
Carter Caper Full Episode – Gunsmoke, Season #09, Episode #08
Billy Hargis encounters Joe Stark while traveling, and they share a stolen chicken for dinner. However, when Billy catches Joe attempting to steal his horse at night, he uses his fists to discipline him. Later, when Joe encounters Billy in Dodge, he starts spreading rumors that Billy is a renowned gunfighter, hoping to provoke someone in town into challenging Billy to a duel. This Gunsmoke episode, Carter Caper, originally aired on November 16, 1963.
Explore more about Gunsmoke “Carter Caper,” including its plot and trivia, or watch the full episodes below.
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Carter Caper Cast
The following cast members brought characters to life in the episode named Carter Caper:
- James Arness as Matt Dillon
- Dennis Weaver as Chester
- Milburn Stone as Doc
- Amanda Blake as Kitty
- Jeremy Slate as Billy
- William Phipps as Stark
- Anjanette Comer as Cara
- Rayford Barnes as Flack
- I. Stanford Jolley as Mims
- Barney Phillips as Smith
- George Selk as Moss Grimmick
- Glenn Strange as Sam
- Michael Fox as Waiter
- William Fawcett as Turner
- Jacque Shelton as Carter
- Dennis Cross as Bud
- Fred Aldrich as Townsman (uncredited)
- Walter Bacon as Townsman (uncredited)
- Dave Dunlop as Townsman (uncredited)
- Frank Ellis as Townsman (uncredited)
- Jess Kirkpatrick as Townsman (uncredited)
- Mike Lally as Townsman (uncredited)
- Fred McDougall as Townsman (uncredited)
- Dick Miller as Townsman (uncredited)
- Rex Moore as Townsman (uncredited)
- Jimmy Noel as Townsman (uncredited)
- Chick Sheridan as Townsman (uncredited)
- Cap Somers as Townsman (uncredited)
- George Sowards as Townsman (uncredited)
- Lucian Tiger as Townsman (uncredited)
Full Story Line for Carter Caper
A man nursing a grudge devises a cunning plan for revenge by spreading rumors in Dodge about hot-tempered Billy’s legendary prowess with a gun, claiming Billy bested the famous gunslinger Beau Carter (played by Jacque Shelton).
In Dodge, Billy Hargis (portrayed by Jeremy Slate) enters Long Branch, and when a cowboy mistreats a saloon girl named Cara Miles (played by Anjanette Comer), where he intervenes. Their encounter sparks a romantic connection, leading to their engagement.
On the trail, Billy encounters Joe Stark (played by William Phipps), a destitute drifter, and shares a stolen chicken with him. However, when Billy catches Joe attempting to steal his horse, he teaches him a lesson with his fists. Upon meeting Billy again in Dodge, Joe spreads false rumors about Billy’s gunfighting prowess, knowing it will incite someone to challenge Billy.
Dan Flack (played by Rayford Barnes) is the first to take up the challenge, resorting to violence against Cara to provoke Billy. Despite Billy’s reluctance to engage in a gunfight, Flack fatally shoots him under the pretense of a fair duel. However, when Mims, a friend of Billy’s, confronts Flack, he is forced to draw his gun, resulting in Mims shooting and killing him.
The situation escalates with Flack’s friends accusing Mims of murder, but the arrival of a stranger named Beau Carter, who witnessed the events, confirms that Flack drew first. As tensions mount, Carter reveals his identity, leaving the townsfolk stunned.
