Law in the Wild West - Writers Forum

Indigo · 09-21-2007, 05:43 AM

I have to admit that I have very little knowlege of American History so anything that you could tell me here would be very helpful.

I'm writing a story with a historical setting. It's set in a London which is mostly Victorian but with elements of other periods of history thrown in. It's basically an alternate universe; pretty dark and pretty Steampunk.

The plot involves my main characters, members of an organised crime group, taking a trip to the American West to sort out some trouble that involves them. Now, since my story is AU historical accuracy is not essential but I really want to get a feel for some of the facts of what it was actually like before I begin twisting it and changing it to suit my world.

My main question is this - what kind and what level of law-enforcement was there in the classic American Old West? You always get the impression from cowboy/gunslinger films that whatever policing there was was ineffectual. Was this the case?

playstation60 · 09-21-2007, 12:20 PM

To the best of my limited knowledge on the topic, that is the case. The policing was very ineffective.

Leyline · 09-21-2007, 01:58 PM

The American West: A Heritage Of Peace

Historian Richard Shenkman largely attributes this to the legacy of those reliably-violent Western films. "Many more people have died in Hollywood Westerns than ever died on the real Frontier…[i]n the real Dodge City, for example, there were just five killings in 1878, the most homicidal year in the little town's Frontier history: scarcely enough to sustain a typical two-hour movie."

PDF: The Not So Wild West

Taxiday · 09-22-2007, 02:28 PM

I would suggest you read some of Zane Gray's or Luis La'more (?)'s books.
The truth is what the previous post showed, most outlaws were afraid of towns as the people were armed and didn't hesitate to defend themselves.
Most western movies are a bunch of hoohy!

Mike C · 09-23-2007, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taxiday

Most western movies are a bunch of hoohy!

True, but largely irrelevant. If you write the wild west as being a lawless place full of murderous gunslingers, it will resonate with people's perception of what's real (as seen in the movies) and therefore won't upset anyone. Effectively, you can write it in whatever way works for you. And as an alternative history, doubly so.

The Backward OX · 09-23-2007, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

True, but largely irrelevant. If you write the wild west as being a lawless place full of murderous gunslingers, it will resonate with people's perception of what's real (as seen in the movies) and therefore won't upset anyone. Effectively, you can write it in whatever way works for you. And as an alternative history, doubly so.

Provided always that she doesn't forget to remember the Alamo.

DavidGil · 09-23-2007, 04:55 AM

What I can remember from films is that the towns are run by small groups of policemen with the sheriff at the head and under the mayor who chooses the sheriff. Each sheriff with his deputies is also in charge of a part of land. So if you leave that territory, you're out of his duristiction. I think a Marshall though has duristiction over the entire country though.

Anyways, that's what I can remember from the films and I don't claim it to be right. If I'm wrong, someone can correct me.

Mike C · 09-23-2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Provided always that she doesn't forget to remember the Alamo.

I'm with Ozzy Osbourne on that one - Piss on the Alamo.

halogen · 09-23-2007, 11:45 AM

I'd start with looking up books, newspapers, periodicals and pamphlets written in the period you are trying to reflect.

Internet Archive: American Libraries

Internet Archive: Details: Life and adventures of Sam Bass, the notorious Union Pacific and Texas train robber : together with a graphic account of his capture, and death, sketch of the members of his band, with thrilling pen pictures of their many b

Internet Archive: Details: Cowboy songs and other frontier ballads

Internet Archive: Details: Ten years a cowboy

Internet Archive: Details: The report at large of the coroner's inquest on Jane Watson, shot at Mr. Robinson's address, &c. ... : the verdict,--wilful murder, against Mr. Robinson's butler ...

Internet Archive: Details: Murder, capital punishment, and the law

Indigo · 09-23-2007, 12:38 PM

Thank you so much!

This is so helpful; all the links people have posted are fantastic!

wmd · 09-23-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidGil

What I can remember from films is that the towns are run by small groups of policemen with the sheriff at the head and under the mayor who chooses the sheriff. Each sheriff with his deputies is also in charge of a part of land. So if you leave that territory, you're out of his duristiction. I think a Marshall though has duristiction over the entire country though.

Anyways, that's what I can remember from the films and I don't claim it to be right. If I'm wrong, someone can correct me.

When researching a topic I would not look to films for any answers.

and what is duristiction?

Faustling · 09-23-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmd

When researching a topic I would not look to films for any answers.

Well, since one of the reasons to do proper research is to give the readers the impression that it's "real" DavidGil could have a point. Most peoples' knowledge of the old west comes from movies and if it's very different then the movies it might seem strange to them. Indigo will have to choose but I honestly don't know which opinion would be better.

DavidGil · 09-23-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmd

When researching a topic I would not look to films for any answers.

and what is duristiction?

Err, a bit embarrassing. For some reason when I typed it, the forum didn't flag it with the squiggly red line but... Jurisdiction is the correct spelling!

Though I assume you knew what I meant. *grins*

A bit embarrassing that, I normally have my spelling entirely correct and the faults with my writing come from elsewhere.

wmd · 09-23-2007, 06:14 PM

I knew what you meant... just bustin your balls.

wmd · 09-23-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faustling

Well, since one of the reasons to do proper research is to give the readers the impression that it's "real" DavidGil could have a point. Most peoples' knowledge of the old west comes from movies and if it's very different then the movies it might seem strange to them. Indigo will have to choose but I honestly don't know which opinion would be better.

If that is the case then there is no need to research the topic... just watch a couple hollywood westerns. There is a difference between making something real and making it the way everyone thinks is real. (neither of which is wrong mind you).

The OP is writing a fantasy that is mainly steampunk in nature. If that is the case there is no need to be realistic.