04x24 - The Young Warriors

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

I thought this is where you'd head the minute I hung up.

Billy, what is the matter with you?

Are you crazy?

Let it alone, George.

But what's the point, man?

Burning the surveyors equipment isn't gonna stop anything.

The company will just send more equipment.

Might have to burn the surveyor next, huh?

- Oh, Billy, for-- - You traitor!

Get your hand off of me right now.

[music continues]

See, the problem is, George

I've got this weak stomach.

And your kind happens to nauseate me.

Just what kind is that?

Oh, you know. Red skin. White brain.

Kind that goes off and gets a law degree

and then sells out his own people.

[dramatic music]

[grunting]

[music continues]

[expl*si*n]

[theme music]

[Marvin Miller] The FBI.

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott

William Reynolds with guest stars, Scott Marlowe..

...Lin McCarthy..

...and special guest star, Barbara Luna.

Tonight's episode, "The Young Warriors."

[instrumental music]

The death of Indian Attorney, George Fisher

on the Allimac reservation in Northern Arizona

was to bring a number of long standing conflicts

between the white and red men of the area

into a sudden sharped focus.

[glass shattering]

Within hours, vandalism had been reported on both sides.

And in Flagstaff, FBI resident agent Edgar Putnam

sensing a potentially expl*sive situation

had asked bureau headquarters in Washington for assistance.

The coroner is holding the autopsy now in Allimac.

Little town in the edge of the reservation.

What's the main cause of friction here, Ed?

Well, the basic fight seems to be

whether or not progress in terms of more jobs

or higher standard of living is right for the tribe or not.

Some of Indians don't want

the white man's version of progress.

They think we've made a mess of it.

They just want to be left alone.

They feel that their own ways are better for them.

Now the man who was k*lled felt differently.

He was an attorney, you said.

Right. Married to the chief's daughter.

One child. A little boy, two years old.

Was he popular with the tribe?

Well, I talked to the Indian agent about that

and he said that Fisher had been very popular.

But that he had made a lot of the young militants mad

by his conciliatory attitude toward Holmen and company.

- That's the mining syndicate? - Yes.

I still don't think I quiet understand, Ed.

Is the tribe afraid the company gonna build on

reservation land or what?

Well, that's part of it.

The reservation boundaries have always been in dispute.

The company is running its own survey right now

as a matter of fact.

But you see, a lot of the young Indian braves

have been saying that waste is bound to pollute the river

no matter where the smelter is built.

And of course, if this is true

that would mean the end of the tribes fishing.

Now the company, to counteract that

has promised to put in a, a sewage purifier, but..

A lot of the young braves still object.

They simply don't want that smelter in there at all.

- Sounds bad. - 'It is, believe me.'

The feels that George Fisher's own people probably k*lled him.

The tribe seems to believe the company was behind it.

But both sides are convinced it was m*rder.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

Well..

...now what?

- Do you know him? - Mm-hmm.

Billy Rockhill.

He's made trouble before in the reservation.

He was picked up about a year ago on an as*ault charge.

Tough boy. Head of the young Indian militants.

You'd rather not force a showdown.

Can we talk to the coroner first?

Bissell is the coroner.

Coroner, mortician..

...justice of the peace, you just name it.

[music continues]

Afternoon.

My name's Erskine. I'm with the FBI.

We're here on official business. Would you step aside, please?

Sorry, can't hear you.

Park it.

Thank you.

[music continues]

[door closes]

Death by drowning, no question about that.

Some time around midnight.

We found a little fracture of the skull.

Lacerations and contusions about the face.

Contusions on the upper torso and legs.

Abrasions on the hands, the back

and around the knuckles.

How long had the body been in the water, doctor?

About eight hours.

His injures could have been caused by rocks and debris.

These injuries could have, yes.

Wait, there were others?

I found a superficial burn on his left palm.

A burn?

Probably sustained at the same time

as, um, the other wounds.

Which would mean that some of the wounds at least

were sustained on land.

Yup.

[telephone ringing]

This is mortuary.

Uh-huh, yeah, he's here, hang on.

Thank you.

Hello. Yes.

Where?

No, I can find it. Thanks.

