After the Civil War, the Indian Territory became a sanctuary for vil- lains seeking refuge from the law of their native state. At that time the law of the land was written in such a manner as to prevent non- Indian outlaws from being arrested or prosecuted by Indian courts, so the territory was the perfect place for white criminals to hide.In 1875 President Grant appointed Judge Isaac Parker to the bench over the Western District of Arkansas and the lawless face of the west began to change. Parker's jurisdiction covered a land area of 74,000 square miles, including 13 counties of Arkansas and all of the Indian Territory. Judge Parker sentenced 161 men to hang, more than any other court in the land. Hanging was the only penalty for murder and rape. Only 79 met their fate at the end of a rope.This book converts the lengthy novel, Charles Barnhill, Deputy US. Marshal, into the first of three chronicles of the life of Charles Barnhill and his brothers, Abel and James, devoted peace officers in the service of the court of the Western District of Arkansas from 1879 until 1896 when its legendary authority was divided and spread over several federal jurisdictions.Known among outlaws as "the Bible believing marshal," Charley never took the life of a fugitive, although he and Abe were involved in many gun battles and wounded multiple times in the performance of their duties. Devoted family men, they performed their service to the citizens of the United States with fellow notable lawmen, Heck Thomas, Bass Reeves, and Tyner Hughes.