It was a raw and lawless time. The opening up of the west brought people from all walks and stations of life. Among them were the ranchers and the sheepmen who found it almost impossible to live at peace. For the most part, the law was restricted to local towns, if there was any, and disputes outside of it were settled on the spot, and generally in the court of smoking guns. To the Rangers, the town of Cottonwood had become a trouble spot. Captain Ferdinand's orders to Riley were clear: clean it up 'Tennessee or Texas style'.