
Original Air Date: July 15, 1956Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Joseph Kearns• Vic Perrin• Helen K...
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Narrator/Advertiser
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Matt Dillon
There you go.
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Matt Dillon
Try.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and before we get into this episode I wanted to do a little PSA and remind you that I put out multiple shows a week of Old Time Radio Westerns. You can check them out by going to otrwesterns.com or looking up OTR Westerns on your podcast application of choice. We're releasing over 10 episodes a week so far, about a hundred a month. So definitely want you to check that out again otrwesterns.com and check it out. I also wanted to invite you to check out my sister podcast site otnetcast and that's net c a s t so ot n e t c a s t netcast otnetcast.com we're currently releasing mystery genre shows and this is shows like the Shadow Escape, Suspense and the Whistler and we have plans on bringing other shows to the network for you guys to listen to. So it's my non western old time radio channel that I can kind of do other genres that not only I like but hopefully you would like too. You can check us out by going to otnetcast.com or searching otnet C A S T on your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke. Original air date is July 15, 1956 and the title is Letters of the Law.
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Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
Gunsmoke brought to you by Chesterfield. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed. Thanks to Accuray, they satisfy the most 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 transcribed 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. Morning, Kitty.
Miss Kitty
Well, you're out early today.
Matt Dillon
I'm a working man. I have to keep regular hours.
Miss Kitty
Then what were you doing at the long branch at 2:00 clock this morning?
Matt Dillon
Well, sometimes it's a regular 24 hours, just like you.
Miss Kitty
At least I make good money at it.
Matt Dillon
Kitty, would you really like to see me settle down and run a saloon?
Miss Kitty
You might get to like it.
Matt Dillon
All right, I'll do it.
Miss Kitty
When?
Matt Dillon
But I'm about 50. I thought so.
Judge Rambo
Good morning, Miss Kitty.
Miss Kitty
Oh, hello, Chester.
Lee Sprague
Here's a letter for you, Mr. Jones.
Matt Dillon
Oh, thanks, Chester.
Judge Rambo
The envelope says it's from Judge Rambo over in Witch. Anything important?
Matt Dillon
That's a court order for eviction. Seems Brandon Teague didn't file legally on his land over by Wagon Mount.
Miss Kitty
Did you say Brandon Teak?
Matt Dillon
How do you know him, Kitty?
Miss Kitty
Everybody knew him. Ron Dabbleing?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, he had a pretty bad reputation then, I guess.
Miss Kitty
Doesn't he still?
Matt Dillon
Well, I haven't seen him for some time, but he's married now and he's trying to prove up some land.
Miss Kitty
Well, I don't envy you trying to put him off it. Brandon Teak never shove very easy, that I recall.
Matt Dillon
Well, we're right out there this afternoon, Chester.
Miss Kitty
Be sure your gun's loaded, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Hell, maybe I won't need it, Kitty.
Miss Kitty
Wanna bet?
Matt Dillon
No, I gu.
Lee Sprague
You ask me, Te's gone build himself.
Judge Rambo
A mighty nice place out here, Mr. Dylan.
Matt Dillon
He's doing fine. Hello, Te.
Lee Sprague
Hello, Marshall. Chester.
Judge Rambo
How are you, Teek?
Lee Sprague
What brings you out this way?
Matt Dillon
Well, here, you might as well read it yourself.
Lee Sprague
What's this? Court order, immediate eviction. What's this all about, Marshal? I got my deed to this place.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, but you failed to register it at the land office.
Lee Sprague
T nobody told me about that.
Matt Dillon
I'm sorry.
Lee Sprague
You'll be a whole lot sorry. You try to put me off this.
Miss Kitty
Land, Marshal Brandon, who are you talking to?
Lee Sprague
You stay inside, sir. It ain't nothing.
Miss Kitty
Then it won't hurt if I come out.
Lee Sprague
This is my wife, Marshall Dillon and Chester Proudwood.
Matt Dillon
How you do, miss?
Miss Kitty
Is there trouble, Brandon?
Lee Sprague
They say we got no legal right to this place, Sarah. I didn't register the deed or some fool thing. Oh, no, don't you worry. Ain't nobody gonna move us off, law or no law.
Matt Dillon
It's a court order, Teek.
Lee Sprague
I ain't wore a gun since I got married, Marshall, but I can sure go put one on.
Miss Kitty
We're gonna have a child, Marshall, most any day now.
Lee Sprague
And we ain't moving. We ain't starting over again.
Miss Kitty
Oh, if we have to, we can do it. I'd rather die and see you go to fighting again, Brandon. Now you sink on it.
Lee Sprague
It's a hard thing for a man to swallow. But I can't go get her. I ain't putting on my gun.
