Original subtitles

[ gunshot ]

Jesse Blount, what'’s the idea?

Just protecting my claim.

Your claim?

Hold on now, this is my claim.

I staked it myself, you can see right there.

Anybody can make a sign, it'’s the papers that count.

Certificate of registration

from the county recorder'’s office in Yuma.

Why, this is dated only day before yesterday.

That'’s right, I went down and filed in person.

Just got back.

But I mailed mine on this May the 5th,

over a month ago.

Very strange.

They don'’t have any record of it.

Now, you pick up your stuff and clear out of here.

No!

[ gunshots ]

Something crooked about this, Blount.

I made the one big strike of my life,

I'’m not gonna let you do me out of it.

You come back in here again it will be your last trip.

♪♪ [ bugle ]

Howdy folks, I'’m the Old Ranger.

This is a Colorado River town of Ehrenberg, Arizona.

The year is 1893,

the day is either a Tuesday or Friday,

because those are the days the mail arrives

by horseback from Yuma, 125 miles away.

And the postmaster who also runs this door

is Rufus Daniel,

appointed back during the Harrison administration.

He might have held a job for life

if it hadn'’t been for the...

Ah, a tad late, ain'’t ya'?

[ chuckles ]

Excuse me.

Where do you think you'’re going, Rufe Daniel?

Oh, morning, Mrs. Pitkin.

I'’m going out prospecting, any law against that?

Well, a fine postmasteryou are!

The mail'’s just come

and right away you close up and take off.

Now, you know I'’ve been waiting for a dress pattern

from St. Louie and--

I didn'’t see nothing for you.

Well, you just unlock that door and let me see for myself.

Mail, there it is, that'’s all of it.

I just can'’t understand it,

I sent for that dress pattern more than six months ago,

enclosed the money and everything.

Can'’t you do without a pattern?

Well, I'’ll just write to them again.

Let me have a 2 cents stamp.

Uh, I'’m all out!

Out of stamps?

Yup.

Since when?

Since I sold the last one.

Well, what kind of a post office is this anyway?

Fourth class, but it ain'’t my fault.

Ehrenberg just ain'’t got the population.

[ gasps ]

Oh! Sorry, Mrs. Pitkin.

No harm done, Fred.

Good morning, Philip.

Anything come for me from Yuma? No!

You sure?

Oh, for cat'’s sake Fred,

at this rate I'’ll never get out to my diggings.

Where you prospecting now, Mr. Daniel?

Up on Dome Rock,

right near where Jesse Blount made his strike.

Uh, guess you didn'’t hear about that.

I heard about it alright.

Blount'’s laying claim to ground

I staked out up there over a month ago.

Huh, what are you talking about?

He had his papers, he showed '’em to me.

Oh he did, did he?

On account of something you showed to him, maybe, hmm?

What are you driving at?

I filed my claim by mail way back in May, Rufe Daniel.

Addressed to the county recorder'’s office in Yuma.

So what?

So you could have tipped off your friend, Jesse Blount.

Now you just watch out what you'’re saying, Fred Curry.

Maybe you don'’t know it,

but being a U.S. postmaster is a sacred trust.

I took an oath to protect the mails,

on a Bible I took it, and that'’s what I do.

Besides, opening a letter is a federal offense.

You'’re darn right it is.

You know who it was

that got Rufe Daniel his appointment as postmaster,

don'’t you, back in '88?

Jesse Blount.

Sure, they'’re in cahoots.

There'’s only one thing to do, Pa.

Why don'’t you ride down to Yuma

and check with the county recorder yourself.

While Jesse Blount moves in

and starts mining operations, oh no,

possession is nine-tenths of the law.

I'’m going out there, even if I have to pitch a tent.

That will only lead to more trouble, Pa.

This is the first real paydirt I'’ve ever had.

Look, why don'’t you get the sheriff

to issue an injunction, restraining Blount.

He'’d side with Blount, they vote the same ticket.

Look, I'’m gonna go over and see Sarah.

I'’ll see what I can find out.

You stay away from that Sarah Blount.

Pa, there'’s no way to talk about the girl I'’m gonna marry.

