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 a US Marshal and the smell of gun smoke
Gun Smoke starring William Conrad the transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America
the story of a man who moved with it Matt Dillon United States Marshal
Humming
Chester do you have to do that you're just stirring up a lot of dust
Well cleanliness is next to godliness Mr. Dillon
Yeah I know I know Chester but all you're doing is getting it off the floor into the air
a man can hardly breathe in here
All right Mr. Dillon
I'll do my sweeping later
Yeah good
My mother taught me that Mr. Dillon
Taught you what Chester
That cleanliness is next to godliness she was a fine woman too
Oh look Chester it's a good saying and it's probably true and I got nothing against your mother
except that she also should have taught you how to sweep
Well maybe she just didn't have the time Mr. Dillon
You see there was an awful lot of us and what with chores and
Oh hello Doc
Come on now I'll buy you a drink
What
Doc said he'd buy you a drink Mr. Dillon
He really said that
You're coming
Doc you gotta quit throwing your money around the way you do
Uh maybe you don't need a drink
Wait a minute Doc I'm with you
I'll tell you all about it when I get back Chester
I'd be mighty interested Mr. Dillon
Oh sure be glad when it gets winter again
Why Doc you'll just complain about the cold
I suppose
You go sit with Kitty Matt I'll bring a bottle
Okay Doc
Hello Kitty
Hello Matt what are you and Doc up to
He wants someone to talk to so he picked me and you
Fine I'm a good listener lots of practice
What are we celebrating
Let's see here
We'll drink to a fellow that you don't know
Cain Vestal
Well here's to him
Here's to him
Yes he'll be dead in a couple of months
What
That's what I told him
What do you mean Doc
I'm not the only one who's told him that I'm just the last
Well who is this Cain Vestal
Oh just a fellow came in on the train last night
Leaving for Arizona to my die in Arizona
He's a musician he plays the guitar tells me
Well how's he gonna die
Consumption he's got it bad and I'm the last doctor he's gonna ask about it he
says
Poor fellow
Yeah the climate out there keeping going for a little while longer
Oh I don't know he's such a sad man for some reason
Well who wouldn't be Doc
No no no kidding I think Cain's been sad for a long long time
He's a very nice fellow too
Nothing can help him huh
No nothing
You know it's a funny thing Doc huh just sitting here thinking
Sometimes you have to tell men they're gonna die
Sometimes I have to
Oh see that fellow with the car there he just came in
Oh yeah I don't think he knows anyone around here you
Mind if I ask him over
Sure you'd party Doc
Oh good uh uh Cain Cain uh over here
Yeah
Sit down sit down
Cain this is Kitty
Hello Cain
This is Marshal Dillon
Pleasure to meet you
He's doing the dance
There we are have a drink
Thank you Doc
Uh is this your first trip west Cain
Yes Marshal it is
Well where are you from
No place in particular Miss Kitty
I seem to spend most of my life on the Mississippi River
I thought you were a musician
I am I was hired to ride the river boats and play my guitar for the passenger
Well at least you've had a constant change of scenery
After 20 years of going up and down that river it got pretty familiar Marshal
Cain I know a young fellow back in St. Louis before the war and he was learning to be a river pilot
See I wonder if you ever ran into him name of Clemins Sam Clevins
No Doc I don't believe I did
Oh he was a very amusing fellow he was just chock full of stories
Um you leaving Dodge tomorrow Cain?
I'm headed for Arizona Miss Kitty
No reflection on Dodge though
Uh if you hit a place out there called Tombstone I wish you'd look up Virgil Earp for me
Tell him I sent you
Thanks Marshal I'll do that
Say Cain I wonder could I ask you a favor?
I certainly Miss Kitty anything at all
Would you play something for us?
I had an idea that's what it would be
Anything in particular?
