Original subtitles

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger,

with an exciting new story of real life in the Old West.

Of all the mysteries that have come out of the Old West,

none is more intriguing than the strange story

of General Thomas Francis Meagher,

Irish patriot and Civil War hero,

remembered today as...

This is the mining camp of Bannack,

the first capital of the territory of Montana.

[ men laughing, chattering ]

Ah. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Ahh! Pretty good, huh?

It should be. It cost enough.

It didn'’t cost you anything, Ed. God bless the taxpayer.

Mr. Justman, it'’s high time this committee got down to serious business.

But, Mr. Scott, what could be more serious than the business of good food and drink?

In the absence of a governor, we have a double responsibility.

You'’re quite right, Mr. Scott.

And for that, we should draw double pay.

Make a note of that, Haynes. First business on the agenda.

Are you serious?Of course.

Who is there to veto it?

You saw the governor leave on the stage this morning,

shaking the dust of Montana Territory from his feet forever.

The President will appoint another to take his place.

Perhaps. Meanwhile, have some champagne,

and stop worrying. [ laughing ]

Wait here, Sergeant Clancy.Yes, sir.

So I said to him, "Sure, we'’re a standing committee, because we never sit."

[ all laughing ]

Oh, pardon me, General. I didn'’t hear you knock.

I didn'’t knock.

Gentlemen, I think you all know General Meagher,

secretary to the lategovernor.

And his successor in office,

by order of President Andrew Johnson.

Well, a drink for General Meagher. Imported French champagne.

Imported French champagne. In a bankrupt territory.

Montana is rich, sir.

It would be if we collected its taxes,

which we'’re going to do, beginning now.

Well, we'’d be pleased to cooperate with you, General.

I'’m glad to hear that.

This is Friday. We'’ll convene in Virginia City on Monday.

Virginia City?That is the capital of the territory, isn'’t it?

So voted by the legislature a year ago.

But all the business interests are here.

You mean the gambling halls, the saloons?

The general may have a point.

We'’ll have a committee look into the matter tomorrow.

Justman, the capital is moving, today.

I'’ll see you gentlemen on Monday, in Virginia City.

General Meagher... my name is Andrew Scott.

I'’d like to congratulate you on your appointment, sir,

and offer you my wholehearted support.

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Scott. I might take you up on that sometime.

Policy of the new governor, huh?

He'’s quite a man, the general.

Oh? In what way?

You'’ll soon be finding out... for yourselves.

What are we gonna do?

What can we do? Move to Virginia City...

and operate from there.

Now, you get this straight, Commissioner.

The land you sold belonged to the Indians.

The supplies you sold were consigned to the Indian reservation.

I confiscated the land and the supplies

because they were stolen from the United States government.

And you'’re going to be prosecuted for grand larceny.

[ inhales ]Sergeant Clancy.

Yes, sir?

Show the commissioner out.

Next time you come to see the general, take off your hat.

Mr. Scott'’s here, sir. Send him in.

All right, Mr. Scott.

You sent for me, General?Yes, I sure did, Scott.

[ door closes ]I'’m gonna take you up on that offer you made.

I'’ve drafted a reform program for the territory.

I want you to introduce these bills into the legislature.

I'’m sure it's a good program, sir, but it'’ll never get through this legislature.

Why not? Justman won'’t permit it.

As Speaker of the House, every time we introduce a bill he doesn'’t like,

he maneuvers it into a committee where it'’s talked to death.

Sort of a, uh, delaying action.

[ chuckles ] An old Justman trick.

I see.

You know, Scott, I'’ve been a soldier for a long time,

and one of the things a soldier learns

is to meet a delaying action with an all-out attack.

Come on.

Well, I'’d better go and greet my new attraction.

I hear she'’s very beautiful.

Well, in that case, I think I'’ll join the reception committee.

Hello.

Oh, Miss Dodd?

Welcome to Virginia City.

I'’m Pete Dolan, owner of the Golden Eagle.

Oh, how do you do, Mr. Dolan?

Oh, and, uh, this is Mr. Arthur Justman,

one of our more influential citizens.

He'’s been wanting to meet you.

We'’re all looking forward to your engagement here, Miss Dodd.

Well, thank you, Mr. Justman.

May I tend to your luggage?Oh, would you?

And while he'’s doing that, I'’ll show you the Golden Eagle.

Fine.[ murmuring ]

There'’s Justman.Oh, Justman!

Here. See that the rest of Miss Dodd'’s luggage gets in the hotel.

I'’d like a word with you.

I'’m afraid I have other matters to attend to.

This won'’t take long. Here are some measures

I want introduced to the legislature at once.

This isn'’t the place to discuss politics.

I'’m not interested in discussion.

I want some action out of the legislature.

Aren'’t you being just a little high-handed, General?

I'’m not sure your reforms will be popular with all of the people.

They'’ll be popular with the ones who want clean government,

and they'’re the ones who count.

I want these bills put on the floor in the next 48 hours.

If they'’re not, I'’ll take steps to see that they are.

DODD: Oh, Tom?

Flora!

Surprised?

Well, I did see the posters, but...

