Following the brutal murder of her gentle father, Harriet Horne disregards Matt’s counsel and rashly seeks vengeance by manipulating his killers into becoming jealous rivals for her affection. Gunsmoke Harriet aired on March 4, 1961.

Discover Harriet’s narrative and intriguing insights, or dive into the episode below.

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Gunsmoke Harriet Cast

The following actors featured in the Gunsmoke episode titled Harriet:

• James Arness as Matt Dillon
• Dennis Weaver as Chester
• Milburn Stone as Doc
• Amanda Blake as Kitty
• Suzanne Lloyd as Harriet
• Tom Reese as Scorp
• Ron Hayes as Hoagler
• Joseph Hamilton as Horne
• Howard Culver as Howard
• George Bell as Barfly (uncredited)
• Danny Borzage as Barfly (uncredited)
• Chet Brandenburg as Barfly (uncredited)
• John Breena as Barfly (uncredited)
• Connie Lamont as Saloon Girl (uncredited)
• Fred McDougall as Barfly (uncredited)
• Paul Nichols as Dealer (uncredited)
• Rudy Sooter as Barfly (uncredited)
• Max Wagner as Barfly (uncredited)
• Dan White as Bartender (uncredited)

Full Story Line for Harriet

Following the ruthless murder of her compassionate father, Harriet Horne disregards Matt’s counsel and unwisely endeavors to seek retribution from the perpetrators by manipulating them into becoming jealous rivals for her affection. Out on the prairie, James Horne (portrayed by Joseph Hamilton) and his daughter Harriet (played by Suzanne Lloyd), in her twenties, are camped by their wagon. When two men approach on horseback, James instructs Harriet to conceal herself in the bushes and remain silent. Unfortunately, the men, Ben Hoagler (portrayed by Ron Hayes) and Dan Scorp (portrayed by Tom Reese), prove to be unfriendly and fatally shoot her father before departing.

Undeterred, Harriet embarks on a nearly forty-mile journey to Dodge City, where she concocts her plan for revenge against the killers. Instead of confiding in the Marshal, she opts to work at the Long Branch Saloon until the men arrive to drink, intending to enact her vengeance upon them. However, the two men demonstrate cunning beyond her expectations, potentially placing young Harriet in even greater peril.

Full Script and Dialogue of Harriet

Daddy?

What is it?

Those two men out there.

You... you get in the
brush there and hide.

- Hmm?
- And don't come out no matter what.

- Oh, now really...
- Don't argue.

Now go in there and don't
show yourself no matter what.

- Promise me now.
- All right, I promise.

Hello?

You alone here?




Yes, I'm alone.

What's a man like you
doing out here alone?

I'm a school teacher.

I'm headed for Pueblo.

I reckon I ain't never seen a
school teacher up close before.

I ain't never had
no learning myself.

That's why I'm going west.

There's a great need
for learning out here.

I thought school
teachers was women.

You don't look like
no woman to me.

What do you got in that
wagon, school teacher?

Oh, nothing.

I mean, just my personal
belongings, that's all.

Yeah?




Better take a look, Webb.

Uh, we wouldn't
want to miss nothing.

No, no, we wouldn't
want to do that, no.

Now you keep away from there!

You got no right going
through my things!

- Oh!
- You just keep quiet, old man.

Hey, Scorp, lookie here.

Well, now.

You got a woman with you.

No. No, they're...
they're my wife's.

She died on the way.

I think he's lying, Webb.

Well, maybe he's got
something else around here.

Look. Look in there.

Well, he was going to burn us.

We better get out of here.

Got nothing we want
around here anyway.

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

Daddy?

Dad... Daddy?

Oh, no.

I'll kill you.

Oh. Oh, Daddy.

♪ Then get away ♪

♪♪

♪ Go get you some red ♪

♪ Baby, get away ♪

♪ Oh, a rambling... ♪

Well, hello, Chester.

Howdy, Howard.

Well, are you, uh...?

Are you about ready, are you?

Huh?

Well, I...

Come on, let's get started.

You can dust
that thing off later.

I ain't sure I should, Chester.

Oh, Howard, people like a
hotel to be a nice, homey place,

not something
that's run like a bank.

Well, nobody can say that
about the Dodge House.

Well, you take
your job too serious.

It ain't that important, Howard.

It's important to me, Chester.

Well, so is this checker game.

Just drag up that chair
there and let's get started.

Yeah?

All right.

You want something, miss?