Play something you like Cain
Another girl I knew used to like this one
Nice
That was too funny
Thank you Miss Kitty
I'm gonna stay here a while maybe you can teach me to play like that
It'd be a pleasure Miss Kitty but I'm afraid I won't be around for long
Morning Mr. Dillon
It's noon Chester
Yes sir I know but you went off with Doc yesterday so I figured I had a little time coming today
Well that depends on how you spent it now if you've been gambling
I am now Mr. Dillon you know I never gamble
No sir I was out helping a fellow learn to shoot a six gun that's all
Now you mean there's a man in Dodge who doesn't know how?
This fellow don't never had one in his hand before he's a musician
What?
Plays the guitar he told me
You mean Cain? Cain Vestal?
Yes sir that's his name nice fellow you'd ever want to meet
Yeah but he was supposed to leave on the stage this morning
And what's he done with his six gun anyway?
Well I don't know Mr. Dillon he just come by here early this morning and asked me if I'd teach him
Now where'd he get the gun?
Said he'd just bought it
Anything wrong Mr. Dillon?
No no it just doesn't add up somehow
Well he won't cause any trouble he's not the sort
You never know Chester
No sir
My kitty looks pretty this morning she's got a yellow parasol Mr. Dillon
Kitty?
I think I'll go see her for a minute I'll be right back Chester
Yes Mr. Dillon
Kitty?
Hello Matt
Kitty I'd like to talk to you for a minute
Sure what is it?
I'm curious about something Kitty maybe you can help me
Maybe
How long was Cain Vestal with you yesterday?
Cain? Oh well he didn't leave till evening why?
Well he didn't go out on the stage this morning and he's bought himself a six gun
You any idea why?
A gun?
Doesn't sound like Cain
Anything happen yesterday Kitty or did he tell you anything?
Well yeah there was one thing Matt
Joel Adams and a couple of his men came in
Cain got pretty upset when he saw him had a bad coffin spell
Later he asked a lot of questions about Adams
Well what did you tell him?
Just that Adams is a big landowner around here that nobody who isn't working for him likes him very much
That's all I know anyway
They didn't talk Adams and Cain
No I don't think they even know each other
Well anyway he sure isn't the sort to be packing a gun
You're just getting into trouble Matt
Yeah
Where's he staying do you say?
Dodge house I think
Thanks Kitty I'll see you later
Come in
Hello Cain
Well Marshall Dillon come in come in
Thank you
What can I do for you Marshall?
I thought you were leaving Dodge on the stage this morning
Well I was Marshall but I changed my mind you know how it is
Sure Cain sure
We're glad to have you around
I'm just curious though
You're staying and have anything to do with that gun you bought this morning?
Oh Chester told you I thought he would
He's a good teacher Marshall
Yeah but that doesn't answer my question
Do I have to answer it?
I'm just trying to help you that's all
Yeah I appreciate that Marshall but I'm afraid there's nothing you can do
Look Cain you're new in this country
A man like you just can't pick up a six gun and call himself a fighting man
Not and expect to live through it
I certainly lay no claim to be a fighting man
Then why did you buy that gun?
There's no law out here against a man having a gun is there Marshall?
No but any man who carries one is expected to use it when the time comes
You'd be a lot safer without one
Being safe doesn't mean a whole lot to me Marshall
Not now
Yeah I know Doc told me
What's it all about?
It's a long story and an old one I suppose
I'd really rather not talk about it
I can't force you to
But tell me this does it have anything to do with Joel Adams?
Yes it does Marshall I'm gonna kill him
When?
I don't know anytime
Why?
That's the long story I mentioned
Alright Cain but if you try to face him he'll kill you before you got that gun half way out of your belt
And if you shoot him any other way you'll hang for it
You've forgotten something Marshall
What?
No matter what I do I'm gonna die soon anyway
A month or two isn't gonna make any difference
You hate Adams that much?
I wouldn't kill a man I didn't hate would I?
I didn't think you were the sort of man who'd kill anyone
Only Joel Adams Marshall
But I got a warning about you
I understand Marshall it's alright
He doesn't know me anyway
Never even saw me before
But you want to kill him?
