In 1878, Virgil Earp, who had already started a sawmill, and worked part time as Deputy Sheriff, was elected Constable of the Prescott Precinct. He and his wife Allie owned a saw mill at Thumb Butte. Allie was also a midwife and Virgil also drove the mail by horse drawn wagon. Virgil was visited there by his brothers Wyatt and Morgan Earp. Later, Virgil was appointed city marshal of Tombstone in 1880; he sent for his brothers who joined him in the frontier town. The Earps were made famous by the Gun Fight at the O.K. Corral.

Ambushed by the Clanton Gang, Virgil was shot in the back in December 1881, which crippled him for life. Virgil was taken to the family homestead in Colton, California where he recovered from his wounds and prospected for gold and silver with his wife. Later, Virgil was elected city marshal of Colton.