**Law of the Plainsman** is a Western TV series that aired on NBC from October 1, 1959, to May 5, 1960. It stars Michael Ansara as Sam Buckhart, a Native American U.S. Marshal. The character was first introduced in two episodes of ABC's **The Rifleman**.
Unique for its time, the series featured a Native American lead, a bold move for U.S. network television. Ansara, though not Native American himself, had previously played Apache chief Cochise in **Broken Arrow**. He portrays Sam Buckhart, an Apache who saved a U.S. Cavalry officer's life, then used the officer's bequeathed money for an education at private schools and Harvard University. Returning to New Mexico, Sam becomes a Deputy Marshal under Marshal Andy Morrison, living in Martha Commager's boarding house. He also takes care of an orphaned girl, 8-year-old Tess Logan. Robert Harland and Wayne Rogers, who later starred in **Target: The Corruptors!** and **Stagecoach West/M*A*S*H** respectively, also appear as Deputy Billy Lordan.
Patrolling the plains, Marshal Sam Buckhart discovers a wagon containing a murdered man and his eight-year-old daughter. The girl is able to give Buckhart a description of the killer.
Episode 2. Full Circle
1959-10-08 · 30 min
For years Sam Buckhart has been looking for a bank robber. He is stunned to discover that the thief is Sheriff Max Chafee, who Sam believed to be honest and straightforward.
Episode 3. A Matter Of Life And Death
1959-10-15 · 30 min
Marshal Sam Buckhart, who has been searching for outlaw Charlie Slade for many years, finally locates his hideout. Before Buckhart can take the outlaw prisoner, Slade's henchmen overpower him.
Episode 4. The Hostiles
1959-10-22 · 30 min
A man who lives in the mountains kills a young girl; Sam Buckhart is assigned to find the murderer.
Episode 5. Passenger To Mescalero
1959-10-29 · 30 min
Deputy Marshal Sam Buckhart is assigned to bring a dangerous outlaw to the prison at Mescalero. During the journey a band of outlaws ambush the stagecoach.
