NEW JERSEY COUNTERFEITERS and TENNESSEE VALLEY KILLERS GANGBUSTERS

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers – "NEW JERSEY COUNTERFEITERS & TENNESSEE VALLEY KILLERS" (Gangbusters)

Episode Date: November 16, 2025
Host: Jon Hagadorn
Featured Narrators: Commissioner John B. Keenan (New Jersey Case), Commissioner Lynn Bomar (Tennessee Case)
Source: Public domain radio detective stories

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Episode Overview

This episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers features two authentic case histories originally dramatized on Gangbusters:

1. The New Jersey Counterfeiters—a safecracking crew whose daring thefts are undone by clumsy luck and a string of rare coins.
2. The Tennessee Valley Killers—a gang led by the notorious Troy Blankenship, whose obsession with cockfighting and reliance on an eccentric “cow doctor” lead to his undoing.

The cases highlight mid-century investigative techniques and the colorful personalities on both sides of the law, staying true to the hard-boiled, atmospheric tone of classic radio crime dramas.

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Case 1: The New Jersey Counterfeiters

Narrator: Commissioner John B. Keenan
Timeline: Newark, New Jersey, ~1 year prior

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Gang’s M.O. (7:04)

• Crew: Yak (leader), Tony, "Blue" (muscle), Mary Jo (Blue's companion).
• Crimes: Series of safe burglaries in restaurants and offices, using brute force and late-night break-ins, sometimes right under the nose of local police.
• Unique Loot: Notable heist yielded 36 rare Columbian Exposition commemorative half dollars, split between the crew.

2. Character Dynamics

• Blue and Mary Jo:
  • Mary Jo is suspicious and shrewd, managing Blue’s ill-gotten gains "for a rainy day."
    • "Blue, honey… That’s a fortune." – Mary Jo (04:57)
    • "I’m putting it away for a rainy day." – Mary Jo (05:28)
• Distrust and Rivalry:
  • Frequent tension and jealousy about fair shares, especially concerning Yak and Tony’s perceived slickness.
  • The crew is barely held together by mutual greed.

3. Audacious Heist and Near-Perfect Crime (14:30)

• The group sets their sights on a restaurant mere steps from the police station, timing the job for after hours to maximize loot.
• While struggling to crack the safe, they grow nervous about making noise so close to the police.
• In a bold (and desperate) move, they remove the entire 500-pound safe, clattering it noisily down the stairs and out into the street.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • "How are we gonna get that safe downstairs?" – Blue (16:05)
    • "We’ll take the safe with us!" – Yak (15:28)
    • The safe crashes out the front door onto the sidewalk (17:07).

4. Trackdown and Break in the Case (23:48)

• Police connect the dots via the unusual half dollars—distributed to collectors—a clever touch of period investigation.
  • A child finds the dropped coins behind a supermarket, which were lost during one of the gang’s hurried escapes (23:54).
• Detectives lay a trap, returning the coins and setting up surveillance.

5. The Bust (26:00)

• Yak tries to secure his "lucky charms" by returning to the supermarket, with Mary Jo unwittingly tipped off.
• Police spring their trap as the gang returns to finish their botched job.
  • "Welcome, gentlemen. All right, get them up, both of you." – Detective (26:25)
• Sentences:
  • Yak: 28 years, Tony: 21 years, lesser terms for accomplices.

Notable Quotes

• On the value of loot:
  • "Yak says they're worth five dollars. ...They collect this items from the Columbus Expedition." – Blue (06:30)
• Mary Jo’s pragmatism:
  • "Now, Blue, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to go out tonight." – Mary Jo (10:42)

Important Timestamps

• Mechanics of the heist: 06:50–09:30
• Safe crash and chaotic escape: 15:28–18:20
• Coin collector tip-off: 09:00, 23:54
• Trap and capture: 25:24–26:30

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Case 2: The Tennessee Valley Killers

Narrator: Commissioner Lynn Bomar
Location: North Carolina/Tennessee Valley

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Gang and Leader’s Profile

• Leader: Troy Blankenship (murderer, escaped convict, cockfighting enthusiast—“one of the weirdest and most dangerous criminals of the time”).
• His associates include "Doc" (an eccentric, unlicensed cow doctor) and Grant (safecracker).

2. The Cockfighting Connection (Starting 34:46)

• Blankenship uses cockfight gatherings as both cover for his crimes and his own sporting amusement.
• Elaborate arrangements:
  • "Seven birds, $200 a match, $1,000 a main." – Clark, local warehouse owner (35:35)
• Under cover of the matches, Grant and Doc rob Clark’s warehouse safe.

3. FBI and Lawmen Close In (41:48)

• Clark, a victim of the heist, helps the FBI once Blankenship is identified.
• "It's beyond me how any man who fights gamecocks can stoop to such a low occupation as safe burglary." – Clark (41:48)
• Blankenship’s multi-state crime spree is detailed.

4. A Cow Doctor’s Folly (47:10)

• In their next target town, Doc’s obsession with veterinary work and spring water for his birds leads to disaster.
• He cons the postmaster with a fake diagnosis ("traveling brayer stills") to keep him away for the robbery.
  • Funny/Absurd Quote:
    • "If it's that serious, I suppose I should get in touch with a veterinarian." – Postmaster
    • "It's serious all right. But simple, simple as they come." – Doc (47:44)
• Doc is arrested after the cow dies and is charged with "practicing veterinary without a license," inadvertently exposing the gang.

5. The Gang Unravels (53:00+)

• With Doc in jail and talking, Blankenship's other associate, Grant, gets cold feet and attempts to split. He’s stabbed by Blankenship after a tense argument.
• Grant gives law enforcement their lead on East Tennessee.
• FBI agents stake out local cockfights—a clever method exploiting Blankenship’s routine.

