Montana Incident (1952) - full transcript

Well, Dave, this looks like
a good place to start.

Sure is fine country, Whip.

When the railroad's
built, I think

I might even take a ride on it.

Ah, the company will
appreciate that.

But right now, we're being paid

to survey this valley,
not admire it.

Now, get off that horse
and let's start working.

Take a side on that pass we came
through this morning, Dave.

We'll work due west from there
straight through the valley.

Right you are.



I don't wanna disturb
you or anything

but your scope is pointed
the wrong way.

Unh-unh,
that's what you think.

Come here. Take a look.

She doesn't look very happy.

Oh, I'll fix that.

Good morning, miss.
At least I hope it's miss.

Good morning.

Ah, permit me to
introduce myself.

I'm Dave Connors.

This is my partner Whip Wilson.

We're both representatives of
Central Valley Railroad, Miss..

Martin, Frances Martin.

You men are surveyors,
aren't you?



'Yes, indeedy,
Miss Martin, the best.'

You mean,
there's really gonna be

a railroad line
through the valley?

That's the intention, alright.

'That's wonderful.
How soon will that be?'

Construction will start in
a couple a months, I'd say.

Just as soon as we get
the route laid out

and okayed by the government.

That's the best thing
that could happen

to the settlers in this valley.

Glad to be of service to you.

And it's nice to see that smile
on your face, Miss Martin

and instead of the frown you
were wearing a few minutes ago.

'Is there..'

'Is there anything
we can do to help you?'

Thank you, no.

Things will be alright soon.

Soon as the railroad is built.

'Who lives in that cabin?'

A homesteader named
Hawkins and his wife.

Relatives of yours?

No, just neighbors.

Goodbye. Good luck.

Hey, don't rush off.

Ah, I don't even know
where she lives.

Well, she shouldn't be
too hard to find.

You know, Whip

that's just a type of girl
that I really like.

You don't say.

You know, Dave

this one time I'd like to see

the girl that isn't
the type you like.

- Hey.
- Now, get busy.

Martinsville?
Never heard of it.

That girl we met this afternoon
was named Martin, wasn't she?

That's right.

Look, Whip.

Look at the names on
those buildings.

Martin's livery stable.

Martin's dry goods.

And Martin's saloon.

Somebody name Martin is
awful busy around here.

You said it.
Hey, Martin transit company.

I said that girl
was just my type.

Boy, I pick 'em, don't I?

Alright, relax.

Let's put our horses up at
Martin's livery stable and..

...get a room at Martin's hotel.

You know, if that girl really
owns this whole town

and I marry her,
I could change the name

to Connorsville, couldn't I?

Connorsville.
How does that sound?

- Terrible.
- Oh, you are just jealous.

Why, you feel better
since you got cleaned up?

Yeah.

I could go for some food.

Me too.
Let's try the saloon, huh?

I'm getting tired of
your cooking.

Oh, it's a good thing
one of us can cook

or we'd have both
starved long ago.

Hey, wait.
What's going on there?

What do you mean take it
somewhere else?

Where else is there to take it?

Well, that's your problem.

I'll ship it for you at
the regular rates.

Regular rates, my foot.

Mooney, you know dang well you
charge twice what you should.

How do you expect a man to
earn the living?

That looks like the homesteader
that was arguing with

the Martin girl this morning.

Yeah.

Appears he doesn't
get along with anybody.

You get paid for your produce,
don't you?

Sure, I get paid alright.

Just enough to cover the cost
that you ship them, that's all.

What am I suppose to use to
buy flour and sugar and tobacco?

Oh, why don't you quit eating?
Smoking too.

Oh, you no good, dirty..

Using that shotgun
won't help, mister.

Let me go.

Do as he says, stranger.

Let the old goat go.
I can handle him.

- 'I'll...I'll bet you on that.'
- I can handle you too.

Take it easy, Dave.

He was only kidding you, mister.

Sure, I was only kidding.

I wouldn't hurt you much.

I don't know who you fellows are

but let me give you
a little advice.

Don't start any trouble
in this town

because you'll get it fast.

Thanks a lot.

Now, I'll give you
a little advice.

You fellows got no call to get

mixed up in fights on
my account.

Thanks for stopping me.

Alright, Mooney.

I'll ship the stuff.

