In the southeastern part of the U.S., when the area was still the Arizona Territory, is the city of Tombstone. In this area during the 1880s, the term ‘cowboy’ took on a very pejorative meaning because of the reign of lawlessness that prevailed. During that decade, the term ‘cowboy’ described men who had been implicated in various crimes. One loosely organized band was dubbed ‘The Cowboys’ and profited from smuggling cattle, alcohol, and tobacco across the United States and Mexico border.

At the time, the ‘San Francisco Examiner’ wrote in an editorial, “Cowboys are the most reckless of outlaws in the wild country...infinitely worse than the ordinary robber”.

It became an insult in the area to call someone a ‘cowboy, as it suggested the man was a horse thief, robber, or outlaw. In contrast, cattlemen were generally called herders or ranchers. ‘The Cowboys’ activities were ultimately curtailed by the ‘Gunfight at the O.K. Corral’.

The gunfight was a 30-second shoutout between lawmen and members of ‘The Cowboys’ that took place on October 18, 1881 in the Tombstone. It is generally regarded as the most famous shootout in the history of the American Wild West, resulting from a long-simmering feud with Billy Claiborne, and his gang of ‘Cowboys’ with town Marshall Virgil Earp, special Policemen Morgan and Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holiday who had been made a temporary policeman.

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