But the law caught him back, folks were asking him when will he come back and that’s when he had this thought: “I am the law, it’s in my blood, there is nothing else I can do.”

He realized that you can’t change what you are, and if you try, something always calls you back.

So he applied to get back his position of County Sheriff, a position he loved and fell comfortable with. And on the 4th of February 1898, 4 months after he resigned, Desperado kidd received his approval from a Western Union Telegram signed by the Mayor Adrian Wise.

He was back in the law as County Sheriff.

Devoted to the town of Tombstone that he loves and to the Arizona Territory, it’s a great privilege for him to serve this town and he hope to continue the positive relationship that he has had with the citizens. Once again, he will do his best to continue the job that made him known as the Toughest Sheriff in Arizona.

Tombstone Lawmen History Board

I wanted to make an history board for the lawmen of Tombstone to be remembered. Had to get the picture of everyone and finally got them! So here they are, from top left to bottom right, in the order they got their positions, from the first lawman to the present one...

Clik on the picture to enlarge.

Tombstone First Sheriff: Cornholio Chambers

Cornholio Chambers came from Sigil, Arizona where he was the Sheriff. When he moved to Tombstone, he became the first Sheriff of the West's wildest town’s: Tombstone had a lawman! Walking the dusty streets of the Town To Tough To Die, he brought law and order for the hard working pioneers who craved a sense of stability.

When I met Cornholio Chambers, I knew I was going to write down a piece of History that would stay for years sealed together with the growth of our fabulous town of Tombstone. I am talking about an Historic moment here, imagine, the first Sheriff of a rising town...

Let’s meet now with this big fellow to see what he has to say...

Desperado Kidd: Howdy Cornholio Chambers and thank you to share a little of your time with me.
Cornholio Chambers: Glad to do it thanks'

Desperado Kidd: I understand you were a lawman in the town of Sigil before you moved to Tombstone, can you tell me a little more about your time in Sigil?
Cornholio Chambers: Yes sir, well sigil was a great little town, lots of kind folks, but there was a lot of lawlessness when I arrived, innocent folks getting harassed by outlaws and indians and such. So I decided to become a lawman, cleaned up the town, and then decided it was time to move West...

Desperado Kidd: Sounds like you did a hell of a job there, all by yourself?
Cornholio Chambers: ahh no sir I had deputies that were really good. We all worked together and cleaned the town up. We also had the help of the citizens and a few bounty hunters in town gave us a big hand as well, especially a certain blond haired beauty that I later married

Desperado Kidd: Oh wow, what a story! You lucky man. So what made you moved to Tombstone then?
Cornholio Chambers: Well sir, the town dried up, everyone came west searching for gold, so this is where we hung our hats... for awhile

Desperado Kidd: So you went to Tombstone, and became Sheriff right away?
Cornholio Chambers: Yes sir, I was named the very first sheriff of Tombstone
Cornholio Chambers: :)

Desperado Kidd: Without any law around it must have been a wild place you came into and a lot of work to do as a lawman...
Cornholio Chambers: Yes sir, I watched the very first building be built here, then the word got out about the many saloons and the gambling. Wasn’t long before the outlaws, and renegade indians showed up

Desperado Kidd: Ah that must have been fun; seing the start of Tombstone! The town has grown very fast since
Cornholio Chambers: Yes sir, this town has trippled in size since i was last here

Desperado Kidd: How many deputies did you have back then to help you?
Cornholio Chambers: Well I hired 4 of my deputies from my time in Sigil. We were out gunned and out manned but we were able to keep peace in town for the most part.

Desperado Kidd: That sounds familiar (smiles), making me remembering some old memories... So, in your career, who would you say was the worst outlaw you had to deal with in Tombstone?
Cornholio Chambers: hmm, let me think about that for a sec
Cornholio Chambers: Well there were a few, but there are two that realy stick out

Desperado Kidd wonders if he knows them...

