I'd like to apologize to Scott Dyke, from Arizona. This article is long overdue. People's lives sometimes meander aimlessly down an unknown, but surprising path. Over the last thirty-five years the author, Gene Stevens has been emersed in American history, through historical reenacting, researching and writing. He has written a few books and well over two hundred online articles on historic and political topics and also published online western fiction. But the authors research would take a real turn, after he visited Tombstone Arizona in 2015. That first trip to Tombstone, inspired so much interest with Gene, that he would return four more times. But along the way, he began to research the Tombstone story. Then one day he happened upon an Ambrotype photo which caught his imagination and while researching that photo it opened other doors, and he became involved with other photo investigations. Those stories can be found on this blog. It seemed to be pre-ordained that that Gene should write about the American West and to do these photo investigations. A chaotic hobby that Author Glenn Boyer called "Photo-wishitis" which is the reason for this article, because this pursuit led Gene directly to Glenn Boyer's doorstep, or should we say grave side, because he had already passed on by the time that the author discovered him.
CONNECTIONS
There were connections made during the work on the photo, it was discovered that a large amount of Glenn's personal Earp collection had been sold off. It was suspected that the photo might have been part of that collection, but alas, we will never know and that investigation is a closed case of no provenance. But... Gene was not dissuaded from the pursuit of more knowledge. Because the bigger benefit was yet to come. In fact, many doors would open for future endeavors because of this research. It would also lead to Scott Dyke, who wasn't only a Wyatt Earp historian, Western researcher and lecturer, he was also Glenn Boyer's closest confidant before Glenn had passed away. And Scott had become deeply involved with the process of disseminating Glenn's collection for auction. He had been privileged to view Glenn's entire collection, and he was kind enough to speak to me about Glenn Boyer and Tombstone. I'm deeply grateful for Scott.
"So, Scott Dyke and Ben Traywick can verify your primary sources?"
"Yes. Scott Dyke has been collating my files for the last three or four years. I am grateful for Scott’s help. It has been a tedious piece of labor. I am also in the process of scanning and digitizing my collection. The folks of Legendary Publishing are handling this. They are updating the process on their blog at www.legendarypublishing.com. Before Scott, Ben Traywick had access years ago. [Traywick, who has known Boyer since 1969, calls him “the No. 1 Earp historian” and adds, “Glenn has always opened his files to me when I visited his home.”] They are the only ones that have had complete access to my collection; so much has “disappeared” over the years when I was in a sharing mode."
-Glen Boyer
Ref Interview: Glenn Boyer / Not Married to Wyatt Earp
Ref *See HISTORYNET article Scott Dyke on Glenn Boyer
Scott is a prolific writer, Wyatt Earp historian and Western researcher and lecturer, he has written much about the Earps and Tombstone in his column "Meandering the Mesquite." The column is syndicated and has been published for 15 years. In 2019 it was voted best column" by AZ Newspapers Assoc.
We spoke a lot about Earpania, which is the historic pursuit of the minutia of the Wyatt Earp days in Arizona. He noted that many of these history hounds in this area were a rapacious and narrow minded bunch. I think the same is true for many who engage in the pursuit history. Scott Noted that Boyer was not his only source for research. Naming other authors, Silva, Traywick, Palmquist, Morey et al had contributed to his base knowledge and further explained that he had been across country six times for Earp research, and had found some stuff in Lamar, Dodge, Ft Griffin etc. that nobody knew.
I did an interview piece on Boyer for "Wild West" magazine about 10 or so years ago (among other mags I have written for are "American Cowboy and National Epitaph.) Wrote it all (Wild West) because Glenn could not have been bothered. Pretty revealing. Spent nearly 20 yrs out here (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Nevada Calif, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming etc) putting boots on the ground.
Great stuff!
Mission accomplished, sorta
-Scott Dyke
I recently reconnected with Scott to complete this article which I started some time ago. When I found that Ben Traywick had passed. It made realize that the time to capture some of the true story of Tombstone's dedicated writers and biographers was quickly running out. And I wanted to tell the story. I sent Scott a list of questions. But we swept those aside to let Scott speak freely:
The Interview:
First, and most importantly, it is essential to define true research. A variety of sources are required. Many who involve themselves read a few books and seek out handfuls of folks that show interest in a subject matter. Walking tours of Tombstone (or Lincoln etc) are entertaining, as are those who conduct them. Most know only what they read. Traywick used to identify these as "wannabes" Reenactment of a gunfight does not mean the actors or producers know diddly squat.
Traywick used to pose tests for me; to find historic sites and ponder events. (In my column/ obit for Ben I outlined a couple tests he gave me.) Six times I have gone cross country on Earp related research. I interviewed local historians and significant relatives, sought out cemetery records from funeral homes, poured over newspaper morgues, sought little old ladies who run the small-town libraries, and walked the earth where those who were being investigated trod.
I have files on every author that graced (or smudged) the Earp field. There is not a spot that is Earp related that I have not seen, except Alaska. Even the obscure Example: Mattie's gravesite in Pinal, the exact location of the Clanton ranch, the Curly Bill death site in the Whetstones (and his probable grave site), Wyatt's first wife's grave in Lamar, Missouri, the arrest record of Holliday in Albany Texas, both McLaury ranch sites, Leadville Colorado Deadwood SD , Harqua Hala, San Diego, Las Vegas, New Mexico, exclusive permission to see Earp letters in Dodge City (Ford Co, Hist Soc), Wyatt's grave in Colma, Big Nose Kate's bordello in Globe, Wyatt's oil well in Calif, the site of Contention and Drew Station robbery, etc. There are lots of people that have seen these places, but no one exists, to my knowledge, has been to them all. And, those who have were mostly misled, as I was a time or three. And, of course, files on all of Boyers sources and their bona fides. including actual pages of Cason notes that were the initial genesis for "I Married Wyatt Earp, as well as the Flood MS, his failed book Wyatt Earp, and actual letters from these same sources that Glenn gave to me to disprove future doubters.
Ben Traywick and Glenn Boyer:
Traywick led me to Boyer who was a recluse, shunned by a small group that hated his butt. Mostly because Glenn had a Trumpian demeanor. He wrote what he wanted, some of it was clearly all Boyer, not Wyatt. However, his files, which I spent 10 years with, were magnificent and extremely accurate. They even revealed what he "exaggerated" I saw it all. I was fortunately able to communicate with some of his sources; many that were Earp related. I copied everything, with his permission. I organized his files and when he died his estate sold my "blue boxes" as part of an auction that totaled nearly $500,000. Years before he sold another $500,000 to a museum in Harrisburg Pa. I talked to the mayor who bought them. Other items of Wyatt and Josie were sold to private collectors. I know some of them. I have some Earp memorabilia that I got from Boyer, Traywick, and Lee Silva.
A few years after Traywick sent me to Boyer (ask me sometime to tell you that story!), he asked, "Are you still seeing Glenn? "Yes." Ben, who knew Boyer for 40 years, responded "Amazing. He cost me many friends through the years. How do you do it?" (The answer will come in the future)
I have written for Wild West, American Cowboy, Nat'l Epitaph, etc, My column Meandering the Mesquite is syndicated (since 2009) and reaches 13 papers. It was voted "Best Column)" in 2019 by AZ Newspapers Assoc. Dozens of lectures, including one for AZ Centennial that drew over 400. Dozens have reached out through the years, as you have. I try to help, but have learned to be guarded.
S.D.
G.C. Stevens
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