Around Dodge City and in the territory on West, there's just one way to handle the killers
and the spoilers and that's where the US Marshal and the smell of guns smoke. Guns Smoke starring
William Conrad, the story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story
of a man who moved with it. I'm that man, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, the first
man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chance a job and it makes a man
watchful and a little lonely. Well, there Mr. Dillon, turned them all loose early this
morning just like you said. They was the one sorry-est looking bunch of cowboys I ever
did see. No, I guess that didn't really hurt any of them, Chester. Being banged on the
head with a six gun ain't their gentlest way to end the evening's pleasure, but they'll
live. The trouble is they've been taking their pleasure too seriously. Yes sir, but things
quieted down a little last night after you locked up them five. They might have been
real trouble otherwise. You clear, I don't know what's got into everybody lately, Mr.
Jones. It goes like that, Chester. Things will be peaceful enough for a while till some
wild outfit like this dragar hurt his tongue. You got to come down on them hard and fast
before they really get the bit in their teeth. Well, you sure did last night. Yeah, it isn't
over yet. You Marshal Dillon? Yeah, that's right. My name's Rance. I'm glad to know
you, Rance. I bossed the dragar hurt up here from down around Maticora. That's in Texas,
Marshal. Yeah, I've been there. Yeah, well you better not go back. Oh. We might give
you the kind of welcome you're giving us. What's your complaint, Rance? Buffalo and
my men. Five of them come into camp this morning with blood in their hair. They said you done
it. That's right, I did. And if I hadn't, they might have been shot or shot somebody
else. Good thing for you, you took them one at a time. I'd have taken them anyway. Look,
Rance, this town was on the edge of a riot last night and I stopped it. I stopped it
without any killing. It's a man's own business. He wants to pull out his gun. Not around here,
it isn't. Marshal, I can't ask men to come up the trail the way they do and take to drinking
soda water and talking in whispers. What kind of a town is this anyway? It's a good town.
New men can drink and gamble all they want in it, but they can't shoot the mirror off
the wall at the long branch. And they can't grab town's women on the street. And they
can't break the bartender's arm in the oasis. And they can't offer to shoot anybody that
tries to stop them. It isn't that kind of a town, Rance. For sure they get a little
frisky. There's no harm in it, I can see. Sooner or later it'll lead to killing. And
I gotta draw the line somewhere. So do I, Marshal. Now what does that mean? I mean,
I won't drive cattle to dives no more. I'll spread the word, it's no good town. And you
people can live off sidebusters and buffalo hunters. This place will starve to death.
I'm hired to keep the peace, Rance, any way I can. Keep it then. We won't bother dives
no more. Goodbye, Marty. You want me to go in with you, Mr. Don? No, you wait outside,
Justin. Okay, sure. Who do you think they're up to anyway? Mr. Green told you it was a
business men's meeting, didn't he? Yes, sir. And I expect they're worried about business.
All right, Chester, I'll be out shortly. Yes, sir. Hello, Marshal. Mr. Green. Oh, there
you are. Gentlemen. Oh, Mr. Green, you asked me to come here. We all did, Marshal. Mr.
Pepper, Mr. Howe, and, well, all of us. Practically every man who does business and dives is here.
I don't see Rance. He says he does business here, too. He sure does. And that's what we
want to talk about. Uh-huh. All right, go ahead. Well, we've had a meeting, Marshal.
You've decided you've got to go easier on these cowboys. Oh, why? Well, we can't afford
to lose all that business. That's why. There's always been some trouble the first day or
so after a herd reaches Dodge. All I do is buffalo a few of the wildest and gradually
the rest of the cowboys calm down a little. Well, they won't stand for your slugging men
and throwing them in jail. Well, nobody got killed last night, did they? Well, that isn't
the point. According to the law, that's a pretty good point, Mr. Green. Well, now the
law's a fine thing, Marshal, but, well, we're also interested in business. You're scared
because one hard-headed trail boss has threatened you, how? You know, they're not all like Rance.
Well, there's no use to argue, Marshal. We've got our minds made up. You're too rough for
those men. Mr. Green, would you like to run this town? Well, no, no, no. Of course not,
not me. But we thought maybe if you'd kind of leave Dodge alone and do your work in the
country, then we'd hire somebody, the cowboys here, take two a little better, if you know
what I mean. Yeah, I do. It's a good thing for me. I'm employed by the government, isn't
it? Well, now, Marshal, we're just making a suggestion, sort of. Sure. And you know what,
Mr. Green? You men are acting like fools. Well, not really. That's true, that's true.
There's only one way you'll learn. Gentlemen, I won't make any more arrests in Dodge until
you come and ask me to. It's your town, and you can blow it right off the map if you want.
Good day.
I got the mail, Mr. Dillon. What the ones of it? Oh, all right, Chester. Put it on the
table. I'll look at it later. Yeah, I'm going to have a lot of time. Yes, sir, but you just
wait till the word gets out that Dodge is wide open. Ain't going to be nothing but trouble.
Maybe. This is the only way I can handle it, though. They won't listen to me otherwise.
