The Lone Ranger Week: "War Horse" (October 20, 1949)

Circus owner Barlum (think P.T. Barnum) decides that he needs a new attraction at his famous circus and settles on paying 10,000 dollars to "acquire" the horse of Indian war chief Lame Bear (Chief Yolatchie), named Black Cloud.

To this end, Barlum sends the criminal Madrigo (Leonard Penn) into restricted Indian territory to get the animal, who is known as "a fiery veteran of a hundred campaigns."  Once on Chief Lame Bear's land, however, Madrigo captures both the chief's steed and his son, White Eagle.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto arrive and attempt to prevent all-out war as Chief Lame Bear goes on the war-path to retrieve his stolen family members.  Meanwhile, the U.S. Army also braces for the Indian to begin a reign of terror...should he leave his land.

This early episode of The Lone Ranger recycles some key ingredients from earlier series installments. For one, there is a captive -- the son of an important character -- and much of the story involves rescue and escape.  Viewers had just seen this narrative set-up in the previous tale, "Rustler's Hideout."

Aside from that repetition, however, this episode again reveals aspects of the Lone Ranger's sterling character and moral barometer.  Here, he clearly recognizes that the rule of law should protect everyone, Indian and white man alike.  He is just as concerned for Chief Lame Bear's nation and people, as he is for the members of the cavalry.  Bloodshed is bloodshed, despite the color of your skin; despite your point of origin. 

Again, this was once a widely-cherished American ideal, but in recent years we have seen politicians, nativists, and media pundits dividing people into groups like "illegals" or even "real Americans" (namely the ones who live in small towns, apparently).  Those folks might benefit from a re-watch of The Lone Ranger, a series about a character as American as apple pie.

Another aspect about this episode that I appreciated involves the Lone Ranger and Tonto attempt to warn Madrigo away from entering Indian territory, but, finally, don't stop him from his act of "trespass."  They've done all they can, but -- in the final analysis -- they can't substitute themselves for another man's conscience.  Nor can they shoot a man in cold blood.  They merely have to let events play out...