The Dakotas/Sanctuary at Crystal Springs

Sanctuary at Crystal Springs
Season 1, Episode 18
Airdate	May 6, 1963
Written by
Directed by
← 1x17 Feud at Snake River	1x19 → A Nice Girl from Goliath
The Dakotas — Season One

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Sanctuary at Crystal Springs is the eighteenth episode of the first season of The Dakotas.

Guest Stars:

Arc Advancement

Happenings

Marshal Frank Ragan and his deputies trap the dangerous Barton Gang inside a bank but the gang holds the trump card by having four hostages.Ragan is given the choice of going in after them at the risk of hostage life but unwisely decides to let the Bartons ride out giving them an hours head start.An hour later Ragan trails the gang and finds the dead hostages along the way. The trail leads to the town of Crystal Springs where a gunfight ensues,Ragan is wounded and the Bartons take refuge inside a church,a sacred place of sanctuary where they think the Marshals will not follow.Deputies Stark and Smith decide to go in after them and a shootout insde the church ensues where the Bartons are killed and the preacher is badly wounded.An outcry follows when a local newpaper publishes a story making the Bartons to be heroes and refers to the Marshals as atheists.The town wants Ragan and his men to leave and the territorial governor shows up in person to put their jobs on the line but Ragan is wounded and the remaining Barton brother who wasnt in on the doings of his brothers has gotten word and is headed to Crystal Springs to avenge his brothers,so the Marshals cant leave town and must remain to endure harsh treatment from the towns citizens. Note:the controversial religious aspect of this episode and its violence led to a real life public outcry and the shows cancellation