6. Final Standoff and Capture (Brian)

• Lawmen catch up as Blankenship attends another cockfight.
• After a shootout and chase through the night, Blankenship is captured.
  • "You're not a very good shot."
    • "Maybe not. And anyway I ducked you a long time."
    • "Perhaps you did, Blankenship. But right now there are a few charges of robbery and assault to... Let's see how you duck them." (Main arrest scene, 01:05:00 approx)

Notable Quotes

• Commissioner Bomar:
  • "Their weird characteristics, especially those of the gang leader, made them no less dangerous." (32:10)
• Doc’s deadpan confidence:
  • "Been fixing cows since I was just a kid of a boy." (47:42)
• Postmaster’s dismay:
  • "I'm charging him with practicing veterinary without a license. ...And killed my cow." (50:22)
• Law enforcement’s wry closing:
  • "Let's see how you duck them." (after arrest)

Important Timestamps

• Cockfight and safe job set-up: 34:46–40:20
• Heist aftermath & FBI involvement: 41:00–49:00
• Doc’s cow escapade and arrest: 47:10–52:00
• Gang fallout and betrayal: 53:00–56:30
• Final cockfight & shootout: 1:05:00

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Memorable Moments

• The safe crashing down the stairs, nearly exposing the thieves in the presence of nearby lawmen (New Jersey, ~17:07).
• Doc’s improvised and fraudulent bovine diagnosis—“traveling brayer stills”—and subsequent arrest for killing the cow.
• The contrast in criminal styles:
  • Hard-nosed urban heist vs. rural, eccentric, and ultimately self-defeating schemes.

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Episode Tone and Language

• Classic mid-century radio drama—snappy, wisecracking dialogue, tough-guy lingo ("doll," "scratch for a rainy day," "short count").
• Narration by public officials adds gravity and authority.
• The criminals’ dialogue is often comic in its deadpan delivery, especially in the Tennessee segment.

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Conclusion

Both cases underline the mixture of absurdity, danger, and luck in classic American crime—robbers defeated by rare coins and their own partners, or a killer gambler caught by his own reliance on a "cow doctor." The dramatizations are pacy, atmospheric, and peppered with wry humor and brisk investigative work, perfectly evoking the golden age of radio crime drama.

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For fans of old-time radio mysteries, this episode is an entertaining showcase of authentic police casework with vivid period flavor and memorable, if tragicomic, criminal exploits.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Baby, I told you to get out of here. The next one's gonna hit you.

[A]

Baby doll. Now don't get your feathers leaving me.

[B]

Sitting in a bar all night alone practically waiting for you to show up. I ought to scratch your eyes.

[A]

I was working, baby.

[B]

I don't care what you were doing. You were supposed to meet me. I was never so embarrassed in all my life.

[A]

Baby, darling was a last minute deal. We were sitting around and Yag says, he says. Come on, fellas, I got just the thing for tonight.

[B]

Yak says. Yak says this, Yak says that. Yakety, yakety, yakety.

[A]

Honest, Mary Joe, that's just the way it was. I couldn't get near a phone.

[B]

They got phones and airplanes nowadays. And you got nerve enough to tell me on dry land you can't get near a phone?

[A]

Baby doll, look, how much dough did I have last night? 50 bucks, 100 bucks tops. 100 bucks? Well, look at this. Does this look like 100 bucks?

[B]

Blue, honey, Blue. That's a fortune.

[A]

You see? Didn't I tell you I was working? Where would I get all this scratch if I wasn't working?

[B]

Okay, I believe you. Come on, give me.

[A]

Ah, Mary Jo, give. Blue. Baby. Darl, a man's gotta have money in his pocket. Give. Yeah, give. All I do around here is give. But I had 100 to start. At least 100.

[B]

20, 40, 60, 80, 90, 100. There. There's your hundred.

[A]

Thanks. I work all night and what do I get for nothing?

[B]

I'm putting it away for a rainy day. You sure Yak gave you all that was coming to you?

[A]

What's the matter? Ain't that enough for you?

[B]

I don't trust that yak, you know. And you're just stupid enough he could.

[A]

Give you a short count Listen, Tony and me were right there when it was counted out. And who's stupid?

[B]

You are. You got a strong back but a gimpy head. I'll bet you were looking out the window when Tony took the money out of his safe.

[A]

I was not. There wasn't no windows. The place was air conditioned.

[B]

Yak and Tony are a couple of slick operators. Lou, you gotta watch em.

[A]

Now listen, nobody can put anything over on me. Now look, Baby Doll, it was some job getting that safe open. I'm starved. Have you got a little breakfast late laying around?

[B]

I have not.

[A]

Oh, Baby Dog, you got your clothes on.

[B]

Run down to the diner, look, make.

[A]

Breakfast and I got a present for you.

[B]

Yeah? What kind of a present?

[A]

Will you make breakfast?

[B]

Let's see the present.

[A]

All right, here. I got 12 of them.

[B]

What's that, counterfeit?

[A]

It is not. That's a good American half dollar.

[B]

Sounds okay.

[A]

Only Yak says they're worth five dollars.

[B]

A who'd be crazy enough to give five bucks for a 50 cent piece?

[A]

Yak says they collect this items from the Columbus Expedition. They didn't make very many of them. So they're worth $5 a piece. It was 36 of them in the safe. We each got 12.

[B]

All right, let's hop.

[A]

Will you make breakfast?

[B]

Let's have blue.

[A]

Yeah. Hey, Baby Doll, Tony says he's going to keep his there. Good luck charms, he says.

[B]

Good luck charms, huh? Oh, 50 cent pieces worth $5. That's a twist.

[A]

Well, maybe it's inflation or something.

[B]

Maybe. All right, come on in the kitchen.

