Gunsmoke - Fingered

Gunsmoke brought to you tonight by Plymouth, with an invitation for you to visit a Plymouth dealers tomorrow. Meet the new Plymouth and enter the big $25,000 contest.

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And our gun smoke, starring William Conrad, the story of the violence that moved west with young America, the story of a man who moved with it, Matt Dillon, United States Marshall.

The cook sure must have had a bad night, Mr. Dillon. Well, how do you figure that, Chester? Well, sir, I never saw so much chili pepper on a couple of poor eggs. He must figure everybody's got a hangover this morning. Almost everybody usually has of his Sunday around here.

Well, now I clean up forgot all about it being Sunday. So that's why Jim Cobbett's all dressed up over there. First time I've ever seen him with his hair combed yet.

Well, I have enjoyed about Jim Chester. He's going to get married. He's got his wife to be coming out on the train from back east today.

Jim Cobbett? Yeah. And what sort of a woman would that be, Mr. Dillon, who'd come clear to Dodger City to marry a fellow like Jim? No, Jim's a good man, Chester. And it's just that, well, living out on that homestead of his year after years made him grow a little off center.

So loneliness will do that to a man sometimes. Morning, Marshall. Chester. Morning, Hank. Well, what do you think of that old goat Jim Cobbett getting his self-itch? It's a fine thing, I'd say.

Well, Jim's no older and you are Hank loose. No, or maybe. A lot less respectable. Hey, I talk in your usual nonsense, Hank. Am I, Marshall? Well, about Jim's first wife who disappeared over that place he had up north on Hackbury Creek. Just plain disappeared, she did. Jim never explained that. And nobody ever saw her again, either.

Oh, you're a worse and old woman than your gossip, Hank. Jim's never done anything to you, Hank.

Nothing except to stay his homestead on the only spring south of a smokey that didn't dry up. Cheated me out of it, that's what. He filed his claim two weeks before you did, Hank, and everybody knows.

Sneaked into town, that's what he did. Sneaked into town, behind my back. Still telling your lies, ain't your Hank loose.

Huh? Are you keep away from me, Jim? Keep away. I've never bothered you, Hank. But I hear you talking around Lila when she gets here, I'll hurt you. I'll hurt you bad.

What is it you want to hide from her, Jim? Maybe that business about your first wife?

All right, don't touch that gun, Hank. Not a move. You arrest him, Marshall, you saw it. Get up.

Pull him in jail now, I didn't touch him. Shut up. Now you're just lucky you weren't killed. Now you get out of here and stay away from Jim.

It's his wedding day, and if I find you bothering him again, I'll throw you in jail. Now go on, move.

Sorry to make trouble, Marshall, but I won't hold for his making that talk around Lila. Forget it, Jim. Just keep clear of him for a while.

What time's the wedding? About three o'clock. At least that's when the preacher said he'd come down. It'll be at the church, won't it, Jim?

No, no. The preacher thought maybe it'd be better to do it somewhere else, because...

Yeah, yeah, sure, Jim. You know, Dodged City House would be a fine place, wouldn't it?

That's just what I'd plan, Marshall. I brought a jug of corn in with me in case anyone came around, maybe.

Jim, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm going to be there for sure.

Yeah, me too, Jim. I certainly do enjoy the wedding. I never got married myself, but...

I sure do like the one. See you later, Jim. Sure, Marshall. It will be there, Jim. Bye.

Jim's bride, Lila, turned out to be a handsome, high-strong woman with nervous black eyes and a manner that he spoke of, gentle breeding and background.

I watched her and I wondered how she'd ever make out in this crude raw country she'd chosen to come to.

It was never mentioned how she and Jim had got together, but the few friends who gathered for the wedding didn't care.

We were all pleased that Jim finally had a wife to break the loneliness that he'd set upon himself for so long.

And after the brief ceremony at the Dodged City House, we told him so.

Well, it's about time, Jim. If you don't mind my saying so, ma'am, you should have filed on him long ago.

Why, yes. I mean, of course.