Look, my, uh, headquarters are right here in the hotel.

Why don'’t we have a drink after you get settled?

I'’ll be there.All right.

[ door opens ]

[ door closes ]

If these bills go through, we'’re out of business.

All of us.I'’m aware of that.

But they haven'’t gone through, yet.

We can'’t stall much longer.

Meagher'’s breathing right down our necks.

What do you suggest, have him stop breathing?

If necessary.

You don'’t mean...

Oh. You'’re joking. I'’m afraid not.

Mr. Ritchie and I have been discussing just such a possibility.

Halfway measures aren'’t gonna work with a man like the general.

It'’s all or nothing.

He'’s pretty well protected here in the capital.

Maybe he could be called away.

[ knocking on door ]

Flora.

Oh, it'’s so good to...

Let me look at you.

I'’m older.And wiser?

If I were, I'’d never have rearranged my tour to take in Virginia City.

You knew I was here?

I read about your appointment as governor.

It, uh, made no mention of a first lady.

Oh, well, a man like me, a professional soldier--

It just isn'’t right to ask a woman to share a life like that.

I'’d have followed you wherever you went.

All over the world, into battle?

And to Montana Territory.[ chuckles ]

Thank you. I, uh--

I thought when the war was over, you were through with public life?

Well, I kind of hoped so, too, but, uh, they called me back.

That'’s always the way it is.Ah, you love it.

I, uh, like to be useful.And in the public eye.

Flora, if I thought I could accomplish more good as a private citizen,

I'’d quit public office tomorrow.

You'’d never be happy, Tom-- settled down.

I'’m 43, Flora.

Let'’s not get on the subject of ages.

You are more beautiful than ever.

[ knocking on door ]

I beg your pardon, sir. Here'’s a telegram for you.

Thought it might be important.Thank you, Sergeant.

That'’s odd. Is something wrong?

An emergency calling me to Fort Benton.

Just as I'’m trying to get this legislation put through.

If you'’re needed here as governor...

I'’m needed there as a general.

Get my things packed, will you, Sergeant?

I'’ll leave first thing in the morning.

How will you travel, sir?By river steamer.

I'’ll take Lieutenant Bedford with me.

I want you to stay here and keep an eye on headquarters, and on Miss Flora.

Yes, sir.

Well, with any luck, I should be back in three weeks.

That'’ll still give me time to push through my program here

before the legislative session ends.

You'’ll still be here, won'’t you?

Tom, this is a dangerous errand, isn'’t it?

Oh, not very.

Besides, didn'’t you know? I have nine lives.

How many are left?

I'’ve lost count.

I have an uneasy feeling there'’s only one.

[ horn blaring ]

[ footsteps approaching ]

[ clears throat ]

Evening, Lieutenant.Oh, hello, General.

I could stroll the decks for hours,

but we have an early landing tomorrow.

Think I'’ll call it a night.

If you don'’t mind, sir, I think I'’ll stay on deck a little longer

and have a smoke.

Oh, here.

Why don'’t you try one of mine?

Oh, uh, thank you, sir, but I'’m a pipe man.

Go on. They'’re my own special brand.

I know. People say they'’d hardly recognize you

without your famous cigar.Oh, is that so?

[ sighs ] Good night, Bedford.

Good night, sir.

[ groans ]

[ water splashes ]

Bedford?

"General Thomas Meagher, pro tem governor of Montana Territory,

disappeared last night from a river steamer."[ murmuring ]

"The entire territory of Montana is at a loss to explain

the general'’s disappearance."

Oh, Mr. Justman, what happened?

What'’s all this about the governor?Nobody knows.

He was last seen after dinner when he went out on deck.

Next morning, his stateroom was empty.

Assumption is that he fell overboard and was drowned.

What about his aide?Who?

The lieutenant.

I only know what'’s in the paper. It'’s a tragic thing.

But so far as the territory is concerned,

we'’ll take over and keep things running.

You can depend upon that.Oh, Mr. Justman?

I'’ve got something for you.

What'’s this?

My resignation.

Well, don'’t be hasty, Mr. Scott.

We can always use a man like you in the legislature.

Sure, you can.

To cover up your crooked schemes.

Oh, no, thanks.

When men like you can get away with murder,

it'’s time for decent men to get out of this territory.

[ murmuring ]

[ chuckles ] He'’s a little upset.

He received quite a few favors from the general.

Come on.[ chattering ]

Miss Dodd.

You sent for me, Sergeant?

Is there any news about the general?

Yes, ma'’am. First-hand.

All right, sir.

Tom!

I'’m not a ghost.Oh!

Oh, Tom, I'’m so glad.

Well, I'’d hope so.

Look, Flora, this is important.

Lieutenant Bedford was murdered by someone out to get me.

I suspect Justman and his bunch, but I can'’t prove it.

Will you help me?Oh, if I can.

All right. Now listen carefully.

First, I want them to go right on thinking that they'’re rid of me.

Second, I want you...

♪♪ [ piano, upbeat ]

[ men laughing, chattering ]

♪♪ [ continues ] [ laughing, chattering continue ]

Hello, Mr. Justman. Room for a lady here?

