Around Dodd City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers
and the spoilers.
And that's with a US Marshal and the smell of Gunsmoke.
Gunsmoke 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.
Hello, anyone here?
Be right out.
I was just in the...
Oh, hello Marshal Dillon.
Hello Ben, how are you?
Had Shubman come in from St. Louis?
He came in on the morning train, Marshal.
I was going to send the boy over to tell you.
What, have you seen it yet?
I haven't had a chance to open it up.
Here it is.
Oh good, let's see how it looks.
All right.
There it is.
The prettiest gold watch chain I ever did see.
Chester will like that.
And look at the gleam on that elk's tail.
Chester know you're getting this for him?
Oh no, no.
It's by way of a surprise.
He thinks he's got a birthday this month, sometime.
Saturday's about the middle of the month, so I figure it's as good a day as any.
Give it.
Good morning, Miss Dillon.
Oh, morning Ben.
Marshal Dillon.
Morning, Tara.
Oh, how beautiful.
Is it yours, Marshal?
Oh no, no, no.
It's for Chester.
He's always wanted one.
It's lovely.
Ben, did my hand mirror arrive?
Yeah, it came in this morning, Miss Tara.
Can I take it now?
I don't know why not.
It's paid for.
Here.
Careful now, Miss Tara.
It came all the way from Boston, so don't drop it.
Oh, I won't.
Don't worry.
Thanks, Ben.
Goodbye.
Bye.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Marshal Dillon.
Goodbye, Tara.
That's a mighty pretty girl, Ben.
Yes, sir.
She's blossomed out since I saw her last.
Well, what will it be, Ben?
It will be just about four dollars, Marshal.
Four dollars, huh?
There we are, four dollars.
Thank you, Marshal.
And give Chester my regards.
I'll do that, Ben.
Good morning, Miss Lane.
Good morning, Marshal.
Good morning.
Good morning, Marshal.
Hello, John.
Oh, hello, Marshal.
Good morning, Chester.
Well, morning, Mr. Dillon.
Put this in the safe for me, will you?
Yes, sir.
How was the auction yesterday?
You know, Mr. Dillon, I never did see so many horses and mules.
You buy anything?
No, sir, Mr. Dillon.
But Asa Welton bought that old stud horse off Mr. McGovern.
No, is that so?
You know, I feel sorry for poor old Asa.
Why, that stud horse has got a ring bone so bad he can't hardly walk.
Well, Asa isn't very smart when it comes to horses, I'm afraid.
No, sir, he ain't.
And I purely hate to see him lose good money on a horse like that.
Why, he paid $19 for that horse.
Well, he'll make out if the stud can get him some coats.
Yes, sir, I guess.
That is, if he's got a mare.
Yes, Chester, if he's got a mare.
And if he don't, well, sir, I just don't know.
My.
Chester, this evening I'm going to have supper with Kitty over at Dodge House.
Will you stay here?
There's no work to do, but you could keep an eye on things.
Well, I'd be proud, Mr. Dillon.
More coffee, Kitty?
No, thanks, man.
Yeah.
You mind if I smoke?
Those are the longest cigars I ever saw.
Well, if it bothers you.
Math, six nights a week at the Texas Trail and you think I'd mind one cigar?
Go ahead.
OK.
Math.
What?
There's something been troubling me.
Oh, what's that?
Well, I wanted to have supper here so we could talk.
Well, what is it, Kitty?
Almost four months ago, you and Chester brought a little girl back into town.
Daddy was dead out on the plains.
You brought her back because she couldn't stay out there alone.
But go on.
She's real sweet.
Young, I guess maybe 17.
You're talking about Tara Hantry.
Yeah, Math.
I saw her over at the general store this morning.
What about her?
Well, she's hanging around the Texas Trail, Math.
I see her there all the time, afternoons, evenings.
Oh?
Well, why are you telling me this, Kitty?
That's no place for a girl.
Not a young girl, not a girl like Tara.
I don't have any say about how Kate runs the Texas Trail.
If they don't want Tara in the place, Kate should keep her out.
Well, Kate won't keep her out.
Why should she?
Tara's attractive.
She's good for business.
Kitty, when I brought Tara back to Dodge, Lawrence Kells and his wife took her in.
They've been treating her like their own daughter.
Now, it's not my place to interfere with them.
Well, maybe they don't know, Math.
They're church-going people, Kitty, Kells and his wife.
