Snow Train Part 1 and Part 2 Full Episode – Gunsmoke, Season #16, Episode #06 and #07

Gunsmoke is a long-running Western series starring James Arness, who played the central character, Marshal Matt Dillon. Apart from the Marshal’s adventures, other characters in the show were often involved in gunfights and brawls—a typical scenario that revolves around most Westerns. Despite the violence, Gunsmoke was a popular show and one of the longest-running television programs in history, often credited with helping to define the Western genre on television. Snow Train is a two-part episode from season 16 of Gunsmoke.

Produced by Joseph Dackow, directed by Gunnar Hellstrom, and written by Preston Wood, the episode aired on Oct 19 and 26, 1970, respectively.

In Snow Train’s first part, Marshal Matt Dillon, Doc, and Festus are riding a train through snow-covered mountains. However, a group of Indians stopped the train, insisting the people aboard turn over two unknown passengers who sold them poisonous whiskey.

The story continues in part two, where Dillon escapes from three Indian braves. He moves to a telegraph station, discovering that the telegraph lines are down. Before the lines go off, Dillon receives the advisory regarding which passengers sold the lousy whiskey. He immediately heads back to the train, just in time to save the soldiers from the Indians. The crisis eventually ends, but the impact of what happened on the train journey will remain on the lives of the passengers.

Read the storyline and behind-the-scenes information of the two-part episode, Snow Train, or watch the full Gunsmoke episode below.

Watch the Full Gunsmoke Episode, Snow Train Part 1

Watch the full episode of Snow Train Part 1:

Watch the Full Gunsmoke Episode, Snow Train Part 2

Watch the full episode of Snow Train Part 2:

Gunsmoke Snow Train Part 1 and 2 Cast

The following actors appeared in the two-part Gunsmoke episode, Snow Train.

• James Arness as Matt Dillon
• Milburn Stone as Doc
• Amanda Blake as Kitty (credit only)
• Ken Curtis as Festus
• Buck Taylor as Newly (credit only)
• Eddie Applegate as Al
• Tim Considine as Scott Coleman
• Pamela Dunlap as Ada Coleman
• Dana Elcar as Pennigrath
• Roy Engel as Tibbett
• Gene Evans as Billy
• Eddie Firestone as Hap
• Ron Hayes as Floyd Coleman
• Clifton James as Sam Wickes
• Richard Kelton as Bud (as Richard D. Kelton)
• Doreen Lang as Mae
• Ken Lynch as Lucas
• John Milford as Clay Foreman
• Anne Seymour as Sarah
• Loretta Swit as Donna
• Richard Lapp as Running Fox
• X Brands as Red Willow
• Ronald A. One Feather as Hunter
• Lemoyne L. LaPointe as Hunter
• LeMoyne W. Millard as Hunter
• Fred McDougall as Indian (uncredited)

Full Story Line for Snow Train Part 1

Marshall Matt Dillon, Doc, and Festus are returning to Dodge City on a train. Other passengers heading to Dodge include a pair of sisters spinning thread, an engaged couple, and a Reverend. Unbeknownst to them, a large group of Indians is on standby, waiting for the train to pass by a spot across the snow-covered mountains. The group successfully blocked the train using the trees they’d set up on the rail tracks. Dillon goes outside to check the area but immediately returns inside to stop the passengers that started shooting.

Dillon returns outside with Festus and finds the Sioux chief from Stone Ridge, Red Willow, approaching the train. He orders Festus to head inside to see that the passengers wouldn’t do anything foolish out of panic or fear as he speaks with the Indians.

The Indians refuse to let anyone leave the train. Dillon tells them that troops from Fort Dodge will punish them if this continues. Still, they wouldn’t budge. The group wanted to find the two unknown men who sold them poisoned whiskey, causing the death of three braves and the blindness of five others. Dillon agrees to find the passengers, to which the Indians agree.

Meanwhile, Doc tends to Ada Coleman, the pregnant woman on board. He tells her husband, Scott, to keep quiet and prevent Ada from moving too much.

Dillon informs the passengers about the situation. Some insist the Indians may lie, intending to rob the train later. Dillon explains that the Indians could have derailed the train instead of putting up a barricade if that had been the case.

Despite Dillon’s order, the conductor and two men prepared themselves with guns, then started the train’s engine. The Indians cut off another tree to block the train’s movement. One started shooting, only for another to get hit by an arrow on his back. The Indians began firing arrows all over the place. Once the Indians leave, Dillon tells the passengers to get the windows sealed up. He also orders the conductor to warm up a pot of coffee and check the comfort of his passengers.

One of the passengers proposes to find the guilty men among the passengers to prevent the dreadful outcomes that may come. He suggests getting to know the passengers and their whereabouts in Denver. To begin, he introduces himself as Sam Wickes, a buyer of yearlings in the cow towns who spend an entire week in Denver. He vouched for another passenger, Mr. Pennigrath, who he spent dinner with almost every night. Dillon finds them discussing, then asks if that would mean turning the guilty men over to the Indians. Another passenger agrees, believing it’s right to do, considering they sold poisoned whiskey to the Indians. Dillon informs them that they have another option: him going to the next relay station and returning with soldiers.

Festus and Floyd Coleman set up a show to distract the Indians as Dillon leaves the train. However, some Indians found his footsteps in the snow and started following him.

Doc asked the Reverend to read a passage from the Bible in hopes of comforting the dying passenger from earlier. He also tells Scott to rest since the sedative should put Ada to sleep.

Realizing the trouble they made, the two guilty men find themselves trapped, especially with Sam questioning each passenger’s whereabouts.

On the other hand, the two sisters, Mae and Sarah, express their thoughts toward each other. Each sister envies the other for a thing or two. Still, they find the view in each other, happy that they’ve been together for decades.

The first part ends with Dillon running ahead of three Indians who tracked his footprints on the snow.

Full Story Line for Snow Train Part 2

The passengers, headed by Wickes and Billy, think of alternatives, including fighting the Indians with guns. Festus, the deputy-in-charge, insists they wait for Matt to decide what will happen once he returns.

Meanwhile, Matt heads to the telegraph station on foot, trying to escape from the three Indian braves following his tracks. He eventually managed to defeat them at an abandoned shack.

