Man from Colorado, The (1949)

[bunniefuu]

We ain't licked yet
major, they'll never lick us.

a*tillery prepared for action sir.

At the command, fire at will, take your post.

- Do they see the flag major?
- Their colonel can't help seeing it.

Fire.

You sure settled their hash colonel.

- Burial detail.
- First platoon, fall out.

Hey, the w*r is over,
throw away your carbine soldier.

- Throw it away.
- The w*r is over.

- w*r is over.
- Hey, we won. The Rebels quit.

- Johnny, hi Johnny.
- Hi you Jericho.

- You alright kid?
- Don't call me kid.

Alright, I just wanted to
know how you made out yet.

Still wet nursing with little brother sarge?

No, he ain't too little.

- w*r is over, colonel.
- When did it happen?

Lee surrendered at Appomattox this morning.

- So it's finally over.
- Yes sir. Wonderful news, isn't it?

- Wonderful.
- I gave the men permission celebrate.

They seem to been
making a pretty good job of it.

Dismount.

Any further celebration will be
confined to the tent lines.

- Yes sir.
- Lead off.

I k*lled a hundred men today.

I didn't want to, I couldn't help myself.

What's wrong with me?

I'm afraid, afraid I'm going crazy.

No.

No, it was the w*r, that's all.

But the w*r is over now.

I can stop, I'm safe, God helping me.

Come on in Del, everything under control?

You look like something is bothering you.

- Something is.
- Come on out with it.

Just, what happened this morning.
A hundred men k*lled, with the w*r over.

I hate it Del.

Hate it.

Thinking about it makes
me sick, sick and ashamed.

They could've run up a white flag.

They wouldn't, that's not your fault.

Thanks for saying that Del.

Forget it, relax.

Well, we made it, didn't we?

- Yeah, sometimes I thought we wouldn't.
- I never had any doubts.

That's why you're the colonel.

Don't talk that way, we've been
a team, a good team, all the way.

We'd better check the sentry lines.

- I thought somebody said the w*r was over.
- We're not out of the Army yet, come on.

- My feet hurt.
- You haven't been riding on your feet.

When are you going to get
the ramrod out of your back?

The minute we're out of uniform,
so quick your eyes will pop.

- If the captain is ready, move.
- Yes sir, colonel.

Yes sir.

- Who's in charge of this post?
- Sergeant Howard sir.

- Take it easy Owen.
- Sergeant of the guard.

Hi, colonel.

I, I mean mister, he's a
civilian same as me, have a drink.

Put this man under arrest.

McGuire. Judd.

- Take his side arm.
- Come on Jericho.

- I wish I didn't have to do that.
- Nothing else you could do.

Jericho is been a good soldier.

If anybody in the regiment who should know...

better than to drink
on sentry duty, he should.

Meantime, how about you getting some sleep?

You'd better do the same, I want to
start for home first thing in the morning.

- The soldiers are coming.
- Here they come.

- Caroline, Caroline...
- Just a minute.

Come on Caroline, we
don't want to miss anything.

Hello Doc.

- Proud of your nephew, ain't you doc?
- You bet I am.

Never thought he'd get
to be a colonel, didn't you?

Oh yes, he did.

- You think he'll take the job?
- Oh, sure he will, I know Devereaux.

Federal judge is a big job,
especially for a man that young.

Any man who handles
that bunch in a w*r time...

can make law abiding
citizens out of them in peace.

And that's what we want.

The soldiers are coming.
The soldiers are coming.

- Take the men on into Glory Hill.
- You leaving us colonel?

For the time being
Captain, just for the time being.

- Hi colonel, glad to see you back.
- Great work colonel.

- I want to shake the hand of a real hero.
- Oh, welcome home Del.

How are you my boy?

- Fine, uncle. Fine.
- You look it.

- Good to see you Owen.
- Thank you.

Now, what do you think?

Hey, you sure
aged since I saw you last, Owen.

I'll take that as a compliment Mr. Trumble.

A wonderful reception
the men are getting, wonderful.

You ain't seen nothing
yet, wait till the dance tonight.

- Caroline...
- Excuse me Miss Emmet.

- First dance Caroline?
- Of course.

Oh, that can wait till
tonight, business before pleasure.

- We want to get a couple of things settled.
- What things?

The biggest surprise you ever had.

- Del.
- Hello Caroline.

Everything under control at camp captain?

- Everything is fine, colonel.
- Oh, it's been a long time.

3 years and 2 hours and 20 minutes too long.

Excuse us colonel
while I make up for lost time.

Why, certainly.

You look wonderful, now I know
why I wanted to be a civilian again.

There's so many people around
here I can't hear a word you saying.

- Evening Captain.
- Evening Crawford.

I've been waiting for a
chance like this for a long time, now...

I know what you're going
to say Del but don't, not yet.

