In the late 1800s, Tombstone, Arizona was a bustling town, teeming with life and energy, but also rife with poverty, death, and lawlessness. In "Boothill and Beyond," we are taken on a captivating journey through the daily happenings of this frontier town, as recounted by its inhabitants long after they were gone.
Despite facing overwhelming challenges such as unemployment, internal strife, and the constant threat of violence, the people of Tombstone showed remarkable resilience, willpower, and determination to survive and thrive. However, not everyone could resist the lure of breaking the law, leading to the emergence of cowboy outlaws and numerous unmarked graves that were eventually lost to time and neglect.
At the center of Tombstone's history is the Boothill Graveyard, established in 1878 and closed to new burials in 1884. The graveyard was named after its occupants were buried with their boots on, symbolizing their violent deaths. Here, we learn about the diverse range of occupants who were laid to rest in this historic cemetery - from cowboys and miners to housewives and women of the red-light district.
Through the vivid accounts of George Parsons and others who lived through these turbulent times, we see how the daily struggle for survival could lead a man to his downfall with faro, whiskey, and bad women. Death was always lurking in Tombstone, and the Boothill Graveyard holds a record of its many victims - those killed by another, hung, committed suicide, ambushed by Indians, died in accidents, sickness, or for unspecified reasons.
"BOOTHILL: Under The Tombstones" is not only a vivid account of Tombstone's history but also a tribute to those who contributed to the town's early days, regardless of their culture or nationality. The cemetery is now a National Monument, a tourist hotspot, and a reputed haunted site, and its occupants still speak to us, providing a glimpse into a time and place that will forever be etched in our memory.
