JOSEPHINE "JOSIE" EARP - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 06/09/1930 - HFSID 290446

JOSEPHINE "JOSIE" EARP
Handwritten letter to friend and would-be biographer John Flood, she expresses concern over the actions of a Mr. Beard, saying "I am very much surprised the way Mr. Beard done, I always thought him a very honest man. You did not say who the party is that is putting up the money... I suppose they are looking for my property. I will beat them to it."
Autograph Letter signed: "Josephine Earp", 3 pages, 5x6½ folded, 10x6½ otherwise. Oakland (California), 1930 June 9. To "Dear Mr. Flood", in full: "I was very glad to see your recent letter. You did not say if you received my letter which I addressed to your old place. And I asked you for Mr. Jarvis address but you did not send it to me. I hope you are well. And are you going to the desert very soon? It seems like Mrs Base enjoys morning and are you still staying with he; You did not say in your letter if you were still with her. I am very much surprised the way Mr. Beard done, I always thought him a very honest man. You did not say who the party is that is putting up the money. I am leaving very soon for the desert. I asked you in my other letter about going to Earp to stay. I suppose they are looking for my property. I will beat them to it. I will stop off in Los Angeles for a few days and will be glad to see you. I have had a letter from Mr. Lake but the same thing will send me a manuscript as soon as it is finished. We are having lovely weather here. And I am faint-feeling fine. But oh how I dread going to the hot desert but I just have to go. You will have time to write me before I leave here and let me know what you intend doing- The folks join me in very warm regards to you. Sincerely Yours" Accompanied by autograph envelope addressed in her hand to John H. Flood, Jr., in Los Angeles, postmarked June 9, 1930, and signed in return address on verso: "J. Earp". Josephine Marcus (1861-1944), who became JOSIE EARP was a dancer and actress who moved to Tombstone, Arizona in 1879. At first she was mistress of Sheriff Johnny Behan, an enemy of Wyatt Earp, and was also a prostitute. (Her license for that trade survives.) In 1881, she became enamored with Wyatt Earp, and the following year began calling herself Josephine Earp. (Wyatt and Josie were together until his death, in what was probably a common law marriage. Wyatt abandoned his law enforcement career, traveling around the West with Josie, often gambling and sometimes operating a saloon.) In their senior years, the Earps became quite concerned about their image/reputation, and chose his personal Secretary, John H. Flood, Jr. to write his biography. Flood's manuscript, factually accurate but sadly lacking in literary polish, was rejected by all publishers . Though never published, Flood's text survives, and might have enriched public understanding of Wyatt Earp if a good editor had been found to revise it. Flood remained a family friend, despite failure of the literary venture. Wyatt Earp had died on January 13, 1929, seventeen months before this letter was written. Josey survived 15 more years, devoting much time to keeping alive Wyatt's memory and defending his reputation. Normal mailing folds. Slightly creased. Slightly soiled. Overall, fine condition.