After all, you've
been home less than 3 hours.

- 2 hours and 20 some odd minutes.
- I need more time than that.

Owen kind of got a
head start on me, didn't he?

Oh, that's not it Del.

It's just that I want to think
things out, I'd wish you'd understand.

I'm trying to.

- There's one thing you can be sure of.
- I know Del.

And I'm proud that you
feel that way about me.

It's just that I'm not quite sure
enough about myself, I have to be.

I want you to be, I'll
keep asking you every so often.

Thank you Del.

- My dance Captain?
- Your dance colonel.

You boys are sure missing
the fine time at the dance tonight.

Well, so are you.

I heard they got barbecue pork, roast
beef, fried chicken and all free too.

I don't want to hear about it.

Plenty of free drinks too.

- I said, I don't want to hear about it.
- Must be lots of pretty girls there too.

Don't matter if you're fat or lean.
They're proud to dance with a soldier.

Yes sir, laugh and dance and talk and make
a man mighty glad he's home from the w*r.

Jericho, shut up, just shut up now.

I don't know why you 2 don't walk on up to...

Glory Hill anyhow and
have yourselves a little drink.

We ain't going nowhere and neither are you.

I wouldn't trust you
no further that I can stick this.

Careful, I ain't even
been court-martialed yet.

Don't yell, just don't yell.

- Now we're all in trouble.
- I said, be quiet. Now stay there.

- The colonel will have me shot.
- He'll just give you life in jail.

Take me with you Jericho.

I'm going to live off the country,
instead of the country living off me.

- You want to try that?
- It's that or get court martial myself.

Alright, come on.

We won't be needing you, get.

- Everybody is so proud of you Owen.
- Are they?

It's really wonderful to have
you and Del back home again.

The town hasn't been the same without you.

I suppose you'll open up
your law office again, won't you?

There's an office around
over Charlie Trumbull's store.

As a matter of fact,
Mrs. Trumbull told me to...

be sure and tell you
about it before you made plans.

You talk too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, veterans, friends,

I know I'm not telling
you any news when I say...

this is the greatest night in
the history of our great little city.

We welcome and we thank
the brave volunteers who...

who kept the road open to the Union and who
saved our Colorado gold from the invader.

But words are not enough.

Action, that's what
we all want and that's what...

this man is here for,
Mr. Roger MacDonald from Denver.

Special representative
of the territorial governor...

has a very important announcement to make.

- Mr. MacDonald.
- Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me
great pleasure to be able to announce...

that the territorial governor, at
the request of your leading citizens...

has appointed as the
first federal judge in this district...

Colonel Owen Devereaux.

- Owen, how wonderful?
- Why didn't you tell us about it?

I hadn't made up my mind, haven't yet.

Now it's up to Colonel Devereaux.

I just want to say one thing.
I didn't ask for my job in the Army...

I was elected to it by the
volunteers who served with me.

So now, unless those same
men and you home folks here...

tell me that I'm
the man you want for judge, I...

I don't want the job and I won't accept it.

- Well alright folks, how about it?
- Yeah.

Thanks, I'll do my best to do a good job.

- Thank you.
- Congratulations Owen.

Your dance judge.

Colonel, Jericho Howard busted out,
he escaped, him and Mutton McGuire.

Alright, dismissed.

- We'll have to get back to camp.
- You think it's that important Owen?

First desertion on our record and
only 2 days before we're muster out.

- Will you forgive me?
- Of course Owen.

See you tomorrow Caroline,
as soon as I can get off duty.

- Good night.
- Good night.

I think I'll walk down the street
with you boys, need a little fresh air.

Alright, come along Doc.

What are you going
to do about Jericho Howard?

- Report him as a deserter.
- The same for Mutton McGuire?

Let's leave the rest of it to the
Army and talk a little civilian business.

Del, I want you to be my federal marshal.

For the first time in your life, you're not
making sense. Me, a federal marshal?

I wouldn't have any other man in the job,
we've been a team too long brake it up now.

Owen is right Del, absolutely right.

Look, in the first place, I'm not cut out
to be a marshal or anything like it.

In the second place, after bossing
men around for three years, I'd...

like to stay away from any
job that has official tagged to it.

- I thought you felt the same way.
- I did and I still do, why...

I didn't ask for the judge's job,
but I got it and now I need help.

So I'm not going to let you turn me down.

Well, I'll think it
over but don't count on me.

Why, sure I'll count
on you, the same as always.

Colonel Devereaux?

Yes, what do you want?

I want to look at a hero.

I want to ask you about this.

I don't know what you talking ab...

I'm talking about the white flag you
saw my men put up at Jacob's Gorge.

You could've taken us without firing a shot.

But you k*lled them,
under a flag of surrender.

You k*lled 100 decent men, what for colonel?

For a morning's entertainment?
For pure, crazy love of k*lling?