Give me a receipt.

I'll get it for ya.

Much obliged.

He'd have plugged me before I
could've got my gun cocked.

We're glad to do it.

My name is Hawkins.

My name is Whip Wilson.

This is my partner Dave Connor.

Glad to know ya.

You taking on homesteading
around here? If you are let me--

No, we are surveyors,
Mr. Hawkins.

Oh.

- Surveyors?
- That's right.

Well, what are you doing in
Martinsville?

We're laying out a route for
the Central Valley Railroad.

You mean, they're gonna build
a railroad through this valley?

- Honest?
- They sure are.

You fellows wouldn't
fool me, would ya?

No, the company's had its eye
on this route for sometime.

We think it's pretty good too.

'How long will it be before
they get their tracks laid?'

'Oh, we gotta survey
the valley first, old timer.'

- 'What's your hurry?'
- 'What's my hurry?'

'Do you realize
that the railroad'

'is the greatest thing
that's ever happened here?'

'It means that me and a lot
of farmers and homesteaders'

'like me can begin to live
like human beings again.'

What do you mean?

Well, we can ship our produce

and our beef to a decent rates.

And we can buy things from
other towns

instead of from Martin stores.

Does the store overcharge you?

Mister, overcharge
is a wrong word.

Rob would be a better one.

This thief Mooney gets so much
for shipping my stuff

I ain't got enough money left
to keep alive.

Unless I go into debt with
Logan at the grocery store.

Well, he gives you credit,
doesn't he?

'Credit? Sure.'

'For a season or two.
Until, you get in too deep'

'you can never pay off.'

And then they take your
farm away from ya.

- I tell ya--
- Here's your receipt, Hawkins.

Stuff will be
shipped out tonight.

He's the first one
the railroad will make

an honest man out of,
and that'll kill him.

He works for Martin, doesn't he?

Mister, in this town, everybody
works for Martin.

Or starves.

Don't start anything, Dave.

Who, me?

I never start anything, Whip,
you know that.

Oh, sure.

Meat, bread, looks good.

- How about a meat sandwich?
- Good idea.

Lunch counter's closed.

When did the lunch counter
close, mister?

- Just now.
- Excuse me.

I said, the lunch counter
was closed.

Sorry, I don't hear so well.

Maybe this will help
you hear better.

Don't let me interrupt
your lunch, boys.

- Pickle, Whip?
- Yeah.

- Here you are.
- Thanks.

Anytime, anytime.

You're pretty handy with
that gun, aren't you?

Oh, just average.

Little bit better
than that, I'd say.

You might as well
know right now, mister.

We don't like gunslingers
in Martinsville.

They are not welcome here.

That's good. Glad to hear it.

Nothing we like better than
a nice law-abiding town.

Maybe we'll stay for a while.

Maybe you won't.

Oh, I think we will.
We kind of like it here.

Don't we, Dave?

Now, listen, you two..

No, you listen, friend.

You stay out of our way and
we'll stay out of yours.

Understand?

- Where are you going?
- I'm gonna get another gun.

Those two are gonna
wreck the place.

No, they aren't.
I'll handle them.

What about Crawford and Macklin?

They're getting cut up
pretty bad, Miss Martin.

So..

Ah.

Oh, you fellas really started
things off right, I tell ya--

Good afternoon, Mr. Hawkins.

Won't you introduce me to
your friends?

No, only to my enemies..

...but you know
all of them already.

I-I'm Dave Connors, ma'am.
This is Whip Wilson.

Delighted, gentlemen.

My name is Clara Martin.

Any relation to Frances Martin?

Why, yes. We're sisters.

Do you know Frances?

Do I know Frances?

No, he doesn't.

We only met her for
a moment this morning

while we were out working.

I understand you're surveyors.

That's right.

Well, if you have a moment,
I'd like to speak with you.

We've got lots of moment,
Miss Martin.

Good. This way please.

Take it easy, Dave.

This is not going to be as
pleasant as you think it is.

Oh, no. The trouble
with you is, Whip

you don't know
how to enjoy life.

Come on. After I decide
which sister I like the best..

...you can have the other one.

That'll make us brothers-in-law.
Won't that be nice?

Gentlemen, this is Mr. Benson.

Mr. Connors and Mr. Wilson.

