There was a lack of government. As areas were so unpopulated there was not enough money to pay lawmen. Towns had to pay for their own Marshal, and had to raise the money. Townsfolk would form a posse to deal with criminals.
The large areas also meant that the State Marshal might be far away, and take considerable time to arrive due to transport difficulties. Vigilantes took the law into their own hands. They were used to this, with no marshal or lawmen, however they carried out summary lynchings and caused feuds and fuelled persecution.
Cowtowns and Mining centres were hubs of trouble. A heady mixture of cheap booze, gold, guns and few women caused havoc. Disagreements about scarce resources, such as gold, water and animals also led people to act independently. For example trouble between disagreements between Homesteaders and Cattle ranchers over land and water led to the Johnson County War.
Corrupt lawmen also caused difficulties to peace and prosperity. Towns employed marksmen or gunslingers who devised their own justice, some were famously trigger-happy such as Wyatt Earp or Wild Bill Hickok.
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