At the gallop, ho!
Fort Laramie
Fort Laramie, starring Raymond Burr as Captain Lee Quince.
Specially transcribed tales of the dark and tragic ground of the wild frontier.
The saga of fighting men who rode the rim of empire.
And the dramatic story of Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry.
I think maybe I'm wearing thin on this stable detailed beam.
This is three days running we drew this duty.
Anytime you want to tell me something I don't know, I'm willing to listen Harrison.
Tomorrow morning, come fatigue call.
I got a mind to bust down a line and volunteer for something more elevating.
I don't see how there's a job on this post more elevating and readying up the stable.
You ain't ever got a complaint have you?
There's a long list of things I ain't never got Harrison.
A man ought to want change in his life.
He ought to seek it out, try for it.
Change, that's what keeps a man's interest alive.
When you bust out a line tomorrow morning, why don't you volunteer for post chaplain?
Now you think you got off a good one there don't you beam?
You're just rack pleased with your fine touch of humor.
I thought you knew I was comical.
Oh I'm standing here near busting laughing.
That's how comical you are.
I'll make this arrangement with you Harrison.
I won't talk to you if you won't talk to me.
I'd admire to do that, I just admire to.
Come on beam, you hear me all right.
That's one of the shortest arrangements I ever had.
Yeah well, let's rest a spell.
I'm agreeable.
Rest a spell and have a chow.
I'm not going to do that.
I'm going to have a chow.
Rest a spell and have a chow.
You're getting more likeable Harrison.
No sense in us going at each other.
Working as close as we do, living as close.
I want to make friends with you beam.
Starting when?
This minute.
You ain't one for ceremony now are you?
Couple of good friends where we are.
It's only right we should rest a spell and have a chow.
I'm willing.
You got a chow ain't you?
You talking about tobacco?
Of course I am.
I can't call the time I had a plug tobacco.
You lying to me beam.
Now we being such good friends the way we are,
why should I lie to you?
You're chowing ain't you?
Been chowing all morning.
Sure I'm chowing.
You ain't chowing tobacco, what are you rolling around on your tongue?
Shifting one side of your mouth to the other.
Canick canick.
Say that again.
Canick canick.
You being comical again beam.
You're just a boy, I keep forgetting.
You don't recollect the war much.
I recollect the war better than I recollect that king,
whatchamacallit.
It's bark.
Engines taught us yanks about it.
Red willow bark I think it is.
Anyways they'd cut it deep from the trees, cut it into shreds.
They used it most for smoking.
You cut into any red willow trees up here on the high plains beam?
Well not me.
But last time we was down on the agency I got me some off a squaw.
I swear you're lying to me.
Well here, here in my pocket help yourself.
Hanking for a chaw makes one.
Well it's dry sand.
Well you got to work it some.
Oh you got, take one of these.
You sure this stuff's off a willow tree?
Red willow.
How come they look so pleasing and taste so bad?
Well I didn't say it was good.
You wanted a chaw, I obliged you.
Yes.
I said you was just a boy.
Sometimes I'm hungry I don't eat a polecat cause that's all I got handy.
You got a taste for tobacco, why don't you buy yourself some?
The subtler keeps a fine line.
A bull Durham seal in North Carolina.
You know why I don't buy, I got no money.
Same as you, same as every trooper on this post.
That paymaster ain't been through here in four months.
Before that it was six.
No money.
Pliny, he won't give me no more credit.
You ain't all alone you know Harrison.
Ain't nobody been paid in four months time.
I want to do something beam.
I don't rightly know what it is now, but that Pliny, he's going to give me some more credit somehow.
Major Daggett sir?
Oh, Captain Quince is about to send for you.
Yes sir.
I thought this morning's drill went very well.
Seemed to.
But there's one thing that's becoming a problem, selecting my orderly for the day.
I want you to get some thought to it.
In what way?
Well as I say the drill seems sharp enough.
Soldering generally is good.
The men are keeping the post in good order.
The men themselves are the problem about this orderly business.
Let's see now, the book says the neatest and smartest trooper will be chosen as orderly of the day for the commanding officer.
It's supposed to be an honor Captain.
A recognition for good soldier.
Lately my orderlies have been smart enough, but the neatness is severely lacking.
I'll speak to B Company about it sir.
We still employ laundresses at Fort Laramie Captain.
And the clothing allowances are far better than they used to be.
When they come.
What do you mean by that?
Just that the paymaster hasn't stopped here since mid-spring.
Four months. I'm aware of that.
Summer soldiering is tough Major.
Campaigns are hard, weather's hot.
Neat and clean is a big order.
