American Frontier Lawmen 1850-1930

In the 1840s, gold had officially been discovered in California, and many men made their way out West in search of riches. The early mining camps were dangerous places full of violence and crime. Law and order was needed, and the Vigilante Committee became the first organized deliverer of justice in these turbulent new towns. As more and more people headed out West, and many new towns sprang up, a more official system of law was needed. From the days of the California Gold Rush to the killing of Bill Tilghman, the last of the traditional frontier lawmen, this book discusses the men that shaped law and order in the 'Wild, Wild West'.

Rough law for a rough land
The reign of Judge Lynch
Blood feuds and range wars
Gunfighters, outlaws, and badmen
Towns that ate men for breakfast
From tribal law to white man's law
The triumph of the law
The professional lawman
Bibliography