LEONARD, ELMORE.
VALDEZ IS COMING.
Fawcett Publications, Inc., [1970]., Greenwich, Connecticut: 1970
First edition. Gift inscription boldly signed on the half title page : "For -- & -- / with best wishes / Elmore Leonard." Paperback original. Gold Medal R2328. "They laughed at Roberto Valdez and then ignored him. But when a dark-skinned man was holed up in a shack with a gun, they sent the part-time town constable to deal with the problem . and made sure he had no choice but to gun the fugitive down. Trouble was, Valdez killed an innocent man. And when he asked for justice . and some money for the dead man's woman . they beat Valdez and tied him to a cross. They were still laughing when Valdez came back. And then they began to die." This story was adapted for the 1971 film of the same name that starred Burt Lancaster as the revenge-filled title character. Faint reading creases on the spine, minor wear to spine ends and a light diagonal corner crease to lower portion of the rear cover, else a near fine copy.
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FOUR YEARS IN THE ROCKIES; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ISAAC P. ROSE, OF SHENANGO TOWNSHIP, LAWRENCE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA; GIVING HIS EXPERIENCE AS A HUNTER AND TRAPPER IN THAT REMOTE REGION, AND CONTAINING NUMEROUS INTERESTING AND THRILLING INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH HIS CALLING. ALSO INCLUDING HIS SKIRMISHES AND BATTLES WITH THE INDIANS–HIS CAPTURE, ADOPTION AND ESCAPE–BEING ONE OF THE MOST THRILLING NARRATIVES EVER PUBLISHED
First Edition. 12mo. Original Cloth.262 pp., Frontis. [portrait], Preface, Introduction. Graff 2688 says, "The account of Rose's adventures supplements the stories of the Wyeth expedition and of the early fur trade days. Rose was captured by Indians, but escaped." Rose and Joe Lewis started from Pennsylvania to become fur trappers with the Nathaniel J. Wyeth's St. Louis Company. Rose later joined Jim Bridger, Milton Sublette, Kit Carson, Joe Meek, Bill Williams, and others, trapping and trading all over the Rocky Mountains and Oregon country. His journal forms a collateral journal in conjunction with some few known accounts of the times. Light general soiling and some minor edgewear. Very good-near fine copy. Protected in custom slipcase.THE HAUNTING OF THE MEXICAN BORDER, A WOMAN’S JOURNEY
FERGUSON, KATHRYN First edition. 8vo. Signed by the author on the title page. Color pictorial stiff wrappers, xii, 228 pp., frontispiece, illustrated, in memoriam, acknowledgments. If you are interested in the U. S. / Mexican border crisis this book provides an excellent insight into the dilemma. "An unforgettable memoir that takes readers south to Raramuri country then north into Arizona's militarized culture of terrorized immigrants and the people who stand up for them. The writing is exquisite, descriptive, action-packed, and deeply meditative. The book reads like a novel; I couldn't put it down." --- Demetria Martinez. This book explores how US immigration policies erode the lives of ordinary citizens on both sides of the border. Fine copy.SANTA BARBARA, TIERRA ADORADA. A COMMUNITY HISTORY
HILL, LAURANCE L. AND MARION PARKS [PREPARED BY] First edition. 8vo. Pictorial stiff wrappers, 112 pp., foreword, illustrated mostly from photographs, portraits. In the center of the booklet is a two-page spread that provides a panoramic view of Santa Barbara. A wonderful and enlightening community history of Santa Barbara from its early days to the 1930. Minor wear to the oversized stiff wrappers else a fine copy.THE MAIN LINE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CANAL THROUGH MIFFLIN COUNTY
WAGNER, ORREN R. [ASSISTANT COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, MIFFLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS] First edition. 8vo. Yellow printed wrappers, 28 pp., foreword, illustrated, map, references. A booklet of Mifflin County compiled and edited from magazines, newspapers, essays, and historical documents by Orren R. Wagner of the Mifflin County Historical Society. Fine copy.OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS. A GRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE EARLY DAYS IN OKLAHOMA; THE BANDITS WHO TERRORIZED THE FIRST SETTLERS AND THE MARSHALS WHO FOUGHT THEM TO EXTINCTION; COVERING A PERIOD OF TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.