Maybe that'’s how her old man got wind of my strike,

you spilled it to her and she told him.

Listen, I never even mentioned it to her.

Now, you go on home and simmer down.

I'’ll see you later.

And listen, Pa, don'’t do anything foolish.

You promise?

Alright.

SARAH: Phil!

Sarah!

Listen, I--

I wanna talk to you, Sarah.

So, well, it'’s about some trouble

between your father and mine.

I know, I heard.

Why did it have to happen now, Phil?

Just as I'’d almost convinced papa

we could live on what you earn.

We'’ve gotta straighten it out, Sarah.

You know my father did file his claim

a long time ago.

You think my father'’s being dishonest.

No, I didn'’t say that.

But you do think so.

I think there'’s been a big mistake.

You know if we could just get the two of them together.

Well--

Nobody'’s getting together.

That includes you, young fellow and my Sarah here.

Pa, please.

I want nothing to do with your tribe, so clear out!

Oh, now--

Now, look Mr. Blount.

You heard me, get moving.

Don'’t let me catch you around my place again,

it won'’t be healthy for you.

You say he shot at you?

It was at my feet,

but if I come back he'’ll shoot to kill.

You'’re going back there my friend,

right now under protection.

We all know you staked that claim

long before Jesse Blount ever went out there.

We don'’t aim to see you beat out of it.

Well, that'’s good of you, Seth, but it ain'’t all that easy.

Blount'’s got legal papers.

SETH: So do you.

Lost in the mail.

Well, that'’s Uncle Sam'’s fault, not yours.

Now, you go home and pack up your gear right now.

I promised Phil I wouldn'’t do anything foolish.

This is the only way to deal with a highbinder like Blount.

Oh, he wants a war out there at Dome Rock, we'’ll oblige him.

Meet you back here in an hour.

Pa, stop it, you can'’t do this.

Why not? My claim and if Jess Blount wants trouble--

Jesse Blount is on his way out here right now

with a bunch of gunslingers.

Let him come,

they'’ll get as good as they give.

You start a shooting war

and there'’s no telling where it will end.

There'’s no other way.

Just give me a chance Pa, I'’ll work something out.

Sure, next month, next year, I'’m talking about right now.

Well, so am I.

Pa, for the love of Pete, listen to me.

Jesse Blount will be here any minute.

Let go of that pick!

Are you gonna risk the lives of your friends, huh?

You want their blood on your hands?

They got wives, Pa, and kids.

He always did think he knew more than his old man.

Alright, I'’ll give you 24 hours,

till sundown tomorrow night.

And if you don'’t have something settled by then,

we'’re gonna start some fireworks around here,

the likes of which you'’ve never seen.

We'’re moving off.

But 24 hours, no more.

I feel like writing

the Postmaster General in Washington

and I would, if I had a stamp.

[ gasps ]

Mrs. Pitkin.

If you'’re coming for mail, there isn'’t any.

None at all?

That'’s what Rufe Daniel tells me.

And I saw the courier ride up a half an hour ago

with my own eyes.

Hmm.

You know what I think,

I think Rufe Daniel is just too lazy

to sort the letters that come for people.

I think he just sticks them away.

Sticks them away?Where?

I wish I knew.

If I don'’t get that pattern pretty soon,

it will be out of style.

Oh, I'’m sorry,

I didn'’t mean to bother you with my troubles,

when you'’ve got so much on your own mind.

On the contrary, Mrs. Pitkin.

You'’ve just given me a very good idea.

Sheriff, thank goodness you'’re here.

Another two minutes and I wouldn'’t have been,

I was just fixin'’ to lock up and go home.

There'’s a thief, broke into the post office,

and he'’s rifling the mail.

Yeah, who is he?

How would I know, I couldn'’t see him that good.

It'’s your job to find out and you better hurry.

Well, we'’ll take a look.

[ grunts ]

Stop, thief!

[ gunshots ]

SHERIFF: No use, we got you cornered.

God'’s sakes it's Phil Curry.

Yeah.

What on earth were you doing in the post office

this time of night?

I was just looking for a letter.

Tamperin'’ with United States mail, huh?

