Wells W. Spicer was a truly remarkable figure of the American Old West, a man whose varied career as a journalist, prospector, politician, lawyer, and judge placed him at the heart of two of the era’s most significant and controversial events: the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre in the Utah Territory and the infamous 1881 Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. His life intertwined with justice, frontier law, and the turbulent forces shaping the American West, leaving a legacy marked by difficult decisions and enduring debate.
Born near Chemung, New York, Wells W. Spicer moved westward, establishing himself as an attorney after an education that prepared him for a life in law. Interestingly, he held a distant familial connection to the Earp brothers, a detail that would later add another layer of intrigue to his storied career. Spicer’s early professional endeavors saw him working as a lawyer and mining engineer in the burgeoning settlement of Salt Lake City, Utah, a frontier town grappling with its own unique legal and social challenges.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre and John D. Lee’s Defense
One of Spicer’s earliest and most challenging legal cases involved the defense of John D. Lee, a prominent figure charged in connection with the horrific Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857. This tragic event saw approximately 120 Arkansas emigrants, primarily members of the Fancher-Baker party, massacred by local Mormon militia and Native American allies near Mountain Meadows, Utah. The event remains one of the darkest chapters in American frontier history, marked by religious tension, fear, and profound violence.
In 1875, Wells W. Spicer undertook the daunting task of defending John D. Lee, who was accused of orchestrating and participating in the massacre. Despite Spicer’s efforts, Lee was found guilty and subsequently executed in 1877, a outcome that highlighted the complex legal and political climate of the Utah Territory during that period. Spicer’s involvement in such a high-profile and emotionally charged case demonstrated his commitment to the legal process, even when facing overwhelming public sentiment.
Tombstone: A New Frontier and the O.K. Corral
Three years after the Mountain Meadows trial, Wells W. Spicer relocated to the booming silver mining town of Tombstone, Arizona, in 1878. Tombstone was a crucible of frontier life, a place where immense wealth was being extracted from the earth, attracting a diverse population of prospectors, entrepreneurs, outlaws, and lawmen. Here, Spicer quickly established himself, serving as an attorney, mining broker, and a U.S. Commissioner for Deeds, roles that placed him squarely within the town’s legal and economic fabric. His reputation for diligence and legal acumen grew, positioning him for an even more pivotal role in the town’s history.
It was in Tombstone, as the town’s Justice of the Peace, that Spicer would preside over the most defining moment of his career: the preliminary hearing following the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. On October 26, 1881, a deadly confrontation erupted between the Earp brothers (Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan) and Doc Holliday on one side, and members of the Cowboy faction (Billy Clanton, Frank and Tom McLaury) on the other. The gunfight, lasting barely thirty seconds, resulted in the deaths of the three Cowboys and became an enduring symbol of the Wild West’s struggle between law and lawlessness.
The O.K. Corral Hearing and Spicer’s Landmark Decision
Following the gunfight, Sheriff Johnny Behan, a known associate of the Cowboys, arrested the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday, charging them with murder. A pre-trial hearing, a crucial proceeding to determine if sufficient evidence existed for a full trial, commenced on November 29, 1881, with Justice of the Peace Wells W. Spicer presiding. The hearing was highly publicized and intensely scrutinized, dividing Tombstone residents and setting the stage for one of the most controversial legal decisions of the era.
Over several weeks, Spicer heard extensive testimony from numerous witnesses, including law enforcement officials, townspeople, and the surviving participants. The evidence presented was often contradictory, highlighting the partisan divisions within Tombstone. The prosecution sought to portray the Earps and Holliday as aggressors, while the defense argued they acted in self-defense and in the line of duty, attempting to disarm the Cowboys in accordance with a town ordinance.
After careful deliberation, Justice Spicer rendered his decision on December 14, 1881, concluding that the defendants had been justified in their actions. His ruling was a vindication for the Earps and Holliday, and a powerful statement about the nature of frontier justice. His concluding statement, in part, read:
“In view of all the facts and circumstances of the case, considering the threats made, the character and position of the parties, and the tragic results accomplished, in manner and form as they were, with all the surrounding influences bearing upon the result of the affair, I cannot resist the conclusion that the defendants were fully justified in committing these homicides that it was a necessary act done in the discharge of official duty.”
The Aftermath: Threats and Departure
Spicer’s ruling, while legally sound according to his findings, immediately made him a target for the Cowboy faction and their sympathizers, who viewed it as a gross injustice. The decision intensified the deadly feud between the Earps and the Cowboys, leading to a series of retaliatory acts, including the assassinations of Virgil and Morgan Earp. Spicer himself received chilling threats, underscoring the precarious position he had placed himself in by upholding the law against powerful outlaw elements. In December 1881, he received the following anonymous, menacing letter:
“Sir, if you take my advice, you will take your departure for a more genial clime, as I don’t think this One Healthy for you much longer, as you are liable to get a hole through your coat at any moment. If such sons of bitches as you are allowed to dispense Justice in this Territory, the Sooner you Depart from us, the better for yourself And the community at large you may make light of this. But it is only a matter of time before you get it sooner or later. So with those few gentle hints, I Will Conclude for the first and last time.”
While the Cowboy faction did not ultimately succeed in harming Spicer physically, the controversy surrounding his decision irrevocably altered his career. The intense pressure and threats undoubtedly took their toll. He soon departed Tombstone, a town forever changed by the events he helped adjudicate. After leaving Tombstone, Spicer reportedly resumed work as a mining engineer, a profession that offered a degree of anonymity and the opportunity to move between developing regions.
The Mysterious End of Wells W. Spicer
The final chapter of Wells W. Spicer’s life is shrouded in mystery, a fitting end for a man who lived amidst so much frontier intrigue. Some historical accounts suggest that he wandered into the vast Arizona desert in 1887, possibly near Ajo or Quijotoa, and was believed to have committed suicide. This theory paints a picture of a man overwhelmed by the pressures and perhaps the personal cost of his choices.
However, other sources offer a more dramatic and perhaps plausible alternative: that he staged his own demise and made his way to Mexico, seeking to evade creditors or disappear from the public eye. This theory aligns with the cunning and adaptability often seen in frontier figures. Regardless of the truth, Spicer’s disappearance cemented his place as an enigmatic figure in American history, his fate as uncertain as many of the outcomes he sought to decide in his long legal career.
Conclusion
Wells W. Spicer was far more than just a footnote in the annals of the Old West; he was a pivotal character whose decisions as a judge profoundly impacted some of the era’s most legendary events. From the somber shadow of the Mountain Meadows Massacre to the legendary dust of the O.K. Corral, Spicer navigated a treacherous landscape of frontier law, public opinion, and personal danger. His life, marked by courage, intellect, and controversy, serves as a vivid reminder of the complex and often brutal nature of justice in the untamed American West. His legacy continues to spark debate, prompting historians and enthusiasts alike to ponder the true implications of his rulings and the mysterious circumstances of his final disappearance.
