When Law Was in the Holster: The Frontier Life of Bob Paul

by John Boessenecker

One of the great lawmen of the Old West, Bob Paul (1830–1901) cast a giant shadow across the frontiers of California and Arizona Territory for nearly fifty years. Today he is remembered mainly for his friendship with Wyatt Earp and his involvement in the stirring events surrounding the famous 1881 gunfight near the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. This long-overdue biography fills crucial gaps in Paul’s story and recounts a life of almost constant adventure.
As told by veteran western historian John Boessenecker, this story is more than just a western shoot-’em-up, and it reveals Paul to be far more than a blood-and-thunder gunfighter. Beginning with Paul’s boyhood adventures as a whaler in the South Pacific, the author traces his journey to Gold Rush California, where he served respectively as constable, deputy sheriff, and sheriff in Calaveras County, and as Wells Fargo shotgun messenger and detective. Then, in the turbulent 1880s, Paul became sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, and a railroad detective for the Southern Pacific. In 1890 President Benjamin Harrison appointed him U.S. marshal of Arizona Territory.
Transcending local history, Paul’s story provides an inside look into the rough-and-tumble world of frontier politics, electoral corruption, Mexican-U.S. relations, border security, vigilantism, and western justice. Moreover, issues that were important in Paul’s career—illegal immigration, smuggling on the Mexican border, youth gangs, racial discrimination, ethnic violence, and police-minority relations—are as relevant today as they were during his lifetime.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

504 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2012

Reviews

[Jwt Jan50]

Great overview of the 19th century centered on the life of Bob Paul - whaling, early placer mining California, Wells Fargo, Southern Pacific Railroad and Arizona. Lots of insight into local politics and journalism as well as a more balanced view of the Earps/Holiday/Cowboy/Clanton 'shootout.' If you haven't checked out the University of Oklahoma Press backlist of western history - strongly recommended.

[Bill Pace]

Good view of what being a sharif in the mid to end of 1800 in California and Arizona. Bob Paul was not a real famous lawman but very good one. Great picture of what everyday law enforcement was like.

[John]

Bob Paul was an interesting character. He started out as a whaler at age 12, then became a prospector, and finally a lawman for many years. He was a contemporary of Wyatt Earp.
Much of the book is about him bringing desperados to justice, but there is also a fair amount of politics in the book. It was interesting that a couple of the issues were about ballot box stuffing and rigged elections; and illegal immigrants (Chinese) coming across the Mexican border. Looks like not much has changed in 140 years.

[Jack Tracy]

Great research and solid prose, If you’ve read other of Mr. Boessenecker’s work, there is some familiar material here. Bob Paul has been unrecognized and under-appreciated and this volume compensates for it.

[terry l sartin]

Good book

It is a well written book. The author has always written well in this (history). I read his work anytime. HE is
A good researcher, well put together.

[Bradley Courtney]

Boessenecker is a wonder. The true history if Pearl Hart is fascinating.

[Virgil Cain]

So thorough and entertaining a biography of Bob Paul that it renders unnecessary any further attempts.

[Thane Eichenauer]

Worth reading.