The Lawless Breed (1952) - full transcript

Released from jail, John Wesley Hardin leaves an account of his life with the local newspaper. It tells of his overly religious father, his resulting life of cards and guns, and his love for his step-sister replaced on her death during a gun fight with that for dance-hall girl Rosie.

They don't look near so high

from the outside.

For a time, we were afraid they

weren't high enough to hold you in.

If you're takin' a train,

there's one leavin' Huntsville

this afternoon.

- Thanks, Chuck.

- Good luck, Wes. Good luck.

Good-bye.

- Good morning. What can I do for you?

- I'm Wes Hardin.

- John Wesley Hardin?

- That's right.

I have a story here.

Wrote it myself.

It's about me.

I think it might

interest people.

- I'd like to read your story, but--

- There's no hurry.

I'm leaving town

on the afternoon train.

If you decide to make a book of it,

I'd be much obliged.

- Where can I reach you?

- You'll find it in there on the last page.

I have been tried for murder

and condemned in a court of law.

I have been tried by public opinion

and my name connected

with every major crime in Texas

over a period of years.

In the interest

of truth and justice,

I have set down the

unvarnished facts of my life.

My own story in my own words.

Let people judge for themselves.

I was born into a fine family

in Fannon County, Texas,

on the 26th day of May, 1853.

With the outbreak

of the war between the states,

my childhood came to an end

at the age of seven.

My father raised a company

to fight for Texas.

My brother Dave

was killed in Georgia.

My brother Joe

was crippled in Mississippi.

The war ended, but peace

didn't come to Texas.

We were a proud people

ruled by a foreign army:

the Army of the United States.

My father, J.G. Hardin,

was a preacher

and a circuit rider.

He was a strong, God-fearing man

who carried his Bible

like a six-gun

and fought with the devil

wherever he found him.

- Where did you get it, son?

- I bought it.

With gambling money.

Don't back up, son.

Not when a man is coming at you.

I don't back up from any man...

unless he was my pa.

What would you do,

shoot him with that pistol?

You've grown strong

in the house of the Lord.

Yet your strength is

the strength of the devil!

I placed your feet

on a path of righteousness.

Yet you seek out

the ways of sin!

With the help of the Lord,

I may yet conquer the evil in you.

Pray for forgiveness, for mercy,

for understanding.

I'll pray for you.

Jane Brown was an orphan.

Her family had been lost

in the war,

and she'd come to live with us.

We'd grown up together.

Jane was about

the prettiest girl in Texas.

Wes.

Oh, Wesley, he beat you again.

Sometimes it seems like he

enjoys it, whippin' and prayin'.

Seems like the time has to come when

a man doesn't take another whippin'!

Even from his own pa!

Even from the preacher

in this part of Texas!

I tell you, Jane,

I'm going away.

I'm gonna get me some money

so we can get our own land.

Place with green grass,

real grass, for horses.

- And water--

- That runs all year round.

A white painted house.

- Yes, I know.

- You don't believe me.

Wes, if you'd only

be patient for a while.

- Study your law books.

- Law books!

There's no more law in Texas.

Only Yankee law!

- It won't always be that way.

- I'm tired of waitin'!

There's a million head of cattle

in Texas. Maybe more.

Mavericks running wild

on the range.

Belonging to nobody

because of the war.

A man just has to round up

a few cattle, brand 'em

and drive 'em to the railroad.

But there are thousands of men.

Older men with money, horses

working these mavericks.

All I need's $200 or $300 for

an outfit and a good cow pony.

I can raise it.

I got a plan, Jane.

I'm goin'.

Will you come back for me, Wes?

I love you, Jane.

I love you.

Jane.

Pa's wantin' his dinner.

Wes, I'm sorry he whipped ya.

I could hear it.

Your brother's goin' away, Joe.

It might be best that he does.

I guess it's the only thing

you can do, Wes.

Pa just don't understand you.

Jane! Joe!

Come in the house!

You better go now.

Good luck, Wes.

- You didn't answer my question, Wes.

- I'll be back for you.

I'll be waiting.

Jane!

Good-bye, Wes.

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

Shh. Shh.

- Who is it?

- Wes Hardin.

- Hello, preacher's boy.

- Good evenin', Rosie.

- Anyone see you come into town?

- Nobody.

- No Yankee soldiers saw you?

- They couldn't see a white barn

if it was in front of 'em.

If they knew we were open

after dark, they'd throw

a lock on the door.

- Hello, preacher's boy.

- Hi, Gus.

Out after dark

in a place like this?

If the Yankees don't get ya,

the devil will.

I can take good care

of the Yankees, Gus.

The devil will be busy with you.

Marv, I'm back again.

How much for the law books?

- Same as last time.

- I don't want a loan. I wanna sell 'em.

- About ten dollars.

- That's a lot of law for ten dollars.

- The books are worth 50.

- Ten dollars.

Give him 30.

- I'll give you 20.

- Make it 25, you piker.

Stay on your own side

of the fence.

I'll give you $20.

Sold. Make yourself

a lawyer.

Now that you're in the law business

you can start collecting debts around here.

I sure will,

soon as I read up on it.

- What are you gonna do, Wes?

- Gonna get me a farm.

Buy me some stock.

Breed the best horses in Texas.

You figure you can get it

faster this way...

if you're lucky.

Maybe I'm lucky.

Who knows?

Sit in.

- What are you lookin' for?

- How to collect I.O.U.s with interest.

- You know what "interest" means?

- Yes and no.

- There's a lot of kinds of interest.

- Yeah?

Yeah. Take me,

for instance.

Yeah, I got an interest

- in somebody that's got an interest in somebody else.

- Oh.

- How would you figure that one out?

- Well, I--

Don't forget the kitty, boys.

