
Original Air Date: February 26, 1961Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Vic Perrin• Harry Bartell Writ...
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Liberty Mutual Narrator
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Doc
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings.
Liberty Mutual Disclaimer
Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts 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.
Narrator
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.
Doc
A man watchful and a little lonely.
Kitty
Limu game.
Limu Emu Voice
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Doc
Liberty. Liberty.
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Narrator
People today think young. Make more time for fun at home, family style. This is the life for Pepsi Cola. Light, bracing, clean tasting.
Matt Dillon
Pepsi.
Narrator
So think young. Say Pepsi, please.
Kitty
So go ahead and fix a drink. The lips you drink young as you think. Yes. Get the right one, the modern light one. Now it's Pepsi. For those who think young.
Chester
I can just get this fool gun belt set just right again. Ain't no reason. Ain't no reason at all. I Can't draw a gun as fast as the next fella.
Matt Dillon
Hey.
Chester
This is fancy too. Ain't really nothing to it.
Narrator
We just.
Matt Dillon
Oh, hello, Chester. What are you doing with that gun?
Chester
Gun?
Kitty
I ain't doing nothing at all.
Chester
I. Well, the fact is I was practicing, Mr. John.
Matt Dillon
You practicing with a six gun?
Chester
Well, ain't no reason I can't, are they?
Matt Dillon
Well, no reason, except it seems to me you're taking it up a little late in life, aren't you?
Chester
Well, there comes a time when a man has to stand up for hisself.
Matt Dillon
Somebody fixing to cause you trouble, Chester?
Chester
Well, he ain't exactly causing me no trouble. More like he's fixing to plague me to death with his everlasting bragging and carrying on that Joe Sleet dumped Long Branch.
Matt Dillon
Joe Sleet?
Chester
Joe Sleet. I. Oh, I forgot. You ain't been here for a couple days. Ain't likely you even saw him.
Matt Dillon
What about Joe sleep well?
Chester
He's one of them hard talking gunfighters. That's what's about him.
Matt Dillon
Now, Chester, now, you've got more sense than to tangle with somebody like that, haven't you?
Chester
Well, sure I have, Ms. John.
Matt Dillon
Then why are you practicing?
Chester
Well, it don't hurt none, does it?
Matt Dillon
I guess not. But you better be sure of one thing, Chester.
Chester
What's that?
Matt Dillon
A fellow like Joe Sleet knows that you're just practicing.
Narrator
Oh, hello, Marshall. Alvin.
Doc
Howdy, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Hi, Pruning. Hello, Bryce. Giddy.
Narrator
Doc.
Kitty
Hello, Matt.
Doc
Matt, how. It sounds like you're running for office the way you're greeting folks.
Matt Dillon
I speak when I'm spoken to, Doc.
Doc
Very friendly. Very friendly.
Kitty
Well, sit down and have a drink.
Narrator
Thank you, Kelly.
Matt Dillon
I've been looking for you, Doc.
Doc
You've been looking? Oh, not very hard you haven't. You've been right here.
Matt Dillon
I figured it was a little early in the day, but I guess I should have known of.
Kitty
Somebody sick?
Matt Dillon
No, Kitty. But Judge Meadows is coming in this afternoon. He wants to talk to Doc about the wound that killed Blueett.
Doc
Oh, Schuman.
Narrator
Yes.
Doc
I'll go along with you.
Matt Dillon
There's no big rush, Doc. The stage won't be here for another hour.
Doc
I have some things to do first.
Kitty
Oh, there he goes again. I wish he'd do his drinking someplace else. Oh, that big one, Joe Sleep. Every time he talks to anybody, there's a fight.
Matt Dillon
I want to talk to him.
Narrator
I'll be right back, Doc.
Doc
I'll be here.
Narrator
Put that thing away. Well, you ain't roped so's you have to stay. You got a right to drink without no gun spinning in my face. You want to fight me about that?
Matt Dillon
It's just what you want, ain't it?
Narrator
Somebody to fight.
Matt Dillon
All right, quiet down, both of you.
Chester
Listen, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
All right, Meeker, I'll handle it.
