[PGR88]

I have seen many reports that the “lawless West” was really just a fiction, where a slight few egregious examples were amplified far out of proportion, particularly by Hollywood later on.

At least in towns, people understood very well they needed protection from both bandits and Indians, and had police forces or deputies in their communities who were ready with arms to protect the peace. Often too, the people in these new towns had some other strong social connection - a common religion or church, for example.

Western states once had the strongest protections of property. For example - it was very common to have laws protecting people against “inverse condemnation” - government was held responsible, and had to compensate, if private property was “taken” by negligence of government - for example, not controlling riots or mobs. It was a great financial incentive for governments to keep the peace.

We need to bring such laws back.

Just look at Minneapolis, Oakland and DC in 2020 - marxist Governments actually encouraged mob destruction of private property.

[DesertRhino]

It’s not as fun, but the American west was a lot more “Little House on the Prairie” than “The Rifleman”.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

Often too, the people in these new towns had some other strong social connection - a common religion or church, for example.

 

Intermarriage. And if between large family groups, that's a lot of combined wealth and area political influence. Those are the people who set the tone for how a town and or county would be managed economically and politically and didn't cotton to outsiders from the state or federal government butting in.