GRAVES, RICHARD S. First Edition. 12mo. Original Pictorial Red Wrappers, [6], 131 pp., Frontis., Plates, Portraits. Six Guns 859 says, " Touches upon most of the better-known Oklahoma outlaws and marshals. In 1914-1915 a group of old officers of Oklahoma, including Nix, Madsen, and Tilghman, organized a company and made a motion picture entitled THE PASSING OF THE OKLAHOMA OUTLAW. It was to be a true presentation of history, and Mr. Tilghman was chosen director. Mr. Graves was paid to write this little book from material given him by Mr. Tilghman, and the latter had it printed in a local print shop. It was published to be sold at the theaters where the picture was exhibited." Contains exploits and biographical sketches on Bill Tilghman, Chris Madsen, E. D. Nix, Heck Thomas, Bud Ledbetter, the Daltons, Ed Short, the Doolins, and many others. Some light wear to spine ends and corners, and a diagonal crease and a tiny hole to the rear wrapper, not affecting illustration of "Cattle Annie" and "Little Breeches", The Girl Outlaws. Very good-near fine copy, rarely seen in original wrappers.OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS. A GRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE EARLY DAYS IN OKLAHOMA; THE BANDITS WHO TERRORIZED THE FIRST SETTLERS AND THE MARSHALS WHO FOUGHT THEM TO EXTINCTION; COVERING A PERIOD OF TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.
GRAVES, RICHARD S. First Edition. 12mo. Pictorial Red Wrappers, [6], 131 pp., Frontis., Plates, Portraits. Six Guns 859 says, " Touches upon most of the better-known Oklahoma outlaws and marshals. In 1914-1915 a group of old officers of Oklahoma, including Nix, Madsen, and Tilghman, organized a company and made a motion picture entitled THE PASSING OF THE OKLAHOMA OUTLAW. It was to be a true presentation of history, and Mr. Tilghman was chosen director. Mr. Graves was paid to write this little book from material given him by Mr. Tilghman, and the latter had it printed in a local print shop. It was published to be sold at the theaters where the picture was exhibited." Contains exploits and biographical sketches on Bill Tilghman, Chris Madsen, E. D. Nix, Heck Thomas, Bud Ledbetter, the Daltons, Ed Short, the Doolins, and many others. Professionally restored preserving the pictorial front panel and photographic rear panel, else a near fine copy. Very scarce. Protected in a custom clamshell box, with title, author, and year of publication in gilt on leather label on spine.DALTON GANG DAYS
LATTA, FRANK F. First Edition. Cloth. xviii, 293pp. Frontispiece. Profusely Illustrated. Annotated Coffeyville Street Map on Endpapers. Introduction. Index. An excellent study of the lives of all of the Dalton brothers. The author interviewed Littleton Dalton, Emmett Dalton, and Eugene W. Kay, Sheriff of Tulare County during this period. A detailed account of the Dalton Gang's attempt to rob two banks at once in Coffeyville, Kansas on October 5, 1892; an ill-conceived plan which resulted in the death of 4 of the gang and 3 citizens, and the wounding of others, including Emmett Dalton, the only surviving gang member. As New in the very scarce dust jacket.A PICTURE TOUR OF OLD GANADO MISSION
PRICE, THERESA, ROBERTA PINO, ET AL [EDITED BY TERENCE EGAN] First edition. 8vo. Pictorial wrappers,39 [1] pp., illustrated from photographs, acknowledgements. History and photographs of the historic mission located on the Navajo Indian Reservation at Ganado, Arizona. A scarce item. Fine copy.THE STORIES THEY TOLD US” AS TOLD BY THE ‘OLD TIMERS’ OF CHLORIDE, NEW MEXICO. STORIES ABOUT THE OLD DAYS IN AND AROUND CHLORIDE, NEW MEXICO
EDMUND, DONALD First edition. 8vo. Signed by the author on the title page. Color pictorial stiff wrappers, titles printed in brown ink, 216 pp., introduction, illustrated, after words. Stories from old timers about life in and around Chloride, New Mexico. Fine copy.THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE.
