Billy Breakenridge
| Billy Breakenridge | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
William Milton Breakenridge December 25, 1846 Watertown, Wisconsin |
| Died | January 31, 1931 (aged 84) Tucson, Arizona |
| Cause of death | heart attack |
| Nationality | United States |
| Other names | Billy |
| Known for | Lawman in the American Old West and author of Helldorado: Bringing the Law to the Mesquite |
William Milton "Billy" Breakenridge (December 25, 1846 – January 31, 1931) was an American lawman, teamster, railroader, soldier and author. He was assistant Tombstone City Marshal in the Arizona Territory when the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place.
Breakenridge was born in Watertown, Wisconsin to George D. and Elisa Ann Breakenridge. United States Census records from 1850 and 1860 indicate that he had an older brother, an older sister, and a younger sister.
After leaving Wisconsin at the age of 16, Breakenridge joined the United States Army, eventually serving under Colonel John Chivington with the Colorado Territorial Militia during the Sand Creek Massacre (also known as the Chivington massacre). Following his stint with the army, he moved on to Arizona, eventually ending up in Phoenix where he became a Maricopa County deputy sheriff.
After staying in Phoenix for about a year, Breakenridge went south to Cochise County and the growing mining town of Tombstone. He served as a deputy sheriff under Cochise County Sheriff Behan during the 1880s at the time of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Most old-west historians consider Breakenridge, like his boss Behan, to have been a friend to the local outlaw Cowboys. Ike Clanton filed murder charges against Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp along with Doc Holliday for killing Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury and Tom McLaury in the shoot out.
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