Lamar in Barton County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Wyatt & Urilla Earp

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 20, 2026

1. Wyatt & Urilla Earp Marker

Inscription.
Wyatt Earp's time in Lamar is clouded in mystery, love, heartbreak, and that of an outlaw.

Even before his time in Lamar, young Wyatt was full of ambition and curiosity, having already explored the West before joining his family here in 1869.

Lamar had survived the quarrel during the Civil War, but just barely. The courthouse had been burned, the townspeople had left, and by 1869, four short years later, only 1,500 people resided in Lamar.

With the opportunity at hand, the Earp Family staked their claim in Lamar. Wyatt's father, Nick Earp, already town Constable, traded his position for Justice of the Peace, and Wyatt was appointed Constable in November, his first of many legendary lawman positions.

Not letting the lawbreakers get the upper hand, Wyatt fulfilled his duties by serving warrants, throwing occasional drunks into the calaboose, and enforcing the new city ordinances. To the dismay of the townspeople, one newly enacted ordinance was that "no hogs" could run free inside the city limits and Wyatt had to corral them or eliminate them, as he saw fit.

During Wyatt's time as Constable, he met, fell

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in love with, and married Urilla Sutherland. The Sutherlands were also a prominent family in Lamar, owning and operating the newly built stone Exchange Hotel, located where Lamar Bank and Trust Company sits today.

Wyatt bought a house for his young bride in August, and they were counted in the 1870 Census in September, but by November, Wyatt had sold the home and Urilla disappeared without a trace. Without a death certificate, or obituary in the paper, it was as if Urilla faded into history. Some speculate that her early demise was due to childbirth or typhoid. Stories passed on by locals still claim a baby was placed in the coffin with her. As years passed, no gravestone marked her end until 1994, when one was placed at Howell Cemetery south of Milford, MO, although many surmise she could be buried in East Cemetery in Lamar, MO.

Tragedy gives way to turning points, and one could say, Wyatt hit that "fork in the road" after Urilla's untimely death. Wyatt was still Constable at the time, and details started to arise of foul play on his part. Wyatt oversaw receiving license fees and school fund money but was not returning it to

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 20, 2026

2. Wyatt & Urilla Earp Marker

Marker is on the right (of the two markers)

the proper coffers. A warrant was issued in March of 1871 for his arrest and incarceration. By then, Wyatt had already rode off into the sunset and left Lamar in the dust.

For all the mystery surrounding Wyatt during his time in Lamar, we know that his first marriage occurred here, and his law experience had its legendary beginnings here in Lamar. He headed west, starting the journey of what would become one of America's frontier legends. Wyatt never returned or spoke of Lamar or his time here, whether that was due to his grief or legal troubles, we may never know.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Law Enforcement • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 37° 29.756′ N, 94° 16.55′ W. Marker is in Lamar, Missouri, in Barton County. It is at the intersection of Broadway Street and East 10th Street, on the right when traveling north on Broadway Street. Marker is located at Wyatt Earp Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 908 Broadway St, Lamar MO 64759, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

Wyatt & Urilla Earp Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 20, 2026

3. Wyatt & Urilla Earp Statue

at Wyatt Earp Park

marker is in Southwest Missouri. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wyatt Earp (here, next to this marker); McCook Post No. 34 G.A.R. Civil War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Harry S. Truman (about 500 feet away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (about 500 feet away); Lamar (about 600 feet away); Harry S Truman (approx. ¼ mile away); Harry S. Truman Birthplace Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); A Tour of the House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lamar.

Also see . . . Wyatt Earp on Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 26, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 26, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.