U.S. Marshals of the Wild, Wild West

Breaking the law with the

I've always had a thing for a man in uniform, especially policemen so I thought it might be interesting to research U.S. Marshals of the West, specifically the 1800's.  It actually looks like lawmen date back to the late 1700's.

When I think of U.S. Marshals, I automatically picture weathered cowboys riding the range or chasing outlaws in a gunfight and in reality they really did do those things.  I think I was born in the wrong era lol.  I do know it was a rough life, however they really didn't know any different.  Oh to learn the ways of the old west.

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Let's start with a brief timeline:

1789:  Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency  On September 24, President George Washington appointed the first 13 U.S. Marshals following the passage of the first Judiciary Act. 

Until the creation of the Secret Service in 1865, Marshals were frequently called upon to pursue counterfeiters.

1865 - 1900:  U.S. Marshals were instrumental in keeping law and order in the "Old West" era and involved in apprehending desperadoes such as the Dalton Gang, Bill Doolin, and Ned Christie. 

October 26 - Tombstone, Arizona Territory - Marshal Virgil Earp and his deputies, brothers Wyatt and Morgan Earp, and Doctor John H. Holliday, gunned down Frank and Tom McLaury, and Billy Clanton in a vacant lot just down the street from the O.K. Corral.1881

1896 : July 1 - The fee system of paying Marshals was abolished.  The Marshals were put on annual salary.

1917:  Marshals and World War I: While American troops fought in the trenches of Europe, United States Marshals protected the home front against enemy aliens, spies, and saboteurs. 

*There's alot more but i only wanted to focus on the 1800's primarily.   

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Type of badge from the 1880's.

During the 1880's & 1890's Marshals also carved badges out of coins

This picture is listed as just a few of the 

U.S. Marshals of Garvin County, OK.

Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch

Lawmen of Dodge City and Ford County, Kansas

(which includes Wyatt Earp front row, 2nd from left)

Read more HERE

Earp Brothers & Doc Holiday

Ned Christie Cherokee Outlaw

The Dalton Gang

Any of these that you would like to go back in time and meet?  I think i'd be particularly interested in meeting Wyatt Earp.

Thanks for stopping by today !

Just a Few Tidbits About The Old West

www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com

Between the years of 1870 to 1885 (the heart of the Old West) there were 45 homicides in the then ‘wild cow towns’ of Kansas combined. Abilene, Ellsworth, Wichita, Dodge City and Caldwell. Of those 45 murders, (or shootings) 16 were committed by law men. And other than Ellsworth and Dodge City, none of those towns ever had more than five killings per year.

 

Abilene, once known as the wildest of cow towns, went for over two years without a single murder. Wild Bill Hickok was elected sheriff of Abilene in 1971—back then, before being made famous by overly inflated stories, he was known as “Duck Bill” because of his ‘somewhat on the large size’ nose. Buffalo Bill Cody fired Wild Bill from his stages shows because “Hickok had a voice like a girl.”

 

Another famous lawman—Wyatt Earp—was arrested for horse theft in Arkansas, and he and his brother Morgan were arrested for running ‘bordellos’ in Chicago before they made their way west. Though proclaimed to be a Buffalo Hunter, Earp never shot a buffalo, he did drive a wagon on a hunt once.

 

The first gold rush wasn’t to California in 1849, but to New Mexico in 1832. 

 

Henry the Kid doesn’t have the same ring as “Billy the Kid” does it? Well, Henry McCarty, AKA, Billy the Kid, who supposedly shot 21 men before his young death, in fact, only shot about 4.

 

In the early 1800’s North America had over 300 different languages being spoken between its borders.

 

Saloons in Deadwood, SD were the first to start covering their floors with sawdust. The shavings would conceal the gold dust customers dropped and was swept up and sifted every night by the saloon owners.

 

Speaking of Deadwood, it was the second community in the US to have a telephone. The first being Washington D.C.

 

Cole Younger, who rode with Jesse James, after serving over 20 years in prison, got a job selling tombstones when he got out.

 

Camels were used as pack animals in Nevada until the late 1870’s. 

 

An estimated 350,000 people traveled the Oregon Trail. One in seventeen did not make it to Oregon. The most common cause of death was cholera.

