WYATT EARP & JOSIE MARCUS: A FIFTY-YEAR WILD WEST AFFAIR

            

WYATT EARP & JOSIE MARCUS: A FIFTY-YEAR WILD WEST AFFAIR

BY VIRGINIA CAMPBELL

                    

   

When legendary lawman Wyatt Earp first met Josephine Marcus, she was engaged to Johnny Behan, who was also a lawman and Earp's political rival in Tombstone, Arizona. When Behan betrayed Josie with another woman, she ended their relationship and later became involved with Wyatt. The affair with Josie, whom Wyatt called "Sadie", ended his own common law marriage. His wife, Mattie, had struggled with opium addiction and later died of an overdose. Josie was an actress, singer, and dancer who sometimes entertained the crowd while Wyatt played cards in the famous Bird Cage Theatre,  which opened its doors on December 25, 1881. For the next eight years those doors would never close, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

The events of October, 1881 would forever change the lives of the Earps and those in their immediate circle. Wyatt was a local lawman at the time in Tombstone and his biggest challenge was the Clanton family, who ran a rustling empire under the protection of Johnny Behan. The tense conflicts between the Clantons and the Earps violently erupted at the OK Corral, where a deadly shootout occurred. In less than one minute, Frank and Tom McLowery along with Bill Clanton were killed and 3 of Earp's men -- Virgil and Morgan Earp and Doc Holliday were wounded. Following the shootout, Earp swore a vendetta after his brother Morgan was killed. Once the hunter of the lawless, Wyatt himself was now was on the wrong side of the law. Josie Marcus returned to her home area of San Francisco to wait for word from Wyatt.

 

In 1882, Wyatt and his "Sadie" were reunited. Wyatt and Josephine stayed together another 48 years until Wyatt's death in 1929. Josie died fifteen years later, and they are buried side by side at the Hills of Eternity Cemetery in Colma, California. During their married years, Wyatt and Josephine moved frequently around the American West, following gold, silver, and copper mining, until they settled in Southern California. There, they invested in real estate and racehorses, wrote Wyatt's autobiography, and drafted a screenplay based on his exploits. Wyatt served as a After Wyatt's death, Josephine contributed to published and film portrayals of Wyatt's life, helping to establish an enduring American legend. Her "fact or fiction" memoir, I Married Wyatt Earp , later became the basis for film and stage productions.

 

Wyatt Earp is someone who vividly illustrates the radical changes to industry and social mores in the America of the late 1800s and early 20th century. If you are interested in Western lore, his life is more amazing than any fictional law and order tale! After his well-documented career as a "peace-keeper" ended, Earp eventually moved to Hollywood, where he met several famous and "soon to be famous actors" on the sets of various movies. On the set of one movie, he met a young extra and prop man who would eventually become John Wayne. Wayne later stated that he based his image of the Western lawman on his conversations with Earp. In the early 1920s, Earp served as deputy sheriff in a mostly ceremonial position in San Bernardino County, California. His 80 year life-span covered amazing changes in industry and technology, social reform and entertainment.

 

The movie Tombstone, is a terrific film and features an amazing, revelatory performance by Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp. The stellar supporting cast includes Dana Delaney as Josie Marcus, Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp, and (the love of my life) Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp.





In addition to depicting the closeness of the Earp family, and the violent and turbulent times of the Old West, the film also highlights the romance between Wyatt and Josie, and the enduring friendship of Wyatt and Doc Holliday.

I WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR OWN UNIQUE VALENTINE'S DAY STORIES. SINCE JOSIE WAS AN ACTRESS, DANCER, AND SINGER WHO CAPTURED WYATT'S HEART, I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THESE "ENTERTAINING" RECIPES!

"Love Me Tender" Chocolate Pudding Cake


1 two layer chocolate cake mix
3 oz. pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
4 eggs
1 cup water
2 cups sour cream
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Spray a 4 quart crockpot with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix and cinnamon. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the water, then add the sour cream, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Add to the dry ingredients and beat well. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour into crockpot. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until top springs back when touched very lightly with finger. 8-10 servings. If desired, top each serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

"It's Just Impossible" Tropical Coconut Pie

4 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup rum
2 tbsp. butter, softened
1 (15 oz.) can cream of coconut
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice, well drained
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cups baking mix (biscuit mix)
1 cup flaked coconut

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a deep dish 10 inch pie plate. In a large bowl, beat all ingredients together (except last cup of coconut) until well blended. Pour into greased pie plate. Sprinkle with remaining coconut. Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes.

"Orange You Special?" Chocolate Chip Cheesecake


2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2/3 c. sugar
3 T. orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
2 eggs
1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 ready-to-use chocolate cookie crumb pie crust

For Garnish:
Whipped cream
Chocolate sprinkles

Directions:

Mix cream cheese, sugar and orange liqueur at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs; mix until blended. Stir in 1/2 cup of the chips. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c. chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate three hours or overnight. Garnish with thick, sweet whipped cream topped by chocolate sprinkles.



