Bonanza (1959–1973): Season 12, Episode 21 - Shadow of a Hero - full transcript

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Wonder when we're gonna head
back into town.

Oh, don't tell me you're hungry again.

It's been dang near an hour
since we ate.

Besides, we're just here

to celebrate the General's birthday,
can't take that long.

Bye, thanks for coming.

Hoss.

Ha, thank you, ma'am.

You're unbelievable, unbelievable.



But I'm healthy.

You know, all this, uh,
this fuss is a little embarrassing.

Imagine, changing the name
of my hometown.

Thought Clear Creek
was a good name.

It has a good sound to it.

I think Cloninger
has a marvelous ring to it.

Wouldn't doubt you two had
something to do

with this statue business.

Now, what do you know
about the statue?

Oh, I... Let's say, I wouldn't wanna
recommend your security officer.

Oh, Willis!

Ira, I assure you the statue
was a spontaneous gesture

from the people of Cloninger.

Flattering, I don't know
how spontaneous it was.



At least, you know,
I'm human enough to enjoy it.

I still think you two
are up to something.

Now, Ira...

You've had a brilliant career.

Many honors have been
bestowed upon you, decorations.

Your hometown wants to add
one more to a long list.

Now, what is the matter with that?

Ben...

You are beginning
to sound like the judge here.

The flowery speech,
and you rode a long way to make it.

You wanted me, sir?

Yes, Sergeant, give me some help
with this infernal sash.

It's, uh, not the only puzzle
I can't figure out around here.

Whoa.

Willis not only ran my headquarters
company like a Swiss watch,

he found time to learn

how to tie
one of these sashes properly.

Well, somebody had to, sir.

Insubordination, if ever I heard it.

Judge, isn't there some way
we can discipline a retired sergeant?

I doubt it.

General?

Oh, Mr. Freed, Barnabas Freed.

Mr. Freed is a, a reporter,
"San Francisco Journal."

The "Journal" sent you
clear down here.

They must've heard
about the celebration.

No, they didn't send me.

I was, uh, passing through
Covis, and...

Whatever your reason for coming,
you're just in time for the festivities.

I'm not interested
in the festivities, General.

I came down here
to get a story on you

and the man
you killed out here yesterday.

You haven't changed much,
Mr. Freed.

Still the gadfly, hmm?

Well, General, I'm a reporter.

And I try to say exactly what I mean.

And I say it's likely that
a murder took place here yesterday.

Sergeant!

- Sir, he can't talk like that.
- At ease, at ease.

Well, there was
some trouble here yesterday.

A horse thief was shot and killed.

And the law was fully informed.

Did you know about this?

Yes.

And the, um, hearing, when is it?

The sheriff investigated,
the facts were clear and simple.

- No hearing.
- Sergeant!

Go get some air now, Willis, go on.

Yes, sir.

Still doesn't like reporters, ay?

Some reporters.

See, when he was with us,

Mr. Freed liked to travel
with the advanced patrols

or ahead of them,
contrary to all orders.

Besides, I had Willis
put a stop to that

and it, uh,
it made Mr. Freed very unhappy.

Well, that's all past history, General.
It's already in the books.

I'm interested in yesterday.

By the way, was, uh,

Willis with you
when the horse thief was killed?

Yes, he was, he was.

And there will be a hearing
day after tomorrow at my insistence.

I think the General
has been very patient, Mr. Freed.

I came all this way
to find out what happened.

And he still hasn't told me.

You're interrupting a very...

That's... That's all right, Judge.

Sergeant Willis and I surprised
three horse thieves on my property,

all armed, stealing my horses.

We tried to capture them,
there was some shooting.

And I killed one of the horse thieves.

And what happened
to the other two?

They got away.

Oh, excuse me, gentlemen.

We should be leaving.

There's a birthday celebration
in town

waiting for the guest of honor.

Certainly, certainly, my dear.

We'll... We'll be right with you.

Oh, Mr. Freed, why don't you join us?
You know, this could be interesting.

You might actually enjoy yourself.
Come on, come on.