Arrest him, Sheriff.

That don'’t seem like a thing you'’d do, Phil.

Well, you saw him didn'’t you? Heard what he said.

Broke his way in to do it too, near wrecked the place.

Oh, now Rufe-- Then he run, that ain'’t admitting guilt?

Do your duty, Sheriff.

Sorry Phil, I guess I will have to lock you up

until we get this straightened out.

Alright.

If I could just see my father.

You'’re seeing nobody.

By whose orders?

By mine, as U.S. Postmaster.

Sheriff, I can see my own pa!

Incommunicado, right Sheriff?

Right.

I'’m sorry Fred,

top of all the other trouble you'’re having,

but I can'’t let the boy loose, my hands are tied.

Yeah, who tied '’em?

Jesse Blount, Rufe Daniel? They'’re two of a kind.

Tampering with the mails is a serious charge,

it'’s a federal offense.

You say he was only looking for a letter,

it ain'’t like he'’s stole anything.

Good thing he didn'’t,

he'’d most likely land in the Territorial prison.

Fred, this way, it'’s just likely to be

a matter of a little while.

How long?

I can'’t say!

A day?

Till I get some kind of an order,

I don'’t know much about these government things.

He told me not to do anything foolish.

Good morning, Fred.

Been in to see your boy?

No!

He ain'’t allowed visitors, Rufe Daniel'’s orders.

Nonsense.

Errand the mercy sheriff,

I'’m taking some food in to your prisoner.

Hi, Mrs. Pitkin.

I brought you some hot soup,Philip.

[ sniffs ]

Mm, smells good!

And some homemade bread.

Thank you.

I know they don'’t feed you so good in this place.

I'’m real sorry for the mess you'’re in, Phillip.

I'’m afraid it was me

that put the idea in your head in the first place.

Now, if there'’s anything I can do to help you,

you just let me know.

There is Mrs. Pitkin.

Listen, would you go and see Sarah Blount for me,

tell her I wanna see her.

Do you think the sheriff will allow it?

He'’s out on business half the time.

All she'’s gotta do is wait her chance.

It'’s very important.

I'’ll go see her.

Phillip, did you see anything of that pattern of mine

in the mail that you went through?

SHERIFF: Mrs. Pitkin!

Coming.

We appreciate what you'’re trying to do, Seth,

but you know I gave Phil my word,

we'’d sit tight till sundown.

What can he do locked up?

Nothing, but I gave him word till sundown, then we'’ll move.

Sarah!

Sarah, I'’ve got something to show you.

You know why I broke into the post office last night?

I was looking for a letter and I found it.

This is my pa'’s notice to the county recorder,

filing on the claim out at Dome Rock.

Rufe Daniel stamped it, but he never sent it.

The post mark, May 5th, that proves he located first.

Maybe.

No maybe about it.

Look at this.

The notary seal, also dated May 5th.

Well.

Look, I want you to take this to my pa,

so he can show it to your pa, and maybe they--

I couldn'’t.

It'’s the only way I have to get it to him,

they won'’t let him come near me.

And if I give it to the sheriff,

it will be admitting that I robbed the mail

and that'’s a federal offense.

I can'’t take sides against my own father.

You'’re not, you're on the side of justice and peace.

Sarah, if this thing isn'’t settled by sundown,

my pa'’s gonna go out and start to work the claim.

And your pa'’s gonna go out and try to stop him.

Do you realize what that will mean?

Hmm.

It'’s gonna be a lot of shooting,

people hurt, killed.

Alright.Maybe my father, maybe--

Give it to me.

Good girl, now listen, hurry before the sheriff comes back.

INSPECTOR WATERBURY: Anybody here?

Good afternoon, I'’m Inspector Waterbury

of the United States post office department.

The post office seemed to be locked,

would you know where I could find the key?

No, I'’m afraid I wouldn't.

Or where I can find the postmaster?

He'’s probably gone.

Obviously, and here I come all the way from Denver

to conduct this investigation.

Investigation?

Could you tell me where I could find

Mr. Curry'’s house?

Mr. Curry, why--

PHIL: Right here inspector.

I'’m Phil Curry.

