By Larry Nader, Larry Nader Photography & Art
Published April 18, 2023, for State 48 A2Z
“So much of our future lies in preserving our past”. Those words from Peter Westbrook, Sabre Fencing champion, Olympic bronze medal winner, businessman, and philanthropist, still ring true today. History must be preserved and factually documented for future generations to learn from it and not repeat mistakes from the past. Arizona, as a state, does a great job at preserving our old west history, Native American, and Spanish Exploration history, while providing access to the public.
This week we head back to southern Arizona and the town of Tombstone to check out a popular saloon and restaurant that started as a hotel. Thanks for joining us on our visit to Big Nose Kate’s Saloon in historic Tombstone. Let’s start with a bit of background on Mary Katherine Horony or Big Nose Kate as she was known during her time in our country’s historic old west period.
Horony’s story starts back in 1860 when her family (Kate, her parents, and seven siblings) immigrated to the United States from Europe in search of the storied American dream. The family settled in Davenport, Iowa where Kate’s father planned to practice medicine. For the Horony family, their American dream was going to turn into their worst nightmare as both parents died unexpectedly, one after the other. Following their parents’ deaths, Kate and her siblings were placed in foster care where Kate would end up under the supervision of Otto Schmidt. Schmidt attempted to rape Kate, but she fought back, hitting Schmidt with an axe handle.
Kate, determined to get as far away as possible away from her messy life in Iowa, snuck aboard a steamship bound for St. Louis and renamed herself, Kate Fisher, taking her new last name from the ship’s captain. She would spend the next several years trying new identities and even tried being a nun at Ursuline Convent before marrying and becoming a mother. But tragedy struck in her life again when she lost both her husband and child to Yellow Fever, although the only evidence that was the case was Kate’s word only. There was no medical confirmation.
From there, Kate would turn to prostitution for her next incarnation, working for a madame in St. Louis before making her way to Dodge City, Kansas where she found employment with the sister-in-law of Wyatt Earp. Eventually, Kate and her new employer would make their way to Fort Griffin, Texas where Kate would meet, and fall in love, with America’s most infamous dentist/gambler, John Henry “Doc” Holliday. Kate was drawn to Doc’s reckless abandon and his sophistication, and the two were a perfectly matched pair of explosive tempers. Over the years, the pair would fight, break up and reunite, and then the whole process would start over again.
Holliday was arrested one night during a poker game for allegedly stabbing a cheater in the stomach and consuming alcohol which was prohibited in town during gambling (probably for this very reason). Kate was not about to see Doc stand trial, so she set a fire in one part of the town and waited quietly for everyone to race to the fire to put it out. Meanwhile, Kate would make her way to the hotel where Holliday was being held under two guards in a room. Brandishing two weapons on the unsuspecting guards, Kate assisted Holliday in his getaway. Stealing a pair of horses, the two made their way to Dodge City promising each other that they would give up gambling and prostitution – promises they neither were able to keep for long.
Kate would eventually introduce Holliday to Wyatt Earp, an introduction that she went on to regret. “The Earps had such a power I could not get Doc away from them,” Kate was reported to have said. When Wyatt and Holliday made their way to the wild west town of Tombstone in 1880, Kate would relocate to the not-too-distant town of Globe where she managed a hotel. Then came Tombstone’s most infamous day when the Gunfight at the OK Corral happened on October 26, 1881.
At some point following the notorious gunfight, Kate and Holliday would fight and split up, once again. This time, while in a drunken rage, Kate’s words would implicate Holliday for murder. Holliday would escape these allegations, along with the Earps, for lack of evidence. Kate and Doc reunited at least one more time and she was at his side when he succumbed to Tuberculosis in 1887, at the age of 36.
While Big Nose Kate’s Saloon in historic Tombstone was not an existing business back in Tombstone’s heyday, the building stands where the Grand Hotel used to stand before it was burnt down in the fire of 1882 and was rebuilt. During its short time, the Grand Hotel hosted a plethora of old west notoriety, including Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Doc Holliday. In fact, the Clanton Gang, which consisted of Ike Clanton and both McLaury Brothers, were registered guests of the hotel the night before the famous gunfight.
Opened on September 9, 1880, the Grand Hotel was one of the finest in the Arizona Territory, with thick, plush carpeting and walls that were decorated with fine oil paintings. Their 16 rooms each had a view and were outfitted with solid walnut furnishings, toilet stands, fine fixtures, and wallpaper. The Lobby had three chic and elegant chandeliers while the kitchen featured hot and cold running water. The bar, which is still in use today was in the basement with the main floor dedicated to hotel use. Amazingly, the bar was the only one to make it through the fire and is still being used today.
With all the activity that occurred around Tombstone and the notoriety of the hotel’s guests, it is no wonder Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, formerly the Grand Hotel is the site of a high level of paranormal activity according to online paranormal sites. It has been reported that locals and visitors alike have reported paranormal experiences inside the saloon. According to GhostCityTours.com, one employee reported that she felt cold clammy hands around her throat, while others have reported seeing spectral visions such as cowboys and saddle bums. There have even been reports of beer cases being knocked over in the basement for no apparent reason.
It is believed that the basement haunting is none other than a poltergeist called Swamper, a former handyman for the Grand Hotel that also lived in its basement. He is said to have been a friendly person in life despite being a recluse. No one was ever allowed in Swamper’s room, although no one ever asked why. It seems that the handyman moonlighted as a gopher, digging shafts in the ground of his room to allegedly trying to find treasures that he believed were under his feet. Local legend says that Swamper found his sought-after treasure but never figured out how to get it past the bar and hotel personnel without anyone seeing him. It is believed that the treasure remains buried there today with Swamper still guarding it.
These are just a few of the paranormal activities reported here. You can learn more about the hauntings of Big Nose Kate’s Saloon at GhostCityTours.com.
So, the next time you are in Tombstone, be sure to stop in at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, grab a bite to eat, maybe a cold brew, and take in the history of the site. The saloon also provides musical entertainment that you can enjoy from one of the many tables or while sitting at the bar where the famous, and infamous, have sat before. The basement now houses a gift shop with the saloon and restaurant on the first floor. Learn more about Big Nose Kate's Saloon here.
With that, we will wrap things up for another week’s travels. Let’s get back on our magic bus and make our way north on Interstate 10, yet again, for home in the Phoenix west valley. We thank you for riding along with us on our weekly travels and look forward to your joining us again on next week’s trip to another amazing place in the Great State 48.
Until then, please be sure to comment on our articles, share our posts with your friends and family, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linked In to have our other posts and photos delivered directly to your newsfeeds. Peace!
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