The Code of the West in old-time, and modern Arizona


As someone who has always been fascinated with history, including the stories of the Old West, I've always been interested in the Code of the West.

If you've ever watched any Western movies, you've heard of it, maybe even seen it in action. The Code of the West is simply a bunch of things that men who consider themselves men of honor, do. Arizona has always been a place that honors the Code of the West, and it still is.

No, it's not a set of rules that are written down, nor is it enforced by anyone in authority, but without it Arizona would have never become what it is today. Sheriffs and lawmen didn't make Arizona a safe place to live, men of honor did, men who followed the Code of the West.

In movies it's easy to see who the good guys, and the bad guys, are. Good guys always wore white hats, that sort of thing. The last thing that they would do would be to wear a mask on their face while out in public. They might cover their nose and mouth from trail dust, but just like tipping their hat to a lady, they would take the mask off when they came into town.

By the way, just to keep the record straight, men who followed the Code of the West didn't shoot anyone in the back, they didn't lie or steal, they showed kindness to animals (and women and children!), and their word was their bond. They recognized each other by their actions. I've heard tell that it harks back to the chivalry code of the Knights of the Round Table, but no one really knows.

Don't be fooled by the mask I wear, I am a man of honor, and I follow the Code. I will look you in the eye when I talk to you, and I will always give you the benefit of the doubt as to whether you're a gentleman.

Howdy there, pardner!
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