The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955–1961): Season 3, Episode 27 - When Sherman Marched Through Kansas - full transcript

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♪ Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp♪

♪ Brave, courageous, and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame and long live his glory ♪

♪ And long may his story be told ♪

William Tecumseh Sherman, General of the Army,

made his fame in the Civil War.

But General Sherman also commanded the Army

when it fought the Indian wars

and opened up the western frontier.

In the period between 1866 and 1878,



Uncle Billy paid a visit to every western fort

and every town of importance west of Kansas City.

When word got out that General Sherman was on his way to Dodge

to board the steam cars of the Santa Fe,

Marshal Earp was soon up to his chin in trouble.

Oh, Wyatt, thank goodness you're here.

Howdy, Mr. Page. What are you so excited about?

This telegram... it's confidential. Inside.

General Sherman's coming!

General Sherman's coming! They just got a telegram.

It's General Sherman! General Sherman's coming!

General Sherman's coming. He'll be here this afternoon.

- General Sherman!
- Link Hanson, what are you yelling about?

Let go, Sofie. I got big news!



I got even bigger news. You need a bath.

You go straight home and take one.

But General Sherman's coming to town!

- Oh!
- General Sherman here in Dodge.

He'll be here this afternoon.

General Sherman's coming!

And not only that,

a group of eastern newspaper men just got off the train.

Fellas from the New York Times, and Herald,

and the Chicago Tribune, Kansas City Star.

And you know what the General thinks of newspaper men.

And the Santa Fe is right in the middle.

We can't afford to offend the newspapers,

yet General Sherman is one of the best friends

that the western roads has ever had.

And all he wants to do

is to get on the train here to go to Kansas City.

Now, what am I gonna do, Wyatt?

Well, there's not much you can do.

There are a lot of Texas cowhands in town.

I'd sure hate to see a ruckus

with a man like General Sherman here.

He's in charge of the whole western Army and the Indian fights.

He certainly ought to be able to board a train here

without gettin' into a lot of trouble.

You don't think there will be incidents?

Now, lookit here, Wyatt,

the Santa Fe can't afford to have demonstrations or disorders.

- Well, that won't be the half of it.
- What?

General Sherman has soldiers after Chief Joseph,

and there's purses up north.

And in a couple of hours, Dodge City will be jumpin' with reports

that the Indians are about to attack us.

Oh, no.

Uncle Billy Sherman is what the newspapers call

a controversial character.

Uh-oh, now you're in for it.

Oh, no, not me.

I'm going out the back way.

If things get too rough, send word to me.

I've got to make up the General's train.

I'll be in the yards.

Well, wasn't that Jim Bates?

Yes, sir, but I think your outfit scared him.

Oh, indeed now.

Well, I served under General Sherman.

It's up to us to arrange a fitting welcome for the General.

Yes. I've just now spoken to Chalk Beeson.

He's going to call out the cowboy band.

They'll play "Marchin' Through Georgia" as the General arrives.

- Then the Judge and I and the City Council...
- Now, wait a minute.

The General doesn't like that song.

I read in the papers where he stopped them from playing it in Omaha.

We got a lot of southern sympathizers in this town, Judge.

- That's true, Wyatt.
- Whose side are you on?

My father and two brothers fought for the Union,

- but that's not the point.
- Indeed, now?

I think you and the Judge ought to think about this a little bit more.

And can you convince him to take this outfit off?

Well, it does fit him might snug in places.

I'm proud to be wearing the blue.

Well, I fought from Shiloh to Atlanta!

- Do you want a riot?
- And then I...

A riot? Are you daft?

I'm not telling you anything you don't know.

This is not a northern town, it's a border town.

He's right, Jim.

Now, do you want this town disgraced

with a lot of riots and brawls? Do ya?

So that's it, huh?

I'm not allowed to make a speech about my great commander General.

Oh, no.

Look, he doesn't want that kind of a speech.

He's heard a thousand of 'em.

Now, you listen to that boy, Jim.

No, he won't listen to me... he's Irish and he's stubborn!

I'm gonna call out all my deputies.

I'll probably need 'em.

Ah, we're on a wild goose chase.

I need a drink. On the Herald, of course.

What makes you so sure old comp won't show up?

Sherman's not that crazy. Your best, bartender... all around.

Chief Joseph's been making monkeys of his great General Howard.

And as for Nelson Miles,

I'll bet he's lost his whole command in the badlands.

You and the Herald have sure made it rough on the Army, Wendell.

Rough?

Wait till you read my latest piece

to Sherman and Sheraton.

Incompetent, both of them.

Who's talkin'?

