Distant Drummer

Originally Aired: February 14, 1960 Gunsmoke #410, "Distant Drummer," features Raffi, a simple-minded Civil War veteran who wears his drum proudly around his neck, a gift from his captain at Antietam. When Raffi seeks refuge in the Long Branch from taunting townspeople, Miss Kitty shows him compassion and kindness, offering him work chopping wood while she watches over his precious drum. Doc Adams suggests that perhaps the drum is the last thing Raffi was ever proud of, though it makes him a constant target for the town's cruelty. When a concerned citizen named Dobie urges Marshal Dillon to take action against Raffi as a potential troublemaker, Matt refuses, pointing out that any trouble would come from those tormenting the harmless veteran. The situation escalates when Chester alerts Matt that some men have treed Raffi at the livery stable, dangling his beloved drum from a branch and forcing him to crawl out for it. Raffi falls and is injured, prompting Doc to treat him while Matt confronts the tormentors. As Raffi recovers, he speaks ominously about folks needing to learn different, leaving Matt concerned about what the traumatized drummer might do next.