Bently

The accepted answer is that Ned wanted to make life easier for his widow. Maybe Ned was delirious on his deathbed--such a reason is just not rational, especially not in light of the town's mob mentality. That said fact is demonstrated in an early scene.

Thankfully, Ned's decision is not the central focus of the drama. If we do not dwell too long on the reasoning, the episode can be enjoyed for several reasons. First of all, where the widow comes to live. Second, the hired gun's big scene (and it is awful that other comments may have spoiled this). But most important, Dennis Weaver's farewell--another excellent performance as a valedictory.

That's the oddball, elegant but slightly creepy actor Gene Lyons, with his big ears and droopy eyes, NOT exactly your average gunfighter/killer. His scene in the office with Chester is probably the highlight of this VERY entertaining episode. "Well, if that doesn't beat all", says the guy with the limp after Lyons rides off.

A GREAT send-off for Chester, who somehow managed to insert himself into dangerous situations, rarely get involved in any gun play, yet still come out a winner.

A WONDERFUL script full of unexpected turns, and an excellent, sensitive performance by Jan Clayton (the original Julie Jordan in "Carousel" on Broadway, 1946).

Another top-tier episode from Gunsmoke's real "hey-day"-- the hour-long, B&W episodes ('61-65), before they went to color and things got too crazy, deranged and violent (in order to compete for viewers in the increasingly "mod" late '60's.) LR.

I agree with the many reviews complaining that Chester's departure was never noted. It certainly should have at some point. That said, it seems Dennis Weaver took some time to decide to leave and how could he be sure that leaving would end up a smart move? I think the writers, by not stating he was gone, left room for Chester's possible return. Nevertheless, at some point Chester should have been celebrated...maybe in a wrap up, gala, final episode. Oh yeah, that never happened!

Man, I wish this character was on the whole length of the show. What an interesting guy Chester is. I know why Dennis Weaver chose to leave, and it made sense but, I thoroughly enjoyed all his appearances. Thats why I gave it a 10, based solely on his performance. I loved how the writers brought out another facet not normally seen in him, and his exchange with the episode's antagonist on the street was cleverly handled.

This episode wasn't perfect, much of the action in it and the behaviors of some of the characters were somewhat hard to believe but, I'm glad Dennis Weaver's last appearance on the show was more well-rounded than usual.

A mystery to be solved! Not to give too many spoilers, but this episode is a good one. I've seen it many times, and it never gets old. Marshall Dillon would be real proud of Chester as he single handily breaks a murder case which has a twist. He catches a real scoundrel. In an alternate reality, I like to think Chester made the right decision to leave Dodge and move to Californ-I-A with his guitar and strike it big as a successful singing cowboy.

Some of his compositions include: "Run Rabbit Run" & "Pack Up My Bag to Californ-I-A".

He later changed his identity to Chester McCloud, LOL. Bentley.