This is Your FBI: The Slaughterhouse Swindlers 05/31/1946

Summary

Podcast Summary: Choice Classic Radio Detectives

Episode: This is Your FBI: The Slaughterhouse Swindlers (05/31/1946)

Original Air Date: March 29, 2026 (rebroadcast)
Podcast Host: Choice Classic Radio

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Choice Classic Radio Detectives replays the classic "This is Your FBI" episode titled "The Slaughterhouse Swindlers", first aired in 1946. The dramatized FBI file spotlights a black market swindle targeting vulnerable farm owners. Two conmen, Latimer and Randall, pose as Department of Agriculture inspectors to relieve a widowed farmer of her cattle under false pretenses, selling the stolen livestock to a complicit slaughterhouse operator. The case rapidly escalates into further extortion, violence, and a multi-state chase, before the FBI, through keen detective work, brings the perpetrators to justice. The episode is notable for its blend of suspenseful storytelling, moral commentary, and procedural detail.

---

Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. The Swindle Begins ([01:51]–[04:21])

• Setting: A rural farm outside Des Moines, Iowa.
• Latimer and Randall arrive at Mrs. Reba Jones’s dairy farm, claiming to be Department of Agriculture inspectors.
• They falsely inform her that her cows have a high bacteria count and must be tested; any diseased animals will be condemned and taken.
• In distress, Mrs. Jones is assured of a nominal condemnation fee.
• Memorable Exchange ([03:36]):
  • Latimer: “You wouldn’t want to sell milk that you knew to be diseased, would you?”
  • Mrs. Jones (reluctantly): “No, of course not.”

2. The Underworld Connection ([04:35]–[06:13])

• Latimer and Randall negotiate with Mr. Jenkins, a slaughterhouse operator, to “sell” the stolen cows.
• The exchange highlights Jenkins’s own black market dealings, but also his reluctance to pay full price, foreshadowing later conflict.

3. FBI Investigation Begins ([06:13]–[07:10])

• Special Agent Mead and Agent-in-Charge Clark become involved after Mrs. Jones grows suspicious and contacts the authorities.
• The FBI identifies the crime as both cattle theft and federal impersonation.
• Quote ([06:22]):
  • Clark: “Our immediate angle is the act of impersonating a federal officer.”

4. Swindlers Plot Their Big Score ([07:33]–[10:33])

• Latimer proposes a new, larger scam to Jenkins: fifty head of cattle, requiring Jenkins to front $15,000.
• Jenkins is wary, sensing he could be the next victim, but is ultimately lured by greed.

5. Evidence and FBI Tactics ([10:33]–[11:32])

• The FBI discovers that Mrs. Jones secured a signed receipt from Latimer, offering a valuable lead via fingerprints and names.

6. Swindle Turns Violent ([12:23]–[14:10])

• Latimer and Randall attempt to extort Jenkins for the $15,000 under threat of exposing his illicit activities.
• When Jenkins refuses, they assault and rob him, underscoring that criminals “always play the traitor for a sucker.”
• Quote ([13:11]):
  • Jenkins: “You’re just trying to blackmail me.”
  • Latimer: “And what if we are?”

7. The FBI Closes In ([16:51]–[20:43])

• Jenkins, now hospitalized, initially refuses to cooperate with the FBI, but is presented with evidence of his illicit transactions.
• The agents threaten Jenkins with conspiracy charges; Jenkins provides the description of the swindlers’ truck and partial cooperation.
• Quote ([20:10]):
  • Special Agent Mead: “We’re in a position to justifiably charge you with conspiracy for receiving and selling property obtained by criminal methods.”

8. Interstate Pursuit ([21:38]–[24:27])

• Latimer and Randall flee toward Kansas City, ditching their truck and stealing a car to continue evading law enforcement.
• The FBI finds the truck and a marked map indicating the fugitives’ intended route.
• In Kansas City, the conmen try their scheme on another widow, Mrs. Gilmer.
• The FBI, anticipating the criminals’ pattern, intervenes at the next attempted swindle.

