TV-14 | 30min | Western, TV Series | Episode aired 20 May 1957
Jim goes undercover as a trainee for Wells Fargo to try and find out who is supplying renegade Indians with the guns they are using on their murderous raids. Something is strange with the Cheyenne stealing money for which they have no use.
Director: George Waggner
Writer: William F. Leicester
Stars: Dale Robertson, Denver Pyle, Francis McDonald
Jim goes undercover as a trainee for Wells Fargo to try and find out who is supplying renegade Indians with the guns they are using on their murderous raids. Something is strange with the Cheyenne stealing money for which they have no use.
Director: George Waggner
Writer: William F. Leicester
Stars: Dale Robertson, Denver Pyle, Francis McDonald
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00A long arm of Wells Fargo stretched from St. Joe, Missouri to San Francisco.
00:06Its Pony Express, Overland Stage, and big freight wagons creaking and groaning under the weight of the necessities for building the frontier.
00:14The land was here, and there was opportunity aplenty.
00:18But without supply lines, would life follow?
00:21Wherever a need presented itself, Wells Fargo answered the demand.
00:26It breathed the breath of life into the new land.
00:29You can't run freight lines without a change of horses, so Wells Fargo established stock stations along the Overland route
00:36and renegade raiders poured out of the Cheyenne country.
00:39They were hitting the outlying stations hard.
00:42They had guns and ammunition.
00:44As a Wells Fargo investigator, it was my job to find out how they were getting them.
00:59Aaron?
01:25Aaron!
01:32Aaron!
01:35Aaron!
01:44I'm glad you're still in one piece.
01:47Just barely, boy. Just barely.
01:50Who was that?
01:51Hansling Travers. He drops by once in a while on his way up to Laramie.
01:56He won't anymore, poor devil.
01:58Them raiders got him early in the fight.
02:01I ran out of shells and hid here in the cellar.
02:03Not a very pretty sight.
02:05Or a new one.
02:06They got two stations last week, the other side of Laramie.
02:09They ain't just after horses, Jim.
02:11They grabbed everything in there that wasn't nailed down.
02:14I know.
02:15What does it mean, Aaron, when an Indian starts stealing Monday?
02:18He's got no use for it, no place to spend it.
02:20He sure ain't.
02:21I've been chasing Indians half my life.
02:23He'll steal a horse, maybe a woman.
02:26He sure ain't got no use for money.
02:29That's the way I figured it.
02:31I think somebody else is doing their thinking for him.
02:34Yeah.
02:35Get him buried and we'll take a look around.
02:44Looks like you got two, one of them.
02:46Hmm.
02:47Could be a wounded horse.
02:51Nope.
02:52No it ain't.
02:53Was a man.
02:54This is where he fell.
02:56Look at them heel marks where he was dragged.
02:59Then someone picked him up and threw him over a horse's back.
03:04Them Cheyennes, they don't leave their dead behind.
03:09Look at this.
03:13Don't notice I ever seen a gun like that before.
03:16It's a Shawk McClanahan.
03:17Made back in St. Louis.
03:19Hits like a carbine and just about as accurate.
03:22Small and easy to smuggle.
03:26Somebody running these guns through, Jim?
03:29Probably from St. Joe.
03:31It's close to St. Louis and it's a jumping off place for every wagon heading west.
03:36There's no rottener man in the world than one who'd put a gun in an Indian's hand.
03:40Yes, there is.
03:41The kind of a man who'd live off of the money an operation like this makes.
03:47I'm going back to St. Joe.
03:49Start my career with Wells Fargo all over again.
03:52Wait a minute, Jim.
03:55You don't think these guns are coming through on our wagons, do you?
03:58There's that chance.
03:59It seems to me that whoever's behind this operation knows an awful lot about Wells Fargo procedure.
04:04They check every wagon that leaves St. Joe.
04:06What if something's happening after they leave?
04:10Man, I don't know.
04:13There's only one way to find out.
04:15Let's head for St. Joe.
04:17I need you here, Aaron.
04:19Just a minute, Jim.