A good soldier will still make the effort.
Pass the word Captain.
Yes sir.
Now then, you want to see me about something.
The paymaster.
I wondered if he's heading our way at all.
Are you running short of funds Captain?
I'm not asking for myself sir.
Let's see, last word I had he was here at Fort Omaha.
With the stops to make between here and there, I can't say with certainty when we should expect him.
That would mean stops at Fort Carney, McPherson, here at North Platte Station and Fort Mitchell before he gets here.
Unless he cuts off down to Fort Sydney after he leaves North Platte Station.
Four months is a long time for the men to go without pay Major.
I know it.
Unfortunately the route and schedule of the paymaster is not within my province.
Are there hardship cases Lee?
I'm hearing no complaints directly.
I don't like it either.
But they're fed and clothed and I'm sure Pliny's doing the best he can in the way of extending credit.
You are?
He'd be a fool not to.
Pliny likes money Major, got a real respect for it.
I don't think he feels just the same toward extending credit.
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, yes, that's, well I don't know.
That's not enough, no that's not nearly enough.
Well I might want to put it in a safer place though.
Yes I might want to do that.
So I'll just put it in these sacks here.
Well, hmm.
Yeah, that feels good.
Morning Pliny.
Be with you in just a minute.
What do you call that stuff?
Why money Sergeant.
Yes money.
Oh now Pliny you don't call that money.
You get along with a couple of sacks of that and you know blame well you call it sweetheart or something loving like that.
Oh that's not true, no, no, no, I call it money, no really I do, money.
What you gonna do?
Bury it, see if it'll grow?
Indeed, no, that can be very dangerous you know burying money.
Just a few sacks here.
Say you're getting some shin plasters in there with a big bill.
Oh my I wish I'd quit making them, it's confusing.
You think you got a nice roll of bills and then some of them three cent notes get in there and it's easy.
Besides it won't you know.
It won't?
No indeed, no indeed, an exploded theory years ago.
What is?
If you bury money it will not grow.
Well now, I learned something today.
Yeah yes many years ago.
Ah there that completes, now I just put these sacks in my safe and everything.
You wanted to buy something?
What kind of seagulls you got?
Oh well no we got some fine Havana's, just the best there is.
Here I keep them over in the cabinet by the door under lock and key.
Blimey.
Ah?
It's me Sergeant Gorse.
Yes I see you.
Oh, oh yeah.
Well I've got long nines, supers and short sixes.
And I got a three cent shin plaster.
Where?
Right here.
Oh yes, so you have three cents.
Now these short sixes and nines.
They give them away in saloons.
Oh wait, they give them away?
Free?
Try not to think on it Pliny, might make you queasy.
Free?
Oh my goodness.
Sometimes I pay as high as a cent for two of them.
Two for a cent?
Well now I, well I might let you have one super, but just one mind you, for three cents.
I had my mouth set for a long nine after supper.
Oh now you don't really expect that Sergeant, a long nine for three cents?
Why I'd stand to lose, oh yeah, let me see now.
You'd stand to make two cents easy.
But these are from New England Sergeant, tell the truth I'm running short on them.
Now this is the last barrel and I'm...
You're practically forcing me into a saloon Pliny.
You're really desperate for a good smoke aren't you?
Not near as desperate as you are for my last three cents.
You won't bandy this about the post?
I could bandy my head off and there wouldn't be no run on your store Pliny.
The way that paymaster takes his time, I stand to be one of the few men at Fort Laramie that's still got a three cent note.
Yes, for none of us see.
Long nine?
I don't know.
All right, help yourself Sergeant.
Two one for three cents.
Afternoon Mr. Zabbitz.
Oh good afternoon Captain Quince.
Working on your journal and taking the air at the same time, huh?
Too hot in my quarters, bit more of a breeze out here.
You feel the breeze off these planes, you're an optimist Mr. Zabbitz, it's hot.
Hot as sin.
Wonder if it's this hot where the paymaster is?
Not near as hot as where most of the men wish he was.
Oh I didn't mean that sir.
I did.
You feeling the pinch too Mr. Zabbitz?
No sir, I'm fine thank you Captain.
I was just thinking maybe it's the weather delaying the paymaster again.
Last time it was snow.
It was last month wasn't it?
Last month you passed that tobacco around among the men.
My uncle sent it, the one in Connecticut.
I wrote him, sort of suggested it be nice to get some more but...
either he hadn't gotten the letter yet or he didn't get the idea.
It was a good thing Mr. Zabbitz.
Thank you sir.
You still serving on the council of administration?
Oh yes sir, yes I am.