9. Climax and Capture ([24:27]–[25:09])

• As Latimer and Randall attempt to steal Mrs. Gilmer’s cows, Special Agent Mead intercepts them.
• Latimer attempts resistance but is quickly subdued.
• Quote ([24:49]):
  • Special Agent Mead: “Those cows are staying right here.”
  • Latimer (desperate): “Put up your hands, G-man!”
  • Special Agent Mead (coolly): “Sure, Randall. Sure, we’ll put up our hands… Maybe you won’t object if I use mine like this?”

10. Closing Reflection

• The episode ends with the moral that so-called “good citizens” who collude with criminals are betrayers of society, often falling victim to the very criminals they abet.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:36 | Latimer / Mrs. Jones| Latimer: “You wouldn’t want to sell milk that you knew to be diseased, would you?” / Mrs. Jones: “No, of course not.” | | 06:22 | Clark | “Our immediate angle is the act of impersonating a federal officer.” | | 13:11 | Jenkins/Latimer | Jenkins: “You’re just trying to blackmail me.” / Latimer: “And what if we are?” | | 20:10 | Special Agent Mead | “We’re in a position to justifiably charge you with conspiracy for receiving and selling property obtained by criminal methods.” | | 24:49 | Special Agent Mead | “Those cows are staying right here.” | | 24:52 | Special Agent Mead | “Special agents of the FBI. You want to hear any more?” | | 25:10 | Special Agent Mead | “Thanks for cooperating with us, Mrs. Gilmer. And thanks to you, Latimer, for your policy of cheating widows. Only it made it a lot easier to catch you.”|

---

Important Timestamps

• [01:51] – Swindle begins at Mrs. Jones’s farm
• [04:35] – First negotiation with slaughterhouse operator Jenkins
• [06:13] – FBI receives report, initiates investigation
• [07:33] – Latimer and Jenkins plan the larger swindle
• [10:33] – FBI collects and analyzes evidence, alerts police and slaughterhouses
• [12:23] – Confrontation and violence at Jenkins’s office
• [16:51] – FBI moral commentary; Jenkins hospitalized
• [21:38] – Swindlers’ escape and Kansas City plan established
• [24:27] – The final con attempt and FBI intervention
• [25:10] – Arrests and closing words

---

Tone and Language

The original episode uses formal, direct, and sometimes melodramatic language characteristic of 1940s radio crime dramas. The FBI agents are no-nonsense, authoritative, and determined, while the criminals alternate between slippery charm and blunt intimidation. Moral commentary is woven into the narrative, reinforcing the episode’s themes of justice and civic duty.

---

Conclusion

“The Slaughterhouse Swindlers” is a suspenseful story of deception, greed, and swift FBI action. Through sharp investigation and strategic thinking, the agents overcome the conmen, underscoring the classic message that crime doesn’t pay—especially when supposedly “respectable” citizens choose to break the law for profit. The episode serves as both entertainment and a moral lesson, wrapped in classic radio drama style.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank 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 societies representative in your community. Friends, if you happen to know anyone who is thinking of buying or building a home or is considering refinancing his present home, please phone him and tell him to listen to this program for in a few minutes our sponsor, the Equitable Life Assurance Society, will give facts and figures about America's finest plan for home ownership. Every family will want to hear about this great Equitable Society plan which saves money and gives special protection to homeowners. Tonight's FBI file. The slaughterhouse swindlers,

[Narrator/Commentator]

Professional criminals, are avowed enemies of society and as such merit the full penalty prescribed by the laws which they violate. But so called good citizens who conspire with criminals to violate the law for personal gain are the Benedict Arnolds of society, betrayers for profit of the respect and welfare of those whom they would call fellow citizens. And as such, they merit the contemptuous kind of moral condemnation that is reserved for all traitors. On a modest little dairy farm a few miles out of Des Moines, Mrs. Reba Jones, recently widowed, has just completed the morning's chores and is walking up to the house when two men drive up in a truck designed for hauling livestock.

[Latimer]

Good morning, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Jones]

Good morning.

[Latimer]

Are you Mrs. Reber Jones?

[Mrs. Jones]

Yes, sir.

[Latimer]

My name's Latimer. And this Mr. Randall. Oh, we're inspectors for the Department of Agriculture.

[Mrs. Jones]

How do you do?

[Special Agent Mead]

Hello.

