This Is Your FBI: The Cautious Killer 02/08/1946

Summary

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Podcast Summary: This Is Your FBI: The Cautious Killer

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: This Is Your FBI: The Cautious Killer (Original Airdate: 02/08/1946)
Release Date: December 28, 2025
Summary Prepared By: Podcast Summarizer

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Episode Overview

This episode of "This Is Your FBI" delves into a tragic case from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: the murder of Mary Clifton, the coal miner’s wife, in a small Ohio town. The story explores the difference between crimes of passion and professional crimes, following the arduous investigation leading to a confession from the suspect, John Clifton. The narrative captures not only the procedural efforts of law enforcement, but also the psychological tension faced by both investigators and suspects alike.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime: A Murder in a Mining Town

• Setting: The story opens in a gritty, gossipy coal mining village in Ohio, where Mary Clifton is marked by her beauty and targeted by idle talk. Her husband, John, is painted as a jealous, heavy-drinking miner.
• Domestic Trouble: The tension between John and Mary is immediately palpable. Jealousy and resentment boil over into confrontation, culminating in Mary’s declaration that she is leaving John.
  • Quote:
    Mary Clifton: “I’m leaving you.”
    [06:09]
  • Quote:
    Mary Clifton: “Now that [love is] dead, things around me have begun to matter. All I can see is this dirt and this filth and this shabbiness. And I can’t stand it anymore.”
    [06:03]
• Murder and Coverup: When Mary tries to leave, John attacks her. Her body is later found in the charred ruins of their house, presumed to have died in the fire—until suspicions arise.

2. The Initial Investigation

• Chief Baxter’s Suspicion: The local chief of police seeks FBI assistance, suspecting Mary was murdered before the fire.
  • Quote:
    Chief of Police Baxter: “Mr. Leeds, I don’t think Mary Clifton died in that fire. I’ve got a suspicion she was murdered before the fire. Murdered by her husband.”
    [08:02]
• FBI’s Skepticism and Rationale: The FBI is initially hesitant to take the case, but ongoing suspicions and Clifton’s flight from Ohio strengthen their involvement.

3. Undercover Operation

• Agent Jefferson’s Role: Special Agent Jefferson, experienced in coal mining, is chosen to secretly work alongside John Clifton and gain his confidence.
  • Quote:
    Agent in Charge Leeds: “You have to work alongside him without him suspecting your plant.”
    [09:27]
• Technical Theories: The agents discuss the likely method—a gas stove rigged with a slow fuse to create the explosion and mask the real cause of death.
  • Quote:
    Special Agent Jefferson: “If her husband did it, he could have opened the gas jet in the oven, attached a slow fuse like they use for a blowout in the mines, lit the fuse, gone out the back door, and reached the bar before the explosion.”
    [09:42]

4. Tension in the Coal Mine

• Initial Encounter: Jefferson’s introduction to Clifton is frosty and suspicious.
  • Quote:
    John Clifton: “You don’t look like any miner to me. Give me another one, Sam.”
    [11:36]
• In the Mines: Working together underground, Jefferson tries to maintain cover while attempting to break through Clifton’s hardened exterior. Their interactions are tense, with Clifton avoiding openness.

5. The Mine Explosion & Psychological Pressure

• Disaster Strikes: While working, an explosion traps Clifton and Jefferson. As air runs out and panic sets in, Jefferson leverages the claustrophobic desperation to press Clifton psychologically.
  • Quote:
    Special Agent Jefferson: “In a spot like this, you don't know if you'll come out of it or not. Well, you start thinking of all the bad things you did. Know what I mean?”
    [21:19]
• The Confession: Under the pressure of possible death, Jefferson coaches Clifton into an admission—methodically uncovering the facts and forcing Clifton to confront his guilt.
  • Quote:
    Special Agent Jefferson: “Why don’t you get it off your conscience?”
    [24:56]
  • Quote:
    Clifton: “Yes, I killed her.”
    [25:21]

