Gunsmoke – "Gun for Chester" (Original Air Date: July 1, 1956)

Podcast: OTRWesterns.com | Host: Andrew Rhynes |

Episode Summary Date: August 19, 2025

Theme & Purpose

This classic episode of Gunsmoke, “Gun for Chester,” revolves around Chester Proudfoot's deep paranoia that a man from his past—Asa Ledbetter—has come to Dodge City to kill him. Set against the backdrop of Dodge and featuring the show's regular cast, the episode delves into themes of trust, memory, the burden of secrets, and the psychological toll of living with fear. The tension escalates as Marshal Matt Dillon tries to uncover the truth, navigating fiercely held secrets and the threat of deadly violence.

Key Discussion & Plot Points

1. Chester’s Fear (04:13 – 06:53)

• Chester enters the Marshal’s office armed and agitated, convinced Asa Ledbetter from Live Oak County, Texas, is in Dodge to kill him.
  • Chester: “There’s only one thing he’s here for, Mr. Dillon... To kill me?” (05:52)
• Matt Dillon expresses skepticism, pressing Chester for a reason, which Chester refuses to provide.

2. Asa Ledbetter’s Denial (07:23 – 10:56)

• Dillon meets Ledbetter at the Long Branch Saloon. Ledbetter is amiable but baffled at the accusation; he claims not to know Chester and credits his origin to Amarillo, not South Texas.
  • Ledbetter: “I never heard no Chester Proudfoot... I don’t go around murdering people.” (08:44)
• Despite Ledbetter’s denial, Chester insists he's the target, but still refuses to explain why.

3. An Alleyway Shooting (11:45 – 14:52)

• Chester is wounded in an alley; he blames Ledbetter, claiming the shooting was a setup.
  • Chester: “Ledbetter was down at the end of it just waiting for me... I think you just hired them fellas to set up a commotion so's he could get a shot at…” (12:54)
• Dillon examines the wound and circumstances, suspecting Chester was hit by a stray bullet or his nerves, not Ledbetter.

4. Cross-Examination & Tensions Rise (15:04 – 18:19)

• Dillon confronts Ledbetter again, who accuses Chester of hounding him needlessly.
  • Ledbetter: “He’s bound and determined to get me into trouble. Doggone if I know why.” (16:10)
• Dillon checks with the Dodge House clerk and confirms Ledbetter’s alibi.

5. Chester’s Breakdown (19:20 – 21:21)

• Humiliated, Chester drinks heavily and lashes out at those questioning his sanity; tension peaks in an almost gunfight on Main Street.
  • Chester: “You’re with him, ain’t you? You and Doc and everybody. Maybe you are crazy, Chester.” (21:12)

6. Nightfall & The Truth Erupts (23:25 – 26:52)

• Late that night, Asa Ledbetter sneaks into the jail, shotgun in hand, and tries to access Chester, who is locked in a cell for his own safety. Dillon intervenes.
  • High tension gunfight; Chester, despite being locked up and tipsy, shoots Ledbetter dead after Dillon’s risky maneuver.
  • Chester: “You were gonna let him shoot at you so as it’d wake me up and I’d have a chance at him.” (26:21)

7. The Emotional Reveal & Resolution (27:13 – End)

• The morning after, Chester finally admits the grudge was over a woman, now dead, and that he’d kept this secret to protect her reputation.
  • Chester: “It had to do with a lady. She’s dead now. And I didn’t want nobody talking about her... Can you understand that?” (27:41)
• Dillon offers silent understanding and suggests they share coffee as the sun rises—a quiet return to normalcy.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Chester’s Justification for Fear:
  “There’s only one thing he’s here for, Mr. Dillon... To kill me?” (05:52)
• Ledbetter’s Denial:
  “I never heard no Chester Proudfoot... I don’t go around murdering people.” – Asa Ledbetter (08:44)
• Chester’s Paranoia Builds:
  “He’s been looking for me for years.” (10:22)
• Dillon’s Levelheadedness:
  “I don’t like people getting killed in Dodge, Chester.” – Dillon (06:29)
• Tension at the Gunfight:
  “You stay out of this, Mr. Dillon. I don’t like gun fighting, no matter who starts it.” – Dillon (20:45)
• Chester’s Breaking Point:
  “You’re with him, ain’t you? You and Doc and everybody. Maybe you are crazy, Chester.” – Chester (21:12)
• Final Confession:
  “It had to do with a lady. She’s dead now. And I didn’t want nobody talking about her... Can you understand that?” – Chester (27:41)
• Dillon’s Comfort:
  “It’ll be daylight soon, Chester. Let’s go brew up some coffee, huh?” (28:00)

Important Scene Timestamps

• Chester’s initial paranoia – 04:13–06:53
• Dillon confronts Ledbetter – 07:23–10:56
• Alleyway shooting – 11:45–14:52
• Gunfight in the street – 19:20–21:21
• Ledbetter breaks into the jail – 23:25–26:52
• Chester’s confession – 27:13–28:00

Tone & Style Notes

• The episode is classic Gunsmoke: measured, dry-witted, and layered with tension, featuring exchanges both wry and heartfelt.
• Chester is alternately comic and tragic, exposing profound vulnerability beneath his folksy exterior.
• Dillon is firm yet compassionate, wielding a detective’s skepticism and a friend’s loyalty.

Conclusion

“Gun for Chester” moves from suspicion to climactic gunplay, ultimately revealing how secrets and shame can isolate even the most loyal friends. Chester’s unwillingness to expose the truth nearly destroys him, but Matt Dillon’s steadfastness brings the conflict to a humane, quietly redemptive close.

For fans of Western drama, or those seeking a window into the fear and loneliness of frontier life, this episode remains a compelling character study set against the rough-and-tumble world of Dodge City.