[Mrs. Jones]

What can I do for you?

[Latimer]

Well, I hate to tell you this, Mrs. Jones, but we're here on a kind of unpleasant mission.

[Mrs. Jones]

What's wrong?

[Latimer]

Well, the dairy company you sell your milk to has just reported to us a very unfavorable bacteria count on some of the milk from here.

[Mrs. Jones]

Oh, but they never said anything to me about it.

[Latimer]

It's their duty to report to us first, Mrs. Jones. And our duty to check on your cow. Oh, you see, a lot of the dairy company's products are sold across the state line. And that makes it Uncle Sam's business to see that the quality meets federal standards of purity.

[Mrs. Jones]

Of course.

[Latimer]

Mrs. Jones, how many cows in your herd?

[Mrs. Jones]

Well, I. There's only 12 heads. You gonna test them now?

[Latimer]

That's right.

[Mrs. Jones]

And if you. If you find some of them's deceased,

[Latimer]

well, we'll have to condemn them. Yes, we'll have to take them with us, Mr. Jones. But we're authorized to pay you a condemnation fee.

[Mrs. Jones]

But I. I just can't afford to lose any. Even with the whole herd. I just barely make a living from them.

[Latimer]

You wouldn't want to sell milk that you knew to be diseased, would you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, of course not.

[Mrs. Jones]

Well, the herd is down the pasture now. I'll go and get him into the barn for you.

[Latimer]

Oh, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Well, she fell for it. Okay, we should clip her for the whole herd.

[Special Agent Mead]

Come on.

[Mr. Jenkins]

All right, boys. Giving you $200 ahead for them cows.

[Latimer]

I thought you ran a slaughterhouse, Jenkins, not a cliff. Now, let me handle this, Al.

[Mr. Jenkins]

$200, that's my price.

[Latimer]

Better take another look at the weight figures, Jenkins.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Price stands, take it or leave it.

[Latimer]

Oh, look, we take all the risk getting these cows, Latimer.

[Mr. Jenkins]

As far as I'm concerned, they're your own cows. I operate a legitimate licensed slaughterhouse.

[Latimer]

Who's kidding who? You're up to your ears in the black market, same as we are. Now, look, kid, you said you sell three of the last head we brought

[Mr. Jenkins]

you with a Z and there were two.

[Latimer]

But you bought them from us, didn't you?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Maybe you better take your couch.

[Latimer]

Other stuff.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Oh, no.

[Latimer]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute, both of you. You've got us over a barrel, Mr. Jenkins, and you know it. So just give us a doll.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Now you're talking sense. Here's your money.

[Latimer]

Count it if you like. I'm sure it's all there. You don't steal your money that way. What do you mean? What do you think? Come on, now.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Right.

[Latimer]

We'll be seeing you, Mr. Jenkins. Good day. Go ahead. Okay. What did you settle so easy for? As we couldn't take the cows any place else, they were worth more than he gave us. What he gave us was only a down payment. What do you mean? I think I know a way to tap that old geezer for plenty.

[Narrator/Commentator]

It was a little earlier that same day when Special Agent Mead of the Des Moines Field Office of the FBI entered the office of Agent in Charge Clark.

[Special Agent Mead]

Did you send for me, Mr. Clark? Why, yes, Mead. Looks like we've got an impersonation swindle case to go to work on. Oh, A couple of days ago, two men posing as inspectors of the Department of Agriculture condemned some cows on a farm near the city. Yes, they claimed These cows were diseased. Said they were authorized to pay $50 a head for them and did. Then loaded the cows into a truck and drove away. The black market, no doubt. More than likely. But the act of impersonating a federal officer is our immediate angle. How do we hear about it? The widow who owned the cows got suspicious later on. Called the public health officer here in Des Moines. He just called me a minute ago. I guess he'd already checked with the Department of Agriculture. Yes, and I double checked. What's the first move? You better drive out there right away and interview the victim. Maybe others by now. That's why we want to work fast. What's her name? Mrs. Ruth Mason.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Here.

[Special Agent Mead]

This is the location of her farm.

[Sergeant Eaton]

Okay.

[Special Agent Mead]

And, Mead, get a good description of the men in any other lead you can. And hurry back. Right.

