This entry was originally scheduled for 1 April 1967 as episode #12.28 and would have been the final series episode , but CBS chairman William Paley "uncancelled" the show for a 13th season. The episode was held back and used to fill a hole in the schedule.
Final appearance of Roger Ewing as Thad Greenwood. Ewing left television acting for good three years later to pursue the his passion in the field of photography.
Although there is not consistent dating in Gunsmoke episodes, most seem to take place in the mid-1870s. However, this episode must take place no earlier than the early 1880s, and possibly quite later, as the death of Frank Cole happened 15 years earlier, when Matt Dillon was already marshal in Dodge, but Matt became marshal some time after the Civil War (post-1865).
In this episode, Charles Robinson (Amos Cole) looks a lot like a young Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper), especially with his cowboy hat on.