They've located Fisher's car at Painter's Landing.

Near a partly burned pier.

Thank you, doctor.

[instrumental music]

What's going on?

Nothing important, man.

Just a widow who come to pick up her husband's body.

The man with her is the chief of the tribe, Philip Crow.

Were you a friend of Fishers?

His best friend.

When was the last time you saw him alive?

I can't remember.

Last night?

I was at Flagstaff last night.

Ricard's Lodge.

[baby sobbing]

You okay, Jen?

Everything's all ready.

You just have to sign some papers.

Can you manage that?

Good.

[music continues]

[sobbing]

Where does she sign?

In here, please.

We would like to have him rest in his own home tonight.

Would that be against the law?

Not at all. Um..

Right here...by the X, Mrs. Fisher.

Come on, honey.

[music continues]

Better keep an eye on this crowd.

Yeah, they don't look too happy, do they?

Mister.

This woman's husband was just m*rder*d.

Now, why don't you go get his k*ller

instead of hanging around here to bug us, huh?

Sir, do you remember me?

Oh, Putnam, of course.

I'd like you to meet a colleague of mine.

He's come to help us investigate the death of your son-in-law.

Inspector Irskine, Chief Philip Crow.

- How do you do? - Erskine.

Um, my daughter.

I know how painful this must be for you, Mrs. Fisher.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

I'd like to talk to you later, if I may.

Why?

To find out what I can about your husband's activities

before his death.

You won't like the answers.

Do you know what happened?

Of course, I know what happened.

He was beaten and thrown into the river to drown.

By whom?

What difference does it make?

Well, don't you want us to find the man who did this?

The man who did this won't be punished.

The man who k*lled him was white.

Jenny.

Well, what are we going through this silly routine for?

It could have been an accident.

He was m*rder*d. You know it, everybody knows it.

- I heard the argument. - What argument?

[chuckles]

Be careful now.

The first thing you know, you'll have a name.

And then you'll have to investigate.

And how will you get out of that?

What name?

What name, Mrs. Fisher?

John Aldridge.

Do you want me to spell it?

Head of the company surveying party.

Are you accusing this man of murdering your husband?

I am.

Now let me see you go and arrest him.

Billy.

Where can I find him?

The company has an office down the street, 521.

You and Colby better have a look at the pier before dark.

If I'm not with Aldridge when you get back

I'll be at the hotel.

- 'Right.' - Oh, uh..

One thing more.

Contact Flagstaff, will you?

Find out if Rockhill was registered

at the Ricard's Lodge last night?

Yes, sir.

[music continues]

[theme music]

You mean, my personal opinion?

Well..

...I don't think we've lost a battle yet.

But I surely feel we ought to pull in our horns a little.

Listen, why don't you have Paul Harris

fly out here tomorrow?

Let him take a look around. See what he recommends.

Well, Paul understands these people.

He used to work for The Bureau Of Indian Affairs, didn't he?

Okay. Fine, fine.

I'll be looking for him.

- Yes, sir. - Mr. Aldridge.

- That's right. - My name's Erskine.

I'd, uh, like to talk to you if you have a minute.

Well, inspector.

Certainly, sit down.

- Thank you. - Please.

Sorry about the draft.

Trying to board up that window

but the wind still comes through.

I suppose I Ought to thank God they didn't burn

this place down around my years.

Mr. Aldridge, were you acquainted with George Fisher?

- Yes, I was. - What did you think of him?

He was courageous.

Cooperative. Intelligent.

Did he feel that Holman company would be good for this area?

He felt the jobs we'd create for the Indians would be very good.

Ah, he liked the idea of progress coming in.

The Indians wouldn't have to leave their own lands

to move in to the 20th century.

Now, I said a moment ago, that he was co-operative.

By that, I don't mean to say we didn't argue.

No, we had some..

...real battles over the survey I was conducting.

He was opposed to it?

Oh, he was, uh, afraid of the psychological effects

the survey might have on the tribe.

He asked me several times to postpone our work

until he could convince the young militants

that the survey might even extend their boundaries.

See, we got to make sure that we're not on Indian land.

If there's any question about that..

