
Original Air Date: June 26, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Editorial Supervisor:• John Meston Writer:• Marian ...
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Matt Dillon
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Matt Dillon
We were made to package flights, hotels and hammocks for less.
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Matt Dillon
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. 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 lonely.
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Chester Proudfoot
Barkeep. Barkeep.
Matt Dillon
Well? Yeah.
Chester Proudfoot
I was told I'd find the marshal in this place.
Matt Dillon
Well, I. I don't rightly see him.
Chester Proudfoot
Here now at his office. They said he'd be here.
Matt Dillon
Well, he ain't.
Chester Proudfoot
A man should be able to find the marshal.
Matt Dillon
Now, listen, mister, it ain't up to me.
Chester Proudfoot
Miss Kitty?
Matt Dillon
Yes, Sam? This man's uncommon anxious to see the marshal. You know where he is?
Chester Proudfoot
Well, no, Sam, I don't. Have you tried his office, mister? Course I've tried his office. They told me he was headed here. Well, he may be, but I haven't seen him until now. Hey, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Ah, hello, Kitty. I'm Marshall.
Chester Proudfoot
Matt, this man's waiting to see you.
Matt Dillon
Is that so?
Chester Proudfoot
You the marshal?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm the marshal. Matt Dillon.
Chester Proudfoot
My name is Foss. Marshal Jasper Foss.
Matt Dillon
All right, Mr. Foss, what can I do for you?
Chester Proudfoot
I figured you'd ought to know about the telegraph line.
Matt Dillon
What telegraph line?
Chester Proudfoot
Why, the one just strung out west of town.
Matt Dillon
What about it?
Chester Proudfoot
Somebody's gutted, that's what about it.
Matt Dillon
Well, how do you know?
Chester Proudfoot
I was riding past, that's all I know. About a mile or a mile?
Matt Dillon
Half out. Did you see anybody?
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, nobody I could recognize. I seen a horse hightailing in the distance. I couldn't tell no more than that.
Matt Dillon
When was this?
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, hour ago, maybe. I figured you'd want to take a look around.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Thanks, Mr. Potts. I guess I better.
Chester Proudfoot
Mr. Jones, you reckon that fellow knows what he was talking about?
Matt Dillon
Well, I don't know yet, Chester.
Chester Proudfoot
I swear we rode most a mile already. There ain't been no break.
Matt Dillon
I guess we can make it a little farther.
Chester Proudfoot
Sure we can make it. We can make it all right.
Matt Dillon
But I just wondering if it was.
Chester Proudfoot
Worth all this cracking around in the hot sun. You know, a man's brain can get addled by too much, huh?
Matt Dillon
Sometimes it doesn't take too much, son.
Chester Proudfoot
How's that?
Matt Dillon
Never mind. Trust it. Look up there ahead.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, I do declare. Looks like them army fellows is out riding theirselves.
Matt Dillon
Uh huh. So, working on the line? All right. Come on. Morning. You tell me where the lieutenant is. Oh, I see him. Lieutenant, are you having trouble with the line? I've been cut.
Chester Proudfoot
Hey, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I see him. You holding that man for it, Lieutenant? He's under guard. I see he is. You mind if I talk to him? Well, he's my prisoner. Well, I'm the U.S. marshal from Dodge. Oh, well, in that case, I suppose it wouldn't do any harm. No, I guess not. All right, Chester, you hold my horse. Put your back to us. Hello, Small Hawk. Small Hawk is dishonored before his old friend. Sorry to see you like this. The marshal will have them set Small Hawk free. I don't know if I can do that. Did you cut the wire? It was cut by my knife. And I have a right to hold you. I have no right to send the wire across the land. Why not? Wire doesn't hurt you. It is bad. Magic carries bad sounds across the land of my people. It can be good magic too, Small Hawk. The white man makes no good magic for my people. I wouldn't be too sure. White soldiers will shoot Small Hawk. I don't think you need worry about that. Small Hawk not afraid. No, I know that. But just the same, I think I'll ride along when I take you to the fort.
