In the wild and lawless days of the early west, the pioneers forgot the principles of American justice. Lynch mobs took the place of judge and jury, and even petty crimes were punished by hanging. Horses tied to the railing in front of the general store at River Gap plunged and reared against the reins, dogs ran in and out between spur heeled boots, as the crowd yelled shrill approval of the words being spoken by Josh Craddock, the self-appointed head of the town.