Fulton’s
Foray: Introduction
Written by Frank Charles aka
weinerdawgy
In this story, we explore the possibility that Will Fulton’s family
hails from Dallas, Texas. In the original TV episode, “End of a Young Gun”,
Will mentioned that his family was ran off of a farm by a man named Vernon
Carlson. His parents were murdered and he and his brother, Hank, escaped to
become outlaws. When Hank returned to the McCain ranch to retrieve Will and
the stolen money, he mentioned the gang was going to Dallas. From this
point, it can be easy to figure that perhaps they would intend on going back
to Dallas for revenge against Carlson. A man such as Carlson might be very
rich and trying to gain control of a vast area which included the Fulton
farm.
At the end of the first part of this story, “The Battle Within a Young
Gun”, Will was rescued from the Santa Fe prison by Lucas McCain after eight
years of serving a ten year sentence. He was given a chance to help Lucas
work the ranch while Mark was off to college in Enid, Oklahoma. Will was
reunited with Ann Bard, daughter of a neighbor and close friend to Lucas,
Sam Bard. They initially fell in love in the TV episode. Lucas and Will
travel to Yuma, Arizona and meet Bat Masterson. Bat came up with the idea of
putting on a sharp shooting exhibition which turns into a bigger idea to
take the show around the country. After a second show in Santa Fe, New
Mexico, they decide to move on to Dallas. This gives them the idea to help
Will return to the place of his youth and possibly reclaim his legacy.
At this point, part two begins. “Fulton’s Foray” throws our heroes into
a great deal of controversy as a land fraud is discovered centering around
his family’s farm. A real life Dallas character is introduced to be a
benefactor to Will. Sarah Cockrell was a very influential business woman and
once owned close to one forth of the city of Dallas. Her real life
experience lends itself very well to become part of the fictional story of
the Fulton’s. Will’s parents went to work for her when they first came to
Dallas. When their tragic murder occurred, Will and Hank disappeared and
Sarah took over the farm in hopes they would return. The farm was crucial
for water rights and Sarah leased the land to a large cotton company that
purchased the surrounding land after Vernon Carlson was convicted of the
murders. As the land fraud comes into play, Bat Masterson is asked to help
solve the crime. Lucas and Bat become involved in a long term investigation
that eventually entangles them in the cotton industry. This leads them to
New York City and some interesting adventures along the way.
In the late 1880’s time period in which this story occurs, Bat
Masterson was actually involved in a very famous gun fight at the White
Elephant saloon in Fort Worth, Texas. His friendship with Luke Short went
back to his Dodge City, Kansas days as a marshal. Luke is embroiled in a
protection racquet with ex-Fort Worth marshal, Jim Courtright. Luke refused
to pay and the gunfight eventually settled the matter. This and other true
to life experiences are mixed into the fictional aspects to give real life
to Masterson’s character. As well as oft times being a marshal and a
gambler, he did spend time in the Fort Worth area and was involved in the
cattle business, railroads, mining, and early on at buffalo hunting. He also
served a brief time as an Army scout. This gives a rich history to draw
from.
As a fictional character, Lucas McCain shared similar experiences as
those of Bat Masterson. His life was full of adventure and conflict. At
times he served as deputy and sheriff of North Fork. His Civil War past is
largely a mystery in the TV series as are his ties to various characters
from his early days in Oklahoma. He served as a scout for the Army and was
well known for his proficiency with fire arms. It was natural for him to
relate with Bat Masterson over target practice as well as the morality
involved with carrying a weapon. Where the two do not relate is family.
Lucas had his son, Mark, to raise and he became a devoted father and stay at
home rancher. Bat did not stay in any one place for very long. He traveled
to many western towns serving as a marshal or many times he worked in cattle
drives and various other concerns. He usually worked alone and gambled at
poker and faro often. But both men had a strong sense of justice and a
desire to help the innocent or downtrodden.
The more I did research for this story, the more I realized that the
history of Dallas, the cotton industry, Bat Masterson, and Sarah Cockrell
all blended well with the fictional aspects I had chosen for Will Fulton.
Further history revealed Bat’s ties to more adventure on the way to New
York. Not all legend is true and when mixing with fiction the history may
get twisted just a little, but I tried to remain as factual as possible.
Sometimes history is hard to authenticate from this time period. Many devote
a lifetime of study on the Old West and still must rely on legend for some
explanations. And that is part of the fun, letting one’s imagination fill in
those holes. In the day, the gunfighters and outlaws were a popular subject
for fiction writers. Bat Masterson and his ilk were very much affected by
this “Legend” status. One of the best known promoters of those legends was
Buffalo Bill Cody. He naturally comes into play when Lucas and Bat hit the
scene in New York. His show was a long time event at Madison Square Gardens
with Annie Oakley as his centerpiece. Soon afterwards, the show began its
well known tours of England and Europe. In his early days, Bat actually knew
Cody and Wild Bill Hickok. So if he had actually traveled along the lines of
this story, it would have been very natural for him to have brought these
names into play. In addition, this time period brought forth the wide spread
use of many new inventions. Modern life was just getting started.
Transportation and food handling methods were changing the landscape. Many
of the comforts we take for granted today were a big deal to realize at this
time.
Lucas has plenty to say and do as the story progresses. There are many
questions to answer as to how he would react or take part in these many
incidents and investigations. His relationship with Aubrey Canton grows and
romance is a factor for everyone. Finally, Mark comes into the picture and
he makes his Pa proud. There are many revelations and a huge party to end
the story as Will makes Ann his wife!
It has been a great joy to write this story and delve into the history
of the Old West. “The Rifleman” is a great inspiration and provides so much
to draw from in its many episodes. The “what if’s” are many as are the
mysteries we are left to ponder. Lucas has the potential to explore in many
directions now that Mark is growing up and giving his Pa time to make
changes in his life.
Thank you for reading and sharing in this story. The McCain ranch is a
grand place to celebrate our love for “The Rifleman” and the Old West. While
it is true that I join another favorite character into this story in the
form of Bat Masterson, I feel that he and Lucas could very well have been
partners had they actually met. But I also realize that Lucas embodies a
more down home and fatherly look at a real Western hero as a caring father.
His character is not bound by history; rather it is cherished in our hearts.
Fulton’s Foray
—
Spirit to Texas
