Original subtitles

OLD RANGER: And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy folks, I'’m the Old Ranger,

and I have another interesting true story for you

about the historic Death Valley country.

This is a story of the famous boundary dispute

between California and Nevada,

and some of the personal complications

that arose out of it, it'’s called...

Back in the very early days,

nobody knew just where California left off

and Nevada began, until the year 1860

when the Esmeralda lode was discovered

and the mining town of Aurora was born.

Was Aurora in the state of California,

or in the Territory of Nevada?

Until the question was settled,

there was bound to be problems,

for Aurora was rich, so rich the bank was bulging

with silver and gold.

And Aurora was lawless.

[ manic laughing ]

[ laughing continues ]

[ chattering ]

[ chattering continues ]

Something'’s got to be done about this.

Innocent people are gettin'’ killed

and no law officer in this town

to put a stop to it.

[ All agreeing ]We can'’t elect one

until we know what state we'’re in.

That'’s right.Then I'’ll get up a petition

and settle this once and for all.

Well I got 300 signatures on the petition,

now I have to get your father'’s and mine

and I'’ll mail it to Sacramento.

You'’ll never get them both, Martin.

If one signs, the other will refuse,

on general principles.

If those two parents of ours ever agreed on anything

in all the time they'’ve been partners?

Yes, one thing.

Oh yeah. Us, unfortunately.

It'’s easy to see why she'’s so crazy about my Martin,

he'’s one man in a million.

Yeah, and he happens to be your son,

and no son of yours is gonna marry a daughter of mine.

Yeah well, that goes both ways.

Now, look a here, Micah Bisbee,

my Mary-Anne is a--It'’s your Mary-Anne and blood will tell.

It sure will.Yeah.

That'’s why I ain't givin'’ my consent.

Ha, the hell I was the one to resist it first.

And why I ever picked you as a partner

I'’ll never know.Why you picked me?

Why, I picked you!You did not.

I sure did.I picked you.

You did not. I did, too.

Why I can remember just as plain,

it was the day you got married.

You was broke and-- I-I wasn'’t any more broke than you was.

No, then why did you borrow the money from me

to buy the wedding ring?

Good morning.Morning.

W-What are you doing with him?Hey, what are you doing with her?

Believe it or not, I'’m here on business.

I got a little petition for you gentlemen to sign.

Petition? What kind of petition?

Asking the state to create a new county around here

that will take in Aurora, give us protection.

What state?Oh California, of course.

But Aurora don'’t lay in California,

it'’s in Nevada.Ah.

Nobody knows just where the line runs.

They haven'’t got around to surveying it yet.

In the meantime, we have got to have law and order here.

And California is the one that can give it to it.

Here, let me put my John Hancock on there.

Come on, Jonah, sign it.

No, not me.

As a good Republican, I'’m sticking to Nevada.

Now, you listen to me--

You listen to me, Micah Bisbee

Never mind, never mind,

I have plenty of signatures already.

Yeah!Oh yeah, yourself.

All that talking all the time, get to work.

Work? What are you talking about,

I dug this hole by myself.

And if it hadn'’t been for me,

this hole never would'’ve been dug.

The thing I can'’t understand

is just how an ornery cuss as your father

ever had a daughter like you.

Well I can say the same thing about your father.

Well he'’s just as stubborn as a--

Now, now, don'’t let us start arguing, darling.

Well, well, the scoop for the Aurora Star.

It'’s Mary-Anne King and Mr. Martin Bisbee

announced their wedding plan.

Now no funny business, George.Please, George.

Sorry, news is news.

Well I got some political news for you.

Citizens of Aurora sign a petition

asking for a new California county.

And I'’ve got some political news for you.

Aurora citizens also sign a petition

asking Nevada for a new county.

Well hello there, Jonah.

BOTH: Did you hear the news, about the new county?

Mono County, California.You'’re crazy.

Esmeralda, Nevada.

Aurora'’s gonna be new county seize.

What are you talking about?

It says right there in The Sentinel,

"California Legislature creates new Mono County."

Why, right here.

Right here in the front page of the Star,

"Governor Nye of Nevada creates new Esmeralda County

in Nevada Territory."

Hey, what goes on here, Albert?

Little joke on you newspaper fellas?

No joke, Jonah, I can assure you.

Does that mean that we'’re gonna have two counties here, Jim?

That'’s right, Micah,

we'’ve gone from a famine to a feast.

