Never Pester Chester {reused script} | Gunsmoke (10-30-60)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com
Episode: "Never Pester Chester {reused script}"
Release Date: August 10, 2025
Host/Author: Andrew Rhynes

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Introduction

In the "Never Pester Chester" episode of Gunsmoke, narrated by host Andrew Rhynes, listeners are transported back to the rugged landscapes of Dodge City, Kansas, during the tumultuous settlement of the American West. Originally airing between 1952 and 1961, Gunsmoke stands as a cornerstone of Western drama, featuring the steadfast U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon as he navigates the challenges of maintaining law and order in a burgeoning frontier town.

Main Plot

The episode centers around a disturbing incident involving Chester, a local salesman turned resident, who becomes the target of aggressive cowboys harassing the town's women at the Long Branch saloon. Matt Dillon is alerted to the trouble by Dr. Shiloh and Kitty, leading him to confront the perpetrators—Trevith and Stobo—from the Crow Track outfit.

Key Characters

• Matt Dillon (William Conrad): The principled U.S. Marshal dedicated to upholding justice in Dodge City.
• Chester (Harley Baer): A former salesman who assists Matt but becomes a victim of the cowboys' harassment.
• Doc Shiloh (Howard McNear): The town's doctor, concerned for Chester's well-being after the attack.
• Kitty (Georgia Ellis): A supportive figure who provides Matt with crucial information.
• Trevith and Stobo (Barbarians Barney Phillips & Harry Bartel): Members of the Crow Track outfit causing unrest in Dodge City.

Detailed Summary

The Incident

At the outset, Chester informs Matt Dillon about cowboys causing trouble at the Long Branch saloon, specifically targeting the town's women. Matt assigns Chester the task of mediating the situation, urging him to "tell them to take it easy and leave the ladies alone" (02:15). Despite Chester's reluctance, he confronts the cowboys but ends up being roughed up and dragged out of town, left severely injured.

Pursuit of Justice

Upon discovering Chester's predicament, Matt is torn between enforcing the law and ensuring his friend's safety. Choosing the former, Matt disarms himself, stating, "I’m not gonna shoot them. If Chester dies, I'll hang them otherwise" (05:30). This decision underscores Matt's commitment to due process, despite personal connections.

Accompanied by his deputy, Shiloh, Matt tracks the assailants along the Arkansas River. Through determination and skilled tracking, Matt apprehends Trevith, ensuring he is brought back to Dodge City for justice. During their confrontation, Trevith pleads, "Don't kill me" (17:45), highlighting the tense dynamics of law enforcement in the Wild West.

Confrontation with Stobo

The pursuit leads Matt to Stobo, Trevith's accomplice. In a dramatic encounter, Stobo threatens Matt, declaring, "I'm gonna shoot you, Marshal, and bury you in the river" (22:10). Unfazed, Matt maintains his composure, asserting his authority and ensuring both cowboys are detained. The encounter emphasizes Matt's unwavering dedication to his duty, even in the face of personal danger.

Chester's Recovery and Reflection

Back in Dodge City, Doc Shiloh tends to Chester's injuries, expressing uncertainty about his recovery: "Something's bothering his breathing" (11:50). Matt visits for updates, and upon hearing positive news about Chester's condition, he shares a moment of relief with Kitty, reinforcing the community bonds that underpin Dodge City.

However, the episode takes a somber turn as Chester reflects on Matt's relentless pursuit: "I was sent after you... It's a chancy job" (25:20). This introspection highlights the personal sacrifices made by those who serve and protect in the unpredictable environment of the frontier.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Dillon: "I’m that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet." (01:15)

• Matt Dillon: "I never saw him before. But one was a kind of weasel-faced man named Trevith. And the other one big man, real brute named Stobo." (10:05)

• Trevith: "Don't kill me." (17:50)

• Stobo: "I'm gonna shoot you, Marshal, and bury you in the river." (22:15)

• Chester: "I didn’t send Chester after you to do my job." (26:40)

Themes and Insights

"Never Pester Chester" delves into themes of justice, duty, and the moral complexities faced by lawmen in the Wild West. Matt Dillon's character embodies the struggle between upholding the law and protecting personal relationships, a recurring motif in Western narratives. The episode also underscores the fragility of life in the frontier, where a single skirmish can have profound personal and communal repercussions.

