NCJ Number
12145
Date Published
1972
Length
342 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF THE LAWMAN IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERICAN WEST.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR EXAMINES THE LEGENDS THAT SURROUND MANY OF THE EARLY WESTERN PEACE OFFICERS AND CONCLUDES THAT THEY WERE NO BETTER OR WORSE THAN THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY SERVED. THE BOOK DESCRIBES THE ACTIVITIES OF A NUMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SUCH AS THE TEXAS RANGERS, THE PINKERTONS, AND PRIVATE POLICE FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH BANKS, RAILROADS, AND CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATIONS. NUMEROUS FAMOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT FIGURES ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING JAMES BUTLER HICKOK, WYATT EARP, AND DALLAS STOUDENMIRE. THE BOOK CARRIES FOOTNOTES AND A 30 PAGE BIBLIOGRAPHY.