Crack-Up {reused script} | Gunsmoke (10-16-60)

Summary

Gunsmoke | Episode Summary: "Crack-Up" (10-16-60)

Release Date: August 3, 2025

---

Episode Overview

"Crack-Up," a classic episode of the long-running Western drama Gunsmoke, delves into the tensions that arise in Dodge City with the arrival of a notorious gunman, Nate Springer. Marshal Matt Dillon, portrayed by William Conrad, faces his toughest challenge yet as he confronts the chaos unleashed by Springer's presence in the town. This episode masterfully blends suspense, character development, and moral dilemmas, showcasing the enduring themes of law, order, and personal honor that Gunsmoke is celebrated for.

---

Introduction

The episode opens with Marshal Matt Dillon returning to Dodge City after a week in Abilene.

• Matt Dillon (William Conrad): "I've been over in Abilene for a week. I just got back late last night." [02:05]

His return sets the stage for the unfolding drama, as the town grapples with an unsettling new presence.

---

Arrival of Nate Springer

Dodge City becomes uneasy with the appearance of Nate Springer, a reputed gunman with a fearsome reputation.

• Doc Adams (Howard McNear): "He might have killed you, Marshall." [06:01]

Springer's demeanor is cold and unpredictable, making him a significant threat to the peace of Dodge City.

---

Rising Tension

As Springer integrates into the community, his behavior becomes increasingly erratic and dangerous.

• Doc Adams: "He's gonna kill somebody. Sure acting a fool that way." [17:25]

Instances include Springer nearly shooting a waitress at the Long Branch and intimidating townsfolk, heightening the tension and fear among residents.

---

Confrontation

Marshal Dillon takes decisive action to confront Springer, aiming to restore safety to the town.

• Matt Dillon: "Springer's sitting over there in the corner." [09:16]

• Springer: "I knew I'd run into you sooner or later." [11:03]

The clash reaches its peak when Springer confronts Dillon directly, leading to a tense showdown.

• Springer: "Marshall, it's you I'm going to kill." [22:32]

• Matt Dillon: "You're gonna lose a lot of sleep trying to find out, Marshall." [19:58]

---

Resolution

In a dramatic culmination, Dillon manages to disarm Springer without bloodshed, emphasizing his commitment to justice over vengeance.

• Matt Dillon: "You shouldn't have tried it, Springer." [23:11]

Springer's motivations are revealed, adding depth to his character and highlighting the personal struggles that drive men to violence.

• Springer: "I had to face somebody like you... to get my nerve back." [23:37]

Ultimately, Dillon's unwavering stance ensures Springer leaves Dodge City, preventing further chaos.

---

Character Developments

• Matt Dillon: Demonstrates leadership and moral fortitude, prioritizing the safety and harmony of Dodge City over personal grudges.

• Doc Adams: Acts as Dillon's confidant, providing insights and support in strategizing how to handle Springer.

• Nate Springer: Portrayed as a complex antagonist whose quest for personal redemption leads him down a path of violence.

---

Notable Quotes

• Matt Dillon: "I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet." [01:19]

• Harley Bear (Chester): "The finest barber chair west of St. Louis." [02:44]

• Doc Adams: "Men like that Nate Springer..." [09:08]

• Springer: "I knew it'd happen here, Springer. You kill anybody, fair fight's a fair fight." [11:16]

• Matt Dillon: "The only way to stop this killing is to find out who that is." [15:35]

---

Conclusion

"Crack-Up" exemplifies Gunsmoke's ability to weave intricate narratives that explore the complexities of human nature and the relentless pursuit of justice. Through Marshal Dillon's confrontation with Nate Springer, the episode underscores the fragile balance between law and disorder in the untamed West, leaving listeners with profound insights into bravery, responsibility, and the enduring fight for peace.

---

This summary provides an in-depth look into the pivotal moments and character dynamics of the "Crack-Up" episode, offering both longtime fans and new listeners a comprehensive understanding of the story's progression and its thematic significance.

Transcript

[George Walsh]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now, let's get into this episode.

[William Conrad]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on West. There's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal. And the smell of gun smoke.

[George Walsh]

Gun Sport.

[William Conrad]

Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. And the story of a man who moved with it.

I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lone.

[Harley Bear]

Well, Marshall Dillon. Come in, Marshall. Come in.

[William Conrad]

Hello, Teeters. You got time to get me a haircut? I think I kind of need one.

