Mark was busy washing clothes outside our porch when a dirty scraggly man comes walking up. Mark is visibly disturbed and a bit frightened by his appearance. "Would you sell me a nickel's worth of water?
My bottle is plum dry," asked the stranger. "You can have all the water you want for free. Pa and me couldn't get the name of chargin' for drinking water," said Mark. Mark went to prime the pump for water. The old fellow was astounded at the stream of water coming out and shouted for Mark to "stop it up" because the water was a-wastin'. Mark reassured the man the cistern out back was full up year 'round and he needn't worry about some spilling out on the ground. This calmed him down and he gulped down his water. "Better take it slow" Mark warned. "You're too thirsty." Mark offered for the man to take a shower bath we'd rigged up in back of the house. The broken-down old fellow became offended thinking Mark was putting him down. "You standing there telling me to my face that I smell like I don't belong with human company," he shouted in Mark's face. About that time I rode in to see the man blaring in Mark's face. My instinct to protect my son got the better of me until I saw the man's disposition. He was dirty, smelly, ragged, and broken down. With sympathy, I asked him to come in for a cup of coffee. I felt it was better to show kindness rather than anger to one so unfortunate.
Frank Blanden was his name. He enjoyed some coffee and eggs at our table and I offered him some Apple brandy to wash it down but "ferment of the fruit" was "again" his principles. Frank offered to pay me a five-cent piece for my trouble but I wouldn't take it. When I refused the money he asked me for a job. I wasn't sure an injured man could handle the kind of work we had on a ranch. Blanden was sure he could do most anything a two-handed man could do.I declined saying it was only once a year we took on a hired hand. I offered him a dollar of my own to help him until he could find something else. Blanden refused it citing "Once a man starts taking something for nothing he ain't no man no more, he's just charity. Anyway you can stop fumigating with that cee-gar." Frank could see right thru me. I was uncomfortable with his appearance.
Gosh, I sure am glad you didn't take him on," replied Mark. "Why," I asked my son? "He makes me shiver, he's so ugly and, that arm of his!" At this comment I headed for the door. "Where you goin'," asked Mark. My response: "To try and hire the both of us a clear conscious." "Oh, no Pa, please, I can't even stand to look at him." Mark and I both needed a lesson on the way that we felt about people are different.
Blanden had an attitude for sure. The proud Rebel wasn't taking in charity from the likes of this Yankee. He had no use of his left arm but he didn't talk about it. He didn't want any sympathy from anyone. He'd make his own way with no help. He'd prove he was just as much a man as any two-armed healthy man. So, I let him prove his point. He could start proving he was a man by repairing the old bed Mark and I brought into the barn for him to sleep on. The nice clean linens I brought out made an impression on him though. Frank talked of his home in Tennessee and the wife he lost after the war. He found it funny that a big man like
myself would plant marigolds around the house.
The next day Blanden got an early start on the field behind the barn. I found Mark sitting and watching him with a grim look on his face. "Why don't you get off and give him a hand?" "Not me," answered Mark, "There's a nest of yellow jackets right near that tree." Why hadn't Mark warned him? Mark didn't like to go near him. His dirt and disfigured arm scared the boy. At that point screams came from the field. Blanden found that nest of yellow jackets and they were in his shirt. He danced around for a bit trying to get them out. I helped as best as I could. Some were left in the shirt. I had to rip the shirt off Frank to stop the wasps from stinging him - it couldn't be helped. The grimace on Mark's face told the story. There stood a figure of a body, tangled and infected, an open oozing wound. Mark rode away in disgust.
Mark was at the old tree near the house. "Sorry son, but sooner or later you had to find out." "Why did I, I didn't want to," Mark anguished. Mark had noticed Frank's shoulder wasn't healed. "Not only poor Blanden's shoulder, but I mean all the ugly, useless suffering in the world. In time you'll learn to accept it and bring it into balance with the good things." "I'll never be able to Pa." I continued- "You will son because you have to. It's the price you pay on staying alive and in your right senses, it's manhood…" I tried to comfort Mark with the idea that when he did put it all into perspective and after he was a grown-up father himself he would understand.