Open the jug on the table, Larry, sir. It's good corn.

Well, thank you, Jim. Through it is, you're my dusty. Help yourselves, little lesser boys.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Jim. And Miss Covid, my best wishes to you, ma'am.

Thank you, Marshall.

Now, you make Jim bring you to town and see us once in a while.

He never came in much when he was alone out there.

Oh, I'm sure he will, Marshall.

I sure hope so, ma'am.

Help yourself to the jug there, sister.

Well, thank you, Jim. If I can get it away from Si along and out, I will.

You stay in here tonight, Jim.

Well, no, Marshall. I brought the wagon on a connollyle here in a slow way of traveling.

Take a day and a half as best.

But where will we sleep tonight, Jim?

Oh, I've got some blankets, Larry. We'll be fine.

You mean, out on the prairie?

Sure. We'll bed down in the wagon if you're afraid of snakes.

All snakes can't get to you if you're in the wagon, ma'am.

But what about everything else?

Indians?

No Indians have been seen around here for months.

Oh, no, you're wrong, Jim. I'm not correct.

Oh, me here running to some poor knees a couple of weeks ago.

Only about a dozen, though.

Poor knees?

Well, they didn't bother him, did they, Si?

No, no, they didn't, Marshall.

Yeah, you see, Larry?

Well, they didn't bother him because he saw him first.

He hit his self under a bank in the creek.

Are there many Indians around?

Oh, no, very few.

Well, the army's been after him pretty steady ever since him clothes rated the Gillette place.

The engine's been making the cell scarce last few months.

What happened at the Gillette place?

They had a little trouble, that's all I know.

Little trouble, the kill-bomb rode off of Mrs. Gillette and the child, that's all.

Oh, no.

Si, why don't you go get yourself another drinker?

Yeah, well, I was just thinking about doing that.

Well, I suppose they'll be easier than Mrs. Gillette once she learns to talk crow.

But still, it's a hard life on a white woman, suddenly being made a squall.

The job's almost empty-side, you better hurry.

My god, it ain't a fillers, I got another squaller coming.

Licker's organ on the side, and I don't pay no money.

Jim, is it true what he said about that poor woman?

Now, don't you fret about that.

Is it true?

I want to know, Jim.

Yeah.

Jim, if you were stayed in Dodge City tonight while you could start out before dawn tomorrow.

Oh, no, Marshall.

Jim thinks it's best we leave tonight.

There's nothing to fear, Lila, but if you'd rather stay, we'd...

No, we'll go, Jim.

If you'll excuse me, I'll go change into something more suitable.

Goodbye, Marshall.

Goodbye, ma'am.

We'll see in Dodge City real soon, I hope.

Of course.

I'll be down shortly, Jim.

Maybe it was best that way for Lila to face out her first night on the prairie, not far from Dodge.

Nothing had bothered him at close to town, and it would make it easier for her on the next night.

And they left.

And that's all we heard about him for a whole month or so.

Dodge City was fairly quiet, except for one week when a Texas herd arrived.

Two boys were killed the next night and another a few days after.

But then things cooled off and became peaceable again.

Thank you, Mr. Gillin.

Oh, no, Chester.

Well, there ought to be a law against it, that's all.

He said he was coming here to see you in a few minutes.

Look, you talk to him, Chester.

I think I'll go upstairs and pick on the dock for a while.

Oh, he doesn't want to see me, Mr. Gillin.

I'll send him up when he comes.

Chester.

No.

Yes, Chester, but he'll ask me where you are, sir.

And then what am I going to tell him?

Chester, I want to talk to you.

All right, Hank.

Go ahead, talk.

You think I was lying about Jim Cobbett, don't you?

Well, listen to this, Marshall.

Lila's disappeared, too.

What?

I saw it with my own eyes.

I mean, I saw she isn't there.

What are you talking about, Hank?

I'm telling you, Marshall.

Lila's gone just like Jim's first wife up on Hackbury Creek.

She's plain disappeared.

Well, go on.

Well, I've got a runny bay mayor that's always running off.

