Historical Figures · 19th Century
Wyatt Earp’s Last Words
“Suppose.”— Wyatt Earp, January 13, 1929
Who Was Wyatt Earp?
Wyatt Earp was an American lawman best known for the 30-second Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
The Final Moments
Earp died at his Los Angeles home from prostate cancer.
Are These Words Verified?
Wife Josephine reported Earp's last word as 'Suppose' when she asked if he was comfortable, dying peacefully at home. While secondhand from family, it's consistently reported in biographies and contemporary accounts.
Sources
- biography Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal by Stuart Lake
- firsthand Josephine Earp's personal accounts
- newspaper Los Angeles Times obituary, January 1929
Legacy
Earp was largely forgotten until biography revived his legend; Tombstone (1993) made him iconic worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Wyatt Earp’s last words?
“Suppose.”
How did Wyatt Earp die?
Wyatt Earp died on January 13, 1929 at the age of 80. Cause of death: Prostate cancer.
Were Wyatt Earp’s last words documented?
Wife Josephine reported Earp's last word as 'Suppose' when she asked if he was comfortable, dying peacefully at home. While secondhand from family, it's consistently reported in biographies and contemporary accounts.
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