A group of what looked like Army cavalry came riding toward the ranch in a fury. Their horses were some of the best. I stood at attention and saluted when I saw it was General Phil Sheridan. I had served under the General from Yellow Tavern to the end of the war. 19th Indiana, Lieutenant. General Sheridan was looking for a place to bivouac for the night and I welcomed them to our home. Mark thought this was interesting that a poor raggedy old Confederate Private and a big important Northern General would be staying in the same house together.
The General enjoyed the use of our home and our shower bath. Ole Blanden didn't cotton to our new guests. He had changed his mind about the Apple brandy. He was filthy drunk and was ready to finish off my horse liniment. Frank wanted something to keep him warm for the road cause he was aiming to leave. I couldn't expect him to stayon the same property "with them Yankee bluecoats." He was too drunk to argue with so I put him on the bed. Frank agreed to stay as long as he didn't have to "come within sight nor smell of them Yankee Bluecoats."
Later that night Sheridan shared stories of his past campaigns with his men as they sat in the yard. Blanden came sauntering out of the barn to see what this great Sheridan was all about. "Howdy General," says Blanden, and proceeded to tell the General they had met before - at Missionary Ridge. Blanden had Sheridan in his sights as Sheridan had stopped to have a sip from his flask. Blanden didn't know why he hesitated, but he did, he hung fire. Sheridan hadn't hesitated. He glimpsed Blanden in his sights and blew out his left shoulder.
In a moment of silence Blanden slipped a small gun from his shirt to exact revenge on this man who had ruined his life. However, Sheridan let the old rebel know he wasn't afraid of what could come from a little handgun after what he'd been through during the war. He shamed the old raggedy rebel by reminding him he was a coward for skulking in the rocks while his comrades were dying and for not shooting when he could have tipped the whole balance of the war into the hands of the Confederacy. Blanden soon realized the General was right. He had been a coward, a shame to his own kin. Sheridan quickly apologized and reassured the rebel there was an old white-haired college President nam
e of Robert E. Lee who would be mighty proud to shake Blanden's hand. Sheridan reminded Blanden of all the brave things the Confederate lads had done.
At Sheridan's orders Colonel Stroud, the surgeon, took a look at Blanden's shoulder. The surgeon felt his injury could easily be fixed with surgery but ole Frank wasn't about to go thru that pain again! Sheridan assured Frank that he would be asleep during the surgery and wake up getting well. Blanden was agreeable to this and Sheridan sent him off in our wagon to Galveston
Hospital. The General's staff thought it out of order to send a full Colonel and a Lieutenant to escort a Rebel Private but Sheridan insisted. "I am carrying out the last and greatest order of my war-time Commander-in-Chief, bind up the nation's wounds!"
piddlin' stuff.....Royal Dano played the Confederate Soldier - Private Fran
k Blanden in 'The Sheridan Story'. He appeared in several episodes of "The Rifleman" ~ 'A Matter of Faith' as Jonas Epps the rain maker ~ 'A Case of Identity' as Aaron Wingate. He was the man who was searching for his long loss son, Robert. 'Honest Abe' as Able "Abe" Lincoln. Able suffered a mental shock during the civil war and as a result believes he is Abraham Lincoln. 'Day of Reckoning' as Reverend Jamison. He was the minister who was once a crooked outlaw.
In later years he again appeared with Chuck Connors in a made for TV movie called "Once Upon A Texas Train." I find it interesting that out of all the things he done - he never appeared in "Branded"—I wouldn't be afraid to bet he was all booked up.
He appeared in many movies. A few were "The Outlaw Josey Wales," "Back to the Planet of the Apes," "Cahill ~ U.S. Marshal," "The Undefeated" and "Killer Klowns From Outer Space." "Savage Sam" to the voice of Marley's ghost in "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol." As far as TV appearances, he has done oodles and oodles of guest appearances. He has done the role Of Abraham Lincoln many of times. He did Lincoln's voice for Walt Disney's Hall of Presidents in both Disneyland and Disney World. First Presidents exhibit at the World's Fair 1960. His voice is still used today. Provided the voice of Disney's audioanimatronic Abraham Lincoln in "Great Moments with Mister Lincoln," presented as part of the State of Illinois pavilion during the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.Lawrence Dobkin appeared in four episodes of "The Rifleman" ~ 'The Sheridan Story' as General Phil Sheridan. 'Knight Errant' as Don Chimera del Laredo ~ he was the guy with the sword. 'The Gaucho' as Juan Argentez, the Gaucho's father. 'The Day the Town Slept' as Ben Judson. He was the man who beat Micah in the election for Marshal of North Fork.
