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 story of the violence that moved West with young America,
the story of a man who moved with it, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal.
Trouble could start anytime in Dodge, but usually it was at night that the men made their play along
Front Street and so ordinarily I was up a good part of the night and did my sleeping in the morning.
It was a rare thing for me to be out in the early day and for some reason it worried Chester.
I just don't understand why you couldn't sleep Mr. Dillon unless you had the colic or something.
I feel fine Chester, just got a few things to take care of at the bank itself. Yes I know but
the bank's open all day. You know what they always say Chester, it's the early bird that catches the
worm. My ma used to tell us that one about being healthy wealthy and wise. Used to rule us out of
bed every morning at daylight on account of it. It's a good saying. Yeah I don't know what ever
become of my brothers but I'm sure not living in a very big house. Maybe you ought to come in here
more often. I got no business with the bank Mr. Dillon. Well morning Mr. Fogg. Morning Chester,
morning Mr. Dillon. Morning Fogg. I'll be over there in a minute as soon as I straighten this stuff out.
Good morning Marshal. Good morning Mr. Papp. You're taking money out Marshal or putting it in?
Neither Mr. Papp, this is government business. Oh I see. Who are those men Marshal? What? I say who are
those men? I never saw him before. That one in the middle holding the envelope, he seems pretty
excited about something. Certainly sir, what can I do for you? I want a loan of money immediately.
Well we'll do what we can sir. First of all how much do you want? Twenty thousand dollars. Twenty
thousand. Mr. Papp. Yes? Excuse me Marshal. Gentlemen this is our president. You'll have to
talk with him. I heard you say twenty thousand dollars. That's a lot of money. What do you have
for collateral? My collateral sir is right here in this envelope. You may look at it but don't reveal
it to these other gentlemen. These playing cards. Don't name them. I'm afraid I don't understand.
Well I've been in a poker game at the Texas Trail all night long. Right now there's about
forty thousand dollars in that pot. There are some good hands out. I've put ever a cent I had into
it already. Now they've given me just 20 minutes to come up with more money. Well I certainly wish
you luck sir but I never heard of them. You've seen my hand in that envelope. You can lend me the money on that.
But surely sir you don't expect the bank to enter a gambling game. Now these gentlemen are also in
the game. They came along to see that those cards aren't changed. The other men are watching the
table at the Texas Trail. It's all fair and square I assure you. Well gentlemen I'll gladly pay you
ten percent interest sir. You've only got five minutes left hook. Come along gentlemen we'll step in the back office.
Well now that's about the craziest thing I ever did here. He must have a pretty good hand in Chester.
I know sir but you don't think Mr. Papp's gonna let him have twenty thousand dollars on it. It certainly looks that way.
Yeah there we are. I'll take care of this and we'll get out of here.
This is government stuff Fogg. You know what to do with it. Certainly Mr. Dillon. Now let me see if
Marshall Marshall I want you to come with me. What? These gentlemen there's a poker game and I've got the
money here. I think you better come along just to be safe. You mean you gave him his twenty thousand dollars?
Yes yes of course. Now come over here Marshall I'll tell you. All right.
And Marshall that man hook there has four aces and a ten and a ten.
And that's the money. I'll give you the money.
I'll tell you. All right. And Marshall that man hook there has four aces and a ten in his hand.
It's a sure thing. Why the bank stands to make two thousand dollars on this loan and it won't take
but a few minutes. You run the bank Mr. Papp but are you sure you ought to take a gamble with other
people's money this way? I can't lose. There's not a chance in a million but I want you to protect
this money till I get it back here. Well all right. I'll see nobody takes it at the point of a gun if
you think that'll help. Good good. Now you come along then. Hook's only got a few minutes to get
back in the game. All right there's my money Mr. Shaneways. I'm calling you sir. You must have a
pretty good hand hook. All the tubble you've been to. You will see it. What have you got?
Five little hearts all blue. I win sir four aces. But look at my hearts. They read two three four
five and six. Straight flush. Your aces lose. Hook aces. How could he have a straight flush?
