All language subtitles for Death.Valley.Days.S05E09.Mercer.Girl.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DD+2.0.H.264-bigworm_track3_[eng]

THE OLD RANGER:
And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Hyah! Yah!

Yah! Yah!

Howdy, folks.
I'’m the Old Ranger,

and I have another
interesting true story for you

about the historic
Death Valley country.

This is one of
those fabulous stories

that could only have happened
in pioneer days

with the opening up
of new country.

It is the year 1865.

Washington Territory
is still largely a wilderness.

Its settlements
along Puget Sound
populated by young men

who have answered the call
to the Northwest.

What is needed now is women--

women with good background
and education

to become wives to these men,
to help establish homes
and families,

bring a civilizing influence
into the Territory.

Where to find them?

The answer was provided by...

So-called because
it was Mr. Asa Mercer

who had the idea
of coming East

and recruiting
a shipload of brides.

From New England,

New York,

Philadelphia,

Baltimore.

The meeting begins at 8:00.

We'’d better get there early
if we want good seats.

"We"?
Annie Stephens, wild horses
wouldn'’t drag me there.

Why not?You think I'’d put myself
up on a matrimonial block?

You know you'’d like
to get married, Lizzie.

But not to
a lot of strangers.

Let'’s face it.

There aren'’t too many men left
to choose from around here
since the war.

[ crying ]
Do you have to remind me

that I'’ve lost every one
of my fiancés?

Out there it'’s just
the opposite.

The ratio of men to women
is 9-to-1.

9-to-1?

We'’d be surrounded!

That makes me shiver.

You could have my nine,
too, Lizzie.

I'’m dying to go out
to the Northwest.

But not for a husband.

I want to teach.

You and your career!

What an opportunity
to carry learning
to a new frontier.

I don'’t think that this Mr.--
what'’s his name--
Mercer would take you.

He'’s only interested
in brides.

Why, he'’s an educator
himself, Lizzie.

He is?Head of the Territory
university out there.

I still think he'’s a wolf
in sheep'’s clothing.

Some of the most influential men
in the country are behind him.

The governor of Massachusetts,
the honorable Peter Cooper,

the Reverend
Edward Everett Hale.

He turned over his pulpit
in Boston one Sunday
to Mr. Mercer.

You mean they'’re taking
old maids from New England?

They'’ve lost their men,
too, in the war.

Annie, I will accompany you
to the meeting this evening.

Good.

I wish I could convey
to you ladies

something of
the beauty and grandeur
of that Northwest country--

of the blueness of its waters
and skies,

the magnificence
of its forests and mountains...

[ clears throat ]

[ quietly ]
I thought he'’d have
gray hair and a goatee.

He'’s young.Hush.

As head of the Territory'’s
Institution of Higher Learning,

I'’ve had occasion to visit
the various camps
and settlements.

I know the loneliness
of those men.

How they long for the care,
comfort, and companionship

that only a good woman
can give them.

The women that I'’m appealing to

are women of culture

versed in the art
of housekeeping and homemaking,

who will ensure
the future of the Territory.

I have already signed up
more than 300.

If there are any among you
who are interested,

I shall be glad
to talk to you
after the meeting.

Thank you. [ applause ]

Perhaps I wouldn'’t
qualify, sir.

You see, I want to go out
to teach, not to marry.

My dear Miss--Stephens, spelled with a "PH."

There is no compulsion
to marry.

One young lady from Fall River,
I believe, was to go out
as a seamstress.

We need women
who can sew and teach.

Then I'’m ready to sign up.

Good. Here'’s a form.

My goodness!

You'’ve gotta give
character references!

Naturally.

When do you plan to sail,
Mr. Mercer?

I'’m on my way to Washington now
to check the final arrangements
with General Grant.

I'’ll notify you
as soon as I know
the date of departure.

I put the matter
before President Johnson
and the Cabinet.

Got their approval.

I'’m most grateful to you,
General Grant.

Not at all.
I know what it'’s like.

I was stationed on a post
in Vancouver once for months.

The longest, loneliest months
I ever spent.

The government, then,
will consign this ship?

Here'’s the order,
all made out.

"One sailing ship,
fully manned and provisioned,

with a capacity to carry
500 passengers."

Take this around
the quartermaster general'’s
office,

and he'’ll put it through
for you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much,
General Grant.

Impossible!

Impossible?

But it'’s been signed
by General Ulysses Grant, sir.