How do you do?

Mr. Benson is president of
the Martinsville bank.

Oh, really?
How's business, Mr. Benson?

- Very good lately.
- Oh, glad to hear it.

I hope you'll accept my apology
for the unpleasantness.

Some of the local men are
little hotheaded.

No harm done, Miss Martin.

What did you wanna talk
to us about?

Then I'll get right to the
point, Mr. Wilson.

As you may have noticed,
my father owns

practically every commercial
enterprise in the community.

And most of the valley land is
in his name also.

That's not entirely true.

Most of the valley is
government grazing land

except for a few homestead
permits issued a few years ago.

Then it must be clear to you,
that my father's

the only big cattle rancher
in the territory.

Without his consent, none of
the homesteaders now living

in the valley would've
been able to exist at all.

Oh, I realize that.

It's kind of him to allow it.

But I've seen a lot of
sodbusters run off their land

just because some big cattleman
didn't want them there.

As long as they cooperate for
the benefit of the community

my father's
happy to have them.

By the way, where is
your father, Miss Martin?

Well, he isn't very young
anymore, Mr. Connors.

He's worked hard enough all
his life to enjoy his old age.

I take care of his
business in town.

He stays on the ranch.

I see.

Then we are actually talking
to the real..

...boss of Martinsville.

Well, I've handled my father's
affairs for years.

He trusts me.

Mr. Wilson.

Is it true that your
railroad company

plans to run their tracks
through Martinsville?

Oh, it looks that way,
Miss Martin.

Well, whose decision is it as to
what routes you'll take?

Yours?

Well, I guess it's pretty much
up to Dave and I.

We've worked for
the company a long time.

And they-they trust
our judgment.

I see.

Of course, you'll take
the shortest

and most profitable route.

That's right.

I..

I imagine you gentlemen
are familiar with

most of the country around here.

What would your reaction be to
recommending that the railroad

go through Cactus City
instead of Martinsville?

Cactus City?

You mean that little mining town
about a 100 miles south of here?

That's right.

Well, that would take
almost another 80 miles

of track through
rocks and hills.

This valley is a natural,
and almost perfect road bed.

Plus, producing farms
and lots of them.

That little town Cactus City,
why, it's almost a ghost town.

There's not a producing
mine there.

Do you feel if that extra
80 miles of

track would be too expensive?

Oh, sure, it would.
Not only that--

My bank would be willing
to bear that expense.

It wouldn't cost your company
an extra cent.

What's wrong with the
people in this town?

Looks to me like they don't want
a railroad going though here.

Yeah. It looks that way,
doesn't it?

Well, now that we've gotten
that point across.

I'd like to ask you a question,
Mr. Wilson.

How much does the railroad
company pay you boys?

You know..

How does the idea of
a bonus strike you?

That depends, Miss Martin

on who pays it
and what it's for.

I think we can dispense with
beating around the bush.

Mr. Benson and I can make it
very much worth your while

to change your recommendation to
the Central Railroad Company.

Say, ah, $5,000?

Sorry, not interested.

'How about you?'

Whip's the boss.
And even if he wasn't..

...bribes are a
little out of my line.

'Perhaps, our offer was
a little low.'

I'm not even curious to see
how high you'd go.

What's getting me is..

...what's your
objections to railroads?

I can answer that, Dave.

With the railroad running
through Martinsville

the farmers and cattlemen
would be able to

ship their beef
at reasonable rates.

Even buy things from
other cities

instead of from Martin's stores.

They'd be independent Americans,
instead of Martin's servants.

Might even change
the name of the town.

- Are you through, Mr. Wilson?
- 'Yes, I am.'

You don't know
how through you are.

That little argument which
you distinguished yourself

so handily was only a sample of
what you'll run into.

You've had your fun.
Now, get out.

Yes, ma'am.

We really hate to leave
this nice place though.

Been so pleasant.

I mean, get out.

Get out of Martinsville.

Get out of the valley.

It's, ah, been
a pleasure, ma'am.

I didn't think it would work.

Send Crawford
and Macklin in here.

What are you gonna do, Clara?

What do you think I'm gonna do?

Just sit here and let a couple
of stupid surveyors ruin me?

Clara, listen.

They can't hurt you.

Suppose, there is a railroad
built through Martinsville.

