Wyoming's Territorial Sheriffs

Outlaws names are remembered and recorded, but little is known or written of the men who were faced with upholding the law. Wyoming s territorial sheriffs were courageous and handy with a gun and rope.

Nathaniel Boswell, T. Jeff Carr, and Jim Rankin were brave and colorful. Frank Canton lived on both sides of the law. Joseph Young was called a coward. Bill Jaycox left town without an explanation.

The majority of the men who enforced the law were average citizens who carried out the routine duties of office. Some served in a time of high adventure; some were not as brave as others; some drank too much; and others were escaping shadowy pasts; some rose to the occasion when faced with adversity. Others arranged to be out of town. As Gorzalka chronicles the life of each of the fifty-five sheriffs in Wyoming s territorial days their successes, failures, and motivation the stories combine to create the era s history. Includes photos of most of the sheriffs.