The Texas Sheriff: Lord of the County Line [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "An aura of ancient power persisted about the person of the Texas county sheriff, even into recent times, and troubled citizens often felt they needed..." (more)
Key Phrases: whiskey outlaws, many other sheriffs, graveyard cleanings, Buck Lane, Wharton County, Gaston Boykin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Texas Sheriff takes a fresh, colorful, and insightful look at Texas law enforcement during the decades before 1960. In the first half of the twentieth century, rural Texas was a strange, often violent, and complicated place. Nineteenth-century lifestyles persisted, blood relationships made a difference, and racial apartheid was still rigidly enforced.

Citizens expected their county sheriff to uphold local customs as well as state laws. He had to help constituents with their personal problems, which often had little or nothing to do with law enforcement. The rural sheriff served as his county's "Mr. Fixit," its resident "good old boy," and the lord of an intricate rural society. Basing his interpretations on primary sources and extensive interviews, Thad Sitton explores the dual nature of Texas sheriffs, demonstrating their far-reaching power both to do good and to abuse the law. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Thad Sitton is author of BACKWOODSMEN, TEXAS HIGH SHERIFFS, and NAMELESS TOWNS. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 253 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press; illustrated edition edition (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806132167
• ISBN-13: 978-0806132167
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,929,186 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MOre than Law and Order, September 4, 2001

By A Customer

This book was absolutely outstanding! An interesting look at both the official and unofficial duties of the Sheriff in the 1950's. A must read for any law enforcement officer interested in history.