Cornholio Chambers: There was a renegade indian named Widowmaker that made my life hell on many of an occasion, but probably the most notorious was a lawman turned bad named Juicefroma Whitehead, we just called him Juice.

Cornholio Chambers: Juice made a name for himself as a mean and coorupt lawman, then he was arrested by me, and thats when he really went ruthless. he even killed woman and children

Desperado Kidd: Lawman turned bad? Damn! Sounds like another one I've known... I've known WidowmakeR, and went after him too. I never heard of the other one tho...
Cornholio Chambers: Well after Juice broke out of the jail, he killed a few folks here in town, but when he heared there was a lynch mob after him, and even us troops, well we never saw him again

Cornholio Chambers: I heard he was reaking havok in Mexico

Desperado Kidd: He ran away huh..., too bad he escaped. Hmmm, have you heard of Sniper Carter? He used to be the Most Wanted Outlaw when I was Sheriff...
Cornholio Chambers: Yes sir, I have seen him once or twice. Never had any runs with him though... Most the folks that were here when I was sheriff are either dead, or moved on to other towns

Desperado Kidd: That's sad isn't it? Do you miss the old days?
Cornholio Chambers: Well yes sir I miss the old days, had many friends back in these days...

Desperado Kidd: I understand how you feel, cause I have the same feeling you know. Memories are always coming back to you, one time or another...
Desperado Kidd: Very soon an History Board will be done about the Famous Lawmen of Tombstone, I’ve wanted the town of Tombstone to remember the ones who defended justice. Since you are the first one on it, what do you think of the idea?
Cornholio Chambers: Well I think its a wonderful thing, keep the history of Tombstone alive. Heck alot of the kids here today can prolly trace their roots right back to here

Desperado Kidd: I think so too. And I’m so glad to be able to meet with you here so everyone will knows who you were. You are one important piece of the history of Tombstone Cornholio Chambers! Anything you would like to say to the Citizens and lawmen on duty today?
Cornholio Chambers: Well to the citizens of tombstone; you have done a wonderful job preserving this wonderful town. And well to the lawmen.... I’ve been here 20 minnutes and ain’t heared a single gunshot, so keep up the fine work

Desperado Kidd: (smiles) Outlaws know you are in town, so they keep out!
Cornholio Chambers grins

Desperado Kidd: May I ask, why did you quit your position as Tombstone Sheriff?
Cornholio Chambers: Well the truth is, my wife ( at the time ) Foxy Innis was offered a job in another town, she realy wanted the job badly, and well Tombstone was doing great, there were many good lawmen here, and I felt they could more then handle the town on their own. It turns out the town we were heading to was also in need of a sheriff, and well I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Desperado Kidd: So what town did you go to?
Cornholio Chambers: Well sir believe it or not, the town we went to bared the same name as this.... funny how life works sometimes

Desperado Kidd: Really?? Wow, how strange...
Cornholio Chambers: Yes sir, the town was built by a miss Kasandra Milland

Desperado Kidd: I've heard of her...
Cornholio Chambers: The town was not as big, not were there as many buildings, but was quiet and we had a great home up top of a hill. Then i retired to a little place called steelhead city, and thats where we called and built our home

Desperado Kidd: sounds really nice (smiles) I've been to Steelhead a long time ago; you are lucky to retired to a place like that.
Cornholio Chambers: Yea tried my hand in gold prospecting, that’s where my life took a turn, and well thats that

Desperado Kidd: You’ve been pretty lucky (smiles), did you met the one who took your place here when you left Tombstone? His name was Clarence Bing, he was a great lawman (The greatest I think, I've worked with the others except you).
Cornholio Chambers: Clarence came to town after I had left, but he seemed like a good feller

Desperado Kidd: Yes he was, I worked with him as deputy before he disappeared mysteriously...
Cornholio Chambers: That’s too bad, seemed like alot of folks dissapear in this desert

Desperado Kidd: Yup it happens more often than we think... Well congratulations for staying alive during all this time; life ain't easy as a lawman, some were not as lucky as us and finished in Boot Hill.
Cornholio Chambers: Well sir, a steady shot, and a lot of luck is what kept me around this long.

