Law And Order, Ltd. The Rousing Life Of Elfego Baca Of New Mexico.

KYLE S. CRICHTON

Publication: New Mexican Publishing Corporation, 1928, Santa Fe

First edition. 8vo. Inked presentation inscription on the front pastedown sheet: "Attorney Charles T. Mahoney, work faithfully for 8 hours a day and don't worry; then in time you may become judge and work 16 hours a day and have all the worry. Elfego Baca." A second inked inscription appears on the front free fly leaf, "Albuquerque N. M., August 2, 1937, To my dear friend Charles J. Mahoney. Elfago Baca, 523 W. Gold Ave., Albuquerque, New Mexico." Original brown cloth with titles in red lettering on front cover and spine, viii, 219 pp., foreword, illustrated, portraits. Six Guns 511 says, "Scarce" and "The first book devoted entirely to this noted gunman, it includes much information about the now famous fight at Frisco, New Mexico, his association with Billy the Kid, and two chapters on Joel Fowler." "Eugene Manlove Rhodes wrote of Baca "his willingness to discuss any moot point with that gun won him admiration from many and forgiveness from the few." With nine notches on his gun and being tried for murder three times, he was still alive and politically active when this book was issued. The account by the author shows New Mexico still at its wildest and where the distinction between law enforcement and criminal was often blurred. How he survived after being involved in many of the biggest gun fights is a testimony to both his coolness under fire and his expert use of the gun. It is still unknown as to whether he was appointed initially to enforce the law or merely purchased a badge. Eventually, after the murder trials were over he became a US Marshall and active politician fighting on behalf of the people for the government to protect the Rio Grande." Cloth is lightly used with light wear to the spine ends and corners, three tiny rubs to front fore-edge, in price-clipped, bright dust jacket with minor wear to the head of spine and rear top edge, else a solid very good copy.

Inventory Number: 51318