Still have charge of the post fund, do you?
That's part of the duty.
How much money in it?
Let me see now, I have the exact figures in the ledger up my quarters.
I'll run up and get it.
Oh never mind that, you got an idea how much haven't you?
Well I'd have to think a moment.
According to the general orders, the settler pays 10 cents for every officer and enlisted man.
That's 10 cents a month payable every two months.
About 30 dollars a month then?
Roughly that.
360 dollars a year.
Have we had any cause to disturb it recently Mr. Zabbitz?
Well we bought garden seeds a couple of months ago.
That's in accordance with provision D of the general orders.
And before that we took some out to buy newspapers.
That's according to the last part of provision C.
I just wanted an idea of how much Mr. Zabbitz.
I think close to 500 dollars, very close to that.
Suppose we let the men draw on it until the paymaster comes.
Draw on it?
Yeah, borrow it.
For what purpose?
Tobacco, beer, whatever use they want to put it to.
But the general orders are specific as to the uses of the fund captains.
I'm aware of that.
They make an independent decision.
That is to say this order comes from the adjutant general's office.
I have a copy of them here.
When I was appointed to the council of administration I made the orders part of my personal record.
No need to read me the orders Mr. Zabbitz.
No trouble sir.
I'll be glad to refresh my own memory.
Oh here it is.
General orders number 22 dated April 7, 1866.
Well the first part deals with the subtler requiring that he make this payment for the privilege he enjoys as post-trainer.
I just thought if the men could look on it like it was their own money, not a handout.
Well here's the part I was talking about sir.
The post-fund is to be used for A. the expenses of a bakehouse.
B. the establishment of a post-school for uneducated soldiers who might desire schooling.
Oh and for the children of the soldiers.
I was thinking more like a plug of tobacco.
C. the establishment of a library and the purchase of newspapers.
D. for the purchase of garden seeds.
Oh that's the provision I mentioned previously.
Tobacco or a glass of beer.
You know this hot weather a man ought to enjoy a glass of beer.
And then finally provision E. provides.
Mr. Zabbitz.
Yes sir.
I'm getting the idea there's no provision for beer and tobacco when the paymaster is late.
That's correct sir. I'm sorry to say that there isn't.
Well thank you for your time Mr. Zabbitz.
Captain Quincy I could get a letter off to the adjutant general's office asking for clarification.
Oh no that's a bad habit to get in writing Washington for clarification.
You get into that you'd have to give up soldiering.
I think maybe I'll go face him alone beam.
You could linger outside here in case I needed help or like that.
You got a scheme I want to hear what it is.
I had a schema wouldn't mind telling you.
First thought comes fresh into my mind I'm going to say it to plenty.
Sometimes the first thing I think is best.
You want to take some canik canik for your traipse in there.
Might work up your courage.
I want no such thing.
You linger here now.
Look around if you like. Be with you as soon as I close the safe.
Take your time Pliny.
Ah there we are.
Now then what can I do for you.
It's you trooper.
I thought it might be a customer.
I mean to be.
Now what I had in mind.
Trooper Harrison we've been through this before.
Many times or any number of times.
We have no such thing.
Not this credit.
I've been extremely generous about extending credit.
Not recent Jane.
Oh but you're wrong you're wrong.
Last evening I was looking over my accounts.
Now the paymaster is four months late as it is.
I know that without looking into my accounts.
Hear me out boy now hear me out.
Well I discover that if you give me your full four months pay.
We'd still have some accounting to do.
You and I.
You think I'd come in here face the shame ask in your favor.
If it wasn't real important.
I don't know would you.
A man's got his pride Pliny.
Yes I suppose so.
And next to a man with good credit.
Give me a man with pride.
Every time every time.
It's my ma Pliny.
My old gray haired ma.
No.
Guess you know how I feel about my old ma.
Well of course I do indeed.
Of course your old ma.
Why sure.
Well now she's got a big day coming real soon.
And it come to me.
Say another big day.
What do you mean?
Well last night you remember the accounts.
I noticed she had a birthday just a few weeks ago.
She did.
Yes.
Oh we got up a nice selection of gifts for her.
Half a dozen plugs of tobacco.
It seems to me we tucked in some cigars for mother.
Fine Kentucky woman my old ma.
Oh yeah.
And the month before that on her birthday.
We bought mother two jugs of whiskey and a pipe.
Well now you recollect about them jugs.
Remember they got broke over in the barracks.
That's right.
They got broke and not a drop of whiskey reached the floor.
Oh yes I remember that.
Yeah well.
When is mother's birthday this month?
Oh now.
