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Post by Kevin Young on Feb 15, 2010 14:17:31 GMT -5
Mark Boardman has posted this addtiional, helpful info on Jim Wright's forum. From what I've seen, it seems highly unlikely that there would have been a connection between the Earps and KGC in Tombstone, or anywhere else. Aside from the fact the Earps were northern Unionists who had served in the Union Army, is there any evidence that the KCG was even around by the 1880s, or had a presence in Tombstone? Allen Midwest Component Mon Feb 15, 2010 12:29 Allen, The Knights also had a relatively strong Midwestern presence, stemming from Bickley's original organization in Cincinnati. Southern sections of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois--which were mainly populated by the descendants of pioneers from the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia--tended to favor a peaceful resolution to the conflict, including allowing the South to secede. In some cases, they actually undertook acts of sabotage to hinder the Northern war effort. General John Hunt Morgan's invasion of Kentucky/Indiana/Ohio was intended, in part, to unite the Southern sympathizers in those states to help bring an end to the war. Other states had somewhat smaller KGC groups (or similar outfits)--including Wisconsin, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Iowa. Late in the war, the Northern KGC evolved into the Order of the Sons of Liberty, which was led by Ohio Congressman Clement Vallandingham. In 1864, the head of the order in Indiana and a couple of others were arrested on treason charges and tried before a military court in Indianapolis. They were found guilty and sentenced to hang. But a couple of years later, the Supreme Court on a split vote determined that US civilians could not be tried by military tribunals in times of war. The cases were overturned and the men freed. Best, Mark Boardman The Circle actually includes those mentioned parts of the southern section of those Midwest States-Remember that Southern Illinois sent volunteers to the Confederate Army and one of the first military expeditions in Illinois was to rush troops from Chicago down the Illinois Central to secure the bridge over the Big Muddy River. The Earps were from the Western Section of Illinois which was Unionist and had moved to Pella, Iowa before the war. Neither areas were known for their Southern Sympthaizers. George Bickley was captured "behind the lines" during the Morgan Raid.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Feb 15, 2010 20:08:55 GMT -5
Dr. Gary Roberts (author of the defiinitive bio of Doc Holliday) has posted the following thoughts on this re: the Earps, which focuses on the brood's father, Nicholas:
Gary Roberts Re: Earps and KGC Mon Feb 15, 2010 15:15
Allen, I don't know anything about a connection. If there was one, I'd bet it was early and involved Nicholas. You might want to check William Urban's articles on Nicholas's early movements. I do know that Nicholas was quite outspoken on political matters. Consider the following from the Rice County (Sterling, Kansas) GAZETTE, November 9, 1876:
"The livliest game of talk we heard on election day was between the senior Mr. Earp [Nicholas] and young Mr. Kennedy of Raymond township. Young Mr. Kennedy has at his tongue's end all the rascalities of Tilden, Tweed, Morrissey, etc., and the political records of all the leading Democrats of the country, and he tells them to his opponents with a sarcastic wit that takes well in a crowd. Mr. Earp, being an old Democratic war-horse, was of course ready for everything and had in stock plenty of return thrusts."
This doesn't show a Knights of the Golden Circle connection, but it does establish Nicholas as "an old Democratic war-horse" and his earlier days in Missouri and Illinois, not to mention his Kentucky connection, would make him the most likely candidate, IF there was one.
Good hunting! Gary
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Post by Tom Nuckols on Feb 21, 2010 0:53:22 GMT -5
From reviews of a book called "Rebel Gold:"
"Later, as his knowledge of the KGC increased and he came into possession of additional coded maps and information, he transferred his attention to a larger area across the state line in Oklahoma, and finally to Arizona's Superstition Mountains."
"So as to anyone proving his wild speculation of the location of this large KGC Cache is not going to happen...there was the town of Pinal aka Pinal City from 1878 to 1891, the mill for the Silver King mine was there. The town is gone, but a small cemetery is still there and Mattie Earp is buried in it. Cely Ann "Mattie" Blaylock aka Mattie Earp, Wyatt Earp's laudanum addicted girlfriend that he brought with him to Tombstone."
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Post by Kevin Young on Feb 21, 2010 7:53:22 GMT -5
From reviews of a book called "Rebel Gold:" "Later, as his knowledge of the KGC increased and he came into possession of additional coded maps and information, he transferred his attention to a larger area across the state line in Oklahoma, and finally to Arizona's Superstition Mountains." "So as to anyone proving his wild speculation of the location of this large KGC Cache is not going to happen...there was the town of Pinal aka Pinal City from 1878 to 1891, the mill for the Silver King mine was there. The town is gone, but a small cemetery is still there and Mattie Earp is buried in it. Cely Ann "Mattie" Blaylock aka Mattie Earp, Wyatt Earp's laudanum addicted girlfriend that he brought with him to Tombstone." Again, in regard to the KGC claim, I would have to ask for the primary source...
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