The Stuart N. Lake Letters Pt #3; Lake writes to Wyatt Earp, By G.C. Stevens

The Stuart N. Lakes Letters, Part II

Photos courtesy wikipedia and IMDB

Top left; Wyatt Earp in his later years

Bottom Left; Stuart N. Lake

Right side; Cover of Stuart N. Lake's 

Book; Frontier Marshall

                                                 

                                                                       Foreword;

Dear Wyatt Earp Aficionado, 

There are in this world, men of substance, action and being, who by Gods grace are placed in their time and location to influence the world around them. It's easy to wax philosophical over such men, and to ponder over men like Wyatt Earp. Especially by those who sometimes contemplate history. They pour over texts, letters, diaries, records and old tintype photographs trying to nail down the persons or times in which the lived, these contemplations grow within their minds. But behind the mask, is a desire that takes on many forms of intentions. They range from the most sincere actions of the heart, to the most evil intentions of destruction. But the hind site of time, history, age and health, can temper the hardest of souls. I know this is true of Wyatt Earp, who was a man of substance, action and being. A man who wore a badge of authority, but the badge never made him who he was. He made the badge what it was supposed to be. The evidence of this cannot in the semi fictional, but in the many documents that he left behind. Many of these documents eventually came into possession of Writer and Earp historian Glenn Boyer. Direct evidence in the way of records and letters were donated to the Arizona Historic Society (AHS) from Glenn Boyers collection. The AHS has in their possession hundreds of pages of documents between Wyatt Earp, Josephine Earp, Stuart lake and Houghton Mifflin publishers. Stuart Lake and Wyatt Earp had formed a very tight, cooperative and cordial relationship as Lake had begun his journey to write Wyatt Earps biography, "Frontier Marshall". I have begun the process of purchasing copies of these letters with the intent of showing the public what is in these files, as I believe that the truth should be revealed for all of those who want to know what really happened, rather than examining it through the lens of Hollywood. My original intent was to photograph and publish each letter, however AHS has exercised copyrights over all copies and requires fees for each page that is placed on public display, It is therefore cost prohibitive to display each page. I can however transcribe each page. On one hand this will be very time consuming, but on the other hand, I will indeed gain much knowledge from closely examining and transcribing each page. I will do my best to recreate the look and feel of every letter, so that the reader has a full feel for its contents (which was written by first generation typewriters) and context. I look forward to this endeavor, and I hope the reader will benefit from this article. 

  Letter dated Aug 31, 1928

Stuart Lake attempts to interrogate Wyatt Earp about how many men he had killed? In this letter, Lake cites statements made by Bat (Lawman Bat Masterson), and how many men Bat had claimed that he killed.

         

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                                 Aug 31, 1928

Dear Mr. Earp:

 Because you were pretty well tired with all the work we had done. I didn't try yesterday to check to check up on one very important thing. So, when you get back to Lod Angeles, as promptly as you can, will you write me an answer to the following questions, which I prefer with a statement of things that make clear exactly what I have to know. 

In the first place, there have been printed about you the same sort of things that were printed about Bat -- for example that Bat had drilled thirty men when the truth is that he did in fear. I want to be absolutely certain about your own career. As I have it now, there are the following:

Hoyt, In Dodge City,

The Two McLowerys and one Clanton in the street fight

One half-breed, Florentine at Pete Spences Ranch,

Frank Stillwell, at Tucson

Curly Bill at Iron Springs

(Note probably made by Stuart lake in the margin) 

"One of these by Doc Holliday, One by Morg" (Morgan Earp). 

Were there ever any others? Either before Tombstone or later, in San  Francisco, Alaska, Neveda or Colorado days? Of course, I have seen various stories printed which I knew are far from the facts, that one of Bob Edgren's for instance. But, in checking over our present record , it seemed to me that I recalled from conversations with Bat that there were more than I have listed above. I may be mistaken, but must be sure for the simple reason that if there were others and I do not include them then there will be many people who do recall them and say that my whole book is in error because I have not told the whole story. They will discredit our whole effort in the same way in the same way that those who know the story of Tombstone are discrediting Burns, and the ones who will do it will be those who will be seeking every loophole in our array of facts.

So, will you sit down and write me about this question? If there no others, well and good, but, if there were, please tell me who and when and why as fully as you care to. Then, we can take up the necessary details later. They will be of small importance, but must be mentioned, however briefly, and I want the information for the first chapter of the book.

And as I said, anything else that occurs to you will be welcome.

Also do yoy recall any killings which were charged                                                 against you for which you were not responsible?                                                                                     (Added note by Stuart Lake)                                         Sincerely

                                                                 Stuart N. Lake

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                          Wyatts Response            

                                      4004 West Seventeenth St                                              Los Angeles, California,                                              September 13, 1928.

Mr. Stuart N. Lake

San Diego, California

Dear Mr. Lake:

    This letter should have been written you some days ago; the delay, however, has been due to a search through trunks and other containers which have been in storage. I regret to tell you that, the results have been very disappointing as there were no picture or data of any kind discovered. The photographs, letters etc. which you will find inclosed hererwith are those which were gathered together from around the house here.

 You might be able to obtain other information, from Mr. William J. Eunsacker, Rowen building. Los Angeles; S. Israel, 511 Western Mutual Life Building, Los Angeles; Mr. John P. Clum 1956 West Seventy-Fourth, Los Angeles, these are the addresses that I promised you.

Other information you inquired for; Mr. George Hurst (Father of William Randolph Hurst) was in Tombstone sometime during the fall of 1880, and it was at that time that I accompanied him in making an examination of some mining properties.

I do not remember the name of the Millner who witnessed the street fight in Tombstone. In that affair, Billy Clanton and Frank McLowry had four or five bullet holes in their bodies, and of course it would be impossible to declare who was responsible for the shots. I was responsible for none of the others only those names which I already have given you. 

The Lawrence affair in San Francisco, I do not consider as of sufficient personal contact to be written into the story. You also inquired about Edgegreens account; Of this I have told you all; I have withheld nothing.

So far as the affair at Prescott was concerned, my brother Virgil could not have been responsible personally for the death of any individual as all the members of the posse were firing at the same time. I believe I explained to you that a valuable collection of pictures, newspaper clippings and other data, the property of Virgil's wife, was destroyed in a hotel fire in Oklahoma some years ago, this was confirmed by Virgil's widow, whom Mrs. Earp called several days ago. 

I have written to Tucson for copies of the magazine containing articles under the caption of "Tombstone's Yesterday." These, I will forward to you as soon as received.  

​There is nothing further I know of at the moment to write you. I might suggest that you communicate with Mr. Hunsacker without delay as he called to see me last week and informed me that he is leaving for a trip to New Zealand within a week or so; he will be gone for several months.  

​My eyes are turning in the direction of the desert again and I already am planning on a return. If there is other information you are in doubt about, let me know so that all this may be completed before I leave Los Angeles. The accompanying inclosures, I hope, will fill in the gaps for you.  

​I trust you are well and feeling fine. Mrs. Earp joins me in regards to Mrs. Lake and yourself.  

​Sincerely yours,

Wyatt S. Earp

(Wyatt S. Earp.)

Copyright (c) 2026

The Picklock of Biographers of Tombstone Arizona By G.C. Stevens and Scott Dyke

 

Tombstone Arizona today, Photo taken by the Author

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

Copyright 2025(c)