Set in Nevada in the 1860s, Bonanza chronicled the adventures of the Cartwright family who owned a large ranch called The Ponderosa. Ben Cartwright and his three sons, Adam, Hoss, and Joe fought for what was just and decent in a time where lawlessness was common.

The widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright had three sons, each by a different wife: the oldest was the urbane architect Adam Cartwright, who built the ranch house. The second was the warm and lovable giant Eric, better known by his nickname “Hoss.” And the youngest was the hotheaded and impetuous Joseph or “Little Joe.” They all lived and worked on The Ponderosa. Nearby Virginia City helped populate the episodes with guest starring characters from all over America.

Broadcast between September 1959 and January 1973. Filmed by the National Broadcasting Company at Paramount Studios.

“Bitter Water” Season 1 Episode 29

The Cartwrights find themselves involved in a fight over water rights, when the son of one of their neighbors is influenced by the father of his fiancee. Lem Keith wants to destroy the Ponderosa and will stop at nothing including infecting Ponderosa cattle with his own diseased cattle. This leads the Cartwrights to take measures that they never thought they would use.