Ep 5. The Stage Line

John Payne stars as hard-working and dedicated postal inspector Jim Hardie in the classic Western TV series Tales of Wells Fargo. In season 4 episode 5, entitled "The Stage Line," Hardie finds himself investigating a brazen and dangerous group of outlaws that have been terrorizing a stage line and its passengers in the surrounding territory.

The episode begins with Jim Hardie receiving a telegram from the head of the Wells Fargo company, instructing him to travel to the town of Mimosa and investigate a string of robberies that have been targeting the local stage line. The robbers have been attacking the stagecoaches and killing or injuring any passengers or drivers who get in their way. The situation has become so critical that the stage line owners are threatening to cancel their contract with Wells Fargo unless something is done to stop the robbers.

Upon his arrival in Mimosa, Hardie makes contact with the local sheriff, who informs him that the stage line has suffered five holdups in the past two weeks, each one more violent than the last. The robbers appear to be heavily armed and well-organized, making them a formidable foe for Hardie to take on single-handedly.

Despite the odds against him, Hardie is nothing if not tenacious and resourceful. He sets about gathering information from the locals, including the stage drivers, passengers, and shopkeepers, to try and build up a picture of the robbers and their movements. He spends long and tiring hours on horseback, scouring the countryside for any sign of the outlaws or their hiding places.

As his investigation gains momentum, Hardie begins to unravel a web of intrigue and deceit that points to a surprising twist at the heart of the stage line robberies. He discovers that the robbers are not who they seem, and that the motive for their crimes is not just robbery, but revenge. In a breathtaking climax, Hardie faces off against the robbers in a fierce and bloody gunfight that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Throughout the episode, John Payne delivers a strong and convincing performance as Jim Hardie, the rugged and determined postal inspector who will stop at nothing to get the job done. He exudes a quiet strength and a steely resolve, perfectly capturing the spirit of the Wild West and the challenges that faced those who sought to bring law and order to its untamed landscapes.

"The Stage Line" is a classic episode of Tales of Wells Fargo, showcasing the best of the Western genre and the talents of its leading man. It is a thrilling and action-packed adventure that will appeal to fans of both classic television and the Western genre as a whole. Whether you are a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer to its world, this episode will not disappoint.