04:20That's an order.
04:22I want to know every move the Cheyenne makes.
04:25Unless, of course, you figure you're too old for the job.
04:27Old?
04:28Why, I can still go bear hunting with a hickory stick and come back with his ears in my fist.
04:33That's the way I figured it.
04:35Hang on to your hair, Aaron.
04:37You'll need it.
04:38Hold it now.
04:39Don't you get too cocky, young'un.
04:43I'm getting kind of used to knowing you're around somewhere.
04:46Remember, when you see me again, you don't know me.
04:58St. Joe, Missouri was as far as the railroad went.
05:02From there on, Wells Fargo handled the freight by horse and wagon.
05:07Banking interests, consignment, and warehouses took up a block on the main street.
05:12To most people, a six-horse stagecoach meant Wells Fargo.
05:17But there's more to the company than that.
05:20It carries treasure out of every bonanza from Hudson Bay to Rio.
05:24There isn't a place on either continent where you can't cash a Wells Fargo check.
05:28It's a big outfit.
05:30Make no mistake about that.
05:33No one knew my face in St. Joe, and that was the way I wanted to keep it.
05:45All right.
05:47Now, the most important thing to remember from this exercise is this.
05:51You notice that I turn, drew, and then fired.
05:56That way, I had the whole sweep of the man's height for my target.
06:00If I'd have drew, turned, and then fired, I'd have swept across him.
06:04That narrows down my target.
06:05Now, I want you all to remember that because it might save your lives someday.
06:09All right, Shorty, try it.
06:11All right.
06:27Remember, you got to spin on your heel, draw, fire.
06:32Don't be embarrassed.
06:33Not many men can do this.
06:34That's why we teach it to you here.
06:36Are you Powers?
06:39Right.
06:47So you want to go to work for Wells Fargo?
06:49That's right.
06:51Came all the way from Abilene.
06:54Cow puncher?
06:55Mostly.
06:56If I can ride a little, shoot something.
06:59Like to travel?
07:01As long as I get paid for it.
07:04Well, we got two ways of doing things around here.
07:06The wrong way and the Wells Fargo way.
07:08What's your name?
07:09Jim. Jim Harris.
07:11Lesson number one.
07:12I call you Jim, you call me Mr. Powers.
07:15I never was much of a school boy.
07:17Well, the course we give here separates the men from the boys.
07:21Board and room, half pay while you're learning.
07:24I'll take it.
07:26Mr. Powers.
07:28We'll get along.
07:29Stay with your horse, make yourself at home.
07:31Class starts tomorrow morning.
07:34I had to play it that way.
07:36Green, smart.
07:38As though the only thing I knew about Wells Fargo was the company name.
07:42It went against my grain, but I had to play it that way.
07:55Took you five tries, but you finally made it in just under eight minutes.
08:00Did all right, huh?
08:02Could have been better.
08:03Two heavy barrels should be back here over the axle.
08:08Beats me what difference it makes how fast a man can load a wagon.
08:11Make all the difference if you break an axle out on the trail.
08:14With maybe a few of them shy and breathing down your neck.
08:17Powers knows what he's doing.
08:19You fellas think a good deal of him, don't you?
08:21Jack Powers was the best man Pacific Express had.
08:24When they sold out the Wells Fargo, he went with the deal.
08:28But he can still lean on a man pretty good when he wants to.
08:31I bet if you broke his head open all you'd find in there is a bunch of little old Wells Fargo signs.
08:39I'd forgotten how tough that course could be.
08:42Up at the crack of dawn, then falling into bed at night.
08:46So tired you don't even hear the snores of the other men in the bunkhouse.
08:50Then beat the birds up in the morning and start all over again.
08:53Wells Fargo's not training you to kill men.
08:56But you have to learn this in order to protect your passengers, your cargo and yourself.
09:00Now then.
09:01There are two reasons why the shotgun has proven to be the best weapon for a Wells Fargo man.
09:06Name one of them. Shorty.
09:08Oh.
09:09Most men, including the old hood owl, have got an idea of what they're going to look like when they're dead.
