Original subtitles

Thank you.

Advance and be recognized.

Cap Hayes, sorry sir I didn't recognize you, Col Vance is expecting you, go right in sir.

- Colonel. - Come in Hayes.

Shake hands with Jim Fuller.

- Mr. Fuller. - My pleasure Captain.

- Well, what's happening on the line? - A war.

Jim here is the assistant postmaster general of the United States.

You were line superintendent for the Overland Stage lines...

- before the war, I believe Captain Hayes. - That's right.

I won't beat around the bush.

We've got a situation on our hands and we think you're the man to handle it.

You're in a position to render a great service to your country.

Have you seen any of these yet?

- Just issued by the government. - I've seen them.

The holder of any of these notes can present it at any bank...

and redeem it for its equivalent in gold.

To preserve its credit...

the government must at all times have the gold in its mint to back it up.

Gold from California.

Up to now, there's been no schedule for bringing gold in.

But the issuance of paper money will change all of that.

We need gold to fight the war.

We need as much as we can get and as fast as we can get it.

And the Overland Stages are going to bring it in for us.

There'll be other conveyors but Overland will bear the brunt of it.

And we want you to take over your old job, to run the Overland Stage lines Captain.

I respect my government's wishes, my apologies sir, but I don't want the job.

You're the best cavalry officer in my command John.

But there's no man in combat that can't be replaced.

I think you should go where you're needed most.

There many good men that can run a stage line sir.

We're subsidizing Overland with a million and a half dollars...

to hike the schedule from a weekly to a daily run.

It'll mean 60 more Concord stages, 2,000 more horses and mules...

thousands of tons of hay and grain.

I'd appreciate the names of a few men you think can operate that size line.

That's the situation we're in.

2,000 miles, 1,700 through the worst territory in the country.

A country that's not even a state yet.

You know there'll be breakdowns, bandits, Indians...

Your biggest problem is that the confederates want that gold as bad as we do.

Daily schedule? I don't think I can do it.

We think you can.

Where I operate from?

Main office Atchison, you'll work out of Julesberg.

Would be Julesberg.

- Pretty rough riding sir. - I've ridden worse.

But you John Hayes, aren't you?

I was a messenger boy for Overland when you were line boss.

I'm Rod Miller, 7th regiment, 3rd division, infantry.

- How is captain Grace? - Fine sir, when I last saw him.

- He's a stuffed shirt. - Well, you can say, I can't.

You weren't a messenger when you joined the army?

No, a little too old for that sir, I left Overland when I got married.

All right, let's see her picture.

We got a farm just outside of Julesberg.

- Pretty. - Pretty?

She's the prettiest girl in the whole territory.

Excepting one maybe, you home on furlough?

Furlough?

Guess you might call it that, a long furlough.

Gangrene.

Too bad.

10 minute stop folks.

With any luck, we'll be in Julesberg tomorrow morning.

You'll be there.

I understand they got a good man running this place.

Let you know after I drink his coffee.

Hi, you better eat if you're hungry, supper is a 4 hour ride...

from here and beside I cooked this here pie myself.

What kind is it?

Well, you know something ma'am, I never was able to figure that out.

- I'll take a piece. - I'll have some too.

Coffee?

- Got any more that pie? - Sure.

Sure, how about you mister?

I'll stick with the coffee.

I'll fix that Yankee.

- Good coffee. - There you are soldier.

Thanks.

- Hey, this pie is been salted. - Salted?

- How's yours? - Mine is fine.

- Delicious. - Yours?

Wonderful.

Hey.

- Anything wrong? - There's salt in this pie.

- Well, no one else is complaining. - Well, no one else got the salt.

Well soldier, if you don't like it, don't eat it.

- Just pay up and get out. - Suppose he doesn't?

Then I'll take it out of his hide because there's nothing wrong with that there pie.

Then you eat it.

- Hey listen, none of your business. - I said, you eat it.

- You better eat it Willis. - No man tells me what to do.

He can, he's John Hayes, your new line boss.

All of it.

Come on Rod.

What do you suppose is the matter with him?

Come on folks, let's get going.

Thinking of tomorrow?

I haven't seen Jeannie in most of 18 months.

It's a long time to be away from home.

You know something Mr. Hayes?

