Who gets whipped in High Plains Drifter?

In High Plains Drifter, Jim Duncan is the character who gets whipped to death.

Jim Duncan was the former town marshal of Lago. His brutal death is a pivotal event in the film, serving as the catalyst for much of the subsequent storyline and the mysterious Stranger's actions. The horrifying act is primarily revealed through the haunting nightmares and visions experienced by The Stranger (Clint Eastwood) after his arrival in Lago. These visions depict three men—Stacey Bridges, Dan Morgan, and Cole Carlin—riding into town and brutally whipping Duncan to his demise.

This incident, which occurred before the main narrative begins, underscores the town's guilt and its complicity in not preventing Duncan's murder. The townsfolk's fear of these outlaws, who are soon to be released from prison and return to Lago, is what drives them to hire The Stranger for protection.

Here's a quick overview of the character involved:

The whipping of Jim Duncan is a crucial element that establishes the dark atmosphere and the theme of retribution within the film. It's a key piece of the mystery surrounding The Stranger's identity and his connection to the town's past.

For a visual depiction of the scene, you can refer to clips such as The Towns Marshal Is Whipped | High Plains Drifter.