Full Script and Dialogue
Whoa. Hmm. Yeah, yeah, yeah, Sally, baby. Get you out there and get you something to eat. Come on. That a girl. That's a good girl. That's a nice baby. How you feeling after the trip, huh? Ah. Hello. What in the world are you doing with that chicken, old man? Oh, that's Sally. That's the finest hen that ever laid an egg. That thing d... That thing looks like she couldn't lay nothing but rocks. Well, tell you the truth, she don't lay so good when we're traveling, but she's a fine companion. You're the first man I ever run into with a chicken for a partner. You live around here? No, I don't live nowhere. I just keep moving. Well, I'm fixing some dinner soon. You're welcome to stay. It don't look like you got a whole lot of food, old man. Oh, I got some potatoes. I'll make some poor-do gravy to go with them. Some what? Poor-do gravy. Some coffee and a spot of flour is all I need. Maybe that's all you need, but I'm still growing. What do you say we boil up that chicken? Sally? Oh, I'd sooner starve. Well, maybe you would, but Sally's just meat to me. Hey! What-what-what are you doing? Hey, you put... you put her down! - You'll hurt her! - Shut up. Let go of her. Now quit that, I say! - Quit your hollering. - Put her down. Please. Please, mister. Don't take her. She's all I got. She's all I got, too. You go ahead and have potatoes and poor-do gravy. I'm eating chicken tonight. You can't eat her. You can't. That'd be murder. I'll think of you the first bite I take. Please, mister. Take anything I got. You ain't got nothing worth having, except this chicken. No! No! No. No. Hello. I, uh, seen your horse staked out back there. So? So, I just thought I'd say hello. First human face I've seen in two days. I was just riding through. I'm harmless. Yeah? Get down. No, I'll ride on. I hate to bust in on a man's mealtime. No. There's plenty. You can stake your horse out right there near mine. Go ahead. I'll-I'll tend to the chicken. All right. I'm afraid I ain't got nothing to throw into the pot. That's all right. I'm Joe Stark. Billy Hargis. Where you headed for, Stark? Mm, no place in particular. You? Well, I ain't never seen Dodge City. You're better off. Well, I reckon this old hen's about done. Well, this is, uh, mighty kind of you, Stark. Uh, I'll have to figure some way of paying you back. You will. Set and eat. Mmm. Sure tastes good. I was just thinking, though. How'd you come by a chicken all the way out here? Oh, I got ways. No business of mine. No, I'll tell you. Kind old man give-give it to me. I was just thinking. Where'd you come by that horse of yours? Amarillo. Well, I'll be doggone. So, you bought that horse in Amarillo, huh? Sure is a fine-looking animal. Best one I ever owned. You wouldn't maybe be interested in selling him? Make me an offer. Well, tell you the truth, I'm nigh onto flat broke right now. But I sure do admire that horse. You got a good eye, Stark. You're a good cook, too. I'm sure gonna sleep a lot sounder tonight for having met up with you. Where are you going, Stark? I'll shoot. No, don't! Oh. Use your left hand and throw your gun belt over here. What's the matter? I ain't done nothing. Just do as I say and quit talking. You got no right to do that. I ain't done a thing. You figured half a chicken was a fair trade for a good horse, is that right, Stark? What are you doing? I'm giving you a chance, Stark. You get to that gun before I do, feel free to use it. You're a killer! That's what you are. You're a killer! You got the instincts of a killer! You're a killer! You're a killer! That's what you are. You're a killer! You're a killer! Hey, Sheriff? This... I mean, Marshal. This Doc Adams... Is he around anywhere? Not in his office? Not unless he died in his sleep. He may be down at my office. I'm heading down that way. - Matt. - Oh, hello, Doc. Got a customer here for you. Well... looks like you should have stayed home last night, stranger. I didn't come here for advice. Well, better grab it, 'cause it's the only thing you're gonna get around here for free. I don't need none of your talk, either. You did your fighting last night. Maybe you better just settle down a little bit, huh? If there's anything