- I don't want pity. - Don't look for it.

- You got any family? - No.

- Maybe sometimes that's the best way. - I wouldn't know.

Jeannie.

Rod? Oh Rod, I thought you'd never get home.

Better get moving soldier, here's your bag.

Just throw it down.

Honey, I'd like you to meet someone.

- This is Jeannie Mr. Hayes. - Hello Jeannie.

- John Hayes? - That's right.

Well, everybody in Julesberg knows you're coming.

- Ready to go boss? - Anytime. Good luck.

You come and see us when you get fixed up, that's our place.

Thanks, I will.

- Hello Mr. Miller. - Hello Mrs. Miller.

Let's go home.

Here she comes.

This here is Julesberg folks, 2 hour stop.

Stock tender, stock tender.

If I get my hands on that stock tender, I'll...

Hey, the Overland Stage sign is missing.

Something is wrong.

Folks, there's a cafe across the street...

you can wash and eat there, we'll pick you up later.

Look after the horses, I'll see what's going on.

Sure.

- What happened the sign? - Overland?

- Moved out a couple of days ago. - Where they go?

- I wouldn't know. - Putnam here?

Your name Hayes? Try that door over there.

- I've been expecting you. - I sort of got that idea.

- You haven't changed. - You have.

Well, I've made a little money.

I own the hotel and some other things, I guess going all right.

You can tell me about that later, where's the Overland station?

Well, I wrote a letter resigning as Overland's agent about a week ago.

As far as I know, there is no Sta...

- Nobody got your letter. - Well, I can't help that.

I didn't have the time for the job, I needed the room here.

The records, supplies and horses, where do I find them?

I wrote the main office about that too, they're gone.

Couple of stock tenders lead out with the horses and supplies and burned the records.

Territorial marshal is working on it now.

Booting schedule up to daily runs, that must be quite a job.

The way you handle things isn't going to make it any easier.

That's the way it happens sometimes John...

- You know I married Norma. - What you afraid of Clay?

What happened?

You hear about the stock tenders stealing the horses?

I heard.

I brung the stage around to a couple of stables.

Full up, least that's what they told me.

I hear Putnam is out too, he told me what's happening.

Oh another thing, Logan, Wilson and Pines quit.

- You got no drivers. - I got you or you quitting too?

Well, all muscle and no brain, sure I'll stick.

- How many passengers going on to Salt Lake? - All of them.

Then we got no choice.

You take the stage on to Crown Point and pick up your relief driver there.

Alright, I'll need some feed for the horses.

Alright, get it.

- That bunch on the porch, you know them? - Sure, them's Putnam's boys.

The one on the end in the rocker with the black hat...

he's Mace, he runs things for Putnam.

He's supposed to have a price on his head in three states.

They give him plenty of room around this town.

Clay Putnam doesn't need anybody to fight his battles.

As rich as he is, he can afford to hire someone to keep his nose clean.

- Your name Mace? - You said it right.

Mine is John Hayes, glad to know you.

Mister.

Turn around.

Lift up those skirts, let's see what you got under there.

Up.

Wouldn't want you to forget it, the name is mace...

- Oh, hello Mace. - Afternoon ma'am.

I thought I'd drive into town and pick up my husband.

Some men are just born lucky.

- Russ, tell Mr. Putnam his... - Mr. Putnam already knows.

- Hello dear. - Hello.

You be needing us for anything?

None I can think of, see you in the morning.

John?

That wasn't necessary Clay.

You knew John was on his way back, this trip to pick me up wasn't necessary either.

I don't think that even needs an answer.

- That's a lot of woman. - Ever hear any of us disagreeing about that?

We'll buy this place or rent it.

You make the deal, if there's any sense to it, I'll take it.

Just drop 50 cents on the table on your way out.

- Take your soldier boy home lady. - No good blue-belly.

We don't like the color of that suit mister.

It's too bad they didn't shoot your head off instead of that arm.

Stay out of Julesberg.

- That goes for me too, you no good Yankee. - What you have to comeback here for?

So you's a northern soldier, is you?

Don't pay any attention to them Rod, that's just what they want.

We don't want no Yankee lover around here.

That's a pretty outfit you got on drummer boy.

Your mama buy it for you?

