In American history, the frontier was the western most area of .
settlement at any given time during the westward expansion of the .
nation. It began in Jamestown in 1607 and the line kept moving west. The period of time known as the "Wild West" nation. It began in Jamestown in 1607 and the line kept moving west. The period of time known as the "Wild West" nation. It began in Jamestown in 1607 and the line kept moving west. The period of time known as the "Wild West" was from about 1835 until 1895, and the area for which it identifies was roughly the land west of the Mississippi River. The West was harsh and rugged and in order to conquer it, only the brave and strong could survive. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 almost doubled the size of the country and there was no shortage of settlers heading toward the setting sun. Many attitudes and principles accompanied these migrants. Rugged individualism, conquest, progress, free enterprise, the right to bear arms, and law and order principles reinforced American ideals. The sheriff was a major player in these processes. The early settlements of the West were smal!.
l and isolated and usually exhibited a reasonable amount of peace and order. Violence existed more as a by-product of the era and environment rather than a demonstration .
of true and total lawlessness. The majority of the settlers came to .
build a new life in the West, and crime was not their original intent. .
Small-mindedness and petty thievery were rare among frontier people. Most citizens in the West lived peacefully and without great fear of personal attack. As a place of wild lawlessness, the frontier's .
reputation was largely over-exaggerated. In reality, the West did not .
attract extreme numbers of lawless deviants and most settlers were .
friendly, hard working, and just. The majority literally practiced the .
biblical adage of being their brother's keeper. American folklore .
supports the image of tough, aggressive, and brave heros who tamed the wild frontier.