Oh, are... are you the clerk?

Yes.

Well, I'd like a room,
please, if you don't mind.

A room?

Yes, and I'm...
I'm awfully tired.

That's your luggage?

Yes.

You got money for a room?

Oh. Well, I didn't expect
to pay in... in advance.

- Oh.
- Well, I...

Here, here. Sit
down right there.

- You sit down there, ma'am.
- Thank you.

Howard, get her a room.

Can't you see she's all
tuckered out? Now go on.

- All right, Chester.
- Well, yeah.

Now, where... where
you from, ma'am?

St. Louis, but I...

I walked the last 40 miles.

You walked 40 miles?

My horses ran off.

You... you mean to say

that you've been crossing
that prairie out there all alone?

Yes.

- Here you go, miss.
- Oh, thank you.

Howard, I'm gonna see
if I can get Doc Adams,

and then I'm gonna
see if I can get Mr. Dillon.

- Now you take care of her.
- Well, I don't...

- Now...
- Just-just... just take care of yourself.

Oh.

The... room's at
the top of the stairs.

Thank you.

All right now, miss,
you just drink all of that.

Mm.

Room number two, Mr. Dillon.

Well, I'll be glad to
talk to her, Chester,

but I don't know what
there is I can do for her.

Well, she's just in
awful bad shape,

and she don't seem to
have no friends or nothing.

I thought you ought
to see her anyway.

Come in.

How is she, Doc?

Well, she's fine.

Nothing wrong with her that
a good night's rest won't cure.

Uh, Miss Harriet, I'd like for
you to meet Marshal Dillon.

- Oh, how do you do, Marshal?
- How do?

There will be some food
along for you in just a minute.

I stopped by
Delmonico's and told them

to fix you up a nice,
big pot of thick soup.

Thank you, Chester.

I-I thought that
we ought to start off

with something kind of light.

Thick soup, huh?

Well, you go back
down to Delmonico's

and tell them to boil a
chicken for this young lady.

His idea of nourishing soup,
miss, is something thick enough

you can eat with a fork

with ham and beans
and everything in it.

Well, I'm... I'm not hungry
just now anyway, but...

but I do appreciate all
you've done, Chester.

Well, that's all right.

Harriet, I understand
you had a 40-mile walk.

Yes.

Oh, Chester said your horses

ran off with you.

Were you traveling with a wagon?

Yes, they, uh... they
got away during the night.

Well, that's too bad.

Were you traveling alone?

Yes.

I see. Well, uh...
where'd you come from?

I'm from St. Louis.

I was headed here for Dodge.

I had a little bad luck.

It could happen to anybody.

Hmm. You were
lucky you got here.

It isn't very often

a girl travels alone
out on the prairie.

I did, Marshal.

Sure.

Well, uh, Harriet, you
get yourself some rest.

It was nice to meet you.

Marshal.

Those powders I gave you
will get you a good night's rest,

and you'll feel better tomorrow.

Thank you, Doc.

If there's anything that you
need, you just send for me.

Thank you, Chester.

Well, what do you
think now, Mr. Dillon?

Well, I don't think she's
telling us everything.

What do you mean?

Doc, what do you think?

Well, I believe the part about
the 40-mile walk, all right,

but just don't think you
got the whole story yet.

I don't, either.

Uh, I'm looking for the owner.

Over there.

Who?

The lady, Miss Kitty Russell.

The lady?

That's right, miss.

Hello.

- Miss Russell?
- That's right.

My name's Harriet Horne.

I'm looking for a job.

- Well, sit down.
- Thank you.

I've heard about you.

The marshal and Chester
are friends of mine.

Oh.

Well, you look pretty good

for a girl who arrived in town
yesterday, broke and on foot.

Well, I... I bought this
dress this morning, on credit.

Well, I'd say you
were a good risk.

You know if... if you're
looking for a job here,

all I can tell you is that,

well, I don't think the
Long Branch is any place

for a girl like you.

You don't think I can handle it?

There are other jobs.

Maybe I can help you find one.

Chester was talking
about this place,

and he said, "Sooner or later,

every man in the
west comes in here."

What's that got to do with it?

I want this job.

I've got to have it.

You must be
looking for somebody.

Yes.

Maybe I know him.

I'm, uh...

looking for a husband.

All right.

Okay.

You can start tomorrow.

Thank you.

But you're gonna hate it.

You're really gonna hate it.

How's everything going here?