It's not her birthday this time Pliny.
It's this time.
Well this time she's.
Hmm.
She's having a baby.
A baby.
Oh mother is having a baby.
Oh my.
Fine Kentucky woman my old ma.
Yes isn't.
Oh we'll want to do something about that now won't we.
Yeah.
I thought we'd get up another batch of plug for some cigars.
And this time we'd take special care of them jugs.
Don't get broke.
All the care in the world yes.
For mother.
I'll give you a hand.
You want to start putting everything together.
Yes.
Yes I'll just get you down.
What you doing?
I hear now you write down mother's address.
Write it down for what?
For the parcels.
My goodness we're not going to take any chances this time.
No sir I'll march these to the post office.
Mail them to mother myself.
Oh Pliny.
No extra charge none whatsoever.
Captain Quince reporting Major.
Sit down Captain.
Thank you sir.
Well I guess this is the news we've been waiting for.
The paymaster.
He's at North Platte Station awaiting our escort.
You want the duty Captain?
It's all right with me.
Pick your men leave as soon as you can.
Yes sir.
If things go as they should you'll be back here by late Friday right?
Right.
Well good luck Captain.
You worried about the escort Major?
Of course not.
You know what I'm worried about.
Yeah.
Well I'll stop in Laramie Village if you like.
Warn them to get ready for attack.
I suppose I could double the guards starting Friday night.
But it wouldn't be fair would it Captain?
It wouldn't do much good either.
Maybe just have the officers stand by as usual.
That's all we can do.
Well move out Captain.
Yes sir.
Four months payroll for 300 men.
Well we might not have a problem Major.
We always do.
I don't see how we can avoid it this time.
Well maybe we'll be lucky.
Maybe we'll be hijacked on the way back.
I came as soon as I could Captain.
I never saw anything like this in my life sir.
Quite a sight Mr. Cybots.
Are all the men accounted for?
They won't be for days.
Some of them we may lose entirely Mr. Cybots.
You mean desertion?
A few.
Some of them just been waiting for money enough to get out of here.
Well I've got a fresh new batch to tend to.
Well I think this is the last from the village Captain.
Well they look kind of limp.
Yeah and I had to help them get that way sir.
Harrison there bought a raft of lead powder in town.
He had in mind to blow piney up he said.
Well the hospital's full.
They're stacked three deep in the guard house.
Now just take them to their barracks Sergeant.
Yes sir.
Mr. Cybots.
Yes Captain.
There's still a guard around the powder magazine.
Oh yes sir.
Major Daggett's directing that person.
Good.
The men they wouldn't bother the powder magazine would they?
They might Mr. Cybots.
Might blow up Fort Laramie or they might just pool their money and buy it.
This army might do anything on payday.
Fort Laramie is produced and directed by Norman McDonald and stars Raymond Burr as Lee Quince
Captain of Cavalry with Vic Perrin as Sergeant Gorse.
The script was specially written for Fort Laramie by Kathleen Height with sound patterns by Bill James and Tom Henley.
Musical supervision by Amarico Marino.
Featured in the cast were Howard McNeer, Sam Edwards and Clayton Post.
Jack Moyles is Major Daggett and Harry Bartel is Lieutenant Cybots.
Company attention.
Dismiss.
Next week another transcribed story of the Northwest Frontier and the troopers who fought under Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry.
This is Norman McDonald.
Sixty-seven years ago as the first hand of autumn stole across the Laramie Plain, the decree was issued to close Fort Laramie as a military post.
It was a routine order couched in the clipped impersonal language of the army.
Fort Laramie had served its purpose, close it down.
Put a period to a chapter of history, put an end to an era, that's what the decree really said.
For the abandonment of the fort on the Laramie marked the closing of the frontier.
The story of Fort Laramie is a monument to ordinary men who lived in extraordinary times.
Of a land that was new and untried, as cruel as it was beautiful.
It's the story of small numbers of men with good in them and bad.
Heroism and cowardice, honor and dishonor.
Ordinary men.
Ordinary men whose enemies were the rugged uncharted country, the heat, the cold, disease, boredom and perhaps last of all, hostile Indians.
Men lived at Fort Laramie and men died there.
Of drowning, freezing, typhoid, smallpox, some may even have died from boredom.
But it's a matter of record that in all the years the cavalry was stationed at Fort Laramie, only four troopers died of gunshot wounds.
And so we mark the 67th anniversary of the closing of Fort Laramie, glad of our chance to reopen it.
To tell the story of a proud landmark of the Old West and the ordinary men who served there.
The story of a proud landmark of the Old West and the ordinary men who served there.
The end.