The Indians broke the train’s stove from outside, causing the passengers to panic. Festus tells everyone to stay calm, only for Clay Foreman and Sam Wickes to use the situation to their advantage by disarming Festus. Wickes makes the passengers vote whether they think the guilty men are on board. Floyd votes yes, while Scott, Al, and Bud hesitantly follow. Billy states he has to think about it, while Mae believes finding the truth would be enough. Regardless of the other passengers, Sarah and Donna, disagreeing, the votes overwhelm the others.

Matt ties the three Indian braves at an old shack as he continues to the telegraph station. He eventually arrives at the station, only to discover that the lines are dead and won’t get fixed until tomorrow. However, before the lines went down, the telegraph operator received an advisory from Cheyenne with the names of the two men who sold the poisonous whiskey. Matt borrows the telegraph operator’s horse and heads back to the train.

The passengers go back to questioning the whereabouts of one another. Two passengers, Al and Bud, claim they’re heading to Dodge to look for work. Although their story appears out of place at some point, Wickes thinks none of the passengers are above suspicion.

On the other hand, Ada is experiencing cramps and worrying that they may lose their baby again. Doc assures Scott and Ada that it’s not unusual to experience such, considering their situation.

Under Wickes’ pressure, Al and Bud eventually admit lying about their whereabouts. They confess to being Army deserters, insisting they had nothing to do with the whiskey and only sold the wagon they got to get train fare back home. The Indians suddenly start shooting fire arrows. A commotion ensues inside, leaving the passengers no choice but to surrender the Army deserters, who they believe are the guilty men.

Fortunately, Matt returns just in time to prevent the Indians from shooting the soldiers to death. Wickes argues that they threw those men because they had no choice. Matt reveals that he knows who sold the whiskey, ordering them to head back inside. While talking to the Indians, one of the guilty passengers shoots Matt, but Matt immediately retaliates, causing the other’s death. Scott and Floyd apparently sold the whiskey, not knowing it was poisonous.

Matt finds Scott, one of the passengers with a pregnant wife, turning himself over to the Indians. Scott tells the Indians that they bought the whiskey to make some money, not knowing it was poisonous. He further apologizes and asks to let the train move on with the innocent people in it. Matt convinces the Indians to let Scott stand trial, as he is his prisoner and a pregnant woman aboard needs attention in Dodge. If they wish to take Scott, there will be more bloodshed, and it isn’t something the Sioux, nor Dillon, would like to happen. The chief agrees, letting them go in peace.

Although the ordeal ended, the passengers made some decisions that would change their lives forever. Donna thinks it’s best to call their engagement off after seeing how Clay handled the crisis earlier. Matt gives Al and Bud the right to turn themselves in, which Al believes is better than what happened on the train. Mae has a feeling of deep shame after realizing her actions earlier. However, Sarah and Billy assure her that situations like this make people say things they don’t mean at all. Wickes argues that they had no choice. Matt tells him that he has a choice, and that’s what he chose.

Full Script and Dialogue of Snow Train Part 1

Can't you see what
I'm talking about, Doc?

Don't you understand?

Coming up onto
Mile High Turn, folks.

Prettiest view in nine states.

You see? That law
feller didn't have to...

Hush up and look at the view.

Festus: I done saw it.

He didn't have to call on you
after Matthew got done talking

and I got done
doing my talking...




Yeah, when you got
done doing your talking,

everybody in the courtroom including
the prosecutor was stone deaf.

Well, Doc, you get
a free trip to Denver.

Get to stay in a
first-class hotel.

Gotta look at the bright side.

Well, the dark side is what I
remember in the courtroom there.

By the time he got through
testifying for six hours.

- Doing what?
- Testifying.

I didn't do no such a thing.

All I done was tell him
everything I knowed.

Now, and even if I did, when
a feller asks you who you are

and all the things you been a doing
as a Deputy United States Marshal

leading up to when that feller got
himself shot in the Long Branch,

you gotta start clean back
at the beginning, don't ya?




See what I mean? Don't ever use one
word when six'll muddle up everything.

All right, I call. I'm short.

I call too.

A little straight.

To the ace.

This game is getting
too rich for my blood.

All right, how much am I short?

An even 50 short.

I hope that Dodge bank
will be cashing your notes

at the same speed
you're making them up.

Are you questioning my honesty?

Oh, it never entered my mind.

Now, who said all the
buffalo disappeared?

Instead of looking at buffalo,
why don't you shuffle the cards?

Enjoying the trip, ma'am?

I don't remember a
more enjoyable one.

Well, if it's any consolation,
your husband is winning.

Who said he's my husband?

'Bout time for a
little fuel myself.

There's a nice view to your...

Quite a view out there, ladies.

Quite a view in
here too, conductor.

Pardon me, ladies.

Are we on time, conductor?

Pretty close, ma'am. We'll be
in Dodge before dark tomorrow.

Oh, Scott, look.

Your ears are
still bothering you.

Just swallow hard, Mrs. Coleman.

Relieves the pressure
on the ears in a twinkling.

Thank you. I'll be all right.

I can ask that doctor if he
has something for you to take.

No, don't bother him now, Scott.

Okay.

Ain't that something,
Mr. Pennigrath?

Many times as I see
it, I never get tired of it.

Well, I understand, Mr. Lucas.

The Lord's good handiwork.

Oh, Sarah, look.

- Oh.
- Isn't that adorable?

Isn't this view just marvelous?

Well, Matt, for all the good I did at
that trial, I could have sent a letter.

Well, the verdict came out
right, Doc. That's what counts.

I'll tell you something. I had me a big
hand in the way that thing come out.

The way that feller was lying
his blamed head off there...

Will you quit stomping those
feet? You're making me nervous.

Well, they're cold, Doc.

Well, 'course they're cold.

It's always cold at this
altitude in the wintertime.

You look out there, it must be below
zero. Look at the frost on the windows.

It's cold.

Well, how come my
head's so hot then?

Well, sit down and
I'll explain it to you.

See, the reason for that
is that the cold air is cold

and it stays down at the
bottom around your feet, you see,

and the hot air rises up
around the hot air in your head.

