Petticoat Junction (1963)

S5E26 Bad Day at Shady Rest

As his final week as a reporter at the Hooterville World Guardian unfolds, Jeff Powers is on the hunt for a major scoop. However, he misses a significant incident when Sam and Joe are confronted by a masked robber at the local store. While Joe believes he could recognize the thief, little do they know, the newly arrived guest at the hotel, Mr. Lawson, is actually the culprit. Frustrated with Sheriff Crandall's inaction, Joe voices his criticism as Pixley’s bank becomes the next target. In a surprising move, Sheriff Crandall appoints Joe as a deputy, and with a quirky new gadget—a rubber life raft and a hat pin—Uncle Joe may just have the tools to apprehend the bandit.