This Hawkins episode takes us back to the roots of the Hawkins family, Bogan County, West Virginia. A cousin of Jimmy Stewart's is killed by a Minie ball during a Civil War reenactment and Richard Kelton, a member of the Morrison clan which feuded with the Hawkins back in those mountain hillbilly days is charged with the crime. This cousin is the black sheep of the Hawkins family, but kin is kin. Besides Kelton is the former boyfriend of the widow Diana Ewing and that's as old a reason as you can get for murder. Ewing in fact just refuses to show any kind of grief.
Stewart is asked by the sheriff James Best to defend Kelton to quiet down a nice 70s version of the feud that some of his kin would like to heat up again. This does put him at odds with his numerous relations which seem to make up half of Bogan County.
Stewart is reunited with his former MGM contract player and co-star with him in one of his worst films Ice Follies Of 1939, Lew Ayres. As this was done during a Civil War reenactment and the bullet an old Minie ball Ayres's expertise is invaluable. Ayres has dedicated his life to preserving as much of Bogan County's rich history as he can.
In the end we find out really what a public service homicide this really was. No doubt Billy Jim Hawkins will defend the real perpetrator.
Stewart is asked by the sheriff James Best to defend Kelton to quiet down a nice 70s version of the feud that some of his kin would like to heat up again. This does put him at odds with his numerous relations which seem to make up half of Bogan County.
Stewart is reunited with his former MGM contract player and co-star with him in one of his worst films Ice Follies Of 1939, Lew Ayres. As this was done during a Civil War reenactment and the bullet an old Minie ball Ayres's expertise is invaluable. Ayres has dedicated his life to preserving as much of Bogan County's rich history as he can.
In the end we find out really what a public service homicide this really was. No doubt Billy Jim Hawkins will defend the real perpetrator.