Yes sir
Well I'll take your gun away from me but you'll just find another one
And I can't arrest you unless I catch you trying to bushwhack him
I'm sorry for the trouble I'm causing you Marshall
You know I've never had to deal with a man like you before Cain
Maybe I ought to just tie you up and throw you on that stage
You could
But I'd just come right back
I guess you would
I'm sorry this has to happen here in Dodge Marshall
Then why don't you leave?
I guess I hate Joel Adams too much
Alright Cain I'm through trying to convince you
So long
I never heard of Cain Festle Marshall
I never saw him before last night
You must have known him somewhere Adams
You're trying to make me out a liar Marshall
I'm trying to save Cain's life and yours maybe
No he ain't going to shoot me I'll kill him first time he looks sidewise
Maybe you won't see him
Oh shoot me in the back eh?
Well in that case it
In that case what?
Why nothing dealing nothing
Forget it
If Cain shot in the back you'll be the first man I'd take in Adam
I don't even know him why should I shoot him?
I'm only warning you
Well just leave me be Marshall I can take care of myself
See that you do Adams and only yourself
Why sure Marshall
I don't much like the idea of some stranger gunning for me
Makes me sort of uneasy
There must be some reason for it
Don't start it again Marshall there ain't no reason
I know you've led a blameless life you never hurt anyone
I told you twice
There are men around here who'd shoot you on sight if they thought they could get by with it
I don't think you are ever any good Adams so don't tell me Cain's got no reason
I don't believe it
You're pushing me now Marshall
I'm tired of your talk that's all
Maybe it's true you don't know him but he sure knows something about you
Well then he'll wish you didn't
That's all I got to say
Well just keep out of his way
Give it a little time and maybe there won't be any killing at all
Why sure sure all the time in the world
Alright Adams I've done all I can
Just don't worry about me
I'm not
Then goodbye Marshall
Goodbye
Music
We will return for the second act of Gunsmoke in just a moment
But first the poignant story of Jane Froman adapted from the movie with a song in my heart
was selected by you listeners through a national magazine as the one you would like most to hear on Lux Radio Theatre
So this Monday night listen for Susan Hayward, Rory Calhoun, David Wayne, Thelma Ritter and Bob Wagner of the movie cast
when CBS Radio presents Lux Radio Theatre
Now the second act of Gunsmoke
Music
Sure is quiet around town tonight Mr. Dillon
Yeah
There's a troll herd doing in a couple of days I suppose business will pick up then
You'd think those cowboys be too tuckered out after a ride like that to have any juice left in them at all Mr. Dillon
Yeah they're too poor to cut loose any other time
Well that don't stop them down in Texas Mr. Dillon
No
It's just like an uncle of mine back in Waco
He was poor oh he was mean poor but he always said the only good money was was to have fun with
Oh did he have fun?
No sir he was too poor like I said
Alright Chester alright all I ask is that you don't try to explain it to me
Well but there's nothing to explain Mr. Dillon it's just that he was the one poorest man you'd ever
Oh Marshall say you want to talk to Kane Bester?
What?
Kane he's upstairs in my office
He been shot?
No not shot beat up
Well how is he Doc?
Well it's not too bad a couple of cowboys found him just outside of town
They heard a shot and said two men rolled off before they could stop them
Yeah?
And I guess whoever it was they didn't have time to finish the job they just got started working on it
So Adams made the first move huh?
I'll be back soon Chester
Yes sir Mr. Dillon
They hit him on the head with a gun butt and scratched him up some outside of that he's fine
It's still assault even if they didn't kill him Doc
Yeah I suppose it is anyway they took a shot at him and they heard those riders coming along went right through his coat
Yeah they probably think he's dead
So that's where you went Doc I might have known
Didn't even give you a chance to use that gun did he Kane?
I didn't have a gun on me Marshall but it wasn't he it was they
Huh? Do you recognize them?
Well I don't know many people around here
You know Joel Adams so you told me it wasn't Adam
Could you pick him out if you saw him again?
No Marshall I don't believe I could
Where were you when they grabbed you Kane?
