Holliday died in November 1887, leaving quite a legacy. His obituary read: “Few men have been better known to a certain class of sporting people, and few men of his character had more friends or stronger champions,”. Wyatt Earp held an honorable opinion of his late friend, saying, “I found him a loyal friend and good company.”
Holliday’s life has since spawned multiple books, movies, music, and TV shows as he is now considered an icon of the Old West. Due to his infamy, Holliday’s life is the perfect story to be displayed on-screen just like in the classic western, “Tombstone”.
How Did Johnny Ringo Die?
Before Holliday died, it was rumored that he killed yet another person. In July 1882, Holliday’s long-time enemy, Johnny Ringo, was mysteriously found dead in a tree. It was at first thought that he took his own life, but according to Earp’s third wife, Holliday and Earp traveled to Arizona with the purpose of killing Ringo.
Historically, there is no evidence to support Holliday being Ringo’s murderer. There was still a warrant for Holliday’s arrest in Arizona, so it’s unlikely that he would enter the area. It is presently held that this is only a rumor and unlikely to be true.
Goodbye, Doc
Holliday spent his final days in Colorado as his health rapidly declined. When Earp saw Holliday for the last time in 1886, he noted that Holliday had a persistent cough and weak legs. Meanwhile, Holliday's money was running out and he kept getting involved in saloon fights.
Glenwood Springs emitted sulfuric fumes which only worsened Holliday’s condition. Mary Horony joined him during his final days. In his last moments, Holliday looked at his bare feet and said, “This is funny” as he had always planned to die with his boots on.
Without a Penny
When Doc Holliday passed away, he was very poor and had no money to his name. It’s quite sad considering his intellectual brilliance and former career as a doctor.
But over the course of his life, he did have some notable successes. He had previously owned a silver mine, a saloon, and of course, a dental practice.
A Famous Ancestor
A perhaps lesser-known fact about Doc Holliday is that he had a somewhat famous predecessor. Margaret Mitchell, who wrote the epic, Southern Drama “Gone with the Wind” that later became a timeless film, was his ancestor.
In fact, Margaret was a cousin to Doc Holliday although the two never met as he died thirteen years before she was born.