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.
And as the peace officer of the territory, I can assure you that he's got his wife with
him too.
And the wagons filled with kids.
Well how do you know Lank had brought the kids along?
Well he always does.
Hey look, there's the filter boys.
Pardon me.
And way down there is Emma Cole.
Is she?
I think she heard in town first bell either.
Not in the area respectfully, Matt Dillon, US Marshal.
That does it.
Chester.
Yes sir?
Well you shut the door, you're letting in all the flies in Kansas.
But Mr. Dillon, I can't shut the door.
Shut the door Chester, you can go out or stay in, but shut the door.
Yes sir.
Well Mr. Dillon, this town is just busting with people.
All here for the races tomorrow I guess.
Yeah.
You going out to the flats tomorrow?
I don't know Chester.
You don't sound like you hanker after going too much.
No I don't.
I wish Colonel Benson's officers would forget about horse racing.
Well I guess they figure their army grades about the best horses in the country.
Well everybody knows the cavalry has good horses, they don't have to prove it every
four or five months.
Mr. Dillon, I just plain don't understand.
Ain't nobody likes a horse race better than you.
I know Chester, I like them fine, but that's not...
Marshal Dillon?
Yeah, that's right.
Lieutenant Flagg sir, Fort Dodge.
Well sit down Lieutenant.
Colonel Benson's compliments sir, and he requests your presence at the fort tomorrow.
For the races?
That's right sir.
Colonel feels that a peace officer out there would be, well, a steadying influence.
I see.
And I take it you don't.
No Marshal, I don't.
We can police our own activities.
I see.
After all, we're certainly competent to handle a bunch of sodbusters.
Well the last time there were races out at the fort, three men were shot.
Is that how you would handle things Lieutenant?
I wasn't stationed at Fort Dodge then Marshal, but I know this, if people around here want
to bet their stock against army mounts, they shouldn't complain if they lose.
How long have you been out here Lieutenant?
I was stationed in Virginia until two months ago.
Yeah I thought so.
What do you mean?
Look Lieutenant, out here when men have something to complain about, they sometimes do it with
a six gun.
They don't all have the respect for the army that you have.
They would if I had the say of it.
Well maybe, but you don't.
It's like with the Indians.
A lot of the junior officers feel as I do, we'd go after them, force them into the open.
And bring on another Indian war?
And we'd beat them.
But it would cost more than you'd believe Lieutenant.
Not if the three I saw leaving Dodge awhile back were any example.
An old man on a shaggy gray pony and two young boys.
That was a Kiowa Lieutenant, he's a chief and those two braves are his sons.
His name's Harling Dog.
You seem to know a good deal about Indians Marshal.
Well Flag, you're a young officer, you're ambitious and you're eager, but you talk too
much and you don't even know part of what you're talking about.
Now look here.
Tell Colonel Benson I'll be out there tomorrow.
Very good Marshal.
And Lieutenant.
Yes?
I've known Harling Dog ever since I came to Kansas.
He's old but he isn't stupid.
So don't guess wrong about him.
His pa sure must have hated the world, Mr. Dillon.
He's young, Chester, he'll learn.
Yes sir.
But you know, sometimes fellas grow up and don't improve a bit.
Oh, there you are.
Well hello, Matt and Chester.
How are you, Doc?
I passed a young lieutenant on the way out, is Chester enlisting in the Army, Matt?
Oh my gracious, Doc.
What's on your mind, Doc?
Oh well, I just thought you'd know.
I won't be around town tomorrow.
I'm taking the day off.
Oh, is that so?
Yep, I'm going out to the fort for the races.
Might even work up some business.
Thought you was taking the day off?
Chester, you see Matt, that fella Hunter out there, regimental surgeon, you know.
Yeah.
He's the only good doctor around these parts.
Well, Andy.
He...
Oh well.
Now, Matt, if you were going to be out there, you might push a little practice my way.
The last time Hunter got six cases out of seven.
The only man he let me have was dead.
Well look, Doc, I tell you, if Lieutenant Flagg was running things, maybe we could arrange
a whole massacre for you.
Well, who's Lieutenant Flagg?
The lieutenant you seem to be leaving.
Yeah, Colonel Benson sent him in, Doc.