[A]

Thanks, Davey Doll. I'm stuffed. Really stuffed. Lieutenant Flynn, Bandit Squad. Hello, Lieutenant. Sergeant o'. Byrne. What'd it look like, Tom? Like a safe job ought to look. They pushed in a back door, went upstairs to the office, knocked the combination off the safe, jimmied it open and a pretty hefty box. The tenant must have taken him a good part of the night. How much was in it? I haven't figured it up exactly yet. Somewhere around 14, $1500. All they took was the cash, huh? Yep. All cash, Lieutenant. But there's one item of cash that might help us. Oh yeah? What's that? Well, the office manager collects coins. He brought 36. Let me see. Columbian Exposition commemorative half dollars. The office the other day, somebody wanted to buy them, so he stuck them in the safe. Well, they're messing with the rest of the cash. Are those half dollars? A pretty rare item. Fair enough, he says. Especially 36 of them in one lot. Yeah, that might help Tom and the Office manager's got a list of collectors and dealers and that sort of stuff. Good. Bring it in. We'll get in touch with all those dealers and ask them to be on the lookout for a block of those half dollars. Now, listen, Yak, I can't ride around all night. I gotta meet Mary Jo. What are you worried about, bro? Let her wait. Let away. You don't know Mary Jo. Tell him, Tony. Tell him how she is. What's the matter, Blue? You're big enough to handle that twist, Mary Jo. She gets sore, you apologize, you give her a kick in the face. You guys got no sympathy. There it is, across the street. You mean the restaurant? Yeah. The office is on the second floor. My information is, every night two big sacks of dough go upstairs and into the second. Yeah? They take them to the bank in the morning. Are you sure they ain't got no buzzer left? I'm positive. Yeah? What makes you so positive? Yet when they figure they don't need it, what do they figure, they're immune or something? Why spend the dough for protection when there's a police station just down the block? Yeah, but how do we get. Police station Where? Look down the street. Now, wait a minute, Jack. Don't you think the joint's just a little risky? Police station? It ain't 50 yards from the place. And there's cops coming and going all night. That safe is loaded. Maybe so, but I want to know, can we make it? I don't think we can make it. Not with the police station so close. Listen. Blow. You just use the muscles, huh? Now, we'll have to work fast and quiet, but I think we'll be okay for when. What's the matter with tonight? After the place closes? Why not? I got it with me. My good luck chance. Hey, fellas. No, tonight. I promised Mary Jo a good time. She's getting all dressed up. Have your good times, guys. Listen, Blue, wife or no wife, and we got a deal going. Nothing interferes. We work good together. I don't want no outside influences influencing the operation. And set for tonight? Well, we'll drive around town a while until they get the joint. Why do you guys always make me trouble? We'll stop someplace. Blue. Get the lady on the telephone. Tell her you're going to be busy. Tell her I'm gonna be busy.

[B]

Yes, you're Blue. Why should those two care? Have Yak and Tony got wives waiting someplace for them?

[A]

Now, baby, darling, Leaving me sitting and waiting again?

[B]

Oh, just wait like.

[A]

Listen, Mary Jo.

[B]

What's it have to be tonight for there's seven nights in a week.

[A]

Why tonight, baby doll? Yak wants to do it tonight. Yak says there might be 10 grand in that stage safe. He thinks there's a good chance.

[B]

10 grand?

[A]

Yeah. Yak says so. Maybe.

[B]

Well, Blue, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to go out tonight. I'm kind of sleepy anyway. We can make it tomorrow night.

[A]

Oh, that's good, baby dog.

[B]

But you be sure and see that those two monkeys don't give you a short count.

[A]

They won't. They won't.

[B]

And bring it all home.

[A]

Every penny. Okay. Make it fast, Tony. Get in the doorway. Yeah. Now let's get that door open. I think maybe with the back door it would be safer. Jack. Safer, maybe, but the front is easier. Go on, Mick. Snappy. Yeah, Yeah. I. I don't like working on the sidewalk practically either. Get it under the line. I'm doing okay. Let me handle it. Okay. Just a few. What, A couple of guys. Cops? I don't know. Stand close against the wall. Yeah, Yeah. I take my car down here. Garlic. Sit over top at the bottom, under the hood. Examine your poster. May I ask him? Wait a minute. Have you got a line? Can I ask him? How much longer can you have a straight thanks so? No, he says 1100. 1100. I can pack him.

[B]

You know what the fit is?

[A]

Didn't have any of those half dollars. It was good luck, huh? Get to work on the door. Did you think they were cops? What difference does it make? They walk by, didn't they? Get it over that police station. Sees awful close. You'll be inside it if you don't get that door open. Yeah, there it is. Good. Tony, go on, you get upstairs and start to look around. I'll go to the car and get Blue to bring the tour. Well, gangbusters, listeners. This gang of safe burglars led by the daring James Yak Denta had broken into a darkened restaurant not 50 yards from New York Second Precinct police station. Before the night was over, a 500 pound safe gave them the fright of their lives. When you're trying to do business with someone, it pays to speak their language. In fact, it pays so well that smart businessmen make sure their advertising agency talks the language of their customers. They have to be designed. Yes, that's basically what I'm looking for. And the main problem is exactly how do we reach them? Like if your customers are engineers, then you speak to them in engineering. Product is good. And we want to know exactly how we're going to Be able to market it. He started customizing, first and foremost. Seattle. That's correct. What was the response? Demographic or if they're in package goods, you speak to them and market. I'm talking about those wide angle shots right up from the heel, tight on the bell once the shirts. You know, the. The layouts that we had last week. Baby, let me get that. If they're hit, you're hitting back in spades. At Van Cristo Associates, we know the languages of doing business. We know who to talk to, how to reach them, what to tell them and how to say it. To sell it. Van Cristo Associates Advertising, Boston. And now back to Gangbusters. And here again is tonight's narrator, Commissioner John B. Keenan. Well, this gang of burglars found that breaking into a restaurant not 50 yards from a Newark, New Jersey police station was not so difficult as opening the safe upstairs on the second floor. They had been at it for nearly two hours and were still working hard. All right, blow. Tony's got it set. Now lay on it with a sledge. Again. Okay. Again. Again, brother. Hold it just a second, Tony. What do you say? It don't budge. Yak. Listen, Yak, maybe we ought to give it up. We're making plenty of noise here for two hours. And with the cops right next door. Practically. How about it, Tony? Can you get it opener? Can't you with these tools? No, I think we better get out of here. That's a good idea, Yake. We'll get out, but we'll take the safe with us. Take it with us? Sure, why not? Oh, no, no, no. Not me. What's the matter? This thing, she only weigh about 500 pounds. We carry out bigger boxes than this. Yeah, but not down a flight of stairs like that. And not with the police department for Navy. I'm not passing up this kind of dough. We'll take the safe out with us. Tony, go send a car around. Pull it up in front of the door downstairs. Okay. Yes. Hide away. Well, thank goodness this thing's on rollers anyway. That makes it a little easier. Come on, bro, let's put him. Yeah. Let me ask you something. Yeah. How we going to get it down all those stairs? We'll get it down. Yeah. And the cops. Suppose some of them are walking to the station house or drive? I'll be all right. Okay. Hold it here. Now, let me figure this out. You know, that's an awful big thing to get down those stairs. Yeah, I know. We can't carry it down at the cinch. Do you really? Think there's that much dough in there? Yeah. What are you gonna do with yours? Step at a time, I guess. I don't know. Give her to marry Jo, I guess. You're kidding. Not all of it. Yeah, she saves it for a rainy day. She says she takes every penny. Listen, we ain't got all night. How are we gonna get that safe downstairs? I'll push it from the back. You supported it well. Let the wheels and back rest on each step. See, you hold the front up. I'll get fun of it. Okay, push. I gotta hold. Okay? Yeah, yeah, but I don't know how long it'll be. Okay. What do you worry? We only got 20 steps to go. Get set. Okay, push, huh? I can't hold it all on the ball habitat. Grab it. Help me. Okay.

