The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955–1961): Season 3, Episode 18 - The General's Lady - full transcript

Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.

♪ Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp ♪

♪ Brave, courageous and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame and long live his glory ♪

♪ And long may his story be told ♪

General George Armstrong Custer

led the Seventh Cavalry against an overwhelming force

of Sioux and Cheyenne Indians

at the Little Big Horn in 1876.

Custer and 264 officers and men were slaughtered.

Two years later, the American press and public



were still arguing about the Custer tragedy.

The General's enemies called him a "glory hunter"

who unknowingly led the Seventh Cavalry into a massacre.

The General's friends said he was betrayed by subordinate officers.

Time has proved both theories false.

But in the bitterness of the dispute,

his widow.

You'll remain standing, gentlemen.

Will you come in, please, Mrs. Custer?

Thank you, Colonel Benteen.

Gentlemen,

please do make yourselves comfortable.

I know all of you by your first names,

so we needn't be strangers now.



General Sheridan has just telegraphed me.

He says that Colonel Reno must be granted

an official court of inquiry.

The court will be held in Chicago.

I assume that all of you will be witnesses.

Am I correct, Colonel Benteen?

That's right, ma'am.

And I can assure you that General Custer's memory

will be respected by every man in this room.

Oh, we had our differences,

but it was always give and take.

We despise Reno.

None of us has spoken to him socially these years.

Then you've already discussed...

I mean, you'll say nothing against Colonel Reno

that might reflect on General Custer.

- Oh, no, no.
- Or the regiment.

Hear, hear.

Mrs. Custer, you will always have our love and loyalty.

Thank you.

Thank you. This is most kind.

I won't detain you longer.

That will be all, gentlemen.

Don't worry, Mrs. Custer.

You and the Seventh have suffered long enough.

Well, now, that's settled.

They faced it as I prayed they would.

But there's still this fellow Hendon.

Chris Hendon?

What's he pestering you about?

This came yesterday.

He wants money, I think.

I'm supposed to meet him in Dodge City.

This is nonsense. I'll burn the thing.

No, please.

He was one of Reno's civilian scouts.

He'll be called to testify.

Let him testify.

But, Colonel, he could ruin us all.

He's a civilian, and the newspapers

would be eager to print any lies he told.

Oh, Betty, you're carrying this thing too far.

Oh, yes. Now I've never had any occasion to say this before,

but you can't be bothered by every

blackmailing scamp or rascal who writes you a letter.

I remember Hendon.

I think he bolted before Reno made the charge that day.

I certainly don't recall seeing him on the hill

when we stopped Reno from running away.

Well, he could say he was with General Custer.

He could say anything.

All right.

Now Wyatt Earp, the Marshal at Dodge,

is a good friend of mine.

I'll telegraph him to arrest Hendon.

No, Colonel, I beg of you.

If we anger the man, he'll...

All right, I'll...

I'll just ignore him.

Your first idea's best. Let him testify.

Good.

Well, I must be running along.

But Mrs. Benteen and I will see you at dinner, eh?

Oh. Yes. Yes, of course.

And, uh, put a match to this and forget it.

He was a showoff, a glory hunter.

I charge him with full responsibility for our defeat.

If you ask me,

he didn't die like a hero.

I think he was just as big a coward as Reno.

Hmm. The Army can't cover it up forever.

Somebody will tell the real truth.

Mrs. Custer.

Sergeant Turner. Corporal Mills.

Mrs. Custer.

Is Mr. Hendon in Dodge City?

Yes, he is. He's still hanging around the saloons.

Bragging around town what he could tell if he had a mind to.

You just say the word, Mrs. Custer,

we'll go back to Dodge.

Yeah. Hendon won't bother you no more, Mrs. Custer.

We can't do anything like that.

How much longer will you men be on furlough?

11 days.

I must talk to Hendon.

It's the only way, Sergeant.

Will you and Corporal Mills drive me to Dodge City?

Well, of course, but shouldn't you ask Colonel Benteen...

No. No.

We must start at once.

And please say nothing to Colonel Benteen or to anyone else.

All right.

Rent a good team and carriage from the sutler.

I'll meet you at the north gate in half an hour.

We'll be there, Mrs. Custer.

Wyatt?