End of Front Street
I was taking a walk after supper they rode up behind me one on each side lifted me up and carried me out of town a ways
You must have got a good look at him at least when they got off their horses
It was too dark Marshall
Yeah
Doc how long has he been here?
Oh about half an hour Marshall
Those cowboys who saw you Kane they brought you right in here didn't they?
Yeah
So it was maybe an hour ago when those two men hauled you out of town?
It was plenty light enough then
Was it Marshall?
You're gonna fight it yourself aren't you?
Yes Marshall it's my affair
It was Kane but you've been assaulted and shot at so it's the law's business now
I won't prefer any charges Marshall
You don't have to I've seen you and I know who did it or who hired it done as well as you do
Oh please Marshall I've got to handle this my own way
There's a law that says you can't murder a man Kane and the same law says he can't murder you
Are you so full of hate you can't get that through your head?
I guess that's it Marshall
Alright Kane you do what you have to do so will I
Music
I figure if we get them
Hello Adams I've been looking for you
That's late Dylan can't you see me tomorrow?
It's not even midnight that's early for you
Do you see how this Marshall is always trying to get me on the prod boys?
These boys of yours play pretty rough themselves Adams
Meaning?
Didn't they tell you?
Tell me what?
What they did to Kane Vestal?
They did not kill Kane Vestal and you can't prove it
No Adams I can't Kane isn't even dead
What?
You know I'm curious Adams why do you think he might be?
Why is it? Somebody said he got himself hurt
Joel Adams
You arranged this Marshall?
You know I didn't
Who is he what does he want?
Hello Joel Adams
Don't strain yourself so you don't know me
Who are you?
Kane Vestal but my name doesn't matter
What are you haunting me for I never saw you before in my life
That's true you didn't but we had a friend in common once
A friend who?
Julie Travis
What about Julie?
You were a river boat gambler then Adams and you had money and fine clothes and away with women especially young girls
Julie was only 16 at the time
Never mind all that
So she went away with you to be married you told her
Oh I think I guessed the rest
You wanted to marry her but I got her instead is that it?
That's it Adams
That's exactly it
Oh now I thought you really had something on your mind Vestal
Well alright why don't you get out of here and quit bothering people while you can still walk
Julie killed herself Adams she committed suicide
What?
You didn't know that did you?
Well it's got nothing to do with me
Because you never married after all
It was just a year after you abandoned her in New Orleans
I think it has a lot to do with you Joel Adams
What are your plans mister? I see you got a gun on your belt
Gonna kill you
Oh so? When?
Now, right now
Alright Vestal draw
Leave the gun where it is Kane
One thing I always promised myself Adams
Someday I'd spit in your face
Why you
Oh
Give me the gun Adams
Alright
He's dead
Well he was gonna kill me you heard him
He wanted your dead Adams any way he could manage
I know it that's what I say
You're under arrest for murder
What? It was a gun fight
Kane never even moved for his gun
Well then I'll hang for this
He couldn't have got me any other way
No don't suppose he could have
Now remember the river gamblers used to say don't matter how you win so long as you win
That Kane should have been a gambler
Maybe he was
Come on let's go
Gunsmoke transcribed under the direction of Norman MacDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon US Marshal
Tonight's story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey
Featured in the cast were Harry Bartel and Lawrence Dubkin
Parley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty
And now for a special announcement
There have been many requests for information regarding our theme
It's called Old Trail and was written especially for us by Rex Corey our musical director
If you will write to Gunsmoke in care of your local CBS radio station we will try to give you whatever specific information you may desire
Gunsmoke is heard by our troops overseas through the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service
Join us again next week as Matt Dillon US Marshal fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West in Gunsmoke
This Monday night on most of these same CBS radio stations hear William Powell in the startling anti-communist drama titled The Man Who Cried Wolf
Remember to hear Suspense starring William Powell on most of these same CBS radio stations this Monday night
This is Roy Rowan speaking
America now listens to 105 million radio sets and listens most to the CBS radio network
The Man Who Cried Wolf
America now listens to 105 million radio sets and listens most to the CBS radio network