What was that, sir?

I asked who's talkin', mister.

You ever fought any Indians?

That's a stupid and irrelevant question.

You know, I don't think I like you.

This is no way to settle differences.

Please! Stop!

Fight! Fight!

Arms alert! Fight!

You stay out here.

All right, people! Hold it!

- Now, who started this?
- I'm guilty, sir.

And I confess to the strong arm of the law.

- And who are you?
- Ah, me?

Haven't you ever heard of two-gun Wendell of the New York Herald?

Mr. Murphy, I'm surprised at you.

Don't you know we don't strike members of the newspaper profession?

Well, I do. He had it comin' to him.

You should have heard what he said about General Sherman.

I don't care what he said.

Now, we don't take pokes at newspaper men.

Oh, they can hit us, but we dare strike back.

Now, you never fight a newspaper unless you own one yourself.

Well, a frontier Socrates!

- Mind if I quote you in my paper?
- No, go ahead.

- And who are you?
- Yeah...

I asked you your name!

Take your hands off of me!

All right, Hal, they're all under arrest.

Put this one and this one in cells.

Now, get out of here!

Just a minute, gentlemen. Just a minute.

Let me handle this. I, sir, am Arthur Ash Burton of the New York Times.

Yes, sir?

I demand to know reason for this procedure.

I'm trying to keep you all alive until General Sherman gets here.

Protective custody. Now, come on, get out of here.

Oh, this is outrageous!

I'll fight this! I'll take this to the Supreme...

Hal, I'll be over in the globe office!

- You'll hear from the New York Times!
- Come here.

What were they sayin' about General Sherman?

Are you arresting Mr. Murphy?

No, I'll just hold him for a while.

- You must be on our side.
- I'm not on anybody's side.

You don't like General Sherman?

Well, I've never met the man, link... have you?

No, sir. But I'm gonna meet him today.

Well, I think the General is gonna be a little bit busy.

But Sofie said...

Hey, Sofie!

Hey, Sofie, you come here!

You said I could shake hands with General Sherman.

Hush, link.

I haven't seen Tom, not for weeks.

He's up north with General Howard.

- She's sweet on old Tom.
- Shh!

We're engaged, Marshal.

And I was wondering if I could get close enough to General Sherman.

I mean, just a word of news.

Well, I'll see what I can do, Miss Sofie.

Excuse me.

And you stay here with your sister.

You come back here!

Now, remember,

we are here to make converts

before that man Sherman arrives!

90% of the people believe as we do.

They must be rallied to the cause! Rallied!

Amen, brother!

Amen!

Just a minute, folks.

I'm sorry, but you're going to have to keep that sign out of view.

- Peace, young man.
- Well, I'm for that.

But I don't think you're going to get much peace carrying that sign down front street.

Very well, arrest us!

How many poor Indians have you murdered?

Yes, how many?

Well, very few, ma'am.

Now, I'm giving you a police order to keep that sign out of public view.

I don't want these women hurt.

This town is full of tough men that like General Sherman. You put it away.

Peace, friend.

We will go inside...

And ask for guidance.

- Amen, brother!
- Amen!

Amen!

Amen.

And we're putting out an extra

with an editorial asking all factions to stay calm.

It's a bad situation, Marshal.

Indian haters, Indian lovers,

professional Johnny reds and Yankees.

I'd rather have a regular tornado hit town.

I don't suppose there's any way to detour the General.

Hmm, Sherman?

If he made up his mind to visit Hades,

he'd cuss the devil right out of his path.

Well, nothing much else can happen.

Oh, yes, it can.

Colonel Bankhead of the Blaze V Ranch,

checked in at the Texas House.

Oh, no.

- Did he bring any gunslingers?
- I don't know.

Well, I'll find out.

Well, now, that looks better.

Judge Tobin's waitin' in your office.

Sam, I hope the Globe would like my speech

welcoming General Sherman.

Of course, Jim.

Have you checked with Wyatt?

Indeed not. Who's the Mayor of Dodge City?

Well, you still have a blue pencil, Jim.

But... don't let the eagles scream too loud, hmm?

I'll say to my old commander what's in my heart.

Easy now, Jim. Pull up a chair

and sit down and compose your eloquent thoughts.

I've got to put an extra on the street.

Now, here's the way it will begin...

And furthermore, I ask you,

is there a stare decisis?

Do the laws of Kansas

apply to newspaper men from other states

to submit to protective custody against their wills?

No, Mr. Ashburton, but...

Then I demand our immediate release.

We are not children, sir.

The New York Times...

Oh, shut up, Artie!

I will not shut up and I will be heard.

