Set in Nevada in the 1860's, 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.
"The Savage" Season 2 Episode 12 While on his way to visit a man about windmills, Adam is wounded by Indians and left for dead. He is found by Ruth, who has lived most of her life in the mountains. After a rocky beginning, Adam and Ruth find themselves falling in love with each other. The Indians, who know Ruth as White Buffalo Woman, believe that she can heal their tribe of a disease and they begin a search for her in order to bring her back to their tribe.