Groats Grudge

Originally Aired: February 8, 1959 Gunsmoke #357, "Groats Grudge," a brooding Southern gentleman named Yancey Groat arrives in Dodge City with deadly preparations on his mind. He visits gunsmith Walt Dow to have an old Confederate pistol restored to firing condition, telling him the gun "missed its chance once" and won't miss again. He orders a cheap Yankee-style army coffin from the storekeeper and asks Chester to arrange for a preacher, explaining matter-of-factly that the man isn't dead yet but will be soon. The man he's waiting for is Tom Haskett, who's riding into Dodge with a cattle herd. When Matt Dillon confronts Groat at the Dodge House, the somber visitor makes no attempt to hide his intentions. He freely admits he plans to kill Haskett with the restored Confederate pistol, saying he's already been waiting too many years and once made the mistake of saving Haskett's life. Despite Matt's warning, Groat remains coldly determined, insisting nothing the marshal says or does will stop him from settling this long-festering grudge when Haskett arrives in town.