All right. You don't have
to start to hoorah me.

I'm not. I'm explaining
it to you. I'm trying to.

You see? When the stove
heats up the air in the car,

all the cold air stays down at
the bottom around your feet,

and then hot air
rises up to the top,

and your feet get cold,
and your head stays warm.

Well, how does the cold air know when
it's cold and ought to stay down yonder

and the hot air know that it's hot
and ought to be rising up yonder?

Oh, don't you know that?

- No, do you?
- Certainly.

- Why?
- I'm not gonna tell ya.

Matthew, is he hoorahin' me?

No, no, he's telling
you the truth, Festus.

Should have bought yourself some
of these warm boots like we did.

- Yeah.
- Oh, no.

Ain't nobody gonna talk me
into spending my "pure dime"

on no old pair of boots.

Wait a minute. Your what?

My "pure dime"!

Of course, I don't
expect no grouches

full of hot air to know
what that means.

Maybe you'd be kind
enough to explain it to me.

Well, sure.

No, wait a minute.
I'll explain it to you.

Per diem. It's not "pure
dime." It's per diem,

and that is a Latin
expression, is what it is...

- Well, of course.
- And it means this.

It means a daily allowance

that is given to you for food
and lodging and things like that,

and any government
agency pays that to a citizen

when they render
a service. Per diem!

Exactly what I said.

- Well?
- Did you win?

Uh, well, it cost me
a bundle to find out

a man who looks like a
professional gambler probably is.

Just how much did you lose?

Uh, well, too much.

Oh, Floyd. You just have no
willpower when it comes to gambling.

Oh, come on now.

You ought to be more sensible.
You work too hard for your money.

Don't worry, Ada.

Wild country out there.

Hmm. I'll be it's
good cougar huntin'.

Look out ahead!

We hit something.

Doctor.

Festus, stay here.

I think I got one.

Oh, for the love of
heaven, what's happening?

Hold your fire. Hold your fire.

- There's Indians out there.
- We have a right to defend ourselves.

- That don't make it...
- Hold your fire. Put the guns up.

- Yes, sir.
- The Indians aren't attacking.

I don't want anybody
firing unless they do.

Marshal, the tracks
ahead have been blocked.

I know it.

- Doc, how is she?
- I don't know yet.

What are they stopping
the train for, Marshal?

There's a hundred
Indians out there.

Doctor, you stay here and
keep these people calm.

Festus?

- Put them rifles up.
- All right, folks. You heard the Marshal.

Just say in your seats
and no more shootin'.

Get back in your
seats, all of ya.

Let's find out what
this is all about first.

If it's about Indians, it ain't
good. You can bet on that.

All right, now just calm down.

Appear to be Sioux, Matthew.

Come on.

I thought we were sitting ducks.

Well, they're not
shooting at anybody.

If they'd wanted to wreck this
train, they could have taken out a rail.

Matthew.

You know, I think I know
who that is. Red Willow.

That Sioux chief
from Stone Ridge.

Yeah.

I might go out and have
a talk with him, Festus.

Get back inside and see that
nobody gets nervous with a gun.

I'll do it.

Hey, Doc. Would you like a hand?

I know, I know. Thank
you. I'll let you know.

Plenty of blankets and such
in the baggage car, Doctor.

Stone Ridge Reservation, huh?

Tough bunch.

Really tough.

What do you reckon
it is they want?

No telling about
Indians. Especially Sioux.

You are Red Willow?

Do you speak English?

Maybe I can make you understand.

You'll be making a big mistake if
you don't get those trees off the track.

They will stay!

Anybody leaving
train will be killed!

If anything happens to any of
the passengers aboard this train,

you'll all be held accountable.

The train will not move.

Troops will be sent out from
Fort Dodge to punish you.

We are not afraid of soldiers.

Well, it seems to me
that it makes more sense

for you and your father

to come in to Dodge
City with me and testify...

The men will hang?

If they're aboard
this train, I'll find 'em.

You have my word on it.

They'll be charged with murder.

If they're found guilty,
they'll be punished.

Some of braves with us.

One lost his brother.

Another, his father is blind.

Talk to them.

Tell them that I am as
concerned as they are

that the guilty men
be found and punished.

We will talk to others.

Are you about six
months along, maybe?

Yeah, just about that, Doctor.

Doctor, I... I lost
my other baby.

You lost the baby?

A son, Doctor.

A... A fine boy.

Had blonde hair. It was curly.

- It was my fault.
- No, Scott...

- Ada, it was my fault.
- No, it wasn't, Scott.

I took her with me in the Black Hills,
prospecting, about two years back.

But we were together, Scott,

and that's the way I wanted it.

It was my fault. We
should have stayed put.

Doc?

Doc, you're not gonna leave her.

You're gonna have
to be very quiet.

I don't want her
moving around any at all.

I'll be close.

How's the woman?

Well, she's carrying a baby, Matt,
and I'm pretty concerned about her.

And I'll tell you something.

She'd be a lot better
off almost anyplace else.

Doc, we got quite
a problem going.

I want you to be in on it.

What do they want, Marshal?

They got some scalping
on their minds, I'll bet.

All right, folks, now just
sit down and be calm,

and I'll try to explain it you.

Now, these are Sioux Indians
out here, off the reservation.

Now, they claim that two men
sold 'em poisoned whiskey.

Three of their braves are
dead, and five of 'em are blind.

That's horrible.

What's that got to
do with us, Marshal?

Well, they claim that the two
men got on this train in Denver.

- They don't know who they are...
- What do you mean don't know who they are?

They want us to
turn 'em over to 'em.

Yeah, but how do we
know they're telling the truth?

Maybe they just want to board
the train, do some robbing,

get hold of the women?

All right, that's enough now.

I'm not gonna turn 'em over
even if I knew who the men were.

But I'll tell you one thing.

All of you folks are gonna
have some explaining to do

about where you were just
before you got on this train.

Ha. What about
right now, Marshal?

If they'd wanted to
hurt innocent people,

they could have derailed the
train instead of going to the trouble

of putting up this barricade.

Well, they're sure not
settling for any standoff.

What you're really saying
is we're trapped here.