Means I've got an official invitation just to make sure the civilian element don't get
to shooting each other.
Oh, now Matt, you don't think they'd do that again, do you?
No, Doc.
If there's any trouble out there this time, it won't be the townspeople that started.
It'll be Lieutenant Flagg and his crowd.
Well, that's...
How's that man?
Well, he's got no use for anything but army.
And he just as soon shoot an Indian as see one.
Well?
Howland Dog's in this part of the country again, Doc.
Oh?
Well, I wouldn't be too surprised by what he shows up at the races tomorrow.
You'd think this was the first horse race ever run, Matt.
Yeah.
Seems like the bettons running high.
Just talking to the Pilcher boys.
They're betting everything they own on a Missouri mare they brought out here.
Well, I've seen her, Chester.
She's a good mare.
I've never heard so much horse talk in my life as I have tonight.
Pasturns, stifles, gaskins, four quarters, hindquarters, short couples, long barrels.
Well, I tell you, Matt, it kind of makes a girl wonder.
Well, don't you worry, Kenny.
There'll be other nights.
Well, there better be.
And Matt, look there, coming in the door.
What?
Oh, it's that Lieutenant Flagg and some other officers.
Yeah.
They're down here to find the fire, I guess.
What do you mean?
Now, the more they get this crowd worked up, the higher the betting will be.
Oh, jinkies, I wish I had some money to bet.
I'll just be glad you have them, Chester.
Good evening, Marshal.
Lieutenant Flagg.
Miss Russell.
How do you do?
Miss Russell.
Lieutenant Striden, Lawson, Mao.
How do you do?
Well, gentlemen, is anyone drinking?
I think we all are.
Bartender, sit down some glasses.
You'll join us, won't you, Miss Russell?
Why, thank you.
Well, I'm glad you're here.
I'm glad you're here.
Well, I'm glad you're here.
You'll join us, won't you, Miss Russell?
Why, thank you, Lieutenant.
You too, Marshal?
Well, I guess...
I think I'll just walk down to the other end of the bar, Mr. Dillon.
It's crowded here.
Hey, you, uh, fellas from Fort Dodge, ain't you?
That's right.
You own some of them Army Greys that are gonna run tomorrow?
We do.
Yeah, well, my name's Pilcher, Cy Pilcher.
I got some money to bet on my mayor.
Or matcher, any way you say.
Well, I'll take your bet, Mr. Pilcher.
Name it.
Gentlemen, if you're...
$500 silver.
Run three, four, 500 yards.
That's a lot of money.
You mean you ain't got it?
I'll go with your flag.
All right, it's a bet, then.
Good.
I'll see you tomorrow, then.
Off to the fort.
Well, gentlemen, here's the...
Easy as thinking a pig.
That fella wouldn't know a horse from a Missouri mule.
Maybe that's what he's got.
From his looks, he could be running himself.
You dirty pig.
All right, hold it, Pilcher.
There ain't no man can name me like that.
Hold it, I said.
You, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you,
you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you,
you, you.
You wearin' a uniform, callin' yourself a soldier.
I was fought outside of Atlanta while you were still nursin'.
Listen, you...
All right.
Now that's enough.
Now, Pilcher, you get down to the other end of the bar.
As for you, gentlemen, you better start back for the fort.
Now, look, Marshall, we don't have to take it...
All of you.
Come on, Flag. Let's go.
Well, at least they paid for the bottle before you ran them off.
You want a drink?
No, Kitty, not for me. Thank you. You go ahead.
Look, Matt, you can't stop trouble every time before it starts.
No, I can't, Kitty. But I wish tomorrow is done with.
We will return for the second act of gun smoke in just a moment, but first, three burglars lucky at theft prove unlucky at gambling.
To make matters worse, authorities catch up with them on their theft rap as well in the case of the cold dice on Gangbusters later tonight.
Hear how Lady Luck refused to smile at a gang of free and easy crooks and how Justice and the cops closed in on their escapades.
Here are Gangbusters presented by CBS Radio later tonight on most of these stations.
Now the second act of gun smoke.
Well, afternoon's most gone, Mr. Dillon. I haven't been in trouble yet.
The whiskey isn't gone, though, and there's still a race to come. Flag's been holding it off.