I was looking for you.

Telegram from Colonel Benteen at the fort.

A reader at the depot brought it over himself,

said it was extra urgent.

The army wants two soldiers named Mills and Turner arrested.

They're on furlough wearing civilian clothes.

The rest of it's just a description of the men.

Hal, you pull that deputy off patrol

and do just what the Colonel says.

He sure saved my neck in that Donart business, remember?

I sure do. We'll ring out the town.

Somebody chasing you?

Yeah. A couple of soldiers.

They're trying to kill me.

I want them arrested.

Mills and Turner?

Yeah.

How'd you know?

The Army wants them arrested, too.

What's your name?

Hendon. Chris Hendon.

I used to be a civilian scout for Reno.

Those troopers was in the same outfit, Seventh Cavalry.

Put that gun on the desk.

Gun?

Oh, sure.

I had to carry it, Marshal.

My life's in danger.

Why?

Just an old grudge between them and me.

I thought they'd forget about it, but...

Sudden like, I turned around in the street,

and there they was, following me.

Mm-hmm. Well, my deputies are looking for them now.

This will make it easier. Come on.

Oh, no.

Why not?

I won't go wandering around out there

and get plugged from some doorway.

Mr. Hendon, you asked me to protect you.

Now the easiest way to do that

is to try and arrest those two soldiers, quick.

I'll get my hat. Let's move.

Not me.

Hold it!

Sit down!

Well, it looks like you got the right men.

They were tailing somebody halfway down the block.

That's them!

That's Mills, and that's Turner.

I want to charge 'em with an attempt to commit murder.

- Were they packing guns?
- No, sir.

Colonel Benteen wired a request

to hold you for the Army.

You got any idea why the Colonel wants you?

No, sir.

Lock 'em up.

Come on, move. Move!

Come on.

What about my charges against 'em?

Tell it to the Army.

Now you check this gun or get out of town.

If you take my advice. You'll get out of town.

You may run into some more soldiers.

Hmph. That what you call police protection?

Were you in cahoots with the Army?

I don't think I like you, Mr. Hendon.

You stay in this town, you be ready to protect yourself.

Now quit wasting my time.

There's a lady at the Dodge House.

She said she's got to see you right away.

Who's the lady?

It's a Mrs. Elizabeth Bacon.

She wouldn't tell me what it was about,

but she acted awful worried.

All right.

You get a good look at that fella?

Yes, sir.

His name is Chris Hendon.

I want you to keep an eye on him.

Horse thief or cattle rustler?

Two soldiers were after him.

They usually got a good nose for a skunk.

Go on.

Sergeant Turner?

No, ma'am. Marshal Earp.

Oh.

One moment.

My deputies gave me your message, Mrs. Bacon.

Come in.

Thank you.

I used my maiden name to register.

My married name is Custer.

Mrs. George Armstrong Custer.

Mrs. Custer.

That doesn't surprise you?

No, ma'am. I've seen your picture.

Mr. Earp, two soldier friends of mine have disappeared.

I'm afraid that something might have happened to them.

Sergeant Turner and Corporal Mills?

Yes. Have you seen them?

They're being held for the Army.

Colonel Benteen's request.

You put them in jail?

That's nonsense.

Colonel Benteen has no right to.

I must ask that you release Turner and Mills at once.

I'm sorry, but I...

I can't do that, ma'am.

Very well.

Then I shall have to employ a lawyer.

Could you recommend one?

Mr. Earp, a lawyer's name, please.

Mrs. Custer, that would be a waste of money.

I can hold those soldiers for 24 hours

even against a writ of habeas corpus.

Marshal, I know a little about law.

What charge has Colonel Benteen lodged against them?

I have a charge of my own, ma'am.

Indeed.

What law did they break?

They assaulted a Mr. Chris Hendon.

Hendon.

Oh, no. They promised me they wouldn't...

Did they injure Mr. Hendon?

Not much, no.

Is Mr. Hendon a friend of yours?

I've never met the man.

Why do you ask?

Well, you seem very concerned about Mr. Hendon's health,

and you asked the soldiers not to hurt him.

Marshal, is this a police interrogation?

Mrs. Custer, Mr. Hendon claims to have been a civilian scout with Reno.

