I just watched all episodes from the first four seasons, even the first episode where John Wayne introduced the program, She was always portrayed as the owner.
“I just watched all episodes from the first four seasons, even the first episode where John Wayne introduced the program, She was always portrayed as the owner.”
Not according to my recollection, or the published accounts of others.
“Born Beverly Louise Neill in Buffalo, New York, was a telephone operator before acting. Nicknamed “Young Greer Garson,” became best known for her 19 years as the fictional “Kitty Russell.” Miss Kitty was the owner-operator of the Long Branch Saloon, which dispenses wisdom, whiskey, and – although not openly – the boarding room keys and “fantasy” women. (In the early episodes of Gunsmoke, Miss Kitty is an employee of the Long Branch, although it is unclear what their functions are.) Like Perry Mason and his secretary Della Street, Kitty and Dodge City in the U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon (played by James Arness) apparently wrapped her in a relationship.”