...regarding the Holliday time. People my age find that most of their family are spread all over the country and time and distance make a difference in gathering together. No one comes to grandma's house each Sunday any more as the days of yesteryear; I suspect you might well agree with me that that is part of the reason the world is in such a sad state today. I sincerely hope you have family to share time with as time is becoming so elusive. Now I am starting to sound sentimental and poetic! Old age!

But it is always a pleasure to respond and share differences of opinion with you as we need some stimulation other than the world news programs.

You asked me about Billy Clanton being on horseback. I will quote Coleman as a witness even though he is listed only in the Inquest testimonies. "...I was standing at the front of the O. K. Corral on Allen street. In Dunbar's corrals (the one shared by Dunbar and Behan) I saw the two Clantons [and] two McLaurys boys in one of the stalls. (Actually Tom McLaury was at the butcher shop further up Allen street. It was likely Billy Claibourne Coleman thought he saw as Billy was quite short as well.)..."

Coleman goes on to describe the four ranchers in what he considered 'deep conversation.' Ike and Doling talked a few minutes more and then all four crossed Allen and walked toward the entrance to the O. K. Corral where Coleman was sitting or lounging. My maps of that area indicate an open type of alleyway going through to Fremont street, with various corrals and shacks in the northern side. It looks like they would have come out about where the old City Hall stands today. It was built on that lot the following year, I believe.

I also understand, if correct, that Frank turned right on Fremont as he came out of the alleyway and connected up with an associate and then Behan. This would put them kind of South of the butcher shop. I think Billy and Ike and Claibourne turned to the left and gathered at the entrance to the vacant lot next to Fly's to wait on Frank.

I hope I am not going on too much but am visualizing the whole thing according to witness testimony as it unfolds. I get a little involved!

Your description seems quite good and without dragging out all my files I tend to agree. I think people do have difficulty in realizing these lots were quite open, buildings were small, and you could see through from Allen to Fremont.

I have to work on a painting a little for a break and will be back to try to help Ike out. I think Sills, of all people, might help me out there.

Coleman is, admittedly, a busy-body. he is watching everything, seems a little excitable but I don't get the feeling he is enlarging on anything. He said next that "...Billy Clanton was on horseback. Frank McLaury was leading his horse when they came up to where I was standing. Billy Clanton remarked to me it was very cold. He asked me where the West End Corral was. I told him it was on Fremont street. Frank McLaury had passed on before this talk between me and Billy Clanton. Ike Clanton fetched up the rear..."

So here I can see no reason to be suspicious of Coleman's testimony. Coleman cannot hear the men talking at Dunbar's so that suggests they are not loud or agitated. The quiet discussion does suggest they are aware of an uncomfortable situation developing and are concerned. Their chosen path indicates they want to avoid conflict. It appears Coleman knows these men, though.

I am bothered by why the Prosecution did not call Doling in as a witness. He could have refuted the idea that the ranchers were discussing or seeking trouble. The Prosecution failed here.

On the other hand, the Defense might have found him helpful if he could support the idea they were talking smack.