Narrator
Always trying to get somebody to fight him. Slick drawing.
Matt Dillon
I said I'd handle it. Now go on, Maker, sit down.
Chester
That's right, sonny.
Narrator
Go sit down like the marshal said.
Matt Dillon
I've been hearing about you, Sleet.
Narrator
There's lots is heard about me.
Matt Dillon
You aren't making many friends.
Chester
Ain't meant to.
Matt Dillon
You're not meant to do your gun slinging in the saloon either.
Chester
I do it where it suits me.
Matt Dillon
It suits you even better if it causes trouble, is that it?
Chester
I can handle trouble if it comes Marshall.
Matt Dillon
If trouble comes in Dodge, I handle it, Sleech. You remember that.
Chester
Sure, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Are you ready to go, Doc?
Kitty
Yeah.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Kitty
Thanks for talking to him, Matt. He's bullied around with that gun ever since he came to Dodge.
Matt Dillon
Just hope it did some good. We'll see you later.
Doc
Goodbye, Kitty.
Kitty
Come on.
Doc
Oh, my. That Joe Sleet's a miserable human being, isn't he?
Matt Dillon
Yeah. His kind should never get near a gun.
Doc
They're not grown up enough to use one. You're right about that. It's an interesting study man about his prowess with a gun. A fellow like sleep is childlike. He's absolutely childlike.
Matt Dillon
But he's killed a lot of people just the same.
Doc
Well, certainly, but what I meant.
Narrator
Come on and sleep.
Doc
Let me through. Stand back, please, folks. Help me turn him over.
Matt Dillon
Let's see. How about it, doc?
Doc
He's alive all right. A couple of men help me carry.
Kitty
Him up to my office.
Narrator
Yes, ma'.
Kitty
Am.
Matt Dillon
I'll be up in a minute, Doc.
Narrator
Yeah.
Kitty
All right, Matt.
Doc
Take it easy now. Gently in.
Matt Dillon
What happened, Kenny?
Kitty
It was Meeker.
Narrator
Meeker?
Kitty
Fleet finally said too much. He's been Devlin Meeker all day.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, but I never thought Meeker would draw on him.
Kitty
Sleet wasn't expecting it either.
Matt Dillon
You didn't shoot him in the back, did he?
Kitty
No. Fleet wasn't paying any attention. And Meeker didn't exactly warn him. He shot twice and ran out the back way. Would you have to go after him.
Matt Dillon
If Sleet dies yet?
Kitty
He's a gunman, Matt. He had it coming.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, but the law isn't very choosy sometimes.
Liberty Mutual Narrator
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Limu Emu Voice
Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?
Liberty Mutual Narrator
Cut the camera. They see us.
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Doc
Liberty.
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Liberty Savings Fairy underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates excludes Massachusetts.
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Narrator
Are you one of those people who are always on the go? Like you, our CBS newsmen are on the move all the time, too, always in the direction of the biggest news developments of the day. Their own busy schedules give them a practical understanding of the value listeners put upon their services. They know you rely on them for accuracy at all times, and they have a firsthand appreciation of the importance of clarity and brevity as well. That all of these standards are kept in mind by our highly skilled, highly experienced newsmen is demonstrated over and over again in the frequent news broadcast you hear on CBS Radio. The busier your own day, the more you'll appreciate the efforts of our CBS News staff. These men offer you a direct link with history day by day. But more than that, they do their job with full regard for your busy schedule. They keep you fully informed with no waste of time, no waste of words. For accuracy, brevity and clarity in news reports. For news at frequent intervals and at convenient times. Keep tuned to CBS radio every day.
Doc
Well, I'll let you know if there's any change, Matt, but I'm sure he's.
Kitty
Going to be all right.
Matt Dillon
Thanks, Doc. I'm glad for Meeker's sake.
Doc
Yes.
Matt Dillon
Well, I'll be in the office.
Doc
All right, man.
Matt Dillon
Doc.
Narrator
Doc, I want to talk to him.
Doc
I'm coming.
Narrator
Am I gonna make it, Doc?