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Matt Dillon
Now, this is an unusual request, Marshall Dillon. Yes, Colonel, I know it is. But I think it might do some good on our dealings with the Indians. I don't know. The army hasn't found it wise to be too lenient. You're not telling me that the army believes the only good Indian is a dead Indian? No, no, Marshal, certainly not. But I know this man. Colonel Small Hawk is not a troublemaker. He cut the wire. He cut it out of fear. It's been cut several times. Small Hawk says he cut it only once, and I believe him. Hell, what do you want me to do? I'd like you to release Small Hawk to me, Colonel Hooper. How can I be sure he won't go right out and cut the wire again? Because I'll be responsible for him. You have a lot of confidence in this Indian, Marshal. Yes, I have. Well, what do you base it on? Taking away his fear. How do you propose to do that? I think I can show him that the wire isn't bad magic. Then he'll leave it alone. All right, Marshall Dillon. I'll release him to you. Thank you. But remember this. We're all in for serious trouble if he touches that wire again. Yeah, so is Small Hawk. It's right down at the end of the block. Small Hawk. Marshall is Small Hawk's friend. Sure I am. If it were not so, I would not walk with him. I know that Small Hawk would. No go to house of White Man's magic. I want to show you it can be good magic. Small Hawk. Now, here we are. Let's go in, Hank.
Chester Proudfoot
Howdy, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Hank, you got a man out at the Western station to take messages off a new line.
Chester Proudfoot
Yeah, Marshalls here.
Matt Dillon
We have any way of getting a message to the Indian encampment on the river. Well, our man out there says there's.
Chester Proudfoot
Usually a couple of braves standing around watching him.
Matt Dillon
You could tell it to them, I guess. Why? Because my friend wants to send a telegram. Small Hawk does not trust bad magic. You trust me, don't you? Yeah. All right, then listen to me. Now, they took your horse at the fort, didn't they? Soldiers took horse. Yeah. So you got a long walk home. Mohawk will walk with his head high, but it would be even higher if you were on horseback. Now, what if the wire carried word to your son to bring you a horse? There is that magic in the wire. There's that magic. Small Hawk will see if horse comes. That's fair enough. You tell me your son's name. Brown Wing. All right, Hank, you tell your man to get a message to Brown Wing to bring a horse to the roadport just outside Dodge. Tell him his father will be waiting. All right. Marshall, there's just one thing. Yeah, what's that?
Chester Proudfoot
Who's going to pay for it, you or the Indian?
Matt Dillon
The government ought to pay for it.
Chester Proudfoot
Now, Marshall, that kind of money ain't easy to collect.
Matt Dillon
I know that better than you. All right, I'll pay for it, Hank. Come on, Small Heart, we better get you started out to meet your horse.
Chester Proudfoot
Thanks for the beer, Matt.
Matt Dillon
That's all right, Kitty. I think you're worth buying a beer for once in a while.
Chester Proudfoot
I'm surprised you have to order it like us ordinary people.
Matt Dillon
Oh, just what does that mean?
Chester Proudfoot
Why, from what Chester's been telling me, you've been working magic tricks with a telegraph line.
Matt Dillon
Chester thinks that's pretty funny. Does he?
Chester Proudfoot
No, not exactly funny, Matt. He was really pretty impressed.
Matt Dillon
Well, I hope it worked, that's all.
Chester Proudfoot
I'm surprised you could talk that starchy colonel into letting Small Hawk go.
Matt Dillon
Oh, you know the colonel?
Chester Proudfoot
I met him once. I never figured him to give anybody any kind of chance, much less an Indian.
Matt Dillon
Maybe he wants to be able to say, I told you so.
Chester Proudfoot
He'd enjoy that. I know that much. Oh, hello, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
How are you folks?
Chester Proudfoot
Found I was right about that wire, didn't you?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you were right.
Chester Proudfoot
I been wanting to talk to you about that. I'll see you later.
Matt Dillon
No, there's no need for you to leave, Kitty.
Chester Proudfoot
I want to see Sam.
Matt Dillon
No.
Chester Proudfoot
All right.
Matt Dillon
Well, what's on your mind today, Mr. Foss?
Chester Proudfoot
Well, I just wanted to tell you you'd ought to be keeping an eye on things.
Matt Dillon
Oh, that happens to be my job.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, sometimes doing a good job Ain't enough, Marshall. Sometimes a man can get fooled. Even so.
Matt Dillon
That so?
Chester Proudfoot
Yes, sir. Now, I done a good job. All my life, I done a good job, but it weren't enough. You got to remember that now. It weren't enough.
Matt Dillon
What happened to you?