Must be a disappointment

having what looked like
a big story just plain vanish.

I didn't know it had.

It has and the hearing will prove it.

If you wait around until tomorrow,

I can promise you
an even bigger story.

Judge?

Front and center,
we can't start without you.

Be right with you, Ben!

A story that'll make headlines
even in San Francisco.

Privileges of rank.

Have enough rank, you can sweep
anything under the rug, even murder.

I'm afraid you lost me, mister.

The General killed a man
here yesterday.

Now they're getting the whitewash out.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you
why we're gathered here today.

There isn't a true son
or daughter in Nevada

who doesn't know and honor
the name of General Ira Cloninger.

Catwalk Ridge, Stacey's Pass,
King's Mill, Adalaya, Cold Harbor.

The campaigns
and the Rosebud and the Snake.

All these and more have placed
General Cloninger's name

indelibly in the histories
our children will read.

Let it also be known
that his courage and leadership

did not go unheeded
in his own time by his own people!

You really believe all this?

Look, if you don't like the speech,
why don't you leave?

I'm a reporter.

I hear an ugly rumor,

then I wanna check it out
for the truth.

When people get evasive,
I get very, very curious.

Yeah, well, rumors are
just rumors, aren't they?

I guess more of them
are pure lies, huh?

About half of them.

What makes you think
this one's the truth?

An itch, an instinct.

After a lot of years, you get to know.

That may make sense to you,
but it doesn't to me.

Was given
the tough assignments...

You know where Angel's Point is?

I'd say it's about
four or five hours from here.

You say he's a hero.

But I say he may have been once,
but he's not anymore.

You wanna prove I'm wrong?

Show me how to find Angel's Point.

Unless, of course,
you're afraid it was murder.

You're the reporter,
you wanna dig up dirt,

do it on your own.

And friends
have a small present for him.

From this moment on,

this town will be known as Cloninger!

And this statue,

now to be unveiled...

is our sincere thank you

to one of the great men of our time.

Mrs. Cloninger.

Thank you very much, Judge.

I'm truly, deeply flattered.

I am indeed a very fortunate man.

But the wars are now back of us,
they're behind us.

And now I've come back home

to the land and to the people
that I love.

My dear wife and I
will never forget this birthday.

It's one of the nicest,
one of the best I've ever had.

I must say, I...

I think the statue is much
better-looking than I am, hmm?

All right, my friend,
stay here with the rest of the fools

and cheer for a fake legend.

Hey, mister,
you're so sure your right,

what if you're wrong?

You give him a public apology?

Whatever the truth is,
that's what I'll print.

All right, I'll take you
to Angel's Point.

Take the buggy
down to the livery stable.

You'll need a horse to get up there.

Governor?

Your nominating committee
wants me to run for governor?

Yes, General.

The state needs a man who stands
taller than its present problems.

You can win, General.

You'll sweep this state
like nobody ever has before.

I wouldn't be surprised
if the other side just capitulates.

I have to think about this, gentlemen.

Of course.

Right now, I... I think
we could all use another drink.

Governor?

Angel's Point will be right
over that next hill.

Still don't see
what you think you're gonna find out

from those Indians anyway.

I expect to be able to prove
they're not horse thieves.

Sheriff did investigate.

The sheriff was elected by the people

that changed the name
of Clear Creek to Cloninger.

Those same people
are putting the General's statue up

in the town square right now.

Now, a sheriff that threw mud
on the statue,

he could be out of work.

You sure got a big hate-on
for that general, don't you?

No, but I do know him.

Why don't we go
find out if I'm right?

Follow me, Mr. Reporter.

Hold it!

We, uh, we mean you no harm.

We only wanna ask you
a couple of questions.

Put the gun away.

They're not the general's men.

Seven days we trail the herd
down the mountains

and across the reservation
and into the canyons.

They were not good horses.

But when you're on foot,
any horse is a good one.

A long trail.

Um...

Uh, Chief Greybuck,
have I got that right?

Sam Greybuck.

When we come to the agency,
we take names from the great book.