We've got enough money now
to take care of us.

Whose got enough?

Oh, alright.
It's your money.

But I helped you get it.

What about our plans?

Have you forgotten them?

I've waited five years now
for you to marry me, Clara.

How much longer is it
going to be?

Not too much longer, Arnold.

Another year or two,
and I'll have every dime

possible to squeeze
out of this valley.

I still don't think
we should take a chance

on those two surveyors.

The Central Valley Railroad
is a big organization.

It's got the
government behind it.

If we do anything to
their employees--

We are not gonna do anything
but scare them.

They don't look like the type
who scare easily.

Leave it to me, Arnold.

Now, please send in
Crawford and Macklin.

Alright, dear.

Ah, you big dope,
it's stuffy in here.

Why don't you open the wind?

Hold it.

It's time fellas like
you were home in bed.

Where did you come from?

I'll ask the questions,
if you don't mind.

Hey, what's going on
around here?

'Come on down, Dave.'

Be right there.

How do you spell souvenir?

S-O-U-V-E-N-I-R.

Hurry up, will ya?

You don't have to write her
a book, you know.

By the way, what did
that note say we got?

Well, something about
laying off the survey

if we wanted to stay alive,
foolishness like that.

That Martin girl
is pretty smart.

She might mean what she says.

We better keep our eyes open.

Yeah, tomorrow.

Right now, I gotta
get some sleep.

You wanna try that too,
instead of running around

the streets all night.

Hawkins? Mr. Hawkins?

Put this inside.
This is what they're after.

Hold it, Dave.

Looks like they're quitting.

Why, those no good lowdown.

There's one of the Martin girls.

Let's ask her a few questions.

Is everything alright?

I'm sorry to disappoint you,
but everything is just fine.

Simmer down, Dave.

You have some explaining to do,
Miss Martin.

This survey we're making
is a government approved

project, you know.

And interfering with us
is pretty serious business.

I know and I don't blame you
for thinking I had something to

do with this, this attack,
but I didn't.

I was trying to get out
here to warn you.

But I see it wasn't necessary.

I'm glad you weren't hurt.

How can a little girl with
such a nice smile

tell such big fibs.

I'm telling the truth.

I saw my sister talking to those
men at the ranch last night.

And then this morning,
they rode out early.

I tried to get here
before they did.

Sure, kid. Sure.

- Now, listen, you--
- Alright, you two.

I think she's telling
the truth, Dave.

I'm sure Mr. Hawkins
won't mind if we go inside

and talk this thing over,
Miss Martin.

No Martin has ever set
foot in this house

while I've been in it,
and none ever will.

Hold it now, Mr. Hawkins.

When I talked to this
particular Martin yesterday

she seemed happy the
railroad was gonna be here.

Why don't you give her a chance?

Albert Hawkins? Don't you drive
that girl away from here again.

I'll take a skillet to you.

By golly! The old lady
ain't had strength enough

to talk to me like
that for months.

She must be feeling better.

She'd been better
a long time ago

if you let me take care of her,
the way I wanted to.

Listen, no Martin is gonna
do any favors for me.

'Albert?'

Yes, sir. It was just like
a miracle, that's what.

From the minute
Albert here told me

you boys were building us
a railroad..

...I started getting better.

Well, that's wonderful,
Mrs. Hawkins.

But we are not actually
building a railroad.

We're just laying
the route out for it.

Same thing.

I think it's wonderful.

Your sister doesn't agree
with you on that.

Even if she is your sister,
my dear..

...that Clara Martin
is the meanest

woman that ever
wore shoe leather.

I can't understand why
your father listens to her.

I can't either.
But it's been that way

ever since I can remember.

Clara's been running
everything for dad

except the ranch for years.

Have you tried to
talk to him about it?

I mean, about the way
your sister has managed

to put everybody in the
community into debt.

Yes. But he won't pay
any attention to me.

He's, well,
he's kind of stubborn.

He's not mean, but he just
doesn't care about

business at all.

He spends all of his
time on the ranch.

'Well, I don't think he's
been in town for years.'

That's right, he hasn't.

He lives like one of them
Chinese kings

on that ranch of his.

I've been thrown off a dozen
times by his hired hands

when I tried to go see him.

That must be Clara's doing.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised.

Tell you what, Frances.

