
Original Air Date: March 27, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Jeanne Bates• Ralph Moody• Vic Pe...
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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. Gun Smoke Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it.
Matt Dillon
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 lonely.
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Matt Dillon
Come on now and you go Chester, open up the cell. We got a customer.
Doc Adams
Yes Sir.
Chester
Gracious me, Mr. Don't Look like he Gets sober up in a month of Sunday.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, well, he's been working at it good and steady.
Chester
There we are.
Matt Dillon
All right, in you go. Go.
Chester
Know who he is, Mr. John?
Matt Dillon
No, I don't think I've ever seen him before. He wasn't in any shape to tell me his name.
Chester
I ain't sure he'll ever remember it the way he looks.
Matt Dillon
Well, we'll give him time to recollect. Yeah. Come on, Chester. Let's go get some breakfast.
Kitty
You sure did a good job there, Doc. That's a beautiful little girl of Molly's.
Doc Adams
Oh, I can't take much credit for that, Kitty.
Kitty
No, but you didn't hurt her any, bringing her into the world.
Doc Adams
And I tell you, Kitty, if every woman was as sensible about having children as Molly is, a lot of doctors would be out of work.
Kitty
Well, she's had a lot of practice. Don't say that.
Doc Adams
For with that brood of kids running around, she doesn't have much time to fuss about having another one, I guess.
Kitty
Well, anyway, it was good to see her again. She never has time to come into town anymore.
Doc Adams
I should think not.
Kitty
I don't have much time to get out of town. Even the dry prairie looks good to me. Look there, lying in the road.
Doc Adams
Oh, yeah, I see it. Kitty. Oh, hi there.
Kitty
What? It's a woman.
Dory
How is she, Doc? Is she alive? Great Scott.
Kitty
Doc, what is it?
Doc Adams
Why, she's got a baby. Kitty. She was almost lying on top of a baby.
Matt Dillon
A baby?
Doc Adams
That's what I said, a baby. Here. Here. Can you hold it?
Kitty
Yeah, sure.
Dory
Doc?
Doc Adams
Yeah? I want to get that woman into town just as fast as I can.
Kitty
Can I help you move her? I'll make it.
Doc Adams
Poor thing, she's just skin and bones.
Chester
Here.
Doc Adams
Now, Kitty, you see if you can support her head a little bit, will you? But hold the baby in your other arm.
Kitty
Yeah, all right, Doc.
Dory
There. Is this all right?
Doc Adams
No, that's fine. Yeah. All right. Now we'll go.
Kitty
Back.
Doc Adams
Yes.
Kitty
Kitty, did you call this her baby?
Doc Adams
Sure I did. She was holding it so close, she was nearly smothering it.
Kitty
I. I don't think the baby is hers.
Doc Adams
Oh, what kind of fool is this?
Kitty
She's a white woman, isn't she?
Doc Adams
Well, you can see for yourself. She's a white woman.
Kitty
Well, I just got a good look at the baby's face. It's an Indian baby, Doc.
Doc Adams
Here, let me have a look at it. By George, Kitty, I believe you're right.
Kitty
I'm sure I'm right.
Doc Adams
Well, no matter. We'd best get the both of them back to town.
Matt Dillon
So come on. Come on.
Doc Adams
Oh, there you are, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Where did you expect me to be?
Doc Adams
Well, I never expect to find you in your office, I'll tell you that.
Matt Dillon
That nice buggy ride out in the country with Kitty didn't improve your disposition much, did it?
Doc Adams
Nice bug. You're at her. I made three calls, chopped a load of wood for old lady Thomas and brought another patient into town.
Matt Dillon
All right, Doc, all right. I didn't mean to insult you with the idea of having a good time.
Doc Adams
As a matter of fact, Matt, it might be a good idea for you to talk to the patient I brought in. Why?
Matt Dillon
Has he been shot?
Doc Adams
It's a woman.
Matt Dillon
All right, then has she been shot?
Doc Adams
No, but she's in bad shape from exhaustion and exposure. And she has a baby with her.
Matt Dillon
What? Well, that sounds more on your line than mine.
Doc Adams
I'm not so sure, Matt. You see, she's a white woman, but the baby is Indian.
Matt Dillon
Well, those things happen sometimes, don't they?
Doc Adams
Of course they happen. If you just listen to me, I tell you why I think this is different.
Matt Dillon
All right, Doug.
Doc Adams
I don't think the baby's hers. I think she kidnapped it.
