'Legacy'
Mark and I had just got into town when we saw old Matt Simmons coming out of the saloon. He looked like he had quite a bit to drink. I heard s
ome commotion. The Mitchell boys were on their horses, each one had Pop by the arm going round and round with him. I yelled to them. Then went over to break it up. I was afraid they might hurt Pop. "We were only funnin', Mr. McCain." I told them there fun was over and to git goin'. Pop didn't mind. "Just boys Lucas, just boys." He assured me he was alright and we started back towards our wagon. We turned to look back at Pop. He was grabbing his chest and collapsed to the ground. I told Mark to go git the Doc.
He was in bad shape. He didn't have long to live. The Doc wasn't sure how long, it was only a matter of time. We were getting ready to leave when Pop asked me to stay. He wanted to talk to me. I told Mark to wait for me outside. He told me Mark was a fine boy. "I suppose you love your son, like I love my son," he said. I was surprised. I never knew Pop had a son. Neither did anyone else in North Fork. We just thought he was making it up. He wanted to see his son before he cashed in. He told me his son lived in Boston and he was a lawyer. He was proud of him. He felt that his son didn't have any reason to be proud of him. He wanted me to send a telegram to his boy and tell him he
was aligning. He hadn't seen him for twenty-four years. He was three years old the last time he saw him. His wife had passed away and he took to drinkin.' His sister had raised his boy. He was hoping I could persuade him to coming out here with words. He wanted me to tell Phillip he was partners in my ranch. He said he would tell him the truth when he got here. He told me he would hang in there as long as it would take to bring his son here. I agreed, just didn't feel right about it tho.
I wired Phillip and he agreed to come out. Micah and I met the stage. He asked how his father was. I told him he could be better and that he was staying at Miss Adams boarding house. Phillip was bitter and cold. He felt no one loved him and he loved no one. He was holding a grudge. He was not ready to forgive his father for the past. Pop asked him, why he came. He needed money. He wanted to buy into an important law firm in New York. He came because of the telegram I had sent, telling him about the ranch. Pop started to get upset. Before you knew he was dead.
Pop never got a chance to tell Phillip that he never owned half of the ranch. Phillip didn't want to be cheated out of his father's property. It was his 'Legacy.' We had to have a talk. We were on our way over to the saloon for a drink when Toomey stopped me. He wanted to know what to do with Pop's body. 
He went on about not being able to handle free burials. He said he should be buried in Potter's field. He just wouldn't shut up. He said that Pop was a penniless old reprobate that drunk himself to death. I interrupted Toomey and introduced him to Pop's son. Yes, he sure did put his foot in his mouth this time. Toomey apologized and asked if he would like to make any arrangements. I told him he said enough. He told Phillip they would talk later when it was more convenient. Phillip was upset. His father tried to buy his respect with a lie. He knew what I was telling him was the truth.
Micah approached us. He had the Mitchell boys with him. The boys came to tell Phillip how sorry they were about his father. "Are these the ones who killed him?" Asked Phillip. Micah tried to reason with Phillip. He told him they were just boys. They meant no harm. Phillip didn't care. He was pressing charges. "I'm swearing out an arrest for murder. If that charge doesn't stick then I'll have them charged with manslaughter." Micah took the boys over to the jail and locked them up. Micah and I were talking when Seth Mitchell came charging in. He was upset about his boys. He blamed himself for not taking enough time with them after their mother died. He was crying. I had to try and talk to Phillip one more time.
When I got to his room he 
was packing. He was heading for Yuma to see the circuit judge. He wanted the Mitchell's trail held in another town. He said he was no fool. No local judge would convict those boys. "Do you know what will happen to those boys if they get sent to jail? Have you ever been to the Territorial Prison in Yuma? That's where they'll go. Their just eighteen years old, boys. By the time they come out, they'll be hardened criminals." He wouldn't listen. He wanted them punished. He was leaving on the three o'clock stage. I reminded him his father's funeral was at three o'clock. He had no intentions attending.