[Latimer]

All right, Al, pull up in here by the stock panthers. Right. There's old Jenkins coming out of the office now. Okay. Stop the truck. We better get our dough for these cows before we spring the other deal on him. Shut up. Here he comes now. Let me do the talking. Okay.

[Mr. Jenkins]

You fellas seem to be working pretty fast.

[Latimer]

Yeah, we don't believe in letting the grass grow under cows, Jenkins.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Five dead, huh? Pretty good looking stuff, too.

[Latimer]

Change.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Where'd you get him?

[Latimer]

Ain't you forgetting what you send? As far as you're concerned, all the cows we bring belong to us.

[Mr. Jenkins]

All right, all right.

[Latimer]

Can you handle these?

[Mr. Jenkins]

I can use all you get like that.

[Latimer]

That's fine, Al. You run these over to the scales. Mr. Jenkins and I have got business to talk over. Okay. Can we go to your office?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Sure.

[Latimer]

Go ahead.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Go ahead in.

[Latimer]

All right,

[Special Agent Mead]

Ben.

[Mr. Jenkins]

What's on your mind, Adam? Huh?

[Latimer]

You said you could handle all the cows we could get as good as those in the truck. That's right. But you handle same. Say 150, hen.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Where are you going to get that many?

[Latimer]

Could you handle them?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Certainly.

[Latimer]

Well, then I can get them all right. There's just one hitch.

[Mr. Jenkins]

What's that?

[Latimer]

Money.

[Mr. Jenkins]

I don't get you.

[Latimer]

Now, look, we lay out cash for them animals. We ain't getting no 150 head unless we put the doe on the line. So where do we get the cash? How much would they cost me or you?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Hmm?

[Latimer]

Well, I'm supposed to make a profit, you know.

[Mr. Jenkins]

And how much would they cost you?

[Latimer]

About a hundred a head.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Fifteen thousand dollars?

[Latimer]

Yeah, that's right.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Who are you buying them from?

[Latimer]

You ain't trapping me into a giveaway like that. Are you interested in Putting up the dough?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Maybe.

[Latimer]

Now look, don't hedge. Are you or ain't you?

[Mr. Jenkins]

How do I know this isn't a swindrow?

[Latimer]

You can come along if you want when I swing the deal.

[Mr. Jenkins]

When would that be?

[Latimer]

Right now, if you like.

[Mr. Jenkins]

I don't keep that kind of money around the office.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hmm.

[Latimer]

When could you get it?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Later in the day.

[Latimer]

Well, then we'll knock em off tonight.

[Mr. Jenkins]

How much do you have to charge me for the cows?

[Latimer]

Usual rate, 200 a head.

[Mr. Jenkins]

That's letting you fellows operate on my money and make 100% profit. It's too much.

[Latimer]

Now, look, Mr. Jenkins, take it or leave it.

[Mr. Jenkins]

I be here at my office tonight.

[Special Agent Mead]

Can I come in, Mr. Clark? Oh, yes. Come ahead. Meade. You talked to the woman out at the farm? Yes. Get any good leads? She gave a pretty good description of the two men. Anybody we know? I don't think so. Their names are Latimer and Randall. At least those are the names they use. Yes, but this might give us an even better lead. What's that? A woman was smart enough to make them give her a receipt for her cars. Good for her. Latimer signed it and no doubt left his fingerprints on it. Right. Well, first thing, we'll alert all local police and licensed slaughterhouses in the city and state. Give them the description of those two men. Yes, sir. And me, while I'm getting that started, will you run that receipt through the lab for fingerprints? Right. I'd like to catch those fellas before they clean up and get out of the.

[Latimer]

All right, cut the lights out. Okay. Good. There's a light on in Jenkins office. Guess he's keeping our date all right. Will he have the dough with him? Well, sure. Why not? He didn't guarantee it this afternoon. Yeah, this sounds like too good a touch to him. He'll have it. Come on. Now, wait a minute. What's the matter? Look in and see if anybody's with him. No, he's by himself. Okay, knock on the door. Go ahead, Al. Right. Well, how are you tonight, Mr. Jenkins?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Let's get down to business.

[Latimer]

That suits me fine. You got the dough ready?