Matt Dillon
Kidnapped it? Maybe I better have a talk with her.
Doc Adams
But please go easy with the matter. Whatever she's been through has been very hard on her.
Matt Dillon
Whether you want me to see her.
Doc Adams
Or not, I want you to see her.
Matt Dillon
All right. Come on. It.
Doc Adams
All right, Matthew, you can talk to her.
Matt Dillon
Looks like she's asleep, Doc.
Doc Adams
I don't think so. Go ahead and try.
Matt Dillon
All right. Ma'am. Ma'am, I'd like to talk to you, ma'am, and the marshal. It's about the baby.
Dory
My baby. My baby.
Matt Dillon
That's what I'd like to know about, ma'am. The baby.
Dory
Where is he? Give him to me.
Matt Dillon
It's all right. It's all right. He's right here. No.
Dory
No. They took him. They killed my baby.
Matt Dillon
Who killed him, ma'am?
Dory
A savage. The savage Indian. Joe. Joe.
Matt Dillon
Joe.
Dory
Joe.
Matt Dillon
Doc, you know who Joe is?
Doc Adams
I think he must be her husband, the way she keeps calling his name.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Ma'am, where is your husband?
Dory
Joe. Joe.
Matt Dillon
Where is he? Joe.
Dory
Run off. Joe. Run off. Baby. My baby. Give him to me.
Matt Dillon
This isn't your baby, is it, ma'am?
Dory
They kill my baby.
Matt Dillon
I know, but this baby. Where did you get this baby?
Dory
A woman needs a baby. Give him to me.
Doc Adams
I'm going to give him to her.
Matt Dillon
Matt.
Doc Adams
It may quieter and bring her out of this.
Matt Dillon
All right, Doc. There you are.
Doc Adams
You just hold him there, quiet and gentle.
Dory
Baby. Baby.
Matt Dillon
Ma'am, he's an Indian. Baby.
Dory
They took my baby.
Matt Dillon
So you took this one baby.
Dory
Baby. Joe. Joe.
Doc Adams
I guess there's no just talking to her anymore, Matt.
Dory
Joe.
Doc Adams
Maybe later.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, all right, Doc. Maybe I'll know more about it later myself.
Chester
It's all right with me, Mr. Dillon. Riding way out here and all that.
Matt Dillon
I'm glad to hear that, Chester.
Chester
But it don't seem to me that you can be sure of getting anywhere just picking out any little old bunch of Indians and asking about one little old baby. It's like that needle in a haystack the fellow was telling me about.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm not sure. No, sir.
Chester
It just don't figure to prove out.
Matt Dillon
It won't prove out if we don't start somewhere, either.
Chester
Well, yes, I guess you're right, but I.
Matt Dillon
Do me a favor, will you, Chester?
Chester
Why, sure I will, Mr. Dillon. I'd be proud to.
Matt Dillon
Just keep your doubts to yourself until I get through here.
Hawkwing
Will you?
Dory
Sure.
Chester
I sure will.
Matt Dillon
All right, now. We'll leave the horses here.
Chester
Don't look like there's nobody here but just the squaws and kids.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Men are probably off hunting.
Chester
Reckon so. Well, there's one, Mr. Dunk. There's brave.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, it's old Hawkwing. You stay here, Chester. I'll go talk to him.
Chester
Thank you.
Matt Dillon
I've come to talk. Hawkwing. It is. Well, sounds like you want to talk to me, too.
Doc Adams
It is.
Hawkwing
Well, the marshal comes before the young men return from hunting.
Matt Dillon
All right, Hawkwing, you tell me what's on your mind. First.
Hawkwing
The marshal knows it's a baby.
Matt Dillon
Mm. But there are two babies, Hawkwing.
Hawkwing
A baby is missing from the lodgers. When the young men come back, there will be trouble.
Matt Dillon
I want to talk about a white baby.
Hawkwing
The white baby dead.
Matt Dillon
It is said that your people took the white baby, that your people killed it.
Hawkwing
That's not true.
Matt Dillon
But you know the white baby is dead.
Hawkwing
My people buried white baby.
Matt Dillon
Tell me what happened, Hawkwing.
Hawkwing
Baby lay dead of fever in arms of mother. My people bury Baby. The women brought the mother to the lodgers.
Matt Dillon
What happened to the mother?
Hawkwing
The marshal asked that question.
Matt Dillon
You tell me, Hawkwin.
Hawkwing
Mother walked out into the night. She took baby of my people.