Matt Dillon
You'll make it.
Narrator
You know, he didn't give me no chance to draw.
Matt Dillon
Apparently not.
Narrator
He'd have never got me if he'd.
Doc
Give me a chance. Just lie still.
Narrator
Now, nobody could have outdrawn me if they'd give me a chance.
Doc
Now hold your head still. You mustn't. Seems like one bullet just grazed your temple.
Narrator
It's my arm. My arm that hurts. Duck.
Kitty
Yes. Yes.
Narrator
What about my arm? Duck.
Doc
Well, I took that bullet Out, Sleet. That's all I can do now.
Narrator
It'll be all right, won't it, Doc?
Doc
Oh, you'll be all right. I'm pretty sure that.
Narrator
Well, there won't be nothing wrong with my arm neither, will it, Doc.
Doc
It's too early to tell.
Narrator
It's my right arm. I know what I wouldn't be no good without.
Chester
I could use my right arm.
Doc
Well, we'll have to see how it heals.
Narrator
Well, you fix it, Doc. You can fix it.
Doc
Doc. Yes, sleep.
Chester
You.
Narrator
You wouldn't do nothing to keep it from healing up good, would you? I mean, because it's my gun, huh?
Matt Dillon
No.
Doc
I'm a doctor, Sleep, not a judge, no matter how much I might want to. Hello, Sleet. Back to see me again, huh?
Narrator
It ain't no better, Doc.
Doc
I'm sorry, Sleet, but it isn't likely to change overnight.
Narrator
It's been more than a month, Doc, and I still ain't got the use of my fingers.
Doc
I've told you, Sleep. Sometimes it happens that way.
Narrator
It ain't no good without the use of my fingers, Doc. It's my gun hand.
Doc
You were lucky not to lose the whole arm. I told you that from the start.
Narrator
Listen, Doc, if it's money, I'll find me some money so you can fix it.
Doc
There are some things that money can't buy, and one of them is a good right hand.
Narrator
You mean it ain't never going to get. Well, I can only tell you what.
Doc
I've told you all along. It just doesn't look good. It isn't just a matter of muscle and bone. It's the nerve. Nerves don't often come back.
Chester
It's gotta come back.
Narrator
I ain't nothing without my gun hand.
Chester
Well, if you ask me, he wasn't never much with his gun hand neither.
Matt Dillon
Sleet is waiting for you at your office every day. Is that right, Doc?
Doc
Yes, every blessed day. It doesn't matter how often I tell him I can't do anything for him. He's still there showing me his arm, trying to work his fingers.
Kitty
With anyone else, you'd be sorry for him.
Matt Dillon
I'm kind of sorry for Doc, having him hang around like that.
Doc
Yes, indeed, I. I wish he could find something to do for my sake. I can't get in and out of my office without stepping over him.
Kitty
Well, I can hardly get in or out of the long branch these days either, Doc. That'll make you feel any better.
Doc
What's the trouble, Kitty?
Kitty
Oh, it's just one of the penalties. Of owning a business. Doc, you know that fellow I had to help out at the bar and be a general handyman.
Chester
You mean that Romy fella?
Kitty
Yeah, that's the one.
Matt Dillon
What happened to him?
Kitty
Who knows what happened to him. He just hasn't shown up for two days. You think nobody else could do anything around there except me, of course.
Matt Dillon
Why don't you get somebody else?
Kitty
Nobody's down and out enough to want the job. I guess it isn't much.
Doc
No, no, wait a minute. Could a man with one hand do it?
Kitty
One hand tied behind his back, you mean? Yeah, just about that.
Doc
Well, I was thinking about Sleet.
Kitty
Sleet?
Doc
Well, maybe if he had some simple job to do, he'd snap out of.
Matt Dillon
It and quit bothering you.
Doc
That's right.
Chester
Well, now, Miss Kitty. Wouldn't want no fellow like him around.
Kitty
Oh, I don't know, Chester. I've had worse. Do you think it'd work, Matt?
Matt Dillon
I guess it wouldn't have hurt anything to try it.
Doc
But there's one thing sure. Sleet isn't able to hurt anything.