From here on, don'’t forget my friends,

you'’ll get all the news of Aurora

in The Esmeralda Star.

Nevada'’s finest newspaper.

Nevada can have it.

Aurora, California can get all the news it wants

from The Mono Sentinel.

Mono, I like that name.

It means monkey.Monkey?

Did you hear that, Micah?

You certainly been making monkeys out of yourself,

joining up with California.

Why, it means nothing of the kind,

Mono means alone.

Well that'’s fitting, too.

All alone on the losing side.

As a fellow resident of Mono County Mr. Bisbee,

you might be interested in knowing

that there'’s going to be an election for sheriff

held shortly, and I'’ve got my eye

on just the man for the job.

Did you hear that, Jonah?

We'’re gonna have a California sheriff here.Yeah, no California sheriff

is gonna have jurisdiction over me.

I'’m a resident of Nevada.

Oh Martin, I think it'’s wonderful

you being sheriff of Mono County.

I'’m not elected yet, remember?

But Jim Butler and The Mono Sentinel

talked me into running.

Oh with the Sentinelbacking you,

you'’re sure to win.

I just see a star there.

Oh I think it'’s wonderful.

What did your dad say when he found out?

Oh he doesn'’t know yet.

Well it'’s been in all the papers.

Only The Mono Sentinel.

He wouldn'’t be caught dead reading that Democratic sheet.

And my old man won'’t look at the Star.

Martin, how is it all going to turn out?

For us?

And them, and everybody.

Depends on where the boundary line runs.

Which side of the fence Aurora proves to be on.

All I care about is being on the same side with you.

Mono County Election Day,

with Martin Bisbee, theSentinel'’s choice

and favorite candidate in the race for sheriff,

found an eager line of California voters

waiting at the poll.

And that found somebody else waiting, too.

Everything is gonna be all right.Mr. Butler?

Good morning.Oh Miss Baldwin.

Mr. Martin Bisbee, Miss Julia Baldwin,

Judge Baldwin'’s daughter.How do you do?

My father is going to hold court here for Mono County.

His office is in the new courthouse,

right next to yours.

Well I'’m not

elected sheriff yet, Miss Baldwin.

I wish the women had a vote,

so I can cast one for you.

Why, thank you.

You know, I'’m going to feel very safe in Aurora,

with a sheriff like you.

I'’ll do my very best.

Hey yes sir, that'’s a fact.

You hear what I-- Oh hey, Jonah.

Say, you voted yet?

No, and I don'’t intend to.

Oh but you should, it'’s your duty as a citizen.

I'’m a citizen of Nevada.Oh now listen, Jonah--

This election is illegal.Oh turn around.

I'’ll have no part of it.

Well Martin don'’t need your vote anyhow.

Martin?Yes, Martin.

Sure, he'’s the Sentinel'’scandidate.

Why, that traitor.

That dirty underdog--Wait a minute, now,

don'’t you say nothing about my son.

He'’s your son, all right.

A double-dealing--Yes sir, and my son is going to be elected sheriff

around here, and if you so any contempt for the law,

he will throw you at the hoosegow.

Whether Jonah liked it or not,

Micah'’s prediction about his son Martin

being elected sheriff proved true.

And in spite of the young man'’s protest,

Micah wasted no time in hustling him over

to Jonah'’s house so he can display

the new sheriff and his badge and do a little gloating.

Dad isn'’t here.

Oh shucks.

I wanted him to see Martin'’s badge.

He hasn'’t been home since the elections.

Say, maybe you'’ll have to arrest him

for being drunk and disorderly.

Well I don'’t think that will be necessary.

JONAH: You'’re darn tootin' it won'’t.

Dad?

Dad, are you all right?

Sure, I'’m-I'm all right.

Hey, look at here, Jonah.

The first sheriff

of Mono County,

elected by a landslide.

California dirt.Dad, don'’t you want something to eat?

No, but I got something for you two to chew on.

Nevada election is coming up pretty soon,

and I'’m running for sheriff

of Esmeralda County.

Sure Jonah, I'’ll run the announcement

in this week'’s edition.Oh thanks, George, much obliged.

I-I appreciate that.

I'’ll bet Mary-Anne is mighty proud of you

running for sheriff.Well if I'’m elected.

You will be, because I'’m backing you.

You are?Yes sir.

Jonah King is this newspaper'’s candidate

for sheriff of Esmeralda County, Nevada.

Oh by golly.