Matt Dillon
You know this to be true.
Hawkwing
I know this to be true.
Matt Dillon
All right, Hawkwing. I was afraid it might be.
Hawkwing
It would be well if baby come back before young men return.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I think you may be right. About that. Well, sure, she's better, Matt.
Doc Adams
I had her moved here to Ma Smally so she could be quiet for a while. I found out her name's Dory, that's all.
Matt Dillon
Maybe she'll talk to me this time.
Doc Adams
She's able to. That's all I can say. Whether she will or not is another matter.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Well, let's go in and.
Doc Adams
Ma put her in a room on the first floor. Here it is. It's me, Dory. Doc Adams. I brought the marshal. He'd like to talk to you.
Dory
I. I don't want to see him.
Matt Dillon
It won't take long, Dory. It's important.
Dory
Please go away.
Matt Dillon
I can't, Dorie. I've got to talk to you about the baby.
Dory
My baby.
Matt Dillon
Well, that's just it. I'm afraid he isn't yours.
Dory
I'll care for him, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
I'm sure you would, Dory. But he still isn't yours, is he?
Dory
Mother has a right to a baby.
Matt Dillon
An Indian mother has a right to a baby, too.
Dory
But they took my baby, Marshall. They killed my baby.
Matt Dillon
Your baby was sick, Tori. Isn't that so? Your baby died.
Dory
They buried my baby. The savages buried my baby.
Matt Dillon
The Indian women were trying to help you.
Dory
They took my baby right out of my arm.
Matt Dillon
Because he was dead, Tori. Now, you really know that, don't you? Don't you, Dorie?
Dory
Doc.
Doc Adams
Go ahead, Dory. It'll be better if you face up to it.
Dory
I. I guess I know it, Marshall. But the fever and all.
Matt Dillon
Yes, I know you've been sick. And that may save your life.
Dory
What do you mean?
Matt Dillon
The Indians may be willing to let it go. Then when they get their baby back.
Dory
A baby.
Matt Dillon
You'll have to give him back, Dory.
Dory
Maybe they won't know, Marshall. They got lots of babies. Maybe they won't care.
Matt Dillon
I know they care. We'll have to give him back. But, Marshall, Listen to me, Dori. I'm sorry for you. But I'm not so sorry for you that I'll risk an Indian uprising. The baby has to go back, or your life won't be safe. Lots of lives won't be safe, Doc.
Doc Adams
He's right, Dori. Do what he says.
Dory
Can I have him just tonight, Marshall. And you take him in the morning.
Matt Dillon
I guess that's all right, Dory. It's too late to get out there tonight anyway. But I'll have to take him the first thing in the morning.
Dory
All right, Marshall. First thing in the morning.
Chester
Here's your coffee.
Matt Dillon
Those seem none too Hot.
Chester
You're about as ungrateful of a prisoner as I've ever fed. Of course, Jizz might early, but the marshal me has to ride out the Indian camp.
Matt Dillon
He gonna let me out?
Chester
Maybe he will at that. He's got awful lot on his mind over that woman and her baby.
Matt Dillon
I've been locked up long enough. What woman you talking about?
Chester
Why, that woman that took a baby from the Indians. Walked right out of their camp with it, nice as you please.
Doc Adams
Who is she?
Chester
I don't know. Some woman the Indians found way out west of town somewheres. Seems her baby got killed or something and she went and kidnapped herself. The Indian baby?
Matt Dillon
What's her name?
Chester
I ain't never heard her name.
Matt Dillon
Look, you better turn me loose right now.
Dory
Well, what?
Chester
The niggle isn't here. I started.
Doc Adams
Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Lay out of here. What's the trouble?
Chester
I don't know, Mr. Dillon. This fellow suddenly started going crazy.
Matt Dillon
Marshall. The woman and the baby. What's her name? Well, they know her first name is Dory. That's my wife. Now let me out. Let me out. Just wait a minute. Will you wait a minute. You weren't doing her much good when she needed you before. I. I thought she was dead, Marshall. I thought they was both dead. I rode off to get help. They was awful sick. I know. I got lost, Marshall. I. I didn't find nobody. And when I got back the wagon, I seen the grave. I thought they was dead. I ain't cared about nothing since. I can believe that. All right, let him out. Chester.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Tell me your name. Joe Dance. Dance. Your wife needs you pretty bad right now. I think you better go to her. Well, I sure want to do that, Marshall.
Doc Adams
Where is she?
