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The United States Marshals of New Mexico and Arizona Territories, 1846-1912

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This book is a well-written and highly detailed review of the law enforcement situation in the Southwestern frontier. It enlightens the reader about the levels of pioneer law enforcement (city, county, territorial) and their intertwined responsibilities or lack thereof. The background has been researched almost to a fault. If you are an 'early western' afficionado and/or the kind of person who likes to pour over microfiche reals of old newspapers and other minutiae at the local library, then is a must read. Larry Ball brings just enough western outlawry and criminal intrigue to his writing to keep it entertaining, although there are areas that bog down, especially when it comes to reporting on expense reimbursements and political appointments. However, the author demonstrates how these aspects are examples of the necessary evils in fighting crime on the frontier. The notes and references guide the casual reader and the scholar to their respective areas of interest and further reading. 315 pp., Univ. of New Mexico Press (1978).