Jamie Hunter (later Jamie Cartwright) was the adopted son of Ben Cartwright in latter-day episodes of the television western series Bonanza. He was played by Mitch Vogel. Jamie Hunter was introduced in 1970, and remained on the show until it's cancellation in 1973.
Mini biography
Jamie Hunter is introducted in the 363rd episode of Bonanza, A Matter of Faith, which aired September 20, 1970. He is the son of a rainmaker, who traveled to shows around the southwestern United States selling his wares. He visits Virginia City, Nevada to end a drought. In a back-story related by the show's characters, the elder Hunter's customers (i.e. the townpeople in Virginia City) became skeptical about his abilities, and become angry with him. This brings about his health problems and eventually his death. Jamie is trying to follow in his father's footsteps. He and his friend, Dusty Rhoades, travel to Virginia City to help relieve another severe drought. The same people that become angry with Jamie's father before are now upset again when Jamie's abilities are not immediately fruitful. Ben Cartwright takes pity on the boy and allows him to build a rain tower on the Ponderosa. The town people become angry with Ben too and storm Jamie's camp, burning his father's book. Eventually, it rains. Ben recognized that Jamie is now an orphan, and invited him to remain on the Ponderosa. Jamie accepts Ben's offer. In a 1971 episode, Ben legally adopts Jamie, and he takes the surname "Cartwright."
