Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
July 17, 2002
Father Edward Downey and `Doc' Holliday: Chasing a myth
Legend suggests that Colorado priest may have converted Doc Holliday
By Charles J. Hanlen
The American West has more than its share of legends and myths about gold mines, geographical locations, events and personalities. An enduring tale is of a relationship between John Henry "Doc" Holliday of Tombstone and OK Corral fame and Father Edward Francis Downey, a pioneering priest in Colorado and virtual unknown.
There really are two stories: One, the conversion of Holliday to Catholicism attributed to Father Downey, and the other that Doc gave Father Downey several weapons, most notably a sawed-off Meteor shotgun. This weapon still exists and is believed destined for a museum in Houston.
Holliday (1851-1887) was born in Georgia and grew up in comfortable surroundings. As with most southerners, his family was involved in the Civil War. Holliday graduated from the Philadelphia School of Dentistry. He showed considerable talent at school and demonstrated it elsewhere after graduation as well. Several years after his mother's death from tuberculosis, he headed west. He, too, had contracted the disease and hoped the clear, dry air of the West would help his affliction. It did not.
After a brief turn at dentistry, Holliday took up gambling, the gun, alcohol and laudanum. Doc met and became a friend of the Earps, especially Wyatt in 1877. This friendship showed well in the famous gunfight/shoot-out near the OK Corral in Tombstone, Ariz., territory on Oct. 28,1881. Holliday soon journeyed to Colorado, spending time in Denver, Silverton, Leadville, Pueblo and Glenwood Springs. His tuberculosis had continued to worsen. Doc moved to Glenwood Springs where he spent his final days. He died Nov. 8, 1887.
In contrast, Father Downey (1847-1919) was born of Irish immigrants in New York City. It is unlikely his was a cushioned lifestyle. He attended public school and eventually decided to enter the priesthood, beginning his studies at St. Bonaventure in 1875. He was ordained in 1883 and immediately journeyed to Colorado, where he would devote the next 35 years to serving God, the Church, and countless parishioners. His initial assignment was Central City, but he was shortly transferred to St. Mary's in Aspen, where he remained for eight years.
Father Downey saw to the needs of the Catholic population in Glenwood Springs and the surrounding area, possibly including Leadville, Penny Hot Springs, Silverton and Rifle. A tireless builder of church edifices, time and weather wore him down. His mind and body began to go. In 1918 Father Downey was sent to St. Vincent's Institution in St. Louis and died there April 30,1919.
Did Father Downey and Doc Holliday know each other? Was Holliday converted to Catholicism and did Downey baptize him into the Church? Doc's obituary strongly suggests they knew each other. It said Father Downey was away at the time so a Presbyterian minister did the funeral. A recent author states unequivocally that Doc converted to Catholicism on his deathbed and the priest who aided in this event was Father Downey. An even more contemporary article quoting the recently discovered memoir of a firsthand witness to Doc's passing does not place Downey at the scene.
An examination of church records in Leadville, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, and Rifle revealed no baptismal entry for Holliday by Father Downey or anyone else. It is possible the conversion and baptism took place at some other location, but where? This is an especially difficult question if we involve only Father Downey. Letters were found among Doc's possessions from a cousin, Sister Mary Melanie, S.O.M. Did the early writer simply assume Doc was also a Catholic? Family members who knew Aunt Melanie tell of her "half remembered words ... in her old age" of Doc's conversion. Was this fact or the wishful thinking of an elderly nun? Imagine this scene: "Big Nose" Kate Fisher, Doc's longtime lover and a Catholic, in a last gesture of love baptizes Doe on his deathbed. Warm as it sounds, we may never know.
And, then, there is that sawed-off Meteor shotgun, called by one author, a "street howitzer." The story goes that sometime around 1886 Doc Holliday gave Father Downey a Meteor 10-gauge sawed-off shotgun no. 1903. It had a cropped stock and shortened barrels to the point that the weapon was less than 26 inches long. The gun remained in Father Downey's possession until 1902, when he gave it to the grandfather and father of Harry McTague for their services to the Church. The shotgun remained in the family until 1978, when it was purchased by David J. Hall, an antique dealer and collector of western memorabilia.
About 1999, Hall sold the weapon to a corporation for some $300,000. Much of the above comes from McTague family tradition. It is presumed to be a major part of the provenance attached to the shotgun. This tale certainly begs some intriguing questions. Why, of all things, would Doc give Father Downey, this man of God and peace, a weapon of any sort? Why would Father Downey accept it and then keep it in his possession for 16 years before suddenly giving it away to the McTagues? There are all sorts of scenarios to make the pieces fit, but lacking anything concrete we soon enter the realm of fantasy.
We are confronted with several conflicting renditions of what happened to Doc's Meteor shotgun. One author states it was given to Father Downey. Another suggests it was part of Doc's estate and used as payment for overdue expenses at the Glenwood Hotel and burial costs. An eyewitness to Doc's passing only places a pistol on the bureau in Doc's room. And, one writer says Doc never owned or used a sawed-off shotgun.
The tragedy in all this is the lack of evidence of either Doc's baptism by Father Downey or the gift of a Meteor shotgun. There is nothing to prove they were ever associated. And, yet, they had such interesting, strong, learned backgrounds and personalities, it is a pity they didn't. I believe the saint and sinner would have liked each other.
Charles J. Hanlen is emeritus professor of history at Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif. Hanlen finds the American West a source of endless fascination.
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