Suppose you ride out with Dave
and I to your father's ranch

'maybe we can talk
some sense into him.'

I think that's
a wonderful idea.

Officially, of course..

...we're only interested in
completing the survey

without anymore interference.

But it would be nice
if we can straighten out

a few other things at
the same time.

Unofficially, I'm interested
in plenty other things.

Bye, see you soon.

Thank you, Mr. Connors.

- Dave's the name.
- We'll keep you posted.

What are you in
such a hurry about?

Good morning, Mr. Martin.
No hurry.

I'm just giving the
horse a little exercise.

- Well, don't overdo it.
- Yes, sir.

What's up?
Why aren't you at the patch?

The kid's riding in here with
those two surveyors.

Well, you'd better
ride into town

and tell Miss Martin right away.

Ask her what she
wants us to do about 'em.

Alright, I will.

Dad, I'd like you to meet
Mr. Wilson and Mr. Connors.

- Howdy, men.
- Glad to meet you, Mr. Martin.

- Same here.
- These men are surveyors, Dad.

Yeah. What are they doing now?

Making a new state boundary
or something?

No, we work for the
Central Valley Railroad.

A railroad?

W-well, where are you
figuring on building

a railroad around here?

Down the middle
of the Big Valley

west of here
and through Martinsville.

What do you wanna do that for?

I don't need a railroad.

'Well, maybe that's true.'

But this part of
the country needs one.

At least the
government thinks so.

'Well, you go back and
tell them they're wrong.'

I own every foot of that valley.

And I know more about
it than they do.

Dad, you don't exactly
own the land, you know.

You have a grazing permit.
That's all.

Well, it's the same thing.

Been grazing my cows
there for 30 years.

Well, the governor of the state
told me himself, it was my land.

Nobody'd ever try to take
it away from me. He said.

I told him nobody better try.

And nobody has.

I even let the
homesteaders live there.

Plenty of room for everybody.

I'm not a greedy man.

Now according to some--

He was right, Mr. Martin.

Nobody wants your land.

And the government won't ever

rescind your
grazing permit either.

The country needs
your beef herds.

But since the land
itself really belongs to--

Oh, uh, gentlemen

this is my
eldest daughter, Clara.

She runs all my affairs.

We've met.

Well, well,
what a pleasant surprise.

Uh, did you get
our message last night?

Frances, you know better than
to bring strangers out here.

Especially troublemakers
like these two.

They're not the
troublemakers. You are.

You and your hired cruel--

How dare you
speak to me like that?

Father, do I have
to stand for this?

Now, Frances,
you know I don't like

you to be disrespectful
to your sister.

Apologize now.

No, I won't apologize.

Dad, please don't listen to her.

She's just trying
to cause trouble--

I won't have you
talking like that, Frances.

Now, either you
apologize or I'll s--

Frances, come back here!

Father, we really ought to send
her away to some school.

Maybe they could
teach her a few manners.

I can't do a thing
with her anymore.

Yeah.

I think you're right, Clara.

We'll discuss it later.

Oh, uh..

What's the trouble
with these two men?

You said something about--

Well, they started
a fight in the saloon

not ten minutes after
they were in town.

And beat up two of our men.

There's nothing wrong with that.

What was all this
talk about a railroad?

That's what I wanna know.

'We're making a survey
through the valley, Mr. Martin.'

We didn't come here to
ask you your permission.

We just want you to cooperate.

I started to tell you before
that the government

owns that land and not you.

I suggest you restrain your men

from interfering
with us anymore.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

But I will tell you this much.

If I don't want a railroad

through my land,
there won't be one.

- I haven't made up my mind yet.
- You will.

As soon as I explain to you what
will happen to all our business.

- The railroad will ruin it.
- It will not.

It'll just give you
some honest competition.

Listen, you two.

If my daughter
tells me a railroad

will hurt my business,
she's right.

I don't wanna hear
any more about it.

You won't.

Not until you wake up
some morning

and see the engine turn
across the valley.

Come on, Whip, we're
not getting anywhere here.

Yeah, I can see
that it's useless

to argue with either of you.

I just wanna warn you
though, leave us alone.

Who did it? Do you know them?

Nah, they have masks on.
But I recognized one of 'em.

It was that no good Mooney,
Martin's crooked freight agent.