Matt Dillon
Why don't you go in and tell her that?
Lee Sprague
When will I tell her? We gotta get off the place.
Matt Dillon
Oh, there's no hurry.
Lee Sprague
What about that immediate eviction?
Matt Dillon
Well, I'll be responsible for that.
Lee Sprague
I guess I ought to be be grateful to you.
Matt Dillon
No, not Cheek. Not to me. Well, goodbye.
Lee Sprague
Bye, Marshall Chester.
Judge Rambo
Bye, Cheek. When are you gonna put him off, Mr. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
I'm going over to Wichita, Chester. I'll find out.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
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Miss Kitty
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Miss Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure Because Chesterfield's more.
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Matt Dillon
Ah, hello, Judge.
Judge Rambo
Marshall. Dylan, what are you doing in Wichita?
Matt Dillon
Well, I came to see you, that's all. It's about that court order you sent me, Judge.
Judge Rambo
Which court order, Marshal?
Matt Dillon
The one to evict Brandon Teak off his land near Wagon Mountain.
Judge Rambo
Oh, that. Yes, yes, I remember. What's the trouble? Is he putting up a fight?
Matt Dillon
No, he isn't.
Judge Rambo
Well, he sure must have changed. I remember Teek around here. He was a wild one.
Matt Dillon
Well, he's married now, Judge. As a matter of fact, they're expecting a child any day.
Judge Rambo
A child?
Matt Dillon
Mm. So I told him that they could take their time about moving.
Judge Rambo
Take their time?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Judge Rambo
That order was to evict them at once, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know that, Judge.
Judge Rambo
There's no room for sentiment in the law, Marshal Dillon. What's right is right, and what's legal is legal.
Matt Dillon
Look, Judge, Teek's been on that land for over a year. How come this business about failing to register his deed just came up?
Judge Rambo
It was only recently brought to my attention.
Matt Dillon
And who brought it to your attention?
Judge Rambo
Lee Sprague. Not that it makes any difference.
Matt Dillon
Lee Sprague, huh? He owns a lot of land around Wagon Mound, doesn't he?
Judge Rambo
And he's filed on this. There's nothing irregular about it, Marshall, if that's what you're thinking.
Matt Dillon
Legally, I'm sure everything's correct, Judge.
Judge Rambo
You can't argue with facts, Marshall. Now stop being a sentimental fool and go do your duty.
Matt Dillon
Brandon Teak's a changed man, Judge. He's done more than prove up that land. He's proved himself up, too.
Judge Rambo
Homestead Act, 1862, paragraph 12. After one year, if the deed to such land is not duly recorded at the nearest government.
Matt Dillon
Oh, never mind, Judge. I know how it reads.
Judge Rambo
Then start acting like it. I can hold even the United States Marshal in contempt of court, you know.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Lee Sprague
Yeah, sure you can.
Matt Dillon
You got a lot of power, Judge. But there's only one thing wrong.
Judge Rambo
And what's that?
Matt Dillon
You never learned how to use it.
Lee Sprague
Oh, Marshall Dillon want to talk to you.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
Sprig.
Lee Sprague
Come in.
Matt Dillon
Thank you.
Lee Sprague
How'd you know I was in Dodge today?
Matt Dillon
I found out. It's about Brandon Teague, Sprig.
Lee Sprague
Something wrong?
Matt Dillon
No, not legally. Judge Rambo made that pretty clear.
Lee Sprague
Want to tell me what's bothering you, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, sure. I think Brandon Teak deserves that land more than you do.
Lee Sprague
Marshall, I'm in the land and cattle business, and I'm making out mighty well. No man can accuse me of ever doing anything illegal or dishonest. Everybody knows I practice sharp. And I'll go on practicing sharp, too.
Matt Dillon
Even against a man like Teek, who's hung up his gun and settled down and tried to make a life for him and his family.
Lee Sprague
What do you mean, his family?
Matt Dillon
There's a child coming any day now.
Lee Sprague
Then he's better off in town, Marshal.
Matt Dillon
What?
Lee Sprague
My wife stayed in the country. That's why I lost her. Looks to me I'm doing Teek a favor.
Matt Dillon
You got an Awful easy conscience, Sprague.
Lee Sprague
No use arguing, Marshall. You got your order. Now go put him off.
Matt Dillon
No, Sprague. I'm not gonna do it.
Judge Rambo
What?
Matt Dillon
I couldn't hold my head up if I had any part of the kind of law you and Judge Rambo want.
Lee Sprague
You mean that?
Matt Dillon
I do.
Lee Sprague
I ain't gonna let you stand in my way, Marshall.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
You're in for trouble.