[Mr. Jenkins]

I have.

[Latimer]

Well, where is it?

[Mr. Jenkins]

My pocket.

[Latimer]

The deal starts when it's in my pocket, Mr. Jenkins.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Oh, no. I'm not giving up any money until I see those cows.

[Latimer]

You ain't seeing no cows.

[Mr. Jenkins]

What does he mean?

[Latimer]

We're kind of changing the deal. That 15,000 goes to us directly.

[Mr. Jenkins]

What for?

[Latimer]

Well, sort of like a bonus. What are you talking about? Ah, quit wasting time with them, Chuck.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Now, See here, what's this all about?

[Latimer]

You're paying us that 15 GS to keep quiet, Jenkins.

[Mr. Jenkins]

What?

[Latimer]

You wouldn't like us to expose your operation here, would you?

[Mr. Jenkins]

This is a licensed slaughterhouse, Latimer. And my books are clean.

[Latimer]

To a stranger, maybe, but not to the law.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Look here, I've had enough of this.

[Latimer]

Oh, yeah?

[Mr. Jenkins]

You're just trying to blackmail me.

[Latimer]

And what if we are? It won't work.

[Mr. Jenkins]

No, no, because I'm clean. You two are not. You couldn't report me to the law without getting slapped in jail yourselves, and you know it.

[Latimer]

Chuck, that angle ain't gonna work.

[Mr. Jenkins]

It certainly isn't.

[Latimer]

Well, then I guess we'd better try another.

[Mr. Jenkins]

The only thing that you can do is to get out of here and get out of here right now.

[Latimer]

Oh, that ain't the only thing.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Get out, I say.

[Latimer]

Now, look, we came here for that 15 grand. We're gonna get it. Go to work, Al. With pleasure. Now, wait a minute.

[Narrator/Commentator]

You can't.

[Latimer]

Now, if you'll grab his wallet, Al, we'll turn out the lights and close up office for the night.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And now, before the FBI file on the slaughterhouse swindlers resumes, as it will in just a moment, here's that important message for homeowners and home buyers. This week at the Equitable Life Assurance Society, we were talking about how a man feels when he lives in a home of his own. And someone said, there's nothing like it when you light that first fire in your fireplace. It's not like any fire that ever warmed you before. And the first flower you grow yourself in your own garden has a sweet, sweeter scent than any flower you ever smell before. Yes, a man who lives in a home of his own has satisfactions that the rent payer never knows. And that's why we of the Equitable Society take such pride in our assured home ownership plan, which offers home buyers security along with these five important advantages. One, the mortgage is cancelled, paid off in full if owner died. Besides, every dollar previously paid on principal is returned in full to the widow along with a canceled mortgage. Two, a special cash fund is built up, ready to be used if financial emergencies threaten the home. Three, this cash fund increases as the mortgage shrinks. It can be used to shorten the term of the mortgage. Pay off a 20 year mortgage, for example, in as little as 14 years, saving six years interest. Four, mortgage interest not at 6%, not at 5%, but at only 4%. Five, liberal allowance to cover title search, lawyers fees and other closing costs. No brokers commission, no bonus charges. Well, frankly, there is no other plan like this anywhere. The Equitable Society calls it America's finest plan for home ownership. It protects you against the two major hazards of home mortgages, death and hard times. So if you're planning to buy or build a house, or if you now own a home, get complete information on the assured home ownership plan from your Equitable Society representative. That's the Equitable Society equi table, the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. And now back to the FBI file. The slaughterhouse swindler,

[Narrator/Commentator]

The professing good citizen who consorts or conspires with professional criminals to violate the law for personal gain is not only flirting with justice at the hands of the law, he is also courting personal disaster at the hands of those with whom he conspires. Because to criminals, the renegade citizen is not one of them. Rather, he is a pawn to be played by them when the time comes. And always he is played for a sucker. It is nearly two hours now after the slaughterhouse operator Jenkins was beaten into unconsciousness by the cattle swindlers and robbed of $15,000. Agent in Charge Clark of the Des Moines office of the FBI is at his desk talking with Special Agent Mead when.

[Special Agent Mead]

Clark Speaking.