Colonel Benteen and I went through a rather bad time together

right after their Little Big Horn fight.

An Indian agent tried to bribe some runaway soldiers

into telling lies about Colonel Benteen and the Seventh Cavalry.

Are you suggesting Mr. Hendon

might try to blackmail me?

He might try it, yes.

How absurd.

General Custer needs no defense.

You're being rather impertinent, aren't you?

Well, I don't mean it that way, Mrs. Custer.

I'd like to help you.

All right, help me.

Turn those men loose

and forget your suspicions of Mr. Hendon.

I can't do that, ma'am.

Good day, Mr. Earp.

I know the torment that you've been living through.

People have lied so much about General Custer,

you don't know where the next attack is coming from.

Well, you've got me stubborn.

I'm gonna help you in spite of yourself.

- Oh, hal?
- Yeah.

I told Ted to watch Mr. Hendon. Have you seen him?

Yeah, Hendon's in the Long Branch.

Ted's waiting up the street.

Yeah, well, go pull Ted off.

I want both of you to watch the hotel, front and back.

If Mr. Hendon goes inside, you send for me.

If he leaves, don't wait for me... arrest him.

Right.

I just had a talk with Mrs. Custer.

She got worried when you didn't check in

and sent for me.

I had to tell her the truth.

All right.

Now Colonel Benteen will be here for you

in a couple of hours.

Can either one of you persuade Mrs. Custer not to pay off Hendon?

We don't know what you're talking about, Earp.

I think you know what I'm talking about.

Maybe you'll answer me one question, though.

Has Mrs. Custer ever heard what the Indians had to say

about the fight at the Little Big Horn?

After the massacre at Little Big Horn,

she can't stand the sight of Indians.

Well, I know a Cheyenne chief that was there.

Chief Wolf Head.

If Mrs. Custer would...

Hendon just now went into the hotel.

Let's go.

You better leave town at once.

Well, I want to live the same as anybody else.

That's why I had to come to you for help.

I can get a fresh start now in Mexico.

Remember your agreement to stay there.

Oh, well, to me, a deal is a deal.

Well, good luck, Mrs. Custer.

Hold it!

Mr. Clark, I want you to search this man.

Thank you.

Mr. Clark, I want you to remember this.

I may need you to testify.

Throw some water on him and throw him in jail.

Right.

Get some water, will you?

You can't be serious.

Mr. Hendon asked Mrs. Custer for money,

and she gave it to him.

There's the evidence.

Now, don't you want to book Hendon for extortion instead of blackmail?

He mustn't be booked at all.

That would involve her, the Regiment,

Sherman, Sheridan, even Grant.

Not if Mrs. Custer will do what I suggest.

That is the most complete fool nonsense I've ever heard.

General Custer's widow meeting with a Cheyenne renegade.

Wolf Head is a brave chief, and you know it.

- Oh, he's a...
- Now, listen to me.

This poor woman is gonna be hounded by liars the rest of her life.

She needs to hear the truth, just once.

From Wolf Head?

He at least saw General Custer die.

You weren't on that hill.

You were kept busy saving your own command and Reno's

on a bluff three miles away, isn't that right?

Well, will you please go ask Mrs. Custer?

All right, I'll ask her.

I'll try.

But she's liable to come marching in here

and make you sorry I did.

The perils of war, Colonel.

Come in.

Mr. Earp, I will not be forced into a ridiculous gesture.

Chief Wolf Head.

A lying, filthy savage.

One of the fiends who killed my husband and his men.

All right.

I must also demand that you drop your charges against Mr. Hendon.

Mrs. Custer, I'm a civilian. You don't give me orders.

Does this money belong to you?

If you took it from Mr. Hendon,

I assume that at least part of it is what I gave him...

As a loan.

- A loan?
- Yes.

May I quote you?

What is that?

Part of my report.

I may turn it in to the "Dodge City Globe."

You wouldn't dare.

Yes, I would.

You'd ruin us all,

including your friend Colonel Benteen.

You oblige me to tell you that Colonel Reno

will be given a court of inquiry.

All surviving officers, scouts and many enlisted men

will be called to testify.

Don't you realize what the newspapers could do to us?

The fact that I loaned money to Hendon

would be twisted to make it appear

as though I'm trying to influence witnesses.

