Howdy, jess.
Elsie,
how have you been?
Just fine, mr. Mccary,
and yourself?
Able to set up
and take nourishment.
How about your pa?
Haven't you been
able to pry him out
of that chair yet?
Afraid not.
I don't know what
it is, mr. Mccary,
he's fit enough.
He just don't seem to
have any will for
living anymore.
I get awful
worried sometimes.
Let me work on him.
See if I can't budge
him a little.
Appreciate it.
Cooled off some,
hasn't it?
Some, I reckon.
Thought I'd
take a walk
into town.
How about
joining me?
What for?
What for doesn't
matter. It's the
doing that counts.
Getting out in the sun,
bending your legs,
Meeting some folk
in town and passing
the time of day,
That's what for.
You go on. I got
no reason to go.
When did you get
so old, jess?
What day?
What time.
Now, tell me,
because when that
day comes for me,
I want to know
so I can stay in
bed that morning
And not let it
happen.
You got people
worried about
you, friend.
Elsie over there is
afraid you're going to
waste away in that chair.
And maddy
sutherland...
What about
maddy sutherland?
Why don't
you tell me?
It wasn't so long
ago the two of you
Had a regular romance
going. What happened?
We got too old
for romance.
Bosh!
I'll be on my way.
Just talking to you
makes me feel old.
You are old.
Same as me!
Difference is,
I know it.
Well, I'll be.
Lem, if the day
ever comes when I
b*at you at checkers,
I'm going to die
a happy man.
No use wishing your
life away, nels.
Come on.
Set them up.
Nels oleson,
what do you think
you're doing?
I think I'm playing
checkers. What do
you think I'm doing?
I think you'd better
close the store.
We've got lot
of work to do.
Well, lem, I'll
take a rematch
one of these days.
Kind of early
to be closing.
Yeah, but we've got
work to do over at
the hanson house.
It's been sitting empty
ever since lars d*ed,
And we're afraid it's
just going to fall down
If it doesn't get some
attention pretty soon.
Nels, will
you hurry up?
I left
the mops and pails
in the storeroom.
Yes, dear.
You made plans
for the lars hanson
house yet, harriet?
Yes, mr. Mccary,
I have.
I'm going
to sell it.
Township is
growing rapidly,
People are
beginning to
settle in.
So I'm quite sure
that we'll make a
very handsome profit.
Hi, mr. Mccary.
Oh, how are
you, willie?
And nancy...
Willie and nancy,
come now, hurry up.
Box up the supplies.
Mr. Mccary,
we are closed.
So you'll have to find
somewhere else to fritter
away the afternoon.
Well, have
a pleasant day
yourself, harriet.
Yes.
Rather rude,
harriet.
Well!
Somebody had
to get rid of him.
If I hadn't,
he would've stood
here all day yapping.
That's the trouble
with these old people.
They never
buy anything.
They just want to
stand around and talk,
talk, talk, talk!
Well, he's
not so bad.
I enjoy
his stories.
All right, everybody,
pick up the boxes.
Let's get into
the wagon. Hurry up.
Come on.
Come on, nancy.
Won't you be
old some day
mother?
Well, yes, darling,
but I intend to age
gracefully.
Ah!
I finished all
the windows, mother.
Oh, well, fine, dear.
Go on upstairs now
and start washing
the woodworking.
Mother, I'm tired.
My hands are all wrinkled,
and my shoulders ache.
Oh, well,
I know, dear,
But we all have to
do our share.
Now, you never can tell.
If we get a very handsome
price for this house,
There might just be a little
reward in it for you.
- A reward?
- Mm-hmm.
I'll be glad to wash
the woodwork, mother.
[Chuckling]
yes, I thought so.
Aah!
Good heavens!
This place is
falling down around us.
Well, I got
the kitchen
pump working.
Nels, look, all these
old papers I found
under this step.
Must be where
lars kept his
valuables.
Certainly nothing
valuable here.
There's an old
insurance policy
That expired
years ago.
Maddy...maddy...
Maddy sutherland.
Lem! How good
to see you.
It's been a while,
maddie.
Don't see enough
of your pretty face
around town no more.
I don't get out
so much anymore, lem.
If it wasn't for coming
to see doc baker,
I'd probably never
get to town at all.
You ain't ailing,
are you, maddy?
Maddy: oh, no,
nothing serious.
Just the usual aches
and complaints of
old age, I guess.