[Sergeant Eaton]

Police headquarters. Mr. Clark, this is Sergeant Eaton.

[Special Agent Mead]

Oh, hello, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Eaton]

We've got something that may tie in with those two men you're looking for.

[Special Agent Mead]

Oh, well, just a minute.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Meade.

[Special Agent Mead]

Yeah, get on the other phone.

[Latimer]

Catch us two, will you?

[Special Agent Mead]

All right, Sergeant, go ahead.

[Sergeant Eaton]

It's about a man named Jenkins who operates a slaughterhouse at the edge of town.

[Special Agent Mead]

Yes?

[Sergeant Eaton]

Night watchman making his rounds found him beaten unconscious on the floor of his office a little over an hour ago. The watchman remembered hearing a truck drive into the yard earlier.

[Special Agent Mead]

I see.

[Sergeant Eaton]

Just before he discovered Jenkins on the floor, he had heard the truck drive away.

[Special Agent Mead]

But he hadn't seen who was in it.

[Sergeant Eaton]

No. With Jenkins on duty himself, he hadn't paid much attention.

[Special Agent Mead]

Where's the victim now, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Eaton]

We got him to the city hospital. He just came to a little while ago.

[Special Agent Mead]

What did he have to say?

[Sergeant Eaton]

Well, that's just it. He wouldn't talk.

[Special Agent Mead]

Well, we'll get on it right away and check with you later, Sergeant.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Goodbye.

[Special Agent Mead]

Thanks a lot.

[Sergeant Eaton]

Bye.

[Special Agent Mead]

I guess we better get over to

[Narrator/Announcer]

the hospital right away.

[Special Agent Mead]

No, later. What? First we're going to have a look around out at the slaughterhouse. Why? We just might find some evidence with which we can encourage Mr. Jenkins to talk. Come on.

[Mr. Jenkins]

I told the nurse not to let anybody else in my room.

[Special Agent Mead]

We're special agents of the FBI, Mr. Jenkins.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Oh, that's all. And I have nothing to say to you either. This is my affair.

[Special Agent Mead]

We have reason to believe it's our affair, too.

[Mr. Jenkins]

What do you mean?

[Special Agent Mead]

We've just come from your slaughterhouse.

[Mr. Jenkins]

What are you doing there?

[Special Agent Mead]

Investigating the crime.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Crime? What crime?

[Special Agent Mead]

Crime that's put you in this hospital.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Now, look here.

[Latimer]

Well,

[Mr. Jenkins]

I have nothing to say.

[Special Agent Mead]

All right, then we have. We happen to run across a special memo of some cattle transactions which were not entered in your regular ledger, Mr. Jenkins.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Aerodynamic. You trying to tell me how to keep my books?

[Special Agent Mead]

Maybe the government will get around to that later.

[Mr. Jenkins]

What do you mean?

[Special Agent Mead]

Right now we're interested in finding two men named Latimer and Randall. Well, some of those special cattle deals, according to the memo, were made with them.

[Mr. Jenkins]

What of it?

[Special Agent Mead]

Latimer and Randall are wanted for cattle swindling by posing as agents of the Department of Agriculture.

[Mr. Jenkins]

They were just cattle dealers to me.

[Special Agent Mead]

And you bought the cattle they obtained by criminal methods.

[Mr. Jenkins]

As far as I was concerned, the cattle were the round.

[Special Agent Mead]

Mr. Jenkins, I'd like to point out that we're in a position to justifiably charge you with conspiracy for receiving and selling property obtained by criminal methods.

[Mrs. Jones]

But how can you.

[Special Agent Mead]

If you're brought to court, you'd have to explain your books and special memos and all your slaughterhouse operations to some experts who might find something wrong with them. Well,

[Mr. Jenkins]

who do you wish to know?

[Special Agent Mead]

Where are Latimer and Randall?

[Mr. Jenkins]

I don't know.

[Special Agent Mead]

Who beat you up tonight?

[Latimer]

Hayden?

[Special Agent Mead]

Why?

[Mr. Jenkins]

All I'm saying is they beat me up, stole $15,000 for me, escaped from their truck.

[Special Agent Mead]

Can you describe their truck?