The New York Times is a great metropolitan newspaper,

and I will not be detained

at the whim of some petty folly tyrant

who lords it over this... this-this dust heap in the prairie.

And furthermore...

Yes'm.

I want a ruling, Judge Tobin, now!

We'll have to release 'em, Wyatt.

- Well, I want a drink.
- Wait!

We also expect an apology from this... this fellow.

You won't get it. Now, clear out.

Now, Wyatt!

Look, you've already turned them loose... that's enough.

Now, you can write anything your editors tell you to write about General Sherman,

but you keep your mouth shut as long as you're here.

- Is that a police order?
- That's advice, Mr. Wendell.

Next time you sound off against General Sherman,

I'm not gonna stop the fight.

You, sir, are an arrogant yahoo!

You know, we're wrong.

I'm sorry. No more fights.

Well, thank you, Mr. Wendell.

- I'll see you around, I hope.
- Right.

You've angered the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune.

Perhaps I should try to make peace with the others, huh?

- Why?
- In their present mood, they'll blast poor Sherman.

Heaven knows what they'll write about Dodge City.

Well, you do what you... what you think is best, sir.

All of us should feel guilty about Sherman.

We've blamed him for every failure Grant made in the White House.

We owe Sherman.

He helped us build this western country.

Well, keep your eyes peeled for trouble.

Yes, sir.

And if it comes, hit 'em hard.

Senator Forsythe and mayor Kelly are cookin' up a good one.

Big parade led by the cowboy bands,

speaker's platform on the Plaza...

We got the whole shebang of politics.

- All the deputies turn up?
- Yeah.

Go see the sheriff... we'll need his boys too.

Why? You figure there's going to be a fight?

- Colonel Bankhead's in town.
- Ooh.

Twelve years since the war ended.

Lee was the greatest General of course, but...

Sherman was great, too.

And he can't even visit a little cow town in the middle of Kansas

without runnin' into a great, big nasty hullabaloo.

And I want you men to check your guns.

No use havin' a run-in with this man Earp until the right time comes.

You just circulate around and gather some information.

We need to know how many bummers

old comp Sherman is brining with him.

Then you report back to me at noon,

and we'll see then what we have to do.

All right, let's get out of here.

Peace, friends!

We will march to the platform,

and let our brethren rally to us!

- Amen! Amen!
- Hold on!

- What here got that sign?!
- Oh, peace, friend.

Read the sign and join our march!

You're a fool, you, callin' General Sherman a butcher!

- Now, back, young man!
- No, back! This is a man's work!

- Just a moment now!
- This'll teach ya!

Now, you started this, Mr. Murphy!

They gotta stop callin' Uncle Billy Sherman names!

- Just read it!
- I've already read it!

Now, all these men are under arrest... take 'em away!

- All right!
- Put us in jail!

The truth will go marching on!

The truth will go marching on!

Will you ladies please go inside? Please?

Now, come on!

All of ya, get going!

This way, sir.

I'll make you a deal, Mr. Earp.

A deal, huh?

I know some men that are gonna try and kill General Sherman.

Yeah?

I heard 'em talking outside the Texas House.

All right, what's the deal?

You fix it for me and Sofie to meet the General.

I guess you heard Colonel Bankhead givin' the rebel yell, huh?

Yeah.

Well, that's all right. The deal still stands.

I'll do what I can.

Gosh, thanks, Mr. Earp!

Now, wait a minute, wait a minute.

You go home, wash out your ears,

and put on a coat and tie.

Yes, sir!

Howdy, Marshal. Join us?

No, thank you.

- Howdy.
- Mmm? Oh, howdy.

- You mind if I join ya?
- Sit down.

I... I don't suppose

I could persuade you to show a little gratitude?

And what thanks do I owe you, Mr. Earp?

None, but you owe General Sherman.

I owe him a bullet.

When the bloody shirts wanted to put Mr. Davis

and General Lee in prison, who stopped them?

- The south, sir.
- Grant and Sherman.

They said they'd resign their commissions

if the terms of the parole were violated.

And who burnt Atlanta and Colombia, South Carolina?

Sherman!

Well, I tried.

Good work, Marshal...

Arresting those crackpots with the sign.

Yeah.

What time is General Sherman expected?

About 3:00. I figure to have a committee

on the north trace to meet the General.

My suggestion is that you and the Sheriff head the committee.

How many soldiers does the General have with him?

About four to six.

He uses Doherty wagons on the prairie, you know.

- I don't like any of this.
- Now, Wyatt!

Come on in, Mr. Bates. I want you to hear what I have to say.

