John Dehner was brought in when Lee J. Cobb left, and was supposed to be a friend of the Judges from earlies days and was interim head of Shiloh when the Judge became Gov. of Wyoming territory as the Virginian didn't want the position and nearly left Shiloh after a fight with Morgan Starr.

Yes Kate a very uncomfortable transition period for
the show. John Dehner was never quite suitable for the show and it didn't find its feet again until John McIntire joined the cast.