A man named Judge Proctor (Jeff Corey) was a victim of land theft in Missouri when he was off fighting for the rebels in the civil war. He and a gang of ex-rebel vets, have been searching for many years a man named Talbot that was responsible for crimes against the Procter family. Now their travels have found them in Dodge.
The Judge and his gang, which includes two of his sons, feel like people around Dodge are not cooperating with them so they set fire to a large wheat field. Inside the town of Dodge, with Matt away, Festus is in charge. When they cause trouble at the Long Branch, Festus has to lock up one of the Judge's son until Matt returns. But the Judge advises that they will be leaving at midnight and will return for his son.
To make matters worse the son in jail has been sick for sometime but with the Judge on the path of Talbot he refuses to stop. While in jail his son dies causing even more trouble for Festus when the Judge tells his gang to burn Dodge to the ground.
A better episode than expected after reading the plot. The regular were excellent in this show. Ken Curtis, Milburn Stone and James Nusser made a great team with the Marshal away. Perhaps not the best story but one that held my interest till the very end.
Note- We also learn in this episode that the bartender Sam, had two brothers die in the civil war. One fighting for each side.
The Judge and his gang, which includes two of his sons, feel like people around Dodge are not cooperating with them so they set fire to a large wheat field. Inside the town of Dodge, with Matt away, Festus is in charge. When they cause trouble at the Long Branch, Festus has to lock up one of the Judge's son until Matt returns. But the Judge advises that they will be leaving at midnight and will return for his son.
To make matters worse the son in jail has been sick for sometime but with the Judge on the path of Talbot he refuses to stop. While in jail his son dies causing even more trouble for Festus when the Judge tells his gang to burn Dodge to the ground.
A better episode than expected after reading the plot. The regular were excellent in this show. Ken Curtis, Milburn Stone and James Nusser made a great team with the Marshal away. Perhaps not the best story but one that held my interest till the very end.
Note- We also learn in this episode that the bartender Sam, had two brothers die in the civil war. One fighting for each side.