We're gonna have
to stall for a while,

but I personally think
that the reservation police

are gonna be out
looking for 'em.

They might not miss anybody
for days on that reservation.

In the meantime, I'm gonna be
talking some more with Red Willow.

I fought Injuns in the army.

I never heard no talk from
them that made any sense.

I better get back, Matt.

I'm not sure you know what it
means to be stranded up in this country

this time of year, Marshal.

When the sun goes down,
so does the temperature.

Drop of 40, 50 degrees during
a single night is not unusual.

We're just gonna have
to make the best of it.

I just wish the marshal had a
chance to know what we're doing.

I'm the conductor on
this train, not the marshal.

I'll take full responsibility
on getting us out of here.

I don't know how
good this is gonna be,

but it'll be nourishing.

Thank you.

Doc: That's it.

They're getting guns.

I hope you're not
planning on using those.

Just keeping 'em handy in
case we need them, Doctor.

Well, they're all coming back.

I hope they've talked it over
and decided to listen to reason.

What if they ain't?

I hate to think
about that, Festus.

There aren't more than a
dozen guns on board here.

If they attack, we
don't have a chance.

Want me to go with you?

No, I think it's better
if you stay here.

Some of those folks
are pretty scared.

I'll... I'll do it, Matthew.

Good luck to you.

Go!

Jump aboard, Marshal!

Give me that gun!

Get up here!

Get the doctor.

Right over here.

Matthew? I heard some shooting.

Give him a hand, Festus.

Want him right here.

- Easy.
- Let me help you, Doc.

Conductor?

Was this your idea?

The train is my responsibility.

From now on, the comfort of the
passengers is your only responsibility.

Festus.

Get me out of here!

All right, everybody get down.

All right, down.

Stay down.

I thought we had a chance
before that shooting started.

But I'm afraid it's
past talking now.

What'd he say, Matthew?

Gave us until morning to
turn over those two men.

Supposing we don't?

Well, they didn't
say, but you...

you don't have to
use much imagination.

If we don't freeze
tonight, we die tomorrow.

All right, get those
windows sealed up.

Use anything you can.
Blankets, whatever you can find.

I once spent three
nights up here, Marshal,

a rock slide
blocking the tracks.

A doctor took off
two of my toes.

We can get along
without that kind of talk.

There'll be help.

When the train doesn't come in
time, there'll be help, won't there?

Mister, they call
this a snow train.

A two-day delay is not unusual.

If we get caught in a blizzard or
a rock slide crosses the tracks,

they'll start looking for
us after the second day.

Maybe after three.

Ask questions in Dodge, Marshal?
You better start asking right now.

And then what?

And kick their worthless
souls right out of this train.

Well?

- You got a better answer?
- I think so.

Warm up a pot of coffee and see
to the comfort of your passengers.

Marshal?

I... I didn't think it
was a good idea.

I'm sorry.

It's not important now.

It's bad, ain't it, Doc?

I don't know yet.

Doc, I've been thinking
about something.

Yes?

If the Almighty's
making a choice...

Mm-hmm.

Her and that baby.

That's kinda more
important than me.

See anything?

I keep thinking I seen
'em at the edge of the trees,

but it's only the
shadows on the snow.

Whether you see
'em out there or not,

you can bet they're there.

Yeah.

Then of course there's my
work at the orphanage, but...

it's hardly work.
Not with children.

My whole point is you win,
but it goes out just was fast.

It doesn't seem to be real
money. To plan ahead with, I mean.

I got this fella Wickes hooked
for plenty if we ever get out of here.

Here you are, Matthew. You think
you're gonna be warm enough now?

Oh, yeah, I'll be fine,
Festus. Thank you.

Doc? How are they?

Well, Matt, I know there's
nothing you can do about this.

They'll be a lot better off when they
get someplace where it's warmer.

Marshal, do you think maybe you
could go up and talk to the Indians again?

Let 'em know what's at stake.

They don't care what's at stake.

All they care about's
the two men they're after.

They gotta be
colder than we are.

I mean, out there in the open.

Freezing by this time.

No, no. The only thing they'll do
is bury theirselves under that snow

and them buffalo robes and hides

just like they been doing
on them hunting parties

ever since they was
old enough to toddle.

That's what they'll do.

Could we fight 'em? I
mean, sneak out of the car.

What men we have would
catch 'em by surprise.

You don't surprise
the Sioux Indians.

Marshal, it's 20 miles on foot.

I don't see your
chances of making it.

It's only ten miles if I go
by way of Glacier Pass.

Oh, Festus, here.

Take this.

Matthew, you ought to have it.

There's over a hundred
Indians out there, Festus.

If I don't make it, you're gonna
need every gun you can get.

When that moon
starts coming out,

Marshal, it's gonna be like
daylight out on that snow.

I know it.

I plan to be long gone
before the moon comes up.

I imagine you've had some
experience with Indians?

- Some.
- If they gave us till morning,

what do you think
they're gonna do?

Fire the train.

Get us out in the open,
then point to any two of us.

Skin us out, guilty or not.

What do you mean?

Skin out two of us.

Tie us up to a tree
and start cutting.

Attention, everyone.

There are two men aboard
this train guilty of murder.

Yet no one's been
asking any questions.

Don't you find that strange?

Why is that?

There's a strong possibility by
morning this car may be burned,

and we'll be out in the
cold facing those Indians.

Now, Mr., uh...
Billy. Just Billy.

As I was about to say, uh,
Mr. Billy here knows very well

that something dreadful can
happen to innocent people

if we just sit around
here doing nothing.

Now, I propose if
anything is to happen

that we try to see to it that it
happens to the guilty parties.

Except you don't
know who they are.

Well, my lad, that should not
be too difficult to determine.

Let's find out who we all are.

What business we had in
Denver. Where we stayed.

If any of us had time to take an
overnight trip to that reservation.

Suppose I start it off.

My name's Wickes. Sam Wickes.

I buy yearlings
in the cow towns.

I spent the entire week in
Denver. That can be proven.

Stayed at the Crawford Hotel.

In fact, Mr. Pennigrath and I
had dinner most every night.