CONDON, RICHARD First edition. Fine, fresh copy in dust jacket. Basis for the United Artist 1962 film directed by John Frankenheimer that starred Laurence Harvey as Raymond Shaw, and Frank Sinatra as Ben Marco, and Janet Leigh. Raymond Shaw was the walking time bomb of this famous cold-war thriller. An exceptional copy of this iconic novel of the Cold War era. There may be another copy as nice as this one, but none better! Housed in a green cloth clamshell case with leather spine labels and titles stamped in gilt.SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA REFLECTIONS. LIVING HISTORY FROM THE WILD WEST
RING, BOB First edition. 8vo. Signed by the author on the title page. Color perfect bound, pictorial stiff wrappers, 174 pp., introduction, illustrated, portraits, maps, tables, appendix, primary sources, acknowledgements, about the author. A brief history, pioneers, events and happenings of Southeastern Arizona. A wealth of information that is interesting and reads well. As new, unread copy.OKLAHOMBRES. PARTICULARLY THE WILDER ONES.
NIX, EVETT DUMAS First Edition. Cloth, decorated endpapers, xix [1], 280 pp., Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Frontis, Illustrated, Chronology of Oklahoma. An interesting history of outlaws and lawmen in the Oklahoma Territory as told by Col. E.D. Nix, former U.S. Marshal in the Oklahoma Territory and the Cherokee Strip. "Written entirely about the outlaws of Oklahoma and the peace officers who chased them. It has chapters on the Daltons, the Doolin Gang, the Jennings Gang, Henry Starr, and others."---Ramon Adams. Fine, bright copy in the elusive dust jacket with some light wear to spine ends, edges, and corners.WHO KILLED CHESTER PRAY? A DEATH VALLEY MYSTERY. IN A LAST RUSH FOR RICHES IN THE AMERICAN WEST, A TALE OF FORTUNE, TREACHERY, LOVE, AND DECEIT
CLAPP, NICHOLAS First edition. 8vo. Color pictorial stiff wrappers, [8], 263 [1] pp., prologue, illustrated from photographs, portraits, maps, epilogue, notes, sources, and acknowledgements, index, about the author. "Seeking his fortune in the early 1900s, young prospector / assayer Chester Pray filched a Nevada sheriff's horses, stole gold belonging to a U. S. Senator, and ultimately discovered one of the richest lodes ever found in Death Valley. Then, Pray was shot dead in the night. By who? Why? As many as seven individuals had ample cause to kill Chester Pray. His new partners? Gunslinger 'Diamondfield Jack'? Even pretty Clara, his fiancé? The psychologically compelling answer is not what you might expect."--- rear cover promotional blurb. As new, unread copy.GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY. THE LIFE OF STAN JONES, THE SINGING RANGER
WARD, MICHAEL K. First edition. 8vo. Signed by the author on the title page. Color pictorial wrappers, vii, [blank], 200 pp., foreword, prologue, illustrated from photographs, epilogue, acknowledgments, notes, suggested reading, index. Stan Jones who wrote the famous "Ghost Riders in the Sky" music, was born in Douglas, Arizona in 1914. Eventually he became a Park Ranger and adopted the title "The Singing Ranger." Jones wrote a number of songs during his life time but none captured the nation like "Ghost Riders" which was performed by many singers including Burl Ives, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, etc. to name a few. Bill Broyles says on the promotional blurb on the rear cover, "I've waited a lifetime for a book this good on Stan Jones, who wrote the Ghost Riders song that lassoed a nation. Mike Ward rounds up a whole corral of facts and fun." As new, unread copy.ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF CRAWFORD “CHEROKEE BILL” GOLDSBY
E. D. MACFEE-PHOTOGRAPHER Original Photograph of "Cherokee Bill" and the Posse that captured him. Cabinet Card. Image: 5.375"x3.875". Mount: 6.5"x4.25". Mount has scalloped edges. This photograph was taken in Wagoner, Indian Territory on January 29, 1895. There are townsfolk at the edges and background of the image, but the focal point is "Cherokee Bill" Crawford Goldsby, surrounded by 5 Marshals, Deputies, and posse members. On the verso of this Cabinet Card is a lengthy, detailed account of "Cherokee Bill's" capture and the specific roles of each of the 5 captors that appear in the image, entitled: "Betrayal and Capture of Cherokee Bill". U.S.Marshal Ike Rogers, an acquaintance of Cherokee Bill lured Bill and his girlfriend to Roger's home for dinner and to spend the night. The next day Rogers hit Bill with a fireplace iron, then Rogers, Clint Scales, and Rogers wife jumped on Bill and were able to temporarily get him in handcuffs, and ultimately under guard of their Winchesters. They took Bill to 5 miles by wagon to Nowata, where he was taken under the control of U.S. Marshal Bill Smith. They went by train to Wagoner, where this photograph was taken by a local photographer, before moving on to Fort