You're no hero, you an insane m*rder*r.

Well, now it's your
turn to die, you'll, you'll need...

You didn't have to k*ll him, you
had him covered, he couldn't have...

Did see that white flag?

- What happened Captain?
- Who is he?

- He's a Reb officer.
- How did he get here Captain?

Just a man that didn't
believe the w*r was over.

Well, it's over now for him.

Take care of him.

Yes sir, get going, we'll take care of this.

York, Morris, Saunders...

Del, Del...

That Rebel, he didn't
know what he was saying.

A man hurt that bad,
and what he'd been through.

Tell me something Doc.

Could the w*r get a man,
a decent man like Owen, so...

well, sick that he can't stop k*lling?

Del, you've known Owen
almost as long as I have.

You don't mean to tell me you really
believe what that crazy Rebel said?

Won't do us any good
to lie to each other Doc.

There's something
wrong with him, we both know it.

I don't like what I just saw but w*r
affects different men in different ways.

Time, that's what men need
when they get back from a w*r.

Time and people standing by that really
care about them and believe in them.

What if that's not enough to
cure what's wrong with Owen?

I'm not saying it's anything wrong with him.

I am.

If you really think that Del...

you'd be a poor friend to go back on
him now when he just got in home...

starting the biggest
and hardest job he's ever had.

You can't let him
down Del, any more than I can.

- I don't want to.
- Then you got to take the marshal's job.

I'll make a deal with Owen.

If he'll take that g*n off and stick
to being judge, I'll take the job.

- Not otherwise Doc.
- That's fine Del. Fine.

You do solemnly swear
that you will uphold and defend...

the Constitution of the United States?

That you will well
and faithfully discharge...

the duties of
the office as federal marshal...

and that you will at all times serve and
enforce the law, without favor or fear

- so help you God?
- So help me God.

- Well, that's that. Congratulations Marshal.
- Thanks judge.

- Yes Del, that deal goes all the way.
- I'll count on that Owen.

Del...

- I'm mighty happy about this.
- Thanks Doc.

- So am I.
- Thank you Caroline.

- Captain?
- Make it marshal.

Yes sir. Marshal, we're kind of a committee.

We want you to come over
and see Corporal Dickson.

- What's he up to?
- He's down, down flat on his back.

- Over at camp, in his shack.
- There's been some trouble.

Maybe you'd better come along too Owen.

Why, you don't need me Marshal,
sounds more like you need Doc.

- Howdy son.
- Hi you Doc, howdy Captain.

What happened Dickson?

I, I went to work my claim, as
soon as I got my discharge yesterday.

You know my claim,
told you about it many a time.

Four men I'd, I'd
never seen before in my life...

told me to get off of Ed Carter's property.

They grabbed me,
held me up against a rock and...

p*stol whipped me.

They p*stol whipped him until
he couldn't stand, booted him.

He has some broken ribs.

He laid up there till
way last night, crawl in here.

Couldn't even talk at first.

He's not the only one, we all got warned.

Any man that trespasses on Ed Carter's
property will be in trouble, so they said.

Charlie Trumbull says we got no claims...

says the Great Star Mining
Company owns the whole shebang.

Too many g*ns
around here, get them out of sight.

We're out of the
Army, all done taking orders.

I'm talking to civilians.

Any man that thinks he can settle his...

business with a g*n,
I'll have to put him under arrest.

I don't want to do that
to any of you if I can help ti.

Or what do you ask to do? Let the
g*ng that stay home while we...

fought the w*r and rob us
blind and no even put our a fight?

Save that till I see the judge.

- The judge? You mean, the colonel?
- That's right Johnny.

Doc, do you think you could have
him in shape to be in court in an hour?

- I'll be there Captain.
- You'll be flat on your back if you are.

Alright, bring him in on a cot.

You men be there too.

And round up any of the other fellows
that have a complaint or think they have.

But remember, no g*ns.

You men argue that
the Great Star Mining Company is...

illegally in possession of your property.

Now that's on the basis of miners' law...

a local agreement among miners
who prospected here before the w*r.

Who is got a better
right to make miners' laws...

than the men that found the gold,
in the first place, that's us.

- It's right.
- Yeah.

We've heard your testimony corporal.

Are there any other witnesses?

- Yes sir. Me.
- Alright Johnny.

My brother Jericho and me
had a claim before the w*r.

A good claim that we found and
staked out according miners' law.

Right spang in the middle of
what Ed Carter claims is his now.

- Well, I mean to dig that claim.
- Good boy.

A man is got a right to keep what he found.

We've heard one side
of the case, now let's hear the other.

- Mr. Carter.
- Why yes Owen, I mean Your honor.

Colorado is now a federal territory.

Someday and someday soon...

Colorado is going to add another
bright star to that glorious flag.

Let's get to the point.

