The Redemption of Red Rube (1912)

Hurriedly making preparations to go in pursuit of the outlaw "Red Rube," who has broken out of jail, Sheriff Sanders is accosted by "Spotted Snake," an Indian from the reservation who enters his shack and abusively demands whiskey. The sheriff promptly kicks him out. The Indian swears vengeance. The sheriff takes leave of his wife and child and starts after Red Rube. After his departure, Spotted Snake returns to the sheriff's shack and orders Sanders' wife to furnish him with liquor; she orders him off at rifle-point. As he leaps upon his horse, he snatches up the sheriff's little girl and rides rapidly away into the desert with her and leaves her there to die. At Silver City, Sheriff Sanders catches up with Red Rube. In the "Silver King's" saloon, Rube shoots the sheriff in the arm and flees, followed by a posse of enraged citizens determined to lynch him. Rube makes his way across the desert and comes upon the sheriff's daughter wandering aimlessly about. He knows that shooting the sheriff means lynching for him if he returns to Silver City. The child's confidence in and dependence on him touches his heart and he decides to square up his career by returning her to her parents and taking his punishment like a man. The sheriff is carried to his home, where his distracted wife tells him of their child's kidnapping. The report is spread and the neighbors gather at Sanders' house to organize a search party. While they are considering what course to pursue, Red Rube rides up and places the child in her mother's arms and surrenders himself to the sheriff. Immediately the neighbors form a Vigilante Committee and propose to lynch Red Rube, and. in spite of the sheriff's protests, they slip a rope over his head. The rescued child lifts her arms to the unfortunate man and he clasps her tenderly to his breast, while she hugs and kisses him, then she lifts the rope from his neck and casts it aside, pleading mercy for her rescuer. Red Rube hangs his head at her simple faith and trust in him. The neighbors silently steal away with tears in their eyes. The sheriff clasps Red Rube's hand in gratitude.

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Summary Details
Running Time14 min
GenresDrama Short
FilmmakersRole
Rollin S. Sturgeon Director
CastRole
Robert Thornby
George Stanley
Anne Schaefer
Eagle Eye