I'’ll save you the trouble of asking a lot of questions,

'’cause there isn't time for that now.

I did break into the post office,

and I went through the mails.

I took the letter I was looking for,

and I do it again if I had to.

Here it is.

That'’s the notice of a mining claim

that my father located.

It was stamped, but it was never sent.

County recorder'’s office.

You can see the postmark, May 5th.

Mm-hmm.

Now, I'’m willing to pay the penalty whatever it is

for tampering with the mail,

but my father'’s got to have that letter back right now

before it'’s too late.

It'’s the only evidence he'’s got in this dispute.

The case is going to trial.

Trial my eye,

they'’re getting ready to shoot it out.

His father and mine.

And the deadline is sundown.

We better hurry.

SARAH: Pa!

Pa!

You stay out of this, Sarah.

You can'’t go out to Dome Rock.

I warned Fred Curry.

He'’s not there.

I know better.

Phil'’s bringing him back

for a hearing at the post office.

It'’s too late for a hearing.

At the post office, Phil?

Phil'’s in jail.

Not anymore, he isn'’t.

That fool sheriff let him out.

You men, wait here.

It'’s plain that Fred Curry located the claim first,

filled out a location notice, had it duly notarized,

and mailed it to the county recorder'’s office

on May 5th.

Only it never got there.

Still, he has a moral point.

On the other hand,

Jesse Blount went down to Yuma.

Filed in person

and received a certificate of location

from the county recorder,

that gives him a legal right of the claim.

He'’s right.

Now, we get right down to the main problem,

which are we going to recognize?

The letter of the law, or the spirit?

Can'’t you recognize both?

Both, how?

Or maybe divide the claim.

Let my father and Mr. Curry each take half.

Or better yet,

why don'’t they work the whole claim together

as partners?

Then nobody loses.

Young lady, I believe you'’ve cut the Gordian knot.

How about you two gentlemen, do you agree to that?

Well, it seems like a good arrangement to me,

what about you, Fred?

I'’m agreeable.

[ gasps ]

Oh now, that'’s settled

what about the charges against the prisoner?

Prisoner?

He'’s still under arrest.

No wonder Rufe Daniel had you locked up.

Fear you'’d spread the word about the post office.

The department first became suspicious

when no quarterly reports came in from Ehrenberg.

No orders for stamps.

No answers to our communications.

So they sent me here to investigate.

Is that why you came?

I'’m amazed that nobody complained.

But of course your complaints wouldn'’t have reached us,

because no mail has gone out of here in nearly a year.

Wow! He was something--

It'’s all right there in that box.

Along with the incoming mail

that hasn'’t been delivered, either.

My dress pattern, I knew it,

I'’ll bet that pattern's been in there for months.

Months?

There are letters in there postmarked 1888.

Talk about your dead letter office.

A dead letter office is at least official.

This post office hasn'’t functioned officially

in at least a year.

In that case, Inspector,

anybody taking a letter out of it yesterday

couldn'’t be accused of tampering with the U.S. Mail, could they?

Well, I--

Could they?

Charges dismissed.

Then I can look for my pattern.

What the name of saints is all this?

Who are you?

Inspector Waterbury,

United States Post Office Department.

Postmaster Rufe Daniel.

Former postmaster.

Huh?

Your appointment as postmaster of Ehrenberg, Arizona

ceased Mr. Daniel,

when Grover Cleveland was elected president last fall.

The notification which you failed to open

and the commission which you failed to deliver

to your successor, Mr. Fred Curry.

Me?

Postmaster of Ehrenberg.

You'’re welcome to it! It'’s a darn nuisance.

So that'’s why you asked for Mr. Curry!

You were looking for pa, not me.

When do I start?

Right now.

Then the first I'’m going to do is mail my notification notice

to the county recorder'’s office.

Okay, partner?

Okay, partner.

I found it, I found it.

Ehrenberg is a ghost town today.

A few crumbling ruins is all that is left of the street

where the post office once stood.

All during his tenure as postmaster,

Fred Curry kept his supply of mining location blanks handy

for post office customers.

This is what they look like.

If ever you go prospecting, be sure to take some along.