Gunsmoke Season 11 Episode 12

The Hostage

Gorman, Mandee, Keys, and Torreon break out of Leavenworth Territorial Prison and abduct Matt while he's on his nightly rounds. A note is found on the telegraph office door from Gorman explaining that they've got Matt and he won't be harmed if they get to the Mexican border unmolested. The instructions in the note call for the Dodge telegrapher to wire all towns south, between Dodge and the Oklahoma border, and inform all peace officers to stay out of their way or they'll kill Matt. Festus has gone to Jetmore to pick up some horses and Doc and Kitty send Thad to tell him what's happened. When Thad catches up with him and they head out after Matt. Then, things get tense when the gang finds one stubborn lawman and nineteen deputies in front of them only a few miles from the Oklahoma border.