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Joe Le Fors papers, 1911-2024

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Le Fors, Joe, 1865-1940.
Title
Joe Le Fors papers
Dates
1911-2024 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.80 cubic feet (3 boxes)
Collection Number
00261
Summary
This collection includes an autobiographical manuscript and correspondence of Joe Le Fors, a U.S. Marshal and range detective for the western livestock industry and for various railroads.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Joe Le Fors (1865-1940) was a pony express rider, freighter, U.S. Marshal, and detective for the livestock industry in Wyoming and Montana and for various railroads. Le Fors was a member of the posses that pursued the robbers after hold-ups of Union Pacific trains at Wilcox, Wyoming, (1899) and Tipton, Wyoming, (1900). In 1902 Le Fors obtained from Tom Horn the controversial confession that led to Horn's conviction and execution for the murder of a fourteen year old boy.

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Content Description

The collection contains the manuscript of Le Fors' autobiography, "Wyoming Peace Officer," published in 1953. Additionally, included in this collection is correspondence from Joe Le Fors, Lawrence Johnson, and other persons, regarding Le Fors' activities as a range detective from 1911 to 1947.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Joe Le Fors at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

The manuscripts and photographs were received from Nettie Le Fors in 1952. The correspondence was received from William T. Ward in 2014. Additional material was recieved from Dana Gilbert in February 2025.

Processing Note

The collection was processed by Steven Mares, June 2015 and updated by Brittany Heye in April 2026.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and Subjects

Subject Terms

  • Cattle stealing -- West (U.S.)
  • Crime and criminals -- Wyoming.
  • Law enforcement -- Wyoming.
  • Peace officers -- Wyoming.
  • Ranching -- West (U.S.)
  • Train roberries -- Wyoming.

Personal Names

  • Horn, Tom, 1860-1903

Geographical Names

  • Wyoming -- History -- 1890-1918.
  • Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945.
  • Wyoming -- History -- To 1889.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Le Fors, Joe, 1865-1940 -- Wyoming peace officer.

Processed by Steven Mares
2013; 2015

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

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