I'll take one.

I'll buy two and check.

It'll cost you 50 to play.

- I got three kings.

- No good.

I got a flush.

You gave me four clubs goin' in,

and you just gave me this one.

Where'd you get that card?

You gave it to me.

I gave you a heart.

Why you!

- Wes, look out!

- Drop it, Marv!

Put your hands up.

You all saw it.

He drew first.

Get out, quick.

He's got three brothers.

They won't ask who drew first.

Put my money in my hat, Rosie.

Keep your hands up!

Put it in my saddlebag.

The first man out

this door gets shot.

Stay put till you hear me ride.

Wes, look out!

Take care of yourself, Rosie!

Take care of yourself, preacher's boy!

All right, line up.

Come on, move.

Up against the bar, all of you.

It was murder,

murder in the first degree.

Habeas corpus.

That means he's real dead.

- What's the name of the man who shot him?

- The name--

My name is Marv.

Everybody calls me Marv.

I've been tending--

Not your name.

The name of the man

who did the shooting.

Lieutenant, I don't think he saw it.

He couldn't see that far.

You seem to see plenty around here.

You see it?

No, no, but he did.

- Did you see the shooting?

- I seen nothin'.

Ain't seen my wife in a week.

What time is it?

Ah! Everybody's gone blind and dumb

around here at the same time.

Who runs this riding academy?

- Who shot him?

- Wes Hardin, the preacher's boy.

- Who are you?

- Ben Hanley. This is my brother.

- Who are these two?

- We're all brothers.

Corporal, report to

headquarters on the double.

Tell 'em to alert all patrols

for Wes Hardin.

You, miss. You.

We'll need you as witnesses.

You ain't gonna need

no witnesses,

'cause there ain't

gonna be no trial.

Uncle John!

It's Wes Hardin.

Well, hello, Wes.

Step down.

Come on in.

Maybe I shouldn't.

I'm in trouble.

If you're in trouble, you've come to

the right house. Tell me about it.

Put his horse in the barn, Jeb.

- Howdy, Aunt Em.

- Good morning, Wes.

- Wes.

- Sit down, Wes.

Have some breakfast.

What kind of trouble

you in, Wes?

- I shot Gus Hanley.

- Gus Hanley! You killed him?

- Holy smoke.

- You started up with that brood,

you should've got 'em all.

He'll get his chance as soon

as they come runnin'.

Especially Dirk.

He's cut five notches already.

Wes, what I say--

- You don't say nothin'

till you're spoken to.

- There's something else.

I think I shot a couple of

Yankees gettin' out of town.

Yankees!

What are you tryin' to do,

start the war over again?

- Yankees don't count.

- But the Hanleys do.

- Does your pa know about all this?

- I expect he's heard by now.

Joe, saddle the horse, go to Bonham

and tell ol' Jehovah that Wes is with us.

- John, that ain't a nice way

to talk about your brother.

- Half-brother!

Pa don't have to know

where I am.

I expect he don't care.

I cut loose from him before all this.

Joe, do as I say.

Keep off the road.

There'll be patrols

lookin' for Wes.

Joe, when you see Jane,

tell her not to worry.

Tell her I'll be back

for her like I said.

You ain't goin' for a long time

unless it's in a box.

When I'm ready,

I'm goin' back for Jane.

We got plans, Uncle John.

Don't matter about the Hanleys

or Yankees or Pa.

Let the Yankees look for ya.

Let 'em all look,

'cause we won't be here.

We'll be trailin' a herd to Abilene,

and you'll be with us.

- Ready to make a drive?

- We can be ready tomorrow mornin'.

- Can't we, boys?

- We'll be ready sooner if you say so, Pa.

- Joe?

- Sure, Pa. We'll be ready.

Good. Get back

as soon as you can.

Wes, what about Gus?

He draw first?

You beat him, huh?

What do you think?

He's here, ain't he?

Hyah!

Fastest horse in Texas.

Howdy, Uncle John, boys.

Why, if it ain't old Wes here

with half of Texas lookin' for him.

You're a real unpopular boy.

You got the Hanley brothers

looking for him, promising

to shoot him on sight.

Got half the Yankee army

lookin' for him,

makin' the same promise.

Hey, Zeke,

real good-lookin' pony.

Must've cost ya plenty.

Nah, didn't cost me nothin'.

That Yankee major at the fort,

he confiscated this horse

from a ranch.

All I done was

confiscate him back.

- You mean you stole him.

- No, not exactly.

Major wanted to play

poker with old Zeke,

so I obliged him.

He got more cards

off the bottom than

he did off the top.

I got Rondo!

- Hello, Zeke.

- Howdy, Joe.

Roped in the last of 'em.

Ready to go whenever you are.

- Let's stop talkin'.

Take 'em to Abilene, boys.

- Run 'em along!

Jeb and some of the boys

are back at the wagon.

That pony of Zeke's got a good rein.

Quick as a cat.

Here comes old Chick Noonan.

- I wonder what he wants.

- Probably lookin' for a place

to bury his money.

-Hi, John. Hi, Wes.

-What are you doing on trail?

Pick up stray business?

I pick up business

any place I can find it.

Business was good in Abilene.

I had a special embalming

on the Durango Kid.

If I say so myself,

when he's laid out, his own wife

didn't even know him.

She thought he was a stranger

asleep in the parlor.

Uh, been any recent deaths

in Bonham?

No, not that I know of.

Not to change the subject, John,

but did you ever buy

that new black suit?

No. Why?

Ya never can tell.

They come in handy sometimes.

Yes, sir, Rosie.

I've buried 'em in Abilene,

in Santa Fe,

and I've buried 'em

in old Mexico.

But I always like to get back to

Bonham to take care of my friends.

