Most of the lawmen in the Old West weren't flamboyant, tight-lipped, tight-trousered puppets as portrayed in the movies, nor were they shady...
Sheriff Carl Hayden and the Beardless Boy Bandits
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Sheriff
Sheriff’s Duties: Other Than Keeping the Peace
As a rule peace officers in the Old West weren’t held to the high standards they are today. It wasn’t unusual to rough up a suspect in order to get...
The Last Watch
A timepiece stolen—and then returned. Gila County (AZ) Sheriff Glenn Reynolds had a strong reputation. He’d been involved in putting down the...
The Road to Redemption
Jack Watson put on a badge and went straight. Jack Watson was a hardcase. The Texan had spent time as a Ranger in his native state—but he also had a...
Armed and Courageous
Private Bill Foster wears his Arizona Ranger badge and holds the standard Ranger 1895 Winchester .30-40 lever-action rifle as he stands to the left...
Irregularities at the Polls
Irregularities at the polls on the frontier were common. Here are a few of my favorites: In 1870 in Yuma County the local Indians were used to cast...
The Town Tamer James Dodson kept a lid on Prescott, Arizona
Prescott, Arizona—unlike so many other Old West towns—was pretty peaceful during the frontier period. Much of the credit goes to James Dodson, who...
Motorized Posses, Deadly Dry-gulchers And Indian Tobacco
Who was the first sheriff to pursue outlaws in a motorized vehicle? Why’d the women of the Donner Party fare better than the men? And more!
The Wayward Lawman Something pushed Burt Alvord to the wrong side of the law.
Burt Alvord seemed headed down the righteous path in Tombstone and Cochise County. In 1886, at age 19, he was hired as a deputy sheriff by John...
Drinking And Gambling: A Bad Mix Ranger Outlaw learned the hard way.
Texas Ranger Bass Outlaw let his bad habits get the best of him in 1893. He was temporarily in charge of D Company when he went to the Buckhorn...
Political Shenanigans In San Simon The political election for Sheriff of PimaCounty in 1880...
In the political election for Sheriff of Pima County in 1880, Republican Bob Paul was running against the Democrat, Charlie Shibell for sheriff of...
What’s the difference between a marshal and a sheriff?
What’s the difference between a marshal and a sheriff? Mavis Starner Hanover, Pennsylvania Traditionally in the Old West, the sheriff was an elected...