You got a loud mouth, but I don't see no gray on you.

Come on Rod.

Don't make no difference what you see.

What we see is who wears the pants in your family.

I think maybe I'll take the drummer boy's suit off.

You're a brave bunch, you scared of nothing as long as you're fighting one man.

- You mean half a man, don't you? - He's a lot more man than you'll ever be.

Well, I'll sure be around anytime you'd like to find out.

Looks like I'm going to have more trouble with her than I am with him.

All right, you've had your fun, let him go.

Another blue-coat or is it yellow?

- Friend of yours? - Was once, throw him in the water Chuck.

My apologies ma'am.

When he comes to I'll beat a little sense in him myself.

I think Mr. Hayes is already taken care of that.

You don't understand ma'am, I'm going to beat him for losing the fight.

Clay I'm telling you, she rared back and paw.

- You should've seen Russ's face. - You already told me, so?

So, the last time I saw Hayes, he was riding off with those two kids.

I wish none of this had happened, Hayes had no friends in this town now he's got two.

Oh, what can they do for him?

No, probably nothing, my point is it just wasn't necessary.

I still say we should let Overland operate...

and give Hayes all the rope he needs to hang himself.

We could've picked those stages off one by one.

I'll tell you again, don't underestimate him.

- Never saw a man I couldn't handle. - I won't argue the point.

We've already hacked Overland's routes here...

the thing to do now is to make sure they don't sprout again.

Easy way to do that if what you say is true.

- How's that? - Get rid of Hayes.

We do that, we have every union soldier in this territory on our necks.

Our job is to see that gold doesn't get through to fight the south.

Nothing more...

nothing less.

Meaning?

Meaning we do everything in our power short of bloodshed to stop Hayes and the line.

Wreck his stations, run off his animals, burn his barns and his feed.

That's the hard way, ain't it?

That's the only way.

Still say we ought to kill Hayes.

Get out.

Some of those people grew up with me..

Known me since I was a kid, yelling at me yelling at me.

Calling me names like I was responsible for the war.

Even in the lines we never hated the men we were fighting.

We believed one thing and they believed something else.

They were on one side and we were on another.

But why should they hate me here? This ain't even a state yet.

In the lines, you can hear a man cry when something rips into him.

See him die and it's common pain and misery...

No matter which side he's on.

People don't understand that who are out of it, they...

they get hurt by seeing friends and kin dying.

And is the other side who did it.

- It goes both ways. - Maybe.

More coffee?

It's like the last better just leave the pot.

Why, thank you sir.

Rod?

Honey, you sit down, let me do things.

There's nothing that can't be cleaned up.

- I can put on a fresh pot. - Half a man, that's no lie.

Oh, Rod.

I've been home one day and already I've found out what...

it's like trying to run a farm with one hand.

- We'll do all right. - Yeah, sure.

With you doing all the work.

How about running a stage station?

Think you can do that?

- Sure. - Sure.

- Where's the station? - Right here.

Overland will use your house and barn and build a corral and bunkhouse.

You'll get paid for any changes and rental, besides your wages.

- But what about Putnam? - Putnam quit.

We might have trouble from him, I'll had to tell you that.

Oh, why would Putnam want to make trouble if he already quit?

Because he's a southerner.

We're changing to a daily run, it'll be a lot of work but that isn't all.

Those stages will be carrying gold for the Union treasury from Sacramento.

That's why I'm here in but and noses.

And you think he'll try to get that gold?

If he can't stop us from running. Julesberg is mostly rebel now.

You, saw that this morning.

They won't sell to us, I'll have to bring in everything we need, even drivers.

Oh, plenty of farmers around here were union when I left.

We ought to be able to get supplies from them.

How about horses?

Rod will get horses if he has to take them off the plow.

I ought to be able to get some of the boys to help me put up a corral and a bunkhouse too.

You sleep on it, I'll go have a look outside.

Oh wait, I'll show you around.

Hey...

Hey.

Oh, come on, I'll show you where we can build the corral and the bunkhouse out here.

At the wagon and the grain from Julesberg...

What about water? When dried we can get to real low...

Just ain't going to make it Jeannie, I ain't going to make it.

Just half a man.

Listen, it doesn't make a man any less if he lost..