Sorry I missed plantin'

Gus Hanley.

Only three days ago,

I was as close to Wes Hardin

as I am to you right now.

- Chick, you're

gettin' too sentimental.

- Where'd you see Hardin?

Why, four, five days ago

on the trail to Abilene.

Uh, he's with

the Clemens outfit.

Poor Wes Hardin.

I wonder if he's got

a black suit.

- Then what'd you do?

- Well, then I give him

a real nice hand.

- Then what?

- Then I give myself

a little bit better hand.

That's how come I'm riding Rondo.

What do you do, son?

I'll open for 200.

Two hundred? There ain't

that much money in Texas.

Yes, there is, Zeke.

Right in my saddlebag.

I'll get it.

No, no, no need.

I only got me but $20.

You got Rondo.

You got yourself a bet, son.

- How many cards you want?

- Two.

I guess I only need one.

Well, it looks like a showdown, Wes.

What you got?

Four aces! Why,

I never gave you no aces!

Yes, you did, Zeke.

Two on the deal.

I give you a pair of deu--

Looks like you lost

yourself a horse.

I'll be full-blooded

to a ringtailed baboon!

I'm through playin' cards.

My luck's against me.

You're luck's all right.

You just need to

practice up a little.

I just need a new deck.

Clemens' outfit hit town yet?

Not yet.

I hear they're due this afternoon.

Clemens' boys hang out in here?

We're just about

the official headquarters

for all the Texas outfits.

This hour of the mornin',

it's kinda quiet.

- What'll it be?

- We'll be back.

Hey, Charlie!

Run over to Marshal Hickok's

office. Tell him Dirk Hanley

and brothers are in town.

You tell him yourself.

I ain't messin' with Hanley

or any of his kin.

Hyah! Hyah!

First thing we get into Abilene,

I'm gonna get me a nice, cold beer.

Scoops of 'em.

Corn liquor for chasers.

I'm gonna get me

one of them nice, great,

big 25-cent steaks.

Then I'm gonna jump

into a nice, hot tub

and wallow around like

an old sow in a mud hole.

First thing I'm gonna do

is call Madame Lucy,

a French dressmaker,

buy Jane the fanciest

wedding dress ever been

seen in Texas.

Long white veil and big bows.

Well, your poker luck

holds out, you can buy

half-interest in the bank.

I don't want any bank.

All I want is enough money

to buy that horse farm

for me and Jane.

Hyah! Hyah!

Zeke! I thought

you and Wes was comin'

over to the bathhouse.

I tried to get him over there,

John, but he couldn't wait

to get into a poker game.

- You been here ever since?

- No, no.

We went over to

that dressmaker's.

He ordered a dress.

All satin and lace.

Cost almost $300.

- Why'd you let him come back here?

- I couldn't stop him.

Just a couple of hands,

he says. Yeah.

He almost lost all of

his money right now.

He ain't got enough

to pay for that dress.

If he gambles away Rondo, I'll--

♪ I'll tell you

All about our Nelly ♪

♪ Nelly, the flower

Of womankind ♪

Which one of you is Wes Hardin?

Who wants to know?

Got word for him

from Dirk Hanley.

Tell him we got word for him.

If the Hanleys have

come to Abilene lookin'

for trouble with Wes,

they're gonna get it.

Take it easy, son.

Wes is big enough to take care

of his own quarrels.

- I'm Wes Hardin.

- Dirk Hanley says you murdered

his brother, Gus.

Says he's gonna kill ya.

Says he's waitin'

outside the saloon.

Well, what do I tell him?

I got no quarrel

with Dirk Hanley.

Tell him I'm not comin'.

But...

tell him I'll be

waitin' outside if he

wants to come and see me.

If loudmouth over there

is finished with

his private conversation,

maybe I can get on with my song.

I'm all through, ma'am.

It was real polite of you to wait.

I was runnin'

into bad luck anyway.

Did you get good money

for the herd? I'm gonna need

some to pay for Jane's dress.

No time to be thinkin'

about any dress.

What are you gonna do?

- Like I said.

- Listen, Wes.

When he comes to you, stand still.

Wait him out.

He'll stop before he draws.

♪ All of the gentle...

- Did you see him?

- I've seen him.

He says for you to come to him.

He'll be waitin' for you.

That's what I figured he'd say.

All right, you know what to do.

Goin' somewhere, Ben?

Hold it!

How much money

do I have comin',

Uncle John?

About enough for

Jane's weddin' dress.

Lend me ten dollars, will ya?

I feel lucky again.

Told you I was feelin' lucky.

- You're way ahead now.

Let it go at that.

- I haven't started yet.

Hardin, you're under arrest.

Hand over your gun.

- Who are you?

- The name is Hickok.

So hand over your gun.

There's two other Hanleys

in Abilene, Marshal,

so I'll be needin' my gun.

I was plannin' to offer you

a safe escort out of town.

Thanks just the same.

You're a brave boy, Hardin.

I wouldn't like to have to kill you.

You can have one hour to get

out of town on your own.

By that clock.

Gunned down Dirk Hanley

and backed up Wild Bill

all in the same five minutes.

I wouldn't be surprised

if you lived to see 21.

- Well, let's get out of here.

- Not me.

- You're pushin' your luck.

- No, I'm not.

I'm not going till I get

Jane's wedding dress.

- When will that dress be ready?

- Tomorrow morning.

Tell them that dress

has to be ready in one hour.

- John, we can't--

Go on! I want a weddin' dress

- back here before 6:00.

Come on, fellas.

Come on.

Jim, how about buyin'

your dad a drink?

I need one.

Please, you got to get out

of my place.

Wild Bill, he will be back,

ah, soon, ah?

Go someplace. Go home.

