Hard Lesson

Daves Lesson

Originally Aired: April 10, 1960 Gunsmoke #418, "Daves Lesson," Marshal Matt Dillon takes on an unexpected responsibility when his old friend Joe Barrett and Joe's wife Lydia die suddenly from fever, leaving their teenage son Dave orphaned. At the request of Joe's brother Will, Matt agrees to take fifteen or sixteen-year-old Dave under his wing for the summer, giving the boy a chance to get away and heal. When Kitty Russell teases Matt about finally becoming a family man, he brushes off her comments, insisting it's just what the boy needs. However, when Dave arrives on the Dodge City stage, Matt quickly discovers this won't be as simple as he thought. Dave Barrett proves to be a headstrong young man determined to prove himself as tough and capable with guns. He boasts about his shooting skills, insists he doesn't need anyone watching over him, and clearly idolizes gunfighters who wear two pistols. Left in Chester's care while Matt rides to Hays City, Dave bristles at doing mundane tasks and keeps insisting that a real lawman's deputy should be wearing a gun and ready for action. Chester struggles to manage the cocky teenager, and it becomes clear that Dave needs to learn some hard lessons about what it really means to be a man.

Greater Love

Originally Aired: April 3, 1960 Gunsmoke #417, "Greater Love," finds Marshal Matt Dillon investigating a deadly stagecoach robbery that leaves a shotgun guard dead and two bandits wounded. The trail leads to the homestead of Howard Brandt and his wife, where Matt discovers that the gentle, easy-going young settler he once met has turned outlaw. One of the wounded bandits left for dead at his own doorstep, Howard clings to life while his wife tries desperately to protect him from Matt's questions. She reluctantly reveals that Jeb Butler and a man named Blake lured her husband into the holdup, and that the gang rode off after dumping the dying Howard in the dirt. When Doc Adams mysteriously disappears after being summoned on an emergency call, Kitty becomes alarmed. Days pass with no word, and Matt fears the worst. His suspicions are confirmed when Mrs. Brandt returns to town with her husband's body, her face bruised and battered. She brings devastating news: Jeb Butler has Doc tied up and held captive, and the situation grows more dangerous by the hour as Matt races to find his friend before it's too late.

Indian Baby

Originally Aired: March 27, 1960 Gunsmoke #416, "Indian Baby," finds Marshal Dillon investigating a troubling situation when Doc Adams and Kitty discover a nearly unconscious white woman lying on the prairie, clutching an infant. The woman, later identified as Dory, is suffering from severe exhaustion and exposure, but what makes the case peculiar is that she's a white woman holding an Indian baby. When Matt questions her, Dory insists the child is hers and speaks frantically about savages killing her baby and her missing husband Joe. Doc believes she may have kidnapped the infant. Matt and Chester ride out to a nearby Indian camp to get answers, where they meet with Hawkwing, who reveals the truth behind the tragedy. The old chief explains that Dory's own baby died of fever, and his people buried the child while trying to help the grieving mother. In her confused state of grief, Dory wandered into the night and took one of their babies. Now the young braves are out hunting, and Hawkwing warns there will be trouble if the child isn't returned before they come back. Matt must somehow help Dory face the painful reality of her loss before the situation escalates into violence.

The Constable

Originally Aired: March 20, 1960 Gunsmoke #415, "The Constable," finds Marshal Dillon in a difficult position after cracking down on unruly cowboys from a trail drive. When trail boss Rance threatens to boycott Dodge City after five of his men are buffaloed and jailed, the town's businessmen panic. Led by Mr. Green, they pressure Dillon to ease up on enforcement, prioritizing commerce over law and order. The marshal, employed by the federal government rather than the town, refuses to compromise but agrees to stop making arrests in Dodge until the townspeople ask for his help. To handle local disturbances, the businessmen hire a replacement: Dillard Band, a broke, overweight former cowboy who doesn't even carry a gun and hopes to talk troublemakers into behaving. As new cattle herds arrive and chaos erupts in the streets, Dillon and Chester wait in the marshal's office while the inexperienced, unarmed constable faces increasingly violent cowboys. When Doc Adams bursts in reporting deaths and injuries throughout town, the situation reaches a crisis point, forcing everyone to confront the consequences of choosing profit over proper law enforcement.

Unloaded Gun

Originally Aired: March 13, 1960 Gunsmoke #414, "Unloaded Gun," finds Marshal Matt Dillon returning to Dodge City exhausted and feverish after a four-day manhunt. During the chase, Matt killed Red Lyme following a holdup, though the details of exactly what happened remain unclear. When Matt arrives back in town, he barely acknowledges Kitty and Doc Adams, stumbling straight to his office where he collapses without even removing his muddy boots. Doc diagnoses a fever and gives him sleeping powder, while his deputy Chester notices Matt's gun belt has been carelessly dropped in the corner, covered in mud—highly unusual for the normally meticulous marshal. As Matt sleeps off his fever, word reaches the Long Branch Saloon that Joe Lyme, Red's brother, has returned to Dodge City with vengeance on his mind. Joe is openly declaring his intention to kill Marshal Dillon for his brother's death. Meanwhile, Chester begins cleaning Matt's neglected gun, and a boy arrives claiming Doc needs Chester's help holding down an injured man. The stage is set for a deadly confrontation, but Matt remains unconscious in his office, unaware of the threat gathering against him.