in the old american west whats the differance between a marshall and a sherriff. has one got authority over the other, i know there not the same person so im guessing that they must have differant roles. were there other law enforcement agents???
2007-03-21 08:27:19 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
A "marshall" was a Federal ageant; a "sheriff" was the "local law", also Pinckerton Ageants were used on the Railroads to insure safety of gold shipments and the Mail. Texas had the "rangers". They were like a State Trooper, today.
2007-03-21 08:33:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the old West, sheriff's were the "law" of townships, but Marshall's were the big dogs, with, like now country wide jurisdiction, thus the evolved term "Federal Marshall". As for other law enforcement agents, I think times were so much more primitive that they only had the two,with the exception of deputies for the sheriff, or "deputised" parties with temporary authority, in the 1800's. And let's face it there was a ton ol' fashion vigilante justice on horse & cattle theives, making law enforcement jobs a whole lot easier. Hope I've answered your question.
2007-03-21 15:43:13 · answer #2 · answered by Green eyed girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sheriff was hired or elected by a town or city. A Marshall was usually Federal and paid by the government. Neither had authority over the other. Sher riffs had authority in there town only. Sense Marshall's were federal, they could make an arrest anywhere in the U.S.
2007-03-25 13:52:32 · answer #3 · answered by curious connie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Marshall at that time worked for the federal government.
A sheriff worked for a town.
The Marshall had power over the sheriff
The Sheriff could appoint deputies to be their assistance
2007-03-21 15:37:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rather like the British Isles a sherriff has juristiction over a shire they (the US) have counties. The marshall has a countrywide juristiction
2007-03-21 15:32:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I could be wrong.....but......
A Marshall has the backing of the Federal Government and a Sherrif is a 'local' law enforcer.
2007-03-21 15:30:35 · answer #6 · answered by PrincessPlum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I THINK that a sheriff was a lawman for a town
and a marshal was a lawman for a state.
2007-03-21 15:30:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We need Old West lawmen in our cities.
They knew how to sort out gangs and stand up for the weak.
2007-03-21 20:45:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask the DUKE he was THE lawman
2007-03-21 15:46:00 · answer #9 · answered by reem2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