Alright judge, I'll get to the point.

Miners' law went out
when federal law came in.

The US government says a man who doesn't work
his claim at all in any 3 years period...

loses all rights to that claim.

The judge knows where we've been the
last three years, he was there with us.

Yes, I know where you've been too...

but you men can't live on
the w*r the rest of your lives.

We don't want to, we want what
belonged to us before the w*r, still ours.

But it doesn't and no man
here can say I haven't acted...

acted in absolute strict
accordance with federal law.

Law, law, that's all we hear.

And it's all your law Mr. Carter,
all for you and none for us.

You know as well as we do judge, the only
gold around here is up on Yellow Mountain.

- Why should he have all of it?
- Yeah, that's right.

Your honor, I'd like
to get something off my chest.

Alright, go ahead.

I can't argue law and
I won't try to, but fact is fact.

These men came to Colorado to
pan a fortune, the same as Mr. Carter.

They had property when they left.

And now they're been told they lost what
they had while fighting for their country.

They can't make a leaving as their
claims were taken away from them.

Oh, I'll hire every man honorably discharged
from the regiment and glad to do it.

Hooray, hire us to work our own claim.

I'll pay top wages, 60 dollars
a month, cash on the barrel-head.

A man can't live on that and you know it Ed.

You come work for me Ed.

I'll pay you 65 a month and throw in
a pair of shoes every other Christmas.

Let's have order.

I'm in a peculiar
position here, my sympathy and...

personal feelings are
the same as the marshal's.

I know what you men are up against.

But my personal feelings can't enter
into my decision as a federal judge.

Now, if I ruled in your favor, my...

Well, my decision would
be reversed by a court of appeals.

Now, if there's injustice in the law, that's
a matter for Congress in Washington not...

not for this court.

In accordance with the law,
the lands here in dispute...

whose claimants did no work on them within...

the three years immediately
preceding the date of this action...

are public lands and subject to preemption.

Therefore, I am compelled to
rule that the defendant in this action...

the Great Star Mining Company
is legally the owner of the lands preempted.

I'll have to make part of the record here
that anyone found trespassing on the...

Great Star Mining
Company's property after this date...

does so in defiance
of the law and at his own risk.

Court is adjourned.

- It's quite a session you let me in for.
- I'd hoped it would turn out differently.

I wish it could've.

Forget about that for
now, it's something more important.

What is it?

Brace yourself because
I'm going to kick you in the teeth.

You won't like it right
at first, I don't like doing it.

But we've always been on the level
you and I and I'd like to stay that way.

Del, Caroline and I decided
to get married a week from today.

I wanted you to know about it before Caroline
gets here, she'd be here in a few minutes.

I won't pull the old line about...

The best man wins, call it the lucky man.

No, Owen.

Don't you think that Caroline is the only
one who have the right to say no or yes?

Alright, we've always been
on the level with each other.

There's something wrong with you Owen.

I don't know what it is exactly.
Maybe you don't know either.

But I think you ought to go away for a while.

Take a rest, get hold of yourself.

Go away?

- Take a rest?
- Until you're like your old self again.

You probably think I say this because
I'm in love with Caroline too, I am.

But believe me,
six months from now I'll be best...

man at the wedding and give
the bride away, if you want me to.

Just not now.

You know, I don't have to take
this kind of talk Del, even from you.

Yes, you do Owen, I'll ask
you what the Rebel major asked you.

Why did you have to k*ll
his men? Why did you have to k*ll him?

You can't answer that, can you?

Maybe you don't
dare answer it, even to yourself.

You're sick inside Owen,
you're too sick to marry.

I'm not sick.

Now, you get that very clear
in your mind, I'm not sick.

I'm not leaving, now or any other time.

No Del, I'm going to marry Caroline a week
from today, don't try to stop it, don't try.

No, you can't marry her the way
you are now, you can't do that to her.

Get out of here, get out.

Oh, stop it Owen,
you're acting like a crazy man.

Del.

Left the wedding kind of early, didn't you?

- Thought I might be of more use here.
- Never needed a doctor less.

Del, you're not making this
any easier on either one of us.

I know how you feel today,
in one way I can't blame you.

Doc, this marriage is all wrong.

You know as well as I do, Owen
isn't fit to marry Caroline or anyone else.

If anything on earth will get Owen
straightened out, it's this marriage.

He needs her, her love can
cure him, if nothing else will.

- I wish I could believe that.
- I believe it.

Just so you don't go
back on him, walk out on Owen.

I'm not going to quit my
job, if that's what you mean.

I feel better hearing you say that Del.

Runaway, runaway, runaway.

I'll be right back dear.

Alright folks, stand back, here. Come on,
give them room, give them room, come on.

Now, take it easy with him.

Tom, Tom Barton, come on out of it, now Tom.

The gold is gone, cleaned out.