Smith. To "Cherokee Bill's" right stands Marshal Dick Crittendon, flanked by his brother and posse member, Zeke Crittendon. To Bill's left stands posse member Clint Scales, Marshal Ike Rogers (who Bill refused to allow to stand next to him), and U.S. Marshal Bill Smith. After much more trouble from "Cherokee Bill" in jail in Fort Smith, Bill was ultimately hung on March 17, 1896. Feeling that Bill had been betrayed by acquaintance/friend Marshal Ike Rogers, Bill's brother Clarence Goldsby shot and killed Ike Rogers on April 20, 1897. The account printed on the back of the mount is interesting and entertaining. Printed at end of the account is "Copyrighted by E. D. Macfee,.", with the ed in copyrighted crossed out and "applied for" handwritten in ink.indicative of an early imprint of this image. Image shows some minor fading, else in near fine condition. Provenance: From the Collection of Robert G. McCubbin.JOHNNY GUITAR
CHANSLOR, ROY First paperback edition. Published earlier by Simon & Schuster in May, 1953. Pocket Books #1017. First printing of this edition and first paperback edition. A movie tie-in edition with a Joan Crawford blurb about the film on the front endpaper. Basis for the groundbreaking 1954 western directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Joan Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge, and Sterling Hayden. Cover art by Gail Phillips. On the outskirts of town, the hard-nosed Vienna owns a saloon frequented by the undesirables of the region, including Dancin' Kid and his gang. Another patron of Vienna's establishment is Johnny Guitar, a former gunslinger and her lover. When a heist is pulled in town that results in a man's death, Emma Small, Vienna's rival, rallies the townsfolk to take revenge on Vienna's saloon . even without proof of her wrongdoing. A fine bright and unread copy of a superb Western film.WHEN THE DALTONS RODE
DALTON, EMMETT First Edition. Cloth, 313 pp. Frontis, Illustrations, Photographs, Pictorial Endpapers. Emmett Dalton tells about his experiences and those of his brothers, and their gang. Once working on the side of the law, he provides a great first-hand account of train robberies committed by the Dalton Gang. He tells the story of the famous double bank robbery the gang attempted in Coffeyville, Kansas that resulted in the death of Emmett's brothers Bob and Grat Dalton, as well as 2 other members of their gang. Badly wounded, Emmett Dalton survived to serve 15 years in the Kansas State Penitentiary, before he was pardoned in 1907. A fine, bright copy. Very scarce dust jacket shows light general soiling, with several closed tears that have been internally reinforced with clear tape. A very scarce, first-hand outlaw account.BILLY THE KID, THE WAR FOR LINCOLN COUNTY
COLEMAN, RYAN C. First edition. 8vo. Signed by the author on the title page. Author's first novel. Bright red cloth, titles printed in black on the spine, black front and rear endpapers, 329 pp. The author delivers a stunning epic first novel that shows you the young man behind the outlaw legend and takes readers inside the war for Lincoln County with gun-blazing ferocity," (Don Winslow). "Billy the Kid: The War for Lincoln County" is part western, part historical fiction, with Coleman's fine craftsmanship and ace storytelling making for a worthy addition to the history of Henry McCarty (a.k.a. William Bonney, a.k.a. Billy the Kid). The author's depth of character and attention to detail bring us even closer to the near-mythic figure we thought we knew. This is a must-read for western lovers and history buffs alike," (James Wade). As new, unread copy, in dust jacket.THE TONY HILLERMAN COMPANION. A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO HIS LIFE AND WORK
GREENBERG, MARTIN [EDITED BY]. First edition. Signed on the half title page by Tony Hillerman. Contains a Hillerman chronology, a book-by-book guide to his detective fiction, an interview with Hillerman, the Navajo Nation, Native American Clans in Hillerman's fiction, characters in Hillerman's fiction, a selection of Hillerman's nonfiction and fiction books, and eight pages of photographs. Maps on front and rear endpapers depict states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico where his mysteries are set. A fine, bright, unread copy in dust jacket. For any fan of Tony Hillerman this is an authoritative guide to his body of work and an absolutely essential reference, packed with revelations about Hillerman's extraordinary life and work.THE VIGILANTES OF MONTANA, OR, POPULAR JUSTICE IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. BEING A CORRECT AND IMPARTIAL NARRATIVE OF THE CHASE, TRIAL, CAPTURE, AND EXECUTION OF HENRY PLUMMER’S ROAD AGENT BAND. T0GETHER WITH ACCOUNTS OF THE LIVES AND CRIMES OF MANY OF THE ROBBERS AND DESPERADOES, THE WHOLE BEING INTERSPERSED WITH SKETCHES OF LIFE IN THE MINING CAMPS OF THE “FAR WEST.”