"My Cherry Amour" Cocktails for Two


4 oz black cherry vodka
1/2 oz grenadine
dash of lemon juice
maraschino cherries for garnish

Pour liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. If desired, serve over ice in an old-fashioned drink glass. Garnish with maraschino cherries.



"You're The Cream In My Coffee" Java Dream


1 Part Coffee Liqueur, 1 Part Irish Cream Liqueur, 2 Parts Vodka, 2 Parts Whole Milk or Cream, ice cubes.

Method: Pour the Coffee Liqueur, Irish Cream Liqueur, and Vodka into a short drink glass half-filled with ice. Top with cream or whole milk. Stir and serve.



"Pizza My Heart" Appealing Appetizer


1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (1 ounce) package Ranch-style dressing mix
2 carrots, shredded
1/2 cup chopped red bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup fresh broccoli, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green onions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Roll out crescent rolls onto a large non-stick baking sheet. Stretch and flatten to form a single rectangular shape on the baking sheet. Bake 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Allow to cool. Place cream cheese in a medium bowl. Mix cream cheese with 1/2 of the ranch dressing mix. Adjust the amount of dressing mix to taste. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Arrange carrots, red bell pepper, broccoli and green onions on top. Chill in the refrigerator approximately 1 hour. Cut into bite-size squares to serve.

"Fool For Your Love" Berry Delicious Treat


4 cups strawberries or 3 cups blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. orange or berry liqueur
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Gently rinse berries. Hull strawberries if using. Set aside a few berries for garnish, if you like. In a medium bowl gently toss berries with sugar, liqueur, and lemon juice. Let sit for 20 min. Put berry mixture in a blender or food processor and whirl until smooth or simply use a potato masher to mash them a bit. Set aside. In a large bowl beat cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold berry mixture into cream until evenly distributed. Spoon into clear serving dishes (wine glasses work well), top with reserved berries for garnish, if you like, and serve immediately or keep chilled up to 1 hour.

"Quiche Me, My Darling" Savory Sweetheart Pie

1 small ripe tomato, sliced thin
1 (3 ounce) can real bacon bits
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (9 inch) deep dish frozen pie crust
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup half-and-half cream

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Cover bottom of unthawed pie crust with tomato slices. In a medium bowl, mix the bacon, onions, and both cheeses. Pour this mixture over tomato slices in pie crust. Mix the eggs and half and half in a bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the cheese mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for an additional 35 minutes, until top of quiche begins to turn brown.

"Love Bites" Steak Salad


2 sirloin steaks, cooked medium well, cooled and sliced in thin strips (cut across grain)
2 tomatoes, cut in wedges
1 green pepper, cut in strips
1 c. sliced celery
1/3 c. sliced green onion
1/3 c. sliced fresh mushrooms
4 c. mixed greens, such as Romaine, leaf lettuce, or fresh spinach leaves

Marinade:
1/2 c. teriyaki sauce
1/3 c. dry sherry
1/3 c. salad oil
3 tbsp. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. ground ginger

In a large bowl, combine steak, tomatoes, green pepper, celery, onion and mushrooms. In a screw top jar combine ingredients for marinade and shake well. Pour over beef mixture. Toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate 2-3 hours. Drain, reserving marinade. To serve, place a handful of greens on each serving plate. Top with about one cup of steak mixture. Pass reserved marinade for dressing. 6 servings.



"Wild Thing" Cheese & Herb Monkey Bread

1 package (24 count) frozen dinner rolls, thawed
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon each of dried Rosemary, Sage, Basil, Thyme
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Grease a fluted tube bundt pan. Combine cheese with herbs and garlic powder. Dip each piece of roll dough in melted butter and roll in cheese/herb mixture to coat. Place coated pieces of dough evenly in pan. Let rise until double in size. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and top of bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from oven and pan to cool on wire rack.



"Love To Love You, Baby" Wicked Little Pasta Dinner

A very simple, sensual shrimp and pasta dish with real butter, parmesan cheese and garlic. The best pasta to use is spaghetti or linguine, so that you can twirl the long noodles in the buttery, garlicky cheese.

Guilty Pasta:

Boil one pound of spaghetti or linguine until "al dente" or almost done. Drain pasta well, return to pot and cover to keep warm. In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, melt together over low heat 1 stick of real butter and 1/2 cup of olive oil. Toss in one pound cleaned, peeled, deveined medium shrimp and four smashed, peeled, chopped garlic cloves (or sprinkle liberally with California-style garlic salt, which contains dried parsley). Cook just until shrimp is nicely pink and done, stirring occasionally. Add cooked pasta and combine until mixed well and pasta is coated with butter. Stir in two cups grated Parmesan cheese and mix well. If desired, add a touch of freshly grated black pepper. Serve immediately. Accompany pasta dish with a basic romaine, tomato, onion salad topped with a vinaigrette dressing, real bacon and chunky croutons. Add some hot, fresh Italian or French bread to wipe the plates! Serve with a very well-chilled white or blush wine. Later, much later, a dessert sampler tray with fruit, cheesecake, and lots of assorted wicked chocolates. Served with hot, rich coffee. Much, much later....eat the leftovers!!!