Well, bring him to, do something.

Come on Tom talk, what
happened to the gold shipment?

Gone, two men...

uniforms.

I couldn't see faces.

They had masks.

I shot one.

Two men in uniform, go on Tom.

Tom.

He's dead.

- You heard him Marshal, two men in uniform.
- You better get a posse together.

I want volunteers.

- Come on, speak up.
- You got me Marshal, for one.

- I will as soon I get home and get my g*n.
- I'm in.

- Alright, I'm in.
- Me too.

- I thought we made a deal.
- We did.

Then what's the idea of the g*n?

I'd look pretty silly going
along without one, let's go.

Let's have your g*n.

Get off that horse quick.

Turn around.

Now walk.

And while you're walking, say your prayers.

Dismissed, colonel.

- What happened judge?
- Where's your horse?

- He threw me and got away.
- I'll pick him up.

Forget it.

- What do we do with him judge?
- Plenty of trees right handy.

There'll be no lynching.

That's right Marshal,
there'll be no lynching.

This man is entitled to a trial,
he'll have it, right here and now.

Hello Johnny.

Is Jericho been around?

He's not here and he's not going to be here.

I hope you're right.

- Want a drink?
- I'm particular who I drink with.

So am I.

And I don't drink with a man
that just hung a friend of mine.

I didn't hang anybody Johnny.

Oh, Mutton McGuire just
put a rope around his own neck.

That's about what he did.

I've never known any man who got anything but
the worst of it running up against the law.

Mutton McGuire was a good soldier.

He was a good man.

Kind of a bad man to imitate.

- How you corporal?
- I get along.

I figured you'd be
on the other side of the bridge.

Celebrating victory for law,
order and Judge Devereaux.

I've got nothing to celebrate.

Johnny, Kilroy, come on. Johnny.

Go on out back,
somebody is waiting to see you.

- Jericho?
- Yeah.

He's got his nerve,
coming right into town after today.

He brought a half a dozen
horses in, looking for men to ride them.

I told him I'd go with him.

Any of you men feel like joining up with us?

Sixty a month is not much.

Especially for digging gold out of
my own claim that Carter jumped.

But at least it's honest money.

It's better than getting
hung like Mutton McGuire.

Maybe it's better if you're not man
enough to fight for what's yours.

It's not good enough for me.

You get yourself one man anyhow.

Make that two.

Better keep out of
this, you got a wife and kids.

I got nobody to hold me back.

If we can't get our rights
by the law, take them without.

- That all?
- I'll go with you.

I'd like to go but I, I can't do it.
Too much to think of at home.

Alright, think of it.

- I'm ready too.
- Come on.

- I wish you boys luck.
- You'll sure need it.

- You looking pretty good kid.
- I'm alright.

- How you've been?
- Oh, not too bad, considering.

You're as thin as a starved cat.

I guess it's from missing the old Army beans.

Oh, here, I figured that maybe you
could use some eating supplies yourself.

- Gold. Well, where you get it?
- Off our claim.

I dug it out of one of Big Ed's hired
hands, same place I got the horses.

- Here's your army Jericho.
- Hi Jericho.

- You men sure you want to get into this?
- Sure, we're sure.

Might as well get what we can.

- It is better be gone.
- Nothing left for us here.

Hey.

- Get down off of there.
- Jericho, don't make me.

These are grown men Johnny with
nothing to lose but their necks.

You're a kid, you still got a chance.

- But Jericho...
- It's only us 2 Howards left in this world.

One of us is going to live to be
a grand-dad. Now, come on.

So long kid, behave yourself.

- What did you wish Caroline?
- Just that Del could be here.

Oh, I asked him to come,
but he said he was too busy.

It just doesn't seem right,
not being here for my birthday.

Oh, well...

The trouble is you
could only marry one of us.

Oh, if I didn't know how you really felt
about Del, I'd think you were jealous.

Eat your cake.

I'll go.

Howdy ma'am. We'd like to see the judge.

- He's just having his dinner.
- That's alright Caroline, come on in.

- Well, what is it?
- We got fired today.

Ed Carter's g*n guards
run us off the property.

Why were you fired?

It's been too many holdups and we've
all been too friendly to Jericho Howard.

That's what Ed Carter says.

Well, I'm afraid it's up to him
to say who works for him.

Sure. But judge, we're
abiding by the law you laid down.

Even though we still think we're digging
our own gold for Ed Carter, we digging it.

Because we got families to feed.

We claim we've done nothing to get fired for.

Except they used to be
my brother's friends, used to be.

Calm down Johnny.

You men can't blame
Mr. Carter for taking precautions.

I don't blame him for anything, I blame you.

Jericho was alright till you
broke him, why you break him?

Just because you won't
let any man stand up to you.

He's running the hills
because you drove him to it.

Him and the others, good men
that fought their heart out for you.

