35 Facts About Mattie Blaylock

Early Life and Family Background

Mattie Blaylock's early years were shaped by her family and the environment she grew up in. Her story begins in the heartland of America.

1. Birth and Early Life: Mattie Blaylock was born in January 1850 in Johnson County, Iowa, to Henry Blaylock and Elizabeth Vance.

2. Family Background: Her family moved to Iowa from Indiana in 1846, where they built a quiet life on a small farm near Fairfax.

3. Childhood: Mattie was the youngest of three children, with her sister Martha Jane being the first to be married at 17 in 1860.

4. Education and Upbringing: Mattie's early childhood consisted of Sunday school and strict adherence to household rules. Her parents believed in sparing the rod, which led to a strict upbringing.

Escape to the Wild West

Seeking adventure and freedom, Mattie and her sister made a bold decision that would change their lives forever.

5. Escape from Farm Life: At age 16, Mattie and her sister Sarah left their farm without money or permission to escape their stern parents and seek adventure in the Wild West.

6. Adoption of the Name "Mattie": During their journey, Mattie adopted the name "Mattie" as a nickname, which would become synonymous with her later life.

Life as a Prostitute

Mattie's life took a dramatic turn when she entered the world of prostitution, a common profession in the Old West.

7. Prostitution in the Old West: Mattie became a prostitute in Dodge City, Kansas, where she met Wyatt Earp in 1873. This profession would define much of her life.

Relationship with Wyatt Earp

Mattie's relationship with Wyatt Earp was complex and filled with ups and downs. Their time together was marked by a transient lifestyle and involvement in the "sporting life" of frontier towns.

8. Meeting Wyatt Earp: Mattie met Wyatt Earp in Dodge City, Kansas, where he was passing through as a fugitive from horse-stealing charges in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

9. Marriage to Wyatt Earp: Although they were not formally married, Mattie became Wyatt's common-law wife. Their relationship was marked by a transient lifestyle and involvement in the "sporting life" of frontier towns.

10. Life with Wyatt Earp: During their time together, Mattie worked in brothels under the watchful eye of Bessie Earp, the wife of Wyatt's brother James. This lifestyle exposed her to opium and whiskey, leading to addiction.

Struggles with Addiction

Mattie's addiction to opium and whiskey became a significant part of her life, affecting her health and well-being.

11. Addiction to Opium and Whiskey: Mattie became addicted to laudanum, an opium-based painkiller, which she used to manage her severe headaches. This addiction would haunt her throughout her life.

Transient Lifestyle

Mattie and Wyatt's transient lifestyle took them to various places, each with its own set of challenges and experiences.

12. Life in Fort Scott and Peoria: After meeting in Fort Scott, Kansas, Wyatt and Mattie traveled to Peoria, Illinois, where they worked for one of the city's madams. Mattie continued her role as a prostitute, while Wyatt and his brother Morgan worked as bouncers and pimps.

13. Jail Time: During their time in Peoria, Wyatt and Morgan were arrested and spent thirty days in jail. Despite this setback, they continued their transient lifestyle.

14. Move to Wichita: After ten months in Peoria, Wyatt and Mattie moved to Wichita, Kansas. There, Wyatt joined the police force, while Mattie teamed up with Bessie Earp as co-madam of Wichita's best-known brothel.

15. Court Case Involvement: Mattie and Bessie Earp were involved in a famous court case, but all charges were dismissed. This incident highlighted the complex and often illicit nature of their lives.

16. Earp Clan's Departure from Wichita: The Earp clan was eventually told to leave Wichita, leading Wyatt and Mattie to move to Dodge City. There, they became part of the sporting scene, with Wyatt hiring out his gun to law enforcement agencies.

17. Life in Texas and New Mexico: During the winters, Wyatt gambled in Texas and New Mexico, while Mattie kept busy. This period was marked by financial instability and personal struggles.

Arrival in Tombstone

Tombstone, Arizona, became a significant chapter in Mattie's life, especially with the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

18. Arrival in Tombstone: In 1879, Wyatt and Mattie arrived in Tombstone, Arizona, where the Earp brothers, aided by Doc Holliday, gained lasting fame after the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in October 1881.

19. Abandonment by Wyatt Earp: After the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt left Mattie behind without a word. He went on to marry Josephine Marcus, leaving Mattie heartbroken and alone.

Desperation and Final Years

Mattie's final years were marked by desperation, addiction, and a tragic end.

