The Wolfer

Originally Aired: January 11, 1959 Gunsmoke #353, "The Wolfer," begins when rancher Nate Guthrie confronts Wib Edmonds, a wolfer he's hired to clear wolves from his land. Wib has successfully eliminated most of the wolf population, but Guthrie's colts are still being slaughtered. Wib claims the killings are the work of a single massive white wolf called Slatefoot, but the suspicious rancher believes there's no such animal. Guthrie accuses the cold-eyed, half-breed wolfer of deliberately keeping one wolf alive to extend his employment through the winter, or worse, of killing the colts himself. When Wib refuses to leave, Guthrie threatens to bring in Marshal Matt Dillon. Back in Dodge City, Guthrie interrupts Matt's rare peaceful dinner with Kitty to demand action against the wolfer. He insists Wib is a natural-born killer whose snake-like eyes reveal his dangerous nature, though he admits he has no concrete proof of wrongdoing. Matt remains skeptical, explaining he needs evidence before he can act against any man, leaving the conflict between the rancher and the mysterious wolfer unresolved.