Kitty
All right, then, if you can talk him into a doc, I'll chance it. I could sure use some help now.
Chester
It just don't seem right, Miss Kitty. I wouldn't do that if I was you.
Kitty
Well, will you take the job for me, Chester?
Chester
No, ma'.
Narrator
Am.
Chester
It ain't something I'd rightly feel like doing.
Kitty
Nobody feels like it. Go ahead, Doc. Talk to sleep. Limu Emu.
Liberty Mutual Narrator
And Doug, here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds. With Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.
Limu Emu Voice
Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?
Liberty Mutual Narrator
Cut the camera.
Narrator
They see us.
Liberty Mutual Disclaimer
Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty.
Doc
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
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Strengthen America. Character counts. Are you familiar with that slogan? You are if you have a boy Scout in the family. That is the Motto for this 51st anniversary year. Of the Boy Scouts of America. Strengthen America. Character counts in a time of delinquent juveniles and the problems they give families and communities. Such a slogan can be a rallying point for betterment. A delinquent juvenile also believes in a stronger America, an America capable of world leadership, of defense against democracy's would be enemies. The trouble with some delinquents may be that nobody has trouble to show them how they can have roles in America's future. A logical starting point lies no farther away than the nearest Boy Scouts of America program. Youth can grow and serve the nation's needs through programs of the Boy Scouts of America. Look into scouting, an important first step towards a better life through teamwork with high purpose.
Chester
I've rung us our beer, Miss Kitty.
Kitty
Thanks, Chester.
Matt Dillon
Did sleep for him all right for you, Chester?
Narrator
Well, sure he did.
Chester
Ain't nothing to pour in a glass of beer.
Matt Dillon
Then you're not worried about Sleet anymore, huh?
Chester
Well, I wasn't ever worried about him, Mr. Dillon.
Kitty
Ah, you were a couple of weeks ago, Chester don't deny it.
Narrator
Oh, well, that was before he changed.
Chester
Into a changed man, you might say.
Matt Dillon
You figure he's changed then, huh?
Chester
Sure he is. Anybody can see that. Ain't that so, Miss Kitty?
Kitty
We are tenthly. You're right. Almost as if that gun had been a part of him, Matt. Without it, he seems to have lost part of his whole makeup.
Matt Dillon
Does he ever talk about it?
Kitty
He never talks about anything.
Matt Dillon
Not even the doc.
Kitty
Doc says sleep won't even speak when he's passing him on the street.
Matt Dillon
Well, I guess Doc can do without all the talk he used to get from him.
Kitty
Yeah, I guess they can.
Chester
It's a funny thing, ain't it, Ms. Dylan, how talk can change.
Doc
Sleet always used to like to be.
Chester
Around where the crowd was. Now nobody don't never see him.
Kitty
That's right. He leaves here as soon as his chores are done. Nobody knows where he stays.
Chester
Must be out of town somewhere. I see him walking out there most every night.
Kitty
You suppose all men would calm down like that if there were no guns?
Matt Dillon
I don't know, Kitty, but it sure saved me a lot of trouble.
Kitty
Yeah, saved women a lot of worry.
Matt Dillon
Well, don't hold your breath, Kitty. I think we'll be hanging onto our guns for a while and women will.
Kitty
Go right on worrying.
Matt Dillon
What's the matter, Chester? Somebody chasing you?
Chester
But no, sir. The door just slipped out of my hand, that's all that happened.
Matt Dillon
You nearly broke it up. Where you been?
Chester
I seen him a horse down at the liver stable. He's got that lame leg and all.
Matt Dillon
Right. Did you get him fixed up?
Chester
Oh, yes, sir, I think I did. Marcus is going to keep an eye on him.
Matt Dillon
That's good. He's worth taking care of.
Chester
Oh, yes, sir, he is. Stay. You know who I seen down there at the stable?
Narrator
No.
Matt Dillon
Who did you see down there at the stable, Trustee?
Chester
That fellow Meeker, Mr. Jones. You know, the one that shot Joe Sleet. He just rode into town.