It's getting late.

- Go home and sleep, huh? You tired?

- Forget it.

Have the girl sing it again.

Give her this.

Oh!

Miss Richardson,

that boy from Texas

wants you to sing it again.

- Again? What's the matter,

is he hard of hearin'?

- He's paying you for it.

I'll sing as long as

these keep rollin' in.

Play, play!

Sing a lot!

Sing a lot!

♪ Open thy ladders

Love, listen to me ♪

♪ In the voyage of life

Come on!

Wes, here it is.

Here's the dress.

- Now let's go.

- Hey. Huh? How's this?

How do I know it's gonna fit her?

- What do you

want me to do, put it on?

- Get somebody. Sylvester!

- What's the matter?

- Let one of the girls try this on.

Put on the dress?

Look at the time!

We want to get him out.

He wants to see how it looks.

- Oh! Emma, come here.

- Emma!

Lola, Lola,

come here, come here!

Josephine, come over here!

Hold it up there.

Put it up.

Wes, look it.

- It's nice, no? You like it?

- No.

- Put it on!

- Lola! Try it on Lola.

She's a nice girl, eh?

Eh?

No, she don't look like a bride.

Wes, look at this.

Perfect. Perfect!

That's nice, huh?

- Let's see your feet.

- Feet!

- Nope, too big.

- Ah!

Look at the time!

I figure it'll take just about

one minute to fix that clock.

Marshal, in one minute,

I'm gonna be as far away

from here as I can.

Pick up my money, Uncle John.

Wes!

- Oh, Wes, you shouldn't be here.

- I told you I'd be back.

- Your father'll hear us.

- Never mind.

I've come back to marry ya.

Look, Jane.

We've got enough money

to buy that farm.

Just like I promised.

Lots of pasture and trees.

Wait'll you see what

I brought you from Abilene.

Look, Jane.

- Oh, a wedding dress.

- Try it on.

- No, it's bad luck.

- I want you to... now.

It's so beautiful,

but where did you get

all that money, Wes?

I didn't steal it.

I didn't mean that.

I've been lucky, Jane.

Luckier than a man

has a right to be.

You mean, like when

you killed Dirk Hanley?

I heard.

The Hanleys came lookin' for me.

Come on, Jane.

Let's get out of here

and never come back.

I got a bad feeling

about this place.

- But we can't go now.

- Why not?

Because I-- I promised

your pa he'd be the one

to marry us.

- What'd you do that for?

- Shh. Be quiet.

- Wes. Wes!

- Get out of my way.

I'm gonna go talk to him.

Wait, Wes.

- He gave me a home.

He has a right.

- I know.

I just have a feeling

it's gonna be a funeral service

Pa says over me,

not a wedding service.

If you go to an early grave,

it won't be my doin'.

It'll be God's will.

Then I guess it's God's will

I'm still here.

He's had plenty of chances.

Jane, get into

some decent clothes.

I'm not marrying you to Jane

until you're free of the law.

If I turn myself in,

they'll hang me.

Is that what you want?

Hear me out!

The Yankees are leaving,

more every day.

Curfew's been lifted.

The only charge

that'll be brought is

the murder of Gus Hanley.

It wasn't murder.

He drew first.

Then you'll get off

if you have a fair trial.

I'm gonna send for Judge Ames,

the best lawyer in the county.

What if you're wrong?

What if I don't get a fair trial?

If I'm wrong,

I'll take up the gun

and get you free.

I believe you would.

We're going to need

the finest legal advice

that money can buy.

Now, I plan to bring

Foster and Pratt

down from Dallas.

That's gonna cost

a good deal of money.

More than you have, I'm afraid.

How much, Judge?

- How much you got?

- I got $1,200.

You're at least $700

or maybe $800 shy.

I'm very sorry, my boy,

but the scales of justice

hang in a delicate balance.

There's nothing like money

to tilt it our way.

Now, you be at Sheriff Webb's

office Monday morning.

We'll be waiting there for you.

Good day.

There goes our farm, Jane,

and he's not even sure

he can get me a fair trial.

You've got to raise

more money, Wes,

to make sure.

- Any ideas?

- I got one. I don't know

if it's any good.

That horse of yours,

you said he was fast?

They're holdin' some races

over in Cullen County this week.

I was thinkin',

they wouldn't know

about Rondo.

- If you're lucky--

- I don't think you

should go, Wes.

There'll be drinking,

painted women, gambling.

And there'll be trouble.

Wes?

Please don't go.

I'm not lookin'

for any trouble, Jane.

The way you wear that gun,

you won't have to look for it.

You'd be safer here.

All right.

I'll go without my gun.

I'll ask Uncle John

and the boys to come along.

There won't be any trouble.

I'm sorry to keep

pickin' on you.

I know you've had to give up

all your money and plans

because of me.

We need that money, Jane.

When I get back Sunday,

I want you to be wearin'

that weddin' dress.

All right, folks, the third race is

a sweepstakes. Winner takes all.

All right, boys,

let's get 'em up to

their startin' line.

Come on, come on.

Let's get 'em up there.

Come on. Get 'em in

line, a straight line.

Get in straight line.

Not gonna start this race

till you're in a straight line.

Get that horse to the line.

I won't start this race.

Clint, get back!

Get set! Go!

Come on, Wes! Wes!

Wes!

How much is in the pot

for the winner?

- How much, Charlie?

- Let's see. That's $385.

Oh, and to think

I had to lose that horse

in a crooked deal.

Don't forget, folks:

All bets will be paid off

at Jack Martin's Saloon

after the last race.

Hey, you! I'll bet you 500

against your 385

you can't outrun my buckskin.

- You got yourself a bet.

- So have you.

Jeb, cool him off.

