Merced

Captain Merced was a corrupt officer in the United States Army featured in the Bonanza episode Alias Joe Cartwright.

He was portrayed by actor and later psychologist Douglas Dick.

Working with the corrupt Angus Borden, Merced used his position at Fort Craig to steal supplies from the United States government and profit off selling them to Native Americans. When the pair were caught in the act by another officer, Borden killed the officer. Borden was tried and convicted for the murder, but Merced helped him escape before he could be executed. Merced then arranged to be transferred to a new posting in Nevada to keep from being caught.

When Borden came upon Joe Cartwright, he knocked the other man out and switched his clothes with that of Cartwright's. He and Merced decided to claim that Cartwright was actually Borden, and have him killed by an execution by firing squad.

Feeling that Merced's actions were dishonorable, Sgt. O'Rourke delayed the execution long enough until Cartwright's father appeared with the real Borden in tow and vouched for his son. Borden exposed Merced as a corrupt official who was willing to kill to keep his crimes secret.

Merced tried to pull out his officer's revolver to shoot Borden, but was quickly disarmed by Joe Cartwright. O'Rourke had the corrupt Merced placed under arrest. Realizing the game was over, Merced allowed himself to be placed under arrest and marched with the guards back to the stockade.