[B]

I'll get excited.

[A]

I didn't hold. Holy. Jump right out the front door. Come on, fast. Yeah, let's get out of here. Make sure we got that thing down. Be here fast. It's sitting right out in the middle of the sidewalk. Step right through the door. Watch fire. Come on, hurry. Get in the car. Let's get out of here. Babe goes Willis. Yeah, no problem on the wheel. Push it. Go on. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go back. All right, three of us together. Let's rend. No good. No good. Tony, get the car and pull one with. Yeah, yeah, sure. Okay. Okay. Come on. All right. Play on it. Rules. Oh, mother. Come on, guys. Come on. Little more, little more. Okay, let's go. Here comes a couple of cops, I think, walking. Come on, get in. Those cops. They're walking up on us, Jack. Oh, brother. What's the matter? They coming here? I bet. Come and get it started.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Come on. Oh, wow. Oh, Lieutenant, That's Tom, the bookkeeper upstairs. Just finished a preliminary count on what was in the safe. How much? Little over 6,000. What a haul. Yep. Not bad for a night's work. Any sign of fingerprints up there? No, not a thing. Nothing except the tools. They won't help us much. Safe must conduct down those stairs with some force. Todd knocked the door frame clean out. Yeah. Must have sounded like an earthquake. That's going to give us a little trouble, Tom. I know the papers are going to play up how close this thing was to the precinct house. These guys just had a lucky break. I'll bet there's a squad car or a couple of patrolmen pass this store on foot every five minutes all night long. That's not going to be any answer. The only answer will be to get them. Come on upstairs. I want another look at those tools they left.

[B]

Who is it? Blue?

[A]

No, it's Jack. Open up.

[B]

All right. Hello.

[A]

Where's Blue, Mary Jo?

[B]

Out someplace.

[A]

That's too bad, isn't it?

[B]

It's not so bad.

[A]

No.

[B]

Sit down, Yak and wait.

[A]

Why not?

[B]

Do you want something to drink?

[A]

Yeah, it's not a bad idea.

[B]

What?

[A]

I got a glass of milk.

[B]

Milk?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, now, you're kidding. I got rye, gin, beer.

[A]

I like milk.

[B]

Okay. You like milk.

[A]

Wait a minute. I'll go to the kitchen with you. What time did Bill say be back?

[B]

He didn't say.

[A]

Oh, here, let me.

[B]

Oh, much obliged.

[A]

It's all right.

[B]

You know, I could wait four years for Blue to open the door for me. Well, how do you like that? We have got milk. You sure now?

[A]

Positive.

[B]

Four years. I could wait.

[A]

Blue's not very bright, is he?

[B]

Well, no, but he's generous.

[A]

Yeah, so he tells me. Yeah, it's getting cold.

[B]

Blue is a very nice type of man to have around. Everything I want, I get.

[A]

I know. He told me. He gave you the whole 2000 from the restaurant deal.

[B]

I'm saving it for a rainy day. Most everything he earns, I'm saving for a rainy day.

[A]

His rainy day. Yours.

[B]

I don't understand.

[A]

I mean, are you waiting to get all you can from and then fly someplace?

[B]

That's an insult.

[A]

What do I care what's between you and him?

[B]

All right. Yeah, I'm waiting to get all I can. Don't you think I earned it?

[A]

Maybe you did, Mary Jo.

[B]

I'll say I did. Now, what's the real reason you're here?

[A]

To save Blue.

[B]

Is that so? Blue told me you sent him downtown for something.

[A]

Is that so?

[B]

You bet that's so.

[A]

You know, you're a pretty cute kid.

[B]

Do you really think so?

[A]

I said so, didn't I?

[B]

You want some more milk?

[A]

No. No, thanks. I know my limit. Oh, before I forget it. When Blue gets back, tell him we got a little deal on tonight. Tell him to meet Tony and me at the usual. Balls in the boot there, Mary Jo.

[B]

Thanks. Oh, I could kill him. Murder them, but murder him. What is it, Blue? Listen, Mary Jo, don't you know this is Saturday night and I'm in a tavern trying to have a good time because you don't have the decency to take your own wife out like a gentleman? So, what's the idea, disturbing me?

[A]

Now, listen, baby doll, we were out on a job. Tony stuck his Hand through a window in the alley trying to get in the supermarket. He cut himself pretty bad.

[B]

So what do you want me to do about it? Take him to a doctor.

