John Shanssey

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John Shanssey (March 23, 1848 - ?) was an American boxer, gambler, saloon owner, and Mayor of Yuma, Arizona, most known for introducing legendary lawman Wyatt Earp to gambler and gunman Doc Holliday.

Believed to have been born in Ireland, Shanssey began boxing at an early age, mostly in small exhibition matches. In 1868 John Shanssey fought Mike Donovan in a boxing match in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was beaten so badly that he quit boxing and became a saloon keeper. The referee of this match was Wyatt Earp, at the time just a young man, but who would eventually become a well known lawman. In 1877, Wyatt Earp came to Fort Griffin, where Shanssey owned a bar/restaurant. Earp, at the time, was still little known, but had built somewhat of a reputation as a lawman in both Wichita, Kansas and Dodge City. Here Shanssey introduced Earp to gunman and gambler Doc Holliday, who was well known as a gunman and who was a friend to Shanssey, which led to a friendship between Earp and Holliday that would benefit them both later on.

After serving as a saloon keeper for a number of years, Shanssey began riding a mail horse through Indian territory. In 1899 he was elected as Mayor of Yuma, then unincorporated. He held this position until at least 1913. It is unknown as to exactly when he died, but it is believed to be around 1919, but that is not confirmed.