Aren't you?

That's preposterous.

The memory of my husband,

his name and reputation are all that matter to me.

Yes.

But do you think you should lend money to a man like Mr. Hendon?

What right have you to question my motives?

He's a crook. He tried to blackmail you.

Prove it.

No. I won't even try.

Here's your evidence back.

No story in the paper.

Hal, bring Mr. Hendon in here.

Yes, sir.

Now, I told you that I was stubborn

and that I'd try to help you in spite of yourself.

But all this faith and loyalty you profess just doesn't exist.

Why, you...

You unspeakable...

Calling names won't change my opinion.

I have more respect for General Custer than you have.

I'll listen to no more of this.

No, you'd rather spend the rest of your life listening to liars.

Well, I know what happened at the Little Big Horn.

I wasn't too proud to talk to the Indians about it.

Savages in battle, yes,

but honest men.

Your husband's name is safer with them

than it will ever be with...

Men like this.

Mr. Hendon, I'm releasing you.

You get out of town, quick.

Mills and Turner will be back tomorrow,

and anything that they do to you after that will be an accident.

Throw him out.

Come on, move!

Where is this... this Chief Wolf Head?

At the fort, the hostile stockade.

Will you come with me?

We'll leave as soon as my soldier friends get back.

Good night, Mr. Earp.

Good night, Mrs. Custer.

Whoa!

They put a chief in here?

It's what the government calls a temporary stockade.

The big stockade is the reservation.

Two visitors, approved by Colonel Benteen.

Let me help you.

There you go.

Chief Wolf Head.

Wyatt Earp.

My friend.

Mrs. Custer, may I present Chief Wolf Head.

Widow of Longhair.

There is sadness for you in my heart.

She was brave to come here.

Do not stay long.

Many are sick here.

Our government could do better for you than this.

There was fighting.

We are prisoners of war.

Out of respect for General Custer, what shall I say?

I'll ask some questions.

Mrs. Custer, perhaps we can make this bench comfortable.

Longhair and pony soldiers retreat to hill here.

Chief Gall attack on front and right.

Crazy Horse lead many warriors

to strike Longhair from left.

I am told to move cheyennes uphill from rear.

Soon we have General Custer surrounded.

We have ten times more men.

We have rifles that shoot quick, 12 times.

Winchesters.

Soldiers shoot only once,

then have to reload.

It was not a fair fight.

Did General Custer try to run away?

Run away?

He is Longhair.

Brave soldier.

He stands ground what is no bigger than his shadow.

He fight to the last.

A lot of our people blame General Custer

for not uniting his command.

Some of them say he should have waited

for the Terry and Gibbon columns to arrive.

Now, what do the Indians think about that talk?

Stupid.

There is dust and smoke.

How could longhair and his scouts count our warriors?

We hide most of them in hills until fight commence.

Chief Wolf Head,

a lot of our people who weren't there

say that if Reno and Benteen

had charged straight for the hill,

they could have saved General Custer.

No. Not enough soldiers.

Too many of us.

And what if General Custer had waited

for the Terry and Gibbon columns?

My friend, they would all be dead.

I feel anger here when white soldiers blame each other.

Any questions, ma'am?

No.

It was war.

My husband had his victories.

It was ordained that he suffer one defeat.

I realize that now.

Mrs. Custer, I have my defeat also.

The Great Spirit allowed your great husband

to follow the guns and trumpets

and pass from this world with honor.

I am not so honored.

I'm sad for you, Chief Wolf Head.

This will be changed.

You've taken my fear of liars away.

I'm deeply grateful.

Come, Mr. Earp. We mustn't dawdle.

Yes, ma'am.

I have to see the commandant

about those dreadful conditions in the stockade.

Then I'll leave for Chicago to tell General Sheridan

what I've learned from Chief Wolf Head.

Thank you.

Let's go.

♪ Well, he cleaned up the country ♪

♪ The old Wild West country ♪

♪ He made law and order prevail ♪

♪ And none can deny it ♪

♪ The legend of Wyatt ♪

♪ Forever will live on the trail ♪

♪ Oh, Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp ♪

♪ Brave, courageous and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame and long live his glory ♪

♪ And long may his story be told ♪

Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.