[Harley Bear]

Yes.

[George Walsh]

You're.

[Harley Bear]

You're the only customer I've had in an hour, Marshall. Just hang your coat and your gun belt right over there, and I'll get things ready for you, all right?

[George Walsh]

Yeah.

[Harley Bear]

I haven't seen you around town lately, Marshall.

[William Conrad]

I've been over in Abilene for a week. I just got back late last night.

[Harley Bear]

You must have come in on the midnight, Steve.

[William Conrad]

Yeah, that's right.

[Harley Bear]

I sure wish I could get out of Dodge once in a while.

[William Conrad]

Not the way I do it, you wouldn't. You'll just be glad that you can stay here, Titus.

[Harley Bear]

Yeah, maybe you're right, Marshall.

[William Conrad]

Hey, isn't this a new chair you've got?

[George Walsh]

Yes, sir.

[Harley Bear]

That's the finest barber chair west of St. Louis.

[George Walsh]

Wow. Well, well, well.

[William Conrad]

That's pretty fancy.

[Harley Bear]

You betcha.

[George Walsh]

Try it now.

[Harley Bear]

You comfortable?

[William Conrad]

I'll tell you after I find out if you've raised your prices to pay for it.

[Harley Bear]

And here, let me get this cloth over you.

[George Walsh]

Here we are. Yeah.

[Harley Bear]

Haircut still quarter, Marshall? A shave too tight around your neck?

[William Conrad]

No, it's okay. What about shaves?

[Harley Bear]

Price with shaves going up? A dime, Marshall.

[George Walsh]

A dime, Marshall?

[Harley Bear]

You wouldn't want to stay in the way of progress for the sake of a dime, would you?

[William Conrad]

Whose progress?

[Harley Bear]

Well, anyway, you don't need a shave. Not today, anyway.

[William Conrad]

That's a good thing. Just take a chair there, stranger.

[Harley Bear]

I'll be with you in a few minutes.

[George Walsh]

A few minutes? Yep.

[Harley Bear]

You're next.

[Unknown]

Right in line.

[William Conrad]

Barber.

[George Walsh]

What?

[Unknown]

I ain't next.

[Harley Bear]

Why, of course you are. Ain't nobody ahead of you.

[Unknown]

I said I ain't next.

[Harley Bear]

You mean you Won't wait?

[Unknown]

That's right. I won't wait.

[George Walsh]

Oh, sure you will. I work fast.

[Harley Bear]

It won't be longer than 10 minutes at the most. Now, you.

[Unknown]

You don't understand. I want to shave. I want it right now. You can cut his hair later.

[George Walsh]

What?

[Unknown]

You heard me.

[Harley Bear]

Now, look, mister, you don't know who you're.

[George Walsh]

Shut up, Taters.

[Unknown]

Get out of that chair, mister.

[William Conrad]

All right, taters, take the sheet off of me.

[George Walsh]

All right. Here.

[William Conrad]

Okay, monsieur, I'm out.

[George Walsh]

Then move.

[Unknown]

I want to sit down.

[William Conrad]

You don't quite understand.

[Unknown]

I don't understand what?

[William Conrad]

I didn't get out of that chair.

[George Walsh]

So you could have it.

[Unknown]

You're gonna be troublesome, ain't you?

[George Walsh]

Mm.

[William Conrad]

There's not much you can do about it.

[Unknown]

Isn't there?

[William Conrad]

You don't see very well, mister.

[George Walsh]

What?

[William Conrad]

I'm not wearing a gun. It's hanging on the wall over there. Oh, you gonna shoot an unarmed man in front of a witness?

[Unknown]

Go get your gun. Put it on.

[George Walsh]

No. Do it.

[William Conrad]

You're licked, mister. How are you gonna make me do it? By shooting me.

[George Walsh]

What?

[Unknown]

You're gonna.

[William Conrad]

I don't like killings, but if you don't turn around and walk out that door, I'm gonna half kill you with my fist. Now, you get moving.

[Unknown]

All right, you got me this time. Next time you'll be wearing a gun. It'll be something different then.

[Harley Bear]

My goodness, Marsha, you. You took an awful chance here.

[William Conrad]

Who was he, T?

[Harley Bear]

I don't know. I never saw him before. But he might have killed you, Marshall.

[George Walsh]

That had been murder.