I am Samuel.

My son is Thomas.

He was my son, Jacob.

Look, Greybuck, if you caught
those horses like you said,

why would the general
wanna take 'em away from you?

He had a herd of his own.

I know the general.

We are old enemies.

Uh, Greybuck, are you saying
that there was bad blood

between you and the general,

and that's the reason
he killed your son, Jacob?

I say we crossed this land
with my horses.

Now Jacob is dead.

A white general
does not prove what is his.

He sees and he takes!

Do you have any proof
of what you've told us?

Were the horses branded?

No brands.

Well, that's should be proof
of a sort, uh...

The general's horses
should be branded.

Yeah, they should be,

but a lot of ranchers don't bother
to brand their remount horses.

You just let 'em run loose
like the ones Greybuck found.

No brands, no marks, nothing.

Did anybody see you
catch those horses?

Only a rabbit and a hawk.

Jacob sold one of the horses
to a man near Topaw.

Well, who was this man?
Did you get his name?

No.

There's not gonna be any proof.

For Jacob, we need no proof!

The horses will be ours.

Look, Greybuck,
there's a legal way to handle this.

- Now, the treaty says...
- The thief's treaty!

First they take our land.

Then our horses.

Now our sons.

Well, what's your best guess, Joe?

I'm not changing my mind, but I admit,

I'm wondering
if they're telling the truth.

You're the reporter, why ask me?

We're not gonna get anything else
out of Greybuck, though.

Let's get some sleep.

We'll start back
first thing in the morning.

I knocked on his door,
he'll be right down.

Oh, thank you, Willis.

Uh, will you need me anymore?

No, you had a busy day.

Why don't you go
get a little rest now, hmm?

I had a good day.

I liked every minute of it.

- Good night, sir.
- Good night.

Thank you, Willis.

Oh, Ben, I...

I don't wanna steal your sleep,
but, uh...

I wanted to talk to you alone.

It's always a pleasure, General.

I was just getting a little reading done
before I got to sleep.

I need your help, Ben.
Sit down, will you?

Thank you.

Want some of this coffee
or a drink, Ben?

A little coffee, thank you.

That's fine.

Uh, Judge Donovan,
he's an honest man.

He's a good friend of mine
that you know.

We hunt together, we fish together,
and we tell tall tales to each other.

But, uh, I have a feeling
he's prejudiced.

In what way?

Well, in my favor.

He wants me to be governor.

And that disturbs you?

He was only one member
of that nominating committee.

I'm sure he told you
your selection was unanimous.

I'm not a politician, Ben.

I'm just a ex-soldier
trying to build a horse ranch.

You were a commanding general.

So I was, but, uh,
I'm not sure that qualifies me.

You... You want me to run, hmm?

- You must have your reasons.
- Hmm.

I'd like to know what they are.

One big reason, Ira.

The war tore this country apart.

The hatreds and wounds
are still with us.

There are men here in Nevada
who wore the gray

who won't even speak to men
who wore the blue.

- So the war still goes on.
- Precisely.

But you've been able to close the gap.

After Appomattox,
you had men and officers

from the Confederacy
serving in your command.

We had our problems too, Ben,
a lot of them.

But you ironed them out.

And now you have men from
both armies working on your ranch.

A few ranch hands, yes,
but that, uh...

That doesn't constitute a state.

It takes a very special talent

to bring men together.

Now, the men
on the nominating committee,

they're from both sides.

But there was one thing
we all agreed upon.

We need your leadership
in our state house.

Thank you, Ben,
thank you very much.

Ira?
Is something wrong?

No, no, uh...

Bertie, how do you...

How do you really feel
about my running for governor?

- Does it matter?
- Hasn't it always?

I can think of once or twice it didn't.

You never listen to anyone
when it's something you believe in.

You have the courage
of your convictions.

I respect you for that.

I love you for it.

Honey, this isn't a command decision.

This, this is for both of us to decide.

You'd be a fine governor.

We won't have as much time
to spend together.

You have been patient
with me now for...

42 years, isn't it?

Forty-two years.

