Wyatt Earp ventured to Duluth

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 12:06 p.m., April 13, 2009

This year is special to former State Sen. Cal Larson of Fergus Falls and other members of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. Fifty years ago, in 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway project was completed.

A system of canals permits ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the North American Great Lakes, as far as Lake Superior.

In 1959 Duluth held a celebration in coordination with the opening of the seaway. As a kid I attended the parade in Duluth with Fred and Cele Heisel of Fergus Falls and their daughter, Margaret. Fred reconnected with a Navy buddy from World War II.

Riding on horseback in the parade was actor Hugh O’Brian who starred in the TV series, “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.” O’Brian displayed a Colt Buntline Special, also used on the TV show, which was a long-barreled single-action revolver.

Larson was appointed to a six-year term as a Duluth Seaway Port Authority commissioner by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in November 2003 and reappointed in 2008.

The Port Authority is an independent public agency, created by the Minnesota State Legislature. Like port authorities and harbor commissions worldwide, it fosters regional maritime and trade development and serves as an advocate for port interests.

At the same time, the Port Authority strives to protect and increase maritime commerce through marketing, promotional and legislative initiatives and also serves as an economic development agency.

“The port of Duluth is widely recognized as North America’s most efficient, centrally located hub for water, rail and highway transport,” said Larson who served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. “It offers convenience, connections and links to markets throughout the United States and Canada. It’s been rewarding for me to serve as a Port Authority commissioner.”

Having actor Hugh O’Brian as part of the Duluth celebration, 50 years ago, was a thrill for many kids in the baby boomer generation, me included. That’s not to say that as kids we didn’t appreciate seeing the ships coming into port. However, seeing Wyatt Earp (O’Brian) riding his horse — and carrying his Buntline Special — in the parade was icing on the cake.

“The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp” ran on TV from 1955 to 1961.

The show covered Earp's rise to fame as he worked his way through a series of increasingly lawless towns, from Ellsworth to Wichita, Dodge City and finally Tombstone. As his reputation grew, so did the dangers he faced.

Among the many TV episodes were those dealing with the notorious gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

The TV show starring O’Brian was a top-10-rated hit for at least two of its six seasons. It paved the way for other Westerns such as “Bonanza” and “Rawhide.” People identified with the Earp character because he was a lawman who always did what was right.

When O’Brian agreed to star in the show, he insisted that the storyline and costumes stay authentic to Earp’s life as much as possible. For example, when the show’s executives wanted O’Brian to wear a white hat, he urged them to change it to a black hat, which became a signature part of the Earp costume during the entire six-year run of the show.

O’Brian also brought some of his own life experiences to the Earp portrayal. This included his days in the Marine Corps during World War II. At age 18, he became the youngest drill instructor in the history of the Marines.

After serving in the military for four years, O’Brian intended to study law and become an attorney. Instead, he fell into acting, taking roles in several movies, including “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “Broken Lance,” before his big break came with the Wyatt Earp show.

Duluth, which in 1959 blended ships with a parade featuring Wyatt Earp, created a lifetime of wonderful memories.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---