Every territory wanted to become a US state as soon as possible. I really don't understand how this idea formed that everyone in the wild west was an anarchist.

Every territory wanted to become a US state as soon as possible. I really don't understand how this idea formed that everyone in the wild west was an anarchist. In fact I think people back then were just like people today: they wanted to lead orderly peaceful lives under the rule of law. But that would make for incredibly boring books.