09:15Kind of peaceful, nice.
09:17Only there ain't nothing nice about being torn in half by a shotgun.
09:21That's right.
09:22Works on the mind.
09:26What's the other one, Jim?
09:29The shotgun covers a wide range.
09:31Therefore, speed and dexterity are more important than careful aim.
09:35You've been paying more attention than I thought.
09:38Well, suppose you show us.
09:40Just lope your horse by here.
09:42That veil of hay there is the man with the bead on you.
09:45When I say now, turn and fire.
09:58Now.
09:59Now.
10:00Now.
10:28Now!
10:30Now!
10:38Is that what you meant?
10:39Couldn't have done better myself.
10:41That's all for today, men.
10:43I, uh, want to talk to you, Jim.
10:46How am I doing, teacher?
10:48For a while there, I didn't think you were going to work out.
10:51Now there's no doubt in my mind you're head and shoulders above anyone in this group.
10:55You'll do.
10:56Thanks, Mr. Powers.
11:00I spent the next couple of days and nights keeping my ears open.
11:04Hoping for a lead.
11:06Then it happened.
11:08No drinking tonight, men.
11:10We're taking wagons west tomorrow morning.
11:13We are?
11:15That's right.
11:16I'm tired of training men and losing them on their first assignment.
11:19I'm taking this run through myself.
11:21No more half-baked!
11:23Here I come!
11:25What's the matter with you, Jim? This is what you were trained for.
11:28Yeah.
11:29Yeah, that's right.
11:59Oh, my God!
12:29What are you doing back here?
12:49We all know somebody's been running guns.
12:52It could be right here on this wagon train.
12:54I went through these wagons myself before we left St. Joe.
12:56You saw me do it.
12:58Did you miss something?
12:59The only thing I've missed is a little sleep.
13:02Now, you better get back in that bed roll before I miss any more.
13:06All right.
13:07Mr. Powers.
13:09I was just doing what you told us to do, to keep our eyes open and pay attention, remember?
13:14That'll be two of us with our eyes open.
13:17Remember that.
13:36Harris, you ride up ahead and check that canyon.
13:39Looks like a good spot for an ambush.
13:41That's right. I don't like the looks of it.
14:10I don't like the looks of it.
14:40Where have you been?
14:41I'm checking the ridge.
14:43How does it look up there?
14:44Clear to me.
14:45Why?
14:46That's the way we're gonna have to go.
14:47What's the matter with the canyon?
14:49A rock laying across it big enough to bury that wagon.
14:51Guess it's a good thing I sent you through there.
14:54Well, that's one way of looking at it.
14:57Lay low!
14:58Hey!
15:24Whoa!
15:37We'll pick up fresh horses here and then push on to Laramie.
15:40Do you think you ought to give these men a rest?
15:42You've been pushing them pretty hard.
15:45You just take orders, Harris.
15:48Yes, sir.
15:55He must be new, eh?
15:56Yeah, he's fresh as paint.
15:58But he'll learn.
15:59He sure will.
16:01All right, let's get these teams unhitched.
16:04Look alive.
16:05Gotta move in fresh horses here.
16:12What about the Cheyenne?
16:14Oh, small band.
16:1510, 15 maybe.
16:17That's enough.
16:20You find out anything?
16:21I don't know.
16:23I've got an idea.
16:25What's holding you up down here?
16:27We're all set.
16:29Indian signs between here and Laramie.
16:31Indians don't worry me.
16:32Let's get some of these horses up there to those wagons.
16:37All right, let them roll!
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22:25Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
22:55aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
23:25aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
23:56That's enough, son.
23:57You don't want to bust up those hands.
24:11That's about all there is to it.
24:13He had the guns dismantled and put in a keg.
24:15And I'll be hanged.
24:17I don't know about you,
24:20but he will.
24:23Wells Fargo was big, all right.
24:25Big enough to keep its own skirts clean.
24:27But no bigger than men like Aaron Ross,
24:29Shorty Tannen,
24:30Joe Purdy,
24:32and Phil Slavin.