Neither one of us had time to take a
wagon, go up the Stone Ridge Reservation.

I can vouch for Mr. Pennigrath,
and I'm sure he can vouch for me.

Now, who else wants to speak up?

Mr. Wickes here
can vouch for me.

That's very true. We're
narrowing it down.

Narrowing what down?

Simply trying to identify the guilty
men by process of elimination.

All right, what are you
gonna do if you find 'em?

Turn 'em over to the Indians?

Well, at best, we're
all pretty curious.

I, for one, agree that anyone selling
poisoned whiskey to the Indians

deserves everything they get.

She's absolutely right.

I'll tell you this, Marshal.

If it comes down to them
or us, it ain't no choice at all.

Well, we've got a
choice, and I'm taking it.

So happens up here at the next
relay station there's a telegraph.

Now, I figure I can get
there in four or five hours.

If I can, I can be back here
by morning with soldiers.

How are you gonna get off this
train without them seeing you?

Well, we just have to divert the
Indians' attention for a few seconds

while I jump off the back end.

My deputy Festus Haggin and
Mr. Coleman are gonna help me with that.

Uh, Doc? Better tell the
folks not to pay no never mind

what we're fixin'
to do out here.

We're just gonna put on a
show for them Indians out yonder.

Come on.

Let go of me now!

Let go of me now!

Put it down! Now put it down!

Marshal told you to
stay in the passenger car

with the rest of
them passengers.

Go on now.

The conductor said
you wanted to see me.

Yes, Reverend.

Reverend, it's kinda touch
and go with this fella over here.

I think you can help him.

He thinks he's dying.

He's asked for you.

Is he dying?

Well, I'm not sure.
He may pull through.

But I'd like you to comfort him.

Doctor.

We could all be
dead by tomorrow.

I can't go that far.

Why not?

I work the trains.

Confidence man.

Yes.

Regardless of that...

you can be of service to him.

To cheat people out of
their money is one thing.

To deceive a man
who's meeting his maker?

I'm not asking
you to deceive him.

I'm asking you to read to him.

- Read?
- From the Bible.

What?

I want you to read a
passage from the Bible to him.

But I... No.

Might do you some good.

Look, I just carry it around.

You never read it?

No. I don't go that far.

Think I said that.

There's a few things
I could say to you.

There's no time for that.

Now, you go over there

and you do what any
decent man would do.

The 23rd.

23rd Psalm.

Coleman. Coleman.

Yes?

Your wife will sleep now
with that sedative I gave her,

and I want you to go in the other
car and get yourself some rest.

I'll let you know if
there's any change.

Thank you, Doctor, for
everything you're doing.

You go on now.
I'll watch her close.

I've got a lot to
account for, Reverend.

Well, we all do.

We all do.

"The Lord is my shepherd.

I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie
down in green pastures.

He leadeth me
beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul.

He leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness

for his namesake.

Yea, though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil.

For thou art with me.

Thy rod and thy
staff, they comfort me."

It was a stupid thing we done.

We're gonna get caught.

Sure as we're sitting here,
we're gonna get caught.

We will if you keep
talking like that.

Don't you understand?
We just gotta act natural.

How can you act natural
with that Wickes fella

asking all them questions about
where we been and what we been doing?

He ain't asking 'em now.

And if he starts up again,
we just stick to our story.

He'll get started again.

You can bet your life on that.

Once the sun comes out and the
marshal ain't back with them soldiers,

he'll get something started.

Look, I keep telling
ya, don't lose your head.

He can't prove nothin', Al.

Boy, I wish we hadn't done it.

Oh, my, I wish
we hadn't done it.

Well, I wish we hadn't either.

But wishin' ain't
gonna help anything.

Just get your mind off it.

- How?
- I don't know. Think about something else.

Hunting or girls or how good it's
gonna be when we get back home again.

Anything except them Indians.

The moon is up.

Snow looks like
frosting on a cake.

It's so peaceful.

Strange.

Here we sit, the two of us,

time slipping away.

This moment and
perhaps a little more

may be all that we
have left in our lives.

It's not real.

There in the trees,
men are waiting.

Men we don't even
know who might kill us.

I used to wonder
where and when...

where my life would end.

And here I am.

And in a hundred
years of imagining...

all the possibilities
of where, how...

I never dreamed it
would be here like this.

Are you afraid?

I was.

And I think I might
be again, but not now.

I think that's strange too.

I think I ought
to tell you, Mae...

I've always envied you.

Envied me?

You were always so pretty.

You had so many beaus.

- When we were in school...
- Oh, my.

And I always envied you.

You were so strong
and clever and...

you never seemed
to need a single soul.

How many years have
we known one another?

50 years?

More like 60.

Oh, Sarah.

I'm so glad we're together.

So am I.

I wonder about the marshal.

Could he have gotten
through? Could he?

I don't know.

♪♪

Full Script and Dialogue of Snow Train Part 2

Can't you see what I'm talking
about, Doc? Don't you understand?

Coming up onto
Mile High Turn, folks.

Prettiest view in nine states.

You see, that law
feller didn't have to...

Hush up and look at the view.

Look out ahead!

We hit something!

You all right?

It's nice of you to care.

Help! Doctor!




Festus, stay here.

I think I got one.

Hold your fire. Put the guns up.

Yes, sir.

The Indians aren't attacking.

I don't want anybody
firing unless they do.

Marshal, the tracks
ahead have been blocked.

I know it.

- Doc, how is she?
- I don't know yet.

You'll be making a big mistake

if you don't get those
trees off the track.

The will stay!

Anybody leaving
train will be killed.

Are you about, uh, six
months along maybe?




Yeah, just about that, Doctor.

Doctor, I... I lost
my other baby.

If they're aboard
this train, I'll find 'em.

You have my word on it.

- The men will hang?
- They'll be charged with murder.

If they're found guilty,
they'll be punished.

We will talk to others.

- What do they want?
- They got some scalpin' on their minds...

Now just sit down and be calm
and I'll try to explain it to you.

Now, these are
Sioux Indians out here.

Now, they claim that two men
sold 'em poisoned whiskey.

Three of their braves are
dead and five of 'em are blind.

What's that got to
do with us, Marshal?