And another was, was Randall,
the bartender. I'm pretty sure.

Every one of our
instruments is busted.

This all happened on
account of us, Mr. Hawkins.

Martin's gang knew
you were on our side

and they're making
you suffer for it.

Well, I'm glad you weren't hurt.

Don't worry about us, Whip.

I'll get some
other men together.

We got some shootin' to do.

You figure on smoking
Martin out on his own ranch?

Right.
We might lose a few doin' it.

But it's either that or
get run out one at a time.

The way we figure, we either
fight for our land or quit.

And even if we die for it,
it's better than giving up.

Wait a minute.

Martin's got a great advantage.

He's always had.

We aim to cut him
down to our size.

Listen to me, this is all wrong.

Even if you do succeed
in killing Martin

you won't get what you're after.

And you'll be outlaws,
all of you.

Yeah, maybe we will.

At least we'll be
free of the old--

You'll be risking
your own lives.

The only way you
can get real security

is help us get
this survey finished.

But how can you do that if they

keep busting up
your instruments?

Oh, we'll get some
new ones in a few days.

In the meantime, your
friends can help a lot.

Some of them must have some old
telescopes that I can use.

I'll work with them, while Dave
rides for some new ones.

Sure. I can make it to
Dodge City and back

in two days by changing
horses along the way.

I think you could at that.

There's a lot of big horse
ranches between here and there.

They'll all honor a
company paper.

You're right again.

That's the second time
you stopped me

from making a dang
fool out of myself.

You better stick around here.

Well, so long, Dave.
And don't take any chances.

- See you soon.
- Good luck.

Alright, boys.

Pick your spots
on the hillsides.

And make sure your
horses are out of sight.

And no smoking.

I don't want any
of you to be seen

until I tell you
to start shooting.

How are we doing, Whip?

Pretty good, considering.

We're doing as well as can be

expected with this
tired equipment.

Dave ought to be
here before long.

Good!

'They'll never
know what hit 'em.'

That's a mistake, Clara,
we'll never get away with it.

Why not?

Not one of 'em will be left
alive to tell what happened.

But the government will surely
send investigators out here.

Let them.

They'll never find a trace of
anything when we're through.

Now come on, let's
get out of sight.

Crawford, bring me my horse.

Where in tarnation is
everybody this morning?

Crawford!

Frances, I thought I told
you to stay in your room.

Let me go, dad.
I've got to get a gun.

A gun?

What for? Who you gonna shoot?

Nobody. I have got to warn
Whip and Dave.

They're gonna be ambushed
and killed if I don't.

Good. By whom?

By yourmen.

Dad, if you don't
stop them, I will.

Oh, so that's where
everybody is.

Dry-gulchin' isn't in my line.

I never shot a man
in the back in my life.

Whose idea was this
anyway? Crawford's?

Of course not.
It was Clara's.

Will you stop her, dad?

You go get my horse,
I'll get my gun.

They're getting in range,
Miss Martin.

I'll let you know when to fire.

Now get back to you spot.

It's Connors.

He'll never see us
if everybody keeps hidden.

Let him through.
We can't risk a shot now.

It must have been
Macklin shooting him.

That fool.

- That shot came from the hills.
- Yeah.

Look.

Be under cover, men.

Clara, your father's comin'.

Clara, what's going on here?

Heard you was figuring on
dry-gulching those surveyors.

We were.

Macklin ruined it for us.

They're all out of site now,
we're really in for it.

Clara, I don't mind the gunfight

but you shouldn't go in
for bushwhacking.

Especially with
the railroad fellas.

We don't wanna be
fighting the cavalry.

That's what I told her,
Mr. Martin.

But it's too late now.
Connors is already dead.

Dave's dead?

'That's right, down on
the trail somewhere.'

Clara..

...you've got us into trouble.

But don't worry,
we'll get out of it.

Where's the other one?
We better take care of him

so he can't go running
back to the government.

Down there with a
half dozen homesteaders.

All armed.

- They must have got Dave.
- Maybe.

But I'm gonna find out.

Ah, there they are.

These things will pick
out ever man up there.

So will the old telescope.

Tell each man to use 'em.

Pick out a target.

When I give the
signal, pin 'em down.

I gotcha. We'll blow the tops--

No, I don't want
anyone shooting to kill.