wrong with you, maybe I ought to have a look at it. It's the whole side of my jaw here. All right, step over here by the window so I got some light. Open your mouth. Well, now, wait a minute! Teeths loose, ain't they? They certainly are loose. Must have had yourself quite a fight last night. You want to hear all about it? No, no, no. It ain't no business of mine at all. I'd like to hear about it. Oh, it was nothing, Marshal. Fellow and me got drunk, that's all. Where? Well, out yonder on the prairie. Where are you from? I'm Joe Stark. Amarillo, Texas. What are you doing around Dodge? I was just heading north, Marshall. Man needs a change now and then. What are you gonna do about these teeth, Doc? There's only one thing I can do, and that's pull 'em. Pull 'em? Well, there's four of 'em in there that's gonna drop out anyway. I might as well pull 'em and save you a lot of misery. It'll make me a lot of misery, too. It's up to you. Well, let's get it done. Well, we'll have to go up in my office. Thanks for the coffee, Chester. Any time I got any left over, you're welcome to it. I knew it was left over. Oh, what'll it be? Red-eye. A full bottle and one glass. You must have an awful lot to forget. I got an awful misery in my jaw I want to forget. Well, if this won't do it, all there is left is a bullet in the head. I just might take your advice. Got to find me a quiet corner and go to work. Well, it's early. You got a full day ahead of you. Don't go away. I may need a fresh bottle soon after dark. Uh, Mr. Dillon, I-I think I'll just take some air out here, if you don't mind, while you're busy inside. Be out in a minute, Chester. All right, I'll, uh... Hey, fella? Yeah, Chester Goode's the name. All right, Chester. I'm Billy Hargis. Well, now, how are you? What can I do for you? Well, you look like you live around here. I was wondering if you could tell me where I might find a good bed for a night or two. Well, that kind of depends on how you're fixed for money. - You rich or something? - I ain't broke. But I hate to spend good drinking money on surroundings I ain't even aware of when I'm asleep. I kind of like the way you think there. Uh, well, I'd stay out of the Dodge House if I was you. You might find a place over at the Acme Rooms. They got beds there for 25 cents a night and one clean sheet a week. Why, you can't beat that. Thank you, Chester. Why, you miserable bum. You ought to be run off onto the prairie to starve to death. I didn't do nothing. I ain't said a word. Well, you don't have to do nothing. All you have to do is look at a man... that's enough. I didn't ask you for nothing. But you want something. I can tell. Oh, you're just a dirty beggar that oughtn't to be allowed on the streets. I never asked you for a penny in my whole life. But just the way you're looking at me right now, that's enough. Yeah, that miserable Bob Smith. There's only one thing you're ever gonna get from me, Mims. That's this. I'm gonna learn you once and for all. - I wouldn't do it, mister! - You keep out of this. I'm already in. Turn him loose. I know what you are: you're a gunman. All right, you get out of here. And don't you ever lay a finger on him again or you'll deal with me. Name's Billy Hargis. Well, I'm just an ordinary citizen. What chance would I have against a man like you? You all right, old man? Thanks to you, Billy Hargis. My name is Barkly Mims. If you ever need a friend, you got one. Thanks, Mr. Mims. When the time comes, I'll call on you. Thank you, Billy. Eh, Billy, this, uh... this here is Marshal Dillon. - Billy Hargis. -Marshal. - Billy. Well, where you from? Texas, down Amarillo way most recently. Well, you plan to stay around Dodge long? Oh, I just came to see the sights. Don't stay anyplace very long. Uh, clean sheet every week you said, Chester? Yeah, yeah. Just... Pleasure meeting up with you, Marshal. You think that he'd be a gunman like that Smith said? I don't know, Chester. Sometimes hard to tell about a gunman. Come on. A beer, barkeep. Come on, Cara. I-I don't get to town every week. Well, you ought to stay home for a month and save up your money. And if I had $100 you'd want me to spend it all on you, wouldn't you? You have had too