They try to do what's right for Tara.
I'm sure they do.
Math, people like the Kells don't know the Texas Trail.
They don't know the saddle bums, the spoilers, the wild ones that hang out there.
Even if they did, they wouldn't see too much wrong with the man Tara's taken up with.
Well, who is it?
Jack Grace.
Jack Grace?
Yeah.
Tara's keeping company with him?
She has been since he came to town a few weeks back.
Well, that little fool.
Well, don't blame her too much, Math.
He cuts quite a figure.
Long hair, buckskin shirt, Texas spurs.
She's young and his stories make for good listening.
Yeah.
Math, I've talked with Grace and there's something wrong with him.
He's too cold, like he's dead inside.
He can charm you with a smile and he talks just fine, almost like a gentleman.
But there's nothing inside him, Math.
He's empty, like a shell.
All right.
What do you want me to do, Kitty?
Thank you, Math.
Talk to the Kells.
All right.
Tomorrow morning, I promise.
Good morning, Marcel Dillon.
Good morning, Tara.
We are having some lemonade.
Won't you join us?
Well, I came looking for Mr. Kells.
They're both down at the church, getting ready for the social tomorrow night.
Oh, Marcel Dillon, have you met Mr. Grace?
Mr. Grace?
I know of you, Marcel Dillon.
Down around the way go several of the boys speak of you.
No.
What did you want to see the Kells about, Marcel Dillon?
Maybe I could help you.
I think I should talk to them, Tara.
It's a matter of business.
About Mr. Kells' business?
The buffalo hides?
No, no, no.
It's another sort of thing.
I'd better come back, Tara.
They'll be home later.
Well, you know how these church socials take planning.
It may be late.
Yeah, well, I'll come back then.
Sorry you won't join us, Marshall.
I'll be back.
Come on, let's go.
I'llTuuuuuuuuuuuut Charoteeeeess Better you had-
I was 10 minutes away if I left.
No
you'll go away.
I said it, what order did you say?
It's a fine time to talk about it.
Now look, Tara...
How busybodies in this town sent you over here.
They don't like my keeping company with Jack.
Isn't that right?
They're not busybodies, Tara.
They're people who are fond of you, older than you, and know more about Jack Grace than
you do.
Blue-nosed old gossips.
Now, Tara, listen to me.
No, you listen to me.
For as long back as I can remember, Pa and me worked at dried-up old Homestead, alone
after Ma died.
To kill Pa came near to killing me.
Look, when I brought you into Dodge, the Kells took you in.
They treated you like their own daughter.
Mr. Kells is a wealthy man.
He's given you everything he can.
And I'm grateful to him.
He's tried hard to do all the things Pa would have done if the planes hadn't killed him.
But he still can't give me the love and excitement and fun Jack Grace can.
Oh, Tara, so help me.
If you were two years younger, I'd put you across my knee and slap some sense into you.
Now, if you hurt the Kells because of Jack Grace, or if you get yourself in trouble,
I'm going to forget about this.
I didn't know better.
I'd say it was a lover's spat.
I'll be back later, Tara.
There isn't much point in that, Marshal Dillon, from what I could hear on the porch.
Miss Tara seems to have said what she thinks.
Real plain.
I'll be back later, Tara.
Will you tell them?
I don't know why you bother, Marshal.
If the Kells are ones to worry about loose reputations, they might not pay too much attention
to you.
What are you getting at?
The U.S. Marshal who sniffs around one of the girls at the Texas Trail isn't in the
best of company.
And after all, everyone knows the kiddies.
Now get up.
And if I ever hear you mention Kitty again, I'll come after you.
Why don't you do that?
I will.
Good day, Tara.
Jack, I...
I'll call back for you later this afternoon.
I'm sorry, Tara.
I didn't mean for this to happen.
You're just a big blunder and stupid bully.
Tara, please.
And if you mess up the one thing that means happiness for me, I'll help and kill you.
We will return for the second act of gun smoke in just a moment.
The first, misreminded, then mind you don't miss CBS Radio's Mr. Chameleon on the first
of his new Friday night broadcasts tonight on most of these same CBS radio stations.
Now the second act of gun smoke.
Chester told me you wanted to see me, Mr. Dillon.
Yes, Mr. Kelser, won't you sit down, please?
Yeah, sure.
I hope it won't take too long.
Gretchen and I are in charge of the box store tonight, you know.
We don't want to be too late.