...then we'll relocate the smelter.

But you didn't postpone the work.

No, I couldn't.

My orders were to go ahead.

When was the last time the two of you

fought over this point?

Yesterday afternoon.

Was there anyone else around?

Well, his wife heard it.

A few others.

There was Chief Philip, Billy Rockhill..

- Did you threaten him? - No.

Threaten him?

Oh, of course not.

But I did tell him the survey was going ahead

from Painter's Landing whether he liked it or not.

From where?

'Oh, Painter's Landing.'

That's a little dock on the river

just inside the reservation.

Indian agent gave me permission to store

some of my equipment in a shack there.

When was the last time you were in this shack, Mr. Aldridge?

Middle of last week. Why?

We had a report that the pier at Painter's Landing had burned.

Burned?

Oh! Well, inspector..

...I'd better look in to this.

I have my car, if you'd care to go along

we could talk on the way.

Fine.

Incidentally, why are we talking?

You don't think I k*lled Fisher, do you?

- Did you? - No.

Of course not.

But I imagine the Indians would like to think I did.

Why?

'Well, because I'm the only'

'company representative here.'

I'm the symbol.

Next thing you know, they'll be demanding my arrest.

Is that what they want?

Arrests are made in the basis of evidence, not demands.

Ready?

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

John Aldridge, Special Agent Colby.

- Mr. Aldridge. - Mr. Colby.

Is there anything left? Any instruments?

No, sir.

Well, they'll just send more equipment.

I'll just start all over again.

Is that Fisher's car?

Yes.

No sign of a struggle inside, no blood.

From the tire tracks, uh

evidently there was another vehicle parked over here.

Took off in a big hurry.

Took the front fender here.

Left traces of a..

...green paint and what appear to be

pieces of a tail light or reflector.

Any sign of how the fire started?

Oh, we found an empty gasoline can.

Well, let's see.

Fisher could have done it himself.

He could have. But the point is, why would he?

It would only delay the survey, it wouldn't stop it.

Well, let's assume that's what he wanted.

If Aldridge had caught him, could have been a fight.

Is that your case, Lou?

That's the tribes case.

How does it sound?

Circumstantial.

Men have been hanged on less.

Mr. Aldridge.

Do you, uh, drive any car other than that one?

Yes, there's a station wagon I drive sometimes.

What color is it?

Well, it's green.

Where were you last night, around midnight?

I was at the office, working.

- Alone? - Yes.

Anyone see you, anyone drop in?

No.

[chuckles]

Alright, Mr. Aldridge, thanks very much.

Not at all.

Can I drive you back?

Uh, no, I'll go with Colby, thanks.

Now there's a fellow who could use an alibi.

Oh, speaking of alibis

Flagstaff checked on Billy Rockhill for you.

Yeah.

The manager of Ricard's Lodge confirms his story.

He was playing cards with Billy from eight o'clock last night

until three this morning.

Getting colder.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

I expect him to open his eyes and say

"Hey, Billy, you no good Indian.

What are you looking so solemn about?

Jen..

...don't you think you've been in here long enough now?

Okay.

I'll see you at the funeral tomorrow.

Billy..

Yeah?

What are we going to do if they don't punish Aldridge?

Punish him ourselves.

Is that what you want?

It'll mean more k*lling..

...on both sides.

They started it, didn't they?

Jenny, listen to me.

This is a w*r we're in.

If we don't stop that company now, drive 'em out right now

they'll pollute the river, the land and everything.

[dramatic music]

George tried to talk reason to 'em.

You see what happened?

Jenny.

Oh, please, please don't cry. Please.

[sobbing]

Jenny, I know this isn't the time or the place.

But I've loved you for so long, for so long.

Wait, listen.

Listen to me.

Hey, your husband was the best friend I had.

If he could talk now..

...don't you think he'd tell you to trust me?

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

Oh, this is Erskine. Is Mr. Ward there?

'One moment please.'

[telephone buzzing]

Yes?

'Inspector Erskine on line one.'

- Hello, Lewis. - Art.

'I was just gonna call you.'

'How are things going out there?'

Oh, nice and quiet, like the eye of a hurricane.