Judge Rambo
Here's Brandon teak and his Mrs. Bull talking. That fellow Mr. Jones.
Matt Dillon
You recognize him, Chessy?
Judge Rambo
No, sir, I don't.
Lee Sprague
He's a stranger to me. Looks like they're all head up over something, don't it?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Judge Rambo
Ms. Tea Cat ought to be standing out in the heat of the day this evening.
Lee Sprague
We'll let Marshal Dillon settle this, Haley. He's got nothing to do with it.
Matt Dillon
No more man how to do.
Judge Rambo
Marshall.
Matt Dillon
What's the trouble here, Teek?
Lee Sprague
You told me there was no hurry about our leaving, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Ah, wait a minute. Where'd you get that badge, mister? Who are you?
Lee Sprague
I'm Jim Haley, Marshall, Deputy sheriff from Wichita.
Matt Dillon
Wichita? How'd you get here?
Lee Sprague
I took the Santa Fe to Dodge. Then I rented me a horse.
Matt Dillon
Answer me, Haley.
Lee Sprague
Judge Rambo sent me. I guess he felt the law needed a little enforcing down this way. You got a court order, Marshal, just like the one you had. It's plum legal. And I want you people to pack up and be out of here by tomorrow.
Matt Dillon
Just a minute, Haley.
Lee Sprague
I can take care of him, Marshall.
Miss Kitty
No, Brandon. There'll be no fighting now, sir.
Lee Sprague
You ain't gonna do nothing except move Teek, and right now, no woman.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
You let go my arm.
Matt Dillon
Sarah. Now.
Lee Sprague
Now, wait a minute, Marshall. She shouldn't have grabbed my arm like that. I was only trying to do.
Matt Dillon
Get his gun, Chester. Yes, she is. She hurt, Teek.
Lee Sprague
You all right, Sarah?
Matt Dillon
I'll be all right.
Lee Sprague
She only grabbed his arm. He's gone and hurt her, Marshall, flinging her off like that. Jesse.
Matt Dillon
Yes, sir? Jump on your horse and ride for Dodge. Tell Doc to get out here. F.
Judge Rambo
Ain't Doc never coming out of that house?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, it's been a long time, hasn't it?
Lee Sprague
She. She shouldn't have grabbed me. I. I didn't mean to hurt her.
Matt Dillon
Ailey, why don't you keep quiet? Nobody wants to hear from you.
Judge Rambo
Look, Mr. Del. There's Doc. You don't look none too happy.
Lee Sprague
Well, Doc, the baby's dead, man.
Matt Dillon
Oh, my, that's too bad.
Lee Sprague
Well, I didn't do it. I. I only pushed her a little.
Matt Dillon
I told you to shut Up.
Lee Sprague
Haley, there wasn't a chance of saving the baby. It's her I've been working on, and she's gonna be all right now, ma'.
Judge Rambo
Am.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, well, good for that anyway.
Lee Sprague
Hey, Doc tell you Marshall a yachtic.
Matt Dillon
I'm sorry to hear it.
Lee Sprague
I'm sorry too. But you can't blame me for it. Haley, I just now promised my wife I wouldn't kill you. Don't make me break it.
Matt Dillon
Come on, Haley. I'm taking you to Dodge with me.
Lee Sprague
Now, look here, ain't you forgetting I'm a lawman too. Marshall, I'd like to forget it.
Matt Dillon
It doesn't make me very proud of being one.
Lee Sprague
I come here to do a job.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
And I'm gonna do it.
Lee Sprague
I promised her I wouldn't kill you. Now, Haley. But you come back here and I promise you I will. A man can only take so much. I'll be back.
Matt Dillon
No, you won't. I'm throwing you in jail for a while.
Lee Sprague
Jail?
Matt Dillon
Teek, as soon as your wife's better, you come see me, huh? I don't know what I can do, but things aren't going on this way.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
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Miss Kitty
Give you Chesterfield packs more pleasure Because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed to the touch.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
To the taste Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed by Chesterfield Mild, yet they satisfy the most.
Lee Sprague
Hello, Chester.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Doc.
Lee Sprague
Where's Matt Chester? In the office talking to Lee Sprague. Sprague? It's a little late to be talking to him, isn't it? I'd say so.
Judge Rambo
You sure Brandon Teek's coming to Dodge today, Doc?
Lee Sprague
That's what he told me. There's a neighbor woman staying with his wife. Not that she really needs anybody now.
Judge Rambo
I'm glad to hear that.
Lee Sprague
It's only been a week, but she's a strong woman. Well, here we are, huh?
Judge Rambo
Oh, my God. He did come.