Chester Proudfoot
Why, they let me go. Marshal Dillon said I wasn't good enough no more. Said I was too old. Put in some young greenhorn that won't even know as much as I've already forgot. They just turned me out overnight like I was a old, broke down horse.
Matt Dillon
I'm Sorry about that, Mr. Foss.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, they had no right to do a thing like that. I'm a better man than that young feller, Marshal Dillon, and I'm going to show him about 2.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you do that, Mr. Foss. Well, I got to be getting back to the office. Oh, yeah.
Chester Proudfoot
You go tend to your job, Marshall. And watch out for that Indian.
Matt Dillon
Or you leave that to me, huh? Don't you worry about it.
Chester Proudfoot
Oh. Oh, I ain't worrying about him, Marshall. Dylan. No, not at all. A seven or a three, Matt? You got to come up with a seven or three.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, yeah. Well, let me see here a minute.
Chester Proudfoot
Good. You have to go at the boneyard. Go ahead, draw.
Matt Dillon
All right, I'm drawing, Doc.
Chester Proudfoot
Go right ahead. Take another. Oh, I must say, Matthew, you don't play dominoes any better than you play checkers.
Matt Dillon
You're talking pretty big for a man who just won his first game this week.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, it's not whether I win or not, Matt. It's just that I make the moves better.
Matt Dillon
I hope you don't figure like that about your patients, about my paper. Well, it doesn't matter whether you cure them or not. So you make a few moves.
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, don't you worry about my patients. I'll take it. Oh. How's your Indian getting along?
Matt Dillon
Oh, fine, I guess. I think I finally got it through his head that the telegraph wire wasn't strung up there just to work some black magic.
Chester Proudfoot
You were lucky.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Doc, I guess I was. But the small hawk is mighty pleased.
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, you've seen him?
Matt Dillon
No, but he had the agent out at the other end send me a message back.
Chester Proudfoot
Was that so? What he say?
Matt Dillon
Just one word. Good.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, the telegraph company isn't going to make much money out of him at that rate.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, maybe not, but it'll save them money having him leave their lines alone. Mr. Dillon.
Chester Proudfoot
Oh, hello, Doc. Yes, yes, lots of trouble, Mr. Dylan. You know that fell, Ted Creel?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know him. What? What's he done?
Chester Proudfoot
Well, he ain't done nothing, Mr. D. He just come in from out west of town.
Matt Dillon
I want no law against that.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, of course not, Mr. Dillon. But he told me he sent a troop of cavalry from the fort.
Matt Dillon
What about it?
Chester Proudfoot
They had an Indian with him, all tied up like he is a prisoner.
Matt Dillon
Oh. Did Creel know who he was?
Chester Proudfoot
He thought he was that fellow small hawk.
Matt Dillon
Mr. Dun, I was afraid he might. All right, Chester, get the horses.
Chester Proudfoot
Sounds like your magic might not have.
Matt Dillon
Worked after all, man. Yeah, Doc, it does.
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Matt Dillon
No purchase necessary. VGW Group void. We're prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply. Now, this is very regrettable, Marshall. Yeah. My superiors will want a full explanation. I'd like one, too. Well, you might. You gave me a word you'd be responsible for that Indian. My word still goes, Colonel. Little late now. You're not sure he cut your wire this time. My men picked him up right near the break. I'd still like to know what he has to say. He's right in here. Guard. Yes, sir. The marshal has permission to see the prisoner. Yes, sir. I'll be in my office when you finish. Thank you, Colonel. Well, Small Hawk, it is, as I said, bad magic. Did you cut the wire? The marshal will believe we've never doubted each other. Small Hawk. The marshal speaks true. All right. Now, how about the wire? Small Hawk did not cut it. Did any of your tribesmen cut it? The braves of my tribe believe the good Magic of the wire, as the marshal taught us. Then you're telling me that no Indian had anything to do with this latest break? That is what Small Hawk says you believe. Yes, I believe the marshal will release me. Well, I can't do it this time, Small Hawk. At least not yet. But I'll tell you something. If there's any way of tracking down the man who did cut that wire, you'll be out of here soon.
Chester Proudfoot
I'll tell you something, Mr. Jones.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, what's that? Chester Fox.
Chester Proudfoot
Folks back in Dodge was wondering whether it was worth it stringing that line way out west here when it first went up. And I'm about to be with it.
Matt Dillon
I don't know. Of course there's been a lot of trouble, but they sure have.