Well, it may take a few minutes, Mr. Kelser.
It's important.
Oh?
It's about Tara.
And Jack Grace.
You know about it, then?
I've known about it ever since she came to town three weeks ago.
They met heaven knows where or how, and she's been seen most every day since.
You know where she spends her time?
At the Texas Trail.
Yes, I know.
Gretchen and I have tried every way we know, Marshal Dillon.
We both talk with Tara, but she's young and headstrong.
I don't know what to do.
I think she'd run away with him if we interfered again.
Mr. Kelser's marshal, this is no affair of mine.
But as someone who's fond of Tara, and, well, I wish you'd try talking with her again.
Well, we'll do everything we can, I promise you that.
Perhaps Grace will get tired of her and leave Dodge.
Perhaps.
Well, anyhow, you know I'll sure try.
Yeah, well, thank you very much for coming over here, Mr. Kelser.
Sure, Marshal.
You're going to be at the social tonight, aren't you?
Oh, sure, sure.
Chester and I'll be there.
Chester'd be real upset to miss it.
Good.
We'll see you there.
Okay, fine.
Ah, Mr. Dillon, this is Miss Honeycutt.
How do.
I'm proud to know you, ma'am.
I bought her a supper box.
Did you bid on any supper boxes, Mr. Dillon?
No, Chester, I was late getting here.
Oh, that's pity.
Now, what'll you do for supper?
Oh, I'll make out all right.
Well, there's really enough for the three of us, Marshal, if you'd care to join us.
Well, thank you, Miss Honeycutt, but I'm looking for Mr. and Miss Kels.
Oh, they're not here yet.
The parson was asking for them a few minutes ago.
Mr. Kels was to have auctioned off the suppers, but they didn't come, so we went ahead without
them.
Oh.
You sure you won't join us, Marshal?
Ah, no, thank you, ma'am.
I'll just wait for the Kels.
Perhaps I'll walk back toward their place and meet them on the way.
Well, all right, Mr. Dillon.
Miss Honeycutt and I'll be right over there if you need me.
I don't think I will, Chester.
You just go ahead and enjoy yourself.
Real pleased to meet you.
Nice to have met you.
Mind that bench, Miss Honeycutt.
Oh, yes, thank you.
Max?
What?
Oh, hello, Kitty.
Did you leave in the party before I got here?
Yes, I did.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Did you leave in the party before I got there?
No, no.
I was just walking back toward the Kells place.
They're not at the social yet and this might be a good chance to talk to them.
Oh, all right, if I come with you.
Well, sure.
I had a talk with Mr. Kells this afternoon.
Yeah?
Yeah.
He knows all about Tara and Grace.
He has known for a long time.
Well, what's he going to do about it, man?
He doesn't know what to do.
Neither do I, Kitty.
Look, Kitty, you're a woman.
You know about these things.
You don't tell a woman she shouldn't love some man, do you?
No.
No, you don't.
Kells has tried hard.
He's done everything he can.
Well, he's a wealthy man.
He could send her east for a few months on a visit.
St. Louis, maybe.
To forget Grace?
Yeah.
Would it do any good?
No.
Oh, there's the house.
It's dark.
Maybe we pass them.
No, I don't think so.
Here.
Thanks.
Thanks, Matt.
Kitty?
Yeah?
Maybe you better wait here.
Matt, what is it?
The house shouldn't be dark.
We didn't pass them.
What are you going to do?
I'm going inside.
I'll come with you.
All right, come on.
The door's open.
Matt, Matt, look.
Stay here, Kitty.
Shot both of them.
Oh.
No wonder they were late for the auction.
Kitty, go back to the church social.
Find Chester.
Have him meet me at the jail.
Tell Doc to come over here.
What are you going to do, Matt?
I don't know.
Look around, maybe.
Why this?
What for?
Who knows why people kill, Kitty?
Money, maybe.
I don't know.
But who would do it, Matt?
Who'd kill the Kells?
Someone who hated them enough or thought they had something he wanted.
Bad.
Real bad.
Grace?
Will you please get Chester and Doc?
Yeah.
Let's find her.
up. Tara.
Tara are you all right. It's Matt Dylan Tara are you hurt bad.
Who did it Tara do you know. Yes I know who was it.
Was it grace. What happened Tara Tara.