[William Conrad]

You get hung for murder. Why don't you quit shaking and let's get this haircut over with? He won't be back.

[Howard McNear]

Hello, miss dawn.

[William Conrad]

Hello, Chester.

[George Walsh]

I was looking for you.

[William Conrad]

I've been right here in the office the past half hour.

[Howard McNear]

I know.

[George Walsh]

You have?

[Howard McNear]

I went by the barbershop, and tears told me. And he also told me how you handled that fellow.

[George Walsh]

No, that ain't Peter's.

[Howard McNear]

Described him to him. Mr. Dunn, I know who he is.

[George Walsh]

You do?

[Howard McNear]

He come here about a week ago just after you went owling.

[William Conrad]

What's his name?

[George Walsh]

Springer.

[Howard McNear]

Nate springer.

[George Walsh]

What? That's right.

[William Conrad]

Are you sure that was Nate Springer?

[Howard McNear]

Well, couldn't have been nobody else. Why? You said you don't know him.

[William Conrad]

No, I don't, but I've heard about him.

[George Walsh]

You have? Where? All over.

[William Conrad]

Nate Springer's got quite a reputation.

[Howard McNear]

As a gunman, you mean?

[William Conrad]

Yeah, he's a gunman, all right. They say he's the most nerveless gunman that ever lived. He's all ice. Pat Masterson told me once that out in Arizona, a man got the drop on him and Springer started to laugh.

[Howard McNear]

Laugh?

[William Conrad]

He asked him what he was laughing about. Springer said he never had before and he didn't want to die without saying what it was like.

[George Walsh]

Oh, my.

[Howard McNear]

What happened?

[William Conrad]

It's kind of hard to shoot a man who's enjoying his first laugh, Chester.

[Howard McNear]

Oh, me darn. What do you reckon he's doing in Dodge?

[William Conrad]

Springer's a killer.

[George Walsh]

A paid killer.

[William Conrad]

That's all he's ever done anywhere.

[Howard McNear]

Then why don't you go arrest him?

[William Conrad]

He's not wanted. That I know of. There are no circulars out on him.

[Howard McNear]

Well, but you can't just wait till he kills somebody.

[George Walsh]

No.

[William Conrad]

And I can't put him in jail till he does.

[Howard McNear]

You got time for another cup of coffee, Matt?

[William Conrad]

Take time, Doc.

[George Walsh]

Good.

[Howard McNear]

Good.

Here you are.

[William Conrad]

Thanks.

[Howard McNear]

Well, things pretty wild up in Abilene.

[William Conrad]

It's still a camp with a hair on, Doc.

[Howard McNear]

Worse than Dodge?

[William Conrad]

No, I wouldn't say that.

[Howard McNear]

Then I'll stay here.

[George Walsh]

Why?

[William Conrad]

You're usually complaining about Dodge.

[Howard McNear]

I'm thinking of business, Matt. Business? What's there to do in a peaceful town? Aside from delivering a baby now and then or setting a broken leg?

[William Conrad]

You sound pretty bloodthirsty, Doc.

[Howard McNear]

I don't do the shooting, Matt.

It's men like that Nate Springer that.

You were telling me about.

[George Walsh]

Doc.

[William Conrad]

Nate Springer's sitting over there in the corner.

[George Walsh]

He is? Where? Right over there.

[William Conrad]

Alone with his back to the wall.

[Howard McNear]

Oh, yes, yes, yes. Well, he looks like a killer, all right.

[George Walsh]

He is.

[Howard McNear]

Did you see how he keeps looking around there? It's like he thinks everybody in this room's his enemy.

[William Conrad]

Man like that doesn't have friends.

[Howard McNear]

He doesn't even take his hat off. You see there? He's all ready to shoot and jump.

[Georgia Ellis]

Out of the door.

[George Walsh]

I.

[Howard McNear]

How can he eat if he doesn't even look at his plate?

He's getting up, man. He's coming this way.

[George Walsh]

Yeah.

[Howard McNear]

He hasn't finished his dinner.

[William Conrad]

You better turn around.

[Howard McNear]

Okay, but you keep your eye on him.

[George Walsh]

I don't like that, man. Where are you? Hey, you.

[Howard McNear]

Me?

[Unknown]

What was you staring at me for?

[Howard McNear]

I wasn't staring at you.

[Unknown]

No man stares at me without a reason. I don't like it. I want to know why you was doing it.

