Changes

The Jim Hardie character is based on a [[biography]] of Frederick J. "Fred" Dodge (1854-1938), a Wells Fargo detective who worked in Arizona, California, and [[Nevada]].  In the series story line, Hardie seemed to appear suddenly nearly anywhere in the West while engaged in Wells Fargo business.  

The Jim Hardie character is based on a [[biography]] of Frederick J. "Fred" Dodge (1854-1938), a Wells Fargo detective who worked in Arizona, California, and [[Nevada]].  In the series story line, Hardie seemed to appear suddenly nearly anywhere in the West while engaged in Wells Fargo business.  

Two other western series similarly focused on detectives. These programs, both syndicated, were ''Pony Express,'' which stars Grant Sullivan (1924-2011) as detective Brett Clark, which aired in the 1959-1960 season to coincide with the centennial of the [[Pony Express]]. Earlier, from 1954 to 1955, Jim Davis (1909-1981) had starred as railroad investigator Matt Clark in the syndicated ''Stories of the Century.'' Davis and Robertson each voiced the narration for their respective series. Robertson and Davis later landed roles in the  1980's prime-time soap operas, ''Dynasty'' and ''Dallas.''

Two other western series similarly focused on detectives. These programs, both syndicated, were ''Pony Express,'' which stars Grant Sullivan (1924-2011) as detective Brett Clark, which aired in the 1959-1960 season to coincide with the centennial of the [[Pony Express]]. Earlier, from 1954 to 1955, Jim Davis (1909-1981) had starred as railroad investigator Matt Clark in the syndicated ''Stories of the Century.'' Davis and Robertson each voiced the narration for their respective series. Robertson and Davis later landed roles in the  1980's prime-time soap operas, ''Dynasty'' and ''Dallas.''

Robertson's soothing narration was especially essential to the success of the series, but the narrations ended with the final season. He voiced a self-reliant, traditional, and wholesome message in his narrations, always landing on the side of truth and justice. In the final season, however, the narrations were dropped.

Robertson's soothing narration was especially essential to the success of the series, but the narrations ended with the final season. He voiced a self-reliant, traditional, and wholesome message in his narrations, always landing on the side of truth and justice. In the final season, however, the narrations were dropped. Jim Davis similarly had acted and narrated the first season of his syndicated western anthology series, ''[[Stories of the Century]].''

==Historical figures==

==Historical figures==