[A]

Yak says he can't go to a doctor. Yak wants you to fix Tony up.

[B]

Oh. Oh, he does, huh?

[A]

Yeah. Baby doll, will you please.

[B]

All right, bring him to the flat. I'll meet you there.

[A]

Oh Mary Jo, that's great. I'll never forget.

[B]

Okay, bring him to the flat before he dies.

[A]

Get me one more drink, will you Blue?

[B]

Hold still there, Tony. How do you expect me to get you bandaged up if you're squirming? Tell him to hold still, Yag.

[A]

Okay, okay, I hold still. Don't look as bad as I thought, Tony. Don't look good to me.

[B]

What do you know?

[A]

I wouldn't have cut myself this way except my good luck charms. I lose them someplace.

[B]

Those five dollar half dollars, huh? Well, they are as good as new now.

[A]

Could I have one more drink? Yeah, if I'll get it.

[B]

I could use one myself. Anybody else?

[A]

I'll go with you. Have a glass of milk?

[B]

Sure. Ya, we're loaded with milk. Help yourself.

[A]

Thanks. Say, Mary Jo.

[B]

Yeah?

[A]

You think you can get away from Blue for a while while tomorrow afternoon?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Why? Oh, no reason. I just thought you'd like to do a little Sunday driving with me.

[B]

Why? Yeah, I love it.

[A]

Okay, take care. About two o'. Clock. Lieutenant Flynn. Hello, Lieutenant. Sergeant Tom o'. Byrne. Yeah, Tom, listen, maybe we got a break. The third Precinct desk sergeant just called me. A kid walked into the station house with 12 of those Columbia Exposition half dollars. Where'd he get them? Well, he was on his way to Sunday school and found them in an alley behind a supermarket out there. They were all in a little shammy bag. Behind a supermarket? That's what the kid said. Was the supermarket broken in there last night? Oh, we got no report of it, Lieutenant. They're not open today. Well, meet me down at the garage. We'll run out there and take a look around right now. Okay, Mary Jo, we can get rolling again.

[B]

Well, this has certainly been a fine Sunday afternoon. I thought you were going to take me out in the country for dinner or someplace.

[A]

I like to ride around in town, Mary Jo.

[B]

And what was the idea of stopping here and getting out for a walk around a grocery store and leaving me sit in the car?

[A]

I had to look at something in back of a supermarket.

[B]

What kind of a good time do you call that? And all the trouble I Went through to get away from Blue.

[A]

I'll tell you what, Mary Jo. I'll take it back to him right now.

[B]

Oh, now you're going to do me a favor?

[A]