[Howard McNear]

Well, now, look here, mister. You're getting all upset over nothing. You ruin your dinner, working yourself up.

[Unknown]

Tell me why you were staring at me? I'll put a hole in you.

[George Walsh]

I'll do it. Well, you're awful jumpy for a big gunman.

[Unknown]

Tell me. I said hold it.

[William Conrad]

Springer, this is Doc Adams. He doesn't carry a gun.

[Unknown]

He doesn't?

[George Walsh]

No.

[Howard McNear]

But sometimes I wish I could.

[William Conrad]

Wait a minute, Doc.

[Unknown]

Why you getting into this, mister?

[William Conrad]

I am.

[Unknown]

Who are you, anyway?

[William Conrad]

Matt Dillon.

[Unknown]

Matt Dillon?

[George Walsh]

That's right.

[Unknown]

I knew I'd run into you sooner or later. Why, in my line of work, there's always some law man wanting to interfere.

[William Conrad]

Sure, it'll happen here, Springer. You kill anybody, fair fight's a fair fight, ain't it? Not when you're paid to pick a fight with a man.

[Unknown]

Like I said, Marshall, I knew I'd run into you.

[William Conrad]

Springer, when I find out who you're after, I can probably find out who's paying you. Then I'll jail you and him both.

[Unknown]

You're gonna lose a lot of sleep trying to find out, Marshall.

[William Conrad]

I can stand it. You're the one that needs sleep, Springer. A lot of it. Without any bad dreams.

[George Walsh]

I.

[Howard McNear]

Looks like the man of ice is starting to melt, man.

[William Conrad]

Something's happening to him, Doc. Whatever it is, it isn't good. Kitty.

[Georgia Ellis]

I didn't see you, Matt.

[William Conrad]

Why don't you sit down if you got time.

[Howard McNear]

Oh, I don't have to go to.

[Georgia Ellis]

Work till after sundown. Guess I might as well sit here and watch Front street with you as anything else.

[George Walsh]

Good little air is good for you.

[Georgia Ellis]

A lot of it would be even better.

[William Conrad]

You know, Kitty, you ought to buy a horse. Take a ride up the river every day or so.

[Howard McNear]

I'm too broke.

[William Conrad]

Well, I'll lend you one. I got a little bay that's pretty gentle.

[Georgia Ellis]

Imagine having more than one horse.

[William Conrad]

That's about all the government does give me, Kitty.

[George Walsh]

A couple of cheap horses.

[Georgia Ellis]

I've seen you riding your arm.

[William Conrad]

I got to keep him in shape in case I decide to quit.

[Georgia Ellis]

The day you quit, that horse will be as old as a man.

[George Walsh]

You may be right.

[Howard McNear]

Hey, look, man.

[George Walsh]

What?

[Georgia Ellis]

There. Walking down the middle of the street.

[George Walsh]

Springer.

[Georgia Ellis]

Now, who'd expect a man like Springer to have a little yellow dog?

[William Conrad]

I don't know that the dog's his, Kitty. Maybe he's just following him.

[George Walsh]

He's right at his heel.

[William Conrad]

I don't think Springer knows it.

[Georgia Ellis]

He's trying to sniff at me, Matt.

[Howard McNear]

He shot him.

[George Walsh]

Poor little dog.

[Georgia Ellis]

He didn't do anything.

[William Conrad]

I'll be back tonight.

[Harley Bear]

Well, what do you want, Marshall?

[Unknown]

Just a dog.

[William Conrad]

You think he Was gonna bite you.

[Unknown]

He might have. How'd I know? I didn't know what it was.

[William Conrad]

Could have been anything or anybody, huh?

[Unknown]

I knew it wasn't a man.

[William Conrad]

Yeah, but you just said.

[Howard McNear]

Oh, Cash.

[George Walsh]

What?

[Unknown]

I said that dog shouldn't have been sniffing around.

[William Conrad]

Not around you, that's for sure. Well, why don't you go get a drink, Springer? I think maybe you need one.

[Unknown]

I don't drink, Marshall.

[George Walsh]

Never.

[William Conrad]

You don't have any vices, do you.

[Howard McNear]

Marshal?

[George Walsh]

Huh? Yep.

[William Conrad]

Nothing.

[George Walsh]

Go ahead.

[Georgia Ellis]

Matt. Is he crazy or something?

[William Conrad]

I don't know, Kitty.