And I rode by Jim's place to see if he'd seen her.

Jim was just sitting there.

And he hardly pay me any mind at all.

He was all alone.

And when I asked him about Lila, he just walked off.

Wouldn't say a word.

Well, maybe he was just out on the prairie somewhere.

Then she stayed a long time.

I was back next day and still didn't see her.

Stocks gone, too.

When was this, Hank?

About a week ago.

Now, Marshall, I think you ought to get out.

I told my own thinking, Hank.

All right.

But you better get out there, Marshall.

I've told you now.

You told me.

And you can forget it.

Just stay away from the cobbit place.

You understand?

All right, Marshall.

I've done my duty.

You better do yours.

Goodbye, Hank.

Well, I...

Goodbye.

What are you going to do, Mr. Dylan?

The only thing we can do, Chester.

Go settle our horses, will you?

I got some things to clean up around here.

Yes, Mr. Dylan.

Big doughnuts at all, Plymouth dealers.

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And you may win a 53 Plymouth or one of hundreds of cash prizes.

But entries must be mailed by Monday midnight.

So hurry, get an official entry blank containing all the easy rules tomorrow.

When you go in to meet the new 53 Plymouth.

Now the second act of gun smoke.

Well, that's all.

Sure looks quiet around here.

You think Glyll is here, don't you, sir?

I will soon find out, Chester.

Hello, Jim.

Hello, Mark. Chester?

Hello, Jim.

Come in.

Have you been, Jim?

Hank Loose told you didn't he, Marshall?

Where is she, Jim?

Hank Loose said I killed her, didn't he, Marshall?

I'm not, Jim. You know, I don't pay any attention to what Hank Loose says.

And why'd you come here, Marshall?

To help you?

If you're in trouble.

Glyll isn't here.

I'm in trouble, all right.

Or what happened, Jim? Where is she?

I don't know.

What?

Well, engines, party of crows, they took her.

They took her.

Engines?

My goodness.

You mean you were right in here?

Maybe 10 days ago, a war party about 12 crows.

Oh, what happened?

The ride was out there with the spring.

It was just getting dark.

I was setting on the floor right there.

Men in the saddle, I'd torn the stirrup off.

When I heard her come running up the path, out back.

It's all in the sweat and yelling.

Yeah!

Yeah!

What?

All right, saw something out there.

Oh, Jim.

Jim, I think it was an Indian.

Come inside.

You know, you know, in the floor, in the corner there.

Oh, oh, oh, oh.

How many?

How many did you see?

Oh, Jim.

I saw his skin behind that little ride.

Oh, Jim.

You won't let him get me.

I need you now, Lila.

Oh!

No.

Oh!

Goodbye.

I don't see a thing out of this window.

Oh!

Look over here.

Nothing.

I want to hurt you, Yel.

Oh, Jim.

What do we do?

Stand them off.

That's all.

Oh!

Wait a minute.

There's one.

Oh, no!

It's getting hard to see.

Jim.

The other side.

They'll sneak up on the other side.

Be one behind that log out there.

Oh, no.

Oh, you're just awake.

Get bolder in the dark.

I can pick them off easy.

Oh, Jim.

You don't carry me off like they did that other woman.

I can't stand it, Jim.

Here.

Take that six-year.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I will.

I will.

You won't take it while I'm alive.

I promise you that, Lila.

Wait a minute.

Here.

Down the trail.

On the...

Right, our horses.

That'll show them.

Here he goes.

It was one behind that log.

Oh, Jim.

I can't stand it.

They're sneaking up on us.

Now, we were just awake.

Let them get in the open.

Wait, Lila.

Little more than when they jump and run on the side.

Ah!

Huh.

Go on, gentlemen.

What happened then?

Yeah.

What'd they do when they rushed you?

No.

One of them must have got in the window behind me.

When Lila screamed, I was knocked out.

When I'd come to the engines, it was gone.

Violet was gone, too.

Were you shot, Jim or what?

No.

Engine must have got behind me somehow.

Club me, that's all.