It's a shame, maddy,
the way old friends
drift apart
And lose touch
over the years.
Seems like the only
time we see each other
is at somebody's funeral.
It is a shame, lem.
But it's a fact
of living.
We just seem to wind down
as the years fly past us.
I have reason to think
that jess moffet
Still has
a soft spot
for you, maddy.
Jess knows
where I live.
I wouldn't turn
him away if he
came calling.
But I don't think
that's going happen.
This stuff.
Why couldn't it have been
something worthwhile?
This is
a "walnut grove bond."
A walnut grove bond?
What's that?
"Walnut grove bond.
Paid to the bearer...
"10% Annually of...
"Paid to the bearer...
10%..."
Paid to the bearer
10% annually?
50...
51, 52...
It looks
legal enough.
"Payable to bearer
at 10%, compounded
annually."
Why, this bond
is dated 1835!
That's 52 years.
I suppose you've
figured out its
current value.
Oh, yes,
indeed, I have,
With the kind
help of etta plum.
Now, may I direct
your attention
To this figure
in this column?
$14,000?
[Laughs]
well, reverend alden,
if you'll notice,
It's a trifle more.
Laura: mrs. Oleson.
The most money in
the town treasury
at any one time
Is just a few
hundred dollars.
Oh, now, don't jump
to any conclusions.
Understand me.
Why, I have no intentions
of cashing in this bond.
That's
a relief.
Well,
it certainly is.
We'd have to raise
taxes sky high
for a dozen years
To come up to
money like that.
Reverend alden!
Surely you don't
think that I would do anything
so loathsome
As to try to
bankrupt this town?
No, I don't
think you would,
harriet.
Well, of course not!
Then why,
mrs. Oleson,
Did you call
this emergency
meeting?
Well, mrs. Wilder, I
called this meeting because
I thought it's important
That the town council be
made aware of this bond.
After all, this
is a legal instrument
Representing
a very large debt
Owed by this community.
And?
And...
Since I am, in effect,
The benefactor of the town
To the tune
of over $14,000...
Well, I feel that there
are certain courtesies
That should be extended
to my family and me.
- Courtesies?
- Mm-hmm.
What sort of
courtesies did you
have in mind, harriet?
Well, simple
things, really.
Things that won't cost
this town one red cent.
We're waiting,
mrs. Oleson.
Yes, harriet,
please, don't keep us
in suspense any longer.
Well, for example...
The main street out here.
I think it would be
nice if it had a name.
"Harriet oleson boulevard."
Harriet:
and it would also be nice
If the courtesy were
extended to my daughter,
If she were invited
to be the soloist in
the church on sundays.
Oh! Yes...
Harriet:
and there's just one
more little thing.
I can't believe
the gall of
that woman.
She's done some
mean and underhanded
things before,
But this
is the worst!
You want to let
us in on it?
Harriet oleson,
She found this bond
after she bought
the lars hanson state.
Well, now
it's hers.
And the town owes
her over $14,000!
14,000?
Can you pay her?
No, but that's
not the problem.
She's not asking
for the money.
She's going to use
the bond to run the
town to suit her--
Changing things,
getting favors for the
members of her family.
- Can she do that?
- She's doing it!
But you haven't
heard the best.
It is my duty to
inform you both
That we no longer
live in the town
of walnut grove.
We don't?
Where then?
And it is with
profound humility
in our hearts
That we accept
this great honor.
So graciously bestowed
upon our family
By the warm and generous
citizens of this community.
We are certain
that olesonville
Will stand proud
On the maps of minnesota
for generations to come.
Thank you.
Oh, thank
you so much.
[Nancy applauding]
oh!
I want you to know
I had nothing to
do with this.
Yes, you did.
We all did
For letting her
get away with it.
Harriet: nels!
That is going
to take some
getting used to.
Olesonville!
I don't think I
can get used to it.
Changing the name of
a town is like changing
its very character.
Can help you with
something there,
mr. Mccary?
Yes, sir.
You can let me
have this old sign.
Well, you're
welcome to it.
What are you going to do,
haul it off somewhere
and start your own town?
Nah, lars hanson and
me and some others
already done that
50-Some-odd years ago.
We named it walnut grove.
I just can't bear to see
my best friend's name
Wind up in a scrap heap.
Laura: mr. Mccary.
Would you like
us to give you
a ride home?