- Fine, Miss Kitty.
- Good.

Well, the thing is,

you're just not happy here.

- I-I... I can... I can tell.
- Oh, Chester.

- Oh.
- You look like you're enjoying yourself.

- Well...
- Kitty.

Uh, see what I mean to say
is that it's-it's just not right.

That's all.

Oh, now, Chester, please
don't worry about me.

I get along fine here.

Well... you-you
can't tell me that, no.

I mean, what I mean is

that no lady like yourself
could... could get along...

Now, don't you tell Miss
Kitty that. She'll fire me.

Well, she oughtn't have
hired you here in the first place.

I told her that.
I did. I told her.

Well, now, what did she say?

Well, she just...

She said she had a reason.

Did she tell you what it was?

No.

She said if I was a gentleman
that I wouldn't have asked.

Uh, of course it
was too late then.

I mean... I'd already asked.

Oh, Chester.

Please, look, don't
let it bother you.

You... you are a gentleman.

Well, that's... It's-it's...

She didn't tell me the-the
reason, though. Uh...

What's the matter?

- Nothing.
- No?

Nothing at all.

Do you know those
two men, Chester?

Who, Webb Hoagler and Dan Scorp?

Yeah, I know 'em.

One of 'em is no better
than the other, though.

I can tell you that.

Why?

I've got to talk to them.

What for?

Well, I'm supposed to be
working here, remember?

Well, yeah, but, I mean,
I'm a customer, too.

No, you're not.

You're a friend.

- Oh...
- Now, excuse me.

Hello, gentlemen.

Beat it.

No, no, wait a minute.

Have a drink?

Yes, thank you.

Barkeep, bring us another glass.

For the lady.

Well, now, you're new
here, ain't you, honey?

Mm-hmm.

My name is Harriet.

You should, uh, come
in here more often.

Well, now, maybe I will.

Now, you never mind him.

I'm the one that
ordered you the drink.

Thank you.

No, no, no, down it.

It's good for you.

You know, I like that.

A man who tells
you what he wants.

Hey, you're all right, Harriet.

Oh, I've only been
here for a few days.

I, I hope you both
aren't just riding through.

Oh, we'll be here for a while.

We, we drift in and out.

Good.

This town needs some real men.

Now, you're talking
about me, ain't you?

I'm, I'm talking
about both of you.

You, uh, you look like
you're a good fighter.

Fighter?

He ain't half the fighter I am.

You, uh, like a man
who can fight, huh?

I like a man who knows
what he wants and takes it.

Keeps it, too.

I don't like wishy-washy men.

You came to the
right place, honey,

'cause nobody ever took
nothing from Dan Scorp.

Oh, I can believe that.

But, uh, why don't we sit down?

It'd be cozier, don't you think?

Be a lot cozier without him.

But I like both of you.

You couldn't stand him
very long anyway, Harriet.

He ain't got much manners.

I'll lay you odds on how
long she could stand me.

You men... you're always
betting on everything.

Be anything more, Chester?

Put that on my bill.

I, uh, I hope I'll see
you both more often.

Oh, you will, honey.

Who is it?

Marshal Dillon.

Oh, I'm, I'm coming.

What is it you want, Marshal?

Harriet, I'd like to talk to
you for a minute if I can.

- Come in.
- Thank you.

I, uh, didn't expect you
to come calling, Marshal.

Harriet, I wanted to, uh, talk to
you about Scorp and Hoagler.

What about them?

I've been hearing
what's going on

down there in the Long Branch.

It, uh, kind of sounds to me

like you're trying to
get 'em into a fight.

I beg your pardon.

Keep this up, you're gonna
get 'em killed, you know.

You're pretty smart,
aren't you, Marshal?

Harriet, look.

I'd like to help you if I can.

Now, why don't you
tell me the whole story?

Tell me who was
out there with you.

My father.

They killed him and then
they ran off the horses.

Well, I was hiding,
but I saw it all.

I see.

I'm terribly sorry, Harriet.

Look, uh, I'll go and
pick 'em up right now.

Oh, no, you won't.

They're mine.

Now, Harriet, I can
understand how you feel,

but this is my job, not yours.

I'll pick 'em up,
I'll put 'em in jail,

and they'll stand trial
for what they've done.

I won't testify, I
won't give evidence,

I won't even tell you
where it happened.

Now, Harriet...

No, they're mine.

They're going to
die because of me.

I'll be their hangman,
not you or anybody else!