Something fighting for what he thought was right.

Come on in the house, I'll fix us some breakfast.

- You're two days late. - You see the inside of the station?

- You saw me come out. - Every station here to Dawson is the same.

I've been riding for almost two days now with these same horses.

- I had to stop to feed and rest them. - Thanks, you'll draw a bonus for that.

- I'll drive the stage in, you can rest. - I can use it.

What you going do about the stations?

Keep going with new men and equipment.

Yeah, but you better see the men have plenty of bullets.

Kirk who runs Dawson told me someone tried to burn his place down and steal his horses.

But he scared them off.

My bones are stiff from riding, when we get out of this box?

Pretty soon now, let's not have any trouble from you mister, we got enough already.

- We got a station in Julesberg yet? - Yeah, Millers' farm.

Rod.

- Hi honey. - We always can use some coffee.

Hey Bill, pull that wagon over there behind the well.

Coffee?

Coffee?

Coffee?

Rod.

New bunkhouse and corral.

It's not hard to figure out what cheap little ranch like that needs them for.

Yeah and all them horses. Just might be for hauling stages.

Yeah, they sure got them, men and horses, plenty of both.

Recognize any of them?

Just two of them, Anderson and another.

- I think his name was Baumeister. - Farmers, Yankee hotheads.

The Miller kid is collected every union sympathizer in these parts for Hayes.

- Thanks to the likes of you. - Sod-busters, all of them.

Yeah, well when one of them holds a shotgun in your face, you tell him that.

Still owe that Miller kid and Hayes a good going over.

You can pick up your mail at Millers' farm.

Rod, Jeannie.

- Hi. - Hi.

One hour stop, all out.

Well, I hope we get something decent to eat here.

We do the best we can sir, go right on in.

Wash them down and see that they get plenty of rest, they earned it.

Yes sir.

Eat up and pick yourself a place in the bunkhouse.

You can sleep for the next three days.

- Much obliged for the short nap. - And look after my horse.

The horses look like they've been traveling a lot further than Crown point.

Since Dawson, the stations are there and that's about all.

- I'll need men, horses and feed. - I've been riding around seeing farmers.

- You got plenty of hands till harvest. - That's time enough to get rolling.

Tell them to bring guns and watch out for horse thieves and...

I'd be careful about riding around the country.

- Why? You expecting trouble? - We already got it.

- Who's taking the Eastbound? - I have.

Got any objections?

You sure are scraping them from the bottom of the barrel.

- Where you find this old relic? - Relic?

Say, I was driving stages when you was still swaddling pants...

and I can still out-drive you.

Any man is been around that long is got to be dead.

You sure this ain't old Christy's grandson?

I was a whip with Overland when John first come to work for the line.

He never said a word about knowing you.

Just showed up this morning and asked if we could use a driver.

Yeah, got me a small farm down a piece, I heard about your situation...

and I figured you could use a driver.

- How is the wages? - Bad deal all around.

Don't even know if there'll be a manager next relief station.

Well, if there ain't you just go on to the next one.

And if there ain't nothing there just go on to the next, just like when it first started.

- 15 years ago. - 20 and I run a pony express before that.

- Well, do I get that job or don't I? - Your food is on.

Coming. You got it, just show back in one piece.

Same ornery cuss, ain't changed a bit in 10 years.

Say, how do you drive one of them things?

Thought you'd be asleep by now.

Rod is asleep, I decided to catch up on some sewing, everything all right?

Put another man on to watch the horses.

I want to thank you for what you've done for Rod and for me too.

It's the other way around, I should be thanking both of you.

Mr. Hayes, they say a war makes a man grow up fast...

but in a lot of ways Rod is still a boy.

Things have always hurt him easier than most and stayed with him longer too.

And now...

he just can't believe that losing an arm couldn't make any difference with us.

He keeps saying he's half a man.

I know it's going to take time but...

I think that your letting us run this station is about the only...

thing that's going to make him forget what's happened.

Jeannie? Jeannie?

- Good night. - Good night.

You going someplace?

I'm quitting, you can't stop me from leaving.

Nobody is stopping you after you tell us what happened to the horses.

- Stock tenders stole them. - You can do better than that.

- All right, shoot him. - Be glad to.