Well, they claim that the two
men got on this train in Denver.

They don't know who they are.

What do you mean,
don't know who they are?

They want us to
turn 'em over to 'em.

Yeah, but how do we
know they're telling the truth?

Maybe they just
wanna board the train,

do some robbin', get
hold of the women.

All right, that's enough now.

I'm not gonna turn 'em over
even if I knew who the men were.

But I'll tell you one thing.

All of you folks are gonna
have some explaining to do

about where you were just
before you got on this train.

But you're not settling
for any standoff?

What you're really saying
is we're trapped here.

I'm not sure you know what it
means to be stranded up in this country

this time of year, Marshal.

When the sun goes down,
so does the temperature.

Drop of 40, 50 degrees during
a single night is not unusual.

We're just gonna have
to make the best of it.

They're getting guns.

I hope you're not
planning on using those.

Just keeping 'em handy in
case we need them, Doctor.

Give me that gun!

Festus!

Aah! Aah!

What's happening?

All right, everybody get down.

Stay down.

What'd he say, Matthew?

Gave us until morning to
turn over those two men.

I once spent three
nights up here, Marshal,

a rock slide
blocking the tracks.

The doctor took
off two of my toes.

We can get along
without that kind of talk.

There'll be help.

When the train doesn't come in
time, there'll be help, won't there?

Mister, they call
this a snow train.

A two-day delay is not unusual.

Ask questions in Dodge, Marshal?

You better start
asking right now.

And then what?

And kick their worthless
souls right out of this train.

Festus, here. Take this.

There's over a hundred
Indians out there.

If I don't make it, you're gonna
need every gun you can get.

Marshal, it's gonna be like
daylight out on that snow.

I know it. I plan to be long
gone before the moon comes up.

Now who else wants to speak up?

Mr. Wickes here
can vouch for me.

That's very true. We're
narrowing it down.

Narrowing what down?

Simply trying to identify the guilty
men by process of elimination.

All right, what are you
gonna do if you find 'em?

Turn 'em over to the Indians?

I'll tell you this, Marshal.

If it comes down to them
or us, it ain't no choice at all.

Well, we've got a
choice, and I'm taking it.

So happens up here at the next
relay station there's a telegraph.

I figure I can get there
in four or five hours.

If I can, I can be back here
by morning with soldiers.

How you gonna get off this
train without them seeing you?

Well, we just have to
divert the Indians' attention

for a few seconds while
I jump off the back end.

He thinks he's dying.
He's asked for you.

I can't go that far.

Why not?

I work the trains.

Confidence man.

Regardless of that...

you go over there and you do
what any decent man would do.

We're gonna get caught.

Sure as we're sitting here,
we're gonna get caught.

We will if you keep
talking like that.

I wonder about the marshal.

Could he have gotten through?

Mr. Coleman. How's your wife?

Well, the doctor says all right.

He's not saying much about
the baby's chances, though.

Oh, I'm sure everything's
gonna be fine.

Don't you worry.

Thank you, ma'am.

Ma'am.

What?

He called me ma'am.

What should he call you?

There's a way of saying ma'am
to a woman that doesn't remind her

another year's gone by.

Today, in fact.

What?

My birthday.

Oh.

You, uh, thought
I'd forgotten, huh?

No, I wanted you to pick
it out yourself in Dodge.

Diamond ring.

What's wrong with
a plain gold band?

Only if you'd, uh... marry me.

Well, here we all are.

Not knowing whether
that marshal's dead or not.

Not knowing whether
the sun's rising

is going to be warming our
dead bodies in the morning.

Now, you just hold
on there, Mister.

Marshal Dillon told you
to hush that kinda talk.

Oh, come now, Deputy.

You saying we can't even
talk among ourselves?

I ain't saying that at all.

Thank you, Deputy.

I'm not sure what point
I'm trying to make here.

But we've got about
two hours till first light.

It seems to me essential
we examine our alternatives.

Tell me, Mr., uh...
Billy. Only name I got.

Well, Mr. Billy, you seem
to be the type of man

who knows about
this country we're in.

I think we should hear from you.

Yeah.

Well, come day,

we could all just go rushing
out there with guns and fight.

Now, that's one thing.

I'm willing to fight.

- So is Bud here.
- You bet.

Well, that's just what
they'll be expecting.

They'll have both sides
of the train covered.

And whoever isn't just
gunned down'll be...

Well, if them Sioux live
up to their reputations.

Whoever's left alive'll
wish they hadn't been.

You must be
exaggerating, Mr. Billy.

You can ask that deputy
standing right there.

Looks like he's accustomed to
bedding down on hard ground.

The only thing I got to say is that
Marshal Dillon's gonna get back,

and when he gets back, he's
gonna do all the deciding around here.

If he gets back.

That's a pretty big if.

Let's find 'em
and throw 'em off.

Well, what are we,
animals? Acting like this?

Why, we're not even sure the
men those Indians are looking for

are really on this train.

We only have the
word of those savages.

Mister...

if you got any more
of your blabbering to do

to get these folks all worked
up, just keep it to yourself.

Is that right, Deputy?

Just one more peep out of you
and I'm gonna slap some irons on you

and put you under
arrest. You hear me?

I think you're exceeding
your authority, Deputy.

First they break the windows
so we freeze to death.

Now we don't even have a stove.

All right, everybody,
just be easy now.

Stay calm.

You're the one that's
gonna stay calm.

Foreman, get his gun.

Don't do it, Clay. Stop him.

Stop him? Those Indians
are still takin' scalps.

Has he got handcuffs?

Chain him to the seat.

Mr. Wickes, you're putting
yourself outside the law.

Maybe so, ma'am, but
disarming a deputy marshal

calls for a jail term or a fine.

Now, that surely
wasn't necessary.

It certainly wasn't.

I don't like it any better
than you do, ma'am,

but when a group of
people are facing death,

they have a right to
determine their own fate.

Now, perhaps the two men the Indians
are accusing are not aboard this train.

Fine, well, and good.

We'll all go down together.

But I propose we decide among
ourselves that they are aboard here.

Now, let's have a show of hands.

I agree.

You've got your wife
to think about, brother.