[Mr. Jenkins]

It's a cattle truck. And the license number's written down. A notebook in my coat pocket.

[Latimer]

Mead.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Yes?

[Special Agent Mead]

Get the Notebook, please.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Right.

[Special Agent Mead]

Mr. Jenkins, the beating you've got tonight is what you might expect and deserve for playing ball with criminals. When we catch Latimer and Randall, we'll get the whole story behind your dealings with him. And if it's what I think it is, you'll have quite a bit of explaining to do.

[Latimer]

Hey, wait. Slow up, Al. I'm into a fork in the highway.

[Special Agent Mead]

Okay.

[Latimer]

We take the left turn to Kansas City. How do you know? I marked out the whole route on that map there. Okay, then, keep going.

[Special Agent Mead]

Hey, Chuck.

[Latimer]

Yeah? Maybe we ought to get rid of this truck. Maybe it's getting hot by now. Yeah, I've been thinking of that already. So what do we do? The next town we hit, we kiss it goodbye and borrow somebody else's car.

[Sergeant Eaton]

Here's the truck, Mr. Clark. We found it abandoned on a side street here earlier this morning.

[Special Agent Mead]

I see.

[Sergeant Eaton]

And just a while ago, a man reported his car stolen during the night.

[Special Agent Mead]

Well, that sounds like two and two to me, Officer.

[Sergeant Eaton]

Well, that's what we figured made. Yes.

[Special Agent Mead]

While I'm taking down the information on the stolen car, will you have a look in the truck? Right. What's the description of the stolen car? Upset.

[Sergeant Eaton]

Black Chevrolet Sedan 41 model.

[Special Agent Mead]

Sedan 41 model. Iowa license 426 42673.

[Sergeant Eaton]

Mr.

[Special Agent Mead]

Yes? Look at this map I found on the seat. What about it? Pencil mark tracing the whole route from Des Moines to Kansas City. Huh. You think maybe they might be. I think we're going to get out an alarm on this stolen car right away and then head for Kansas City.

[Latimer]

Okay. Al, we didn't come to Kansas City for a rest. Let's get busy. On what? I got a slaughterhouse all lined up to do business with us. We ain't got a truck. We're gonna use one of theirs. Okay, where do we go first? We're following our same plan. I got number one spotted. Come on, let's rhyme.

[Special Agent Mead]

Mr. Clark? Yes, mate? Latimer and Randall are in Kansas City. They're not in a hotel?

[Mr. Jenkins]

No.

[Special Agent Mead]

I spent all morning with our agents and the police here checking. No trace of them. No sign of the stolen car either. Not yet. Maybe this other thing will turn them up. What's that? Well, the county farm agent here in Kansas City has been helping me all morning make a lot of telephone calls. I don't get it. Well, Mead, I studied all those jobs at Latimer and Randall Polder on Des Moines.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Special Agent Mead]

And I think I've hit on the pattern of their operation. Really? And if I'm right. Well, if I'm right, maybe the phone is ringing right now with the proof.

[Latimer]

Well, Mrs. Gilmer, we're sorry to have to report that we find five of your cows diseased.

[Mrs. Jones]

Good heavens, Mr. Latimer, that. That's going to be quite a blow to me.

[Latimer]

Well, the five head won't be a total loss to you, however.

[Mrs. Jones]

What do you mean?

[Latimer]

Well, as I told you when I made the appointment for this test, we're authorized to pay you a condemnation fee.

[Mrs. Jones]

Well, at least that's.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on, Randall.

[Latimer]

We'll start loading the cows in the truck. Okay.

[Special Agent Mead]

Those cows are staying right here.

[Latimer]

Latimer, what's the id?

[Narrator/Announcer]

And who are you?

[Special Agent Mead]

Special agents of the FBI. You want to hear any more?

[Latimer]

Put up your hands, gman.

[Special Agent Mead]

Sure, Randall. Sure, we'll put up our hands. Maybe you won't object if I use mine like this? Here, mate, take his gun.

[Sergeant Eaton]

Right.

[Special Agent Mead]

Thanks for cooperating with us, Mrs. Gilmer. And thanks to you, Latimer, for your policy of cheating widows. Only it made it a lot easier for us to catch you. Come on.