6. Law Enforcement Courage and the Resolution

• Rescue Efforts: Meanwhile, a rescue party frantically tries to reach the trapped men, reflecting on the dangers and courage inherent in law enforcement work.
  • Quote:
    Narrator: “The courage of Special Agent Jefferson... is exemplary of the courage of all law enforcement officers who daily risk their lives in the performance of their sworn and sacred duty.”
    [17:59]
• Clifton’s Fate: Clifton is extradited to Ohio to face justice, and the episode closes with a reflection on the limits of human endurance under guilt and questioning.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marriage Dissolves:

  • Mary Clifton: “Now that it’s dead, things around me have begun to matter. All I can see is this dirt and this filth and this shabbiness. And I can’t stand it anymore.” [06:03]

• Police Suspicion:

  • Chief Baxter: “I don’t think Mary Clifton died in that fire... I’ve got a suspicion that she was murdered before the fire. Murdered by her husband.” [08:01]

• FBI Deduction:

  • Special Agent Jefferson: “If her husband did it, he could have opened the gas jet in the oven, attached a slow fuse... and reached the bar before the explosion.” [09:42]

• Psycho-drama in the Dark:

  • Special Agent Jefferson: “You stuck thinking of all the bad things you did. Know what I mean?” [21:19]

• Breakthrough Confession:

  • Special Agent Jefferson: “You did kill her, didn’t you?”
  • John Clifton: “Yes, I killed her.” [25:21]

• The Reveal:

  • Special Agent Jefferson: “It’s just like you said in a bar yesterday. I’m not a real miner... I work for the FBI.” [25:53, 26:01]

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Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------| | 02:51 | Narrator sets up the case and setting | | 04:16 | Mary and John's confrontation | | 07:17 | Police and FBI begin investigation | | 09:05 | Assigning Special Agent Jefferson undercover | | 10:39 | Jefferson meets Clifton at the bar | | 13:50 | First descent into the mine | | 15:16 | The mine explosion occurs | | 18:50 | Rescue party organizes; reflections on courage | | 20:28 | Jefferson and Clifton trapped, start talking | | 24:31 | Psychological pressing for a confession | | 25:21 | Clifton confesses to murder | | 25:53 | FBI reveal and the case concludes | | 26:16 | Narrator summarizes case resolution |

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains a dramatic, suspenseful tone, blending procedural detail with personal and psychological tension. The dialog is terse and authentic to its mid-1940s setting, laden with the heavy atmosphere of industrial America. Narration moves fluidly between description, expository commentary, and dramatized conversations, keeping listeners immersed in both plot and context.

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Final Thoughts

“The Cautious Killer” exemplifies the Golden Age radio crime drama: a mix of tightly-plotted investigation, vivid characterization, and a climax that hinges not on forensic evidence, but on the cracking of a human soul under unbearable pressure. The episode’s resolution affirms the relentless pursuit of justice by the FBI, capped by a well-earned confession—in a setting as dark and constricting as a coal mine, both physically and morally.

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Transcript

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[John Clifton]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[John Clifton]

Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You for [e-mail] the Equitable Life Assurance Society presents this is your FBI. This is your FBI, an official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community. Before opening tonight's file, it occurs to us that as you have listened to previous programs in this series, you may have wondered about the word society in the name Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Why is it called a society? You may have said to yourself, why not a company? Well, the answer is very simple. The Equitable Society is called a society because it is a society. It is a voluntary association of men and women who have joined together for security. It is a cooperative enterprise maintained solely for the benefit of its members and all its members receive the friendly service and personal attention that the word society implies. So when you next consider the purchase of life insurance, remember that by becoming an Equitable Society policyholder, you automatically become a member of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Tonight's FBI file. The cautious killer.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