Chester Proudfoot
Now with all this cutting going on, looks like we've got Indian trouble all over again.
Matt Dillon
Oh, maybe not. Right over there. Looks like the place.
Chester Proudfoot
Sure has been a lot of horses around here.
Matt Dillon
I hope they haven't trampled all the tracks. Looks like they tried, huh?
Chester Proudfoot
You finding anything, Mr. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
I can't be sure yet. This might be a lead. Yeah, looks like this might be something, Chester.
Chester Proudfoot
There ain't much to choose from in all them tracks.
Matt Dillon
But these seem to lead out by themselves, though. Let's follow them for a while, huh?
Chester Proudfoot
Well, them tracks don't look like they was made by no Indian pony, Mr. John.
Matt Dillon
No, Chester, they don't. All right. Come on, Mr. Dillnut. Huh?
Chester Proudfoot
They just goin cross the country, Amos, like?
Matt Dillon
Not quite. How's that? And if you can see, we're a lot closer to Dodge than we were back there at the telegraph line.
Chester Proudfoot
That's right. I guess you're right. Them tracks didn't start off the Dodge, though, did they?
Matt Dillon
No.
Chester Proudfoot
Like somebody was laying a false trail on purpose.
Matt Dillon
That's the way it looks to me, Chester. Wait a minute. Look. They're heading off toward that shack over there.
Chester Proudfoot
Yeah, it would look like much of.
Matt Dillon
A place to live.
Chester Proudfoot
Half fallen down that way. Reckon Anybody's here, Mr. John?
Matt Dillon
I don't know, but we'll find out.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, there's no need for pounding, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Mr. Foss. Didn't know you lived out here. Oh, it's Chester Proudfoot.
Chester Proudfoot
Glad to meet you, Mr. Foss. Proudfoot, what brings you out this way?
Matt Dillon
Marshall, that's that telegraph line you're so interested in.
Chester Proudfoot
I'm glad to see you're on the job. Oh, not that it'll do you any good. I was always on the job myself. I remember that.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you told me. I see you've been out looking it over out there.
Chester Proudfoot
Looking what over?
Matt Dillon
The line.
Chester Proudfoot
What makes you say that?
Matt Dillon
Why, we followed your tracks here.
Chester Proudfoot
My tracks?
Matt Dillon
You want to tell me how you happen to be out there?
Chester Proudfoot
I told you the other day, I was riding past.
Matt Dillon
You were talking about the other break in the line that day, Mr. Foss. This one was a mile or so away.
Chester Proudfoot
Are you sure about that?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm sure.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, I'll tell you, Marshall, it's only right that I've been keeping track of that line.
Matt Dillon
Oh, how's that?
Chester Proudfoot
That I was near 25 years sending messages out over lions just like them. I got an interest in them.
Matt Dillon
You might say that's what your job was, sending messages.
Chester Proudfoot
I had a mighty nice touch on the key. Mighty nice touch. These green horns can come close to it.
Matt Dillon
The telegraph people were the ones who took away your job then.
Chester Proudfoot
And was the ones all right. A man with a touch like mine.
Matt Dillon
I guess you would have an interest in the line, Mr. Fossil. Might even have an interest in seeing that it didn't go through.
Chester Proudfoot
Well, Marshall, I don't even know what you're talking about.
Matt Dillon
I think you've been cutting that wire right regular. I think you figured it was a way to get back at the people who cost you your job.
Chester Proudfoot
Now, you hold on a minute, Marshall. What about that Indian? He was the one who cut it. He said so.
Matt Dillon
He cut it once, Mr. Foss, and he admitted it. But you did it the other times, didn't you? I said, didn't you?
Chester Proudfoot
You know, don't you, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Yeah, I know.
Chester Proudfoot
I figured it'd be all right. We already had the Indian. It wouldn't matter anymore.
Matt Dillon
It mattered to the Indian. I guess you're right.
Chester Proudfoot
Will you be taking me in, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester Proudfoot
Man has to do his job. Always believed in a man doing his job. But Marshall, climbing around them lines and all.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Mr. F. Showed him.
Chester Proudfoot
I wasn't so old, didn't I?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you showed him, all right. Sam. Him up a horse. Chester, let's get back to town.
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Matt Dillon
No purchase necessary. VGW Group Void where prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply. Gun Smoke Produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Ben Dylan, US Marshal the story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Meston. Barley 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 Foreign.