Excuse me, Marshal. Well, what for? Well, I don't want to bother you, but I thought
you'd better come see. You're not bothering me. I sure hope not. What can I do for you?
Marshal, you don't know me, but I heard about you. Oh, seems like a lot of people have lately.
I know. Marshal, I... Go ahead, mister, there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm the new constable.
The new what? The new constable. They picked me. I had to take it, Marshal. I'm so broken
all. You sound like you're apologizing. Well, I reckon I am. I didn't want you to be mad
at me. I need the money. That's why I'm doing it. That's all right. Somebody had to take
the job. I didn't know they were going to call it constable. Well, they wanted to sound
as peaceful as possible, I reckon. What's your name, mister? Dillard. Dillard? Yes, sir.
Dillard Band. Where are you from? Well, I used to be a cowboy, but when I got so fat
and all, I just sort of worked around wherever I can. I've been awful broke, Marshal. Yeah,
you mention that. Yes, sir. How come you're not wearing a gun? Oh, shucks, Marshal. I
don't never wear a gun. I don't even know how to use one very good. You're a whole lot
better off without one. And I don't aim to get into any fights, Marshal. If there's any
trouble, maybe I can sort of talk them out of it. Yeah, maybe. Well, Dillard, I... I
wish you luck. Oh, thanks. I got to be going now, Marshal. I'm on pay already. So long.
So long, Marshal. Oh, my goodness. Yeah, I agree, Chester. Why, they'll ruin that poor
fellow if he tries to stop them. He won't even raise his voice against them. But they
sure might ruin Dodge.
The government paid for my office and the jail behind it, so I stayed there. It was
sure that Constable Dillard Band, broke and fat and humble, wasn't going to manhandle
any Randy, Texas cowboys and throw them behind bars. The first 24 hours passed peacefully
enough. The drag-ar outfit was busy moving their herd across the Arkansas and didn't
get into town. But the next day, a new herd arrived. That night it seemed like all of
Texas had come to Dodge. By midnight, no man, unless he was armed and ready to fight, should
have been out on the street. It was Doc who told us what it was like when he came into
the office where Chester and I were sitting it out. Quite a little two-handed 21.
Well, it's a fine thing when the U.S. Marshal holds up in his office, when men are getting
shot up and knifed all over town.
I hope that's not true, Doc.
Well, it is true. I just came back from trying to save the second victim. The first one's
already dead.
Cowboys or citizens?
Cowboys. They were good citizens, I suppose. Those dunderheads would have been in here
on their knees begging you for help.
I don't want them on their knees, Doc.
I know, Matt. But it's getting worse. By that last fella, they wouldn't even let me
bring him back to my office. They said he might as well die right there on the floor
of the Texas street.
They did.
They sure did. And they ran me right out of there.
They what?
They took me by the arms and they half-carried me as far as the door. I called them everything
I could think of while they were doing it to me.
Doctor, you think that man's dead yet?
He will be soon. If I don't get him to where I can work on him.
All right, we're going over there and get him. Come on, Chester.
Yes, sir.
I told them I wouldn't make any arrests when I walk. Nobody's going to push Doc around
and stand between him and a wounded man.
You get in the middle, Doc.
I wish there was a tunnel under the street.
I don't see Dillard no worse. He ought to be out here talking his head off if that's his plan.
He's lucky if he doesn't get hung tonight.
Watch your gun, Chester. Don't let anybody grab it.
I'm carrying my hand on it, Tony.
He's right over there, Max. Lying in front of the bar.
All right.
All right, get out of the way, will you?
Will you make room?
Will you move, please? Come on.
All right, go ahead, Doc. See if he's still alive.
He doesn't look very good.
I thought you'd quit, Marshal.
No, I haven't quit, Rance.
What are you doing here, then?
The man's dying.
With a fair fight, we believe in dying where we fall, Marshal. We don't need no help.
I won't even argue with you, Rance, but the first man that interferes with Doc will die on his feet.
And if you can't understand it any other way, just put it that Doc's a friend of mine. Is that clear enough?
No, no, no, no, man. No, no, let's not have any trouble here.
Now, let's talk it over and settle this peacefully. Could I get...
Oh, gee, Marshal.
How about Dillard?
I'm having a terrible time, Marshal.
Yeah, I can see that.
Matt?
Yeah, how is he, Doc?
Bad. But I might save him.
Okay. Dillard?
Yes, sir?
I'll test to carry that man over to Doc's office.
I'm sure, Marshal. Sure.
Leave me, Constable.
That's enough, Rance.
Let him die in peace, I say.
You know, Rance, I'd throw you in jail, but I said I wouldn't make any arrests.
And why don't you get out of here while you still can?
I'll get out.
All right.
I'll shoot the first man that touches the gun.
All right, Chester. Dillard got moving.
Yes, sir. We got him, sir.
You lead the way, Doc.
Yeah, let's hurry.
That man won't live long if we don't.
You look off in the morning. The crowd's thicker than ever, Mr. Dillon.
Just come here and take a look.
Yeah.
Another hour and they'll really be out of hand.
Look, you honor, there's a mosquito coming across the street.
