The Sheriff of Hangtown

  • Title: The Sheriff of Hangtown
  • Author: Mason Macrae
  • Publisher: William Collins Sons & Co Ltd. for the Wild West Club
  • Publication Year: 1943
  • Binding: Hard Cover with Dust Jacket
  • Print: 1st
  • Market:  U.K. / Europe

The long trains of covered wagons were seen slowly climbing up towards the towering, snow-clad Sierras, beyond which lay the riches of the land of promise – sunny California. And, Placerville, more generally known as Hangtown, a gold-mining camp of mushroom growth, was a tough spot in a lawless land.

How young Smoky became sheriff, joined in a murder hunt, wiped out a nest of outlaws and cleaned up the rather dirty face of Hangtown, makes a rip-roaring adventure story of superlative quality.


While we cannot claim it completely with 100% certainty, we can mention that this book may be the first Western ever written that features a Sheriff who skiis. If you look closely at the artwork of the original cover, the Sheriff is actually sporting a pair of skiis. As we venture to find out more, we will keep this page updated. Cheers ~