Hmm.

I received that evidence you sent in this morning.

The green paint chips and all.

'Any results?'

Identification division came up with two clear latents

on the gasoline can.

Aldridge's prints are on file already.

He did some government work back in the early 60's.

They're making a comparison now.

We'll send that on to you as soon as possible.

Incidentally, uh, have you had a chance yet to enquire

about the man I mentioned in the teletype?

Yes, I have, uh, Paul Harris had an excellent reputation

when he was with The Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Incidentally, he's part Allimac himself.

So he could literally speak their language.

Good.

The diplomat might save this situation yet.

What do you mean, save it?

It's bad, Art.

Bad for Aldridge.

Well, maybe the company would be wise to transfer Aldridge

to another location for a while.

That's one of the things I'm hoping Harris will recommend.

How about you? Could you use some help?

I think we'll be alright.

Putnam's calling in some more agents from Flagstaff.

They, uh, they aught to be in any minute.

Okay. Well, keep me informed.

- I will. - 'Good luck.'

Goodbye, Art.

[knock on door]

- Yes. - 'It's Tom.'

Well, the agents just got in from Flagstaff.

They each brought a car, so there's an extra one

in case we need it.

- Fine. - They brought something else.

Ricard's Lodge uses an old fashioned guest book

instead of a registration card.

Here's a photographic copy of page 412.

Dated the day of the m*rder.

Well, it could be that Rockhill just writes

in a very cramped style or

somebody squeezed his name in later.

Shows all the foresight of an afterthought, doesn't it?

[chuckles]

Say, Lou, didn't Putnam say that, uh

Billy Rockhill had been arrested on an as*ault charge last year?

That's right.

Better call the identification division

have 'em pull his prints and check 'em against

the latents and the gasoline can.

Get a hold of Putnam, will you?

Tell him I wanna interview the manager of Ricard's Lodge.

I'm going over to the reservation

to talk to Mrs. Fisher again.

Better bring Harris out there when he arrives.

Yes, sir.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

Well, man, there's one thing about you.

You're consistent.

You always know the wrong time to barge in.

Is Mrs. Fisher here?

No.

Billy, who..

Oh!

Hey, Jenny, stay here.

Come in, inspector.

- Thank you. - Hmm.

I suppose you have to have

an awful lot of patience in your line of business.

- Sometimes. - Hmm.

Patience is a good quality.

It used to be a very Indian quality.

It's getting harder and harder for me

to understand the young people today.

I suppose you want to ask her some questions.

- If I may. - Jenny, you heard.

- Oh, won't you sit down? - Thank you.

I want to apologize for my children.

The funeral was today and..

'...I hope you'll accept that as an excuse.'

Of course.

Now..

Mrs. Fisher, when was the last time you saw your husband alive?

I don't remember.

Think about it, Jenny.

[sighs]

About 11 o'clock on the night he was m*rder*d.

Can you tell me the circumstances?

He was talking to John Aldridge on the phone out here.

'I was in bed but, he was so angry, he was shouting'

'and I could hear him saying'

"You keep away from that equipment.

I'm tired of arguing with you about the survey."

They'd been fighting about the same thing earlier.

Papa, you heard it.

And Billy.

There was more but, that's all I could make out.

After that, he left the house.

I fell asleep.

You heard him address Aldridge by name?

Yes.

I don't know.

Well, there's no one else it could have been.

Well, couldn't he have been, uh

warning somebody not to destroy the equipment?

I think we've had about enough of this.

- Billy? - Papa, please.

Will you stay out of this for one minute?

Okay.

All of us, except for papa.

All of us know two things.

We know that John Aldridge k*lled my husband

and we know that you're going to work this thing around

until you get him off scot-free.

That isn't true, Mrs. Fisher.

Let me ask you one question.

If you knew for a fact that John Aldridge

k*lled my husband, what would you do?

- I'd arrest him. - Oh, please.

May I ask you a question?

If you knew for a fact that an Indian was guilty..

...what would you do?

That's so ridiculous, it doesn't even deserve an answer.

[engine revving]

[instrumental music]

Excuse me.

Company representative just got in.

- Yes, where is he? - Aldridge's office.

