3. His first experience as a lawman was in Lamar, Missouri
The Earp family removed to Missouri in 1869, and Wyatt took over the job as town constable from his father. He married his first wife there, in 1870, but her sudden death from typhoid fever affected Wyatt badly, and his fortunes went into decline. He was charged with embezzling funds collected for Lamar’s schools (which it was his job to collect). He was also sued by citizens of the town for filing false amounts of money collected, deflating them and keeping the difference, which caused citizens to lose property. In 1871 he was charged with stealing horses. Earp was in jail awaiting trial when he escaped, fleeing to Peoria, Illinois, where Missouri law couldn’t touch him.