Seth went to talk to Phillip. He wanted to see if he could get him to drop the charges. He told them how much his boys liked Pop. How much those boys meant to him. They were his life. He told them anything and everything hoping he would drop the charges. Phillip was rude. He told him he was busy and started to walk away. Seth drew his gun and told him he was going t
o go with him to Judge Hanavan's and dismiss the charges against his sons. Phillip caught Seth off guard and hit him. They struggled. Seth had the better of Phillip. He was choking him. Phillip picked up Seth's gun and just kept hitting him over and over again. Mark came running into Micah's office telling us about the fight between Simmons and Mitchell. We rushed into the saloon. I told Simmons to drop the gun. Micah went to check on Seth. Seth didn't want to go see the doctor. Phillip told Micah how Seth jumped him. Sweeny vouched for him.
Phillip left on the three o'clock stage. He didn't know I had asked Ed, the stagecoach driver to stop by Pop's funeral on the way. When they got to the funeral, Phillip questioned why they were stopping. Ed told him they would just be a minute. "A funeral , and old friend, Matt Simmons." Phillip got out of the stage. I saved my eulogy for last, hoping Phillip would get here in time. "I'm not much for making speeches. The fact that so many of you are here is proof that a man can have nothing and still be loved. Matt Simmons had that. His earthly possessions were mighty poor. A man's worth isn't measured by the land he owns or the money he has. Matt Simmons was no pillar of 
North Fork. Many here played jokes on him, hazed him, laughed at him. He never carried a grudge. He was the first to forgive, he'd just shrug it off. Matt Simmons never hurt anybody, never cheated and never lied, except once. To gain the respect of someone he loved. That's all I have to say, rest in peace Matt." Phillips stood there and broke down into tears. Ed walked up to him and told him the stage was ready to leave. Phillip told him to go on with out him. He went over to Micah and told him he was dropping the charges on the Mitchell boys. Doc offered him a ride back to town. Phillip told the Doc he wanted to know more about his father.
"Pa, Mr. Simmons was crying. I never seen a man cry before," said Mark. "Nothing to be ashamed of Mark, a man crying."
piddlin' stuff.....James Barton as Matte Simmons. He appeared in many of show and movies. Former vaudeville song-and-dance man best remembered as "Kit" Carson in 
"The Time of Your Life." He played Grandpa in "The Yellow Sky." He played Fletcher's grandfather in "The Misfits."
James Franciscus played Phillip Simmons. He was the lawyer son who wanted revenge for his father's death. He is best known for his work in television including "Naked City," "The Investigators," "Mr. Novak," and "Longstreet." "Beneath the Planet of the Apes." He was first choice to play Dr. Kildare in the 1961 TV series, but he was committed to another series (that never materialized) so the producers went with Richard Chamberlain.
Denver Pyle played Seth Mitchell. He was the father of the boys who was accused of killing Pop. He was in five episodes all together. Besides 'Legacy' he was in 'Bloodlines' ~ He's the one that the Malakie thought was Lucas when they killed him. ~ 'The Hangman' as Harold Tenner~ 'The Clarence Bibs Story' and 'The Decision' as Frank Hazlitt, he was mean in this one! He wanted Lucas to lie in court to say his son.
He appeared with Chuck Connors in "Geronimo."
He appeared with Johnny Crawford in "The Lone Ranger" ~ 'The Cross of Santo Domingo' in 1956 [before "The Rifleman"] He was Mark's "Pa" before Lucas.☺Ever see this? You just gotta see this one!
I would say he is best know for his parts on Uncle Jesse Duke on "The Dukes of Hazard." He appeared in several "Gunsmoke" episodes and also appeared with him in "How the West Was Won."
Remember when he was on "The Andy Griffith Show?" One of his most memorable was in Bonnie and Clyde as Sheriff Frank Haimer, the handcuffed hostage who spits in Bonnie's face after she poses with him for a camera shot.
He has done oodles and oodles of things! I tip my cowgirl hat to you!
Jack Grinnage played Kirby Mitchell. In the beginning of this episode he was the one who said "Hey.....there's Pop.....let's have some fun!" He was the taller of the brothers who was funnin' with Pop when he had his attack.
He appeared as Moose in "Rebel Without a Cause."
He was a regular in "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" as Ron Updyke. He has played many characters such as a Cowboy—Bellboy—Airport Manager—Delivery Boy—Inmate.
