Originally Aired: May 28, 1955

Cow Doctor: A Debt Paid in Pride

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon and Doc Adams find themselves facing the ultimate test of compassion—and pride—in the Kansas frontier.

When young Jerry Pitcher rides into Dodge searching desperately for Doc, Matt and Kitty are shocked. Jerry’s father, Ben Pitcher, is known for his deep hatred of doctors, refusing even emergency care in the past. But something must be seriously wrong if he’s willing to send for help.

Doc and Matt travel to the remote Pitcher homestead—only to discover the patient isn’t Ben at all, but one of his cows suffering from colic. Furious at being tricked, Doc treats the animal anyway. But while Doc is away, a true emergency erupts back in Dodge: a woman bleeds to death from a simple injury because Doc wasn’t there to save her.

Enraged, Doc confronts Ben Pitcher, who retaliates with violence, stabbing Doc with a knife. Gravely wounded, Doc barely survives thanks to Matt’s rough but life-saving stitches. As Doc recuperates, a desperate Jerry returns to Dodge again—this time to plead for Doc to save his father, who is now deathly ill.

Despite everything, Doc insists on going back to treat the man who nearly killed him. Risking his own life, he saves Ben Pitcher. In the end, true to form, Pitcher refuses to pay Doc—because his cow died. Yet in a rare, heartfelt moment, Jerry tells Doc he’s proud to have him in their home.

Doc smiles. It’s the best payment he could have asked for.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Cow Doctor episode," "May 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Doc Adams stabbed by Ben Pitcher," "Matt Dillon stitches Doc Adams," "Doc saves enemy's life," "Jerry Pitcher loyalty," "John Meston Gunsmoke script classic."

Cast: William Conrad (Matt Dillon), Parley Baer (Chester), Howard McNear (Doc), Georgia Ellis (Kitty), John Dehner (Ben Pitcher), Vivi Janiss (Mrs. Pitcher), Sam Edwards (Jerry Pitcher)