A crime of passion such as killing in a rage of jealousy is seldom committed by the hardened, cold blooded professional criminal. It is more often the act of a normally law abiding citizen, a store clerk or a banker or a doctor or a laborer, such as the coal miner in tonight's case, from the files of your FBI. And because it is not a professional crime, its final solution may rest solely on getting a confession of guilt from the suspect. But many arduous steps between the start of the hunt and victory for the hunter. In most any small coal mining town, a pretty young woman storms out in sharp and refreshing relief against the dinginess of the community. And often she is the target for the idle gossip of the envious. In this particular mining village in Ohio, the pretty young woman was Mary Clifton, whose husband John always drank too much beer at the corner bar and sometimes Got wind of too much gossip tonight. As usual, Mary has put supper in the warming oven while waiting for the sound of steps on the porch. Tonight the steps are heavier than usual.

[John Clifton]

Mary. Mary.

[Mary Clifton]

I'm right here, John.

[John Clifton]

Oh. Supper ready?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Yes.

[Mary Clifton]

Let me have your dinner pail, dear.

[John Clifton]

I can take care of myself. And don't call me that.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Call you what, dear?

[John Clifton]

Let me have your dinner pail, dear. Supper's ready, dear. Wash up, dear.

[Mary Clifton]

Come on, please.

[John Clifton]

You know why I don't like the word no? Cause I know that's what you call him, too.

[Mary Clifton]

Who are you talking about?

[John Clifton]

You know who I'm talking about. He was here again today, wasn't he?

[Mary Clifton]

Who do you mean?

[John Clifton]

Jim Monroe.

[Mary Clifton]

Yes, Jim was here.

[John Clifton]

I knew it.

[Mary Clifton]

He came to see you.

[John Clifton]

Don't give me that. Everybody in town knows who he comes to see.

[Mary Clifton]

John.

[John Clifton]

He's in love with you, John.

[Mary Clifton]

Don't say that.

[John Clifton]

Everybody in town is saying it.

[Mary Clifton]

Now, look, you've been drinking.

[John Clifton]

That's what you always say when I start talking about you and him.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Please.

[John Clifton]

You don't like to hear me talk about it, do you? But you like it when he comes here to see you.

[Mary Clifton]

Stop it, John.

[John Clifton]

You like it when he holds you in his arms and kisses you.

[Mary Clifton]

I can't stand it.

[John Clifton]

But you can't stand him loving you, can't you?

[Superintendent Miller]

Can't you?

[Mary Clifton]

Thank you, John.

[John Clifton]

Huh?

[Mary Clifton]

Thank you for slapping me. Help me get hold of myself so I can tell you something.

[John Clifton]

What?

[Mary Clifton]

I'm leaving you.

[John Clifton]

So I was right.

[Mary Clifton]

Wait a minute. Let me talk. When I married you, I loved you as much as any woman ever loved a man. But through the years, you've done everything possible to kill that love. And now that it's dead, things around me have begun to matter. All I can see is this dirt and this filth and this shabbiness. And I can't stand it anymore.

[John Clifton]

Are you through?

[Mary Clifton]

Yes, I am.

[John Clifton]

Okay. Now let me tell you the real reason you want to leave. You want to go away with him.

[Mary Clifton]

Think whatever you like, John. I'm leaving tonight.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, no.

[John Clifton]

You are not leaving. You don't think I'm gonna let you go away with him, do you?

[Mary Clifton]

I said think whatever you like.

[John Clifton]

Come back here.

[Mary Clifton]

Take your hands off me.

[John Clifton]

You ain't pulling any double cross on me.

[Mary Clifton]

Let go of me. You're too me.

[John Clifton]

This kind of spoils your plans, don't it? This kind of messes everything up for you and Jim. He can have you all right when I'm done with. Sure, now he can have you. Anytime he wants.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Exactly two weeks after the brutal slaying of the miner's wife in the adjoining state of Pennsylvania. Agent in Charge Leeds of the Pittsburgh office of the FBI has just received a caller.

[Chief of Police Baxter]

Mr. Leach, I'm Chief of Police Baxter from Larkin, Ohio.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Oh, yes, yes. I've been expecting you. Sit down, won't you?

