The Legacy of Ike Clanton: What Happened After the O.K. Corral Gunfight

The Legacy of Ike Clanton: What Happened After the O.K. Corral Gunfight

Explore the untold story of Ike Clanton's life after the infamous O.K. Corral gunfight, and the events that led to his ultimate demise.

The Aftermath of O.K. Corral

Tombstone is a Western classic, and here's what happened to Ike Clanton after the O.K. Corral gunfight that is portrayed in the film. Ike Clanton was one of the Outlaws that fought with the Earps at the battle of O.K. Corral, with him being one of the few that managed to live. Tombstone doesn't show much of what happened to Ike Clanton after the events of the film, but his story goes on far beyond the story that is portrayed in the movie.

Ike Clanton looking angry in Tombstone

Ike Clanton looking angry in Tombstone

Tombstone is a western classic, with the Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer film exploring the stories of western legends like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Many titans of the Western genre ethos rear their heads in the 1993 classic, causing it to be one of the defining Westerns of the era. Due to the historical claims of the film, many viewers want to know what happened after the events of Tombstone, including the story of Ike Clanton.

Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp, Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, and Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp as they walk through town in Tombstone.

Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp, Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, and Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp as they walk through town in Tombstone.

The O.K. Corral Gunfight is one of the most significant real-world moments to be portrayed in Tombstone, but Ike Clanton's rivalry with the Earp brothers didn't end after the brawl. During the gunfight, Bill Clanton as well as the McLaury brothers were killed. Because of this, Ike Clanton decided to file murder charges against the Earps and Doc Holliday, causing them to be arrested before being released on bail. Ike Clanton turned out to be a shoddy witness for the prosecution, with his incoherent testimony throwing a lot of doubt on the preosecution's case. Because of this, the Earps and Doc Holliday were exonerated, ending the case. Due to the failure of the murder charges, Clanton would later attempt to get revenge, albeit in a far less lawful way.

Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp holding a pistol in Tombstone

Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp holding a pistol in Tombstone

After failing to get the Earps prosecuted, Clanton led a group to assassinate Virgil Earp in December 1881. While they weren't successful in killing him, the attack did leave Virgil handicapped for the rest of his life. Morgan Earp was killed in a later assassination attempt in March 1882, one which was also targeted at Wyatt. After these attempts, Wyatt Earp attempted to hunt down Ike Clanton, although he was never found.

Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) preparing for a showdown in Tombstone.

Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) preparing for a showdown in Tombstone.

The Final Days

After leaving Tombstone, Clanton moved around for a few years, first to a ranch in New Mexico and then to a ranch in Springerville, Arizona. Clanton continued to be hunted down, although reports on his death conflict. It is agreed that Clanton was killed by officer Jonas V. Brigton, although some say he was buried on the spot, while others say his body was left for a few days until a group of Mormons buried him. Ike Clanton never managed to pull himself together after the events of Tombstone, with his crimes eventually leading to his death.

Kurt Russell As Wyatt Earp holding a shotgun and yelling In Tombstone

Kurt Russell As Wyatt Earp holding a shotgun and yelling In Tombstone