I don'’t care who signed it.
I won'’t honor it.But, sir--

The government can'’t
consign you a ship under
any circumstances, Mr. Mercer.

Next!

But what am I to do
with all these women--
these 500 brides of mine?

Five hundred brides?

Who do you think you are,
King Solomon?

How am I going to face
all those bachelors
back in Washington Territory

who financed my trip East?

You really have 500
young females on your hands?

Yes.

I always heard they did things
out West in a big way, but...

Look, I still can'’t consign
a ship and a crew to you,
Mr. Mercer.

There'’s no law to justify it.

But I'’ll tell you
what I will do.

I'’ll condemn one of
the government ships
and let you buy her.

Buy it?

The sailing ship Continental.

You can have her
for $80,000.

Where will I find $80,000?

Where did you find 500 women?

He appears to have run
into a little difficulty
in Washington.

Maybe he couldn'’t furnish
character references.

Lizzie! How can you
say such a thing

after meeting the man,
talking with him?

He says this
is only a temporary
postponement.

He'’s gone to New York
to make some new contacts.

I wonder how his wife feels
about the whole thing.

His wife?

Well, he'’s married,
isn'’t he?

I'’m sure I don't know.

He must be--
anyone that handsome.

And I bet she thinks
just what I think.

And so, I'’ve come to you,
Mr. Holladay,

because, well, frankly,

I need an angel.

[ scoffs ]
With 500 on
your hands already?

[ chuckling ]

What you mean is,
you need some money.

$80,000.

And what makes you think
that I'’d be likely
to come up with it?

Because you'’ve done more
than any one man to open up
the West, Mr. Holladay.

You own half
the stage routes out there,
and now you'’re planning

on building ship lines,
aren'’t you?

For a college professor,
you'’re not so dumb.

All right,
I'’ll tell you what I'll do.

I'’ll give you
the $80,000 for--

What'’s the name of the ship? Continental.

Outfit it and transport
your young women from
New York to the West Coast,

with the understanding
that the ship then becomes
my property.

Agreed?Agreed, sir.

I'’m most grateful to you
for coming to my assistance.

Thank you, sir.

What did I tell you?
It'’s all settled.

We report in New York
not later than November 15.

"We"?

Oh, I mean me.

I sail on the ship Continental,

procured from
the United States Government.

Seaworthy and completely sound.

Men?

With sailors.

I never thought of that.

I'’m gonna start
packing my books.

Annie, I'’m going with you.

Lizzie!

I couldn'’t bear
to think of you taking

that long,
dangerous journey alone.

Oh, Lizzie, I'’m so happy.

[ chattering ]

Oh...

Good afternoon.
I'’m Todd, of the Times.

A newspaper reporter!

You'’re, uh,
both Mercer Girls?

We are members
of Mr. Mercer'’s party,
if that'’s what you mean.

And you still plan to go,
in spite of the article
that has appeared?

"Article"?

Oh, not in my paper.

We'’d never question
Mr. Mercer'’s motives.

It was in a rival sheet--
the New York Herald.

You haven'’t read it?

We only just arrived
from Baltimore.

ANNIE:
We expected to find
Mr. Mercer here.

He'’s probably gone out
to kill the editor
of the Herald.

What did the article say?

Well, perhaps you'’d better
read it for yourself.

Personally, I don'’t think
there'’s a word of truth in it,

but it would make a girl
pause and consider.

Uh, right there
on the front page.

[ gasps ]

Of all
the scurrilous attacks!

"Guilty of entrapping hundreds
of innocent young women.

Luring them West
for the purpose of"--

Move your thumb, Annie,
so I can see! [ door closes ]

Here comes Mercer now.

Hello.

Miss Stephens, Miss Ordway.

Uh, Mr. Mercer,
how many cancellations
have you had?

Todd, of the New York Times.

I'’m not giving out
any interviews.

This is perfectly outrageous.

You should sue
for libel, Mr. Mercer.

Unfortunately, the damage
has already been done.

Then girls are dropping out.

[ women chattering ]

Uh-oh.
Here go two more.

Ladies.

That article is a lie,
from beginning to end.

This expedition
has the endorsement
of educators,

ministers, and statesmen.

Ladies, please!

MAN:
Telegrams for Mr. Mercer!

Here!

More cancellations,
I'’ll bet.

Ohh...

[ chattering ]

MAN:
All ashore!