No, I'm gonna do Blue a favor. Well, this supermarket won't be no trouble. Now, we did most of the work last night. Yeah, Tony and I found something of yours right under the window here this afternoon. Yeah, my Lucky Charms. I must have dropped him last night. Come on, guys, let's get inside. Why don't we stand in here, talk? Okay, here you go. Up. Tony, Post him up low. Yup. Okay.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Can you get through? Yeah, I perceived. Okay, we'll go around front. Open the door for us. Come on, bro. Yeah, Just your smart yak riding by here this afternoon with Mary Jo and taking a look. Our neighborhood's empty on Sunday. There's a good chance nobody even found what we did last night, so I thought I'd see. Yeah, that is smart. I thought all that work last night was down the drain. Nothing's ever down the drain with and. Want to give you a piece of advice. Yeah? What? I've been learning a few things about Mary Jo. Yeah, Ain't she a sweet kid? Like I said, we're a good combination. I don't want anything to happen to us. Oh, nothing will. Get all your dough back from Mary Jo and throw her out. Throw her out? But, Yak, she's fixing to leave you, so you might as well beat it to the draw. Tony, come on. Listen, Yak, what are you talking. Just do what I tell you. There.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Put up. Go on, go on. Go on, get in. Welcome, gentlemen. All right, get him up, both of you. No, not me at all. He's got a gun. Okay, okay, here it is. Here's a gun. Don't. Don't shoot. The next one will be right at you. Now, all of you, keep them up. Okay, I'm through. Believe me, you're through. All right, now go on, get over against that wall with your partner. Both of you. Come on, move against the wall. Come on. Well, gangbusters, listeners New York detectives, after destroying discovering evidence of an attempted burglary, reasoned the safe crackers might return to finish the job. So they planted the Colombian half dollars where they were left and waited for the burglars to show up again. James Yak Denta received a maximum sentence of 28 years and Tony Palumbo, 21 years in New Jersey State Prison. Their accomplices received lesser terms. Thank you, Commissioner John B. Keenan, for this most interesting case history. And Gangbusters. Congratulations to all the officers of the New York Police Department who participated in the investigation leading to the arrests and convictions. Well, it's time for our radio Buff contest of the week. Now we are going to ask you a question about old time radio. And if you have the answer, you just send in your answer to radio buff Van Christo Radio Theater, 18 Newbery Street, Boston 02116. Last week's question concerned the theme of a program concerning a United States woman senator who had succeeded her husband believed lost in the war. The theme was of course, Claire de Lune. And our winner drawn from all correct entries, Mr. Alan Teed of Salem street in Rockland, Massachusetts. Mr. Teed will soon be receiving his copy of Orson Welles production of the War of the Worlds. Now for your chance to win a copy of this famed production. Listen closely. A daily adventure series about newlyweds ran into trouble when they had a radio child who proved unpopular. A heart rending death sequence wrote the child out of the series. Edith Davis and Les Tremaine played the couple. And this music was the theme of the program. Will you please tell us the name of this music? Can you identify that scene? If you can, mail your answer before this Tuesday midnight to radio by Buff Van Christo Radio Theater, 18 Newberry Street, Boston 021161. Winner will be drawn from all correct entries. The judge's decision is final, so mail your answer now. Tell us the name of that theme. Mail it to Radio Buff Van Christo Radio Theater, 18 Newbery Street, Boston 02116. Tonight's case was dramatized by Stanley Nurse and directed by William Sweets. With Anne Thomas and Ralph Bell in leading roles. Roger Foster speaking. Gangbusters is a Phillips H. Lord production and it comes to you every Sunday night at 8:00 on the Van Christo Radio Theater on WCRB. And now, gangbusters. Gangbusters. Presented in cooperation with police and federal law enforcement departments throughout the United States, the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories. Tonight, the case of the Tennessee Valley killer who rode high from one robbery to the next until a cow doctor from the hills became too attached to his avocation. And now the gangbusters and facts that show the operation of our law enforcement officials in their war against the underworld. Gangbusters has asked the honorable Lynn Bomar, Commissioner of Safety, State of Tennessee, to narrate by proxy tonight's case the inside facts in the case of the Tennessee Valley Killer. Commissioner Bomar, from what you've told me, the criminals in Tonight's case certainly must have been a weird aggregation. That's one description of them, Don Gardner. But their weird characteristics, especially those of the gang leader, made them no less dangerous. As a matter of fact, this gang leader was at one time considered the most dangerous fugitive at large in the country. Oh, well, why don't you tell us about him, Commissioner? All right, Don. I think it would be best to begin. A short time ago at a county seat in a tobacco grown section of North Carolina, one noon hour, the proprietor of a local tobacco warehouse walked down to the courthouse square and approached a stranger who was sitting alone on a bench. Howdy. Howdy. I guess there's room on that bench for another one. Help yourself. Bench belongs more to you than to me. I'm the stranger. Awful unseasonable weather we've been having. Oh, weather doesn't bother me none. I never learned to take what they give me. Well, I guess I ought to. Wait. Now wait just a second. I'm Roy Clark. I own the tobacco warehouse here. Pleased to know you, Mr. Clark. Are you the same stranger that was in Logan speed store this morning? I was in a feed store. I don't know whether it was Logan's. I. I hear you got some birds you're mighty proud of. I got a few Baltimore topnuts, I fancy. Have you got them with you? Not this minute. Have you got them near? Well, out of the cabin camp a mile or so north. You know, Strange, I've got a few birds myself I'm kind of proud of. Yeah, Esmond Redfills. Don't care none for the breed. Oh, I found them to last pretty good against Baltimore topknots. Not that I ever heard. You wouldn't care for test? Oh, I wouldn't mind one. Tonight, anytime. Well, we've got a cockpit in the basement of that furniture store there, north of the square. The brick building? Yeah. Nine o'. Clock. That's her swing. I've got seven birds I'll fight. Seven's all right. What have you got for steaks? $200amatch, $1,000amain. Well, you are proud of your birds. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have them. Well, we can make a mistake. Conditions are short heels. Birds may not be touched after setting down the pit. If a bird refuses to fight longer, he set down the middle of the pit breast to breast with his adversary. If he still then refuses to fight longer, he's regarded as defeated. Satisfactory, Mr. Clark? All right, I'll see you tonight then. Good day, sir. And good Luck? I don't know, Troy. 200amatch and a thousand dollars a main. Them island red quills and Mr. Clarks are birds with spirit. Maybe you bit off more than you could chew. Don't you worry about it, Document. I'll handle the business arrangements. You just look after the chores. Come in here, Grant. Come in here. What's been keeping you? What did I ever get myself into? Spring water. Honest, Doc, ordinary tap water ain't good enough for you. Where's the payer bucket at? Where'd you think? Out there next to the roosters. Roosters? Can't you get it through that thick Yankee head of yours at fighting? Cox is fighting cocks. There's still roosters to me. The only way I'll have him is with mashed potatoes and gravy. What's the matter, Grant? Haven't you got no sporting blood? Yankee blood, that's what he's got. Yankee blood. Go on, go on. I got your