But you treated them like dirt.

Any man is dirt to you, you're so
crazy with power, just plain crazy.

That's enough, get out.

Maybe you don't believe it judge,
but there's two kinds of justice...

yours and other
people's, just don't forget that.

Get out.

Owen, I've never seen you like this.

The men didn't mean anything.

Johnny Howard is just a boy so
worried about his brother he doesn't...

Oh, I wouldn't worry too
much about him, he's just on edge.

- Any man that...
- I think you'd better go Doc.

Why can't you leave me alone?

That's five.

Your five...

and five more.

I'll fold.

I'll raise five more.

That's right, just sat still.

Which one of you knows how to open that safe?

I'll give you one minute
to make up your mind.

You got a half a minute left.

Easy.

Nice and easy.

Alright, that's plenty.

Tell Mr. Carter I'm leaving him two sacks
to pay his expenses for digging up our gold.

Now sit back down and finish your card game
before you start to raise any commotion.

They ride into town, they ride out
again with 90,000 dollars of my money.

What's done about it?
Nothing, absolutely nothing.

The marshal and the posse go out,
the marshal and the posse come back.

No prisoners, nothing but a lot of excuses.

They're veterans, so they
can get away with anything.

Get a few things straight Mr. Carter.

Those men wouldn't be
running the hills if they've...

been given a fair break
when they first came home.

So, in what side of this
thing are you on anyhow?

Your side, that's my job.

But if you can name one
man in this town who lifted a...

finger to help
those men get a decent start...

I'll eat your hat.

- Why, I hired them. I...
- Sure, sure, you hired them.

At pay they couldn't live on.

Then you fired them when you found
out they were friends of Jericho Howard.

No wonder some of them joined up with him.

Fine state of affairs,
when a federal marshal stands up in...

front of a federal judge in
defense of a bunch of murdering outlaws.

I'm not defending any outlaws...

but I'm telling you this town it'd
better wake up or there'll be more outlaws.

You know Andy, he's right in a way.
A lot of men are pretty hard up and mad.

Seems to me we ought to
be able to do something for them.

We sure we will, after we get some law
and order back in this part of the country.

I hold you responsible Owen.

We're not getting what we counted on
from you by a long shot, we want action.

That's what you'll get.

The men who robbed
you and k*lled Rawson will be...

caught and hanged within the next 48 hours.

- Let's get going.
- Where do we start?

Over in Glory Hill, where we
should've started in the first place.

On who?

When you boys get back in town?

Who said we ever left?

I still bet Jericho saw us looking for him,
he was just too ornery to let us know.

Two days is as long as I'll
look for any man, even Jericho.

If he don't want us near that pit,
then we might forget about it.

- And try something else.
- Try what?

- You boys hear what happened last night?
- Yeah, we slept out and rained.

Where you've been the last couple of days?

We've just been traveling
around, that's all Marshal.

- Looking for...
- We weren't looking for anything.

That's right, we were just looking.

- Who this is belong to?
- Me.

Where you get it?

Why Ed Carter gave it to me,
didn't you know he's my friend?

That's kid talk Johnny.

Somebody emptied
Mr. Carter safe last night...

and got away with
90,000 dollars worth of that stuff.

What do you know about it?

Not a thing, except it's the best news I've
heard since General Lee called off the w*r.

You ever see this before?

- This isn't your g*n, is it?
- Maybe.

Where you see it before?

You tell me when and I'll tell you where.

Johnny, a man was
k*lled in that holdup last night.

- That's his hard luck.
- No, it's yours, if you shot him.

- I don't think you did.
- I don't care what you think.

Alright, I'm going
to lock you up, all of you.

Until one of you gets sense
enough to talk straight, come on.

The g*n, the sack of gold dust...

and where you were when
Ed Carter's office was robbed.

Three things against you Johnny.

That might be enough to hang you.

Do you understand that?

You're not helping Jericho.

You don't want to hang
for something you didn't do.

You got your whole life ahead of you Johnny.

Did he tell you anything?

- You wouldn't believe him if he did.
- No, I wouldn't.

- Not with the evidence we've got.
- I still say Johnny wasn't in on it.

- How do you know?
- I know him.

He's protecting his
brother or trying to anyhow.

Well, you have a
right to your personal opinion.

I've to go on facts.

The law states that a man is innocent until
proved guilty beyond any reasonable doubt.

- I know the law.
- Alright.

Then put off the trial for a few days.

Why should I?

I'll give you reason enough.

I want time to find
Jericho Howard and bring him in.

You haven't done very
well about finding him up to now.

I made a mistake by having a posse with me.

Del, I've gone along
with you as far as I can.

- If you were in my place...
- I'd give Johnny Howard a chance to live.

This is one time I intend
to have things my way Owen.

I don't want that kid
touched until I get back.

I don't take orders,
not from you or anyone else.