much to drink. Aw, come on, honey-baby. No, please. I-It's 9:00. I've got a date. I promised a man. Aw, now you wouldn't lie to me, Cara. - You don't have a date with nobody. - Yes, I have. - Please let me go. - Well, where is he? Evening, Cara. Right on time. - Huh? - Well, we said 9:00, didn't we? Why don't you go get yourself a drink, fella. Uh, care for a table? Yes. -Now wait a minute. You got something to say, mister, say it fast. I ain't gonna wait long. You go ahead and take her. I don't want her. - Can I get you a drink? - Mm-mm. I had more than I need already. Well, maybe we'll have one a little later. I'd like to thank you, Mister... Billy Hargis. Billy Hargis, Cara. What's your last name? Miles. Cara Miles, that's a right pretty name. And you were right kind for what you just did. It was worth it. We wouldn't be setting here otherwise. You're a gentleman, Billy Hargis. A girl like me really gets to appreciate that. Well, you're a lady, Cara. Don't you ever forget it. There aren't any ladies in this business. Well, there ain't too many, that's true, but you're one, Cara. I want you to remember that. I'll see to it these folks around here remember it, too. You really mean that. I do. Killer. You're a killer. I'm gonna get you. Who was that? Some fella I had a little trouble with out on the prairie. What did he mean, "killer"? Oh, I don't know. I had to rough him up some. I guess maybe it made him mad. I guess it did. But I'm sure you had a very good reason. I thought so. Billy, you're not one of those gunmen, are you? Well, now why would you think a thing like that? I don't know. That cowboy at the bar, the way he acted. He was afraid of you. And this man just now... He was, too. Well, let's talk about you, Cara. Where are you from? St. Louis. It seems like a lifetime ago. Well, if you don't like it here, why don't you quit? And do what? Become a cowboy? Drive a stage? Hunt buffalo? Most women get married. But most men don't look for wives in saloons. Billy, did-did that man really mean it about "getting you yet"? Cara, you know what? You and I are gonna go up to the bar there and get ourselves a drink. Down that end where it's empty. I got to be on my feet. Why? 'Cause I think better on my feet, and I think you and I got a lot to talk about. Unless, of course, you got a date with some fella. Billy, if I had, it sure wouldn't make any difference. Oh, hello, Stark. How's that jaw coming? I been in bed two days with it. It's better now, no thanks to you. Well, I told you to come by the office and let me look at it; don't blame me. I blame Billy Hargis for all my troubles. I wish him all the bad luck in the world. I imagine Billy Hargis thinks he's kind of lucky about now. Lucky? Well, I guess you hadn't heard. He's getting married to Cara Miles. Getting married? I understand you threatened him at the Long Branch the other night. He tell you that, Marshal? No. Word sure gets around, don't it? I'll tell you something, Stark. If he comes after you, you've got a right to defend yourself, but if you start anything against him, I'm gonna lock you in jail on bread and water for a week and then throw you out of town. Sure ain't hard to see whose side you're on, Marshal. You've had your warning; this was it. Let's go, Doc. There's lots of ways to skin a cat, lots of ways. Get a whiskey, barkeep. You men, uh, live here in Dodge? Anything wrong with that? Oh, not hardly. This is quite a town, Dodge. Well, we like it. Always something going on. All kinds of people in and out. Oh, we got all kinds of people, that's for sure. Oh, I don't mean just run-of-the-mill cowboys, drifters and hunters and the like. I mean real interesting men like, uh, well, say, this Billy Hargis fella. Billy Hargis? What about him? You mean you ain't ever heard of Billy Hargis? "What about him," I said. Now, let me ask you a question. You ever hear of Bo Carter? Who ain't heard of him? The most famous gunman in all of Texas. Bo Carter ain't only famous in Texas. No, but that's where he made his reputation. You know Bo Carter? I did. Bo Carter's dead. Dead? When did that happen? About a month ago. What's all this about Bo Carter got to do with Billy Hargis? Billy Hargis is the