Matt Dillon
Did he say where he was heading?
Chester
No, sir, he didn't. I don't think it'd be hard to find him, though.
Matt Dillon
How's that?
Chester
He said he'd been on the trail all day and he was packing around to awful thirst.
Matt Dillon
All right. Come on, Chester.
Kitty
Yes, sir.
Doc
Where are we going?
Matt Dillon
Just come on.
Narrator
Bartender. Whiskey. I want some whiskey. Well, Joe Sleep. They told me you was working here.
Matt Dillon
I wanted to see for myself.
Narrator
You remember me, Sleep? Sure. You gotta remember me. I'm the one that put you back of that bar.
Matt Dillon
Best job of work I ever done, too. Fixing it so you couldn't shoot no more. What's the matter?
Narrator
Sleep. Can't you talk Neither if I fixed it so you couldn't talk neither. I'd done better than I thought for.
Chester
Sleep.
Narrator
No. Sleep, Wait. All right.
Matt Dillon
Put that gun down, Sleep.
Narrator
You can have it. Marshall.
Chester
Meeker's dead, Mr. Dunn.
Narrator
He's dead. And I shot him.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you did.
Narrator
I shot him with my left hand.
Matt Dillon
Marshall.
Narrator
I've been practicing up. Every night I've been practicing up. I taught myself good, didn't I, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Seems like it.
Narrator
No man could live that chopped me down, Marshall. He should have known that you found out. Guess it proves I'm still a top gun, don't it, Marshall? Even with my left hand, you draw that practicing proves it, don't it?
Matt Dillon
I don't know about that, Sleep. But it proves one thing for sure. What's that? That you're a man to be tried for murder. Let's go.
Chester
Smokey the bear.
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Narrator
Hi, this is Dennis James to make a point about reliable, effective Kellogg's All Brand. Repeat after me, please. What do you want when you need bran? What do you want when you need bran? Reliability. Reliability. Now, what do you get in Kellogg's All Brand? What do you get in Kellogg's All Brand New Reliability, right Hi, this is Dennis James to explain why Kellogg's Way is the reliable way to get the effectiveness you want from bran with just half a cup a day. The Kellogg's All Brand is the real Battle Creek formula, the one that millions of people depend on. And they depend on it because Kellogg's All Brand contains more vital brand bulk to help you keep regular. It's low in calories and it's mighty pleasant eating too. Kellogg's All Brand comes in crisp toasted shreds that have a wholesome brand muffin taste. I think you'll like it. So be sure you remember for the effectiveness you want from brand, get reliable Kellogg's All Brand. That's what you get in Kellogg's All Brand Rel. Gun Smoke 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 Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Vic Perrin and Harry Bartel. 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 once more. It's America growing west in the 1870s. It's gun smoke.
Matt Dillon
This is the CBS Radio Network 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 Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Kitty
Sam.
Episode Summary Date: October 11, 2025
This classic episode of Gunsmoke centers around the disruptive presence of Joe Sleet, a braggadocious gunfighter in Dodge City. The story explores the consequences of gun violence, pride, and the pursuit of identity in a lawless frontier town, while delving into the changes that can be forced upon a person through injury and loss. Marshal Matt Dillon, Doc, Chester, and Kitty are all impacted as events unfold with Sleet at the center, ultimately questioning what truly defines a man's worth in the harsh West.
Gunsmoke maintains its signature blend of gritty realism and humane introspection. The episode grapples with themes of pride, violence, redemption, and adaptability, all set against the rugged backdrop of frontier justice. The dialogue is spare but evocative, with emotional undercurrents given weight by the performances, especially in the moments that probe Sleet’s vulnerability after losing his gun hand.
"Joe Sleet" is a study of what happens when a violent man is forcibly changed by fate, exploring how identity and respect can be lost—and desperately clawed back—when one’s worth is bound up in violence. It’s a sobering look at the cycles of boasting, provocation, and consequence in the Old West, capped by a finale where old skills turn tragic. Justice, in the end, is unwavering, and the episode closes with Matt Dillon’s unwavering steadiness as a lawman amid Dodge's constant turmoil.