You'll take this one.

Don't hang Johnny Howard.

- You've been hard to find Jericho.
- I haven't been lost Marshal.

Now that you're in here,
how do you figure on getting out?

- That's up to you to say.
- You bet it is.

Any idea I'm going to
give you any of the best of it?

That depends on weather you want your
kid brother to hang for a k*lling you did.

Say that again.

When I left town 2 nights ago
judge Devereaux was getting...

ready to try John for the
sh**ting of a man named Rawson...

in the holdup of Ed Carter's office.

- Johnny had no part of that job.
- I know he didn't.

But it's enough evidence to hang him.

He had a sack of gold dust and...

somebody dropped a
g*n outside Ed Carter's office with...

J. Howard carved on the handle.

- They can't convict the kid on just that.
- Maybe not.

But what will convict him
is the fact he won't defend himself.

Won't say a word.

He thinks he's protecting you.

Add it all up Jericho and see what you get.

That crazy, know nothing kid.

That's what he is alright.

He's going to swing for it
unless you make a move in a hurry.

- You're asking me to...?
- I'm not asking you anything.

I'm telling you.

You're going to dance on
a rope end sooner or later anyhow.

But Johnny is kind of young to die for
nothing but cockeyed loyalty to his brother.

That's why I say it's up to you.
Who pays your bills Jericho?

You or Johnny?

You coming with me?

Move over to the other place.
I'll see you there.

Give him his g*n.

Alright Marshal, you got your man.
What you waiting for?

Johnny.

Colonel Devereaux's justice?

I just saw Johnny Howard.

You had to hang him.

Just because you had another chance
to k*ll a man you couldn't resist it.

I stood by you Owen,
let you go on being federal judge.

I thought I could stand between you
and people like Johnny Howard.

Keep you from any more k*lling, I was wrong.

There's only one way to stop you.

And that's to take the power of
life and death from you, finish you.

And that's what I'm
going to do, any way I can.

You still won't get Caroline.

It was on the front door.

Aren't you going to say anything?

Everyone was talking at the store.

Owen, how can you hang five men?

Five more?

They had their trial.

You convicted them on no more evidence
than there was against Johnny Howard.

Just because they were with him.

Because they were guilty.

I think you'd better come with me Caroline.

To watch you hang them?

To show the town that my wife believes in me.

I have a right to ask that.

How can I stand by you in this?

First Del, now you.

Owen, Del is the best friend you ever had.

He wouldn't turn
against you without such good...

Cause that he had to, any more than I would.

I, I try to understand you.

I can't, I just can't.

You believe this because Del believes it.

Because you're in love with Del.

- You always were.
- That's not true Owen.

Do you love me?

You won't let me anymore.

Come on, jump in.

Let's go.

It won't do, it just won't.

What happened
today will be all over Colorado.

We got a w*r in our
hands, that's what it amounts to.

Next thing to plain armed
rebellion, soldiers sh**ting at civilians.

- They're not soldiers.
- They were.

They were your own men, which
makes it look all the worse for you.

Your own best friend is running the g*ng...

The man you that you
insisted on having for marshal.

Del Stewart will hang.

The same as any of the
rest of them when I get him.

If you get him.

Owen, we need somebody else running things...

that's not mixed up in
this mess personally the way you are.

To get things quieted down, which
I don't believe you can ever do.

I'm a federal judge.

One man can put me out of
office, that's the territorial governor.

I come over as quick as I could judge.

Good night.

Hi fellows, I hardly
expected to see you around.

How about me buying a drink to
kind of celebrate your, your good health?

Three.

- Funny thing, I lost my thirst.
- Me the same.

Funny thing.

I'll...

have to drink alone then.

Seems a shame.

Yeah, seems a shame to
say no to a popular man like you.

You wouldn't believe
what a popular man you are.

Anywhere you go,
somebody is sure to tell somebody.

What you doing over Judge Devereaux's house?

Why...

He wanted to know
if I knew where Del Stewart is.

I told him no, of course.

Even if I did know, why, I
wouldn't tell anything on Del Stewart.

- You boys know that.
- You don't want to lie at the wrong people.

I remember in the Army, you were
always very careful not to get yourself hurt.

You're too old to change your habits now.

Save your money, you might need it.

What are you shaking about?

You can tell Del Stewart
something if you want to.

If you see him.

His lady friend is in plenty of trouble.

You wouldn't mean Mrs. Devereaux, would you?

I don't know any
other lady friend he ever had.

Things are mighty bad in that house.

The judge is keeping her locked her
up, no telling what he might do to her.

She asked me to get a message to Del Stewart.

Said she needs help.

But if I can't find him, I...

I can't tell him.

Well...

I'll see you boys around some more.

Claims he's got a message
for you from Mrs. Devereaux.

When did you see Mrs. Devereaux?

