| Texas John Slaughter |
 |
| ABC Network |
| 1958 - 1961 |
| Drama |
| 60 Minutes |
Tom Tryon starred as John Slaughter, a
frontier lawman who attempted to bring
order to the Old West of the 1870s.
When John Slaughter rode into the Texas
community of Friotown, he was attacked by two
men who mistook him for Texas Ranger Ben
Jenkins (Harry Carey Jr.). John killed the men
in self-defense, and subsequently Ben Jenkins
offered John a job as a Texas Ranger. John
turned down the offer and pursued his
dream of being a cattle rancher.
Unfortunately, when outlaw boss named Frank
Davis (Robert Middleton) pulls John away from
his dream, he joins forces with Ranger Ben Jenkins to
track down Davis and his gang. Davis is
captured, but when he is released on bail,
he flees to Laredo to start an criminal empire.
John follows Davis to Laredo, survives an
ambush, brings Frank Davis to justice, and puts
his dream of a cattle ranch on hold to become a
full-time Texas Ranger. His next mission: Save
settlers from attacking Apaches...
Dialog from
first episode of "Texas John Slaughter"
| Walt: Disney: |
A turned up white
Stetson and pearl handled gun. My friend Stan Jones has
written a song about them. I want you to hear it....Stan. |
| Stan Jones and
two backup singers: |
His turned up white
Stetson
and pearl handled gun
were known both far and wideWith Stetson so white
And a pearl handled gun
Swinging on his side
Texas John Slaughter
Made 'em do what they oughta,
'Cause if they didn't they'd die.
In Texas a ranger
He had to become
And outlaws he defied
For Texas John Slaughter
Made 'em do what they oughta,
'Cause if they didn't they'd die.
His turned up white Stetson
And pearl handled gun
Were known both far and wide
Were known both far and wide |
|
 |
| Walt Disney:
|
John Slaughter, a
true hero of the west. |
| Stan Jones: |
That's for sure, Walt. You know he was a
cofounder of Douglas Arizona, my hometown. You know something
else, when I was born, he was at my christening. |
| Walt Disney:
|
Is that right. You
know, I have a personal interest in John Slaughter, too. Our
research department discovered that when Mrs. Slaughter died
in 1942, among her personal effects were 100 shares of Walt
Disney production stock. |
| Stan Jones: |
Well, what do you
know. |
| Walt Disney:
|
That just goes to
show that this Old West that we talk about is not so old after
all. |
Memorabilia
TRIVIA NOTE:
The 17-episode series aired under the "Frontierland"
banner of the Sunday night anthology WALT DISNEY
PRESENTS.
Filmed in Frio Town, Texas, the series was based
on John Horton Slaughter (1841-1922), an
actual historical figure
who helped clear the Texas territory of outlaws,
bandits and other no-goods.
Disney bundled the first and second episodes
and released them as a feature film Texas
John Slaughter.
Obituaries: Tom Tryon: 09/04/1991;
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