spring water. Go on. Attend to your chickens, chicken. Now, see here you, Doc. Go on, get them birds shaped up fine. A lot of appreciation anybody gets around here. Spring water, graham bread for a bunch of chickens. That's what puts him in the best shape. Because that cow doctor says so? Because I say so. Now, look, Troy, it's okay for a guy to have a hobby. I got nothing against that. But I've been knocking around since who knows when. This is the first mob I ever ran into that operates with a bunch of chickens and a cow doctor. We've been doing okay with the chickens and the cow doctor, have we? Well, there's lots of ways to do. Okay. I like. This way, we get what we're after and I have a little sport. All right, what's the deal for tonight? The first two birds go into the pit at 9 o' clock with the seven matches, we ought to be busy there nearly two hours. What about the warehouse? You sure nobody'll be around? Look, I know these folks. They'll all be at the cockfight. You won't have no trouble. You can be in and out of that safe in plenty of time. Some job you picked out from me. You can do it. You'll have Doc to help some help. Probably treat that safe like an ailing calf. Just you do a good job. After you get finished up, come by the cockpit. I'll stall the matches as long as I can until I see you. Okay, but have them birds of yours win, will you? I don't feel like breaking into a safe and then having to pay out all the dough and bad bets. You just open up that safe, Grant. I'll see the birds come out okay. Hazel and red quills. Mr. Clark thinks they're any match for a Baltimore top. Nuts. He's got another thing coming. Well, did you change your opinion and fall more top nots, Mr. Clark not beat yet. Go on, get in there. Mix it. Come on. Would you like to up the stakes, Mr. Clark? Get in there. Get in there. Come on now, get in there. How you doing, Troy? In the bag. Three to one in the for the main. Go on, get him. Get him. We got gray and clean as monkey's wash. Okay, Tell Doc to get ready to move. We'll be through here in another 10 minutes. Finishing. Finishing. Finishing. Finishing. Finishing, finish. You're Mr. Clark? That's right. My name is McDonald. I'm Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Oh, yes. She Sheriff called and said you're on your way over. Sit down, sir. Thanks. Mr. Clark, you're positive the man who owns the Birds at Fort Yours is the same man whose photograph you identified at the sheriff's office? I couldn't be much more positive, sir. The man will stand no farther from me than you're sitting right now for two hours or more. It's beyond me how any man who fights Gamecocks can stoop to such a low occupation as Safe Bugley. Yes, I can see your point. I have no idea, Ms. McDonald. No idea @ all. Imagine burglarizing my safe here at the warehouse while I was engaged in a sporting match. And he was well spoken, too. Well, that makes no difference, Mr. Clark. There are lots of well spoken criminals, and their specialty is disarming such victims as you. Did you know that this man, Troy Blankenship, is wanted in at least a half dozen states? Why, no. Did you know that he killed a police officer? What? He's a murderer. A murderer? That's right. He escaped North Carolina State Prison some time ago. He almost committed a second murder when he assaulted a guard. Since that time, he's been responsible for robberies and burglaries here in North Carolina, in Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Well, so you can see how important it is for us to apprehend him. Yes, sir, I can see. And a man who breeds gamecocks. Now, Mr. Clark, I want to go over every word that passed between you and Troy Blankenship. Perhaps somewhere in your conversation he dropped a hint that would give us an idea of his present whereabouts. All right, Mr. McDonald, my time is yours. Well, Don, there wasn't much Mr. Clark could say that would lead authorities to the whereabouts of Troy Blankenship and his gang. By that time, they were well over the state line and had arrived at a small town with the intention of robbing a post office safe of a sack of registered mail they knew to contain an enormous amount of cash. But Doc's passion for car doctrine led his companions to the brink of disaster, as you will see. Now, back to gangbusters. You are telling us, Commissioner Bomar, a Troy Blankenship and a strange gang had crossed the state line and planned to rob a post office safe of a large shipment of cash? That's right, Don. Once at the town, they sought to determine the exact time the shipment of cash would arrive. Troy Blankenship and the criminal Grant stood on the platform of the local railroad station shortly after the afternoon train pulled in. Okay, Grant, I've seen enough. Let's go. Yeah, right with you. That sack he just signed for him. It's the registered man. Look, Troy, let's grab it here at the station. Be a cinch. Small town, one cop. What are we waiting for? Oh, we'll do it like I figured. Well, why break into the post office? We could lift it off those guys and we got it. Go on, get in the car. Come on, get in. See a car. How'd look? It looks okay. He asked you nothing. Yeah. List. All right, all right. Well, how do we do it? Troy? If you listen, I'll tell you. I'm listening. They take that payroll and lock up the post office overnight. Tomorrow morning, the boss of the construction gang comes to pick it up. Only it won't be there. We're taking it out of the post office tonight. Let's grab it now. They won't know what hit him. If Troy says it's tonight, it's tonight. Look, Doc, why don't you stick to patching up those chickens? Okay, okay. Here's how we do it. And I don't want any argument. Doc? Yeah? Try the postmaster owns that farm I assured you, about a mile outside of town. He wants it for the little white barn. Yeah, that's it. Nice barn. You go pay a call on him. Sure, Toy, but what am I going to call on him about? Listen, you'll get told. Not by no one named Grant. All right, all right, Doc. That postmaster has a habit of coming back to the post office some nights to work. Now, I don't want him back there tonight. But if he wants to go to the post office, how am I going to keep him? That'll be Harder than getting a gold off tooth dentist. I said I'll tell you how to keep him. I get this car out of here. You're a car. But how? I said I'll tell you. Move. Afternoon, Mr. Poster Master. Well, what is it? Your misses said I'd find you out here near the barn. Now I got a number of gadgets for sale here. Razor blades, pocket knives, cufflinks, etc. You caught me at a busy moment, mister. I don't want. Well, sir. And I even got some of the finest game cocks ever. You did lay eyes on. With each purchase we're giving away the finest gold platest keychain this side of the Tennessee River. I said you caught me at a business. You'll have to make it some other time, mister. I got a sick cow. Sick cow? Did you say a sick cow? Mr. Postermaster. I was just going to call the veterinarian. Mr. Poster Master. You're the most luckiest man in the county that I come along. I'm a natural born cow doctor. Been fixing cows since I was just a kid of a boy. Yeah, but I'll have that cow brood well again before any veterinarian fella could even get halfway up the hill. You just show me where she is at. Well, she's right in the barn. But don't you think it might just lead me there, Mr. Postmaster? Just leave me there. Well, I. Right this way. I'll have her fixed up in no time. No time at all. In here. Brute sounds sick all right. Yeah, I can tell from here what's illness. The bad case of traveling brayer still. Traveling brayer still. Yes sir. And I can fix up in a jiffy. I'll have her back on her feet come night and give it milk come morning. If it's that serious, I suppose I should get in touch with a veterinarian. Oh, it's serious all right. But simple. Simple as they come. Now I noticed I come up the road you had some nice tall pine trees a growing. How old are them pines? I don't know. Well, pine needles. Got to be some trees just the right age. Now I got some right age pine needles over where I'm staying. Well now look now, Mr. Poster