A Colt Peacemaker cost $17.00 in 1873, therefore making it a very expensive weapon. Not really designed for anything outside of killing, they were not practical to own or buy—and stood out like a sore thumb. 

 

I've gathered the above tidbits while researching over the years and I can’t claim they are 100% accurate, but I usually don’t save something in my ‘interesting facts’ file unless I’m pretty-darn sure, meaning it’s been verified by more than one source. I recycled this post from a couple of years ago because I was reminded it was my turn to blog here at Cowboy Kisses today and I didn't have anything ready to go. I have to say, I'd forgotten some of these little tidbits and hope you enjoyed reading them (again). 

Enjoy your "cowboy" ;), and thanks for stopping by.

#WomenoftheWest Clothing

I have to admit, I'm a T-shirt, jeans and boots girl most of the time. But on days like today, I love my sweats and sweatshirts and just sitting here. (I've also been known to run errands in sweats.) But trying to get my ranch going and dealing multiple times a day with livestock, jeans and boots are the way to go.

With that, most people dress for practicality. Weather it be for work or other activities. You tend to dress for whatever it is you have to do. I wonder how practical all the dresses were in the 1800s and 1900s with women doing a lot of hard work around the home.

I can shoot a gun, but admittedly, I've never done it in a dress or skirt. However, I imagine it's not that difficult.

Cleaning chicken coops, horse stalls, pig pens, and such....again possible - but not high up on my to do list. Who wants a skirt getting in the way?

And the "under clothes?" I'm going to go on a limb and say "No thank you."

And riding a horse in a dress? I have horses and I've not tried it (although this post may have just inspired me to see what it was like), but I can't imagine I'd care much for it. Sitting side-saddle, for me, is a big not happening.

Imagine all the extra material you would need just to be able to maneuver on and off a horse.

I'll agree that I've always kind of wanted to dress like Scarlet in Gone With the Wind. The pretty dresses and gloves. But I have a feeling it would get old rather quickly.

The National Park Service Turns 100

By Peggy L Henderson

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the National Parks system. And it all started in Yellowstone… with the US Army.

In 1872, President U.S. Grant signed into law the Yellowstone National Park Protection Law, making Yellowstone the nation’s first national park. Protecting a large area of land was a big deal, because during that era, it was all about expansion. The new law states “…the headwaters of the Yellowstone River…is hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale … and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” 

However, there were problems. Lawmakers didn’t think that maintaining the park would cost the government anything. The first superintendent, Nathaniel Langford, was unpaid in his position.  He did what he could to protect wildlife and the natural features. Without money, he couldn’t hire anyone to enforce the laws within the park. 

When the second superintendent, Philetus Norris,  took over in 1877, Congress appropriated money to “protect, preserve, and improve the Park.”

Roads were constructed and a “gamekeeper” was hired to get rid of vandals and poachers. He was succeeded by three superintendents who were ineffective at protecting the park. Even with ten assistants, they could not properly police the park and couldn’t stop the destruction of wildlife. 

The army posing in front of the Liberty Cap at Mammoth Hot Springs where Ft Yellowstone was built

In 1886, Congress refused to appropriate money for Yellowstone. The Secretary of the Interior therefore called on the help from the Department of War. So on August 20, 1886, the US Army took control of Yellowstone. They didn’t expect to stay long, but they were so effective in keeping law and order in the park, that they remained for 30 years. 

On May 11, 1891, the army received approval for a permanent base, and began constructing Fort Yellowstone inside the park. Prior to this date, the Army had operated out of Camp Sheridan, located at the base of the Mammoth Terraces. 

Mounted cavalry at Ft Yellowstone

The army, comprised of Company M of the US cavalry, enforced regulations inside the Yellowstone Park boundaries, guarded the major attractions, patrolled the interior, and got rid of troublemakers. Their main role turned out to be apprehending poachers. Poachers slaughtered deer, elk, and bison, threatening their extermination. The maximum punishment at the time for poachers was eviction and banishment from the park.

In 1894, the cavalry arrested one persistent poacher, Ed Howell for killing bison when there were only several dozen left in the park. A journalist was present at the arrest, and sent a report and photographs to his newspaper in the east. His story created a national outcry, and within two months, Congress passed the Lacey Act, giving the army greater authority for protecting animals and features in the park. 

