Page 69 - All About History - Issue 56-17

Lawmen of the Frontier

Misinformers from the
Pinkerton Detective Agency

Texas Rangers
in the 1860s

Tombstsotone, Arizona, was the location
of the famous Gunfight at the OK Corral

Canadian Mounties were
ruthless but well disciplined

game. As the huge ranches blossomed, cattle their own rules. Frontier justice often involved a Rangers, Northwest Mounted Police, US Marshals
rustling and horse theft became profitable for prisoner, a length of rope and the nearest available and the Pinkerton Detective Agency made their
those prepared to risk being shot. tree. Without stern law enforcers, mobs even took names in this era and still exist today, albeit in
Facing a crime wave, local law enforcement prisoners from jails solely to hang them high. very different forms. All of these institutions
faced many problems. Firstly, lawmen in these Facing a breakdown in law and order, state and have their own distinct lineage and place in
fledgling frontier towns were grossly understaffed national organisations were needed. The Texas American history.
and poorly paid, while facing both outlaws’ guns
and criticism from town officials if they seemed
weak on crime or overly heavy-handed. What’s “mobs even took prisoners From
more, their jurisdiction was limited. Anyone could
break the law, then cross the nearest county or
state line when pursued. But the local sheriff
wasn’t legally allowed to keep up the chase. jaiLs soLeLy to hang them high”
With established law often unavailable — and
its enforcers often corrupt — mobs often enforced
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