What unique characteristics of law enforcement existed in the Wild West? What myths concerning early western law enforcement continue today?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

There were a number of characteristics of law enforcement in the Wild West that differed from those in the more settled eastern states. The absence of government meant that law enforcement was performed largely by federal marshals and their deputies. Social conditions on the frontier affected law enforcement. Many different ethnic groups competed for scarce resources, leading to violence and even mob attacks. Economic conflicts between cattlemen and sheepherders led to range wars. After the Civil War, many men with firearm skills learned in the war turned to outlawry in the west after leaving the service. Overall, peace was maintained in the west by relying on a combination of four groups who assumed responsibility for law enforcement: private citizens, U.S. marshals, businessmen, and town police officers.

Some of the myths concerning early western law enforcement that persist today include

the supposed heroism of train robbers, while overlooking their total disregard for the safety and lives of their victims
a belief that sand-up gunfights occurred frequently, while in reality they were extremely rare
the belief that sheriffs spent all their time dealing with outlaws, while in reality they spent more time collecting taxes, inspecting cattle brands, maintaining jails, and serving civil papers
a belief that there were many violent criminals in the west, while in reality most people were inclined to be law abiding
the belief that violent deaths were commonplace in the west, when reality they were extremely rare