Got it out right out of the deck. Right out of the deck. Nice pot. Had enough but he won. Mr. Papp.
Sir I don't know what to say. Twenty thousand dollars. Just like that twenty thousand dollars.
It's not even my money. Now Mr. Papp don't you worry sir. I only borrowed that money. You'll have
it back. You have my word as a confederate gentleman on that. Hook please. Hook I've got to have it
back. It's not my money. I have to put it back in the bank. I'll be ruined if people find out.
You only loaned the money sir. I lost it. Now I'll send for it today sir. I'll wire my agents.
They'll have it on the next side of fee that leaves St. Louis. No Hook.
No I don't think that'll happen. My word as a gentleman sir. But you must be patient.
I shouldn't have done it. I had no right to do it.
Chester. Yes sir. Go tell Doc I want to see him. Yes Mr. Dillon.
All right everybody now listen to me all of you. Now I don't want a word said about this to anyone.
The bank's important to Dodge and this could ruin it. Do you understand?
We have no reason to spread it. All right then say so it or there'll be trouble for all of you.
Well certainly.
Mr. Papp hold up a minute will you.
Mr. Papp.
Marshall I should have listened to you. I'm ruined now.
Now look Mr. Papp maybe Hook's got the money I don't know but
if not we'll figure something out. People will give you time. No no they won't.
As soon as they hear about this there won't be any bank.
They won't trust it anymore. But they have to it's the only bank there is.
What'll Joanne think? My kids.
I can't face it Marshall I just can't face it. Now look you just go back to the bank and tell the
cashier to keep his mouth shut about this. You just got to give it time.
Sure Marshall. I'll go. I'll go.
I'll go.
Oh Marshall. Marshall sir I am sorry for that man but he has no reason to worry.
I'll send for the money at once. Yeah you do that Mr. Hook. Send for the money. Uh gentlemen
what are your names? My name's Shaneways Marshall. Now I'm sorry for that banker but it's nothing to
do with me. I want this money fair and I'm keeping it. Sure Mr. Shaneways of course you are.
Who are you Mr. Warden? And I agree with Shaneways gambling money's fair money. Nobody's arguing
that Mr. Warden. But remember gentlemen what I said don't talk about this. Oh well hey uh Matt
Chester said you wanted me. What's happened? Didn't hear any shooting. Everything's all right doc.
Oh well that's it. Oh you look familiar. Don't you? I haven't had the pleasure sir. Oh well maybe not.
No no no I guess not. My mistake. Never mind doc come on. Yeah Chester said he'd wait the
office Matt. Look doc I want you to go over to the bank. Mr. Papp is pretty upset. See what you can
do for him huh? Give him a bromide or something. Oh sure Matt. What's wrong with him anyway? He
just lost twenty thousand dollars in a poker game. He lost twenty. And he wasn't playing.
He lent the money on the strength of what looked like a good hand. That man Hook came into the bank
for it with the other two. Oh he brought his cards along and raised the loan that way huh?
How did you know? Oh I heard of it once Matt. It was down in New Orleans. Oh that was years ago.
Well what happened? Well same thing. The fella got the money and he lost it. That's all. You
mean it was fixed between him and the others? Oh sure it was fixed all right. Well how did they find
out? Well the fella that borrowed the money got drunk and he talked and they put him in jail but
the others got away clean. Look doc that gray-haired man you thought you recognized his name's Hook.
Are you sure you never saw him before? Oh a lot of people look familiar at first glance Matt.
You know how did you? Look in New Orleans you didn't know the men who pulled the trick on the bank did
you? Well people said that they'd come down on the riverboat. I was doctor in a Tennessee bell then
but I never met them not to my knowledge anyway. You recall hearing their names? Well that was a
long time ago Matt. Look doc those three back there may have just pulled the same thing now.
Hook looked familiar to you. Maybe he remembers you too. Well he just said he'd never met me.
Doc he could be lying. Oh sure but I can't place him. I probably never saw him before.