Harriet, you're
making a big mistake.

You can get hurt doing this.

This isn't your kind of game.

I'm sorry, Marshal.

Look... if you change
your mind, let me know.

- How they doing in there?
- Oh, same ol' thing.

Over Harriet, you mean?

Yeah, well, she's
really got 'em going now.

What do you mean?

Well, just a little more time
and they're gonna be fighting.

There ain't no doubt about it.

Now, Chester, I'll tell
you what I want you to do.

- What?
- Go in there and tell Scorp

I want to talk to him out here.

All right.

What do you want to
see me for, Marshal?

I'm busy.

What's the matter?

Afraid your friend's
going to run off with Harriet

while you're in there?

How do you know so much?

You know, I can understand
him being taken in by her,

but I thought you had
more sense than that.

What are you talking about?

Pretty smart, isn't she?

Comes into town a
complete stranger,

and inside of a couple of days

she's got two good
friends fighting over her,

about to kill each other.

Makes a lot of
sense, doesn't it?

Well, what's your interest?

I don't like you, Scorp,
and I don't like your partner,

but I don't like
gunfighting either.

Well, I guess
you're right, Marshal.

Yeah.

Woman ain't worth fighting over.

You think he means
that, Mr. Dillon?

Chester, did you get a
good night's sleep last night?

Sure did, yeah.

I want you to
stay in here tonight

and keep a close
watch on Harriet.

If anything unusual happens,
let me know right away.

It's pretty here, isn't it?

That's why I brought
you out here, honey.

Let's get down.

Oh, uh, I can't stay.

I, uh, promised Dan Scorp

I'd meet him for dinner
at Delmonico's at 2:00.

But it ain't hardly noon yet.

We got plenty of time.

All right, just for
a minute, then.

Sure.

Oh, why don't we, uh, take a
walk over and look at the river?

Look, I just don't have time.

What's bothering you, Harriet?

Nothing.

You, uh, you worried Scorp
might take it wrong if you're late?

Of course not.

I told Dan I was going for
a ride with you this morning.

You sure did, honey.

Now, what do you mean by that?

Look.

Well, Dan, what
are you doing here?

Are, uh, are you jealous
because I came here with Webb?

No, I ain't jealous.

No reason I should be
jealous, is there, Webb?

No reason I know of.

We've been partners a long time.

I don't reckon any gal
is going to bust us up.

Not hardly.

Except I don't like being
used by a gal, do you?

No, I don't, and I figure,

anybody that tries it
ought to be taught a lesson.

What are you talking about?

Well, you thought you
were playing it real smart

when you played us
off one against the other,

didn't you, honey?

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Did you ever get
whipped with a rope?

You wouldn't dare.

Oh, honey, it'll be a lesson
you won't never forget,

not for a long time.

- Hold it just a minute, honey.
- Let go of me.

There's something
I've been wanting to do

- for a long time.
- Let go of me.

No.

Hold it.

Howdy, Marshal.

Now, Harriet... you ready
to play it my way now?

Yes, I'll testify.

I'll give the judge all
the evidence he'll need.

What are you talking about?

In case you'd forgotten
about it, the man you killed

out in the prairie the
other day was her father.

That's a lie, Marshal.

She was hiding in the bushes,
she saw the whole thing.

Now, wait a minute,
Marshal, you know that...

Don't shoot, Marshal.

Chester, get his gun out.

All right, let's go.

Uh, Marshal.

I, uh, I don't know
what I would have done

if you hadn't gotten
there when you did.

Well, Harriet, I'm
afraid you'll have

to thank Chester here for that.

He camped outside
the hotel all night

and he saw you leave
this morning with Hoagler.

Chester, why don't you walk
Harriet back to the hotel, huh?

Well...

Appreciate it, Chester.

Bye, Harriet.

Marshal.

Well... I...

All right, you know,
as a matter of fact,

maybe after you get washed
up and freshened up a bit,

maybe you,
you'd like a little bit

of something to eat, you know.

Probably some
good, nourishing food

is just what you
might need the most.

Like, uh, some soup?

Yeah.

Looking for More Gunsmoke Episodes?

Enjoying a bowl of popcorn while watching the Gunsmoke series makes for a perfect evening with family or friends. This iconic American Western television series spanned an impressive 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975. Harriet is the 24th episode of Season 06, offering yet another thrilling installment in this beloved saga.

You can find more about any of the Gunsmoke episodes here.