He said he'd talk to Chief Philip there

at two this afternoon, we can just make it.

Well, he should have come here.

I thought this Harris was supposed to be a diplomat.

It isn't Harris, he's ill.

It's his boss, he decided to come instead.

The man's name is Howard Swift.

Well, let's hope he knows what he's doing.

[knock on door]

Chief Crow, I have some good news for you.

Yes?

Company official named Swift has just arrived.

He asks if you'd consent to a meeting.

About what?

Your mutual disagreements.

Except Aldridge.

What do you say?

There's no doubt Aldridge is a very good man.

Hmm, but he's like a stone in a shoe.

He belongs somewhere else now.

Do you suppose if we ask the company

they would remove him?

We don't want him removed, we want him arrested.

What do you think, inspector?

Well, you can certainly discuss that with Swift.

'He's invited you to be his guest in Allimac.'

- When? - Anytime.

Now if you like.

Then now it'll be.

[dramatic music]

[indistinct chatter]

[music continues]

I'm sorry.

You want me to call the hotel again?

They said he'd already left.

Maybe he got lost.

Maybe he's not used to a great big city like Allimac.

Get out of the way.

You're blocking the road.

I said you're blocking the road here.

Oh, Mr. Swift, come in.

- Oh, is everyone here? - Yes, sir.

May I present the hereditary leader of the Allimac

his excellency, Chief Philip Crow.

Mr. Howard Swift.

Mr. Swift.

Mr. William Rockhill.

Well, you must be Inspector Erskine?

That's right, Mr. Swift.

Well, it's a pleasure to know you.

Mr. Aldridge has told me a great deal about you.

[clears throat]

Now what, uh, what seems to be the trouble up here?

Well, I think that's something

you should discuss with Chief Crow.

Do you?

Alright. Why not?

Well, this won't take long.

We have only one major demand.

You have a demand?

Yes, I've itemized our vandalism claims.

The total charges including the uninsured portions

of the surveying equipment and drawings

comes to $785 and some cents.

Uh, Mr. Swift..

Now, we could've brought suits you know, for a good deal more.

We might still do that.

I think it's your own best interest, my friend

to pay this little bill as soon as possible.

Before we leave

I would like to explore one more path.

The feeling in Allimac is running very high

against your representative.

Mr. Aldridge?

I think he can take care of himself.

My tribe wants you to remove him.

Remove him?

Sir..

...I agree with Chief Crow.

Don't be ridiculous.

No. That's out of the question.

We need him.

Alright, that's it. Come on.

Then you are going ahead with the survey?

Well, of course, we are.

The new instrument should be here tomorrow.

Chief Crow.

Can I talk to you alone?

This meeting is over.

Inspector.

What's going on here? We don't have to cater to these people.

The law's on our side.

[indistinct chatter]

Listen to me.

Listen!

Quiet!

'Quiet!'

You'd better get a hold of the sheriff.

[Billy] 'Chief Philip just had a meeting'

'with one of those big shots there'

'at Holman and Company.'

And do you know what he said?

He said the survey was going to start again tomorrow.

[all] No.

[Billy] 'Oh, you don't like that?'

'You don't approve?'

'Well, who are you to like it or not like it?'

To approve or disapprove?

That is a white man's orders.

Alright.

A white man named Aldridge

m*rder*d an Indian named Fisher.

And do you know what's going to happen to him?

Huh? Nothing.

'Nothing!'

'They won't arrest him, they won't even replace him.'

You better get inside.

Why should I? I'm not afraid of these people.

There.

There's your big, powerful white executive.

There he is.

Don't tell me your troubles.

I'm just an Indian.

I can't help you.

You go and you tell him.

Tell him!

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

Come on.

[clamoring]

[groaning]

[clamoring]

[glass shatters]

[music continues]

[groans]

[grunts]

[groans]

[indistinct chatter]

[siren blaring]

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

[clamoring]

[instrumental music]

Mr. Ward.

Yes, Art.

Lewis, I can't hear you. I think we've got a bad connection.

Oh.

- How's that? - That's better. What happened?

'Well, I'm not sure, but I think I ran into a right cross.'