Well go see what you can do for Pap. He's in pretty bad shape. Oh sure Matt.
Gamblers were always drifting in and out of Dodge. Some of them were crooked and some it had been
said were honest. Ordinarily it didn't matter much one way or the other most men could take care of
themselves. But now the bank was involved and the citizens of Dodge had their faith in that bank
as well as their money. I gave it a lot of thought the next hour or so and finally I had an idea that
seemed like a start anyway. I explained it to Chester and together we went back to the Texas trail.
Shane Ways and Varden were idly cutting cars and Hook was at the bar talking to Kitty.
Hello Matt. Kitty. Yes sir. Hi Kitty. Do you know Mr. Hook? This is Marshal Dillon. We met earlier.
Why yes indeed. This morning? I must have smelled trouble Kitty. I got up early. You're always
smelling trouble Matt. Yeah. Leave your beer Hook and come with me. What for? Just do it.
Oh whatever you say Marshal. Miss Kitty I'll be back. Yeah sure.
All right Varden, Shane Ways get up and follow Chester. What? Is this an arrest?
Now what would I be arresting you for Mr. Shane Ways? What? Nothing you've no reason. That's right.
All right come on let's go.
Mr. Varden, no reason for you to be upset.
Kiss Baller along please.
What is the idea of bringing us in here Marshal? Good morning gentlemen. What can I?
Oh hello Marshal. Chester. Hello Lum. Lum these men want their pictures taken. Oh no not me. I don't.
I've got plenty of pictures. Can you do it right away Lum? No certainly can Marshal and
gentlemen you'll be the very first to stand before a new drop. The ancient temples of Greece. It'll
injure dignity and power. What's the idea of this Marshal? Lum's just going to take your pictures
that's all. Oh if Lum front and side views both huh? Oh certainly Marshal certainly. And then
gentlemen if you leave Dodge any of you it'll make it a lot easier for the law to find you and bring
you back wherever you go. This is outrageous. I won't stand for it. Wait Varden. Wait a minute.
I agree the Marshal is being a little high-handed but after all he must protect himself in his job.
But since we've done nothing wrong we have nothing to fear. Sure Hook's right Wolf Narden. I'll go
first. Are you ready Lum? No right this way sir. Chester you stay here and wait for the pictures.
Bring them over when they're finished. Yes Mr. Dillon.
Lum's a pretty good photographer Mr. Dillon. Yeah these aren't bad. Lock them up in the safe
will you Chester? All right. You think this will keep men Dodge sir? No not if they really get scared.
They're guilty all right aren't they Mr. Dillon? Yeah they can't prove a thing Chester one way or
the other. Uh Matt. Oh Matt bad news. What Doc? Well this is Pap sent for me a little while ago.
I just come from there. Matt he he killed himself. Suicide. Pap? By Nargo. Why that poor man.
How's Mrs. Pap taking it? Not a tear so far but I suppose she'll break down later. Neighbor woman's
there with her. Yeah does she know why he did it Doc? Well it seems he told her all about it and
then he went out and he shot himself. There's no stopping it now. Story will be all over town
in no time. Well what are you going to do now Matt? I don't know Doc. I just don't know.
We will return with the second act of gun smoke in just a moment but first
today's opportunity knocks twice for qualified women. For the younger woman the career of nursing
offers opportunity unlimited. Ask how you can enroll as a student nurse at any hospital at the
nurse's registry desk and for the older woman there are many thousands of openings in practical
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come. Act immediately. Serve humanity and provide for your own secure future. Now the second act of
gun smoke.
Music
I'll buy you a drink Kitty. Gosh I'd like it Matt but I just said I'd join Hook over at his table.
Well I'd like to talk to him too. I'll just sit with you for a few minutes. That's fine with me.
I don't know about him though. I don't think he'll object.
I uh just have time for a smoke Mr. Hook. I didn't think you'd mind. Why no of course not.
You're quite welcome Marshal. May I buy you a drink? No thank you. Marshal I want you to know I sent
for that money today just as I promised. Oh you're a little late. Late? Mr. Papp shot himself.