Yes, sir. Well, at least here on the finish line we can see which way the money's going.
Matt! Hello, Matt.
Hello, Doc.
Well, we haven't seen you all afternoon, Doctor. Where you been?
Oh, well, just playing pinocchio with some of the boys. Things have been dull, but they won't be in a minute.
No, why?
Flag and Pilcher are down there at the start now. You see them? The big races do any minute.
Yeah. Chester, you keep your eyes open, and as soon as they cross the finish line, you get to Pilcher and I'll pick up Flag.
All right, sir.
Yeah, let's see. Any minute now. Any minute there'll be a...
Here they come!
Come on! Come on! Come on!
Come on! Come on!
All right, get moving, Chester. I'll find Flag.
Yes, sir.
All right. Pardon me. Will you...
Excuse me, please.
Yeah. Will you pardon me, please?
Walk that horse good, Sergeant.
Hello, Lieutenant. You got a fast horse there.
Fastest on the post.
Yeah. But the Pilcher boys lost about everything they had just now.
You preaching in me, Marshal?
No, Lieutenant. I've seen horse races before.
Yeah, he won easy, Marshal.
I guess he did, Lieutenant Maul.
And he could have won from any other horse just as easy.
Maybe.
Well, Flag, you beat my mare. Thought maybe I might have won, but you got a good horse.
Real good horse.
You getting ready to talk me out of my money?
You're not much of a man, but you got a good mount and I'm paying you.
Here. Five hundred dollars silver. Come on, Tom. Let's go home.
Well, Marshal, the races are over. The Army won and no trouble. You sorry?
I got no complaints, Lieutenant Flag.
Looks like the Colonel was worried about nothing.
Thinking there might be some hotheads out here.
Matter of fact, I was kind of hoping for some fun along with the running.
Maybe you are a steady influence, Marshal.
Now, you look here, young fella. Soldier boy.
Chester, take it easy.
Hey, Flag, look over there.
Well, if it isn't that old Kyle howling dog.
Maul, you want some fun?
Why not? Flag.
He's going to challenge into a race, Marshal.
He's an old man, Lieutenant.
Come on, Maul. We'll go talk to him.
What are you going to do, Mr. Dillon?
We'll go over two. Flag's feeling mighty big right now and looking for trouble.
All right, sir.
It looked to me like folks was all leaving a minute ago.
Now they seem to be drifting back.
Yeah.
What do you think old howling dog is going to do?
I don't know, Chester.
This is Lieutenant Maul.
I know, Army officers.
You speak good English. For an Indian.
I am chief of tribe.
Chief? I hear you Kyle will ride good horses.
Horses help us hunt.
And I hear they're fast.
Now you've been sitting here all afternoon. You saw the races.
Yeah, I saw.
You saw my horse run.
You think any of your horses could beat him?
Yes.
Which one, howling dog? Your son's horses or the one you run?
Any one.
Any one of these three?
Here's one of them could run 400 yards and lift.
All right. All right, now stop dabbling in, Flag.
I'm not doing anything, Marshal. He tells me his horses can beat mine.
I don't think they can.
If you want to race, set one up, but don't fun him.
Will you race my horse, howling dog?
I will race.
Which horse?
The one I ride.
Hey, Flag, do you ever see a sire or sheep?
You want to bet on the race, howling dog?
Try your luck. I've got no money.
Well, you must have something.
If I lose, I give you a horse.
I wouldn't want it.
But I'll take that little beaded sack you're wearing around your neck.
That's Indian medicine.
You say you could beat me, so there's nothing to worry about.
If I lose, I give army man medicine sack good.
Well, I'll get Sergeant Crockett to bring my horse over here, will you?
I'll be right back.
Now, howling dog, what distance do we race?
You say.
All right.
We'll race from here down to that wagon with a broken wheel and back again.
It's about 500 yards.
Marshal, you can mark the start and finish.
All right.
Now, howling dog, you understand, from here to the wagon and then back again.
The first man to pass me coming back wins.
Yeah.
Here you are, Flag.
Had a chance to blow.
Good shape.
Good.
Lieutenant Mao, would you step over here a minute?
I'd like to talk to you.
Sure, Marshal.
