Generally these "Stories of the Century" episodes took some liberty with historical fact, but based on a Wikipedia entry on Nate Champion, the story presented here is almost entirely incorrect. Wikipedia states that Champion was falsely accused by a Wyoming cattlemen's association of being a rustler and murdered by a band of hit men hired by the large ranchers. However the story presented here states that Champion WAS a rustler and offers an opening scene where he's kicked out of Colorado by a group of ranchers who claim "The name Nate Champion stands for rustling"!
Well, be that as it may, series regular Matt Clark (Jim Davis) is called upon to investigate cattle rustling in Wyoming along with his partner Margaret 'Jonesy' Jones (Kristine Miller). They manage to track down Champion using the alias Joe Baker, hired by a British rancher who had him buy cattle for his start-up cattle ranch. The Brit Benton (Damina O'Flynn) arrived in Wyoming with ward Joan Jamison (Lisa Daniels), the daughter of Benton's former partner in England who had died. Jamison accuses Benton of secretly stealing her father's inheritance and forms an alliance with Champion after killing Benton.
The way this story plays out, it's almost as if Joan Jamison is the bigger villain. Trapped in a burning cabin by Matt Clark's posse, Champion is shot while trying to escape, and Jamison is captured, arrested and convicted of Benton's murder. The highlight of the episode might have been when Jamison attacked Jonesy Jones earlier in the story, and cracked a vase over her head - that looked like it hurt!
Well, be that as it may, series regular Matt Clark (Jim Davis) is called upon to investigate cattle rustling in Wyoming along with his partner Margaret 'Jonesy' Jones (Kristine Miller). They manage to track down Champion using the alias Joe Baker, hired by a British rancher who had him buy cattle for his start-up cattle ranch. The Brit Benton (Damina O'Flynn) arrived in Wyoming with ward Joan Jamison (Lisa Daniels), the daughter of Benton's former partner in England who had died. Jamison accuses Benton of secretly stealing her father's inheritance and forms an alliance with Champion after killing Benton.
The way this story plays out, it's almost as if Joan Jamison is the bigger villain. Trapped in a burning cabin by Matt Clark's posse, Champion is shot while trying to escape, and Jamison is captured, arrested and convicted of Benton's murder. The highlight of the episode might have been when Jamison attacked Jonesy Jones earlier in the story, and cracked a vase over her head - that looked like it hurt!