He directed 'The Tinhorn' ~ 'Jealous Man ~ 'Day of Reckoning' & 'The Executioner'. Writer of the episode 'The Actress.' He also directed some episodes of "Branded." Besides doing this, he appeared in many other shows and films. Again another "The Untouchables" guest star.
William [Bill] Meigs has appeared in three episodes. The first episode Deputy Phil Rogers - remember him? He's the Deputy that offered Lucas safe passage to Silver City when he went to testify. We can understand why Lucas turned him down, being that his first witness got killed while he was guarding him. The last episode he appeared in was 'The Anvil Chorus,' as Sam Benson, he's the guy that went to get his guns from Nils when Nils was acting deputy marshal and Nils called him Lucas.
was 'The Sheridan Story,' as Colonel Cushman. He was in
'The Second Witness,' asAlden ‘Stephen’ Chase as Medical Col. Stroud. I'm not even gonna try & list this Cowboy's credit, you have to see them for yourself! IMDB
Fritz Ford appeared in 'The Second Witness' as Carl, the second deputy—'The Angry Man' as Townsman—'The Sheridan Story'—as the Lieutenant —'The Apprentice Sheriff' as a Cowhand, he was the cowboy was holding a gun on Lucas in the saloon while Sandy Dixon beat on Dan Willard—'The Safe Guard' as Townsman, Mr. Jones, he was the man talking to Lucas in the bank.
He was sometimes a stunt double for Chuck Connors in "The Rifleman" and many other TV Series/movies as "Branded"—"Arrest and Trial"—"99 and 44/100% Dead"—"Soylent Green"—"Tomahawk Trail"—"Captain Nemo and the Underwater City"—"Target: Embassy"—"The Legend of Sea Wolf" he was sometimes credited as Fritz Apking.
He played football for the University of Washington.*(a) Sheridan was a very small man. His nickname was "Little Phil". The actor portraying him can almost look Chuck Connors. in the eyes, while the real Phil Sheridan was about 5-3.
(b) The history was actually VERY good. Every battle named was real, and Sheridan was present at each of them. The quote by Sheridan to Grant ("A crow would have to carry rations") is accurate.
(c) Sheridan was involved in the charge at Missionary Ridge. As implied in the dialog, his troops got away from him and launched an unauthorized, spontaneous charge (it wasn't just Sheridan's troops - several other outfits were involved too). Sheridan was leading infantry at the time and did not become a cavalry commander until later.
(d) Most impressively, the 11th Tennessee was ACTUALLY one of the Confederate regiments on Missionary Ridge opposing Sheridan! Whether the scriptwriters did the research or simply lucked-out I do not know.
(e) After the war, Sheridan remained with the army, and was famous (infamous) for his harsh reconstruction policies in Texas during the late 1860's, and for his remark "the only good Indian is a dead Indian". He became commander in chief of the US Army in the early 1880's (1884?) - about the time frame of the Rifleman. Thanks Renewed Fan!'The Sheridan Story'― when Blandon soaks his shirt after Mark gives him the drink, it is nearly completely dry only seconds later as he turns to go into the house after Lucas invites him inside. Thanks Rob!
'The Sheridan Story'—compare these two pictures, where is the bridge on the picture on the right and where on the bushes on the left picture? Thanks Rob!
'The Sheridan Story'—when Lucas comes out of the house, I think the fireplace is in the wrong place And there's a "shower bath" at one corner of the house, but I don't think it's ever seen again. If you look at the picture on the right you can see the outside shower—but if you look at the picture on the left - where the right post is - there is nothing there except a bush. Thanks Rob!
*If anybody has any information on any of the stars, and would like to share it, please get in touch with
Trivia—'The Sheridan Story'
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around the McCain Ranch
updated 12/23/07
