By: Zman
| The range detective employed by the cattlemen were often not identified as such. A range detective might be a hired gun but was listed on the ranch payroll as perhaps a wrangler. The range detective rode the open range and looked for rustlers. If one suspected rustler was caught, the justice meted out could be anything. Many time it was summary justice. The farmers and settlers who often fenced in their land in most cases thought of the range detective as nothing more than a hired gun of the rancher. The most historically noted "range detective' was a man named Tom Horn. Tom Horn's career included scout, lawman, soldier, outlaw and detective. Tom Horn became infamous. he exemplified everything the homesteader thought was a range detective. Horn at one time worked for the Pinkerton national Detective Agency. |
| Two more great looking figures from you there old buddy! Hard to decide which one I like the most, but I think I'm leaning toward the guy with the cigarette in his mouth. He looks like one tough customer, and one I'm sure no rustler would look forward to messing with. Special thanks for sending these cool Range detectives in and sharing them with us. - GL |
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