That sign's awful
heavy, and you live
so far out of town.
I'm obliged,
mrs. Wilder.
Here, let me get this
for you, mr. Mccary.
- Well, thank you.
- Sure.
Come on, jenny,
let's go.
[Wagons rattling]
Sakes! How can
anybody get
any sleep
With racket like
that going on?
What? What is it?
What, harriet?
What are you
screaming at?
Well, can't
you hear it?
There's a wagon going
by, making a racket
Loud enough
to wake the dead!
All I can hear is
your mouth working.
There ought to be
a law against that.
There certainly
should be.
Harriet:
oh, I'm talking
about the noise.
There should
be an ordinance
Prohibiting wagons
in town after 10 p.m.!
Harriet, it's still
a free country.
The town council
is never going
to approve
Of an ordinance
like that.
Why don't you
just get to bed
and go to sleep?
Oh, shut up!
That's the trouble
with this town.
Everything has to be
voted on and approved
by the council.
No wonder nothing
gets done around here.
What this town
needs is...
A mayor.
Of course!
The town's
plenty big now.
A mayor's exactly
what we need.
Someone who can run
the town properly.
Let's see...
It should be
someone with...
Someone with
business experience.
And, uh...
Leadership ability.
And name recognition.
Well, she's
done it again.
Of course, why should
I be surprised?
I mean, it's only
logical that she tries
something like this.
Beth, would you
calm down, please?
Calm down?
How am I supposed
to calm down
When harriet
oleson is trying
to run my life
And everybody
else's around here?
What's she done
this time?
Well, she proposed
that the town council
meeting and I passed
A measure calling
for a mayoral election.
Well, it might
not be such
a bad idea.
What do you have
against the town
having a mayor?
Well,
nothing at all.
Except, guess who
the first candidate
was to file?
Nels oleson.
Well, I think nels
would be a good mayor.
Almanzo,
open your eyes!
Now, we all know that
if nels is elected,
The true mayor
will be harriet.
And what kind
of town would
this be then?
Beth, you're
getting yourself
all head up
About something
that hasn't even
happened yet.
Now, maybe someone
else is going
to be elected.
Well, that's
our only hope.
And that's why
I want you to run
against nels.
Me?
Well, why not? I
mean, you're honest,
you're hard-working,
You're highly
respected--
Because I'm a farmer,
not a politician!
I don't know
the first thing
about mayoring!
- Well, you could learn!
- No, no, thank you,
but no, thanks.
You can put the
whole notion right
out of your head,
Mrs. Councilwoman.
The only place
that I'm running
is in my fields,
Behind my plow.
Just don't seem like
a horse race with only
one horse running.
Can't argue with that.
Why don't you
run, john?
- Me?
- Yes.
No. Don't have the time,
What with dividing
my hours up
Between here
and the place.
I reckon.
Now, myself,
I'd vote for
almanzo wilder,
Only he's
not running.
Laura said she
talked herself blue.
But almanzo won't
even consider the job.
Yeah, I think
that boy'd make
a fine mayor.
I agree, but
if he's not
so inclined,
It's not much use
in hounding him in.
Maybe he's inclined,
But just don't
know it yet.
Hey, edwards, you
heard the news?
No, I reckon not.
Almanzo wilder
is thinking on
running for mayor.
You don't tell me.
Make for a mighty
interesting election
if he did, wouldn't it?
Would for a fact.
It might open
up some eyeballs
around here.
Yeah, but keep it
under your hat,
will you?
He's hasn't made
the announcement
official yet.
I wouldn't want
to be the one to
steal his thunder.
Oh, don't worry
about a thing.
I'll be quiet
as a church mouse,
Won't tell a soul.
Mr. Henson,
mr. Henson,
Boy, if I've got
news for you.
Now, they've got to be
kept in the strictest
confidence, now.
See, it
ain't out yet.
But almanzo's decided
to run for mayor.
Almanzo wilder?
That's right.
Mr. Edwards was
just over here,
And he said
not to tell
anybody yet.
So, please keep
it a secret.
But...
Almanzo wilder?
- I think that's wonderful.
- Isn't that great?
Yes, he's young.
He knows what
this town needs.
Is that so?
That's right.
And I figure that
almanzo would make
a pretty good darn mayor.
He's a young
man, but...
Ahem, just wanted
a few groceries,
mrs. Oleson,
- Here's my list.
- Uh-huh.