Something gone wrong?

This whole thing can turn into a big shootin' match.

Are you scared of old man Bankhead?

Yes.

Judge, we've got enough union men

to drive out every single Johnny red in an hour.

Oh, now, I think you're both exaggerating.

I know Colonel Bankhead,

and I can get his word to keep his people in order.

I already tried that, Judge.

Well, if he won't give his word, throw him in jail!

What's got into you, Wyatt?

I guess I'm ashamed of us all.

You certain there's gonna be trouble?

Mr. Bates, there are only two people in Dodge that want to welcome General Sherman

with completely honest motives.

You're thinkin' about the Santa Fe,

Mayor Kelly was a union soldier...

He's worried about the votes...

The Judge is worried about what the eastern newspapers are gonna say,

and, well, I can't rightly welcome the General

because I'm worried about a riot.

Well, stupid talk!

I'll hear no more of it!

And I'll lay down the law to Colonel Bankhead.

And Wyatt, you put a tag of rain on that imagination of yours.

What do you want me to do, Wyatt?

Well, Mr. Bates, I sure wish you'd pull the General's special train

into the siding east of town.

Not let the General come into Dodge at all?

Well, that's up to him to decide.

If he wants a hero's welcome, he can always back the train into the depot.

All right, if you'll explain it to him.

I wouldn't dare.

I don't relish the job myself, but...

Well, I owe General Sherman.

My two brothers served with him.

Whoa!

Colonel...

Sir, how far is it to Dodge City?

About six miles, General.

Well, I don't think I can face another fool reception

without losing my temper.

You ride into town and ask the Santa Fe people

if I can't board the train somewhere out here.

Sir, they'll be counting on your visit.

Colonel, you get me out of this.

Now, General...

Travelers heading toward us.

I'd better check them out.

Newspaper men, I'll bet.

No interviews.

- If they get sassy, arrest 'em.
- Yes, sir.

- Whoa!
- Who are you?

I'm Marshal Wyatt Earp from Dodge City.

This is Miss Sofie

and Master Lincoln Hanson.

We're in a hurry, sir. I suggest that you pass on.

Whoa, calm!

Colonel, whoa, dernit!

That's him!

- Link, you come back here!
- Link, come back here!

Hello, Sonny!

Don't you go into Dodge, General. There's a lot of Johnny Rebs.

- I know the whole story...
- That'll do.

General, Sir, I'm Marshal Wyatt Earp of Dodge City.

May I present Sofie Hanson.

She's worried about her young man, sir...

- Corporal Jones...
- He's in General Howard's detachment.

I haven't heard from him for almost seven weeks, General.

We'll find out, miss.

- Colonel?
- Sir?

Get some information from this young lady.

Then we'll telegraph our people at Helena and get a report.

- Thank you, sir.
- It's my pleasure, miss.

Ah, marshal, what's all this about Johnny reds?

Why, I thought they surrendered, son.

And I warn you, gentlemen,

we're going to open fire once that blue-bellied killer enters this town.

None of you'll be alive long enough to do that.

And believe me, gentlemen, I mean what I say!

And law is on our side, Colonel Bankhead.

So, you see, sir, the decision is up to you.

Now, if you'd like to come into Dodge City,

I'll need about a half an hour to disarm the southerners.

What about those friends of the American Indian?

Well, I'm afraid you'll have to handle them, sir,

and also the newspaper correspondence.

- How many welcoming speeches?
- Well, sir...

Mayor Kelly's good for an hour,

Judge Tobin another half hour,

and Senator Forsythe...

- Link!
- Yes, sir?

I'm not going into Dodge.

What do you think would be a...

Nice, polite excuse?

Dodge ain't big enough for you, General Sherman.

I'd write 'em a letter and tell 'em they're a fiddlin' little town.

Link Hanson, children should be seen and not heard.

- You come down from there.
- But the General asked me...

That's right, I did. Good luck, son.

- Good bye, General.
- Bye-bye.

Well, how would you put it, Marshal?

Well, sir, I'd even be less polite than Link.

I wouldn't say anything at all.

Yeah, I'll have send them a telegram of regrets.

You know, Chief Joseph'll be rounded up pretty soon,

and then the west'll be opened up

all the way to the Pacific.

But how do you open up the human mind and spirit?

Well, you pray, I guess, and keep on prayin'.

I started that some time ago.

Looks like it's gonna be a long job.

I hope you'll put your guns away as soon as you can, Marshal.

It won't be too many years now, sir.

It's a big country

with small people,

all of us.

I hope our Lord will be patient.

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Long may his story ♪

♪ Be told ♪

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