♪♪ [ band playing
"Auld Lang Syne" ] [ bell clanging ]

MAN:
Last call!

Bye.Good-bye.

Bye.Bye.

Good-bye.Good-bye, America.

For goodness sakes,
where do you think
Washington Territory is?

The other side of the world.

♪♪ [ ends ]

Well, how are you feeling now,
Mr. Mercer?

The way Moses must'’ve felt
when the Exodus finally...

Todd, of the Times.

What are you doing here?

Came along
to cover the story.

Who gave you permission?

Well, there seemed to be
plenty of room on board,

and I'’m only too glad
to pay for my passage.

Hundred dollars a head,
I understand.

[ bell clanging ]

Now that you young ladies
have your sea legs--

[ clears throat ]
limbs...[ giggling ]

[ murmuring ]

I should like to arrange
a daily schedule
for the voyage.

Each morning, I recommend
a brisk constitutional
around the deck.

Afternoons may be profitably
occupied with needlework
and writing in your diaries.

In the evenings,
I shall give a series
of lectures on the Northwest.

Today is the 24th of January.

We should reach Seattle
by the end of April,
Deo volente.

What does that mean,
Mr. Mercer?

It means God willing.

If you ask me,
he thinks he'’s the Almighty.

Mr. Todd, that'’s sacrilege!

Oh, please.
I wanna talk to you.

There'’s 95 other girls
on board.

But you'’re the only one
I care about.

Why do you think I came along
on this female exodus?

To write the story
for your paper.

'’Cause I saw you.

Mr. Todd!

You'’re not gonna
throw yourself away

on some backwoodsman
in the wilderness.

You better not let Mr. Mercer
hear you talk like that.

[ chuckling ]
Mercer.

The first port
this ship puts in,

you and I are going ashore
and get married.

You mean elope?

Oh, Todd, you wicked man!

Good evening, Mr. Mercer.Good evening, Miss Stephens.

You'’re up rather late,
aren'’t you?

I wanted to be on deck
when we crossed the equator.

I thought
as a geography teacher,
it would be an experience.

You won'’t see very much,
except the moon.

Oh, isn'’t it thrilling?

The moon?The equator.

It'’s just an imaginary line
encircling the Earth.

Are you talking about

the terrestrial equator
or the magnetic equator?

Does it matter?

They'’re not the same thing
at all, Mr. Mercer.

To be sure,
they rarely coincide.

But the magnetic equator
is that line--

imaginary, as you say,
along which the Earth'’s
magnetic force is zero.

Magnetism, zero.

That'’s correct.

My guess is we'’re crossing it
this minute.

♪♪ [ humming ]

Ohh...

Sailor suits are so cute.

Are you gonna pack your stuff
and come ashore with me,
or aren'’t you?

Now, Toddy, don'’t press me.

Press you?
It'’s been two months
since we left New York,

and at every port
you'’ve made excuses.

But they'’ve been such dreadful,
uncivilized places.

Well, this isn'’t.

We'’re anchored in the harbor
of Valparaíso, Chile.

If you don'’t marry me here,
you won'’t get another chance
until the Galapagos Islands.

Now, Toddy, it isn'’t
that I don'’t love ya.

I think you'’re the most
fascinating man
I'’ve met in ages.

I'’m beginning to think
you'’re nothing but a flirt,
Lizzie Ordway.

Ohh! [ woman screams ]

What'’s that?

Man on board!

Ohh!

[ sighs ]

He nearly landed
in my lap!

Ohh!

Allow me
to introduce myself.

Don Federico Victorino Bilbao
of Valparaíso.

I came as ambassador
for the caballeros
of our city.

Word reached our ears
of a shipload of American
señoritas in the harbor.

Young and beautiful.

And the reports
were not exaggerated.

[ women giggling ]

I could swoon.

With the permission
of the captain and your dueña,

we should like to welcome you
ashore this evening

as our guests at a fiesta.

[ women exclaiming ]

Well, where is your dueña?

[ giggling ]
Ohh!What'’s going on here?

You are their dueña,señor?

I am in charge, yes.

My credentials, señor.

I don'’t read Spanish.
What is it you want?

Company of your
fair passengers, señor.

He'’s invited us
to a siesta.

"Fiesta." Tonight.

Well, that'’s very kind
of you, sir,

but I'’m afraid I shall
have to refuse.[ women groaning ]

Nobody is allowed ashore.

