The Lawless Nineties

Don't you worry, mom, I'll find a new home where they won't drive us out.

- Well, how's that, Steele? - That's one more over center to the road who will not vote against us.

Get on your horse.

- Howdy partner! - Where are you headed?

We're homestead out in Wyoming territory.

You'd better go on back where you come from. You're driving out the homesteaders.

They can't do that, it's against the law.

They busted that law and a lot of other laws, partner.

That's where the trouble is.

- Crocket City, sir? - Yes.

Most of the trouble seems to come from that part of territory.

Mails are robbed, banks looted, homesteaders driven out, immigrants turned away at the border.

Just a bunch of tough gorillas, eh?

Know Timpton. Their raids and outrages are too well-planned.

They're operating all over the territory.

Next month, Wyoming territory votes for, or against becoming a state.

If the people vote to enter the Union, it means the end of banditry.

This gang will stop at nothing to defeat statehood.

- You boys were born in Wyoming, weren't you? - Yes, sir.

That's why I've given you the toughest assigment: Crocket City.

This election must be conducted honestly.

Our men throughout territory will take thier orders from you.

- You know what you're against, Tipton? - I understand, sir.

- Good luck. - Thank you.

- Good luck, Bridger. - Thank you, sir.

- Well, we're getting near the Wyoming border. - And then the fun begins.

Fun? Say, if I didn't know, you are thinking, you didn't have good sense?

Well, maybe I haven't.

- Then again, maybe I'm just fooling people. - Well boy, you better keep on fooling them,

because where we're going, Government men aren't exactly popular.

- Better rest the horses, Moses. - Yes, sir.

Better not stop too long, sir. We most got away from the rest of the wagons, I can hardly see them.

All right, Moses.

- It's a beautiful country, isn't it, Janet? - Yes.

But I'd so loved to see just... just one house.

Someday, there'll be many homes. A great city.

This is the heart of the new Empire of the West.

This is the great new country.

Powerful words, Major.

You like this country better than back home, don't you?

Well, Major Carter. Virginia is quality, but this place sure has quantity.

Hadn't we better be traveling, daddy? We got to catch up with the rest of the train.

- Yes I think we would proceed, Moses. - Yes.

All right, before we split up.

You take the high road and I'll take the low.

And I'll be in Crocket City before you.

I'll size up the situation, but don't start anything.

You're afraid I'll have the gang before you get there?

Say, who sit down there all by itself?

No wonder these greenhorns get into trouble.

I'm gonna investigate

- So long. - So long.

Who's there?

Must be one of them bandits, boss!

- Perhaps it is one of these outlaws we were wornt about. - Better whip up, Moses! - Yes.

Not so fast, Moses!

It's not me, Major, it's the horses!

It's all right, boy. Something scared you?

Did something scared them? You scared them, you idiot.

You make a habit of running around behaving like a wild Indian?

Well! Kinda looks like, you're the one that's on warpath, Miss.

- You folks crossing these plains alone? - No, sir, we travel with the wagon train.

Well, you better keep up with them. It's dangerous to fall behind.

Till we discovered.

Janet, dear, this gentleman saved our lives.

After nearly getting us killed

- Well, we better fix this wheel. Give me a hand. - Yeah.

Homesteaders.

- Let's send them back where they come from. - Yeah, that'll be many less votes.

You folks better wait here. I'll go see what all the shootin for.

- Hurry, Moses, fix the wheel. - Yes.

The firing stopped. Hurry up, Moses, let's drive on, see what the trouble was.

- Well, we sure run that bunch out. All right. - They won't be trying to homestead in Wyoming anymore.

- Anybody hurt? - Yeah, grazed the shoulder a little.

Hey, hello!

That's one we missed!

Take a couple of men and run them off the way the wagons were.

- The rest of us go on back to town. - All right, Davis.

- Turn loose those horses! - Yes! Well, you're turning south, grandpa.

What's the trouble?

They are trying to stop us from going into Wyoming.

These folks are going to Wyoming and don't try to stop them.

Well, I say they're heading south.

I suposse you move south and keep moving!

We find ourselves once more in your debt, sir.

Oh, that's all right. Are you folks going to Crocket City?

Yes, I've purchased a newspaper there. Sign unseen.

You've taken on a large order, haven't you, sir?

I don't wish to appear ungrateful, but was it quite necessary to shoot that man?

No, ma'am! I could have let him shoot me.

I've been of the opinion that most arguments can be settled peaceably.

Out here they still rely on their guns, sir.

