Legends of the West: Doc Holliday Quiz

Answer: John

'Doc' Holliday was born John Henry Holliday to Henry Burroughs and Alice Jane Holliday on August 14, 1851 in Griffin, Georgia. His mother died while he was only 15-years old, a devastating blow to the young John Henry, with whom she was very close.

Answer: Dentistry

Doc Holliday was a well-educated and respected dentist, having graduated from dental school after two years of study (from 1870 to 1872). Despite his alternative lifestyle in the American west, he continued to practice dentistry off and on throughout his short life.

Answer: He suffered from tuberculosis

Doc Holliday was quite content with his dental practice, but contracted tuberculosis at a rather early age. He was told that if he didn't move to a warmer and drier climate he would die within months. Following his doctor's suggestions, he headed towards the American desert southwest.

Answer: Las Vegas

Holliday had moved to Dallas in 1873 to set up his dental practice anew. However, his TB impeded his ability to work with patients, and he found an alternative lifestyle as a gambler to be suitable to his tastes anyhow. In 1879, he recorded his first murder in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

He shot Mike Gordon who tried to convince a saloon girl to go away with him. When she refused Mike went outside and shot up the saloon. Doc came out and took him down with one shot.

Answer: Nose

She was known as 'Big Nose' Kate, and the reasons are pretty clear when one has a look at her photo. Kate was a prostitute in Fort Griffin, and became a rather loyal companion to Doc. She even sprung him from jail in Fort Griffin after he had been incarcerated following his killing of Ed Bailey.

Answer: John Shanssey's saloon

Not only did Doc meet Wyatt Earp in John Shanssey's saloon, he also first met 'Big Nose' Kate there. Wyatt and Doc became quick friends, a friendship that was later solidified in Dodge City when Doc saved Wyatt's life during a confrontation with two gangsters (Morrison and Driscoll).

Answer: McLaury

The Clanton gang consisted of 'Old man' Clanton and his sons, Ike, Phin, and Billy, while the two McLaury brothers were named Frank and Tom. Curly Bill Brocius and John Ringo were also members of this combined gang. Of them, those that were present at the shootout were: Ike and Billy Clanton and the two McLaury brothers. Alongside the Clantons and McLaurys at the corral were Billy Claiborne and Wes Fuller. Opposite them were Morgan, Virgil and Wyatt Earp, along with Doc Holliday.

Answer: False

The actual shooting lasted about 30 seconds, after which the two McLaury brothers and Billy Clanton were dead. Doc Holliday was responsible for the death of Tom McLaury. Morgan and Virgil Earp were both injured during the fighting, and Doc Holliday received a grazing wound on his left leg.

Answer: No

Doc Holliday lived in Colorado during the latter years of his life, where he eventually resided at Glenwood Springs, a local spa. Sadly, the sulfur springs at Glenwood were no help for the dying Doc, whose tuberculosis was finally taking its toll. He spent the last several months of his life largely in bed. His last words, uttered following a drink of whiskey, were 'This is funny.' What was funny remains a mystery. He is buried at the Old Hill Cemetary in Glenwood, Colorado, where his tombstone remains for the interest of visitors from the world over.

Answer: Henry Fonda

In the 1946 classic 'My Darling Clementine', Victor Mature played Doc, while Wyatt Earp was portrayed by Henry Fonda. Kirk Douglas portrayed Doc in the 1957 film 'Gunfight at the O.K. Corral', and Val Kilmer had a go at playing Doc in the 1993 movie 'Tombstone'. Doc has also been played by Dennis Hopper, Dennis and Randy Quaid and Jason Robards. Thank you for trying this quiz, I hope you enjoyed it and will try some of my other stuff.