Bertie, you think you can be patient
for four more years?

I've been happy for 42 years.

So long as we're together,
I'll be happy anywhere.

You're a sweetheart.

Absolute sweetheart for 42 years.

Bertie, you will make
a absolutely radiant governor's lady,

absolutely radiant, you will.

Oh, Ira, mmm.

Some fresh coffee, sir.

Oh, thank you, Sergeant,
thank you very much.

I know that the Judge is a late riser,
but then Ben is a rancher.

I thought... I thought
he'd probably be up

and stirring around by now.

Well, so far,
not a sound out of 'em, sir.

Coffee at first light,
the way I like it.

The rest of the world
still asleep, Sergeant.

You know something, General?

The day I got my stripes
and started as your orderly,

you had me a little scared.

I remember, I was making coffee.

Nobody up but the birds and...

I turned around and there you were.

Yes, sir, that's when I knew
I was gonna like this job.

They're back, Sergeant,
they're back.

Greybuck!

No, Thomas, the gate!

Hyah!

Ira!

- Ira.
- I'm all right.

Get him into town to a doctor.

Hold it!

Willis, hold it!

Greybuck, drop the gun.

They have my son!

You should've let the Redskin
fight it out here, Cartwright.

He's gonna hang anyway.

Cloninger!
You killed Thomas, my son!

I warned you, Greybuck!

You did not have to kill him.

You were in my corral on my land.

Your land.

That does not put justice
in your rifle.

We came for what is ours...

Six horses.

You came to steal.

Willis, get him into the sheriff.

I'll handle it, General.

- Come on, move.
- My horses!

And now you kill both my sons!

Well, I guess the charges start
with attempted murder, hmm?

If that red devil
had been a better shot,

he'd have killed
the greatest man in this state.

Greybuck didn't shoot the general.

How do you know?
You weren't there.

That's his rifle, Sheriff.
Why don't you check it?

Clean, hasn't been fired recently.

This one has.

They took it off the young Indian,
the one that got himself killed.

Attempted murder, then.

All persons involved
in the commission of a felony

are equally guilty, right, Judge?

Yes, that's the law.

Do you want to add
horse stealing to this?

Greybuck said that six of the horses
in the corral belong to him.

Mr. Cartwright, Greybuck is lying.

He told us the same thing last night.

Where was this?

Up at Angel's Point.

I was there, I heard it, too.

Oh, were you now?

The two of you talking to wanted men.

But you didn't report it
and you didn't bring 'em in.

I ought to lock you both up.

Why don't you do that?

My paper would love the story
and the headlines.

But I doubt if the general would.

There's no reason
to get excited, gentlemen.

I'm sure the question of the ownership
of the horses will be looked into.

There's no looking-into
needed, them Injuns...

Save your testimony
for the hearing, Mr. Willis.

When will that be, Judge?

Tomorrow.

Ira's resting comfortably, napping.

The doctor said
his wound is not serious.

That's good news.

I looked for you
when the doctor left,

but you weren't in the house.

I saw you in the corral.

I'm a direct woman.

When something troubles me,
I go straight to the source.

Why were you looking at our horses?

Greybuck said he came to get
horses than belonged to him.

And what did you find?

Well, I found, uh,
some of the horses were bone-thin.

Two of those had split hooves.

Ben, are you giving credence
to what a horse thief said?

Are you trying
to build a case against Ira?

Well, it makes no difference
what I think.

There will be questions.

When a man runs for high office,
everything he does is...

Let them ask questions.

Ira has nothing to fear.

He spent his, his life
under the spotlight.

Every act, every order
subject to the closest scrutiny.

There is not a black mark
on his record anywhere.

I agree.

The nominating committee
examined his record very carefully.

Then how can you doubt him?

I didn't say I did.

Split hooves.

We have rough and rocky country
on our ranch

in places where the grazing is poor.

I'm sorry, Ben,

but it hurts to think
that a good friend could even...

Yesterday, you asked Ira
to run for governor.

The fact that renegades
tried to steal his horses

hasn't changed him.

