The town sign said population 268. They could easily sent 20 men after those savages. Especially after that native warned them about how dangerous it was. Instead only one gunfighter rode with the sheriff along with an old man and a cripple.
shareGood question. The only reason I can think of was lack of budget.
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La-bibbida-bibba-dum, la-bibbida-bibbi-doo
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I was wondering about that too - why not call in the Cavalry?
shareThey did send out a telegraph, and wanted to spell troglodyte correctly. But considering what was going on they didn't want to wait for anyone. If they'd just been going after the killers it would have been different but look at how small an amount of time meant the death of the deputy but not the wife.
The film made it clear at the beginning that most of the men in the town had left on a cattle drive. It's why O'Dwyer was unhappy to have hurt his leg and not get to go. The salloon being empty is another indication at the lack of men around at this point in time. Plus the sheriff said only he and O'Dwyer HAD to go, one as it was his duty, the other because it was his wife. Anyone else going was a volunteer. 2 more guys volunteered and no-one else did.
shareThe place was deserted because most people went to deliver the beeves (ie beef). The movie made that clear during the opening scene. And some of the men who were there were too afraid to go, like the expert Indian.
From a plot standpoint, having just four created more horror and suspense.