He did. You mean Mr. Papp the banker? Yeah. But why Matt? He always seems so quiet like.
Maybe Mr. Hook will explain it Kitty. Well now Marshal you can't hold me responsible in any way
at all. I didn't say I could Hook but you seem kind of nervous about it. Well naturally I'm upset.
After all that man did me a great favor. Yeah sure sure but I don't think the people in Dodge are
going to like it much when they find out. Tell me something Mr. Hook. When were you in New Orleans
last? New Orleans. Why do you ask that Marshal? Just curious. Well I've never been in New Orleans. Does
that answer your question? Yeah it's good enough. For now. Goodbye Kitty I'll drop by later. Sure
Matt. And uh Mr. Hook it still goes about not leaving town. I like it here Marshal. Yeah.
Yeah you should.
Maybe I should have arrested Hook and his friends without any evidence and just seized the
twenty thousand dollars and put it back where it belonged. That might have saved people's faith in
the bank but I figured my job was to give them faith in the law and I couldn't do it that way.
I'd made it plain to Hook what I suspected and I hoped it had scared him into making a mistake.
And it did but I didn't learn about it until next morning when I was having breakfast at the Dodge
house. Mr. Dillon. What? I've been looking Aerohearth for you. It's your room Del Monaco's
the Texas Trail Aerohearth. This is the last place I hear. Well what is it Jesse? Here look here just
you read that. Marshal we're taking Doc along if you follow us we'll kill him. Where'd you get this
Chester? He was under the door when I opened up this morning. I ran up to Doc right away and sure
enough Mr. Dillon he's gone. Come on uh go check the depot and the stage line Chester. I'll cover
the livery stables. All right sir. That'll take me longer so you get our horses ready. I'll meet you
at the office. Yes sir. Well Mr. Marshal you're out early today. Not early enough Andy. Yeah what can
I do for you? I want to know if you rented out any horses last night. Well sure a few. Why? Did you rent
four to anybody? Four and a bunch? Why yes I sure did. Be back today so they said. Who said? Well
strangers to me. Paid me in advance though. The green horn. What time was this Andy? Oh it was late.
Yeah it was way after midnight it was. Something wrong? Yeah tell me Andy what did they look like?
Well one was a was an old fellow gray hair. Didn't give me his name though. I don't think I got much
of a look at the other ones. You have any idea which trail they took out of town? I know I don't.
One of them said something about St. Louis. But that's not much help is it? That might be. Oh thanks
Andy. Oh one thing Marshal. Yeah. If you're riding after them those horses they gotta just crowbase.
I didn't figure they could handle anything better.
There was nothing to do but take a chance and ride east. Luck was with us though and within an hour
we cut their trail. Four horses leave a pretty fair track and we followed it riding hard.
By dusk we could tell by their sign that we'd nearly caught up with them.
Soon after dark we spotted their fire. These were gentlemen maybe but they were mighty poor hands.
On the prairie we left our horses and went ahead on foot.
We gonna shoot it out with them Mr. Dillon? Yeah we can't chance it Chester they'd kill Doc.
Now hold up a minute. That's their horses just ahead. They sure stake them a good piece from Can.
Yeah. Lie down Chester. What do we do Mr. Dillon? Just wait. Those men are mighty green at this game.
I think we can steal their horses without any trouble at all. Just leave my foot huh? Yeah.
Now look Chester when we get those horses I want you to pick up ours and take the whole bunch out
of sight. I'm gonna crawl into that tunnel and get them. I'm gonna get them.
When we get those horses I want you to pick up ours and take the whole bunch out of sight. I'm gonna crawl into that tall grass just to the left of the fire there and hide until morning.
Mr. Dillon why can't I go with you? Every time we get in trouble you always send me off alone somewheres. You always do everything alone.
Do as I tell you Chester. Yes sir. You just wait till you hear gunfire and then ride in fast and bring all the horses.
All right. Good luck.
By dawn next morning I was half burrowed into the ground and covered by blue stem grass.
