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where the wild west comes alive
Celia Ann "Mattie" Earp
(January, 1850 - July 4, 1888)
Photo courtesy of True West Magazine
Photo courtesy of True West Magazine
Photo courtesy of Debe Branning
MVD Ghostchasers of
Mesa AZ.
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[Here's the scoop. The True West magazine grave photo shows the location of the grave based on
a local historian and the Arizona Superior Historical Society. This original grave was once
marked with a headstone for Mattie, but was stolen by vandals (why do people such things?). To
protect the grave from further desecration, a railroad tie headstone was placed "near" the
original grave honoring Mattie Earp, but does not mark the actual location. I suspect the circle
stone outline was also removed after the photo. It's sad this type of cloaking must used to
fool vandals.
The MVD Ghost Chasers periodically visit the railroad tie marker, tidy up the area, leave flowers and tiny airline bottles of whiskey. Their intent is to pay tribute to Mattie and they have seen an energy orb near this marker.]
She was born Celia Ann Blaylock in Iowa and was the second wife (common-law) of Wyatt Earp. The origin of the nickname "Mattie" is not known.
It is believed she was working as a prostitute in Dodge City when she met Wyatt. Mattie tagged along with Earp to Fort Griffin, Texas. It was here Wyatt met Doc Holliday.
In Tombstone Wyatt encountered Josephine Sarah Marcus. Wyatt left Mattie for his new found fem. Alone and destitute, Mattie returned to "serving the public" in Globe, then Pinal, Arizona. She never recovered from the loss of Wyatt and on July 4, 1888 Mattie gained her independence by committing suicide.
Celia Ann "Mattie" Earp is buried on a hill near Superior, AZ.
Thanks to the good folks at True West Magazine for letting me use the pictures and maps. These pictures appeared in the February/March 2001 Wyatt Earp Collectors Edition.
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