Conclusion

In this compelling episode of Gunsmoke, listeners witness the relentless pursuit of justice by Marshal Matt Dillon amidst the unforgiving backdrop of Dodge City. Through intense confrontations, personal sacrifices, and unwavering dedication, the narrative captures the essence of the Western spirit. "Never Pester Chester" not only entertains but also offers a poignant reflection on the responsibilities and challenges inherent in maintaining order during the American West's formative years.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

1. Matt Dillon: "I’m that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet." (01:15)

2. Trevith: "Don't kill me." (17:50)

3. Stobo: "I'm gonna shoot you, Marshal, and bury you in the river." (22:15)

4. Chester: "I didn’t send Chester after you to do my job." (26:40)

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This detailed summary encapsulates the pivotal moments and character developments within the "Never Pester Chester" episode, providing a comprehensive overview for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Transcript

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[Andrew Rines]

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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. 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. Especially when your tents slow down. You'll get to your destination only a short time later and in one piece. Sure is hot today, Mr. John. Uh huh. Used to get hotter than Sweetwater, though. Sweetwater, Texas, Esther? Yeah, but I wasn't terribly long. You weren't, huh? What'd you do there, Chester? Well, I was a salesman. Salesman? What'd you sell? Lightning rods? Well, now, they're my good things here around, Mr. Dylan. I remember. Don't lean it to me, Chester, please. It's much too hot. I'll go get us some beer. I don't think I want any beer. Well, then why don't you just go take a siesta, Mr. Gentlemen, I'll stay here in the office. Why don't you just leave me alone for a little while, huh? All right. Matt. Oh, hello, Doc. What is it? A. Well, I thought I ought to tell you. A couple of cowboys been feeding their liquor over at the Long Branch. That's what saloons are for, isn't it? Well, they were giving Kitty a bad time. Oh, she got rid of them, though. But they're down at the end of Front street now and they're making remarks and pestering the town ladies. It just might lead to trouble, Doc. I'm not gonna walk down there in this heat just to lecture a couple of hard nosed cowboys. Well, I'll go. Oh, all right, Chester, you go. Just tell them to take it easy and leave the ladies alone, huh? Yes, Sir, I will. Ms. Dylan. Here now. All right, you fellas, that's enough. Who's this preacher? Maybe Mr. Jones sent me down here and. And we're going to send you right back, fella. Mr. Jones says you can have all the fun you like, but leave them ladies alone. That's a whole dang trouble with these Dodge ladies. They've been left alone too long. What they need is a couple of big handed Texas men. Look now, why don't you two go over there at this Lady Gay saloon and I'll buy you both a beer. Oh, you will, huh? Well, that's mighty thoughty of you, mister. Yeah, well, we just don't want no trouble, that's all. Sure we don't. No, no. And I got me an idea how we won't have any. Now wait till I get on my horse here. Oh, you stay with our friend of minstrel. Yeah. Say, mister, you want to make a bet? What kind? Bed. What do you mean? Any kind. You name it. Go on. Yeah, but I don't. I got him. Grab your horse off of me, you hear? Maybe it'll wear off. You're going for. Drag him stone. Marshall. Marshall. They got Chester. What? Who got? A couple of cowboys. They roped him and dragged him out of town. Which way? West. I'm going with you. Come on. Chester. Chester. Get that rope off its feet. Shiloh. Right. Look at him, bleeding all over. They tore him to ribbon, Pop. I'll stay with him, Marshall, if you like. No, go get our horses. I want to get him to doc right away. All right, Marshall. It's all over, Chester. I got you now. We'll be a doc soon. Well, Doc? He's in bad shape, man. Something's bothering his breathing. I don't know what it is. We'll just have to wait and see if it goes away. If he lives the next few days he'll pull through. Next few days? I'll stay right here with him. I don't know why I sent him. I could have called. Don't blame yourself, man. I told him to go, didn't I? Yes. Can I talk