The image that spurred the Lacey Act (soldiers with confiscated bison heads from poacher Ed Howell)

While the army was great at protecting the park, they couldn’t do much when it came to answering visitor questions about the area. Furthermore, 12 other national parks had since been established in the US, all under different administration. 

Finally, on August 25, 1916, Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act, creating an agency that would manage all national parks. The first national park rangers, many of whom were veterans of the army, took over in Yellowstone in 1918.

early NPS image, ca 1929

Peggy L Henderson

Western Historical and Time Travel Romance

“Where Adventure Awaits and Love is Timeless”

Award-Winning Author of:

Yellowstone Romance Series

Teton Romance Trilogy

Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series

Blemished Brides Western Historical Romance Series

Wilderness Brides Historical Romance Series

                

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A Little More About Me

Most of you know I’m originally from upstate New York. I have one sister and two brothers. They reside in or near my hometown of Schenectady. I’m close with my sister. She and I keep in touch thru email and Facebook, plus she critiques my work. Sandy has two sons. The oldest is in college and the youngest just graduated high school. He will begin college this fall, earning a degree in culinary arts.

Rick, Sandy, Joe and me 1986

My brother, Joe, has one daughter who is in nursing school, and my brother, Rick has two sons. Devin is 22. Last time we visited the family, he drove me to Starbucks, which I laugh about because it seems like yesterday when he was a toddler splashing in the kiddie pool on the patio with my dog, Rip. His brother will begin preschool this fall and looks exactly like Devin. Being two thousand miles away, I miss my family. When we do get back to New York every couple of years, I enjoy catching up with everyone and seeing how much the kids have grown.

kiddo, Mom, Dad, Devin

My parents are the glue to the family, with mom keeping us sane. There isn’t anything they wouldn’t do for us, or us for them. One of my fondest memories is the blizzard of ’93. The hubs was stationed in Greenland and my Dad was celebrating his 50^th Birthday. With the dog, I made the drive from McGuire AFB to New York for Dad’s party. Getting there wasn’t a problem. It was after the party that the blizzard struck. I had to get back to Jersey, so Dad drove me and the dog home. About five miles from the base, I thought were we going to get set stuck in the middle of the road. The snow was high and visibility was terrible, but somehow Dad plowed through and got us to the base. He stayed until Monday and took the bus back to New York, after the highways had been cleared. It was quite an adventure and one I’ll never forget.

Seaside Heights, NJ

While the hubs and I were in New Jersey, we often went to the beach. There’s something soothing about walking the boardwalk in the salt air sipping on a lemonade. I’m not much of a lemonade fan, except for when at the beach. Seaside Heights was a favorite since it was close to the base, but so was Atlantic City. And New York City. Often we’d drive up to NYC, spend time with Gram and shop in Manhattan, take in a Broadway show or admire the stores and Rockefeller Center decorated for Christmas. About four years ago, we were finally able to take the kiddo to NYC and he loved it, especially the pizza! He didn’t get to see everything so we’ll have to take him back again in another year or two.

From New Jersey we went to Colorado, then to Virginia and retired back to Colorado. More on those travels at a later date. For now, I’ll leave you with some fun facts about me.

Favorite song: Amarillo By Morning by George Strait

Favorite books: Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey and Double Standards by Judith McNaught

Favorite drink: iced tea

Favorite food: Italian

Favorite plant: Sage

Favorite flower: Lily

Favorite actor & actress: John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara

Favorite movie: McClintock, White Christmas

Favorite place: New York City

How To Make Butter

by Shanna Hatfield

Butter.

Such a simple thing, but so creamy and delicious and so vital to any number of recipes. Or even better, pooling on a piece of bread fresh from the oven.

For centuries it has been something that tied humans together. I can't tell you how many times I've read a book (or even written a scene) that includes someone buttering something or dropping a glob in a skillet to fry something.


The other day Captain Cavedweller asked (okay, begged) me to make fried chicken for dinner. I had everything I needed except buttermilk to give the chicken a bath before I fried it.

Rather than make the jaunt into town to the store, I decided to make my own buttermilk. Truthfully, I wanted to try my hand at making butter in my stand mixer and the by-product of the buttermilk was a convenience excuse!