Master. Now you get me them mustard greens and the brine water. I'll be back here in half hour with the pine needles. Now don't touch that cow till I get back. And the poster master does exactly like I asked him. Hey, come on, Troy, get me there. I told him I'd be back. Back in half hour. What about this traveling brayer stills. I never heard of any such cow sickness. You didn't. You know I didn't. Oh, Troy, I'm ashamed of you. Shamed to death of you. They had an epidemic of traveling Brayer stills back in 03. It d near killed every cow brute and both Carolinas. Yes, sir, traveling br stills. Darn near every cow brute in the whole south died. You should have done it like I told you and forgotten about the cow doctor. I'm keeping the poster. Me master wait in the post office. Ain't I keeping him away? Go on, Troy, drive. Drive me there. That's Kyle. Needs me. Yeah, like I need you. I know you need me, Troy. But you can get into this post office without me. I guess you can do it. What's keeping him, Troy? He should have been here waiting for us. You'll see. Here, take it easy. Besides, nobody will know about that job until morning. There's plenty of time. Well, we got a nice pile of dough out of that post office, and I don't feel like. Okay, it's all right. He's coming in now. It's about time. He ought to know better. And then you lay off a doc. Hello, Troy. You ain't been waiting long. Where were you? I got here, didn't I? What happened, doc? Young fella told me where I could get some spring water for the birds. Spring water? We're waiting here to lamb out of town. Where's your head? Okay, let's get going. Where's the car park? Right out in front, just in the. Oh, what's the matter? The poster master, the postmaster? Yeah, and that's the law with them. Well, come on, let's get out. Hold it. I'll talk our way around. But supposing there ain't words and. Hold it. We'll get out, but first we'll talk. Hey, you. Me? Yeah. We want to talk to you. That's the one. Deputy Hickson. Oh, hello, Mr. Postermaster. What's the trouble, officer? Lots of trouble, boys. The postmaster here has got a complaint. Oh, is that right? Well, if there's anything I can do to straighten it out. I'm afraid all the damage has been done. What damage? I guess you better come along with us. Hey, turn me loose. Just a second, officer. There's no use talking about it here. I've already sworn out a warrant against this man. Against Doc? I'm charging him with practicing veterinary without a license. Oh, the cow died traveling breast stilts. Well, she wouldn't have died if he'd done Like I told you, we can't argue about it here. Let's go. Yeah. Now just a second. My friend's an old cow doctor from the hill country. That doesn't give him the right to practice veterinary in this state. And kill my cow. I do not need to kill your cow. As soon as I get him booked, you can come down and make bond for him. Let's go. Come on. Come on. You throw my bond. Sit tight down, Doc. I'll be there. Well, ain't this some mess? Just be thankful he didn't come to get us all on account of that safe cracking. Hey, what if Doc opens up his mouth? He can tell him plenty you just waking up to that? Well, let's get him out fast. Why? What? He's been springing along with you, hasn't he? He's been doing all your dirty work. This is a good chance to dump him. Let him talk if he wants to. He can't tell him much. You mean you left the old guy right there in jail? How much could the bail be? Whatever it is, it's too much. Come on, we got to make time. Troy. What? It ain't right. How do you know what's right and what isn't? Come on, let's get moving before he talks. Sooner than we figure. All right. I got a nice program lined up for us, Doctor. Only get in the way. Attention, all field offices and headquarters. Be on alert for Troy. Blanket ship described in bulletin 1816 and companion known as Grant. These two men believed responsible for recent series of jewelry store robberies in southern Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Caution. Blanket ship is a known murderer and is believed to be heavily armed. Okay, okay. Take it easy, will you? Time. Coming. Yeah, who is it? It's me. Open up. Hello, Trey. Come on in. What's the matter with you, Grant? How many times do I have to knock? I had a big night last night. You've been having too many big nights lately. We're making dough, aren't we? What do you expect me to do with it? Open a bank account? The big times are over, Grant. We're moving out of here and going back to some real work. Well, what's your hurry? Let's stick around, enjoy our score a while. Nothing doing. It's East Tennessee and back to work. Go ahead, Troy. You write me how you make out. You're coming with me. No, I don't think so. I like it pretty much here. You're coming with me. You're not going to push me around like you pushed that cow doctor. I Said you're coming along. Yeah, that's what you think. Now get your hands off me. Ah. Okay. So you've taken a plane with knives? Sure, Troy. In this morning. It will fit right in between your ribs. You want a sample? Just try something. Get out. Okay, Grant. I guess you don't want to come with me. I'm glad you know it. Well, I. Give me that. Thanks. Thanks a lot. A knife. Oh, now, wait a minute. Troy. Troy, I'll go with you. When do you want to leave? Soon, Grant. Real soon. Here. Here's your knife. Now back to gangbusters. Special Agent McDonald, this is Deputy Sheriff Hickson. McDonald. I just got your message to call back. Look, Hickson, Grant regained consciousness again. I was out at the hospital to see him. Yes, he says now that before his argument started with Troy Blankenship, they were talking about some jobs in East Tennessee. Any place specific? McDonald's? No. That's the trouble. At least Tennessee takes in a lot of territory. Troy might have changed his mind after the fight. I know, but it's our only lead. And you know he's pretty fond of cockfighting. So I hear. Well, there's some places where they still hold cockfights in East Tennessee, aren't there? Yes, some places. But it's not exactly legal, you know. I know, but they do hold cockfights. And if Troy Blankenship's in the neighborhood, he's going to show up. I'd say he would. Okay. Supposing I come over to see you in the morning? We'll figure out how we're going to get all those sporting exhibitions covered. Well, MacDonald, I don't suppose Blankenship will show up here tonight. Not if he's missed this much already. Yes. Getting kind of late. Come on. Yeah. I had enough of this. And I heard about another crowdfight that's supposed to come off near Del Rio tomorrow night. Do you want to look into that one? By all means. Leavings early, gentlemen. Still three matches to go. Yeah. We got a long drive. I can't stay. Good night. Gotten pretty chilly. Yes. My car is right over. Excuse me, fellas. Is this where they're holding the matches? Yeah, right inside of Breaking Ship. Get them up. Some other time. After him. He ducked in that doorway. He's still there. Hold it. I don't see him. Let's move up a little closer. Duck. Come on. No, not yet. Better get a beat on him from behind that car. Yeah. Let's go. I see him. Hold your fire. All right, Blanket ship. Come out of there. We know you're in that doorway. Come out with your hands up. Try again. Come out, blanket ship. Come out or we'll shoot. Okay, I'm coming. Keep your hands over your head. They're over my head. Just take it easy. Don't shoot. Got the cuffs on him, right? You're not a very good shot Maybe not And anyway I ducked you a long time Perhaps you did Blankenship but right now there are a few charges of robbery and assault that killed you're facing let's see how you duck them let's go that don was the end of the road for an unusual public enemy Troy Blankenship is now back in North Carolina State prison where he is serving out his term for murder well, thank you Commissioner Bomar for this interesting case history and gangbusters Congratulations to all the officers who participated in the investigation leading up to the recapture of Troy Blankenship Leading roles were played by Arthur Vinton and Will Gere the.