DIMSDALE, PROF. THOS. J Second Edition. 12mo. Original Grey Printed Wrappers, 241 [1] pp., Preface. Six Guns 596 says, "The original edition is said to be the first book produced by a printing press in Montana. Perhaps no book excels Dimsdale's in presenting the picture of lawless conditions that characterized the mining camps of the Rocky Mountain country." Howes D345 says, "Not only the first, but textually the most important book ever printed in Montana." "A famous western outlaw book, describing the organized lawlessness in Montana Territory in 1863-64 and its suppression by vigilantes led by Granville Stuart and other pioneer cattlemen of the Territory. It is also the first substantive book printed in Montana, and the first important book about outlaw types in the Rocky Mountain West".--Bill Reese, The Best Of The West-168. Three small stains along spine caused by aged short strips of cellophane tape, and light chipping to fore-edges, else a near-fine copySOME MUST WATCH.
WHITE, ETHEL LINA. First U.S. edition. 8vo. Originally published in the U.K. in 1933. This book is the basis for the 1946 RKO suspense movie, THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE, with Mel Dinelli as screenwriter and Robert Siodmak as director. This classic suspense film starred Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Ethel Barrymore, Elsa Lanchester, Rhonda Fleming, Kent Smith, and Rhy Williams. A thriller about a mute servant girl threatened by a killer who has a penchant for murdering the handicapped. The young girl, who has not been able to speak since childhood, must somehow call for help before becoming the killer's next victim. Near fine in a bright dust jacket, with light wear to spine ends, corners and extremities A scarce title and an attractive copy. Housed in a quarter leather and cloth clamshell case with titles stamped in gilt on the spine.GUNFIGHT AT INGALLS, DEATH OF AN OUTLAW TOWN
SHIRLEY, GLENN First Edition. Brown Cloth. x, 180pp. Numerous Illustrations. Diagrams. Maps. Ingalls Street Map on Endpapers. Preface. Extensive Bibliography. Index. An outstanding history of this famous gunfight. On September 1, 1893, three covered wagons carrying 24 lawmen rolled into Ingalls, Oklahoma Territory; a town frequented by Bill Doolin and his gang. The timing was right, in that Doolin, Bill Dalton, "Dynamite Dick" Clifton, "Arkansas Tom" Daugherty, "Bitter Creek" Newcomb, and "Tulsa Jack" Blake were all in-town, at the saloon. The early morning arrival of multiple covered wagons roused suspicion. The officers were discovered before they could all get into position. "Bitter Creek" opened up the gunfire, and so began the deadly battle. Although two of the outlaws were wounded, they escaped; but the battle resulted in the death of 3 lawmen and 2 innocent bystanders, and the wounding of 2 other citizens. As New in dust jacket. Signed by Glenn Shirley on half-title.UNITED STATES ARREST WARRANT, UNITED STATES VS. PERRY BREWER AND ED REED FOR LARCENY. GEORGE P. LAWSON, DEPUTY U. S. MARSHAL AT FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, APRIL 23, 1895, ARREST WARRANT AND EXPENSE VOUCHER FOR SERVING THE WARRANT
LAWSON, DEPUTY U. S. MARSHAL GEORGE P. First edition. 13 7/8" x 8 1/4" one sheet, folded 3 1/2" x 8 1/4." April 23, 1895, arrest warrant expense voucher signed by George P. Lawson, Deputy U.S. Marshal at Fort Smith, Arkansas, for executing an arrest warrant for Perry Brewer and Ed Reed near Wagoner, Indian Territory, who were charged with larceny in the Indian Country. Lawson sometimes served as hangman for "Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker, having hanged twelve men sentenced to be executed by Parker. Deputy Lawson helped track-down and kill "Dynamite Dick" Clifton of the Doolin Gang on November 7, 1897. Document also mentions "Commissioner" James Brizzolara, a leading citizen of Fort Smith who had once fought with Garibaldi in Italy and was involved in several duels including one with George R Phelan at Memphis where he was sounded. He was appointed United States Circuit Court Commissioner for the Western District of Arkansas on June 12, 1878. Further biography found in "HELL ON THE BORDER; HE HANGED EIGHT-EIGHT MEN. A HISTORY OF THE GREAT UNITED STATES CRIMINAL COURT AT FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, AND OF CRIME AND CRIMINALS IN THE INDIAN TERRITORY, AND THE TRIAL AND PUNISHMENT THEREOF BEFORE HIS HONOR JUDGE ISAAC C. PARKER, "THE TERROR OF LAW-BREAKERS" . by S.W. Harman (1898). As the frontier moved west, the U.S. Marshals went with it to uphold the law in remote, sparsely populated territories. The Federal District Court for the