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Question about Mannon

posted 8 years ago by joannabaroncelli
4 replies | jump to latest

In Mannon where Matt and Mannon have their showdown Matt orders Mannon out of town but I would think that he would have informed Mannon that he was under arrest given the crimes he had committed. Newly had told Matt that Mannon had shot Festus and that alone would be attempted murder. Anyway since we know that Mannon did not die and presumbably he would have been put on trial in Dodge and convicted of attempted murder of Festus, stealing Festus' mule Ruth, attacking Kitty and damages throughout town, simply ordering Mannon out of town didn't make sense.

[–] soffee83 8 years ago

A lot of their laws don't make much sense in that way. It's just another of those "If he dies, you're gonna be in a lot of trouble!" deals. I think that was the only way they could do anything to you. They did, however, have quite a few people "just out of prison", so I guess there had to be some punishable offense other than murder.

I also never understood the acceptance of the hanging of horse thieves. It seems they were essentially property, but you could rob someone of something way more valuable and no one would have an excuse to kill you.

Take Care

[–] grizzledgeezer 8 years ago

Without his horse, a man might likely die.

[–] soffee83 8 years ago

Yeah, but don't you supposedly also get killed for stealing them from a rancher or someone who has a bunch?

[–] grizzledgeezer 8 years ago

Yes, and that includes cattle.

My opinion is that lynching people for horse and cattle rustling is a form of "practical" justice when it would far too difficult to drag the "suspects" into court.

PS: The word is "herd". Bananas come in bunches.