The Wake

Originally Aired: January 15, 1961 Gunsmoke #458, "The Wake," a stranger named Gus Mather arrives in Dodge City with a coffin in his wagon, claiming it contains his best friend Orson Boggs, who died of a fever. Mather buries Boggs on Boot Hill without a preacher or ceremony, then throws an elaborate wake with free food and liquor for anyone who'll attend. Chester and Doc Adams are invited and find the whole affair suspicious, especially when Mather keeps the drinks flowing night after night, spending money far too freely for a drifter. Marshal Matt Dillon shares Chester's suspicions when he learns about Mather's extravagant spending and evasive answers. When questioned about Boggs, Mather nervously lets slip that his dead friend came from the Red Bank country near the Pawnee Reservation, then quickly tries to cover his mistake. Dillon suspects the elaborate wake might be a scheme to convince everyone that Orson Boggs is dead when he isn't, possibly to help someone escape the law. With only this slim lead to follow, Matt and Chester prepare to ride for Red Bank country to uncover the truth behind the mysterious burial.