He's the same splendid man
he was yesterday.

Oh, not quite, my dear.

I'm one day older.

Ira, you're supposed to be resting.

I was, I was, yes,

but I heard my name
being mentioned in vain.

- I decided to join you.
- But the doctor said...

Oh, now first rule,
never listen to the doctor.

Dear, we could use
a little coffee, hmm?

Ben, you know,
these walls look thick,

but some voices go right
straight through 'em

and, and hers is one of 'em.

What's troubling you, Ben?

Two men have been killed.

Two Indian horse thieves, yes.

There would've been three dead men
if that bullet that hit me

had been about three inches lower
and a little to the right.

Yes, I'm well aware of that.

You know, that hearing
will find me blameless.

And even the muckraking newspapers
will have to print the verdict.

I suppose the others
will probably suggest

that I be given another medal, hmm?

Well, while we're waiting
for the coffee, Ben,

why don't, uh...

Why don't we have a drink
to the opposition?

Where's Hoss?

My guess, he's finishing
his second steak about now.

He got to sending
the tenth telegram,

his appetite got the better of him.

I don't blame him.
I could use a steak myself.

Come on, I'll buy.

Fourteen telegrams altogether.

Every sheriff and newspaper office

between here
and the Nez Perce reservation.

Greybuck did say that nobody
saw him catch those horses.

Yeah, but he didn't say
that nobody saw them

- after they caught them.
- Here, here he comes.

Well, brother, how's the steak?

Eh, it was all right,
a little small, so I had two of 'em.

What'd I tell you, huh?

You know, Greybuck lost one man
at the general's ranch.

Why did he go back a second time?

- He's Nez Perce.
- So?

Well, you ain't a man without a horse.

The better horse he's got,
the prouder he is.

And if somebody steals his horse?

He'll just keep going back
till he gets it.

Yeah, or they kill him.

Hey, there's a better
restaurant around the corner,

and I hear they got great steaks.

Wanna try it?

I think I'll join you.
I ain't had no dessert yet.

You'll have two steaks
for dessert.

I looked out the window,

and I saw two Indians in my corral
stealing my horses.

What did you do then, General?

I did what any man would do
if someone was stealing his property.

I got a rifle,
went outside to stop them.

I yelled a warning.

And I fired a warning shot,
and that didn't stop them.

They opened fire.
I returned the fire.

And they were riding out
on my horses

when I hit one of them.

And one of them shot you.

That is correct, yes.

I was a couple of steps
behind the general

coming out of the house.

But it's exactly as he said.

This is your chance, Greybuck.

We're waiting to hear your side of this.

After a white general speaks
in a white man's court...

who hears what a Nez Perce says?

Well, you better speak
while you have the chance.

Very well.

Prisoner's to be held for trial
on charges already read.

Hearing's adjourned.

Willis, see that the General
gets some rest, huh?

Oh, I will, Judge.

See you later, Ira.

Ben...

Ben, we've been invited
to the general's ranch

for supper and a strategy meeting.

As members
of the nominating committee, I...

Yes, I know, we're obligated.

You run a nice, fast hearing, Judge.

Which your paper will duly report.

I hear you've been burning up
the telegraph wires.

Your sources are accurate.

No answers?

One.

"The Nez Perce reservation.

"Greybuck, Thomas and Jacob
had permission

"to leave the reservation on foot
to hunt wild horses."

Not wild horses, Mr. Freed.

Unbranded horses.

And they found 'em
on the General's ranch.

The rope's ready, and
they're building the scaffold tomorrow.

This is your only chance.

Get out.

If I say no?

You get a bullet now.

Well, as I told you they would,
the hearing completely exonerated me.

Now that is in the past.

We can, uh, turn our attention
to more important things.

I think I should begin my campaign
right here in Cloninger

and then stump the whole state.
What do you think?

- Fine idea.
- Ben, you agree?

Well, I...

I can't agree that it's all in the past.

I don't think the trouble's begun yet.

You're kidding.

- Oh, there will be a trial.
- Of course, mere formality.