Did you try to follow him?

How could I, Marshal?

They run off the horses, stole them.

Yeah.

Can I see?

Anyway, I was out a long time.

I wasn't assigned anybody when I'd come, too.

Ah, they could be in the Rocky Mountains, but I know.

We never find them.

I'll report this to Colonel Jenkins, the Fort Dodge,

and he can spread the word through the Army post.

Thanks, Marshal.

I...

Ah, I'm sorry, Jim.

But I guess that's all I can do for you.

Sure, Marshal.

Come on, Chester.

Let's take a look around outside and get back to Dodge City.

Yes, you.

So long, Jim.

Sure, I'm sorry it happened.

So long.

Jim's pretty broke up, Mr. Violet.

Yeah.

Nice and terrible.

And he's a squad now.

Yeah.

Yeah.

My...

Aren't those pretty, Mr. Dylan?

What?

It had a bunch of calm behind there.

Growing right in a row.

I think I'll just put one in my head.

No, wait a minute, Chester.

I...

I wouldn't pick him, Chester.

They're too pretty to pick, huh?

Well, all right, Jim.

Jim's stock is gone, all right.

Mm-hmm.

You know, Mr. Dylan, Jim Cabot ain't the luckiest man in the world, is he?

No, he sure isn't, Chester.

Come on, let's get out of here.

It was the day after we got back to Dodge City that the trouble started as I expected it would.

Chester spread the story about the Indian's kidnapping line at Cabot,

and it wasn't long before some of the men began the question.

A group of them headed, of course, by Hank Luz, came to see me.

Marshall, we want to know when you're going to arrest him.

Hank, it'd be better if you'd let somebody else do the talking.

Your record against Jim Cabot's pretty strong.

Marshall's right.

Hank, you always did talk too much anyway.

I want justice done.

That's all, and I need to give it.

Marshall, shut up, Hank.

Marshall, Hank, sort of talked this into thinking you don't need to do anything about Jim Cabot.

Is that true?

Well, what's your idea, America?

Go out there and arrest him and find Lyle's body, if you can't.

Do you think Jim murderers at it?

Looks that way.

You sure don't believe his story, do you, Marshall?

No, not all of it.

Jim did her in just like his first wife. That's what?

It's a sure thing, Marshall. No, engines were distilled and the woman left Jim lying there without scalping him.

Engine's just being made up.

Married, I don't know what happened out there, but I'm going to find out.

Then what are you waiting for, Marshall?

The doc.

The doc.

What's he got to do with this?

Mr. Krillik, you had a baby this morning.

The doc was up all night and he's sleeping today.

We're going to write out to Jim tomorrow.

Well, I don't know what you need the doc for, but we'll wait and write out with you.

You won't write anywhere, Hank.

When I need a posse, I'll ask for it.

I don't want a single man of you anywhere near the carpet place. Is that clear?

All right, now get out of here. I've got work to do.

I wonder what Lila Cabot sought when she first saw it.

She must have been mighty fond of Jim to come here at all, seems to me.

Yeah.

Well, I hope Jim's still waiting for you.

Oh, I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I know.

Well, I hope Jim's still there.

Isn't that him there?

Yeah, down by the crowd, isn't it?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

He's got a new horse.

Oh.

Oh.

Hello, Jim.

What are you doing here, doc?

I had to bring the doc, Jim, to perform a sort of autopsy.

On Miss Cabot?

It's necessary, Jim, or I wouldn't do it.

Marshall?

Now, don't do it, Jim.

You wouldn't have a chance.

No.

Take his gun, Chester.

Yes.

All right, Jim, let's you and me go on into the house.

I don't imagine you want to watch this.

Well, where is it, man?

You want to tell him, Jim?

Over there.

Under that rule, Columbine.

Well, I don't...

So, that's how you wouldn't let me pick any, Mr. Dillon.

I watered the ground a lot to make it hard.

It was a good job, Jim.

Come on, let's go on the house.

Shovel's out back at the corral.

I'll get it.

All that water didn't even do me good.

