Wyatt Earp was born in Monmouth, Illinois, on March 19, 1848, to widower Nicholas Porter Earp and Virginia Ann Cooksey. Wyatt was named after his father's commanding officer in the Mexican-American War, Captain Wyatt Berry Stapp, of the 2nd Company Illinois Mounted Volunteers. In March 1849, the Earps left Monmouth for California but settled on a farm northeast of Pella, Iowa. On March 4, 1856, Earp's father sold his farm and returned to Monmouth where he was elected the municipal constable, serving at this post for about three years. He was caught and convicted in 1859 for bootlegging. Being unable to pay the fines the Earps' property was sold at auction in November 1859 and the family left again for Pella, Iowa. After their move, Earp's father returned often to Monmouth throughout 1860 to sell his properties and to face several lawsuits for debt and accusations of tax evasion. The house Wyatt Earp was born in is located at 406 S. 3rd Street in Monmouth and is open to the public.
No comments:
Post a Comment