Around Dodge City and in the territory on West, there's just one way to handle the killers
and the spoilers and that's with the US Marshal and the smell of gun smoke.
Gun Smoke starring William Conrad, the story of the violence that moved West with young
America, the story of a man who moved with it, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal.
Chester, Chester, Chester where are you?
Back here Mr. Dillon.
Well come on out.
Yes sir Mr. Dillon, as soon as I get my boots on.
Your boots on?
What are you doing?
Sleeping?
No sir, just washing my feet.
Well now I hope you didn't have any plans for tonight.
What did you want me to do Mr. Dillon?
I want you to stay on Front Street for a few hours while I go up and have a toddy with
Big Kate.
Oh no sir, I haven't got anything to do.
I'd be proud to stay here.
Just look at the dust in that street.
Uh oh.
Mr. Dillon?
Huh?
I heard Major Randall from Fort Dodge crossing over here.
Ah, open the door for him Chester.
Major will like that.
Come in Major Randall, come in sir.
Marshal Dillon?
Hello Major.
Marshal I want to talk to you about last Saturday's affair.
Well Saturday was a pretty lively day around here Major.
Which affair do you mean?
You surprise me Marshal.
Two United States Army soldiers were murdered while driving a supply wagon from here to
Fort Dodge.
A government payroll was stolen and you seem to have taken no interest in the matter.
Well now Major protecting the Army isn't exactly my...
The Army can protect itself Marshal, that isn't the point at all.
Well if that's true Major, how come there were only two soldiers carrying your payroll?
You got plenty of men out there and plenty of guns.
Where were they?
On maneuvers.
On maneuvers?
In my command Marshal, troops remain in garrison as little as possible.
Well then you were asking for trouble Major, knowing that there was a payroll coming in.
The arrival of the payroll was secret.
And the two men carrying it didn't know what it was.
Well the word must have got out somehow.
It seems to me Major, like somebody out at the fort must have told them.
There are no traitors in my command Sheriff.
Major, I'm not a sheriff, you see it more like that.
Never mind.
Marshal I demand to know what you intend doing about this crime.
Alright I'll tell you Major, nothing.
What?
If I knew who did it I'd make the arrest, but I don't so there's nothing I can do.
I see.
Well Marshal I regard this crime as a demonstration of your inability to control these Dodge City
ruffians and therefore I shall do it myself.
How's that Major?
If no arrests are made in this matter I'll give these bad men of yours a taste of Marshal
law.
We'll see how they like that.
I wouldn't try that Major.
These streets will be patrolled 24 hours a day.
Now listen to me Major.
You don't know these men.
Sure there are some bad ones here but most of them are just wild.
Free and wild but you run the army in here and they'll all fight.
Let them.
You've been stationed at Fort Dodge two months now haven't you Major?
How long you been out on the frontier?
This is my first tour thank heaven.
Well then I advise you to take it easy.
You get to know the ways of this land.
You may save your advice Marshal.
There'll be trouble Major, bad trouble.
If necessary.
Nonetheless, the army will take over within the week or before if there are any more of
these crimes committed against it.
Good day gentlemen.
My.
You think he'll do it Mr. Dillon?
He made a mistake and he's a hot headed fool Chester.
He'll try it.
Well can't you stop him?
I don't know.
Well I'll be at Big Cates later on.
You can find me there if you need me.
Alright Mr. Dillon.
Hey Marshal, come here.
What is it Shiloh?
Well there's talk of Dodge being run by the army Marshal.
So?
So I don't like it.
I and most of the men around here got out back in 65.
We've had all the army we need.
Yeah I know.
But maybe things will work out.
And if they don't work out, which side are you fighting on Dillon?
Where do you stand?
I'm hired to keep the peace Shiloh, not to answer fool questions.
You calling me a fool?
Well say it.
No you're drunk Shiloh.
You saying I'm drunk Marshal?
Is that it?