- You what? - I've been a little busy here.

Hurricane finally hit.

They wrecked the company offices

sent Aldridge and a man named Swift to the hospital.

Who's Swift?

A replacement for Harris

with an unfortunate lack of diplomacy.

They're sending Harris up early next week.

Is the riot still going on?

No, but the sparks are still there.

The ring leader got away.

As long as Rockhill's loose, there's going to be trouble.

Well, your guess paid off there.

Those were his fingerprints on the gasoline can.

Uh, any results on the paint samples yet?

Automotive paint file indicates

they came from a 1968 Bronco or truck.

That ought to help you.

That's enough to ask the US attorney

for a warrant on Rockhill.

Well, go ahead.

And let me know the minute you pick him up.

I will. Goodbye.

If you were Rockhill and you thought you'd k*lled a man

where would you go?

To the reservation.

Well, let's try it.

[dramatic music]

No, I, I can't, Billy.

Jenny.

Jenny, please come with me.

Billy, I can't.

Listen, even if Aldridge is still alive

they'll send me up for as*ault.

I'm through here. We've lost, Jen.

We could start all over again. We could go to Canada.

Billy, I, I want to help you, but I can't.

Jenny, please come with me.

It's so hard for me to beg.

Look, I left my car in town.

But we can borrow one if we have to.

We can even steal one.

Please.

No.

You come on.

[engine rumbling]

[dramatic music]

Is it papa?

FBI.

I'll wait for you in the back.

May we come in, Mrs. Fisher?

I really couldn't care less what you do.

We have a warrant for the arrest of William Rockhill.

Have you seen him?

You know something?

I'll never really understand the white mind.

Never.

What in the world makes you think I'd do

anything at all to help you find Billy?

He's broken the law.

He may have broken your law.

Look, all he wanted was for this tribe to keep it's identity.

To be left alone.

'Assaulting a man like John Aldridge--'

The charge isn't as*ault, Mrs. Fisher, it's m*rder.

Aldridge is dead?

No.

No, Mr. Aldridge will be alright.

Billy Rockhill's been tied with a m*rder of your husband.

[laughing]

I don't believe you.

That is the most insane thing I've ever heard.

We've linked his car and fingerprints

to the scene of the crime.

Why are you lying to me like this?

'Billy wasn't even here when George was k*lled.'

'He was in Flagstaff.'

All you have to do is check with a man named Ricard.

We did.

We had a report from Mr. Putnam on the way over.

Ricard's admitted he was lying.

He told our agents that Rockhill called him a little after



So, Ricard forged his name in the register.

Think back, Mrs. Fisher.

You heard part of a telephone conversation.

Now, was your husband talking to a company representative

or to a friend?

Couldn't the voice on the other end have been Rockhill's?

Have you seen him?

Is he here?

Yes.

[dramatic music]

Billy.

[baby babbling]

Alright, keep away from me.

- Go on, tell your friend. - Down.

Tell your friend.

Back up. Go on, back up.

Billy!

Be quiet, Jen.

[baby crying]

It was an accident.

And I'm sorry.

I want my..

[crying]

[dramatic music]

[car engine revving]

Jenny.

What happened? What's the matter?

It was Billy.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

It's up to you now.

This is gonna be a bad, bad time.

The young men will turn to you.

Don't turn your back on them.

Don't give up the struggle.

Don't let the white man swallow you up.

Your struggle was never with the white man, Billy.

It was always within yourself.

You fight for our rights.

Go back to the old ways.

m*rder was never a part of the old ways.

Or bigotry.

Or the absolute refusal to sit down

at a table and discuss things out.

The way George wanted us to.

The old ways!

[instrumental music]

So, now, we'll act traditionally

like George wanted us to act.

You know, inspector.

It seems to me that men of good will ought to be

able to resolve almost any problem

they put their minds to.

Don't you think?

Yes, Chief Crow, I do.

[Marvin Miller] William Rockhill was convicted of murdering

George Fisher and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Several Allimac residents were tried and convicted

following the riots for assaulting a federal officer.

Damage claims arising from the riot in Allimac, Arizona

were settled out of court.

[theme music]

[music continues]