Now, wait a minute. I ain't done nothing, you can't kill me.

Go ahead, blow his head off.

Hey no, wait a minute Mr. Hayes, I'll do anything, you can't kill me.

I won't ask you a second time, who took the horses?

Oh, was Logan, Wilson and a couple others guys I've seen before.

Was one of them called Russ?

Yeah, Russ, that was it. I heard one of them say it.

- Where did they take the horses? - Wing canyon, they're all there.

That there Russ, he's going to drive them south in a couple days.

Who gets them?

He's supposed to have move for delivery...

to Confederate cavalry but I think he's going to sell them.

- You know something? - Yeah?

My advice to you is to get out of here, quick.

You don't have to worry about that, thank you..

Look at him go.

- Don't see anybody. - No.

Here we go.

Do you know it's 10 miles back to town?

It's closer to 11.

- You looking for somebody mister? - Your boss.

- He ain't here. - His horse?

- Mrs. Putnam's. - Oh, I'll wait.

- It's all right Ed. - Yes ma'am.

I'm expecting Clay any minute, won't you come in?

I don't think Clay appreciate finding me in his house.

It's my house too.

- Hello John. - Norma.

You've done very well for yourself.

- I guess I have. - It's what you wanted, didn't it?

- In most ways. - It was your choice.

Why didn't you write to me?

- Would it made any difference? - Might have.

My bad luck.

I'm glad I got to see you again John.

- We're still friends. - You know we always will be.

You should've told me you were expecting company.

I came here to see you.

Well, I suppose if you wanted to meet Norma you wouldn't do it in my own house.

- What do you want? - Better said between us.

There's nothing about me Norma doesn't know.

That's right.

All right, I've just come from Wing canyon, we got our horses back.

You'll be hearing it from your men pretty soon.

I'll make this short.

The stages is going to run, you and nobody else is going to stop them.

You may stop one or maybe two and that's about all.

There's enough blood running on the battlefields without starting here...

but we'll play it any way you want it, it's up to you.

Hayes, how many of you did it take to get those horses?

Two, me and the one-armed boy.

I warned you about underestimating him.

Anytime Hayes wants to face off with me, he can do it,

I don't want blood spilled any more than John.

That gold isn't going into a union treasury without a fight from me.

I have no quarrel with that.

Just remember you're fighting the Union.

You keep your purchases in this row and check them against what we send the other stations.

That way you'll always keep a record of it, how's that seem to you John?

Reasonable.

Looks like you're as much of a bookkeeper as I am.

All I know is I'm glad we've got Rod around.

- Well, it's time to make the rounds. - Stay where you are, I'll do it.

Pour yourself a cup of coffee.

- How about you Jeannie? - No thanks, I'm full up to here.

When you bring in the horses, put him on his and cart him back to town.

I don't even know if he's alive.

He's alive.

Nothing works for him, that shot was meant for me.

Let's get him to bed.

Well, we got real trouble.

Russ is dead, Rod Miller is probably the same by now.

How did it happen?

After Hayes took the horses, Russ talked some of the boys into going back after them.

They waited till night.

Nobody figured Russ to do any shooting.

He tried to get Hayes, shot the kid instead.

- Hayes picked him off. - He hadn't I would've.

That's in fire now.

What you going to do about it?

You'd like to see this break out into open killing, wouldn't you?

- I can see it in your face. - You got to make up your mind.

- You want Overland stopped or not? - There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Sure, but you ever try to skin a live cat?

Man is going to get pretty skinned up himself.

You can't play a gentlemen, Clay and do what you want done.

I could've, once. Not anymore, thanks to you and Russ.

You already have most of the farmers against us, so keep this down.

- Anyone that wants trouble will get it. - Just don't go looking for.

- I'm not Russ. - And stay away from Miller's

I'll wait for Hayes to come to me.

Good night.

Doctor, let me hear the truth.

He hasn't got a chance.

Look Mr. Hayes...

I know how you feel about the people of Julesberg after all is happened to that boy.

It's true that we sympathize with the south and we'll continue to do so...

but we don't sympathize with Clay Putnam and his kind.

We had enough Mr. Hayes.

Whenever you get ready to make your move, we'll all be behind you.

Thanks Doctor, but this is my fight.