Well, mr. Wilder,
I certainly hope
that we will be able
To maintain
your good will
as a customer
After the election.
My good will?
Sure, I don't
see why not.
Well, you know
how passions
Sometimes do get
heated up during
a campaign,
And people tend
to say things that
they later regret.
I guess so.
So far, this is about
the tamest campaign I
ever heard tale of.
Can't expect too many
fireworks with only
one man running.
One man?
But I thought
there were two.
I mean...
I had heard that
you had decided
to run as well.
Ha ha ha!
Oh, no, ma'am.
You heard wrong.
I'm not about
to run.
Oh!
Ha ha ha!
Oh, well, almanzo,
my dear boy.
[Laughs]
It must have just been
a nasty old rumor.
It must've been.
I've been intending to
vote for nels all along.
Oh! Well, then...
How would you
like to wear one of
the campaign badges
That shows that this is
your favorite candidate
that you're supporting?
- I'd be glad to.
- All right.
Actually,
you know,
You're probably
doing the town a
very great service
By not running.
- A service?
- Uh-huh. Yes.
Well, I mean...
You have any
number of friends
in the area,
And I feel quite
certain than
many of them,
If not most of them,
would come out and
feel a certain duty
To vote for you,
Out of a certain
loyalty, you
understand.
And heavens knows if enough
of them did come out
and did vote for you,
It's even conceivable
that you might possibly
win the election.
And then, just
think where the
town would be then.
They'd have a mayor
that they didn't
really want.
[Laughs]
Are you saying
that no one would
want me for mayor?
Almanzo...
You're a very
nice young man,
But think now.
Would it be,
let's say...
Dignified...
To have a dirt
farmer for a mayor?
Are you saying
it wouldn't?
Well, to be
perfectly honest, no.
I mean, heavens
knows we have to have
our dirt farmers,
And there's nothing
absolutely wrong
with being one.
Now, that's the first
thing you've said
right, mrs. Oleson.
There is nothing
wrong with being
a farmer.
As a matter of fact,
there's nothing
wrong I can see
With a mayor being
a farmer, either.
- Well, I suppose--
- in fact...
It seems
to me that
a dirt farmer
Might be the best
man to represent
this town,
Considering most of
the people around
here are dirt farmers!
Well, I'm--
Thank you, mrs. Oleson,
for helping me to see
What my wife's been
trying to tell me
all along.
I think maybe I am
the best man for the job,
And I'm going to run.
Oh!
Oh, good grief.
Almanzo: I must have
looked like a fool,
Carrying on about
how proud I am to
be a dirt farmer.
You should
be proud.
Well, I am.
That's not the point.
The point is that
I jumped feet-first
into an election
I got no business
being in.
I think you
made the right
decision.
Miss plum
says that
government
Is everyone's
responsibility.
Well, then let
miss plum run.
Almanzo.
Do you consider
me intelligent?
That's a silly
question.
Do you think I'm
a responsible citizen
Who's concerned
about her town
and its people?
Beth, you're leading
up to something.
Well,
If you really
believe that I'm
all those things,
Then you've got to
respect my choice
of candidates.
You really mean
that, don't you?
[Knock on door]
Mr. Mccary.
Come in.
Evening.
Mrs. Wilder,
jenny.
I hope I'm not
disturbing you
coming so late.
Oh, not at all.
You're welcome
anytime, mr. Mccary.
Thank you.
I saw in the gazette
you're running for
mayor, almanzo.
I wonder if you could
use a campaign manager.
Well, if I'm going to
run, then I sure could.
I'd like to apply
for the job.
Mr. Mccary,
you're hired.
Oh, I'm telling you, bill,
This boy's head is
a drumful of ideas
for the town.
Is that so,
almanzo?
Yes, sir.
And for
instance?
Uh, well,
sir...
I sure think we could
use better roads leading
in and out of town.
Better roads?
Wouldn't we have
to raise taxes to--
Taxes! Oh, don't
mention taxes in front
of my boy here, bill.
He'll just have
to wrestle you to
the ground for it.
No, what I
think almanzo--
Let me stop
you, lem.
I think it's only
fair to tell you that
I'm leaning strongly
Toward nels oleson
in this election.
But bill, you
ain't give the boy
a chance to--
I know almanzo, lem.
I know he's a honest,
hard-working boy
With good intentions.
Bill: but nels
is a businessman.