Lee Sprague
Hello, Doc. Chester. Hello, Teek. How's the patient? She's pretty good, Doc. Being awful brave about it. But I know how she feels. Only time will cure that.
Matt Dillon
I guess so.
Judge Rambo
Mr. Dillon's in the office. Tiki wanted you to go right on in when you got here.
Lee Sprague
Okay.
Matt Dillon
Oh, hello, Teak. Come on in. You know Lee Sprague?
Lee Sprague
Yeah, I know him. Hello, Teak.
Matt Dillon
Sprague and I were over at the land office this morning. I think we got everything straightened out.
Lee Sprague
What do you mean? Here, take a look at this. What is it? That's a deed to the land you're on, Teak. And this time it's legally registered? Sure. In your name. That's right. You help him with this, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Well, I wanted to be sure that there weren't any loopholes, Tik.
Lee Sprague
You know, if it wasn't for my wife, you people would have to shoot me off that place. Teague, I want to tell you something. Ain't you said enough?
Miss Kitty
No.
Lee Sprague
Now listen. I'm a greedy man, Teak, and I'll take anything I can get legally. But Marshall Dillon here has been talking pretty hard to me lately. Sure, and I've been listening to him, too. I guess I'd have gone right on. And I could have if I heard about your baby. Why should that matter to you? I lost my son, Teek, but I lost my wife, too. Taking my land. Gonna help you. You tell him, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
He's not taking your land, Teague.
Lee Sprague
That deed's in his name, ain't it? Didn't you go along to be sure he didn't make any mistakes?
Matt Dillon
There aren't any mistakes this time. Sprague can deed that land to anybody he wants to. Now, all clear. And it's yours.
Lee Sprague
I'm not giving it to you. It's yours. Anyway.
Matt Dillon
I'll.
Lee Sprague
I'll tell Sarah and I'll. I'll tell her she was right all along about. About not fighting.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Lee Sprague
Well, what about you, Marshall? Ain't there gonna be trouble? You jailing a deputy sheriff?
Matt Dillon
Well, as soon as he gets back to Wichita, I suppose there might be some trouble. Yeah, but don't you worry about that, T. I've always wanted to see California anyway.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
In a moment. Our star, William Conrad. What's your idea of vacation? Pleasure. Mountains, Seashore, Lake, wherever you go. Here's an idea for your smoking pleasure. Take along a couple of cartons of Chesterfields. Chesterfields are firm, packed full, give you full time flavor that's bound to make whatever you're doing more enjoyable. Vacation Bound by Chesterfields, by the carton. Mild, yet they satisfy the most, you.
Matt Dillon
Know, on the frontier. A horse thief was often caught and hung because someone else's brand was on the animal he'd stolen. But next week a man is hung because his horse has no brand at all. But that was the West. Good Night.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
Gunsmoke, produced and directed by Norman MacDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Our story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey, sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Joseph Kearns, Vic Perrin, Helen Kleeb, Paul Dubov and Will Wright, Marley Bear As Chester, Howard McNear as Doc and Georgia Ellis is.
Matt Dillon
Kidding.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
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Matt Dillon
Modern Change to L and M.
Chesterfield Advertiser/Narrator
Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on Gunsmoke.
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Matt Dillon
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Matt Dillon
Sam.
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Air Date: August 22, 2025 (original 07-15-56)
Starring: William Conrad as Matt Dillon
In this classic radio episode of Gunsmoke, "Letter of the Law," Marshal Matt Dillon faces a moral and legal dilemma when he’s ordered to evict Brandon Teek, a reformed man and soon-to-be father, from his homestead for failing to legally register his land deed. Amid pressure from a powerful landowner and a rigid judge, Dillon must balance strict legality with true justice in the American West.
The episode features the classic tough-but-fair persona of Matt Dillon, the sharp, sometimes sardonic wit of Kitty, and the stark justice of the West. Dialogue is direct, emotional undercurrents are strong, and moral ambiguity is highlighted. Much of the episode’s power is in terse exchanges and plausible, if sometimes reluctant, compassion amid a sometimes brutal justice.
Matt Dillon’s stand against the law’s cruelty ([17:44]):
"I'm not gonna do it. I couldn't hold my head up if I had any part of the kind of law you and Judge Rambo want."
This stance encapsulates the heart of the episode—choosing true justice over blind legalism.
Summary:
"Letter of the Law" portrays a powerful struggle between law and justice. Marshal Dillon, caught between rigid legal order and the realities of human suffering, ultimately champions empathy and reformation. The episode is a vivid reminder that in the American West—and in life—the law alone isn't always just, and sometimes, it is the courage to defy it that prevents tragedy and fosters true justice.