I just want them
pinned down. Understand?

What about Dave?

That's my problem.

If they've done anything
to Dave, I'll take care of it.

But right now, I
want to settle this

without anymore bloodshed
if it can be done.

I'm going up and talk
to that man Martin.

- Alone?
- That's right. Now get going.

Martin! Max Martin!

There's Wilson.

This will take care of him.

Hold it, Clara.

He's saying something. Listen.

'Martin!'

Come on out.

I wanna talk to you!

I'll meet you
halfway up the hill.

It's a trick. Don't do it.

It's no trick.

If he's not afraid of our
men, I'm not afraid of his.

I'll go talk to him.

Tell the boys
to hold their fire.

Crawford!

'Pick yourself a
good spot on the hill.'

'Wait until my father finishes'

'talking to Wilson before
you start shooting.'

And don't miss.

We can't afford to
let Wilson stay alive

no matter what
my father decides.

Well?

I won't waste
your time, Mr. Martin.

You and your men
can't stop progress.

You're foolish to try.

I did my best to explain to
you how a railroad here would

help you and all your neighbors
instead of hurting you.

But you wouldn't listen.

Well, I'm finishing this survey

whether you
like it or not.

If I fail, someone else would
come along and do it.

What do you mean someone else?

The United States
cavalry maybe?

That's possible, too.

Now, are you willing to talk
this thing over sensibly?

Without shooting?
And save a lot of lives?

Talking won't help, Wilson.

My daughter Clara
tells me a railroad

will ruin all my business.

Well, it's time you
stopped letting

that daughter of yours
run your affairs

and looked into them yourself.

You'd be surprised
what you'd find.

That's all I ask you to do.

Just talk to some of the farmers

and ranchers who
are your neighbors.

You'll find out how
your freight agency

your stores, and your bank have
almost starved them to death.

Oh, you're crazy. I never
starved anybody in my life.

Well, your daughter has.

Now the homesteaders
are all down there.

Covering every one of your men.

They're ready to die if they
have to, defending their land.

I've held them back so far, but
I won't be able to much longer.

Well, I'm not afraid of them.

I know that.

And they're not afraid of
you anymore, either.

Now, this whole
thing can only end

in what amounts
to wholesale murder.

On both sides.

Well..

Maybe some of the things you've
been telling me make sense.

I'll look into it. I'm making
no promises, mind you.

But I'll investigate it.

Thanks, Mr. Martin.
You're a good man.

You're pretty sandy yourself.

Wait a minute.
Just one more thing.

What about my partner Dave?

They tell me one of my men
shot him. I didn't order it.

Well, this job comes first.

But when it's finished, I'll
settle with the man who did it.

You can tell him that.

Wherever he goes,
I'll settle with him.

Dave, I thought you were dead.

Oh, no.

It, it just creased me
a little bit, that's all.

That must have been Connors.

Macklin didn't finish him.

Wait a minute, Clara.

I promised Wilson there
wouldn't be any more shooting.

I don't care what you told him.

Men, get Connors!

Then cut down on
those homesteaders.

Clara! Hold your fire, men.

Pin 'em down, men.

Wilson must've
double crossed you.

I've had enough of this.

We haven't got a chance
against those telescopes.

I'm quittin'.

Frank, have you seen Benson?

Sure, he hightailed it out of
here some time ago.

Hold your fire, men.

'Looks like they've had enough.'

Look, there's Dave and Frances.

Hiya, partner, give me a rifle.

You won't need it.

What's the rush?

Clara, I'm glad you're alright.

I bet you are.

What's in the saddlebags,
Arnold?

All the cash in the bank.

I'm doing what we should
have done long ago.

'I was on my way
out to get you and--'

Oh, sure. Sure.

Is that why you
were so careful to

sneak out without my seeing you?

'Oh, no, you're wrong, Clara,
I couldn't find you'

'in all the excitement.
Clara, don't--'

Now that's a
pretty sight, isn't it?

That was a good
idea of mine building

a railroad across
the valley, huh?

Yes, sir. Sure glad
you thought of it.

I think of all the
pretty girls on that train

and I'll probably never
get to meet any of em.

Oh, well, that's life.

Never mind the
philosophy, dear boy

come in and help
me with the dishes.