Desperado Kidd: Thank you again for your time, it was a real pleasure to meet you finally.
Cornholio Chambers: Thank you sir and the privilege was all mine.

Desperado Kidd: Anything else you wishes to say mister Chambers?
Cornholio Chambers: No sir I have said everything thats important anyhow .. grins
Cornholio gives Desperado a shake Hands.
Desperado shakes his hand

Cornholio Chambers: Nice meeting you sir, it’s been a pleasure
Desperado Kidd: It was an honor for me to meet you, really.

Cornholio Chambers tips his hat “Have a good day now.”

Desperado Kidd: Have a good trip back home, Sheriff Chambers.

How the West was won...

Traveling into the Wild Wild West in Second Life !!!

SIGIL ~ ARIZONA

Sigil was a prospector’s town in Arizona that due to geography also became a route through which the express train towards the pacific and new US territory was bound. The resulting boom from local mining operations and the maintenance of the station has led to an era or prosperity and a place to begin an adventure in the Wild West Frontier.
Unfortunately the town died, became a ghost town then went into the unknown ...

SILVER BELLS AND GOLDEN SPURS

This was a mining town called Golden Gulch while the West was yet untamed. A gunslinger enters a bustling mining town looking for a local bad guy and killer, and finds him drawn up to the bar in a local saloon. After singling him out, the two men exchange threats and make bets on who's the quicker draw. Both men draw and fire, but for the outcome, you must watch the movie!


TOMBSTONE ~ ARIZONA TERRITORY

The most legendary gunfight in the Wild West—the famous shoot-out at the O.K. Corral—took place in Tombstone, Arizona, on October 26, 1881. Nearly every American, and millions in foreign lands, knows about Wyatt Earp, the heroic marshal who brought law and order wiping out a gang of savage rustlers in the shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.

NUGGET GULCH

Forgotten ghost town abandoned by its residents. Only few people know there is still a tresure in gold hidden in the mountains...

DEADWOOD

This is a historical roleplay Old West sim. It is based on the mining town of Deadwood, in the Black Hills of South Dakota in 1870's, height of the gold rush. The sim is built as close as possible to the real town using pictures and accounts of men who lived in Deadwood!

Letter from the past...

My name is Bob Daggett, I was Editor and Publisher for the Weekly Gazette in Tucson, Arizona, when my brother Joe, who lived in the town of Canyon Diablo asked me for help.

No law enforcement were established in his town, and it quickly became a wild and lawless place as drifters, gamblers, and outlaws made their way to town. With the closest law enforcement being some 100 miles away, the settlement earned a reputation of being meaner than Tombstone and Dodge City combined, with many of its citizens winding up in the local cemetery.

The saloons, gambling dens and brothels never closed, running 24 hours a day. Main Street, aptly referred to as Hell Street, included fourteen saloons, ten gambling houses, four brothels and two dance halls. Wedged between these businesses were a couple of eating counters, a grocery and a dry goods store. My brother owned that last one.

With a population of nearly 2.000, a regular stage operated between Flagstaff and Canyon Diablo but ended up being the target of many robberies. When the town finally got a peace officer, he pinned on a badge at 3:00 p.m. and was laid out for burial at 8:00 p.m. Five more foolish men also tried their hands at marshalling in this God forsaken town. None of them lasted more than a month in the position before they too were killed. Boot Hill cemetery filled up fast in Canyon Diablo...

Now, you’ve all heard about gunfighters stories, but I’ll tell you one that still strikes fear into the hearts of bad men everywhere in the West.

A few years back, I met Desperado Kidd when he was a lawman in Tombstone, and I knew he could be the man to help us clear up the town of Canyon Diablo. So, when my brother Joe asked me for help, I knew Desperado resigned his Marshal’s position, and was hanging out over Tombstone. So my brother and I went on a trip to The Town Too Tough To Die to meet him. We asked him to help us with that band of rustlers and thieves, that had been terrorizing our town.
It didn’t took him long to accept to help. That gang was led by a ferocious outlaw named Evil-Eye McNeevil and Desperado had some old story to finish up with him...

