Taps for Old Jeb

Ed Begley is terrific in this episode that features a man with a nose for gold striking it rich. Jeb Crater (Begley) and his partner Sholo (Morgan Woodward), two rough unsophisticated men, have claimed to have hit it big digging for gold in the mountains and returning to Dodge. On the trail they meet a man named Stretch Morgan (Wayne Rogers) that agrees to be their bodyguard. (Stretch is a cousin of Thad)

In Dodge, Jeb takes a bath and while Sholo is in the shack Jeb and Stretch hide the gold. Not really any problem but since Jeb does not believe in banks and since they are going out drinking, he does not want Sholo to know where the gold is hidden. Seems that Sholo gets talkative when he has been drinking and may reveal the hiding place. So they hide the gold next to the water pump in the yard and into town to party.

The next morning Sholo comes riding into Dodge wanting the Marshal. Jeb had been knocked in the head to the point of near death. The evidence points toward Stretch. But soon we may find out that there is more than one so-called criminal walking around the town of Dodge.

Ed Begley is brilliant in this show as he plays the rowdy country bumpkin that talks more than he listens. Morgan Woodward does well cast as the meek partner (a character he does not play many times) that stands behind Jeb. All in all a nice episode.

Note- get a nice square dance call from Doc Adams during the show.