You ready, Chief?
I am ready.
You can ride dressed like that?
Yes.
Okay, Marshal, fine with me.
Hey, Flag, that Indian going to ride in his blanket?
He can ride in a tent for all I care.
Uh, army man.
Yes?
What you give me when I win?
When you...
What do you want?
Money?
No.
What then?
Uniform.
You mean what I'm wearing?
Yes.
Well...
Why not, Flag?
What difference does it make?
He won't win anyway.
All right.
It's a bet, Chief.
Just a minute, Lieutenant.
What is it, Felger?
My horse couldn't do it.
The Chiefs can.
I ain't got any money left, but I'll bet my saddle's in wagon and four mules against 500.
It's a bet.
All right.
Chester.
Yes, sir?
You hold the money, huh?
Yes, sir.
And I might just take about $5 on the Indian, too, Lieutenant.
It's a bet.
Anybody else?
I've done all right today.
I'll take 100.
Well, you're a fool, but...
Now it's a bet.
As soon as I'm mounted, I'll be ready, Marshal.
All right.
You ready, Howland dog?
Ready.
All right, now to that wagon and back across this line then.
You there, would you ride down and clear those people out of the way, please?
All right, move up on the line.
Now I'll fire one shot.
All right, steady now.
Come on, Howland dog.
Can he do it?
I don't know, Chester.
Looks like Flag's ahead.
Yeah, he's swinging wide for the wagon.
Look, he's there.
That ugly little pony can sure run.
Yeah.
Well, they're into the turn, Chester.
Hey, Mr. Dillon, what happened?
Well, the Howland dog dropped his blanket.
Well, he's naked as a gay bird.
Come on, you Indian ride.
Come on, Howland dog, come on.
He's doing it, Chester.
He's doing it, he's doing it.
Yeah.
I missed you.
I got the laugh so hard I can't speak.
Oh, my, my, my, my.
Oh, it was a sight, a sight.
I tell you, oh, there's nothing quite as ineffectual as a man in long johns.
You know, I imagine Lieutenant Flag will have some explaining to do when Colonel Benson sees us.
Oh, I wish I'd been there.
Oh, my, oh, my.
No place for a lady, kitty.
You know, Howland dog just sat there while Flag cursed and begged.
And when the lieutenant paid off, he just turned and rolled away.
With most of the lieutenant's uniform draped around his shoulders.
You know, Mr. Dillon, he sure seemed pretty calm about it all.
He was sure enough of his horse, Chester.
Sure he'd win, you mean?
Oh, sure, that's right.
Well, why, Matt? Army horses are pretty good stock.
Well, sure they are, kitty, but there's always one around somewhere that's better and Howland dog has it.
Well, if that horse is so good, Matt, why doesn't Howland dog clip him up some so he don't look like a goat?
Doc, let me tell you something.
Howland dog's been winning races with that horse for a long time now.
He's been to half the army posts on the frontier.
What? He has?
That's right.
Well, why don't people learn not to bet against him then?
Well, Chester, because lots of them are like Lieutenant Flag.
They've got to make fun of somebody that looks weaker or different than they do.
Well, now, Matt, you said you knew about this before.
Did you know old Howland dog was going to win today out there?
Well, Doc, I was just sure enough to win a $50 bet from Lieutenant Mowell.
Sam?
Yeah, Marty?
See what the gentlemen will have.
Gunsmoke transcribed under the direction of Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal.
Tonight's story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Mr. McDonald with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey.
Featured in the cast were Harry Bartel, Ralph Moody, Paul Savage, and John Danaer.
Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNair is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty.
Gunsmoke has been selected by the Armed Forces radio service to be heard by our troops overseas.
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.
Tomorrow night, Motion Picture star Van Hefman plays Damon Runyon on the radio Hall of Fame.
Novelists Gene Fowler and Lionel Barrymore, both friends of the late Damon Runyon, take part in the dramatized tribute.
Remember, over CBS radio tomorrow night, listen to a tribute to the beloved writer of short stories.
It's on the radio Hall of Fame on most of these stations of the Star's Address.
George Walsh speaking. Coming, going, staying at home, enjoy music and song on a Sunday afternoon on the CBS Radio Network.