Duties of a U.S. Marshall

Duties of a U.S. Marshall
3 min read

The Wild West is revered as one of the most tumultuous eras in American history. This was when outlaws ravaged society, hailing their own brand of justice. Lawlessness was widespread, and formal legislation and security were lacking.

However, there was one particular role that contributed to making sure outlaws were brought to justice. Becoming a U.S. Marshall required specific skills, expertise, tolerance, and strength to operate in the harshness of the Frontier.

Notable U.S. Marshalls include Wild Bill Hickok, Frank Eaton, and Bass Reeves. These names have become legends in their occupation because of their bravery and diligence.

That being said, what exactly are the duties of a U.S. Marshall?

The primary responsibility of a U.S. Marshall in the Frontier was enforcing federal laws. Due to the absence of local law enforcement, marshalls were at the forefront of maintaining law and order in the region. Outlaws, fugitives, and criminals actively sought refuge in the seclusion of the Frontier to hide from justice. This is where marshalls needed to be: not only brutal policemen but also excellent trackers. They needed to learn, dissect, and connect the habits of these outlaws. They studied the terrain of the Wild West so they could always have the upper hand over the wrongdoers.

Often, U.S. Marshalls were assigned duties of arresting criminals in remote areas. These are the parts where the Frontier's terrain and overall natural environment were detrimental to the mission.

Furthermore, U.S. Marshalls were also pivotal in bringing semblance to the legal system in territories devoid of the law. Marshalls acted as agents for the federal legal system when there were few established courts and vigilante justice was prevalent. Marshalls were responsible for ensuring that the perpetrators of chaos in the land were subject to questioning and thorough trial in due process.

The life of a U.S. Marshall was full of danger and a constant requirement of resourcefulness. The constant friction between outlaws and those who fought for it sparked tensions that would crescendo into all-out gunfights. Hence, Marshalls were also required to be skilled shooters. In cases where combat was an unwise decision, Marshalls would have to use their ability to be diplomats, mediating conflicts and maintaining peace in the region.

In works of fiction in the movie theatre and among the pages, U.S. Marshalls are often stereotyped as being at the center of gunfights and showdowns. However, one particular work of Western fiction penned by one of our time's most talented authors, Jedediah Ravine, tells a different story.

The book has audiences dive deep into the plight of Wichita, a U.S. Marshall looking to leave a life of action and adventure behind to build a home for himself and settle down. However, the love of his life, alongside his son, is taken away from him, sending him on a quest for revenge.

What Jedediah Ravine does so well is depict the vulnerability in the character of the marshall, which condenses into all-out rage, encapsulating what a man would be reduced to if he's left with nothing to lose.

Wichita U.S. Marshall is now available on Amazon.

 

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John mickel 2
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