[Chief of Police Baxter]

Thanks, I will. I think I have a case for the FBI.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes?

[Chief of Police Baxter]

Two weeks ago in Larkin, the house of a coal miner called John Clifton caught fire and burned to the ground. We found the charred body of Mary, the miner's wife, on the floor of what had been the kitchen.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

What about the husband?

[Chief of Police Baxter]

Well, he was drinking at a bar when the fire alarm was turned in. He ran to the fire and he tried to get his wife out. But the fireman stopped him.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Where's the crime angle, Chief?

[Chief of Police Baxter]

Mr. Leeds, I don't think Mary Clifton died in that fire.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Oh?

[Chief of Police Baxter]

I've got a suspicion that she was murdered before the fire. Murdered by her husband?

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Yes. But you just said that when the fire broke out, he ran to the house and attempted.

[Chief of Police Baxter]

I know, I know. I haven't got enough material evidence to back up my suspicions. Or I'd have him extradited.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Extradited?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes.

[Chief of Police Baxter]

That's why I came here. John Clifton left Larkin, Ohio, a week after it happened. We traced him to Ridgewood, Pennsylvania, and he's working there in the coal mines.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Chief, if you haven't enough evidence, I. I don't see where we fit in the case.

[Chief of Police Baxter]

We can back into the murder. You see, Clifton was jealous of a man named Monroe. He tried to extort money from Monroe on the grounds that he was carrying on with his wife.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

I see.

[Chief of Police Baxter]

Now, let me give you the whole background on this fella Clifton. Here's the reason why, I think.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Did you want to see me, Mr. Leeds?

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Yes. Come in, Jeff.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Thanks.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Did you finish reading up on the Clifton case?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Yes, I just finished.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

According to our vocation application file, you've spent some time around coal mines, Jeff.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

That's right. I spent a couple of summers in the mines when I was studying engineering.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

And I think you're our candidate to contact Mr. Clifton.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Good.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

You have to work alongside him without him suspecting your plant.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I see.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Have you any opinions on the case? Yes.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

The neighbors said they heard an explosion and saw a flash of flame in the kitchen. Mary Clifton cooked on a gas stove.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

That's right.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

And if her husband did it, he could have opened the gas jet in the oven. Attached a slow fuse like they use for a blowout in the mines. Lit the fuse, gone out the back door and reached the bar before the explosion.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

That sounds reasonable.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

As for how he actually killed his wife, the neighbors heard no pistol shot. And even a half charred body should have showed some trace of a stab wound, which hers didn't. I know, but it would have shown no trace of finger marks if he choked her.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

That's how I think he did it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

If he did it.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I'm ready to start right now for Ridgewood to find out.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

I've already telephoned the superintendent of the mine. You'll be working with Clifton starting tomorrow.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Right.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

What are you drinking, fella? Beer.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

New here, ain't you? Yeah, just came in this afternoon. Signed up yet? Yes, Start tomorrow. Hey, thanks. I'm supposed to work with a cutter named Clifton.

[Chief of Police Baxter]

Know him?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Yeah, yeah, I know him all right. What's he like?

[John Clifton]

Well, you can size him up for yourself. He's coming in now.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh.

[John Clifton]

Give me a boilermaker, Sam.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Your name Clifton?

[John Clifton]

Yeah, what about it?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

My name's Jefferson.

[John Clifton]

Come on, shove it out, Sam.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

And hey, I said my name's Jefferson.

[John Clifton]

Yeah, I heard you.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I thought maybe you might like to know who's working with you.

[John Clifton]

What do you mean?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I'll be loading in your room starting tomorrow.

[John Clifton]

What's the matter with the two working there now?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

One of them is switching shifts. Yeah?

[John Clifton]

You don't look like any miner to me. Give me another one, Sam.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Right. That was too bad about your wife, Clifton. I just heard about it this afternoon.

