Early Life and Background
Lou Houston was born in Iowa, Wisconsin, on January 24, 1855. Her life was linked to the notorious Old West Earp family. Little is known about her early years, although she became close to Morgan Seth Earp.
Connection to the Earp Family
Morgan Earp
Morgan Earp, born April 24, 1851, in Marion County, Iowa, was one of the Earp brothers, along with Wyatt, Virgil, James, Warren, and Newton. The Earps shaped American West history with their law enforcement and gunfights.
For the Earp family, Morgan’s 1870s marriage to Louisa Alice Houston was significant. Montana was their home before joining his brothers in Tombstone, Arizona. Morgan’s parents housed Louisa during his police enforcement career and the OK Corral events.
The OK Corral Incident
The OK Corral firefight on October 26, 1881, made the Earp brothers, notably Morgan, famous. The Earps and Clanton-McLaury gang’s showdown cemented their Wild West legacy. Morgan is often cited for his dedication to law and order in a lawless area.
Life After Morgan Earp
The Assassination of Morgan Earp
In Tombstone, Arizona, Morgan Earp was killed playing billiards on March 18, 1882. His unexpected death upset Louisa, who fled to Southern California away from the Earp family.
Move to California and Second Marriage
After Morgan died, Louisa lived in Southern California and remarried Gustav Peters on December 31, 1885. Her marriage to Los Angeles/Long Beach Shipyard foreman Peters lasted a few years. Despite their separation, she remarried to start over after her first husband’s untimely death.
Final Years and Death
Louisa Alice Houston Earp Peters died at 39 after a tranquil life in California. She died in Long Beach, California, from nephritis on June 12, 1894. Her life, despite personal tragedy, shows Old West women’s endurance and determination.
Legacy and Historical Impact
Despite being less well-known than her famous brothers-in-law or husband, Louisa’s life sheds light on the Earp family’s challenges and relationships. Her resilience after Morgan’s assassination and independence exemplify the American frontier’s women who resisted traditions.
FAQ
Where is Louisa Earp buried?
After Morgan’s assassination, Louisa Earp lived her last years in Long Beach, California, where she is interred.
Did Louisa Earp have any children?
No children were born to Louisa Earp and Morgan or Gustav Peters. No direct descendants are known for the Earp brothers, including Morgan.
What happened to Louisa after Morgan Earp died?
Louisa relocated to Southern California after Morgan Earp’s 1882 murder. After remarrying Gustav Peters in December 1885, she lived quietly until her death in 1894.
How did Louisa Earp die?
On June 12, 1894, in Long Beach, California, 39-year-old Louisa Earp died of nephritis.
Was Louisa close to the Earps following Morgan’s death?
After Morgan’s death, Louisa Earp left the Earp family and started a new life.
What Earp brothers were in the OK Corral shootout?
Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan, and Doc Holliday fought the Clanton-McLaury gang at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