Western District of Arkansas was created in 1851 and held jurisdiction over 13 Arkansas counties and all of the Indian Territory. During the early 19th century, the federal government supported a policy of voluntary and forced removal of Indian tribes from lands in the eastern United States, to land in the west. Much of what is today the state of Oklahoma was then called the Permanent Indian Territory. Each tribe had tribal courts, which adjudicated disputes among Indians. If a white person was involved in a dispute with an Indian, however, the jurisdiction was placed with the federal courts. Later, some capital crimes, such as murder and rape, were made the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts. This made for a difficult situation, with criminals taking advantage of the confusion caused by the jurisdictional questions. Particularly after the Civil War, the Indian Territory became a haven for outlaws and criminal gangs. This was compounded by corruption and incompetence in the affairs of the court itself. In 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Isaac C. Parker to the federal judgeship in which he would become famous. The court had moved to Fort Smith in 1872, occupying the former enlisted barracks at the recently abandoned military post. Parker's predecessor had resigned in 1874 rather than be impeached. Judge Parker was charged with cleaning up the affairs of the court and bringing some semblance of order to the area, whose affairs were now a national scandal. Over 200 deputy marshals were attached to the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Some were Civil War veterans. Others had been cowboys or ranchers. Most of them knew a great deal about the Indian Territory and were independent, self-reliant, and willing to take great risks. Their headquarters was Fort Smith, a dusty, growing town right on the border with the Indian Territory. It was a settlement of about 5,000, which did a thriving business in saloons and bordellos, catering to the cowboys, traders, railroad men, and river boat crews that worked the area. The Western District court was responsible for the enforcement of federal law in 74,000 square miles of territory. A set of instructions issued by the U.S. Marshals office in Fort Smith give an idea of the crimes and problems involved. "U.S. Deputy Marshals for the Western District of Arkansas may make arrest for: murder, manslaughter, assault with intent to kill or to maim, attempts to murder, arson, robbery, rape, bribery, burglary, larceny, incest, adultery . These arrests may be made with or without warrant first issued and in the hands of the Deputy or the Chief Marshal. The marshals did not generally travel in large posses. Either individually or in small groups they would, "go on the scout," into the Indian Territory, for weeks or months at a time, sometimes taking a wagon rigged as a holding cell. They looked for stolen horses, for suspicious travelers, for stills and contraband whiskey, and for wanted men on the run. They carried warrants, or wired Fort Smith and requested them. Deputy marshals were paid at the rate of six cents per mile traveled, and $2.00 per arrest or served process. Of the total amount collected, the U.S. Marshal received 1/4 of that amount. Some historians have estimated that an average deputy marshal was lucky to make $500.00 a year; not much money, even in those days. They were also personally responsible for the burial of a suspect killed in the process of arrest. So, while the deputies seldom went looking to kill the suspects, the fact that the penalty for resisting arrest was only a year in jail, meant that outlaws had little to lose in resisting. Over 100 deputy marshals were killed in the line of duty during Judge Parker's tenure, a testament to the difficulty of the job and the bravery and ability of the marshals. Despite these limitations, conscientious deputy marshals such as Heck Thomas, Bill Tilghman, Bass Reeves, Addison Beck and others, did much to curb the disorder rampant in Indian Territory. Carrying Colt 45 pistols and Winchester Rifles, sawed-off shotguns and knives, these men enforced the law and established the idea of justice on the frontier. They were a mixed lot, some highly moral, some as at home on the outlaw side as the side of the law. They reflected the independence and spirit of the west. And, the United States Deputy Marshals at Fort Smith remains one of the most colorful chapters of the American story. (from the Fort Smith National Historic Site website). Small closed-hole in upper blank margin, else fine condiVALDEZ IS COMING.: https://rarebookinsider.com/rare-books/valdez-is-coming/