I’ll never forget the first day Desperado Kidd rode into the little town of Canyon Diablo and walked into the Dixie Belle Saloon.

He strode up to the bar and smiled straight at the bartender. “Milk, please.”
Every head in the place turned to look. “Milk???”
Now, standing next to Desperado Kidd at the bar was Crooked Curt. Curt was the second of Evil-Eye, and he was wearing the usual outlaw scowl.
Desperado turned to him and smiled. “Mighty big frown you got there, mister.”
“What’s it to you?” growled Curt.
“Well,” said Desperado, “maybe I could help remove it.”
“I’d like to see you try!”
The rest of us got out of the way real fast. The bartender ducked behind the bar. Desperado and Curt moved about ten paces from each other, hands at the ready. Desperado was still smiling.
Curt moved first. But he only just cleared his gun from its holster before Desperado Kidd aimed and fired. Shot right in the heart, that was the last day for Curt...

Evil-Eye McNeevil had lost his meanest man, and he was furious. The next day, he sent three of his men after Desperado Kidd to kill him.

Walking into the Saloon, looking for him, they were just about to leave the place when Desperado strolled by. Knowing what they were up to, he didn’t waited a bit when they reached for their guns; Kidd just fired at them and blew their head off.

That was the last straw for Evil-Eye McNeevil. It was time for a showdown.
The next day at high noon, Desperado was sipping whiskey at the Dixie Belle Saloon. Evil-Eye burst through the doors and stamped up to him.
“I’m Evil-Eye McNeevil.”
“Hello, Evil-Eye!” said Desperado Kidd with a huge smile. “Can I buy you some milk?”
“This town ain’t big enough for the both of us.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Kidd. “Seems pretty spacious to me!”
“I’ll be waiting for you down by the corral.” And Evil-Eye stamped out.
Desperado finished his whiskey and walked out onto Main Street. Evil-Eye was waiting for him. But Evil-Eye wasn’t alone. There on either side of him were the gunslinger Jesse Ringo and the wanted outlaw Grimy Greg. Not a one of them looked friendly.
“Nice day for a stroll!” called Desperado.
“Draw,” said Evil-Eye.
All of us citizens of Canyon Diablo were lining Main Street to see what would happen. Desperado Kidd was still smiling... “You draw! And I’ll clean up this town once and for all!”

Evil-Eye and his men drew their guns. But Desperado Kidd was an eye-blink quicker. He fired his gun twice and first got Ringo and Grimy right in the heart, then, in a flash, he fired once more and shot Evil-Eye right between his eyes.

Evil-Eye McNeevil just stood there, his eyes wide open with surprise. Then he dropped his gun, and a huge grin spread over his face. He rushed up for Desperado and fell down dead.

As it was over, you never saw such a happy crowd! We all rushed around and pumped each other’s hands and hugged each other. Then the musicians got out instruments and we had dancing too. Main Street was one huge party, all the rest of that day and on through the night. I never saw so many drunk in all my days!

When I asked Desperado how did he manage to kill them all without getting hurt he just said to me with a smile: “Make sure you have your glass of milk in the morning”, and walked away.

With all the commotion, only a few of us saw Desperado Kidd ride into the sunset. Can’t say where he went. Can’t say what he’s doing now. Seems like he went back to Tombstone and hang around the Big Nose Kate Saloon... Some says he’s over Nugget Gulch, a forgotten ghost town abandoned by its residents, leaving peacefully in the mountains...

Whatever he’s doing, I’ll bet he still drink milk in the morning and aims for the heart when needed.

Through this letter, I wanted to thank him for his help; the little town of Canyon Diablo went from a deadly place to live to a peacefull little town. That story spread out in all the west and no others outlaws ever stopped by after that.

Desperado Kidd Story

Click on the picture to read ...