to him, Doc? No, not for a while. All right. And you tell him this for me. I'm going after those men and I'm going to bring him back alive. Or at least half alive. In the street outside, waves of heat moved back and Forth making things seem unreal. Like Chester lying up there at ducks. That seemed unreal somehow. I walked down to the jail. I went inside and I sat there for a while. Then all at once I got up, unbuckled my gun, I hung it on a peg behind a desk and I went over to the long branch. Hello, Matt. Kitty. I heard about Jessica. How is he? That doc doesn't know for sure. Oh, Matt, they were in here earlier bothering you. Who were they kidding? I never saw him before. But one was a kind of weasel faced man named Trevith. And the other one big man, real brute named Stobo. I think I see. What outfit did they say? Would it be the crow track? Yeah, yeah. The crow track's holding a herd over the river. All right. Thanks, Kitty. Wait a minute, Matt. Yeah? Where's your gun? It would have been easier for Chester if they'd shot him and killed him. But I don't. So I'm not gonna shoot them. If Chester dies, I'll hanged otherwise. Otherwise what, Matt? I don't know, Kitty. But I'm going to bring him back. And then we'll wait and see. You're taking an awful chance. Maybe, Kitty. Yeah. Man, look at on Chester once in a while, huh? Of course I will. Don't worry about him now. Thank you, Kitty. So long. Hey, Marshall. Yeah, what is it, Shiloh? I'll walk outside with you. Marshall. I want to ride after those cowboys with you. No, Shiloh, I'm going alone. But I could use you here at the jail. Here I'm gonna take two prisoners. I don't know when or how, but I need a jailer when they come in. Well, I can still help you bring them in. No, that's something I gotta do alone. Marshall, you're a stubborn man. Okay, I'll do it. The keys are on the desk. Now wait a minute, Marshall. You're not armed. I know that, Shiloh. Goodbye. Who's the trail boss here? I am. I don't need no riders. Maybe not, but you got two riders I need. How's that? What do you want, mister? This is the Crotrack outfit, isn't it? Yeah, that's right. I'm looking for a couple of your men called Sto and Trevit. They ain't here, mister. Now where are they? Well, they come back this afternoon, picked up their gatherings and they left. Didn't even wait to get paid off. I'm telling you that just cause they're no good and I'm glad they're gone. Which way they go. I wouldn't tell you that if I knew, mister. I didn't think you would. Who are you, anyway? I'm a U.S. marshal out of Dodge. That's so. Well, I don't know what you want them for, and I don't care. But just how you figing to take him, Marshall? Don't put salt on our tails. But you'll all at least carry a club if you're going after that snowboy. He's mean and he's big. Besides being a Texan, we've hung Texans up here before, Mr. Marshall. Yeah? I heard Stobo and Trevit say they was headed west, following the Arkansas. Where you from, son? Texas, near Waco. What are you sniveling around informing on these men for? That Stobo kicked me. He knocked me down and kicked me. All right, son, I'll ride along the Arkansas. But you ride back to Texas and learn how to fight your own battles. I cut straight down to the Arkansas and followed it west. After an hour or two, I spotted a hobbled horse alone. Stubbo and Trevit must have separated. I got down. Follow the animals tracks as best I could in the moonlight until I caught the dying colds of a campfire on the bank ahead. To one side, I could make out the huddled figure of a man asleep in his blanket. It took a long time to crawl to his head where I saw the weasel face of a man, Trevitt. His gun belt lay on a saddle blanket in easy reach. I stood up and I heaved it out into the river. And as Trevit set up, with a snap, I kicked it back down. Don't shoot. Don't shoot. You sit up again and I'll smash your skull. Don't kill me. Don't kill me. Shut up. Where's your rope? I told you to lie. Where's your rope? Under my saddle. There you go. Lynch me? No, but you may hang legally if you live that long. All right. Keep your arms in that blanket and lie still while I get you roped up here. Who are you, mister? Let's just say that I'm a good friend of the man you dragged out of Dodge this morning. Sto was in on that, too. It was his idea. He did it. Don't worry. I'll find Sto. There, that'll do it. You ain't gonna leave me like this. No, Trevin. I'm gonna throw you across my horse