- This evening at her house.
- He was there alright.

She's in trouble with the judge.

She grabbed me just as I was
leaving, told me she wants to see you.

She has to see you, that's what she said.

Find Del Stewart, she said to me.

Tell him that if he...

still cares anything at all about me,
he'd better come and see me tonight.

You don't have to believe it.

I've got nothing to lose if you don't.

Still dog robbing for
the colonel, the same as always.

He'd sell his mother
for two bits and give you change.

The idea is to draw you
out in the open, no matter how.

I don't know which is the lowest...

the judge or this.

I'll have to go over there.

- You're a fool if you do.
- Alright, I'm a fool.

Maybe your friends ought
to stop you for your own good.

Alright, a few of us
will go along, just in case.

One man is enough.

Let's go.

Remember, I'll be
right behind you, all the way.

Come on, come on, hurry up.

Hold it.

Get him locked up.

Get out of town before
morning and don't come back.

Alright, just a moment.

Why Caroline, come in.

- What is it Caroline? Anything wrong?
- Owen just arrested Del.

Doc, he's going to hang
him, m*rder Del with the law.

- Caroline, I can't believe it.
- You'll believe Owen, won't you?

Caroline?

Caroline.

Caroline.

I guess you're the man I want to
talk to, seeing you're the marshal now.

I'm the marshal alright,
but I got no business for you Doc.

There's nobody sick around here.

Not yet anyhow.

- I want to see Del Stewart.
- He's not seeing visitors.

- Not tonight.
- I'm here on official business.

The law requires a medical examination
for a man before he can be hanged.

That's the first I heard about it.

You're kind of new at this job.

If you want to go over and...

wake my nephew, the judge and
ask him, your privilege, of course.

Well.

Alright, come on.

- Hi you Doc.
- Hi Del.

- Well, let me in.
- You can see him from out here.

How can I examine a man through this?

- Get it over with.
- Don't rush me.

Would you hand me my stethoscope please Del?

Lock him up.

Line up.

Backs to me.

Keep them up.

Take their g*ns.

Keep them up.

Alright, in there.

Move.

- You're a fool to get mixed up in this.
- We'll talk about that later.

Caroline, you had no right to bring her here.

- She brought me.
- Del, I couldn't let Owen...

Oh, don't make me talk about it.
Doc will drive you to Denver.

See the governor, tell him Owen
is sick too sick to go on being judge.

Now you have to hurry.

There.

How are you alive still Del?

He'll sleep for a while, Ought to be
in pretty fair shape when he wakes.

- Doc, what are we going to do?
- You stop worrying.

With what I got to show the governor,
he'll straighten things out, he'll have to.

Alright Jericho, I'm ready to get going.

You ain't going to Denver Doc,
nobody is. They got the bridge blocked.

Judge, we found Mrs. Devereaux's buggy.

- No sign of them?
- Can't get nobody to talk.

But they're around here sure.

Former marshal Del Stewart
escaped from jail last night.

We know he's hiding here,
some of you know where he is.

So the sooner you turn him
over to us, the better it'll be for you.

Come on, speak up, where is he?

This is a warning.

Unless Del Stewart is
given up before 7 o'clock tonight...

all of you will have
to accept full responsibility.

You have until 7 o'clock.

What time is it Doc?

Almost 6.

Come on, let's dig up some food.

Judge, shouldn't you get
something to eat? And get a little rest.

Still plenty of time before 7 o'clock.

Del, if I go back to Owen,
even now maybe he'd listen to me.

- You not going back to him.
- I'm still his wife.

You're never going back to him.

Del.

Owen. Owen.

Well, are you satisfied now?
Have you done enough damage?

Burn half the town,
I own property over there.

Owned and so did a lot of other people.

If that doesn't matter to you, why didn't
you stop him? Come and tell me anyhow.

Why, you are the one that told
us to take orders from the judge.

I tried to argue with him.

Didn't even ask anybody
what they might think about it.

Started the worst fire this town
ever had, started it deliberately.

You wanted a g*ng of outlaws
rounded up, well, there they are.

I suggest you leave law
enforcement to officers of the law.

Law? You're not enforcing law, you're
out to get the man who stole your wife.

- My wife was kidnapped.
- Call it that if you want to.

But the whole town knows your
wife ran off with your best friend.

And you're out of your head
about it, crazy to get even. Crazy.

Caroline.

Caroline.

Drop your g*n Owen,
there's been enough k*lling.

If you won't finish him, I will.

Owen.

- Good bye Marshal.
- Have a good trip Del.

- Thanks.
- You get us some action now.

We'll stay in Washington until we do York.

Just tell them all we want is our
rights marshal, we'll take it from there.

- Goodbye Doc.
- Goodbye boy.

- Good luck Del.
- Thanks Caroline.

All aboard.

I'll be back soon.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.