Hell's waiting for him when when Jack came for me. Mr Kells wanted to talk with
Jackie. And. Go on. I don't know. I don't know I can't help if you don't tell me
what happened. When Jack came it was an argument. Mr Kells told Jack to go away
leave me alone. Told him not to come back. Jack laugh. Call Mr Kells the name and.
Miss Kells slept in. And Jack hit her. Mr Kells tried to get his rifle in the
corner. And Jack. Jack. Yeah. He shot him. He shot both of them. Then he turned.
He said it wouldn't have worked out for us. He was leaving. Just like that. He was
leaving. You see you'd be nothing but trouble he said. I'm leaving he said. Then
he hit me. And. Doc will be here in a few minutes Tara. He'll take care of you.
You want me to go with you Mr. Dillon. No you stay here. Get me that Winchester
with you. Yes. Here you are. Thank you. How do you figure to trail him at night Mr.
Dillon. I don't I'm taking a guess. That's all. You know where he's going. Like I say
it's a guess. I won't be back to Texas. He's wanted there. Might be Abilene. Ben
Thompson would cover for him there. You'll have an hour or more start on him Mr. Dillon.
I know but I figured to take the back country and ride hard. Maybe I'll cut his
sign by morning. You'll be riding three mile to his one. I'll take the bucks again.
He can last. Don't you want me to follow you. I should be back by tomorrow night.
You stay here and help Kitty and Doc with everything and take good care of the
girl. She needs help. Yes. Good luck Mr. Dillon.
Grace you can't see me. Don't bother to try. Just drop your gun belt. Easy. And
your rifle throw it down. Now keep your hands high just like they are. You travel
fast Dillon. I didn't waste time getting to here. I know this country better than
you Grace. Roads aren't always straight. Even so that buckskin of yours must be
quite a piece of horse. He is. We'll be starting back right quick but meanwhile
you just sit tall right where you are. Arms will get tired. Taking me back to
jail and dodge. Well what do you expect? You murdered two people just last night.
Tried a third. I just hit Tara down. I don't know as I tried to kill her. You
must have known I'd come after you. I figured maybe you'd start cracking me
toward Texas. I didn't give you credit to think of my head in grappling. I guess
the joke's on me. Yeah I guess it is. You know I don't understand what goes on
inside you Grace. There's no point in my getting riled. You got me cold Dec. Someone
told me earlier you were just a shell that you were empty inside. By heaven you
are. You're crazy Grace. Just mean pure crazy. It's you doing that talking
Marshal. Please yourself. In a way it's all Tara's fault I suppose. Well it wouldn't have
worked out anyway like I told her. All right if I light up. Marshal? All right but
watch your moves. My makings are in my... Don't Grace.
I didn't know Kansas Marshals were so fast. A derringer up the sleeves on old
story Grace. Yeah but they sure are. Guess I won't go to trial after all. No maybe
not but you're going back to dodge. Like they say I'm posters. Dead or...
Yeah. Dead or alive.
Marshal Dylan I want to thank you and Miss Kitty for everything you've done
for me since...since... Sure. You got everything from the stage Tara? Yes Miss Kitty. It's a long trip Tara.
You sure you won't change your mind. I think I'll like it back Easton. St.
Louis won't be as big as all this. Marshal Dylan will be late into Hitties City if I don't get away now.
Okay driver. Well goodbye Tara. Good luck. Goodbye.
Well Matt she's gone. Yeah I don't blame her for wanting to leave Kitty. The West
took nearly everything she loved. Her ma and pa, the Kells. And her true love.
Look Jack Grace. Jack Grace is no good. Tara gave him a heart and she never got it
all back. Perhaps you're right Kitty but Tara's young. She'll mend. Will she Matt? I hope so Kitty. I truly do.
Gunsmoke under the direction of Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dylan US Marshal.
Special music for tonight's story was composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast
were Sammy Hill as Tara and John Dana as Jack Grace. With Ralph Moody, Joe DuVal and Vivi Janis.
Parley Bayer as Chester and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. Gunsmoke is heard by our troops overseas
through the facilities of the Armed Forces radio service. Join us again next week as Matt Dylan US
Marshal fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West in Gunsmoke.
Novelist CS Forrester saw the turbulent Napoleonic Wars an ideal historical background for the
exploits of a seagoing hero of his own creation Horatio Hornblower. And now every Friday night
on most of these same CBS radio stations Michael Redgrave stars as Horatio Hornblower.
Clancy Cassell speaking and remember Tarzan brings you his adventures Saturday nights on the CBS Radio Network.