I didn'’t think he'd ever go through with it.

He'’s just making a fool of himself.

Oh I wouldn'’t say that, Martin.

He'’ll make a good sheriff, if he'’s elected.

I believe you hope he will be elected.

Well naturally.

And make a fool out of me.Oh no, Martin.

Oh yes, he will, he'’ll do his best to.

[ sighs ] Now you'’re talking just like your father.

I'’m sorry, Martin, I didn'’t mean that.

Martin. [ sighs ]

Oh Dad, why did you have to do it?

The Esmeralda County Election

was just like the Mono County Election,

except that it was a week later.

The candidates were different,

and the voters were different.

[ laughs ] Thanks boys for coming out.

Or should I say,

most of the voters were different.

Hey Micah!

You can'’t vote.Why not?

I'’m 21.

You already voted once, in the Mono Election.

I'’m going to vote again, against you.

You get out of that line, it'’s illegal.

You ain'’t the sheriff, not yet.

Well I'’ll go and fetch me one.

Hmm.

Sheriff, I got a little duty for you to perform.

Over there at the polls, they'’re stuffing the ballot box.

Oh he is, is he?

Treat him rough, Sheriff.

Here, there'’s your man, Sheriff.

Now haul him off before he breaks the law

by voting twice.

Dad?Howdy, Son.

Yank him out of there.

He ain'’t a goin' to.

Well California manner be particular,

but Nevada is.

Come on, Pop, he'’s got your whips on.

No, there are a lot of others that voted twice,

I can swear to it.

Come on, come on.

Doggone that Jonah,

one of these days he'’s gonna make me mad.

Good morning, Martin.

Why don'’t you go and laugh with them?

Have a real good laugh at my expense.

Oh no, your father wouldn'’t try to make a fool of me,

only in front of the whole town.

Well what do you mean?

Fix it so my first job as sheriff

is to take my own dad in tow.

Well what were you doing?

Now you can just bet if I'’ve been

votin'’ for your pop, he wouldn'’t have had me ousted.

Oh. Well you should have been.

Huh?

After all, you'’re my father's partner.

He deserves your support.

But he already voted once, for me.

Then he deserves to be arrested.

Voting twice, that'’s illegal.

I think my father was completely right.

Well I'’m glad to know which side

of the fence you'’re on.

Martin please, I love you both.

You gotta be on one side or the other.

Why?

Because there'’s a line coming through here,

separating California and Nevada,

Mono and Esmeralda counties.

But not you and me. Not us, Martin.

Which is it?

All right, I have your answer.

Well the votes have all been counted,

and you'’re now looking at the Sheriff

of Esmeralda County.

Yeah thanks to good ol'’ George here,

and his campaigning in the Star.

I did my best, but

we had a great candidate.

So ain'’t you gonna congratulate me?

Of course, Dad.

It'’s wonderful.[ chuckles ]

How about a kiss for the newspaper?

Sure.

Oh that'’s a California kiss.

This is the way we kiss in Nevada.

Hello.Oh hello.

I was just going over to see father,

and happened to notice you as I passed your door.

Why don'’t you sit down?

Oh no, thanks, I can just stay a minute.

Have you seen this week'’s Sentinel?

I-- No, I haven'’t.

Just so happens I have one here.

Look on the front page what the editor says about

the editor of the Star.

"...Supported Jonah King and his recent campaign

"for sheriff for purely personal reasons

to it, Mr. King'’s pretty daughter."

"From our observation,

Mr. Albert is being well rewarded for his efforts."

How dare Jim Butler make a charge like that,

why, it'’s libelous.

Oh, but father says that libel is something that isn'’t true,

and this is true.

Martin, everyone in Aurora knows

that they'’re gonna be married.

Married?

It'’s scurrilous, it'’s dastardly.

I demand a public retraction and apology.

I retract nothing.

Then I shall have to defend the lady'’s name with my honor.

A duel?Within the hour, sir.

Well and no weapons?Your privilege.

Shotguns, loaded with ball.

George Albert and Jim Butler are fighting a duel,

in the vacant lot behind the corral.

Well hurry, Martin.

If your friend, Mr. Albert, wants to get himself killed,

it'’s no concern of mine.

Dueling is illegal in California too.

Then you admit Aurora is in California?

I admit nothing of the kind,

but if I want--Oh stop arguing

and get out there before they'’re both killed.

Ten paces, turn and fire.

We'’ll count together.