Hey, Wes, $385 is a lot of money.

You better be--

Put up your money, mister.

Easy come, easy go.

Wes, have a drink on the hearse.

Thanks, Chick.

Hey, Wes.

Well, Rosie,

you come up here

by yourself?

- No, quite a few of us came up

from Bonham today.

- Oh, yeah?

Includin' Ike Hanley

and Sheriff Webb.

I guess that's why Chick Noonan

brought along his hearse.

Sheriff Webb's got

no cause to make trouble.

Ike Hanley has,

and you're walkin' around

without a gun.

You're wrong, Rosie.

I'm going back to Bonham

and give myself up.

After I get married

to Jane on Sunday.

You-- You're gonna

buy a farm and settle down

and raise horses, huh?

That's right.

There'll always be a place

at the table for you.

You'll make a fine farmer,

and you'll make Jane

very happy,

wonderin' every day

when you're gonna get killed.

Don't worry about it.

- I don't know why

I should care about you.

- Why do ya?

Maybe it's because you and me

are both the same kind.

Livin' high on the hog today

'cause we don't believe

tomorrow's gonna come.

All right, preacher's boy,

have it your way.

Good-bye, Rosie.

Wes!

- Yeah?

- Take care of yourself.

I aim to, Rosie.

- Who's that peacock?

- That's Rosie McCoy,

a friend of mine.

- Where's she from?

- Bonham. She works for the Hanleys.

And you say

she's a friend of yours?

Best friend I have,

excepting you.

- Hey, what's goin' on

there, mister?

- Sheddin' a little weight.

We'll shed a little weight too.

Take her off, Jeb.

If you're gonna ride bareback,

you better put some glue

on the seat of your britches.

I'll be all right.

You better get somethin' for him.

He can ride frontward,

backward, sideways

and without a bridle.

- What's goin' on here?

- This fella fancies

himself a rider.

Yeah, wants to ride

without a saddle.

- Oh.

- It's all right by me.

- Fancy fella, huh?

- Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah. How much money

you got?

- Hundred and a quarter... on Rondo.

- Hundred and a quarter?

All right, boys, let's get

'em up to the startin' line.

I want 'em even.

Steady.

Get set. Go!

Come on, Wes.

Come on, Wes!

Come on, Wes!

Come on, Wes!

Come on, Wes!

$885.

We'll take our money now, Judge.

You'll take your money

at Jack Martin's Saloon

like everybody else.

Well, we'll get it anyway.

I tell you, I can't go

through with it, Ike.

I've known that boy

all his life.

What you mean is you're scared.

Why not?

He's the fastest draw in Texas.

He ain't lookin'

for trouble from you.

- Just handle it the way I told you.

- Yeah.

Suppose he doesn't try

to resist arrest.

Here's 500 that says he does.

Come here.

Take a look.

He ain't even wearin' a gun.

Won't be a minute, boy.

Be right out.

- Where do we get paid?

- Over here.

Over here.

Let me see your tabs.

- Wanna count it?

- Count it, Uncle John.

She's all there.

- Got your money, Wes?

- I've got it, Sheriff.

Then start walking.

You're under arrest

for killing Gus Hanley.

You're a bit out of your territory,

ain't ya, Charlie?

It's legal.

I'm making a lawful arrest.

John, you keep out of this.

Keep your hands where

I can see 'em.

There's no sense

in your arresting me

today, Charlie.

You must've talked

to Judge Ames.

Ike knows about it.

- Never mind the talk.

- I'm not looking for any trouble here.

Jane and me are gettin'

married tomorrow.

I'm not turnin' myself in

till Monday like I agreed.

And I'm keepin' my word.

Come on, Uncle John.

You're resistin' arrest.

Whoa!

Let's get outta here.

We've been here long enough.

- Where do you think you're goin'?

- Back to Bonham, like I said.

- That's the first place

they'd look for ya.

- I'm going to get Jane.

Why don't you stop talkin' like a fool?

You ain't goin' back.

You're headin' for

the Rio Grande right now.

If he says he's goin' back

for Jane, he's goin' back.

I'm goin' with him.

It's only a short piece.

I can make it myself.

Boys, go on back to the ranch.

If a posse comes along,

keep 'em talkin'

as long as you can.

Then send them on

the wrong road.

You understand?

- Wes, you're hurt.

- I'm all right.

- What happened?

- Charlie tried to shoot me.

Ike Hanley put him up to it.

I told him I'd turn myself

in after the wedding,

but he wouldn't listen.

- So you killed him?

- Yes, I killed him.

And Ike Hanley too.

You're a plague on the earth,

John Wesley.

Sure. Lots of people

think that.

There's a whole posse

of 'em after me right now.

But don't start praying

for my eternal soul, not yet!

I'm gettin' out of here--

clear out of Texas--

Jane and me.

We'll get that farm, Jane,

just like I promised ya.

Sure, I know. The place

with the white painted fence,

the green grass and water.

I don't believe that anymore.

I don't think you believe it.

No, you'll never

have that place, not now.

You'll never have more

than six feet of ground.

- Listen.

- Because you'll never stop killing.

I've never killed a man

except in self-defense.

- Why did you kill Gus?

- I told you. He tried to kill me first!

- And Dirk Hanley?

- He came looking for me.

Jane, we haven't got time.

Uncle John's waiting on

the other side of the creek.

What are you trying to prove,

that you're above the laws

of man and God?

Not God.

Not His laws.

Your laws, your whip.

You never made me crawl.

I was never afraid of you

or any man.

No, you're not afraid of anyone

so long as you have a gun,

so long as you can kill.

Now you talk like him.

If you'd come away

with me when I wanted,

If he hadn't interfered,

there wouldn't have been

any more killing.