Once, years ago, I tried making butter by shaking it in a jar. It took somewhere between half of forever and an eon. By the time it turned into a solid form, my arms were ready to fall right out of the sockets.

The stand mixer  is a fast, simple way to make it. You could also do this in a food processor, blender, or with a regular hand-held mixer.

Homemade Butter

1 pt. heavy cream (if you have access to fresh cream, awesome, if not, just purchase some heavy whipping cream)


Pour the cream into a mixing bowl. You want to give it plenty of  "splash" room. I set my stand mixer on medium speed and let it go for about five minutes. By this time it had turned to a heavy whipped cream. Feel free to snitch a taste at this point. I scraped the sides of the bowl and let it go for another five minutes. Again, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Return to mixing on medium speed. Continue mixing until the solids separate from the buttermilk.

The butter will be the palest, prettiest yellow!

Scoop out the butter into a double layer of cheesecloth (or a thin kitchen towel) and squeeze out any remaining buttermilk. Rinse the butter in cold water.

If you want your butter salted (who doesn't, right?), you can blend in salt to taste. The salt will also help it keep in the fridge a little longer. And it is super hard to over-salt butter, but try about 1/3 teaspoon to start.

You could also get all fancy and mix in fresh herbs for a savory butter or blend in honey and lavender.

This will yield about one cup of butter. Store covered in the refrigerator.

See, wasn't that easy?

 ~*~ 

Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, USA Today best-selling author Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen, one story at a time. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with relatable characters. When this hopeless romantic isn’t writing or indulging in rich, decadent chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Find Shanna’s books at:

 Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple

 

Shanna loves to hear from readers. Follow her online at:  

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Story Excavation

By Kristy McCaffrey

How do writers find their stories?

The great mythologist Joseph Campbell stated in The Hero With A Thousand Faces: “Throughout the inhabited world, in all times and under every circumstance, the myths of man have flourished; and they have been the living inspiration of whatever else may have appeared out of the activities of the human body and mind.”

Stories live within us, whether we acknowledge them or not. A writer’s job is to excavate this terrain and bring it forth into the world. The act of experiencing a well-told tale, via a novel or a film or a bedtime story, will activate this internal landscape, sparking a recognition deep in the psyche.

A writer uses any number of tools at his or her disposal—intuition, dreams, research, imagination. Shaman and dream archaeologist Robert Moss says that stories are hunting for the right person to tell them. If a story is pressing on you to be told, and you ignore the call, the narrative will find another outlet for expression. This has often been called an artist’s muse, and many a writer has lamented when their source of inspiration has left them.

How to invite the stargazer, the fantasizer, the daydreamer to remain close? In Women Who Run With The Wolves, Jungian psychologist Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes says that (for women) the Wild Woman is necessary for all that is needed and known. Wild Woman is a vehicle to our instinctual nature, bringing us close to the wild terrain of our most primitive self.

“It means to establish territory, to find one’s pack, to be in one’s body with certainty and pride regardless of the body’s gifts and limitations, to speak and act in one’s behalf, to be aware, alert, to draw on the innate feminine powers of intuition and sensing, to come into one’s cycles, to find what one belongs to, to rise with dignity, to retain as much consciousness as we can.”

One way to excavate is through story collecting, an excellent device to fill the creative coffers. The more story bones acquired, the more tools that are at hand in creating the ‘whole’ story.

Natalie Goldberg, in Writing Down The Bones, offers other ideas: carry a notebook with you at all times, practice timed writing with no editing (first thoughts aren’t controlled by the ego), write consistently to strengthen the storytelling muscle.

But anything we do fully, we do alone. This is especially true with writing. And while writing for others can be motivating, while story hunting may be fueled by the desire for accolades, always remember that the process isn’t simply to trigger an awareness and a change within the reader, but also to grow the vast reservoir of the soul-terrain of the writer herself. Goldberg says, “Writing is a path to meet ourselves and become intimate.”

“That’s very nice if they want to publish you, but don’t pay too much attention to it. It will toss you away. Just continue to write.” ~ Katagiri Roshi

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Kristy McCaffrey has been writing since she was very young, but it wasn’t until she was a stay-at-home mom that she considered becoming published. She’s the author of several historical western romances, all set in the American southwest. She lives in the Arizona desert with her husband, two chocolate labs, and whichever of their four teenage children happen to be in residence.

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