[Georgia Ellis]

Well, he's the meanest man I ever saw.

[William Conrad]

He didn't shoot that dog out of meanness, Kitty.

[George Walsh]

No?

[Georgia Ellis]

Well, why then?

[William Conrad]

He's jumpy.

[Georgia Ellis]

Well, if he's that jumpy, nobody need worry about him.

[George Walsh]

I worry about him. Kitty.

[Georgia Ellis]

You.

[George Walsh]

He's dangerous.

[William Conrad]

He's more dangerous now than the way everybody tells me he used to be.

[Howard McNear]

What do you mean?

[William Conrad]

Suppose that instead of a dog smelling at his heel, it had been a man who had happened to bump into him.

[Georgia Ellis]

I hate to be the man. He'd probably get killed.

[George Walsh]

That's right.

[Georgia Ellis]

Then Springer shouldn't be carrying a gun, Matt.

[George Walsh]

Yes, I know.

[Georgia Ellis]

Well, why didn't you take it off him or run him out of town?

[William Conrad]

If I did that, whoever's paying him would just hire another gunman.

[George Walsh]

Kidding.

[William Conrad]

The only way to stop this killing is to find out who that is.

[Georgia Ellis]

Well, I hope you do.

[Howard McNear]

Before it's too late.

[William Conrad]

That night I had Chester follow Springer around and keep an eye on him. All he did was buck the faro bank for a few hours and then go to bed earlier than the most respectable citizens. Next day, Chester went back to trailing him while I sat in the office and tried to figure a way to trap him into telling me who'd hired him. By mid afternoon, I was no further than when I'd started. The only idea I had was to choke it out of him.

[Howard McNear]

Dylan.

[William Conrad]

Yeah, what is it?

[Howard McNear]

That Nate Springer, he.

[George Walsh]

He dug on.

[Unknown]

Near shot a girl over there.

[William Conrad]

What?

[Howard McNear]

One of the girls were at the Long branch.

[William Conrad]

What do you mean he almost shot her?

[Howard McNear]

Well, he stayed in his room at the Dodge House all morning, so.

[William Conrad]

Just never mind that.

What about the girl?

[Howard McNear]

That's what I'm getting to. Well, just afternoon he went over at the Long branch and started gambling. He was sitting at a table in the corner with his back again. One of them wooden windows, you know. And one of the girls that works there, well, I guess she needed a breath of air. So she slipped in behind Springer's chair and started opening that shutter.

[William Conrad]

So when did she got that far?

[Howard McNear]

He just won. He was raking in a pot. But when he heard her. I never see a man move so fast, Mr. Dillon. That poor girl near about fainted the way he jumped around at her.

[William Conrad]

She's lucky she doesn't get shot.

[Howard McNear]

He had a six gun stuck right in her face. He was within a hair letting go of that hammer. And when he seen who it was, he started cussing her something weird.

[William Conrad]

He's getting worse.

[Howard McNear]

Yeah, and he's gonna kill somebody. Sure acting a fool that way. Yeah, and it probably won't even be the one come here to kill neither. Imagine him about to shoot a woman.

[William Conrad]

I guess I can't wait any longer, Chester.

[George Walsh]

What are you gonna do?

[William Conrad]

Well, I'm gonna shame him first. That doesn't make him talk. I'm gonna have to run him out of town. All right. Come on.

[Howard McNear]

Ms. Jones. I can't help thinking all your friends who told you about Nate Springer was mighty poor judges. He's about the uncoolest son man I ever saw.

[William Conrad]

I agree about that, sister.

[Howard McNear]

Who was it told you about him last?

[William Conrad]

I don't remember.

[George Walsh]

Been two or three years maybe.

[Howard McNear]

Just a lot of rumor. You know how the talk gets started sometimes.

[William Conrad]

Wyatt Earp was the first man who.

[George Walsh]

Told me about him when we got inside. Here.

[William Conrad]

You go to the bar and you stay there.

[George Walsh]

Hu.

[Howard McNear]

Yonder. He is Ms. John.

[William Conrad]

I see him Catch you bring her.

[George Walsh]

Bring her.

[William Conrad]

Come over here.

[Unknown]

You're interrupting my game, Marshall.

[William Conrad]

Your game's over, Springer.

[George Walsh]

For good.

[Unknown]

What does that mean?