There'll always be more,

because you'll

always have to prove

you're not afraid.

- Now you're talkin' crazy.

- How do you feel when you kill?

Do you feel bad?

Do you feel good?

Do you feel good, Wes?

Tell me. Tell me.

I stayed too long.

Wes Hardin!

Don't open that door.

What would you do,

shoot me down too?

- Who is it?

- Bob Jenkins.

I'm the marshal.

Sheriff Webb's been killed.

We've got a posse

around the place.

We want Wes to come out,

or we're comin' in after him.

Get away from the door.

Don't, Wes. Don't!

Put up your hands, Hardin,

and come toward us.

I'm stayin' right here.

I killed Ike Hanley

and Charlie Webb in self-defense

and you all know it!

You killed an officer of the law

during the performance

of his duty.

You killed him

while resisting arrest.

- What are you gonna do?

They catch me, they're gonna

- string me up without a prayer.

- I'll try to make the creek.

- I'll cover for you.

Go on upstairs, Joe.

I'll try and make it

through the back door.

Pa! Pa!

I heard the shots, Wes.

Sure looks like you stopped

some of 'em.

Let's get over here.

If I tied you on the saddle,

you'd bleed to death

before I went a mile.

Over here.

That's it.

G-Get down there.

Yeah. There.

Here's his horse.

I'll be right back

as soon as I can, Wes.

You'll be all right.

Tell Jane...

I'm all right.

He's not around here.

He must've taken

to the hills.

Hang on, Wes.

This is gonna bite.

- Where are we?

- We're in the territory,

headin' for Kansas.

No.

No, we're goin' to Bonham.

I told Jane

I was comin' back for her.

We can't go back to Bonham, Wes.

I told you I was

goin' back to get her.

No, Wes, no. There's no

need for you to go back.

Jane's dead.

They killed her.

They couldn't get me,

so they killed her.

Yeah, and if you go back,

they'll get you.

- Good morning, gentlemen.

- -Good morning, good morning.

Sorry to keep you waitin'.

What I wanna know is

how, in actual practice,

the rangers can succeed

and enforce the law,

while the present sheriffs

and marshals fail?

Well, in the practical sense,

the importance of a police

agency like the rangers

can best be illustrated

by this man Wes Hardin.

This notorious killer

has escaped apprehension

for six years

simply by hopping

from county to county.

But with the rangers,

they can pursue him anywhere

on a statewide basis,

and, with a little help

from the governor's office,

can go beyond the boundaries

of Texas and bring

this man to justice.

Yes, Duncan?

Gentlemen, you can tell

your readers we'll

bring in Wes Harding.

Sure, Captain, but when?

When? You'll read about it

in the papers.

Rosie? Rosie!

- What is it?

- Where's my boot?

I can't find my boot.

Here it is.

Maybe you'd better hang it

on your watch chain.

Yeah. I guess

I'll have to.

- Goin' out to look for a card game?

- Mm-hmm.

The saloon on the corner

seems lively enough.

Where's my money?

- Pretty thin bankroll.

- Yeah.

Well, it won't always

be like this, honey--

running all the time,

living with riffraff,

rich in the morning,

poor at night.

- Someday we're gonna have a--

- Sure, Wes. A farm,

with green grass,

a white-painted house,

and water that runs

all year 'round.

You wouldn't take that farm

if somebody put it in your

lap, tied up in ribbons.

Why wouldn't I?

How many times have you

had enough to buy a farm

twice over?

We had $3,000 in Waco,

and there was a time in Houston

when you were $8,000 ahead.

But did you ever even

look at a farm, Wes?

What are you trying to say?

I'm tryin' to say

I don't like your fancy dream.

You hang onto it because it

makes you feel better than

the gamblers, the riffraff.

Maybe even better than me.

And I don't want you to feel

better than me, Wes,

'cause I love you

the way you are,

the way you really are.

One of these days,

I'm gonna surprise you, Rosie.

I'm gonna win me

a wagon load of money,

and then we'll settle down.

Might even do it tonight.

Feelin' lucky.

Good. Might win enough

to pay for dinner.

And if I don't?

We'll eat anyway.

Grandma, what would I do

without you?

- Why, you big--

- I'll be back for supper.

When did Mr. Swain

check in?

- Last night.

- Thank you.

- Who was the nosy parker?

- From the sound of him,

I'd say he came from Texas.

- What did he want to know?

- All about you and your brother.

He's probably

a business friend

of my brother's.

Then your brother must be

doing business with

the Texas Rangers.

I saw a star under his coat.

Raise $200.

- I'll call.

- Wes, Wes. A man just

stole my diamond ring!

He's still at the hotel.

Hurry, before he gets away.

I'm sorry, gentlemen.

I hate to leave

in the middle of a game,

especially when I'm ahead.

- Oh, wait a minute.

I've got three kings.

- I'm sorry. Three aces.

Wes, Wes, never mind the money.

My ring! My ring!

I'll be back, gentlemen.

- What is it?

- Wes, the rangers, they're here.

What would the rangers

be doin' in Kansas?

I don't know, but there's

one of them in the hotel

lookin' for ya.

Get outta here, Rosie.

There's gonna be some shootin'.

- No, Wes. No.

- Go back to the hotel.

What is it, Rosie?

All the time we've been here,

and you won't even

bother to unpack

or hang up the curtains.

- Complainin' about your

housekeeper again?

- Yes.

Listen, Wes.

I was born on a farm.

My father marched away

from a farm tall and brave,

in a fine new uniform.

I never saw him again.

My mother died on a farm

givin' birth to his son.

I saw plenty of farms

after that too.

People sweatin' and diggin'

their lives away.

I saw 'em slavin' so they

could save up a few pennies

for that rainy day.

