Slap Happy

The story of Earp and the prostitute.

One of Wyatt Earp’s lesser-known actions was probably one he’d rather forget. It was July 1878, and Earp was a deputy marshal in Dodge City. Newspaper reports say a prostitute named Frankie Bell cussed Wyatt out—just why is unclear. Earp took it for awhile, but then he reached his limit. He slapped Bell, thus ending the confrontation. Earp was fined $1 for the transgression. Bell, on the other hand, had to fork over $20 for disturbing the peace.