[William Conrad]

Get out of Dodge. What if you've been paid in advance? You better give him back his money. You're not gonna earn it.

[Unknown]

You're saying I ain't?

[William Conrad]

It's an hour to sundown. Be out of town before dark.

[Unknown]

It's a long time since a man's talked to me like that, Marshall.

[William Conrad]

How long's it been since a dog scared you into shooting him? Or since you drew one woman? You've lost your nerve, Springer. You're not going to kill anybody.

[Howard McNear]

Shut up.

[William Conrad]

I'll shut up if you tell me who hired you.

[George Walsh]

No.

[Unknown]

No.

[William Conrad]

Then who are you supposed to kill?

[Unknown]

I won't tell you.

[William Conrad]

I didn't think you would. And be out before dark, Springer. And don't come back.

[George Walsh]

Ever.

[Howard McNear]

Hello, Matt.

[George Walsh]

Doc.

[Howard McNear]

What do you stand out here for? Why aren't you inside with the feet on your desk the way you usually are?

[William Conrad]

I'm waiting for somebody, Doc.

[Howard McNear]

Oh. Oh, you sound serious.

[William Conrad]

Nate Springer. Doc, he's got about 20 minutes to leave town.

[Howard McNear]

Is that so?

Well, you. You finally had to come around here though.

[William Conrad]

He's still on the long branch over there. If he doesn't come out before dark, I'm going in after him.

[Howard McNear]

Well, there comes somebody.

[William Conrad]

Oh, that's Chester.

[Howard McNear]

Oh, yes. Is there going to be a shooting mat?

[George Walsh]

I doubt it.

[William Conrad]

Doc. Springer's already back down.

[Howard McNear]

Well, you never know. I'm going to get my things ready just in case.

[William Conrad]

Yeah, sure.

[George Walsh]

Doctor.

[Howard McNear]

Mr. Doom. I thought I'd better come.

[George Walsh]

Tell you what, Chester.

[Howard McNear]

Springer's been bellied up to the bar over in the long branch for the last half hour.

[George Walsh]

He has?

[Unknown]

Yes, sir.

[Howard McNear]

Been drinking down one glass after another.

[William Conrad]

Doc was right.

[George Walsh]

You never know what he's getting Ready.

[William Conrad]

To use his gun.

[George Walsh]

Chester.

[William Conrad]

I'm going over and stop him.

[Howard McNear]

Look, he just come out.

[George Walsh]

Yeah.

[Howard McNear]

He'S headed this way.

[William Conrad]

You stay here.

[Harley Bear]

Marshall.

[William Conrad]

I thought you didn't drink.

[Unknown]

I never did before.

[William Conrad]

You started too late. You haven't time to find your man. You're leaving town.

[Unknown]

I've found him.

[George Walsh]

What? You.

[Unknown]

Marshall. It's you I'm going to kill.

[William Conrad]

Who had you?

[George Walsh]

Springer.

[Unknown]

Let's draw, Marshall. I feel like it.

[George Walsh]

Now.

[William Conrad]

Don'T be a fool.

[George Walsh]

You're drunk.

[Unknown]

Not that drunk. I can kill you and then I'll be all right again.

[George Walsh]

Now. No.

[William Conrad]

You shouldn't have tried it, Springer.

[Unknown]

I had to.

[George Walsh]

Why? You moved.

[Unknown]

Prison. Two years. I come out scared. Lost my nerve in that prison.

[William Conrad]

And why'd you take this job?

[Unknown]

I had to.

[George Walsh]

Who hired you, Springer?

[Unknown]

I did, Marshall. I hired me. I had to face somebody like you.

[George Walsh]

To.

[Unknown]

Get my nerve back. Don't you understand?

[George Walsh]

Yeah. Yeah, I understand.

[Unknown]

It didn't work.

[George Walsh]

No. And I.

[Unknown]

I paid everything I had for. Cost me everything in the.

[Howard McNear]

Gun.

[George Walsh]

Mo.

[William Conrad]

Produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston. Featured in the cast were John Forkham and Jess Kirkpatrick. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc. And Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story of the western frontier. When Matt Dillon, Chester Proudfoot, Doc and Kitty, together with all the other hard living citizens of Dodge will be with you.

[George Walsh]

Once more.

[William Conrad]

It's America growing west in the 1870s. It's gun.

[George Walsh]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com Become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Ron W. Who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 this episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[George Walsh]

Sam.