What?
You wait here, Chester.
Kitty, what are you doing out here?
I'm coming to find you.
Let's get off the street.
Yeah.
Phew, it's getting worse.
Hello, Chester.
Miss Kitty, you shouldn't have gone out there.
I'm sorry.
It's getting worse. Hello, Chester.
Miss Kitty, you shouldn't have gone out in the street.
It's no worse than the Long Branch.
Then you ought to go home.
I'm going. I'm all through until somebody puts a lid on this town.
That branch is over there right now, Matt, getting drunk and calling for blood.
There's been enough blood around here already.
How's that cowboy, the one you got out of there?
Well, Doc was down a while ago. Said he took a bullet out.
And he thinks he has a chance, huh?
Good.
You say Rance is working up trouble, huh?
Yeah, he's trying.
I guess he didn't take to your bashing him on the head.
They quieted things down for a little while, anyway.
They sure got that poor constable treed. Dillard, what's his name?
He seemed like a nice enough fella. I heard a hope they don't hurt him.
Well, when I left, they had him dancing on the bar.
He looked about to cry.
Well, that's hard around the bar and he's undue.
He's about the fattest peace officer I ever did see.
Well, there's going to be fatter never after tonight.
Every time he opens his mouth to talk, somebody pours a glass of beer on him.
It's sort of pitiful, Matt.
It's worse than that, Kitty.
Yeah, I know. That's why I got out of there.
You can kind of feel when a crowd like that starts...
You know, I guess we'll listen to him out there.
Well, I'm not even staying in town tonight. I'm going out to Moss's small house.
That's a good idea, Kitty. Chester, you go along with her. I better stick around.
What's Mr. Green up to?
Oh, my little good Dillard.
That fella beat me up. He beat me up bad.
He certainly did.
Marshall, we came here to ask you...
Wait a minute, Mr. Green. Chester, take Dillard up to Doc's place.
I sure will. Come on, Billy.
Thanks.
Chester, you come back for Kitty here.
All right, Chief.
All right, Mr. Green, you wanted to ask me something?
You've got to stop them, Marshall. Another man's been killed.
Mr. Howe's brother. He caught a stray bullet out back of the Texas Trail.
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I wondered why Mr. Howe wasn't here.
He told me to tell you that he'll trust your judgment from now on.
We shouldn't have interfered, Marshall, but we're all behind you now.
You'll do something, won't you, Marshall?
All right. It's pretty late, but I'll try it.
All right, thank you, Marshall.
I'll start with Rance. He's the worst of the lot.
I'll go get him and throw him in jail.
But before I go, I want every saloonkeeper in Dodge to put out his lights and close up.
We'll do it.
Now, you gentlemen have to pass the word for that.
I don't want to be seen until I go for Rance.
We'll do it, Marshall. We'll do it right now.
All right, then get going before it's too late.
Singing doesn't sing.
I waited for a half an hour while Green and the others spread the word to close up the saloons.
The lights gradually went out up and down the street, and I left the office alone.
I found Rance in front of the long branch.
I was able to reach him before I was recognized.
He was stupid drunk, but he was being held up by a man who was fairly sober.
Well, the Marshall's back.
Let's shoot him, men.
You better get out of here, Marshall. We ain't in no mood to fool.
Neither am I.
All right, the street's closed, gentlemen.
You go on back to your camp.
Oh, yeah.
It'll be open again tomorrow night.
You're welcome to come back then.
There won't be no town by tomorrow.
Let's set it afire, men.
Shut up, Red.
I won't shut up.
All right, you're going to jail.
What? You leave him be, Marshall.
You want a fight, mister?
Rance here's too drunk. He wouldn't have a chance.
But you might.
He's right, Pete. I'd never make it.
You draw on him.
Go on, shoot him.
Hell, I'm waiting, cowboy.
I ain't no gunfighter.
Go on, you coward. No.
Why should I die?
It's in my business anyway.
Will somebody do it then?
I'll fight any man here, and I'll fight him fair.
And I'll have to try it myself.
When I don't be a fool, Rance, he'll kill you.
Get out of my way.
No, you don't. Give me that gun.
Pete, out.
Keep your gun.
Look out now, or I'll slug you.
Well, I was smarter than you, mister.
But he's still going to jail.
I sure got a lot of nerve, Marshall,
bucking a crowd like this.
I'm one man against any other one man here.
I'm not bucking a crowd.
You cowboys aren't built that way.
I've been in Texas too, mister.
Guess you win, Marshall.
It looks that way.
Now, you want to take Rance to jail,
or do you want me to do it?
His head might be less lumpy tomorrow if I do it, Marshall.
Start a walk-in, Rance.
Gunsmoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald,
stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal.
The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston.
Featured in the cast were Ralph Moody, Ken Lynch, Bartlett Robinson,
Vic Caron, and Howard Culver.
Harry Bear is Chester, Howard McNeer is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty.
This is George Walsh, inviting you to join us again next week,
when CBS Radio presents another story on Gunsmoke.
The latest news follows.
Then, Mitch Miller with tonight's guest stars on the CBS Radio Network.