William Conrad
Matt.
Doc Adams
Matt.
Matt Dillon
I'm in the back here, Doc. Yeah, what is it?
Doc Adams
The woman, Dory. She's taken the baby and gone.
Chester
She did what?
Matt Dillon
Lori's gone. Get the horses, Chester. Sure. Get one for dad, too. His wife's gonna be needing him more than ever now. I'll say this for her.
Chester
That woman can sure drive a buggy at a good clip.
Matt Dillon
Dory can drive, all right. Let's just hope she can drive fast enough this time.
Chester
You think she might be able to get away and get on?
Matt Dillon
If the braves haven't come back from hunting, she might have a chance. Marshall. Yeah? Dan, if they. If the engines get her with that baby, what'll they do to her? I don't know. They have their own laws. I don't know what they'll do.
Chester
Mr. Dylan, look yonder.
Doc Adams
The Buggy.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
He sure did wreck it there.
Matt Dillon
Quite a bunch of them. Look at those tracks. You. You think they got her? Yeah, I think they got her. Come on.
Chester
Braze is sure back all right, Mr. Dunham. Look at them horses. Must be a couple dozen.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, they're back all right. Do we go in shooting? You were born with more sense than that. We go in shooting, we're dead as soon as we get there. How do you figure it then, Marshall? We walk in as quiet as we can and hope we can get out the same way. Let's leave the horses here. Just walk slow and easy and let me do the talking. She's my wife. You better hope it'll stay that way. Just don't start anything. The quieter we are, the better our chances are.
Chester
Sure. There her lined up, waiting for her.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Just walk easy. All right, that's far enough. I've come to talk with Hawkwing. Send for him.
Chester
He's going after him.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Dory. I see Dory.
Doc Adams
She's there.
Matt Dillon
Take it easy. Well, they got her tied up. Wait a minute, dad. Wait a minute. Hands off me.
Chester
Is he unconscious, mister? No.
Matt Dillon
He's lucky he isn't dead.
Hawkwing
You are brave men to come here now, Marshal.
Matt Dillon
I've come to ask that your people be merciful. I've come for the woman.
Hawkwing
It is not decided about the woman.
Matt Dillon
She has seen much trouble, Hawkwing.
Hawkwing
She took baby from my people.
Matt Dillon
The woman was sick with fever, Hawkwing. There was an evil spirit with her.
Hawkwing
My people had not harmed her. Yet she took baby.
Matt Dillon
The baby's back. The baby's unharmed. Let her go, Hawkwing.
Hawkwing
I have told you, it is not decided about the woman. Man you struck down. Who is he?
Matt Dillon
He is the white woman's husband.
Hawkwing
When she was found, the white woman and baby, there was no husband.
Matt Dillon
It is I said Hawkwing. She was sick with fever. The husband had gone for help. She needs help now.
Hawkwing
Her husband cannot help her now.
Matt Dillon
No, Hawkwing. Your people are the only ones who can help her now.
Chester
Mr. Dillon, that Indian longer.
Matt Dillon
The baby.
Chester
She's coming up here.
Matt Dillon
Just keep quiet, Jester.
Dory
I am the mother, Hawkwing. Let me speak.
Hawkwing
Little bird has suffered.
Matt Dillon
I know, and I'm sorry.
Dory
But white mother has suffered more. My baby is back with me. He shows good care. Her baby will never come back.
Hawkwing
What are you saying, little bird?
Dory
I wish white mother go free.
Hawkwing
You do not wish that she be punished?
Dory
She has been punished enough.
Hawkwing
Come, then. We will tell the council.
Chester
You think they will set her free, Ms. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
I think they will Chester. Indians think pretty straight. I have an idea that Dory and Joe will be able to start all over again.
William Conrad
Gunsmoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman Macdonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Messon. Featured in the cast were Gene Bates, Ralph Moody and Vic Parrot. 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 on gun smoke.
Matt Dillon
Latest news follows. Then Mitch Miller with tonight's guest stars on the CBS Radio Network.
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 YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank the following ranch hand, Steve 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 copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Release Date: April 26, 2025
Host/Author: Andrew Rines
Producer: Norman Macdonald
Writer: Marion Clark
Duration: Approximately 27 minutes
Set against the rugged backdrop of Dodge City, Kansas, during the tumultuous years of the American West's expansion, "Indian Baby" delves into the complexities of cultural clashes, maternal instincts, and the pursuit of justice. This episode, part of the long-running Gunsmoke series, showcases U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon's unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and order amidst escalating tensions between settlers and Native American tribes.