Ready?Ready.

One...

BOTH: Two... three...

four...

five... six...

Stop!seven...

eight...Hold it!

Nine...

ten.

Are you hurt bad?No, it just nicked my shin bone.

You'’re lucky he only winged you.

You had no business fighting a duel anyhow.

I have a good mind to arrest you, on the laws of California.

And you'’re subject to arrest under the laws of Nevada.

I was defending a lady'’s reputation.

Thank you.

What about the reputation of Aurora?

You didn'’t stop to think about that.

Yeah, don'’t you know the county sheet

of-of-- You'’re both a disgrace to us!

[ clears throat ] I'’ll see that no mention of this gets into the paper.

Either paper.

Hey Son, did you hear the news?

Oh yeah, what news?

Why-Why, the bounty commissioner,

[ stutters ] the boundary joint, the--

Oh you go ahead and tell him.

Well the joint commissioner appointed to survey

the boundary line between California and Nevada

will announce their decision on July 4th.

Decision? About what?

Well about the fourth of Ju-- The commiss-- The gov--

You go ahead and tell him,

he'’s sure-- I can'’t talk to him.

Why, about Aurora.

Yeah, at last, we'’re gonna find out

just which side of the fence Aurora is on.

The sooner, the better.

Hmm.

As the boundary line moves steadily south,

excitement reached fever pitch in Aurora,

and arguments between Jonah and Micah over their claim

drove them to court.

BOTH: Judge.BOTH: Yes?

Yeah me and my partner here

have been a little difficult.About a mining claim.

Yeah we figured we'’d settle it--In court.

Which court? Nevada?Or California?

Judge Bowline holds sessions here regularly.

And so does Judge Turner.

It'’s up to the litigators to decide which they prefer.

Nevada.California.

Why don'’t you retire and talk this over privately?

Yeah that won'’t do no good.

My, we haven'’t agreed on nothin' ever since we were partners.

Back in '’49.

Mm, I guess the only thing to do

is wait until the boundary survey

reaches Aurora, and...

well let it be decided for you.

If I can put up with this fellow here for that long, doggone it--

You mean if I can put up with you for that long.

You tell him-- You always want to start all that arguings around here.

[ overlapping arguing ]

What about the last time--

When will you give me your answer, Mary-Anne?

You know how much I love you.

I was willing to die for you, remember?

[ Julia laughing ] MARTIN: So help me, it'’s the truth.

Oh darling, you'’re so cute.

I won'’t keep you waiting any longer, George.

I'’ll marry you.

You will?

I'’m gonna publish the announcement

in this afternoon'’s paper before you change your mind.

With the survey line pointed directly at Aurora,

a messenger has been sent out to get the low-down.

News, news of the county!

News, news of the county,

I'’ve got news of the county.

News everybody, I'’ve got news

of the county. News!

News everybody, I'’ve got news of the county.

News!

News, news!

I'’ve got news of the county.

Come on everybody,

I'’ve got news of the county.

Everybody, news.

Come on everybody,

news of the county. Everybody, news.

Come on everybody, news of a county.

The line runs to the west of here,

Aurora'’s in Nevada! [ cheering ]

Yeah, yeah!

With the boundary question now definitely and finally settled,

and with Sheriff Jonah King and his deputies

upholding law and order,

Esmeralda quieted down to a more peaceful town.

But the decision on the boundary dispute

also meant moving day for the California officials.

They'’re packing Mono County records, moving them out.

Where to?Oh new county seat,

little town, way over the mountains.

Martin!

Well aren'’t you going to say goodbye?Goodbye.

You will be coming back again?

Afraid not.Not ever?

Aurora'’s out of my baby wick now.

But Martin-- And a long way from where I'’m going.

But Martin--Let'’s go.

Martin!

Martin, please.

Let him go.

Martin, Martin.

Don'’t leave me

all alone in Nevada.Mary-Anne.

Oh I love you, darling.

And I love you, more than anything in the world.

I don'’t care what Father says.

Then you'’ll marry me tomorrow?

In California, if you want me to.

I'’ve got a better idea.

Martin Bisbee, Mary-Anne King.

Mary-Anne King, Martin Bisbee.

I pronounce you man and wife,

under the laws of the state of California.

And the Territory of Nevada.

There'’s still some folks

who claimed the air smelled sweeter

and the sun shines brighter on

one side of the state line than the other.

But most of them today are plum satisfied

just to be in the United States.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]