20. Desperation and Addiction: Heartbroken and addicted, Mattie tried to return to her life as a prostitute but found it difficult. The boom had passed, and she was no longer in favor. Her addiction worsened, leading to a tragic end.

21. Move to Globe, Arizona: After Wyatt's departure, Mattie moved to Globe, Arizona, where she teamed up with Big Nose Kate, a famous madam. Although she seemed happy there, Kate eventually left, leaving Mattie on her own.

22. Final Years: Mattie's life continued to spiral downward. She returned to prostitution and moved to Pinal City, Arizona. Her addiction to laudanum remained a constant companion.

23. Death by Opium Poisoning: On July 3, 1888, at the age of 38, Mattie Blaylock took a lethal dose of laudanum, ruling her death as suicide. This tragic end marked the end of a life filled with adventure, heartbreak, and addiction.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Despite her significant role in Wyatt Earp's life, Mattie Blaylock remains a lesser-known figure in historical accounts. Her story is one of the many tragic tales of the Old West.

24. Legacy and Recognition: Despite her significant role in Wyatt Earp's life, Mattie Blaylock remains a lesser-known figure in historical accounts. Her story is one of the many tragic tales of the Old West.

25. Historical Documentation: Mattie Blaylock left a paper trail through birth, death, and census records. Her life was well-documented by Edward C. Meyers in his book "Mattie: Wyatt Earp’s Secret Second Wife".

26. Wyatt Earp's Reluctance to Discuss Mattie: Wyatt Earp never mentioned Mattie to biographers, indicating a desire for privacy and control over his public image. This reluctance has contributed to Mattie's relative obscurity.

27. Wyatt Earp's First Wife, Urilla Sutherland: Wyatt Earp also avoided discussing his first wife, Urilla Sutherland, who died of disease or complications from childbirth. This avoidance suggests a pattern of secrecy in Wyatt's personal life.

28. Financial Support from Wyatt Earp: Despite their separation, Wyatt Earp sent Mattie money until her death, indicating some level of regret or guilt. This financial support underscores the complex nature of their relationship.

29. Mementos Left Behind: Mattie left behind mementos such as the Bible inscribed to Wyatt from the citizens of Dodge City and photos of a young Wyatt. These items have surfaced over the years, revealing more about her life and relationship with Wyatt.

30. Historical Significance: Mattie Blaylock's story is significant not only because of her relationship with Wyatt Earp but also because it reflects the broader societal issues of the Old West, including prostitution and addiction.

31. Comparison with Josephine Marcus: While Josephine Marcus became Wyatt Earp's third wife, Mattie Blaylock remains a common-law wife whose story is often overshadowed by the more famous Josephine. This comparison highlights the dual nature of Wyatt's relationships during this period.

32. Tragic Figure in the Old West: Mattie Blaylock is one of many tragic figures from the Nineteenth Century in the Wild West. Her story is particularly lonely and sad, reflecting the harsh realities faced by women in this era.

33. Burial Site: Mattie Blaylock was laid to rest on a lonely hilltop one mile from Pinal, which is now a ghost town. This isolated burial site underscores the isolation and loneliness of her final years.

34. Historical Research and Documentation: Recent historical research has shed more light on Mattie Blaylock's life, including the discovery of her trunk and various personal items. These findings have helped to piece together her enigmatic existence.

35. Legacy in Popular Culture: Despite her tragic end, Mattie Blaylock's story continues to captivate historians and enthusiasts of the Wild West. Her life serves as a reminder of the complex and often fraught nature of relationships during this period in American history.

Mattie Blaylock's Legacy

Mattie Blaylock's life paints a vivid picture of the Old West's harsh realities. Born Celia Ann Blaylock, she sought adventure but found herself entangled in a world of prostitution, addiction, and heartbreak. Her relationship with Wyatt Earp brought moments of excitement but also deep sorrow. Despite being Wyatt's common-law wife, she was often overshadowed by his later partner, Josephine Marcus.

Mattie's struggles with opium and whiskey addiction, coupled with her transient lifestyle, highlight the difficulties faced by many women of that era. Her tragic end at 38 from a lethal dose of laudanum underscores the personal battles she fought. Though often forgotten, Mattie's story is a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges of life in the Wild West. Her legacy, though marked by tragedy, offers valuable insights into the human condition during a tumultuous period in American history.