man that killed him. Well, I'll be darned. They fought in Amarillo. Billy Hargis shot him dead. Believe me, it's the talk of the country. The man that killed Bo Carter has got himself quite a reputation. I should think so. He's right here in Dodge. I thought he was a gunman. I even told him so. He's a gunman, all right. Just about the biggest anywhere around. Well, gentlemen, like I say, you got a mighty interesting town here. You never know who's gonna show up next. So long. You believe that, Sam? Well, it could be true. Well, that's just fine. And Cara Miles is about ready to marry him. You know, I kind of like Billy. So do I, but what kind of a life is that for her? A man like that is a living target for everybody around. Every young fool or would-be gunman. You gonna tell Cara? No, I can't. I'm afraid she'll have to find out for herself. I sure don't need to tell men like you the man who killed Bo Carter has got himself quite a reputation. And you say this Billy Hargis fella is here in Dodge right now? Been here several days. I seen him in the Long Branch any number of times. Just you ask him if he ain't from Amarillo, if you think I'm making up stories. Well, there you are, mister. All finished. - There you are. - Thank you. Next? Yes, sir. Billy Hargis is just about the biggest gunman anywhere around. He outshot Bo Carter. Imagine that. Right in the streets of Amarillo. Well, gentlemen, like I say, you got a mighty interesting town here. You never know who's gonna show up next, do you? So long. Uh, waiter? - Think you might have a table... - I'm busy. Can't you see I'm busy? That's Billy Hargis, the man that shot Bo Carter. Uh, look, I'm, uh... - I'm sorry I was short with you. - It's all right. Uh, they've been pushing me pretty hard around here. Uh... there's a table now right over there. - You, uh, you come with me. - Thank you. Here you are, sir. This is a... it's a fine table. Uh, you, uh, you take this seat right here. All right. Uh... this, uh... I-I didn't know who you were, Mr. Hargis. Oh? Uh, who am I? He's a great kidder, isn't he? Let me get these out of your way. I'll be right back, Mr. Hargis. I'll be right back. ♪♪ What was that all about? Beats me. Maybe they've been working him too hard. How come he knew your name? I don't know. Cara, it sure makes me proud going places with you. Oh, Billy. Are you sure? I'll be even prouder as soon as you're my wife. I'll never let you down, Billy. Never. I know you won't, Cara. Well, let's see... 15, two, 15, four, 15, six, 15, eight and a pair is ten, and it looks like I'm gonna win again. Hold your horses, Chester. Time'll tell. Well, I told Mr. Dillon that I'd meet him here at 1:00, so I gotta be finished by then, so deal. Time is what you make it, Chester. It's either important or it ain't important. Well, I ain't... I'm not talking about time. I was talking about Mr. Dillon. Oh, never mind, Chester. Never mind. Hello. I want my horse, old man. Oh, you leaving town? Here's for his board. Hey, you're 50 cents short. You won't starve. Now just a minute, there. - Oh, never mind, Chester. - Give him his money. No, no. Give him his money. Now give it to him before I find a pitchfork - and start punching holes in you. - Oh, no... How would you like a bullet in the belly? All right. Go on and draw. Go on and draw, you coward! Aw, take it easy. I was only joking. There you are, old man. I never cheated nobody out of anything in my life. Oh, you're quite a man, you are. What's going on? Nothing, Marshal. I was just having a little fun, and... they took me serious. Sure. I'm leaving town, Marshal. Ain't nobody gonna shed any tears about it. Oh, Marshal. You don't have to worry about me starting something with Billy Hargis. Things is all taken care of. Well, he's pretty fast, I'd say. Yep. Well, you gentlemen seem to think this Billy Hargis is really something, don't you? Shot down Bo Carter in Amarillo, I told you. I don't know anybody around here who'd want to face him. Bo Carter, huh? Some reputation. That's... quite a reputation. Yeah. Enough for me. And anybody else I know. Well, that's the trouble, living in a small town like Dodge, making your home here. It's just bad. What? Gets a man