[John Clifton]

Never mind about that.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You don't mind a guy saying he's sorry?

[John Clifton]

I mind anything you say.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You act like I'm accusing you of something.

[John Clifton]

What do you mean?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Well, nothing in particular.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

It's just.

[John Clifton]

All right, drink your beer and shut up.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Okay?

[John Clifton]

There you are, Sam. Thanks, Jefferson.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Yeah?

[John Clifton]

I get this. You're working with me, okay? I can't do anything about that. But from the time we get in that cage tomorrow and start down the shaft until we quit and come out, don't bother me with talk, understand? All right, monkeys, let's get in the cage and get down to midnight.

[Superintendent Miller]

Okay, let's go.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Since we're first on, we must be working the same level.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

That's right.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

You knew?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Yeah. Just come on. Name's Jefferson. I'm Hinton.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

What drift you working?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Don't know yet. But I'm working with Clifton over there.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, that's number three.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

You're working in a small head, tight.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Fit and dead end, huh?

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Yeah.

[John Clifton]

Jefferson.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Yeah?

[John Clifton]

I want to ask you something.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I thought we weren't talking, Clifton.

[John Clifton]

Where do you come from?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Still don't think I'm a miner.

[John Clifton]

I said, where did you come from.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Carter Mine in Kentucky.

[John Clifton]

Oh, soft stuff, huh?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Trying to do trippy.

[John Clifton]

What do you mean?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Carter's hard? Same as here that passed me. Okay.

[John Clifton]

All right, come on, let us up. This is our train here. Jefferson, Come on. Low seam. You better bend down.

[Superintendent Miller]

All right.

[John Clifton]

Okay, let's go. What's the idea of stopping?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Ground fall, blocking the track ahead.

[John Clifton]

Well, you can't prop up a roof with a toothpick and expect it to hold.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Well, you can get around the fall on foot.

[John Clifton]

All right, all right, all right. You go back on the train hidden. Get a crew to come clean this stuff out, put in some real props and wet the dust down.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Right.

[John Clifton]

Come on, Jefferson.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Okay.

[John Clifton]

Can't take the dust.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I'm not complaining.

[John Clifton]

Few more yards, we'll be in the head and you can straighten up. Okay. This is our happy home and we don't make money standing still.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You don't mean you're gonna start cutting before they wet down?

[John Clifton]

Why not?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

This cloud of dust. Suppose you hit gas.

[John Clifton]

Some dust ain't combustible.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Well, you know, this kind isn't.

[John Clifton]

I hit some gas the other day in a dust cloud and nothing happened.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Maybe it wasn't inflammable gas.

[John Clifton]

Oh, a book miner, huh?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Just cautious.

[John Clifton]

Time is money. I'm gonna start cutting.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Holy clipping, will you?

[John Clifton]

It's a fire damp.

[Superintendent Miller]

Let's get out of here.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

We'll never make it before it hits the dust.

[John Clifton]

I said, let's get out of here.

[Narrator/Announcer]

As you will learn from tonight's case, which will reopen in just a moment, Training, the right kind of training has plenty to do with security. This week at the Equitable Society, I learned something about training. The president of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, Thomas I. Parkinson, told me about it. You know, he said that the FBI operates a school for law enforcement officers called the FBI National Academy. Policemen from all over the country attend its classes in modern crime detection and advance police work of all kinds. Down there. Recently, I was astonished to find how closely this FBI school parallels our own Equitable Society schools and training courses. And for the same purposes, too, protection and security. Yes, representatives of the Equitable Society are always going to school. Classes run steadily at the Equitable Society and special courses of instruction are given to Equitable Society representatives throughout the country as field training instructors constantly bring new information to Equitable fieldmen everywhere. That's why the Equitable Society representative in your community is so well versed in the things that are closely tied in with life insurance. Things like trusteeships, tax problems, mortgages, partnership agreements. And let me tell you that because many factors such as taxes are constantly changing, Equitable Society representatives must be progressive, must be forward looking. So we can always say that this week and every week for more than 86 years, the equitable Society has been building security for you, your home and your country. And now back to the FBI file. The cautious killer.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