Not more than 30 feet from their camp. I could hear their talk all right but I couldn't see them unless they were on their feet.
Shaneways had already gone out after the horses. Pretty soon he was back.
They're ropes that's whatever he left warm of them. What do we do now? You and Shaneways go after them. I'll stay in guard doc.
Now hurry up we gotta get moving. Come on Bardner we'll never find them.
I'm coming.
You can have this country doc. I don't know why you ever left that soft berth you had on the Tennessee bell.
Well I didn't have to leave it. That's more than you can say about New Orleans.
More talk like that you'll get your throat slashed like a fat shoal doc.
Oh spoken like a true gentleman hook or whatever your name is.
No if you hadn't talked so much in the first place you wouldn't be where you are now.
Oh you're a fool. I might have seen you somewhere but I sure couldn't connect you with that New Orleans business.
Anyway you're giving yourself away now.
Yes how?
Don't you know there wasn't a thing the law could do until you ran. You'll be caught now for sure.
Oh I doubt it.
Why don't you untie my hands. I can't eat this way.
You'll manage.
I let Hook and Doc wrangle on till I figured the other two men had walked about a half a mile from camp.
Then I waited till Hook had his back to me and I stood up slowly and moved quietly forward.
Doc saw me and almost spoiled the game but he caught himself in time and then started another argument with Hook.
I was about 15 feet away when Doc suddenly kicked the coffee pot off the bar and all over Hook's legs.
Then I moved.
Oh!
Hit him again Matt. He can stand it.
No no no that's enough.
Alright get up Hook.
Oh Marshall easy now don't shoot.
Get Doc untied and be quick about it.
Yes get me untied and be quick about it.
Oh that feels better. Oh Hook if I weren't a professional man I'd punch you right in the eye.
Never mind Doc. Here put his gun in your belt.
I'm just mad enough I'd like to have an excuse to use this. Matt what are you doing?
You'll see.
Matt!
You'll have them back here in no time.
I got a surprise for Hook but he's not going to like it much.
Huh?
Where they got the money Doc?
In that saddle bag right over there.
Alright get it Quillie quick.
Hurry up. Them two didn't get very far away.
Alright Doc if you got the money get up on that horse.
You too Hook. Come on quick now.
Come on.
Hook you're under the comms. You see him Mr. Miller?
Yeah I see him.
They're shooting at us. I'll fix that.
Alright hold it Chester. They can't hit us from there.
Come on let's ride.
You just going to ride off and leave them Matt?
We got you Doc and we got Hook and we got the money.
Oh but they'll die out here Marshall.
Cause none of us know how to live out in this prairie.
Well maybe they'll learn. It's a good way.
You're murdering those men.
They'll be alright for a few days Hook.
You'll all meet in prison.
Alright ease up.
Hold.
Weave left.
What are you planning to do about it?
They're full of fight right now that's all.
I don't want to have to kill them to take them.
But in a few days they'll be so hungry and scared we can walk right up to them.
Nobody will get hurt that way. Neither them or us.
Mr. Dillon?
Yeah what is it Chester?
Mr. Dillon, later in a couple of days let me come back and bring them in.
What?
Just me this time alone.
Well not Chester I guess.
Please Mr. Dillon.
Okay Chester you can do it alone.
Thank you sir.
Alright Hook, ride a little faster there we ain't got all day.
Gunsmoke under the direction of Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon U.S. Marshal.
Tonight's story was especially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey.
Featured in the cast were Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartel, Ralph Moody, James Nusser, Joe Cranston, Paul Dubov and Peter Leeds.
Parley Bear as Chester, Howard McNear as Doc 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 Dillon U.S. Marshal fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West in Gunsmoke.
This Monday night on the Luxe Radio Theater June Allison recreates her original screen role and appears as the girl in white.
Don't miss the Luxe Radio Theater this Monday night on most of these same CBS radio stations.
George Walsh speaking, America now wakes up to 3 million clock radios and listens most to the CBS radio network.
Good morning everyone.
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