And maybe that's who we
need to run this town.
Besides, with harriet
hanging that bond
over our heads,
I don't see that we've
got much of a choice.
That's the whole
thing in a nutshell,
ain't it, bill?
You're scared of
harriet, and what
she might do.
Well, have it
your way, lem, but...
I've got work to do.
Excuse me.
I don't know, lem.
Now, you remember
when you sold me
those pine logs,
- Yeah.
- Right, and I let
you have the stacks.
Did I give you
a wrong deal when I
told you about that?
- No.
- All right, now,
this boy is young.
Lem:
he has it all.
Nels not so much.
Nels is an older man
who's been around...
[Chattering]
I'm going to tell you,
he'll get in there and
make this town go boom!
Well, I'm going to have
to think about this, lem.
Of course you are.
But I don't doubt
to forget what I
was telling you.
Lem: almanzo there,
he's exactly what
this town needs,
Because he
represents what most
of the people are--
Hard-working
dirt farmers.
He's a responsible
family man,
The kind who care
about the neighbors
and the community.
And he's young
enough to be open
to new ideas.
George maddox, an
old friend of mine,
Lives just down
the road here.
It shouldn't take
much to win his vote.
What will I have
to do, build
him a new barn?
Mr. Mccary,
I can't do this
anymore. I quit.
It's all wrong
for me. I'm just
not a politician.
But you're a quick
learner. You'll
get the hang of it.
No, sir.
And this time
I mean it.
I should have stuck with
my original instincts
And stayed out
of politics.
But instead I let folks
talk me into things
I don't want to do.
I don't know
the issues.
I'm scared out of my
wits my wits to talk
in front of crowds,
And you're the one
that's got all
the answers.
You do the talking
while I do
all the chores.
Now, what kind of
mayor would I make?
Not a very good
one, I expect.
Folks don't do
their best at jobs
they don't like.
We're in the
neighborhood,
I haven't seen
george maddox for
quite a spell.
You mind
if we drop by?
Of course not.
Only no more
campaigning.
George!
George maddox,
get your ornery
hide out here.
You got yourself
some company.
What's the matter--
you go deef?
It's lem mccary,
george!
George?
George?
Mr. Mccary?
What is it?
It's george.
Looks like he's been
dead a long time.
No telling how
long he laid there
sick and suffered,
Only nobody knew,
because nobody
cared enough
To even look
into him.
What is
happening to us?
We're dying
off one by one,
And nobody
seems to care
or even notice.
You'd think
we old people
Would at least
care about
each other.
Don't even seem to
have that no more.
Let's go,
mr. Mccary.
We've done
all we can.
No, sir.
I haven't done
all I can.
And by heaven,
I'm going to
do something!
Harriet oleson,
I have a
proposition
for you.
A proposition?
Now, since your candidate
has dropped out of
the race, mr. Mccary,
That is hardly
a basis for
any deal-making.
Well, this has
nothing to do
with politics.
I just want
your permission
To hold a social
in the old lars
hanson house
For the elderly
of this community.
Absolutely not!
Why not?
Because that house
is up for sale.
And I'm certainly
not going to have
a lot of old people
Running around,
shedding their hair,
And dropping their
teeth all over my rugs.
We'd be
outside mostly.
Even so, I just
come from up there,
And it's a shambles.
But when me and my
friends go in there
and spruce it up,
That is, fix
what needs fixing,
Paint it,
polish it,
You're going to have
a house that shines
Like a brand new dime.
Besides,
need I mention the
political benefits?
Uh, benefits?
Oh, old folks
have the vote,
too, you know?
I'm thinking
the good will
you'd create
If you open
the house for
a social.
Of course, everybody
knows you have the
election all sewed up,
But a gesture like
this would probably
Turn the election
into a doggone
landslide.
A landslide?
Yes, ma'am!
Oh. Well.
All right,
mr. Mccary.
I tell you what.
I'll go you
one even better.
Suppose that we have
the social event
On the afternoon
of the election,
And everyone
will be invited.
And that way,
it can double
As a kind of
a victory celebration
For the new mayor.
Won't that
be fun?
And food and
refreshments
Will be courtesy
of the olesons.
Mrs. Oleson.
You are
a gracious lady.
Oh?
There.
Ain't that pretty?
Well, that
looks real good
there, floyd.
I brought that up
on my own garden.
It's called an
american beauty.