to thinking small. Now, me, I'm different. This whole wide country out here is my home. It's a big country. I think big. You say that, uh, Billy Hargis hangs out over at the Long Branch saloon? Yeah. Most generally. Barkeep... buy my friends a drink. Evening, gentlemen. A whiskey. I understand Billy Hargis comes in here a lot. That's right. Ah... Is he in here now? Right there. Hargis? Your name Hargis? That's right. My name's Flack. Dan Flack. Okay. Well, I been looking all over for you. What for? I'm gonna have to try you out, Hargis. Out of the way, Cara. No. What's the matter with you? He doesn't even know you. I told you my name's Dan Flack. Hargis, you just move out from behind that little woman of yours. Move, Cara. Little more, girlie. That's better. Now, Hargis... any time you're ready. Any time. He isn't even wearing a gun! You got one hid out somewhere, Hargis? No. Well, then, you get one. You put it on right now. No, he won't. He promised me he wouldn't. This some kind of a trick, Hargis? You afraid of me? Well, I don't know what your game is, Flack, but I'm not interested. You gonna strap on a gun, Hargis? Or is it you're just a plain coward? Come here, girlie. No, Billy! Don't! Hold it! Put the gun away. Sure, Marshal. Sure. He started it, Marshal. Billy isn't even carrying a gun. It don't matter. I'll fight him anyway. He'll fight me. You hear that? Fistfights are for kids, Hargis. - What's the matter with you? - Shut up. What's your name? My name's Flack. Dan Flack. Oh, you'll be hearing a lot about me soon, Marshal. I've heard more about you than I want to already. Now, you get out of here. You let this happen again, you're through in Dodge. Beat it. I'll catch up with you later, Hargis. All right, break it up, folks. The fun's over. I don't understand it. If Hargis killed Bo Carter, he oughtn't to be afraid of a fella like that. You won't put on a gun, will you, Billy? You promised me. Well, everybody wears one, Cara. No, you don't have to wear one, Billy. Why's this Dan Flack after you, anyway? I don't know, Marshal. I never seen him before in my life. But a lot of people have been acting kind of strange lately. Huh. Well, maybe it's just 'cause you got the prettiest girl in Dodge, Billy. - Oh, Marshal. - Sam? How about a couple of drinks here? What else are you gonna have? Well... I could eat some meat. We don't serve "meat." We got steaks, pot roast and stew. Stew? How much would a little stew cost? How much would it cost? Yeah. You mean you ain't got no money? No. No, I... You came in here planning to fill your belly for free, didn't you? What? Why, you're no better than a holdup man, a plain crook! - Well, now, look, I... - But you ain't... Well, you are not gonna get away with it here, not by a long shot. Out you go, you bum, you no-good... Now, you hold on! Out, you bum, you no-good tramp! What...? Don't you never let me find your face around here again! Oh, Mr. Hargis, uh... I got your table waiting. What's the matter here? Oh, nothing, Billy. Why'd you throw him out? Oh, he ain't nobody, Mr. Hargis. He's just a old bum. What happened in there? Nothing, Billy. Just a little misunderstanding, is all. "Misunderstanding"? He tried to steal a dinner, that's all. Same as if he walked in and held up the place with a gun. Well, I only ordered some soup. I got that much money right here. I'll pay for his meal. Mr. Mims is a friend of mine. A friend of yours? I didn't know that, Mr. Hargis. Any friend of yours is welcome, any time. Oh, no, it's on the house. Take the money. Give him a good meal. No, Billy, you don't need to do that. Waiter. Waiter. You'd better take a good look at that money. It's probably counterfeit. You know, they say you can always tell a man by the people he hangs out with. And I'm telling you that Billy Hargis is just as much of a low-down tramp as that old man there. I ain't gonna take much more from you, Flack. Well, now, why don't you go get a gun, Billy Hargis? Or has that little bar girl made a complete sissy out of... You touch me, Hargis, just touch me, and I'll shoot you. Be a waste, after all I... But I'll shoot you, you believe me. Get your gun, Billy. Go put it on! Don't let the likes of him talk