I got in touch with Jack and asked him about the time he was on "The Rifleman" and if he remembered anything he would want to share with us. This is what he had to say.....Let me see, directed by Bernie Kowalski I think. I played a twin. I was sitting on my horse, and Chuck Connors walked in front of the horse, the horse was spooked, raised up on its hind legs and then came down on Chuck Connors foot. He rolled away, I don't remember if I controlled the horse or the wranglers came in. Chuck went home for the day. It was on a sound stage. I was not thrown. I don't think Chuck Connors was really hurt. I think he just wanted to go home. Other than that it was a ordinary day. I think Peter Jasmine played my brother, and we where suppose to be pretty wild. James Bartlett was the town drunk and we razzed him. Something like that. Interesting, Would love to see the pictures. thanks for the email. And hope my few memories helped. Take care. Jack G. Here is the Link to Jack's website
Paul Jasmin played Alison Mitchell. He was the other brother who was funnin' with Pop when he had his attack.
He has done such things as "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp"—"Man Without a Gun"—"Zane Grey Theater"—"Have Gun - Will Travel."
Was a close friend of actor Anthony Perkins and knew him for over 22 years. He did the voice of Norma Bates in "Psycho," which went uncredited.
Today he is a fashion designer/photographer. His photographs have been displayed in such magazines as Vogue.
Fay Roope played Baynes Barton in this episode 'Spiked Rifle.' He the guy who had $3,000 in the strong box. He played Jeff Stacey in this episode 'The Brother-in-Law' also played Doc Burrage in three episodes of "The Rifleman." 'The Legacy' and 'Panic.' Chuck and Faye also were in the 1954 movie "Naked Alibi" which was before "The Rifleman." How many actors played Doc Burrage? To find out more in detail see my Doc Burrage page.
Harry Harvey Sr. played Toomey in this episode of 'The Legacy.' He & Chuck were in "Ride Beyond Vengeance" and in "Branded" three different times.
He went to Hollywood in 1934 and had a career spanning almost fifty years, mostly in small character parts. He was a regular on "The Roy Rogers Show," appearing as Sheriff Blodgett.
What a time I had find this character's name for this episode! They gave him no credit for this. I did remember him as the Sheriff in "The Roy Rogers Show." How about you? The other night I saw him in "Wanted Dead or Alive!" He has appeared in over 400 movies & TV Shows - quite impressive! I tip my cowgirl hat to you Cowboy!
He was born in1901 ~ Indian Territory, USA. [now Oklahoma, USA]
(Sounds familiar?) ; )
Lillian Bronson as Mrs. Adams. She was the woman who ran the Board and Room (boarding house) and took care of Pop Simmons. Lillian also appeared in another episode—'The Baby Sitter' as Elizabeth Favor. She was the woman who was the hotel clerk.
She also appeared with Chuck in "Arrest and Trial".
Lillian attended Lockport Union School, she had been in a play directed by her English teacher, with the encouragement of Miss Fisher, Lillian began a career in movies and television that lasted more than 50 years.
Lillian studied dramatics at Byrn Mawr in Pennsylvania, then went to the University of Michigan. She acted first in plays on Broadway, then began a career in the movies. She was in more than 80 feature films including films such as "Camille" with Lillian Gish, "Lean Harvest" with Leslie Banks, "The Hucksters" with Clark Gable, "Spencer's Mountain" with Henry Fonda, "Family Honeymoon" with Claudette Colbert, "The Next Voice You Hear" with James Whitmore. Her work in television included the role as Fonzi's grandmother on "Happy Days."
Lillian Bronson's family history/horseless carriage
Thanks to Pete Villafea for recognizing Lillian Bronson in 'The Legacy' she had gone uncredited until now. Also thanks for the name of the boarding house—Board and Room
Did you see when the Mitchell brothers were swirling Pop around, after Lucas confronted the brothers—you could see a much younger man when Pop was released.....watch closely.
'The Legacy' #51—While Lucas and Micah are waiting for the stage, you can see Micah toss something on the ground. It looks like a tissue to me by the way it falls. Anybody else see this? WhatsayU? Thanks Pete Villafea!
*If anybody has any information on any of the stars, and would like to share it, please get in touch with 