It will be
a great disappointment
to the young men of Valparaíso.

They had anticipated teaching
the señoritas from the North
the fandango.

[ gasps ]Oh!

These young ladies are
my personal responsibility.

The answer is
an unequivocal "no."

Oh, darn it![ women groaning ]

♪♪ [ Spanish folk ]

[ bell clanging ]

♪♪ [ continues ]

That infernal music.

I suspect they'’re keeping it up
just to aggravate us.

Not the Spanish.
They'’re much too polite.

Don Federico Victorino Bilbao.

Perfect gentleman.

You can understand
my point of view, though.

Oh, you made it quite plain.

And you approve?

To be perfectly honest with you,
Mr. Mercer, I don'’t.

Miss Stephens!

This has been a long,
dull, tiresome voyage.

The girls are starving
for some fun.

I'’ve tried
to provide entertainment.

Playing Proverbs,
singing hymns?

They need fun.

Put yourself in their place,
Mr. Mercer.

Sailing to
a new strange land,

not knowing what lies ahead.

They'’re homesick,
a little frightened.

Most of all, they'’re bored.

I have a duty, Miss Stephens.

Oh, I know.I guaranteed to deliver
these girls to Seattle,

and there I'’m going
to deliver them.

What difference would
one evening ashore make?

With those handsome Chileans?
Why, it might change
a girl'’s whole life.

Oh, don'’t be such a prude!"Prude"?

You may be a fine educator,

but as a man, you'’re cold
and stiff and inhuman!

Miss Stephens!

You'’re a fine one to talk.

You know what I want to do
whenever I'’m near you?

No.

I wanna shake you.

You'’re the prettiest girl
aboard.

You'’ve got everything
to attract a man.

And what does your
conversation consist of?

Terrestrial
and magnetic equator,

syntax and Plato'’s Republic!

I-I beg your pardon.

I must'’ve forgotten myself.

I think you did.

Good night, Miss Stephens.

[ bell clangs ]

This marks
the end of our passage
aboard the Continental.

Arrangements will be made
for further transportation

from here to Seattle
as soon as possible.

Check the bulletin board
at the main stairway
for further instructions.

That'’s all for now.

[ faint chatter ]

Here'’s your
last chance, Lizzie.

I'’m quitting
the party here.

Toddy! I can'’t bear it.

Well, then,
come ashore and marry me.

Well, I'’m just torn.

I feel I should go on
to Seattle.

And see what they have
to offer there?

Now, Toddy!

Well, you know
where to reach me.

Todd, of the New York Times.

Oh...

If you prefer
to remain in San Francisco,
Miss Stephens,

you'’re at perfect liberty
to do so.

Not go on to Seattle?

You still plan to teach?Of course.

Well, I think it only
fair to point out
that the opportunities

are far more lucrative
and more numerous
in San Francisco

than in Washington Territory.

Then I'’m being dismissed.

Well, so long, Mr. Mercer.
Thanks for the boat ride.

Hope to see you in New York
on your next safari.

Well, it'’s true, isn't it,
that this is only the first
of many that you contemplate?

Mr. Todd, when I deliver
this shipload of young women
to Seattle,

God willing,
I am through with women
for the rest of my life.

[ mutters ]

Well, Miss Stephens?

I think I'’ll continue
to the end of the journey,
if it'’s all the same to you.

It has taken me over a year
to accomplish my mission.

I have bankrupted myself
in the process.

But I have done
what I promised I would do.

I have brought you a shipload
of young women.

[ applause continues ]

[ applause stops ]

Virtuous, refined,
splendid, young women

who will gladden your lives,
make beautiful homes,

and assist in the development
of the great Northwest.

[ cheering ]

This gathering tonight
is to give you all
a chance to get acquainted.

Formal introductions
are not necessary.

So, without further ado,
on with the dance.

[ shouting ] ♪♪ [ up-tempo piano ]

Hey!

[ laughing ]

You'’re cute.

So are you.

♪♪ [ continues ]

The first wedding
took place within a week.

By the end of six months,
all the girls were married
except one,

and she remained a spinster
all her life.

[ laughing ]

The Mercer Girls,
without exception,

proved to be
a wonderful influence
in the Northwest.

Families in Washington
and Oregon today

take pride in being
descended from them.

What about Asa mercer himself?

Well, the records show
that on July 15, 1866,

Miss Annie Stephens
of Baltimore

became a Mercer girl
for life.