docholiday

John Henry "Doc" Holiday born August 14, 1851 in Griffith, Georgia. In 1870 at the age of 19 he moved to Philadelphia to study dentistry. He received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery on March 1, 1872. A later diagnosis of Tuberculosis would bring to a quick end his days of practicing dentistry and would force him to move out west for his health.

Out west Doc Holiday was a most unusual character, being an extremely educated and refined man where such things were uncommon. He was fluent in Latin, played the piano very well, was a "nappy" dresser, and displayed the manners of a Southern Gentleman.

His intelligence made him a "natural" at gambling and this quickly became his means of support. He was both an active participant as well as a Poker and Faro dealer. He was moody, a heavy drinker, and held no fear of death.

It was in 1877 at Fort Griffith, Texas that he met up with Wyatt Earp and Big Nose Kate with whom he would start a relationship. In 1878 Doc saved Wyatt Earp's life in Dodge City, Kansas cementing there friendship forever. In Tombstone Holiday would become embroiled in local politics and violence that would lead up to the famous shootout. On November 8, 1887 Doc Holiday would die of Tuberculosis in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.