to you like that. Look, Flack... I still don't even know who you are, but I'm telling you, leave me alone. You gonna put on a gun, Hargis? No. I'll figure out a way, Hargis. I don't care what that little gal has made you promise her. But you're gonna have to fight me. Have to fight me, I... I'm gonna make you fight me. I'll find a way. You're gonna have to fight me, Hargis. Mr. Mims. Take good care of him. Sure, sure. I thank you, Billy. And I ain't worried about you. You're gonna take care of that fella when you get ready. You're gonna take care of him good. Just take your time. Miss Kitty. Oh, Miss Kitty. Cara! Put her over there. What happened? I don't know. She come in the back door like this, and all she'll say is she wants you to hide her. I don't think she's been shot. Where's my hat? It's downstairs, you dropped it. Sam, please don't tell anybody I'm up here. I won't say a word. Sam, just leave her with me. I'll call you if I need you. Yes, ma'am. You just take it easy, Cara. You want me to send for Doc? No, I'm all right. Who did this? Kitty, let me hide here. Please, I've got to. Of course you can. Dan F... Dan Flack, he did it so... Billy would come after him with a gun. Well, somebody's gotta go after him. Not Billy. He promised. He promised me he wouldn't wear a gun anymore. Dan Flack got me to go around the back there. He-He said it had to do with Billy. I thought he was hurt or something. And then he... beat me and shoved me through the back door. Now, you listen to me, Cara. There's gonna be trouble, and you can't hide from Billy forever. The marshal's gonna have to know about this. No, please, don't tell him. If Billy finds out... Matt just might be able to stop this. I don't want you to worry. I'm not gonna tell anybody but Matt, and neither will Sam. I'll be right back. Don't let him fight. Please, God, don't let him fight. How is she, Miss Kitty? All right, I guess. Sam, did anybody see her here? No, it's been like this for the last hour. Well, that's good. Don't tell anybody she's here. I'm going for Matt. All right, Miss Kitty. Matt? Matt? - Sam. - Oh, hello, Billy. Morning. You, uh, you haven't seen Cara around, have you? No. What-what would she be doing here? Oh, I don't know. I figured she might have dropped by to see Kitty or something. No, it-it's been like this all day. It's bad for business. I was supposed to meet her at the general store. I only left her for a few... Sam, uh, this... Cara was just wearing this hat, Sam. Well, uh... Well, wha-what's going on here? Where is she, huh? Well, uh... Don't go... She ain't... Billy, don't go up there. ♪ Daddy gone West to Kansas ♪ ♪ To make his home in Kansas... ♪ Oh. Oh, hi, Doc. Hey, Chester. What, are you treating somebody in the hotel? Somebody sick in there, are they? Oh, no, no. I got a little time for you, though, if there's anything wrong. Oh, heavens, no. I feel wonderful. Just-just feel real wonderful. - What? - You do? Yeah. Wait-wait-wait-wait a minute, a minute, Doc. What, uh, what-what's wrong with me? I just don't know. Well, you know, come to think of it, this morning when I got up, Doc, there was a kind of a beginning of a burning down in there... - Chester? Hello, Doc. - Miss... Have you seen Matt? I've gotta find him right now. Well, he went out to the fort, Miss... He won't be back until this evening. What's wrong? Dan Flack beat up Cara Miles, that's all. She's hiding in my room. If Billy finds out, he's gonna put a gun on for sure. Well, is she hurt bad? You might take a look at her. You better come along, too, Chester, in case Billy shows up. Well, yeah. Miss Kitty, he was here. Billy? You better go on up, Doc. I couldn't stop him. He went up there, and I heard Cara yelling at him and she got pretty hysterical. And then he came down and left. I guess nobody can stop him now. Well, I'm gonna sure look for him anyway. - I'll be upstairs. - Yeah. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Hargis? Billy Hargis. It was easy. There was nothing to it. Nothing to it. Is there any doubt in any of you people's mind now as to who Dan Flack is? I never seen nothing like it. I was standing right across the street there. Oh, now, now, Hargis, he tried his darndest, mind you, but he just wasn't no match for Dan Flack here. I'd have give a month's pay to seen that. Oh, Hargis, Hargis, he-he was fast, mind you. Terrible fast. Well, he'd have had to be to kill Bo Carter. But he just wasn't in the same class with Dan Flack. How'd you ever get so good, anyway? Well, practice helps. A lot of practice. Course, you understand, takes a lot of natural ability, too. You understand that? Oh, yeah, sure. Got to have that. He's more than you ever expected to find in this country. Come on! Say, I want another drink for my friend Dan here. Dan... he's the one that can do it. I want you to know that. Well, they're still at it, I see. Their mighty hero Dan Flack. Blood sure draws flies, don't it? Any sign of Matt? No. He should be riding in any time, though. How's Cara? She's out of it, thank heaven. Doc's sleeping pills work fine. I just don't know what's gonna become of her, Miss Kitty. Well, she'll go back to work, I'll expect. What else is there? Let's have a drink. Sam, let's have a couple beers. Go on, Sam! Bring us a tankard beer for my friend Dan Flack. - Barkeep? - Yes, sir? What'll it be, mister? A small glass of rye. What's the celebration? Dan Flack there shot and killed a man this afternoon. I recall when that was a cause for mourning. So can I, but that was long before I come to Dodge. Come on, Sam. Hurry it up. - Yeah, come on. - That's it. Put a head on this, would you, Sam? Well, this may not be like Amarillo, but you got a good town here. Well, I bet you Amarillo ain't as tough as this town. - Oh, that was... - Down there now? - Boy, I sure'd like to see it. - Dan Flack. Flack, turn around. Oh, it's just that crazy old Mims. Get out of here, Mims. I ain't buying no drinks for you. I come to kill you. I ain't got no holster or nothing, so I'm holding my gun right here under my coat. Now you go ahead and draw. What's the matter with you? You loco or something? Go on, old man. Get out of here! Billy Hargis was my friend. That's why I'm doing it. Now go ahead, Flack. Pull your gun... if you ain't too big a coward. You miserable old bum! He's dead. You'll pay for this. Mims did it, Marshal! Did you see it happen? Well, I couldn't tell for sure who drawed first. Sam? I missed it, Marshal. Mr. Dillon, Flack here killed Billy Hargis this afternoon. Billy Hargis? Billy Hargis was my friend, Marshal. That's why I killed him. What about the rest of you? Don't talk to them, Mr. Dillon. They was Flack's friends. They'll tell you anything. What about you? You see anything happen? Dead man drew first. What's your name? Carter. Bo Carter. Bo Carter? From Amarillo? I've been there. Carter, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave Dodge. You've caused enough trouble around here already. All right, the rest of you can crawl back in your holes.
Behind the Scenes of Carter Caper
At approximately 42:15, a peculiar sight on the boardwalk catches the eye: a sign reading “Tonsorial Parlor and Pool Hall.” The term “tonsorial” may puzzle modern viewers, as it’s seldom used nowadays. It refers to the work of barbers who provide shaves and haircuts, originating from the Latin verb “tondere,” meaning “to shear, clip, or crop.”
During a conversation, Chester enlightens Billy Hargis about a new option in town, the ‘Acme Rooms.’ These rooms, offering beds for 25¢ a night, present a more economical choice than the established Dodge House. This introduction of a new establishment in Dodge City adds depth to the setting and provides insight into the characters’ economic circumstances.
The credits do not explicitly spell out the gunfighter’s first name, Carter, leaving it open to interpretation. The first name of the gunfighter Carter may be spelled as either “Bo” or “Beau.”
Looking for More Gunsmoke Episodes?
If you’re in the mood for a television series to binge-watch, Gunsmoke is a top choice, whether you’re watching solo or with loved ones. This classic American Western series aired on the CBS network for 20 seasons, from 1955 to 1975. Carter Caper is the 8th episode of Season 9 and promises to deliver more of the gripping storytelling Gunsmoke is known for.
You can find more about any of the Gunsmoke episodes here.