It never rains, Wes;

it pours.

- It doesn't have to be that way.

- Well, that's how it is.

If the weather doesn't get

you, the grasshoppers do,

or taxes or the mortgage.

State of Alabama

starts a war with

the state of Georgia.

You get killed by some fool

bullet meant for a general.

So you never hope and

you never plan because

someday you might get hurt.

If that's the way

you want to say it.

Well, I know a card game too.

I know that if you want to win,

you gotta take a chance. You

gotta add something to the pot.

- But you can't win, Wes, if

you're holdin' my kind of cards.

- How do you mean?

I mean you, Wes.

Now you have to sweat

from sunup to sundown

every day for a year

to earn $1,000

if you're lucky.

You used to be the kind of man

who'd sit in a card game

and win that much money

in one night.

Haven't you been thinkin'

about that, Wes?

Sure. I've thought

all about that,

but this farm is what I want!

You want it now.

It's new; it's a toy.

And when you get tired of it,

you'll wander into town,

pick up a hand,

- and have to shoot

your way outta town again.

- A man can change, can't he?

Prove it to me, Wes.

Prove it!

Because you-- you got no

right to ask me to change

till you can prove it.

Rosie!

Rosie!

Come here quick!

What is it?

Wes?

What is it?

Come in, Parson. Come in.

Come in.

Is this the bride?

It sure is.

My, what a pretty dress.

And such a lovely bride.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered

here in the sight of God--

No trace of Hardin

since you let him get away

from you in Kansas City?

- No, sir, and I don't think

he's in Texas.

- Why?

These recent killin's

don't fit his pattern.

He's never been a thief

or a bandit or a bully.

I think the local officers

just charge every unsolved

shootin' to Hardin.

He's a killer, all right,

but he's brave and--

John Wesley Hardin has made

the name of Texas stink

in the nostrils of justice,

and I want him brought

in here no matter

where he is.

- Yes, sir.

- His brother and uncle still

live up near Bonham, don't they?

- Yes, sir.

- He's bound to get in touch

with 'em or drop in on 'em.

Yes, sir. We have a man

staked out, checkin' every

move and watchin' the mail.

I'd like to take a run

down there myself, sir.

Good, but don't get

too fond of him, Duncan.

If you want to sing his praises,

we'll give you a chance

to recite a eulogy

over his grave

after we hang him.

- Yes, sir.

- That's all.

Yes, sir.

We'll bring him in, sir.

All right. Bring him

in alive, if you can.

Hi, honey.

I'm hungrier than a bear.

Well, you oughta be.

Your food's been waitin'

an hour. Now it's all cold.

Well, I'm sorry.

The buckskin mare's been

havin' a little trouble.

And your corn puddin's

all burned.

I always promise myself I'd

never try to tie you down,

tell you when to come

and when to go, act

like a naggin' ol' wife.

Well now, what's the matter?

The corn pudding's not

that important. The mare's

about to have her foal.

Well, horses aren't

the only thing born

on a farm, Wes Hardin.

Rosie!

You mean you-- Us--

If I'd have been a mare,

you'd have known weeks ago.

"...and we expect

the baby around the end

of October.

I'm sure it will be a boy,

and I'm going to name him after you."

Women! Since when is

the good Lord letting on

whether it's boys or girls

coming into this world?

"We have a real fine farm here,

and we both wish that

you and Joe could come

for a visit sometime soon."

Maybe we could, Pa.

Maybe next winter,

after the boy is born.

I'll be back

day after tomorrow, Rosie.

- Will you be all right?

- Oh, sure, Wes.

- Wes--

- Oh, there won't be

any trouble, Rosie.

I've been

to horse auctions before.

No, no.

It's not that, Wes. It's--

It's somethin' I been

wantin' to say to you

for a long time.

You-- you remember when

I was bein' stubborn,

- when I said I didn't think

you could ever change any?

- Yeah?

Well, I was wrong.

I know what's happened to me,

and nothin's gonna change

me back to the way

I was, Wes; nothin'.

Guess all a person needs

is half a chance.

I feel safe here, Wes,

and-- and settled.

And I don't care if I never

see to the other side

of the next mountain,

'cause this is where

I wanna be-- with you.

Sure, honey.

I always heard

women get nervous and fidgety

around this time.

They get their heads

full of queer ideas.

Well, you go right on talkin'.

Wes! Hurry home!

Oh, Dan, will you

do me a favor and take him

over to the livery stable?

- Tell 'em I'll be back

in a couple of days.

- Mr. Swain, I'll do that.

That's him.

- Round-trip ticket

to Pensacola, please.

- Pensacola?

Where's Dick Taylor today?

He took the day off for himself.

I'm filling in for him, Wes.

Put your hands up, Hardin.

You're under arrest.

You're makin' a mistake, mister.

My name's Swain.

- Who are you?

- A Texas Ranger.

Now, I said put your hands up.

Don't shoot!

I want him alive!

- You get his gun?

- He hasn't got one.

All right.

Take him along.

John Wesley Hardin,

the jury, having

found you guilty

of the murder

of Sheriff Charles Webb,

it now becomes my duty

to pronounce sentence.

Frankly, there's no doubt in my mind

as to what punishment you deserve,

but this court, jealously

guarding the traditions

of American justice,

refuses to sentence you

in accordance with the demands

of popular opinion.

And again, we refuse

to sentence you

for other crimes

which you are alleged

to have committed,

but for which

you have not been tried.

In the matter of the murder

of Sheriff Webb,

the prosecution has

failed to bring forth

any witnesses

who saw

the actual commission

of this particular crime.

Some of the alleged

witnesses are dead;

others have failed

to come forward.

Therefore, it is the sentence

of this court

that you be confined

at hard labor

for a period of 25 years

in the state prison

at Huntsville.