Alright Shiloh, I'll show you how drunk you are.
Now when he comes around tell him I took his gun.
He can get it back in the morning.
And if he objects to that, tell him to look me up and I'll throw him in jail.
Who are you?
It's Matt Kate.
Well come on in.
Well sit down Matt, I'll get you a chiton.
Thank you Kate.
You could thank me best for buying a drink at the bar downstairs once in a while.
Well why should I?
I got better whiskey for free up here.
At least you're on it.
Well what's in the wind Marshal Dillon?
Would you just come up here because you're tired of sitting with your back to a wall?
You're right Kate.
It's the only place in Dodge where I can relax.
That's probably just cause you don't consider me worth killing.
How old am I Matt?
What?
You heard me.
Well I never thought much about it Kate.
You sure didn't.
Well you getting at it anyway.
Just if I was twenty years younger you probably wouldn't come here at all.
No?
And why?
Here's your toddy.
Forget it.
Anything you say Kate.
You know Matt you ought to get yourself a girl.
Oh now Kate don't start that.
I mean it sure.
If somebody like, we'll say Conny Del.
There's a real pretty girl.
A lot of fire too.
Oh you're sure I can have an old woman Kate.
You're just no good at all you are.
You say worse than that.
I told Connie she'd come up and have a drink with us the next time you showed up.
Alright Kate if it pleases you.
It does.
Connie!
Now there's just a guard in that box by your chair Matt.
Well now.
Had him brought in by the Sandy P. Railroad all the way from St. Louis.
Evening Miss Kate.
Oh come on in Connie.
I've corralled the marshal for you.
Sit down honey I'll fix you a dress.
Don't let her talk bother you Connie.
Well I did ask to meet you marshal.
Oh?
Why?
Why'd you want to meet me?
Maybe just to see if you're really as cold and cruel as you seem downstairs.
And?
I can't tell yet.
But I don't think you are.
Yeah a profession like mine leaves its mark on a man.
There's always trouble of some kind isn't there?
Most always.
Like this army business now.
Yeah.
Will it be bad marshal?
Yeah it could be.
Well I figure it this way Matt.
The major's in trouble and he's trying to cover it up by threatening to take over Dodge.
If there's any more difficulties then he will do it.
Blasted greenwood.
Say Connie.
Has your corporal been in?
He left a while ago.
What's he say?
How'd the soldiers feel about all this?
Well I don't think they want to mix it with all these gunmen and buffalo hunters and the
like.
Yeah.
The major will wish he were back on maneuvers if it starts.
Maneuvers?
So that's where they've all been.
No wonder it's been so quiet.
But that corporal of yours Connie, how come he didn't go out?
He's not my corporal Miss Kay.
He's just a lonely kid.
Alright seems like he spends more time here than at the fort.
How's he manage that?
Oh they made him a clerk.
A sort of bookkeeper.
This time's pretty much his own.
Uh huh.
Well he's lucky he's got a good safe job too.
I suppose it is.
Well I'd better get back.
Now that we've met Marshal you might stop and buy me a drink next time you're here.
I'm afraid not Connie.
No?
You're too distracting.
I might get careless and shot at.
I take that as a compliment Marshal.
It is.
Good night Marshal.
Thanks for coming.
Don't you mention it honey.
Well Matt?
You said her name's Connie Dell Kate.
Where's she from?
I never ask the girls anything.
Yeah maybe but you always find out.
Come on tell me.
Hay City last.
Uh huh.
What's the name of this corporal who's been sniffing around?
Bowers, Corporal Bowers.
Oh here let me sweep that toddy for you.
Alright.
You put me in mind of a man I knew back in Wichita.
Yeah?
He was the slipperiest, sidewinder, and the stubbornest man I ever knew.
Evening Mr. Dillon.
Everything quiet Chester?
Yes sir.
But it's like everybody's holding his juice for the army if it comes.
Quiet and mean Mr. Dillon.
Not just quiet and mean.
