NOTE: this topic is a stated topic on the Edexcel specification.  It is NOT a stated topic on the AQA specification, but lawlessness was a problem facing both Gold Mining settlements and the Homesteaders.

Source A

Problems in Virginia City - A Gold Mining Town in the 1860s

There was lots of gold, and to get it every trick was used by the gamblers, the traders and the vile men and women who had come with the miners.  Nearly every third but in the town was a saloon where vile whisky was sold for 50 cents a drink in gold dust.  Many of these places were filled with gambling tables and gamblers, and the miner who dared to go in with his day's earnings in his pocket, seldom left with any money. 

There were many hurdy-gurdy dance-houses, and plenty town beauties in there.  There too, the successful miner, lured by pretty smiles, drunk, would empty his purse into the lap of a girl for half-an-hour in her arms. 

Not a day or night passed which did not give fights, quarrels, wounds or murders.  The crack of the revolver was often heard above the merry notes of the violin.  Street fights were frequent, and every one was on his guard against a stray bullet. 

NP Langford, Vigilante Days and Ways (1893)
hurdy-gurdy: hand-organ.

Source B

Dark Days in Bannack - A Gold Mining Town in Montana in 1862

These were dark days in Bannack; there was no safety for life or property, unless a person could protect it with his trusty rifle. 

The honest citizens far outnumbered the desperadoes, but they did not know each other, and did not know who to trust. 

On the other hand, the 'Roughs' were well organised and under the leadership of a bad man, Henry Plummer.  At times it seemed as though they were running the town. 

Granville Stuart, Forty Years on the Frontier (1902)
desperadoes: bandits.

Consider:

1. Using source A, list four things that made places such as Virginia City dangerous and bad places. 

2.  Why weren't the honest citizens in Bannack (Source B) able to keep law and order? 

Source C

Montana Vigilantes

There was so much lawlessness that five men in Virginia City and four in Bannack began the vigilante movement. 

In a few short weeks people knew that the voice of justice had spoken.  The vigilantes took the weapon from the murderer, told the thief to steal no more, and forced the ruffians who for so long had kept a 'reign of terror' to run away. 

Justice and safety are the right of every American citizen.  This must be kept by the law where possible.  But where justice is blind and powerless, people have the right to protect themselves. 

Professor TJ Dinsdale, The Vigilantes of Montana (1866)

Source D

Idaho Vigilantes

The general lawlessness resulted in the vigilante gangs; and everywhere they have brought trouble upon the community.  The remedy for crime is worse than the crime.

The editor of the Idaho World newspaper (1865)

Consider:

1.  How does Interpretation C differ from Interpretation D about the actions of the vigilantes?

2.  Why might the authors of Interpretations C and D have a different interpretation about the actions of the vigilantes?

3.  Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about the actions of the vigilantes?  Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations C and D.

Source E

A Sheriff's Problems

In spite of the stories, it was not a glamour job full of adventure and danger.  The sheriff did all the police work, had charge of the jail, and served as traffic cop and dog catcher.  Drunks, petty thieves, breaking city rules, stray dogs .  .  .  took most of his time.  His wage varied, but was never very high.  Sometimes the police were given some of the fines they collected as part of their wages.  Some towns even made them buy the uniform, and gave the sheriff only a star, club and whistle. 

For this, the tax payers expected a superman, on the spot whenever there was trouble and on duty at all times.  If the town did not pay enough for two shifts, there was no sheriff either during the day or at night-time. 

The basic problem was money.  The public were penny wise and pound foolish.  Certain citizens were willing to ignore crime if they made a profit.  Without public support, the sheriffs were powerless to stop the criminals. 

Duane Smith, Rocky Mountain Mining Camps (1893)
penny wise and pound foolish: the people paid the sheriff as little as possible, even though this meant they lost lots of money in crime.

Source F

Henry Plummer

Henry Plummer, seemed 'a perfect gentleman' but was really a thief and killer.  He was the chief of the 'Road Agents' gang, and told the honest sheriff of Virginia City that 'he would not live much longer' if he did not resign. 

Plummer became sheriff at Virginia City.  One of the deputies was an honest man.  When he got to know what Plummer was up to, he was shot dead in public by three of the Road Agents gang. 

There was no longer any law.  Men dared not go outside after dark, nor risk their life by saying who had robbed or wounded them.  Murder happened every day. 

JW Chapman, Echoes from the Rocky Mountains (1889)

Consider:

1.  Using source E, describe five reasons a sheriff's job was "not a glamour job of adventure and danger", and three reasons why sheriffs were not able to do their job properly. 

2.  Using all the sources A-F, and your wider knowledge, explain which the more important reason why there was lawlessness and lack of order in the early 'wild' west:
• honest citizens failed to establish law and order
• the criminals succeeded in breaking the law