Has the prisoner

anything to say?

Yes, I have, Your Honor.

If you and the jury weren't

afraid of public opinion,

I never would have

been convicted,

because I shot Charlie Webb

in self-defense,

and you all know it.

Maybe I did wrong.

Maybe I deserve

to be punished.

But I'm not a murderer.

I never killed a man

who didn't try

to kill me first.

Take him away.

Keep the place, Rosie,

no matter what.

I will, Wes.

I promise.

The little fella, Rosie, tell him--

tell him I never--

I will, Wes.

I will.

Wes! Wes! Wes!

Wes! Wes! Wes!

Wes!

25 years.

Time enough

for a child to grow up.

Time enough for a man to think.

Time enough to die.

Today, on the 20th

of March, 1894,

in the 16th year

of my imprisonment,

I have received a full pardon

from Governor J.S. Holgg.

I append the document

as an appropriate note

on which to end this narrative.

Henry Johnson!

I've warmed your dinner

for the last time tonight.

What's keeping you?

I was reading a story,

Amy, a true story.

What kind of a story is it?

I don't know yet, Amy,

because I don't rightly know

how this story is going to end.

Wes!

Wes!

Why didn't you tell us

you were coming?

I wanted to come home

this way, Rosie.

Kinda like I was

just coming back

from that horse auction

to Pensacola

a long time ago.

Place looks fine, Rosie.

You're lookin' so pretty,

prettier than I remembered.

I dreamt of you, Rosie,

every night and every day

for all these years.

I dreamed of you

for so hard that

I couldn't rightly remember

what you looked like anymore.

I nearly went crazy

tryin' to draw a picture

of you in my mind.

I know, Wes. I know.

A woman dreams too.

We tried to keep the place

together, Wes. We--

we got some good horses.

We whitewash the stables

every spring,

and we tried to get

the house painted.

Is that him?

Yes.

What sort of a boy is he, Rosie?

John's almost a man now.

He's worked like one

since he was 12.

He's been waiting

a long time for this day.

We both have.

Hello, son.

You must be--

Yep.

Your ma said you were

grown up, but...

I didn't expect to see a man.

Ma says if I keep on growing,

I'll be as tall as you.

You're strong too;

you--

You've worked hard,

haven't you, son?

I don't mind workin'.

Well, now that

there's two of us,

maybe you'll have time

for some fun once in a while.

Nice pony. Is he--

Is he yours?

I guess he's rightly yours now.

Well, you work the place, son.

I figure everything here

belongs as much to you as--

You ought to remember this, Pa;

it's yours.

Sometimes people come

out here asking to see it.

I keep it loaded too.

This how you used to do it, Pa?

How come you never put

any notches on your gun?

John, did you see your father?

Where are you going?

Wes, what is it?

What's wrong? What did

you say to him?

I hit him, Rosie.

I hit him.

Why? Why?

That gun!

He put it on,

and it was me 20 years ago,

thinkin' I could lick

the world with a gun.

I went crazy, and I hit him.

Oh, it'll be all right, Wes.

You'll explain it to him.

It'll be all right.

I don't think it will,

Rosie. He'll be out

lookin' for trouble.

Oh, don't say that.

He's a good boy.

- He'll be out lookin' for trouble.

- What do you mean?

It's happened before.

It's happened to me;

I remember.

My pa and me.

I'm goin' after him.

I'm gonna bring him home.

Hello, John.

What can I do for you?

A whiskey.

I didn't know

you'd started drinkin'.

Have you seen your pa?

Boys said they seen him

come through town

a little while ago.

Look, I came in here

for a drink, not to answer

a lot of dumb questions.

- All right, all right.

- Whiskey.

What makes you

so tough today, Hardin?

'Cause your old man's home?

- Figures the old man will back him up.

- Why don't you shut up?

Think you're man enough?

Why don't you make me shut up?

Maybe he'd show us his pa's

famous trick of carryin'

a gun under his vest

so he can shoot a man

in the back when

he ain't lookin'.

Better go on home, John.

No sense starting

anything with him.

You know--

You know, if I was Wes Hardin

and came home from the pen

after 16 years,

the first thing I'd do

is unlimber my six-gun,

start bangin' away

at the nearest target.

'Specially if I was comin' home

to a swell lookin' woman

like Mrs. Hardin.

Easy, son.

Easy.

You stay out of this.

It's my fight.

There's not gonna be any fight.

Here's his gun.

Keep it.

All right. The boy's not

armed now, and neither am I.

So see that you don't

shoot off anything

but your mouth.

I'll take care

of you another time

with a horsewhip.

- Come on.

- I ain't afraid of you, Hardin,

even if you have

got a gun under your coat,

so draw and fire!

What did I tell you?

Did you see him reach?

- Gimme my gun!

- No! Don't give it to him.

Somebody get Doc Barker.

I thought you said he had a gun.

He reached, I tell ya.

You all saw it.

He was wearing a gun

under arm when he killed Webb.

Now, don't try anything.

- I'll get him for this!

- No.

You're not gonna live

the way I lived

and end up like this

on a dirty floor.

It'd be my fault, son.

Don't you understand?

Leave it alone.

He'll get his.

But you leave it alone.

Swear to me!

I swear it, Pa.

I swear it.

Keep him quiet for a couple

of weeks, Mrs. Hardin,

and he'll be all right.

- I'll come out and have another

look at him this evening.

- Thank you, Doctor.

- Now, John, you drive real slow.

- Sure, Ma.

Remember the last time

we rode in a wagon, Rosie?

Long time ago.

Yeah. This time

is different, Wes.

This time we know

where we're going.

- John!

- Yes, Pa?

Let's go home.