Dr. goodfellow, the surgeon who worked out of a tombstone saloon

Dr. George E. Goodfellow moved to Tombstone in 1880 and became one of the town's leading physicians. He worked from the second floor of the Crystal Palace Saloon. Known as an expert in treating gunshot wounds, Dr. Goodfellow also worked as a surgeon, public health advocate, and medical researcher, making lasting contributions to frontier medicine.

Get our free mobile app

man in blue dress shirt near brown wooden arch — Photo by Xiang Gao on Unsplash

In the 19th century, medicine wasn't well understood, and doctors had little to no formal education. Despite this, Dr. Goodfellow performed the first-ever successful laparotomy for a gunshot wound ever recorded in American history due to his knowledge on steralization and medicine.

On July 4th, 1881, he operated on a man named Jack Smith, who had been shot nine days earlier, using sterilization techniques far ahead of his time. He washed the wound with lye soap and whiskey, insisting on cleanliness while many surgeons still dismissed germ theory. Not only did he save the miner's life, but the breakthrough also laid the foundation for modern trauma surgery.

clear glass bottle with red liquid — Photo by Saman Taheri on Unsplash

When it came to the Earp brothers, Dr. Goodfellow's expertise proved invaluable. After the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, he performed autopsies on the dead and treated Wyatt and Virgil Earp. His medical analysis helped keep the brothers and Doc Holliday out of jail for murder by providing evidence of self-defense.

Dr. Goodfellows most significant contribution to the brothers came a few months later when Virgil Earp was shot in the arm. Goodfellow operated without amputating it, and Virgil recovered almost perfectly with minimal lasting complications.

READ MORE ABOUT WYATT EARP: What Wyatt Earp Did After Leaving The Wild West Behind

The CLanton Gang. / Hulton Archive, Getty Images

In 1887, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Cochise County and northern Mexico, injuring dozens and causing extensive damage. No seismologists were in the area, so Dr. Goodfellow was sent out to investigate. He didn't have a proper seismograph, so Dr. Goodfellow suspended a bullet in an empty beer bottle to measure vibrations.

The method had moderate accuracy, allowing him to survey the affected region. He later shared his findings in a publication titled "The Sonora Earthquake". His work helped establish the first U.S governemnt survey of major earthquakes in Mexico and produced America's first surface rupture map while using makeshift tools.

Get our free mobile app

Men in cowboy attire stand on a dusty western street. — Photo by Dennis Lamberth on Unsplash

Dr. Goodfellows' legacy didn't end in Tombstone. He went on to study medicine, trauma care, earthquakes, and volcanic activity throughout the U.S. His work with the Earps, his groundbreaking surgeries, and his scientific curiosity helped shape the way we understand medicine and science today.

READ MORE ABOUT THE EARTHQUAKE: The 1887 Cochise County Earthquake: A Look Back At The Impact

Top 10 Shows Set in Arizona

Arizona has a vibrant history of film and television production, which has led to classic series being not just filmed in the Grand Canyon state, but sett here. Here's the top 10 series that have made the deserts of Arizona their home.