Thomas Cunningham served as San Joaquin County, California's sheriff for over a quarter of a century at a time when lawmen were in the saddle, tracking down murderers, highwaymen and horse thieves. Cunningham not only chased down outlaws in his own county, but he was also involved in some of the largest manhunts that took place throughout California during the latter part of the 1800s.

Sheriff Cunningham had a small force of deputies that helped him carry out the varied duties required of the Sheriff's Office. Working as a team, they maintained the county jail, attended the courts, served civil process, and brought law breakers to justice.

In these pages, come along and ride with Sheriff Cunningham and company, and see what life as a lawman was really like in the Old West.