She's got a lot of nerve, coming here.

- How is he? - No better.

May I come in?

He's sleeping, no point you coming in.

You know I'm not your enemy, nor yours.

- Your husband is. - You can't blame me for that.

John, stay out of Julesberg, Mace is waiting to kill you.

John, be sensible. Mace is a professional killer.

Thanks for telling me.

Think you'd better go.

- How is it going? - They're all ready to roll.

- Well, let's get these people out of here. - Come on folks, let's go.

I'll give you a ride little honey, come on.

- Let's go. - Couldn't we wait for the next coach?

- Why? - The little girl.

Let's go.

They're gaining on us.

Let's go down there and get the gold.

Go tell Mr. Hayes.

- How's the boy? - Not so good.

- You taking Crown point? - Hanks and Crown point.

Tell them the new stages will be coming through next week.

- Yes sir. - And tell them to be careful, you too.

Yes sir.

- Stubby? - Boss?

Mr. Hayes, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Hayes...

- everybody is dead, the stagecoach wrecked. - Quiet down son, quiet down now.

- Tell me what happened. - Everybody is dead.

- Looks like you've already heard. - All those people dead.

That little girl.

We didn't figure it'd be quite that bad.

Stagecoach robbed.

Dead passengers looted.

Scavengers.

- Everyone looks out for himself. - I blame myself.

The trouble with you Clay, is that you're rich enough to be an honorable man.

I can't afford it.

And to think this happened in the name of the Confederacy.

Whether the south wins or loses means nothing to me, never has.

I should've known that scum like you could never put anything above yourselves.

I want you out of Julesberg.

Matter of fact, me and some of the boys...

are staying for more that union gold coming through.

You get out of Julesberg before I kill you.

Kill me? I don't think so, I don't think so at all.

I've handled 2 bit gunslingers like you before.

No point you and me fall out Clay.

I'm still going to stop Overland.

- And I'm killing Hayes. - I don't want you for anything.

Suit yourself.

Just might ask your wife what she was doing visiting Hayes this morning.

Take him on into town, I'll be along later.

John...

he's dead.

I've thought it all over Clay. I can't live with you any longer.

I'm leaving you in the morning.

Well I, I can't stop you from doing what you want.

It's not what I want, was you forcing me into doing.

You're blaming me for what happened to the stagecoach and the Miller boy.

Yes, I told you before...

Self righteousness, you know it just doesn't fit you.

Why don't you come out and say what you really mean?

- I don't understand that. - I understand you.

You never worried about anybody else besides yourself in the whole of your life...

including me.

I won't listen to you when you're like this.

I never fooled myself about the reason you married me either.

It wasn't for love.

All right then, at first that was so, I won't deny it.

Because you can't.

You see that's the trouble, I understand you.

I still love you.

You'd never be leaving me if you didn't think you had somebody else to go to.

- That's not true. - You're a liar.

Look at me...

look at me straight in the eye and tell me that you're not still in love with Hayes.

I told you when I married you that it was all over with John and me...

but you've kept bringing him between us.

It's not John Hayes that's breaking us up, it's your jealousy.

Then you've given me your answer?

There's nothing more to say.

Except this, you walk out of this house, you go out the way you came in.

With nothing but the clothes on your back.

And I wouldn't depend on going to Hayes either,

Because Mace is going to kill him...

he already hasn't.

I love you Clay, I guess I know I always will.

But if you let anything happen to John Hayes, I swear I'll see you hang.

Got to stop Mace, got to stop him.

About time he got here.

Get out there and cover me.

Mace, look this way.

I expected you a little earlier.

- I'm here. - And I'm coming out.

Go get him.

Back off Mace.

I never had it figured this way.

Had to stop Mace.

John...

- take care of Norma. - I intend to.

- How are things in Julesberg? - Better.

That's good.

What about Mrs. Putnam?

Norma is going back east to live, we just said goodbye.

I, I'm going to move your station back to Julesberg.

I wish you wouldn't do that, I can still run it.

Think you could at that?

I know I could, with a little help.

Well, seeing as how this is still going to be an Overland swing station...

I'll drop by and look in on you from time to time, if you don't mind.

- I wouldn't mind at all. - I'll make it soon.

Soon.