And the jury will find Greybuck guilty.

- Of what?
- Of all the charges, Ben...

Attempted murder,
horse stealing, trespassing...

You look dubious.

Is something troubling you?
Is something wrong?

Well, I was...

I was wondering why the first killing
hadn't been mentioned at the hearing.

The sheriff investigated it, Ben.

Yes, and thought
I was completely justified.

That's right.

Where did it happen?

What difference?

Tell him, Ira, you have nothing to hide.

Of course I haven't.

About a mile south of here.

On my land.

That's open range, isn't it?

Yes.

Well, any man can ride across
open range without hindrance.

Any man, yes, Ben,

any white man

but not savages.

Not Indian horse thieves.

You knew them
to be horse thieves?

Well, Indians on my land, what else?

Did you talk to them?

Talk, why should I?

You don't have to talk to savages
to know what they are.

Worthless, no-good animals.

Ira, that isn't really what you mean.

The hell it isn't.

Huh, I fought them
through three campaigns.

I know them for what they are.

The enemy.

You don't understand, Ben.

I don't understand.

Please, explain it to me.

The Blue and the Gray
were enemies, yes.

But that was different.

Two armies, decent men
opposed to each other

fighting for what they held was right.

And when it was over,

you worked to bring
both sides together.

Now, that's the leadership
we want, Ben.

The Indian Wars are over.

Peace has been made,
treaties have been signed.

War Department mistakes.

We should've killed them all
while we had a chance.

It would be a much better world today.

Ira?

You feel you have the right

to kill an Indian

simply because he rides
across your open range?

A thieving, murdering,
scalping, mutilating savage.

Yes, I do.

And I will, every chance I get.

Ira, don't say that!

He has said it.

I'll report this
to the nominating committee.

As I must.

I'm certain the court will ask
about this, too.

You're turning your back on me
after all I've done for this country.

You're turning your back
because of red filth

not fit to walk the Earth.

Go ahead, talk to the committee,
Mr. Cartwright.

And when you're through with them,

you'll find they still want me
as governor.

I'll be at the hotel in town.

The guest room is...
is all made up, Judge.

Don't you run out on me.

Have another drink.

General...

All right.

Ira?

What's the matter?

It's almost morning.

You can just sit here.

Go to bed, Bertha.

Are you sure you're all right?

Go to bed now, Bertha.

General?

General!

I thought you ought to know, sir.

Know what, Willis?

Greybuck escaped, sir. He's loose.

He escaped?

Greybuck is loose? Oh?

I'm glad to hear it.

I'll find that thieving savage.

And I'll kill him.

And stand completely vindicated.

- I heard someone yelling.
- That was a battle cry, Judge.

Greybuck is out of jail.
He's my Indian now.

I'm gonna run him down and kill him

and prove to Cartwright,
the committee,

and to everyone else
that I was right all the time.

I think you ought to
let the law handle this.

I'm in charge here!

Don't tell me what to do.
Don't even try.

I'll saddle the horses.

You're not going anywhere, Sergeant.

But, General, sir.

Sit down and shut up! Both of you.

That's an order.

Ira?

Floyd found you, good.

Greybuck's gone
and I'm getting a posse together

to go after him.

How'd he get away?

He had help. I know who it was.

I caught a glimpse of him
just before he cracked my skull.

He'll answer to me,
but I want that Indian first.

So Greybuck's gone. How convenient.

No Greybuck, no trial.

And no scandal

to knock the General
out of the gubernatorial race.

But there will be a scandal,
and a howling scandal,

Greybuck or no Greybuck.

Just what are you talking about?

I'm talking about these...
Two telegrams.

One from a sheriff
a hundred miles from here

who says he saw Greybuck,
Thomas and Jacob

ride through his town
with seven horses.

The other is from a newspaper editor

who says he bought
one of those horses.

Only sold one, that leaves six.

Greybuck said the general stole
six horses from him.

And shot and killed
two, um, Indians to do it.

Oh, he didn't shoot 'em
for the horses.

He shot 'em because
they were Indians on his land.