The courage of Special Agent Jefferson of your FBI in risking the danger of a coal mine explosion to carry out his duty as a law enforcement officer. That kind of courage was not peculiar to him. Rather, it is exemplary of the courage of all law enforcement officers who daily risk their lives in the performance of their sworn and sacred duty. The protection of the lives and property of you, the American citizen. At the first sound of the distress signal at the Ridgewood mine, Superintendent Miller and agent in charge, leads of the FBI rushed to the shaph head. Miller personally took charge of the rescue party which is now making its way deep into the seam where the explosion occurred.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Think there's any possible chance that they're alive, Mr. Miller?

[Superintendent Miller]

Well, if they are alive, Mr. Leeds, they're sealed up in a small head and that's pretty bad. Even if the force of the explosion knocked out the gas fire before it burned up, what oxygen was in the head? Well, there couldn't be too much left.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

For them to breathe.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

I see.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Here's where the fall begins, Mr. Miller.

[Superintendent Miller]

All right, men, wet it down.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

How far is it to where they are?

[Superintendent Miller]

Oh, I should say about 20 or 25ft. And that's many a ton of coal.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

How long would it take to reach the head?

[Superintendent Miller]

If they're alive, we can't wait that long. We'll clear out about half and then try to drive an air shaft through before we go any farther.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

I see.

[Superintendent Miller]

All right, that's enough men. Now dig it away and keep it wet as you go. And I don't need to tell you to work fast.

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[Special Agent Jefferson]

Clifton.

[John Clifton]

Yeah.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You okay?

[John Clifton]

I think so.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I must have passed out for a minute.

[John Clifton]

Yeah.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You got any room over there? Not much.

[John Clifton]

Jefferson. I wonder how bad off we are.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I don't know. That depends on how much fell between here and the main shaft.

[John Clifton]

I know, I know.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

At least the explosion snuffed out the fire. You still got a little stuff to breathe.

[John Clifton]

Talking burns it up faster.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I mean, why don't I shut up? Yeah.

[John Clifton]

Hey, Clifton, what is it?

[Chief of Police Baxter]

It's just.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

There's just one trouble with this, keeping quiet. It starts a fella thinking. In a spot like this, you don't know if you'll come out of it or not. Well. Well, what? Well, you stuck thinking of all the bad things you did. Know what I mean?

[John Clifton]

No.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You mean you never did anything you're sorry for?

[John Clifton]

Well, keep quiet, will you?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

No, I just asked you.

[John Clifton]

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Okay, I'll keep quiet.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Let's both keep quiet and think.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Haven't the men dug through halfway yet, Mr. Miller?

[Superintendent Miller]

No, we've only made about 10ft, but.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

It'S been a couple of hours now.

[Superintendent Miller]

Yes, I know, I know. But we're not getting through as fast as I'd hoped.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Do you think they could still be alive?

[Superintendent Miller]

If they were alive when we started, there's a chance. Just a chance. But I'm not going to wait any longer.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What do you mean?

[Superintendent Miller]

All right, stop work, men. I'm going to see if they can hear us.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Clifton. Clifton.

[Superintendent Miller]

Jefferson.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Clifton.

[Superintendent Miller]

Jefferson, can you hear us?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Clifton.

[Superintendent Miller]

All right, men, bring up that shaft.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Right.

[Superintendent Miller]

We're gonna try to drive through them right now. Come on, hurry up.

[John Clifton]

At the shaft coming up.

[Superintendent Miller]

All right, now start driving. And remember, if they're still alive, every second counts.

[John Clifton]

Jefferson. Jefferson. Yeah, I changed my mind.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Let's talk. Did the thinking get a little rough? Just let's. Let's talk, okay? Got that? Subject?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[John Clifton]

Getting out of here.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

How?