Alright Chester you can go to bed.
I'll stay around for a little while longer.
Yes Mr. Dillon.
But first thing in the morning I want you to go to the depot and have them send a message
to the sheriff in Hay City.
That be Mr. Hickok?
Yeah ask Bill to send me all the information he can about a dance hall girl named Connie
Dell.
She left her about a month ago.
Connie Dell.
I'll do it Mr. Dillon.
And bring me the answer as soon as it comes in huh?
Well we ought to have it by tomorrow evening.
Yeah I hope so.
Well good night Chester.
Good night Mr. Dillon.
I got it from Mr. Hightower down at the railroad depot.
Mr. Dillon will come in at seven o'clock.
Oh good let me see it Chester.
Connie Dell worked Golden Horn Bar here.
Left about a month ago a stranger called Billy Grounds.
Nothing against girl but believe Grounds a wild one.
Has anybody shot you yet?
Regards Hickok.
What's up Mr. Dillon?
Well I don't know Chester.
I don't quite know.
Look you go over and ask Big Kate if she's heard anything about this Billy Grounds.
Alright Mr. Dillon.
Marshal.
What is it Shiloh?
I want you to smell my gun.
Here.
What?
Go on smell it.
Alright it hasn't been fired.
What are you worried about?
Well I've been talking a lot lately and a man was just shot out behind the long branch.
A soldier.
Any witnesses to this?
Well who saw it?
I want to know who killed this soldier.
Maybe nobody did see it Marshal.
Maybe nobody cares much about it anyway.
Just a soldier.
Alright you men I'm going to tell you something.
If I don't find who shot this man the army will move in here for sure.
Let the whole army Marshal they won't all move in.
Why not?
A sharp rifle can kill a buffalo at 200 yards and reckon it'll kill soldiers at three.
Let me through here.
Hello Marshal.
What have we got this time?
Uh oh.
Soldier.
Yeah.
Well he needs an autopsy just like anybody else.
That was the man that shot him.
He get hurt maybe?
Take a good look Doc.
He isn't even armed.
This isn't a shooting this is a murder.
Hey you're right Marshal.
Oh well I'll get him up to my office.
Here now give me a hand some.
You may have a better day tomorrow Doc but I hope I can spoil it for you.
I'm riding out to Fort Dodge right now.
Well Marshal what brings you here?
Trouble Major.
What sort of trouble?
Murder.
A soldier?
Yeah.
Who?
I don't know some private.
Why haven't I been informed of this?
It just happened about an hour ago.
In Dodge City of course.
In Dodge City.
Have you arrested the murderer?
Nobody saw it happen.
I see.
Well Marshal you leave me no choice.
Now hold it Major I didn't ride out here just to carry news for you.
I want something from you.
From me Marshal?
Yeah.
I want you to keep all soldiers out of Dodge for the next 48 hours.
Put it off limits.
That's not exactly what I had in mind Marshal.
But you're going to do it anyway.
What?
Now listen Major.
Dodge City is an armed camp.
It's full of men who fought Indians who fought the war between the states and who fought
each other ever since they could spit.
They'll fight you next.
They'll make you hate it.
Marshal Dillon I shall report your treasonable talk.
Do what you like but stay out of Dodge.
Now I'll make you a deal Major.
Give me 48 hours and I'll find your killers.
You better take it.
All right.
But I want the criminals delivered here.
Sure Major.
And I might have to kill them to get them here.
Hello Doc.
Are you drinking up the profits you made off of that soldier?
Oh hello Marshal.
The boy's name was Boone according to the letter I found on him.
Anything else?
Yes.
I dug a couple of slugs out of him.
It's a funny thing Marshal.
I haven't happened on lead like that since 65.
What do you mean Doc?
Well I'd swear that boy was shot with a Calvary pistol.
I'll see you later Doc.
And mind you can't prove it.
Not exactly but I would swear.
Come in.
Hello Kate.
