Facing Down a Mob

Tombstone lawmen protect Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce.

January 14, 1881. Gambler Michael “Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce” O’Rourke kills mining engineer Phillip Schneider in Charleston, AZ. A mob of Schneider’s friends chases O’Rourke (in the custody of a constable) to Tombstone, where he is protected by Marshal Ben Sippy, Virgil and
Wyatt Earp, and Johnny Behan (among others). The lawmen face down another lynch mob before taking the prisoner to Tucson for safe keeping. Before he can go to trial in the killing, O’Rourke escapes and disappears into history. This painting by Bob Boze Bell gives an idea of what Johnny might have looked like.