Lem.
Do you think these
curtains will be all
right in the parlor?
It's an old pair
I had at home.
I always liked them.
They'll be fine.
It'll be just
like old times,
won't it?
A party in
lars's house.
Just like old times.
Do you think
jess will come?
I wouldn't
get my hopes
up, maggie.
I invited him.
Even tried to get
him to come over
here this morning
And help out,
but you know jess.
No.
I don't think
I do anymore.
Willie:
mr. Mccary!
Willie, what
is all this?
We thought you
could use some help.
Ha! You bet we can!
All right,
spread out, now.
Find something
needing doing
and do it.
[Chattering]
Miss plum,
I can't think of nothing
to say but thanks.
Don't thank me.
It was willie's idea.
Oh.
We've been
studying community
responsibility in school,
And the children have taken
such an interest in it
you wouldn't believe it.
The children.
Us grown-ups could
take lessons from them.
Looks as though
you've managed a pretty
good turnout, yourself.
Could've hoped
for a lot more,
But it's hard
for someone
To get out
without a
little...help.
Miss plum,
tomorrow's
election day.
And a lot of folks
would like to vote but
can't get into town.
Now, maybe you
and the children
Could do some of
us a big service.
Harriet:
and another thing, nels--
[Knock on door]
oh, for heaven's sakes.
Evening,
mrs. Oleson.
I just stopped
by to bring
your house keys.
Hello, lem,
come on in.
I'll set up the
checker board.
- Well--
- another time, nels.
I also want
you to know
That lars'
house is pretty
as a picture.
You're going
to be real proud
tomorrow afternoon
At the
victory party.
You might even
find a buyer
for it.
Oh, well,
I can hardly wait.
I don't want to keep
you folks up all night.
See you at the debate.
Uh-huh.
Debate?
Harriet:
what debate?
Oh, my, haven't
you heard?
No.
Lem: well, I sort of
rustled up interest
in a little debate
Tomorrow before
the election.
Figured the voters
had a right to hear
Their choice for
mayor one last time
before voting!
Oh, for heaven's
sakes, mr. Mccary.
Have you forgotten
already?
Almanzo wilder
dropped out
of the race,
And nels is
the only candidate.
Uh-oh. Reckon it
plumb slipped my mind.
Well, you know how
forgetful us old
folks can be.
Yes, ma'am.
I forgot to tell you.
I decided to
run for mayor.
Night, nels,
mrs. Oleson.
Did you hear
what he said?
Good morning,
mr. Moffet,
I'm jenny wilder.
This is tim spence.
What are you
doing here?
Who are those
people in
the wagon?
It's
election day.
We're taking
folks to town
Who can't
get there on
their own.
We've got
one for you.
Nah, why don't you
give my seat to
somebody else?
I ain't going
nowhere.
Don't you
want to vote,
mr. Moffet?
The right to vote
is a privilege
Men long ago gave
their lives for.
Well, I didn't
ask them to.
I've got to
reason to vote.
Get on out of here!
Is there
room for me?
- Yes, ma'am.
- I'll just get my hat.
I heard mr. Maddox
was a friend of yours.
I never met him.
But I'm sorry
he d*ed.
Mr. Mccary said he d*ed
the worse kind of death.
Loneliness.
I'm ready.
We better hurry.
We've got to get
back to olesonville
before the debate.
Olesonville?
Where's that?
That's the new name
of walnut grove.
There's been a lot
of changes lately.
We're trying to get
those changes changed.
So, naturally, we
agreed to the debate
Just to humor
the old soul.
[Chuckles]
He probably won't
get more than,
I don't know, two vo...
Vo...
Dr. Baker,
are you going
to allow
This mockery
of justice
to continue?
Why, this lem
mccary here,
What he's doing is
something akin to
stuffing the ballot box!
- Well, harriet.
- What?
What you're seeing
is the democratic
process at work.
Oh, piddle-paddle!
Ladies...
Ladies, gents,
If you'll keep it down,
the debate is up here.
It's not out there.
[Laughter]
And it's time we have these
candidates square off.
Well, are there
going to be bare
knuckles, doc?
[Laughter]
All right.
In this corner,
We have civic leader,
businessman,
And proprietor
of the mercanteel,
Nels oleson!
[Applause]
And in this corner--
5 Foot 9 1/2, 150 pounds
of rip-roaring dynamite!