Did Jester see you?
He did.
Well?
Matt I get my information through the girl.
Some of it's true some of it's bound to be just talk.
How weeded out?
Connie's been seen riding out at night toward the Arkansas down my brandy bin.
What for?
I don't know.
Could be this fellow Billy Grounds.
Yeah.
His name's never been mentioned around here.
My guess is he's never been in town.
Anything else?
One thing.
Corporal Bowers and Connie went for a ride one night.
When?
Night before that payroll was robbed.
Figures.
Where's Connie now?
Over at the Longhorn eating a steak.
It's kind of late for supper.
She works late.
Matt.
Yeah.
Next girl I steer you into I'll pull her fangs first.
No thank you Kate.
I like them better this way.
Good evening Connie.
Well this is a surprise Marsha.
May I sit down?
Of course.
Thank you.
You sure Corporal Bowers won't mind?
Don't be silly.
Anyway, he's away at the fort.
Uh huh.
What time did he leave Connie?
I don't know about seven I think.
Why?
Anyone with him?
Yeah.
Private Bowen.
Marsha, you think Bowers shot him is that it?
You know any reason why he would Connie?
They were friends.
They worked together in the bookkeeping office.
I see.
Tell me Connie, Bowers say much about his job there or what he does and all?
No Marsha, he never talked about it.
Handled expenses for supplies and the like?
Figured out the payroll?
I don't know.
Bowers would be in a good spot to know when to expect the payroll money in wouldn't he?
Even when it was kept a secret?
You'd have to ask him Marsha.
I don't know anything about the army.
But this isn't why you found me here is it?
Of course not Connie, I'm sorry.
You look real pretty tonight.
Why thank you Marsha.
You really mean it?
Sure.
Sure I do.
I have to work late tonight but I can get off tomorrow evening.
Marsha, would you go for a ride with me?
There'll be a moon.
Where would we ride to Connie?
I don't know.
Anywhere maybe, maybe along the Arkansas.
I know, let's ride down to our Brandy Bin.
Alright Connie, we'll ride down to Brandy Bin.
You're all dressed up Mr. Dillon, are you going somewhere?
Yeah after supper I am Chester, got me an engagement.
Been riding with Connie Dell in the moonlight along the river.
You see a nice girl Mr. Dillon?
All girls are nice Chester, some fall in with bad company that's all.
Yes, Mr. Dillon?
Yeah.
Who'd this one fall in with?
Me.
Oh no Mr. Dillon, that's not so.
Then who'd you think Chester?
Come on tell me.
Billy Grounds.
You don't give me much credit for romance Chester.
No sir.
Well don't look so worried about it.
I was thinking would you like me to follow you tonight, Indian style?
Thanks Chester, but it wouldn't help.
You see I'm riding into an ambush, it'll be over fast, real fast.
Well alright Mr. Dillon, if that's the way you want it.
That's the way it's got to be.
And as soon as I leave I want you to ride out to Fort Dodge and see the Major.
Yes sir.
Tell him to arrest Corporal Bowers for the murder of Private Bone.
I think Bone found out where the leak about that payroll money came from and Bowers had
to shut him up.
The Major won't like that will he?
Well tell him I'll prove it.
And anyway I think Bowers will confess fast enough when the time comes.
When'll that be Mr. Dillon?
When I get back to town with Billy Grounds.
What about the girl?
Well it's like I told you Chester, nice girl, bad company.
You know I had me a girl once.
Huh?
Well you never told me about that Chester.
What happened?
It was over in Abilene.
I gave her my money to go to St. Louis and buy some wedding clothes.
She wanted that.
So?
Well I don't know Mr. Dillon.
I guess she just liked it there in St. Louis.
I'm going down the street Chester.
You better get started for the fort soon.
Yes sir Mr. Dillon.
Good evening Marshal.
Hello Shiloh.
I see you a little drunk coming on Marshal.
Check your guns back there with Chester.