Well, if you'’re the lady.

Well, I understand you may be our new acting governor.

Where did you hear that?Oh, it'’s all over town.

[ chuckles ] People are being a little hasty.

After all, we only know the general disappeared. We'’re not sure he's dead.

Oh, really? I thought it was certain.

No. Not yet.

Well, of course I hope and pray the general is still alive.

But if the worst has happened, I'’m sure you'll make a fine governor.

I thought you were one of the general'’s supporters.

Oh, personally, I was very fond of the general,

but politically, I think he went a little overboard with his reform ideas.

I'’d prefer if you were a little less enthusiastic about him... personally.

[ chuckles ] We were just friends, nothing more.

Meaning there'’s hope for someone else?

Why not?

May I?Thank you.

Now, as we were saying...

We were talking about General Meagher.

Oh. Oh, yes. Yes. Too bad.

Good man gone."Gone"?

I thought you weren'’t sure what had happened to him.

I was just trying to spare your feelings.

Oh. Then he'’s dead?

You can take my word for it. He'’s dead.

But let'’s not talk about the past. To the future.

Whatever it may hold.

Well, if you'’ll excuse me now. I have to change my costume.

Will I see you later?Perhaps.

You say he was a dark, rather sinister-looking man?

Yes.

That could be Ritchie.

He whispered something to Dolan,

Dolan slipped him an envelope and nodded to Justman.

Of course.

Thanks, Flora. You'’ve been very helpful.

How much did they pay you, Ritchie?

It must be frightening to meet up with the man you thought you'’d murdered.

Who hired you to do the job, Ritchie?

Who?

Haynes, Bannister will move that the reform measures

advanced by General Meagher be tabled indefinitely.

You second the motion. [ door opens ]

What is it, Dolan?

Ritchie. He hanged himself.

What?That'’s not all.

There'’s a rumor Meagher'’s back.

Ritchie swore Meagher is dead.

No body was found.

Has anyone actually seen Meagher?

A couple of men claim they did.

Either Meagher, or someone that looked just like him.

Aw, nonsense. Meagher is dead, and we know it.

Then why did Ritchie hang himself? [ door closes ]

I can answer that question for you.

Seeing things, gentlemen?

Ritchie hanged himself to save the government the trouble.

What'’s this all about?Your plan misfired, Justman.

Lieutenant Bedford was murdered by the man you hired.

He mistook him for me.I don'’t know what you'’re talking about.

I have a signed confession from Ritchie before he committed suicide.

It involves every one of you in the murder.

Better hand over that confession.

Sergeant Clancy'’s just outside.

You fire that gun, he'’ll bring the whole army running.

Then you'’ll have another murder to answer for.

All right. So what happens now?

Have us tried and hanged?Don'’t think I can't.

And then politics in Montana will be all cleaned up nice and pretty.

Is that what you think? You'’re a dreamer, General.

Get rid of us, and there'’ll be others to take our place. Probably worse.

But there'’s one thing for sure:

it'’ll be the end of your political career,

'’cause I've got a big following in this territory.

I'’ve thought about that.

No one'’s going to take your place.

Not yet.Oh?

You'’re going to stay around... for a while.What?

With all your boasting about your influence, Justman,

you'’re just the man to put through the legislation I'’ve drawn up.

Me?

And that'’s what you'’re going to do.

You'’re going to spearhead a real reform movement.

If you don'’t,

I'’m going to come back from the dead

and send you to the gallows.

You'’re planning to stay out of sight for good?

I was only governor pro tem anyway.

Let me get this straight. You let me off--

All of us.If we do as you say?

Gentlemen, it has been my experience that sooner or later,

every man gets his just desserts.

What do you mean by that?

Well, let'’s just call this a reprieve.

Well?

Have it your way.

[ door opens ]

Well, how do I look?

Without the brush?

I'’d hardly have known you.

Well, then, maybe I can pass in a crowd.

Tom, are you sure you'’re doing the right thing?

Flora, do you remember some time ago,

I told you that if I ever decided

I could accomplish more good as a private citizen,

I'’d quit public life?

But not by disappearing.

Montana will benefit.

What about us?

We passed that turn in the road a long time ago, Flora.

[ knocking on door ]

Sergeant Clancy, sir.

Come in, Clancy. [ door opens ]

Excuse me, General."Mister."

And never mind the salute.Yes, sir.

My bags outside?Yes, sir.

And this mail came for you. It'’s from Washington.

It was mailed before-- well, before the general disappeared.

No. Send it back, Clancy.

Mark it: "Whereabouts unknown. Presumably dead."

Yes, sir.

Good-bye, Clancy.Good-bye, sir.

Good-bye, Flora.

Good-bye, Tom.

The general was right about Justman and the others.

In the end, their crimes caught up with them, and they paid the price.

Meagher himself was never seen again,

but his memory was perpetuated in the state he served.

Meagher County was named for him.

And on the capitol grounds at Helena, Montana,

as this picture shows,

there'’s a bronze equestrian statue

of Thomas Francis Meagher,

the general who disappeared.