Clay Stafford signs on to work for the Cartwrights and shortly afterwards shoots and kills a man who accuses him of cheating at poker. The miners warn Clay to leave town, but it appears he killed in self-defense. Surprisingly, he tells Little Joe that he is his half-brother, and Marie was his mother. Ben listens to his story and takes his word for it, but Adam and Hoss think he should wire the judge in New Orleans to confirm Clay's real identity. Meanwhile, Clay and Joe develop a close relationship, but the vengeful miners still want Clay out of Virginia City and their first warning, is when Joe is beaten up by them. Ultimately, Clay decides life on the ranch is not for him.
Guest stars
Cosmo Sardo
Bartender (uncredited)
Jack Tornek
Townsman (uncredited)
- E
Ernesto Molinari
Barfly (uncredited)
- J
John Breen
Townsman (uncredited)
Ray Teal
Sheriff Roy Coffee
Eddy Waller
Harry
Robert Karnes
Miner
Mike Ragan
Miner
Don Beddoe
Stan Perkins
Chet Brandenburg
Miner (uncredited)
- B
Bill Clark
Miner (uncredited)
Michael Jeffers
Miner (uncredited)
All episodes — Season 4
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S4 E2The Quest
Sep 30, 196249 min
Determined to prove he can succeed at something without the help of his Pa, Hoss, and Adam, Joe sets out on his quest and wins a timber contract for Ponderosa timber, and later discovers that having a family to rely on can definitely be an
S4 E3The Artist
Oct 7, 196249 min
Ben helps Matthew Raine, a famous painter who has gone blind and now wallows in self-pity, discover a new purpose in life. However, Raine's employee Gavin has other ideas.
S4 E4A Hot Day for a Hanging
Oct 14, 196249 min
Hoss is jailed for robbing the bank in Dutchman Flats, a town on the brink of economic collapse, even the sheriff knows he is innocent, but a lynch mob gathers and Hoss' fate is not good.
S4 E5The Deserter
Oct 21, 196249 min
An Indian-hating officer, Colonel Edward J. Dunwoody, comes to the Ponderosa looking for army deserter Bill Winters, who is a good friend of the Cartwrights. Bill happens to be his son and is married to an Indian. It seemed Bill deserted
S4 E6The Way Station
Oct 29, 196249 min
With a storm brewing, Adam takes refuge at a way station, run by cantankerous Jesse and his young grandaughter Marty, who yearns to see what exists away from the way station. The station is also visited by Luke Martin, a killer who is runn
S4 E7The War Comes to Washoe
Nov 4, 196249 min
The Civil War once again divides the citizens of Nevada, as well as Adam and Joe Cartwright. One of season four's highlights, the plot involving British spy Bill Stewart, based on historical fact.