That makes three.

I consider this as
valid as a court of law.

As Mr. Wickes says, people do
have a right to determine their own fate.

You two boys
disagreeing with us?

Billy?

I'll have to think
on it some more.

How do you make
your living, mister?

Yeah, who are you?

Son, that ain't none
of your business.

You two ladies have a choice.

No.

Mae.

I think the truth should
be told. That's all.

Miss?

The vote is still overwhelming.

What happens when
you come up with two men

that can't account for
their time or their business?

I don't believe those two men
deserve to be aboard this train.

All right.

Let's get on with it.

"I had fainted,
unless I believed

to see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord,
be of good courage,

and he shall
strengthen thine heart.

Wait, I say, on the Lord."

Easing a man's mind
sometimes can be the...

the difference
between life and death.

I just felt immoral
reading those psalms.

Except you weren't.

Far from it.

You know...

I don't know how
to say this, but...

if we get back to Dodge,

I'll just board another train.

And I'll just go on.

Do what I've always done.

I guess I'm just a little man.

Just a very little man.

But when you
are small, I mean...

I don't mean physically.
I mean just small.

Well, you just do
what you can. I mean...

to live is the thing, isn't it?

Well, I never judge anybody.

Thank you.

For what you've done.

The name's Dillon.

I'm a U.S. Marshal.

The snow train was
attacked by Indians

20 miles down the track.

Get on the key. We
gotta get help out there.

Marshal, I can't.
The line's dead.

I just been sitting here
hoping it'd get patched up.

What are the chances?

Well, not very good.

Last I heard there was
a blizzard coming in.

Lines are probably down.

Ain't likely it'll get fixed
up before tomorrow.

Tomorrow's gonna be too late.

Way too late.

Sure don't understand this.

They're after a couple of
men that sold 'em bad whiskey.

So that's what this is about.

I got a wire here from Cheyenne.

Come in yesterday
when the lines was still up.

It... It's got the names of two men on
that train you're supposed to pick up.

You gotta give me your horse.

My horse?

Marshal, I live 11
miles from here.

At least you're safe, mister.

Those 25 people on
that train are gonna die

unless I can do something.

All right, Marshal.

But it don't look like to me you're in
any shape to go over that pass again.

I'll make it.

You might need this.

Thank you.

Good luck.

You say what's in that jug is
homemade, but that's not the question.

It didn't poison you, did it?

Seems to me you
might do a little selling

on the side at the
Stone Ridge Reservation.

I make it for the train
crew and that's all.

I think I can bear
that statement out.

All right, all right,
let's not get emotional.

We haven't heard from you.

Gonna be hearing from the
marshal when he gets back.

Billy?

Oh, I've traded whiskey with
the Indians from time to time.

Except not in this case.

Can you prove that?

Nope, I can't.

Been working a claim
up beyond Boulder.

My partner bought me out for
the price of a ticket to St. Louis.

Spend the rest of my days there.

My sister, she runs a
boardin' house there.

Sure ain't nailin'
anything down, old timer.

All kinda loose.

Kinda life I lead, son.

Well, now.

I don't believe we've
heard from you two.

Well, his name's Al. Mine's Bud.

Just traveling into
Dodge. Looking for work.

Where you've been, I believe,
is what we're more interested in.

We hunted some.

I mean, we worked a ranch
here and there for stake money.

Sure ain't nailin' anything
down, young timer.

Kinda loose.

You boys board
the train at Denver?

That's right.

Working at a ranch near there?

- That's ri...
- No, we...

You are traveling together.

Listen, we ain't hardly
old enough to drink,

let alone sell whiskey.

I mean, if you're
traveling together,

you must know where you
been and what you been doing.

Workin' ranches.

Your answer too?

Yeah, sure.

Minute ago you said no.

You boys better get
together with the facts.

Or the lack of 'em.

We've been doing
a lot of things.

I think you two should be more
specific if a vote is to be taken here.

You'll be voting yourself right
into jail, is what you'll be doing.

Frankly, Deputy, I wish I were in a
nice, warm cell in Dodge this very moment.

Look, we don't have to
answer any more questions.

'Course you don't.

You're entitled to silence.

What was the name of the
ranch you boys were working at?

It's crazy what's going on here.

Look, maybe... maybe me and Al
will vote for, uh, the gambler there.

Not 'cause he's guilty, but
maybe we just don't like him.

I'm going in to stay by my wife.

You got a vote
here too, young man.

Lot to lose, a wife with child.

Well, I'm not pointing
a finger at anybody.

I know how that boy feels.

I'm sure we all do.

But if any of us are
gonna get out of here alive,

we've got to keep going.

None of us are above suspicion.

Here, now. Now, just be quiet.

- What's happened? What's happened?
- No, no, no, no, no.

We have to keep you
warm. Nothing's happened.

Ada. Ada.

Gonna lose the baby...

No, nothing like that. No.

She's having cramps. That's not
unusual under these circumstances.

Don't you worry.

Don't you worry.

I have made so many mistakes.

Well, if you can
admit that at your age,

you're way ahead of
a lot of us older folks.

She wanted us to
settle on some land.

Have sons.

Watch them grow with the land.

I was looking for
something else.

Now I don't even
know what it was.

My father, he... he wanted me
to stay with the land he worked.

Almost 40 years he worked
that land to make it pay.

I just... just walked
away from it.

Then he was gone.

Took some years to
know what he meant.

Way he was always saying

a man that was
buried on his own land

had the peace of knowing he was
leaving more behind than just his bones.

Sounds like your
father was a smart man.

I wish there was some
way we could be born smart.

No, that wouldn't be very good.

Life wouldn't be
very interesting.

It's the mistakes we make...

it's the low points.

They make us feel
good when we're right.

Doctor?

What in thunder's
going on in there?

- Nothing.
- Well, listen to it.

Well, they're just arguing if
the marshal's coming back.

Don't leave her, Doctor. Please.

I don't know what
you're so upset about.

Everyone else has accounted
for their whereabouts...

You're crazy, Wickes.

Do you really think
that my brother and me

would be carting a pregnant woman around
an Indian reservation selling whiskey?

No one is accusing you, mister.