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Matt Dillon
Become one.
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Hosted by Andrew Rhynes
In the "Line Trouble" episode of Gunsmoke, US Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself entangled in a complex case involving sabotaged telegraph lines, old grudges, and the delicate relations between settlers and Native Americans. This summary delves into the episode's key plot points, character dynamics, and the underlying themes that drive the story forward.
The episode begins with Marshal Matt Dillon being approached by Chester Proudfoot, an aging telegraph operator recently displaced by newer, younger personnel. At [03:36], Chester informs Matt about the suspicious activities surrounding the telegraph lines west of Dodge City, suggesting that someone has been deliberately cutting them. Initially, it appears that Small Hawk, a respected Native American friend of the marshal, is responsible for these acts out of fear and misunderstanding of the "magic" behind the telegraph wires.
As Dillon investigates, he uncovers that Chester himself has been tampering with the lines to retaliate against the telegraph company for taking his job. This revelation sets the stage for a confrontation that tests Dillon's judgment and his relationships with both Chester and Small Hawk.
Matt Dillon (William Conrad): The steadfast and morally upright US Marshal who balances duty with empathy. Dillon's leadership and integrity are central to resolving the conflict.
"The government ought to pay for it." [11:00] – Reflecting Dillon's sense of responsibility towards both his duties and the individuals involved.
Chester Proudfoot/Mr. Foss (Barley Bear): The disgruntled, older telegraph operator who feels wronged by the telegraph company's decision to replace him. His actions are driven by a desire for recognition and revenge.
"I was too old. Put in some young greenhorn that won't even know as much as I've already forgot." [13:14] – Highlighting Chester's resentment and sense of obsolescence.
Small Hawk: A Native American and friend to Marshal Dillon, Small Hawk is initially suspected of sabotaging the telegraph lines but proves to be a friend seeking understanding.
"Small Hawk is mighty pleased." [15:00] – Indicative of the positive resolution in Small Hawk's relationship with Dillon.
Doc (Howard McNear) and Kitty (Georgia Ellis): Supporting characters who provide counsel and assistance to Dillon throughout his investigation.
Initial Report of Sabotage ([03:36] - [04:01]):
Release of Small Hawk ([05:33] - [07:03]):
Chester's Growing Suspicion ([12:45] - [13:41]):
Discovery of False Trails ([20:40] - [23:54]):
Confrontation and Resolution ([23:40] - [24:33]):
Chester Proudfoot on Losing His Job:
"They let me go. Marshal Dillon said I wasn't good enough no more. Said I was too old." [13:14]
Matt Dillon on Responsibility:
"The government ought to pay for it." [11:00]
Chester Proudfoot's Resentment:
"I'm a better man than that young feller, Marshal Dillon, and I'm going to show him about 2." [13:33]
Resolution Affirming Trust:
"Small Hawk is mighty pleased." [15:00]
Chester's Admission:
"I think you've been cutting that wire right regular. I think you figured it was a way to get back at the people who cost you your job." [23:40]
Aging and Obsolescence: Chester Proudfoot's character embodies the struggles of aging professionals facing obsolescence in rapidly advancing industries. His inability to adapt leads to destructive actions driven by frustration and a desire to reclaim his relevance.
Friendship and Trust: The relationship between Matt Dillon and Small Hawk underscores themes of trust and mutual respect between settlers and Native Americans. Dillon's willingness to believe Small Hawk's innocence strengthens their bond and fosters community harmony.
Responsibility and Redemption: Dillon's commitment to uncovering the truth and his sense of responsibility towards both his duty and his friends highlight the moral complexities faced by lawmen in the Old West.
Misunderstanding and Communication: The initial suspicion towards Small Hawk illustrates how misunderstandings and lack of communication can lead to conflict, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and empathy.
"Line Trouble" masterfully intertwines personal vendettas with broader societal changes, showcasing Marshal Matt Dillon's unwavering dedication to justice and community. Through engaging dialogue and well-developed characters, the episode highlights timeless themes of trust, responsibility, and the human cost of progress. For fans of classic Western dramas, this episode offers a compelling narrative that resonates beyond its historical setting.
Notable Mention: While the episode is rich with action and drama, it also subtly addresses the impact of technological advancements on individuals' lives, a theme that remains relevant today.