Festus Haggen
Encyclopedia
Festus Haggen was Marshal Matt Dillon
's only official deputy on the CBS
television series Gunsmoke
. He came to Dodge City
in an episode titled "Us Haggens" to avenge the death of his twin brother, Fergus. Played by Ken Curtis
, he first appeared in 1962 and was showcased full-time from 1964 until 1975. One of Festus's most well-known attributes was his simple vocabulary and demeanor (which hid a sharp eye and considerable native intelligence), thus ending up being interpreted by viewers as "lovable," and kept Curtis on the series as a full-time cast member.
Fergus joined their outlaw
uncle—Black Jack Haggen—and was wounded trying to escape a posse. When Jack's horse came up lame, he made Fergus take the lame horse and left Fergus for dead. Fergus, however, made it back to the Haggen place and told Festus what happened. Festus rode out after Jack, who had come to the attention of Marshal Matt Dillon when he killed a local farmer and stole his wagon. Festus joined Matt Dillon and they apprehended Jack, who was shot by the marshal in an escape attempt.
Festus decided to stick around Dodge. He can frequently be seen arguing with Doc Adams, or trying to get someone to buy him a beer
at the Long Branch
. Although originally distrusted by Matt and the townspeople, Festus was eventually accepted by them and became the only full-time official deputy marshal of Gunsmoke. In episodes such as Deadman's Law, he was in charge of the town. Little is known of his past life except that he was a trapper and also a laborer on the transcontinental railroad and cannot read. In a record titled "Gunsmoke's Festus Haggen Calls Out Ken Curtis" it is revealed that he served in the Confederate army, which also explains why he called his mule Ruth.
Some famous sayings of Festus were, "Golly Bill!" or "You ornery ole scutter." He called Marshal Dillon, "Math-HEW"!
Marshal Matt Dillon
Marshal Matt Dillon is a fictional character featured on both the radio and television versions of Gunsmoke. He serves as the U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, Kansas who works to preserve law and order in the western frontier of the 1870s. The character was created by writer John Meston, who...
's only official deputy on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television series Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West....
. He came to Dodge City
Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City is a city in, and the county seat of, Ford County, Kansas, United States. Named after nearby Fort Dodge, the city is famous in American culture for its history as a wild frontier town of the Old West. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,340.-History:The first settlement of...
in an episode titled "Us Haggens" to avenge the death of his twin brother, Fergus. Played by Ken Curtis
Ken Curtis
Ken Curtis was an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the long-running CBS western television series Gunsmoke.-Early years:...
, he first appeared in 1962 and was showcased full-time from 1964 until 1975. One of Festus's most well-known attributes was his simple vocabulary and demeanor (which hid a sharp eye and considerable native intelligence), thus ending up being interpreted by viewers as "lovable," and kept Curtis on the series as a full-time cast member.
Fergus joined their outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
uncle—Black Jack Haggen—and was wounded trying to escape a posse. When Jack's horse came up lame, he made Fergus take the lame horse and left Fergus for dead. Fergus, however, made it back to the Haggen place and told Festus what happened. Festus rode out after Jack, who had come to the attention of Marshal Matt Dillon when he killed a local farmer and stole his wagon. Festus joined Matt Dillon and they apprehended Jack, who was shot by the marshal in an escape attempt.
Festus decided to stick around Dodge. He can frequently be seen arguing with Doc Adams, or trying to get someone to buy him a beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
at the Long Branch
Long Branch Saloon
The Long Branch Saloon is a famous saloon that existed during the Old West days of Dodge City, Kansas. It had numerous owners, most notably Chalk Beeson and gunfighter Luke Short...
. Although originally distrusted by Matt and the townspeople, Festus was eventually accepted by them and became the only full-time official deputy marshal of Gunsmoke. In episodes such as Deadman's Law, he was in charge of the town. Little is known of his past life except that he was a trapper and also a laborer on the transcontinental railroad and cannot read. In a record titled "Gunsmoke's Festus Haggen Calls Out Ken Curtis" it is revealed that he served in the Confederate army, which also explains why he called his mule Ruth.
Some famous sayings of Festus were, "Golly Bill!" or "You ornery ole scutter." He called Marshal Dillon, "Math-HEW"!