The episode unfolds with Matt Dillon (William Conrad) responding to a distressing incident involving a mysterious woman and an infant. Discovered by Doc Adams (Howard McNear) and Kitty (Georgia Ellis) lying on the dry prairie, the woman, later identified as Dory, is in a dire state of exhaustion and apparent neglect of her child.
Discovery and Initial Assessment
At [04:18], Doc Adams discovers the woman and her baby:
Doc Adams [07:02]: "Poor thing, she's just skin and bones."
Kitty [07:19]: "I don't think the baby is hers." [07:27]
Kitty's observation raises immediate concerns about the legitimacy of the child's parentage, pointing to possible foul play or cultural misunderstandings.
Confrontation and Investigation
Matt Dillon takes charge, questioning Dory about the baby's origins. During their interaction at [10:22], Matt confronts Dory:
Matt Dillon [10:22]: "Ma'am, I'd like to talk to you about the baby."
Dory [10:43]: "Where is he? Give him to me."
Dory accuses Joe, referred to as "the savage Indian," of killing her baby, leading Matt to suspect that the child may not be hers. This suspicion is further explored when Doc Adams and Matt Dillon realize the baby might actually be of Native American descent.
Cultural Tensions and Resolution
The narrative intensifies as Matt seeks the counsel of Hawkwing, a respected Native American leader. At [14:13], Matt approaches Hawkwing:
Matt Dillon [14:31]: "I've come to talk with Hawkwing."
Hawkwing [15:57]: "A baby is missing from the lodgers. When the young men come back, there will be trouble."
Hawkwing clarifies that the baby died of fever and was buried by his people, but the mother, Dory, inexplicably took the child, which heightens the risk of an Indian uprising if tensions aren't managed delicately.
Emotional Climax and Understanding
Dory's true intentions surface as she reveals her deep anguish over her lost child and her connection to both her own suffering and that of the Native Americans. In a heartfelt confrontation at [17:23], Matt addresses her plight:
Matt Dillon [18:44]: "I'm sorry for you, but I can't risk an Indian uprising. The baby has to go back."
Doc Adams [18:55]: "Do what he says."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Dory reluctantly agrees to return the baby, understanding that her actions could have severe repercussions for both her and the tribe.
Matt Dillon: Embodies the archetypal Western lawman—steadfast, compassionate, and judicious. His handling of Dory's distress showcases his ability to balance empathy with duty, striving to prevent violence through dialogue and understanding.
Doc Adams: Acts as the moral compass and voice of reason. His medical expertise and gentle demeanor provide critical support in assessing Dory's condition and mediating the situation.
Kitty: Represents the compassionate side of Dodge City, offering care and support to those in need. Her keen observations are instrumental in uncovering the complexities of the case.
Dory: A tragic figure caught between her desperate need for her child and the cultural boundaries that restrict her actions. Her interactions highlight the emotional toll of frontier life and the pain of loss.
Hawkwing: Symbolizes the Native American perspective, striving for peace and fairness. His involvement underscores the importance of cross-cultural communication and respect.
"Indian Baby" masterfully explores themes of cultural conflict, maternal instinct, and justice. The episode underscores the fragile nature of peace in the Wild West, where misunderstandings and loss can quickly escalate into violence. It also delves into the human aspect of losses endured by both Native Americans and settlers, portraying the deep emotional scars left by such tragedies.
Through Matt Dillon's interactions, the episode advocates for empathy and reasoned dialogue as tools to bridge cultural divides. Dory's plight serves as a poignant reminder of the universal struggle for maternal love and the lengths to which one might go to protect it, even when faced with cultural taboos and legal obligations.
"Indian Baby" stands out as a compelling Gunsmoke episode that not only entertains with its gripping Western narrative but also invites listeners to reflect on deeper societal issues. By presenting a nuanced portrayal of both settlers and Native Americans, the episode fosters a sense of understanding and the importance of compassionate law enforcement.
As Marshal Matt Dillon navigates the delicate situation, listeners are reminded of the enduring challenges in maintaining harmony amidst diversity—a theme as relevant today as it was in the Old West.
"Gunsmoke's" "Indian Baby" is a testament to the series' ability to blend action with profound emotional and ethical dilemmas. Through its rich character development and thoughtful storytelling, it offers a timeless exploration of humanity amidst the untamed landscapes of the American West.