Frontier Law

"Frontier Law" offers a riveting firsthand account of the struggle for order in the American West during the mid-19th century. Authored by William J. McConnell in collaboration with Howard R. Driggs, this narrative follows McConnell's journey from the gold fields of California to the rugged territories of Oregon and Idaho. As a pioneer who would eventually serve as a U.S. Senator and Governor, McConnell provides an insider's perspective on the evolution of justice in a land where formal governance was often non-existent.

The work details the rise of vigilante committees as a response to rampant lawlessness, the pursuit of outlaws, and the eventual transition to a structured judicial system. Readers are presented with vivid descriptions of the hardships faced by early settlers, the inherent dangers of the frontier, and the courage required to establish the rule of law. Combining personal memoir with historical observation, "Frontier Law" serves as a vital record of the social and political development of the Pacific Northwest. This account captures the raw spirit of the era, documenting the transformation of wild territories into organized states through the eyes of a man who lived at the heart of the action.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.