Imposing Order without Law: American Expansion to the Eastern Sierra, 1850-1865

In the 1850s, early Euro-American settlers established two remote outposts on the slopes of the eastern Sierra Nevada, both important way stations on the central emigrant trail. The Carson Valley settlement was located on the western edge of the Utah Territory, while the Honey Lake Valley hamlet was separated from the rest of California by the formidable mountain range. Both areas had long been inhabited by Indigenous Americans, with Carson Valley part of Washoe Indian territory and Honey Lake Valley a section of Northern Paiute land. Michael Makley's book, "Imposing Order Without Law," explores the complexities of this turbulent era, when the pioneers' actions set the stage for both valleys to become part of national incorporation. It focuses on the haphazard evolution of frontier justice in these remote outposts and the use and impact of group violence, both within the settlements and within the Indigenous peoples' world, where it transformed their lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: University of Nevada Press

In the 1850s, early Euro-American settlers established two remote outposts on the slopes of the eastern Sierra Nevada, both of which were significant way stations on the central emigrant trail. The Carson Valley settlement was situated on the western edge of the Utah Territory, while the Honey Lake Valley hamlet, 120 miles north, fell within California's boundaries but was separated from the rest of the state by the formidable mountain range. Although these were some of the first white communities established in the region, both areas had long been inhabited by Indigenous Americans. Carson Valley had been part of Washoe Indian territory, and Honey Lake Valley was a section of Northern Paiute land.

Michael Makley delves into the complexities of this turbulent era, when the pioneers' actions set the stage for both valleys to become part of national incorporation. With deft writing and meticulously researched portrayals of the individuals involved, including the Washoe and Northern Paiute peoples, Imposing Order Without Law focuses on the haphazard evolution of frontier justice in these remote outposts. White settlers often brought with them their own ideas of civil order. Makley's work contextualizes the extralegal acts undertaken by the settlers to enforce edicts in their attempt to establish American communities.

Makley's book reveals the use and impact of group violence, both within the settlements and within the Indigenous peoples' world, where it transformed their lives.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647790738