[Laughter and applause]
Well said, mr. Edwards.
Mr. Lem mccary!
[Applause]
Doc baker: now, we flipped
a coin a moment ago,
And the winner was lem,
So he gets to make
the opening speech.
[Applause]
Well, you all know me.
I've been living here
longer than most.
I first come here
52 years ago
Along with a handful
of other folks
With the notion
of building a town.
There was lars hanson,
jess moffet,
George maddox, les sutherland
and his wife maddy,
Few others,
most of them gone now.
So, you'll only have
my word for it
When I tell you how
hard we worked,
Sunup to sundown,
day in and day out.
And you never
heard complaint,
Because we believed
in what we was doing.
Off a hard winter that first
year, k*lled a lot of us,
And the town near
d*ed right then.
But it didn't.
And those still living
stayed and just kept going.
It was 2, maybe 3 years
Before we thought to
give the town a name.
Most of us wanted
to call it hansonville
For lars hanson.
But, oh, he wouldn't
think of it.
So it was jess mo--
It was jess moffet
Who thought to call
it walnut grove
Because of that nice
stand of walnuts up
there on the ridge.
You see, lars didn't
think it right
For a town to be
named for one person,
Because a town ain't
just one person.
It's a whole lot
of folks that are living
And working together.
And that's the same reason
Why a town can't be
owned by one person,
Because then it wouldn't
be a town anymore.
It'd be a company
with one boss
And a lot of hired help.
[Chuckling]
Way back in
those early years,
We had high hopes
for this town.
Oh, we weren't looking
for it to be a big city
With 4-story buildings
and cobblestone streets.
Our only hope
was that it would be
a decent place to live,
A place where one neighbor
cared about another,
And where brotherly love was
more than just two words.
But lately, I ain't
seen a lot of evidence
That it's turned
out that way.
So if I'm elected,
I'm going to see what I
can do about fixing it!
[Cheering and applause]
Ladies and gents!
Come on over here!
I have the news
you've been
waiting for.
We have
ourselves
a mayor!
[Cheering and applause]
With all
votes counted,
Nels oleson,
64 Votes.
[Applause]
Lem mccary,
67 Votes.
[Applause and cheering]
Lem! Lem,
come on up here!
Come on, lem.
Come on up here.
I guess you know that
means harriet is going
to call her bond due.
What bond's that?
An old town bond.
It used to belong
to lars hanson.
Harriet
has it now,
And she's going
to bankrupt
this town.
Congratulations,
lem.
Awful close,
nels.
Yes, congratulations,
mayor mccary.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- Mm-hmm.
Now, as your
first official
act in office,
You can just make
good on my bond.
Now, not just so
fast, mrs. Oleson.
What?
If you take a real
good look at that
bond you own,
You'll find
a number two
printed on the top.
I know because
at home I got
the same thing,
Only it says
"number one" on it.
What?
Jess: that means the
town's got to pay me
off before it does you.
Anybody getting any
money around here
is going to be me.
Mayor, can you manage
a dollar a year?
Jess, we honor
your demand.
[Laughter]
Oh, for
heaven's sakes!
And don't forget the
party at lars' house.
Everybody's invited,
Compliments
to the olesons.
[Cheering and applause]
Everybody,
get your partners
for a round dance.
Caller:
* a ring, a ring,
a pretty little ring *
[Dance music playing]
* Jump right up and
when you come down *
* Swing that pretty gal
'round and 'round *
* 'Round and 'round
with the old chuck wagon *
* A hind wheel broke
and the axle's draggin' *
Want to take a whirl?
I thought you'd
never ask.
Caller:
honor your partner.
Honor your corner.
You swing your girl,
I'll swing mine.
* All join hands
and circle down south *
* And let a little
sunshine in your mouth *
* Circle up the ring
a country mile *
* Lady in the lead
go injun style *
* 'Round and 'round
with the old chuck wagon *
* A hind wheel broke
and the axle's draggin' *
* A horseshoe ring
* Ladies on the inside,
gents on the out *
* Ladies on the inside
gents to the right *
* Ladies to the right
and gents go left... *
09x03 - Welcome to Olesonville
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Based on Laura Ingalls books series revolved around the adventures of the Ingalls family who owned a farm in Walnut Grove during the late 1800s.
Based on Laura Ingalls books series revolved around the adventures of the Ingalls family who owned a farm in Walnut Grove during the late 1800s.