We're just trying to find out your
whereabouts before you boarded the train.

Mr. Wickes, why
don't you stop all this?

Why don't you leave
Mr. Coleman here alone?

I'm not about to leave anyone
alone till I find out who's guilty.

I'm not about to die for someone
else. Are you, Reverend?

Oh, I don't wanna die at all,

but I believe what you're
trying to do here is wrong.

You know what I believe?

I believe we're
running out of time.

They're coming.

Billy, help me get loose here!

Now, the way I see it, there
are only two men aboard this train

who can't account
for their whereabouts.

And I'm not about to
die to save their hides.

Now, don't you think it's about
time you two ceased your lyin'?

- We told the truth.
- You can't pin this on us.

We had nothin' to do with it.

The morning I boarded
the train in Denver,

I saw you and your friend drive a wagon
into the livery at the railroad depot,

and there you sold
that horse and wagon.

All right. All right,
we lied. We lied.

But we had to. We're
on the run from the Army.

It's true. We're
deserters. Army deserters.

We couldn't tell anybody,
or they'd arrest us.

You gotta believe us. We didn't
sell no whiskey to no Indians.

What about the wagon?

We sold it. We stole it so we
could get train fare back home again.

- We don't believe ya!
- Oh, please. Please.

Get some water. Quickly.

Get your guns out, everybody.

Get your heads down.

Please! Please!

We're deserters!

Army deserters!

There they are!

They're all yours!

Hold your fire,
or I'll kill the chief!

All right, you boys,
back to the train.

All of you.

It was our lives
or theirs, Marshal.

Yeah, except I know who
the men are, and it's not them.

Now, get back in the
car with the others.

All right, go on.

I know who the men are.

They will be punished.

We... didn't know
the... whiskey was bad.

Brother and me...

bought it from somebody else.

We never wanted...

- Matt, you all right?
- Yeah, fine, Doc.

- Well, wait a minute. What's that?
- It's all right. Never mind.

Everything's all right.

Will the train be moving?

It'll be moving.

I love you, Ada.

I... love you very much.

Scott, you don't
have to tell me that.

Yes, I do.

It's something I want
you to remember.

Where's this Scott Coleman?

He's in the baggage
car with his wife, I think.

Hold on just a minute, mister.

You're just about to see the inside of
that warm jail you been talking about.

My brother and I
bought that whiskey...

We... thought we could make some
money selling it on the reservation.

We... didn't know it
could hurt anybody.

My... My brother's dead.

You... you can kill me,

but please let
the train move on.

There are innocent people.

My wife, baby.

Tell your father that I'm
sorry for what's happened.

I'm sad for his dead warriors.

But this man is my prisoner.

The other man he sought is dead.

There's a woman on
the train carrying a baby

that needs attention in Dodge.

If you try to take
this man from me,

there will be more bloodshed.

Tell your father I think
the Sioux have more honor

than to let innocent
people suffer.

My father says...

as the sun melts the snow,

so too melts the
anger in the Sioux.

You are man of honor.

Take your people.

And go. In peace.

You're gonna be all right, Ada.

Isn't she, Doc?

I think so.

Doc?

You know something, Doc?

Between you and that preacher,
I got a feeling I'm gonna make it.

You bet you will.

Got through, Marshal.

He'll send the wire onto Dodge.

Tracks are clear,
Marshal. Steam's up.

All right, why don't you go on and
tell the passengers we'll be moving on?

Yes, sir.

I ain't gonna have a bit
of trouble firing, Matthew,

if Hap there can run the engine.

All right, I'll go and tell
Doc we're just about ready.

Be underway again in a
matter of minutes, folks.

Well, soon be in Dodge.

Picking out that ring.

I don't think so, Clay.

I'll be going on to St. Louis.

Alone.

Alone?

Well now, look, Donna,
I know you're upset,

but that's understandable.

You'll feel better
when we get in Dodge.

No. No, Clay. I won't.

It's those boys, isn't it?

All right, maybe we were wrong.

But we had to do something.

I thought I knew you.

And then I saw the look
on your face and the others'

when you threw
them off the train.

I'm sorry.

Yeah. So am I.

Anything I can get
for ya, Reverend?

Oh, no, no, no. Thank you.

I should think in your line of
work you'd know that by heart.

Yeah, I see what you mean.

Well, I did hear it said
once that a man could read

this particular book
for his whole life and...

still find something new on
every page every time he opens it.

Like this for instance. I was
just reading in, uh, Matthew.

"In as much as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren,

ye have done it unto me."

You make a valid
point, Reverend.

I mean, we were about one minute
away from being skinned alive.

Now, you think about that.

Don't remind me.

How much stockade time
you think we'll be putting in?

Well, Marshal giving us the right
to turn ourselves in'll make it easier.

But I don't care
how much time it is.

Nothing'll ever scare
me from here on in.

I have a feeling of deep shame.

Well, you needn't, ma'am.

It all seems so unreal.

I think you say things
you just don't mean

because it's so hard
to collect your thoughts.

Well, don't you even
think about 'em, ma'am.

I've seen plenty of like
situations in my lifetime.

The animal just
comes out in a man.

We're all of the animal
breed, you might say.

And it don't seem likely that
the nature of things'll be changing

any time soon.

Peg your pardon, ma'am.

We'll be leaving any
minute, Mr. Wickes.

Fine. You might ask Mr. Foreman
if he'd like to continue our game.

We had no choice,
Marshal. None at all.

You had a choice, mister.

And you made it.

♪♪

Behind the Scenes of Part 1

The train used in this episode is the 1880 train, which travels between Hill City and Keystone, South Dakota.

Between Denver and Dodge City, there are no mountains, only flat plains.

Behind the Scenes of Part 2

John Parker’s musical score for the episode received a Western Heritage Wrangler Award.

After the credits, all the glass window panes previously destroyed in the train cars appeared miraculously replaced in the final scene.

Looking for More Gunsmoke Episodes?

Whether alone or with friends, try Gunsmoke as your next show to binge-watch. It is a classy American Western television series on the CBS network that aired for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975. Snow Train Part 1 and 2 are the 6th and 7th episodes of Season 16. 

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