[John Clifton]

There should be a rescue party digging through to us.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Yeah, that could take days. Yes. That ended that subject.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Got another one?

[John Clifton]

No.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I'll throw one in. What?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Women.

[John Clifton]

I'm not interested.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Why?

[John Clifton]

Just not interested.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

On account of your wife, Clifton.

[John Clifton]

What do you mean?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

What happened to her?

[John Clifton]

What are you talking about?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Why did you do it, Clifton?

[John Clifton]

Do what?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You thought she was in love with somebody else, didn't you?

[John Clifton]

What are you talking about?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You were insanely jealous, weren't you?

[John Clifton]

I said, what are you talking about?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Look.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Why don't you get it off your conscience?

[John Clifton]

I don't know what you mean.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Your wife wasn't in love with Jim Monroe.

[John Clifton]

That's a lie. She was.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You just thought she was. That's why you choked her to death.

[John Clifton]

She said she was leaving.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

That's why you choked her to death.

[John Clifton]

She was going away with him.

[Chief of Police Baxter]

I know it.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

That's why you choked her to death and set fire to the house.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Yes.

[John Clifton]

Yes.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You did kill her, didn't you?

[Mary Clifton]

Yes.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

You did kill her, didn't you?

[John Clifton]

Yes, I killed her.

[Superintendent Miller]

I killed her.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Listen. They're coming through to us, Clifton. What? Listen. You can get hold of yourself now, Clifton. This party of troubles are almost over.

[John Clifton]

What do you mean?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

It's just like you said in a bar yesterday. I'm not a real miner.

[John Clifton]

What?

[Special Agent Jefferson]

I work for the FBI.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

John Clifton was returned to Ohio. Where he was tried and convicted for the murder of his wife. Yes, a crime of passion is seldom a professional crime. And its final solution may rest solely on getting a confession of guilt from the suspect. And although many arduous and sometimes dangerous steps may lie between the crime and the confession profession. Victory for the hunter over the hunted is inevitable. For there's always a limit to the capacity of the hunted to endure.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Next week, you'll hear a particularly exciting case from your FBI files. Before telling you about it, a word about one of your neighbors. Just as you look to your FBI for national security. So to the Equitable Society you look for the financial security of life insurance. Yes. Like the FBI agent. The Equitable Society representative in your community. Is a specialist on the subject of security. His job is to preserve homes, to help keep children in school. And to make old age a time of happiness and contentment. It's a good job and one that has won for him the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. Who recognize his contribution to the security of you, your home and your country.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Next week we will bring you another colorful story. From the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Corrupt City.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The incidents used in tonight's Equitable Life Assurance Society's broadcast. Are taken from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, all names used are fictitious. And any similarity thereof to the names of persons living or dead is accidental. Tonight, the music was under the direction of Frederick Steiner. The author was Frank Ferries. And your narrator was Dean Carlton. This is your FBI is a Jerry Devine production. Now, this is Carl Frank speaking for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. And the Equitable Society's representative in your community. And inviting you to tune in again next week at this same time. For this is your FBI. Now I should like to read a statement from Mr. J. Edgar Hoover. Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The observance of Boy Scout week should command the attention of the entire nation. At a time when our country is suffering from the ravages of youthful crime, the spirit of the Boy Scouts of America is doing much to influence the future thought not only of our nation but the world. During this period of readjustment, there is a definite need for honor among men. The Boy Scouts theme for this year is Scout of the World. Building Together. All of us might very well adopt this theme. If we do, I am sure the family of nations will enjoy peace instead of war, truth instead of false ideologies. The keynote of Scouting is good citizenship. A Scout promises on his honor to do his duty to God, his country and to help other people at all times. This is America at its best.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

Friday nights there are great programs on abc.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Next comes Fun with Alan Young and.

[Special Agent Jefferson]

His guest Rita Hayward.

[Agent in Charge Leeds]

Don't miss this laugh packed show. This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.