What if the army comes tonight?
I'll need my gun.
Then stay sober.
But if the army doesn't come I'll have stayed sober for nothing.
Every man's got his problem Shiloh.
But if I see you drunk and wearing your gun you'll wake up broken hearted in jail tomorrow.
I don't want to get drunk enough to draw on you Marshal.
That's so Shiloh.
Then some night you're going to die.
Marshal?
Oh hello Connie.
I got off a little early.
Shall we go now?
Anytime.
I keep my horse at the national.
I'll meet you at the edge of town.
You ashamed to be seen with me?
No Marshal but you know how people talk.
Sure Connie.
I'll wait for you just down the trail.
I'll hurry.
We come pretty fast Connie.
You want to get on for a minute?
I'm all right.
We'll let the horses blow a little and then move on.
You nervous Connie?
No.
Why?
Well then sit on and relax.
All right.
Is this better?
Yeah.
Sure is a nice night.
Beautiful.
You're not even looking at it Connie.
Is something on your mind?
No of course not.
Why should there be?
I don't know.
You tell me.
It's nothing Marshal really.
Connie let me ask you something.
You ever see a man killed?
What?
Why'd you say that?
Well did you?
Yes.
Once in the saloon.
Tell me.
Do you have a fair chance?
Yeah he even drew first.
Then you never saw a man shot in the back or ambushed.
What do you mean Marshal?
I think it sort of goes against your grain Connie.
The idea of a man being killed without a fair chance.
I get it Marshal.
All right go ahead.
Down by the river near Brandy Bend, Billy Grounds is waiting to shoot me in the back.
Then why did you come Marshal?
It's my job.
I suppose you know about everything.
I think so.
What are you going to do?
Hey unless I made a mistake about you I think you're going to let me have a fair chance
at him somehow.
Why should I?
What does it mean to me?
I don't know Connie.
I don't know.
But you think about it.
You think about it all the way to Brandy Bend.
Now come on let's ride.
Make a nice camp down here.
Plenty of wood.
Get your own water right out of the Arkansas.
Don't you think Connie?
A man could hide out for a long time down here.
Marshal.
It's pretty safe here even while the army was trying to move into Dodge.
A lot of men were being killed back there.
It's peaceful here.
Quiet.
Marshal I can't do it.
Tell me Connie.
That big cottonwood up ahead on the left.
All right keep moving.
When we get there I'm going to ride fast.
I'll hang on to the off side of my horse for cover.
When I start you turn around.
Get back out of gunfire.
Yeah sure is pretty down here Connie.
You know maybe someday we can come down and go fishing huh.
That river is full of catfish.
Did you ever get catfish dinner?
Oh they can be mighty good when they're small enough.
Back Connie.
Connie.
Yeah he's dead Connie.
I'm all right Marshal.
I'm sorry about this Connie.
I'm sorry I had to do it.
He killed your horse.
I'll show you where his is.
And the money.
Then you can take me back to Dodge.
Jail.
All right Connie.
But you won't be in jail for long.
You have my word.
Not for long.
Let's go Marshal.
Gun Smoke under the direction of Norman MacDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon U.S. Marshal.
Tonight's story was especially written for Gun Smoke by John Meston with music composed
and conducted by Rex Corey.
Featured in tonight's cast were Michael Ann Barrett and Jeanette Nolan with Harry Bartel
and Don Diamond.
Parley Bear is Chester and Howard McNear is Doc.
Join us again next week as Matt Dillon U.S. Marshal fights to bring law and order out
of the wild violence of the West in Gun Smoke.
The adventure just begins with Gun Smoke on CBS radio.
Still ahead tonight, Tina Offrey, Tarzan, Gangbusters and Stars in the Air.
Yes, listen in for them all on most of these same CBS radio stations.
This is Roy Rowan speaking and remember for your free convention handbook, right to time,
CBS Chicago 90 Illinois.
This is the CBS radio network.
Thank you.