Ladies and gentlemen,

now there'll be one more star in the flag when this election is over.

The star that represents the sovereign state of Wyoming.

That's what we want.

There can be no doubt about the outcome of the referendum now.

The authorities at Washington have assured us

that they will assign federal agents to this territory during a forthcoming election

to ensure an impartial vote.

And now, ladies and getlemen I take pleasure and introducing

one of the Crocket City foremost citizens:

Mr. Charles X. Plummer,

Chairman of the Committee of Law and Order.

Thank you. Mr. Chairman.

My good friends, I'm not not going to repeat sentiment that you've heard from me before

Instead, I'm going to call upon a gentleman from Virginia

who is assumed the ownership of our local newspaper.

Major Carter.

Gentlemen, although a newcomer into your fair country,

I am heartly in accord with your aims.

Therefore, I serve notice that I shall attack

through my newspaper all those opposing statehood

I'm not going to speak further at this time.

You'll be able to read my thoughts

at some lenght in the next issue of the Crocket City blade.

Well, good work, Moses.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

- Hello dad. How was the meeting? - Inspiring, my dear. Positively inspired.

I'm going to set off a load of firecrackers in our next issue.

"A new state is about to be born".

"Another star added to the bright firnament of old glory".

That's very nice. You should use it in your next editorial.

My dear, you don't suppose I'm wasting those words on desert air, do you?

- Look what you're doing, you fool! - Excuse me, sir.

Ah, leave me alone!

Moses, you're only making things worse.

- I'm so sorry. - It's quite all right, Miss. No harm done.

- Mr. Plummer. What an honor, sir. - Well, you are quite well settled, Major.

Yes. My daughter, Janet.

- How do you do, Miss. - How do you do, Mr. Plummer.

- Wan't you sit down. - Thank you, I will.

Mr. Plummer is chairman of the Law and Order Committee.

- Well. I hope you excuse me, I have so much to attend here. - Surely.

- I was about to start my editorial. - That's just exactly what I came to discuss

I thought it, my duty as a friend to point out you the certain factions

might resent to pronounce stand on their part.

I thank you for your solicitude, sir, but I don't intend to be intimidated

by the lawless faction of this community.

There are a very powerful faction, Major, and a ruthless one.

In that type lies the power of the press

who can dethrone kings, make history.

You know, Major...

the last editor was standing right there when they shot him.

Good day, sir.

Hello there, colored man.

- When you all come to town? - Who are you, women?

I'm Mandy Lou. Mandy Lou Schaefer. I'll mop up around this town.

- Is that so? - What's your name?

- Moses Piubus Unem. - You're Baptist?

No, ma'am. Ain't never been to church, but once in my whole life.

And then something terrible happened to me.

- No! Why? - I got married.

It seems to me, Mr. Unem, you ain't exeactly friendly

to the only other person of the same color in this town.

I was just aiming at a nice chiken dinner at my domicile this evening.

Wait!

- You tell me a good eating place around here? - Nope.

At the hotel, it's bad, and the Greeks is worse and the Star is terrible.

Thanks.

- The election is set for next week. - Fireworks?

Planty.

An old fire eater named Carter started the local paper again.

His first editorial blew the lid of everything.

Does it smoke anybody out into the open?

No, they are too smart, but things are likely to start popping any moment.

You better wire our headquarters, need more men.

And contact Smith and Belden.

They are waiting at the log Corral, three kilometers north of town.

All right.

- Have anything interesting? - Not yet. I was hope we get a tempest to end damn government.

Somebody sending a wire from the telegraph office across the street.

It's in code.

- That means the government men are here already. - What I tell you.

- That must be the man. - Well, I know what to do.

No gunplay in town.

The old man getting a little bit careful now, election is near.

See you later.

The government man.

Hey, that's the lad that handed me this package

- Yeah, that's him. - Remember, the old man don't want any shooting in town.

- But they didn't say anything about using your fists, did he? - No, he fail to mention that.

You boys get him. We'll follow the government man.

- Pardon me. - Hey, maybe this town ain't big enough for you mister?

There are plenty room outside here.

- Nice little battle, eh? - Yeah, shooting will start any time now

Sorry about your window, Major.

There I go again wrecking your property.

You seem have an absolute genius to starting a riot.

So you're responsible for this?

Yes, why? You are the landlord?

- I am the city Marshal. - So I see.

And we don't like troublemakers

Why don't you get rid of it. Or is it a job too big for you?

That's all right, smart suggestion young fella. I've gota good mind to start with you.