In the house, Jim sat with his back to the wall,

his hands clasped tightly across his knees.

He was so gone on a leathery that I wondered if he'd bothered to eat anything at all since this had happened.

He just sat there as if waiting to be sentenced and not caring very much one way or the other.

Finally, Dr. Chester were finished and they came into the house.

We put her back, Jim.

Right where you had it.

And it wasn't easy, man.

Yeah, I know.

But what did you find?

Well, she was killed by a 45.

Fire the coast range, bullet into the head, just a minute.

Never mind, Dr. Jim's gun here is at 45, Mr. Dillon.

You want to tell us about it, Jim?

You think I killed him, Marshall?

Well, it looks that way, Jim.

But I still can't believe it.

Thank you, Marshall.

If you did it, Jim, you're going to hang for it.

The crows didn't attack the house, Marshall.

They never aimed to.

They just dodged around out there.

Some of them had covered for the ones that ran the stock hole.

They didn't want to fight just to stock.

Yeah, it's happened before.

Lila screamed and screamed.

I guess she went kind of crazy.

Then I heard a shot.

First I thought she was shooting at the engines.

Then a saw on the floor there.

I didn't care after that.

They could have come right in there.

They could have done anything they wanted.

I didn't care.

You have given her your six guns at it.

Yes.

The crows didn't bother you after that.

The horses didn't land.

I didn't care about them.

I buried Lila out there right away.

And I sat there on the ground all night.

There was things that had been alright, Marshall,

but when Hank lose came by, I got scared.

I didn't want to talk to him, but I knew what he'd say.

So I put water on the grave and tried to hide it.

He said, for the flowers, I planted.

I just couldn't not have planted flowers.

He's telling the truth, Matt.

Yeah, Jim isn't lying.

No, I'm not sure he's certain that he isn't.

There's no reason I know why Jim should stand trial.

What about Hank lose, Mr. Dylan? He'll make trouble.

The three of us here have heard the story and seen the evidence.

Hank's talk doesn't mean a thing.

I have no cause to arrest him.

Then I can go, Marshall.

Go, go where?

I don't want to live here anymore.

It's like the other place of North after my first wife rode off.

She just said goodbye and rode off one day.

I was shamed of that so I never told nobody what happened.

I left the place.

I couldn't leave in this one.

Well, you got to settle down sometime, Jim.

No, no, I don't.

I got bad luck, both places.

I won't settle down no more.

We want to stop each other.

I think I'll go now, Marshall.

I don't want to spend another night here.

I get my things together.

Yeah.

We'll wait outside.

I don't want to, Chester.

Doc.

A half-hour later, Jim was packed and ready to go.

Silently shook hands with each one of us and mounted and rode off.

I had a perried dull heart with Jim covered, but the man was too tough and dry

not to survive somehow.

He wouldn't try again to be happy, but he'd live, he'd make his way.

We watched him disappear while the sun went and the land cooled and became still and quiet.

Hey, hurry, the big Plymouth contest closes Monday midnight.

Your last chance to win a new 53 Plymouth free or a big cash prize.

Go to your nearby Plymouth dealers tomorrow.

Meet the new Plymouth.

Look at Overstem Disturns.

Ask questions.

Find out all about this new kind of low-priced car.

Then, on an official entry blank in 50 words or less, tell what you like most about this straight new beauty.

But remember, entries must be mailed by Monday midnight.

So be sure to visit your Plymouth dealers tomorrow to pick up your contest entry blank and meet the new 53 Plymouth.

Gunsmoke under the direction of Norman McDonald's stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Smushlin.

Tonight's story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Mastin with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey.

Featured in the cast were John McIntyre and Jeanette Nolan, with Paul Dubard, Jack Krushen and Harry Bartel.

Polly Bear is Chester and Howard McNeer is Doc.

Gunsmoke was brought to you by Plymouth, along with a reminder that you visit your Plymouth dealer tomorrow.

And enter the Meet the new Plymouth contest.

Remember, entries must be mailed before Monday midnight.

Clancy Cassel speaking.