and tie you on. He'll take you into Dodge, right to jail. When you get there, you tell Shiloh who you are. If he can still talk, he'll give you a nice clean cell. Marshall. I'll be back when I find Stovo. Well, you can't do it, Marshall. I'll die in that sun. A ride like that across a horse. No, no, listen. Stowbo's about a mile up river. We had a row and I left him. See, I told you. Marshall. Let me go. Now, Trevor, how'd you like to go to Dodge behind my horse with a rope around your heel? No, no, no, don't. Don't, Marshall. Don't kill me. Don't worry, Trevit. Killing's too good. Hi, this is Dennis James. Say, remember way back when this melody was popular? There's something very special about a long time favorite, isn't there? Well, folks feel the same way about one of Kellogg's favorites. Kellogg's all brand. Going on 41 years now, it's been America's most popular good food. Way to fight irregularity from lack of bulk. Because it's whole bran, Kellogg's All Brand gentles away irregularities safely and reliably. And because it's deep toasted for extra crispness, it never gets mushy in milk. There's only one All Brand. Kellogg's All Brand. That's a double L hyphen. B, R, A, N. Kellogg's All Brand. I tied Trevit across my horse and started him off in the direction of Dodge. And then I forgot about him. Stobo was next. I rode west on Trevit's horse. Dawn was just breaking when I saw Stovo crouched behind a campfire cooking breakfast. His horse was saddled and stood nearby. I rode straight up, got down and walked over. You lost? Strange. No, I'm not lost, Stobo. No tricks, mister. I don't see your gun, but no tricks. Relax, Stobo. I'm unarmed. Who are you? Matt Dillon. I'm a U.S. marshal. Out of Dodge. Well, you're a long way from Dodge, Marshal Sobo. You and your pal had some fun with a friend of mine yesterday. You hurt him bad. Maybe you killed him. You rode out here without a gun to tell me that? You're the craziest marshal I ever saw. I'm gonna shoot you, Marshal, and bury you in the river. Now, what do you think of that? I expected you would. What? Unless you want it on your conscience that you refuse to feed a man on the trail, you better give me a piece of that pork first. You're about the coolest man I ever saw, Marshall. How do I Eat. Sure you do. You just stand right there across the fire and don't move. I'll have to shoot you before you've been fit. I know. Too bad I only got one dish for your last meal, Marshall. A man can keep sassy on meat alone. Stubborn, you can. Well, it looks about done. This here pieces. All right, I've got your gun, Stubbo, so don't try anything. Just a few colds. It won't hurt you. Now shut up and get on your horse. Now move. I'll kill you for this, washer. You can't hurt me like that. On your horse. Come on. Now get up there. Get up there. Now, you just sit there. I'm gonna throw a noose around your neck, so keep your hands down there. As soon as I get mounted, we're gonna ride toward Dodge. And you do anything I don't like. And I'll jerk you off your horse and drag you. The rest of jail's on the left. See it? I see it. All right, pull up. Shiloh. Shiloh. Hello, Marshall. This the other one? Yeah. Travet got here, huh? More dead than alive, but he's here. That was rough, Marshall. Real rough. Yeah. How about Chester, Shiloh? Tell me. Doc ain't sure yet, but he's alive. Lock Stobo up. I'm going over to Doc's. Sure, Marshall. Chester was asleep, but Doc let me take a look at him. Seemed to me that he had more trouble breathing than before. Doc said another day might see him out of it. There was nothing I could do. So I went out for a steak and some sleep. Next morning, I went back to the jail. Morning, Marshall. Everything all right, Shiloh? Doc looked over your prisoners. Trevor's pretty sick yet, but Stobo's all right. Got a few burns is all. Nothing could hurt that moose hang. It might. Sure. What if Chester pulls through? You can't hold us in, Marshall. There's no law that says. I don't like the sound of your voice. Trevor. Be quiet. Don't worry, Trevit. There's nothing we can do. You too, Stobo? Shut the door, Shiloh. I don't even want to look at him. You know that Stovo is a mean one. But I feel kind of sorry for Trevit. Then why don't you go cry about it someplace else? I don't feel sorry. Now, don't you take it out on me, Marshall. I didn't send Chester off to do my job. Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry, Shiloh. Why don't you go get some breakfast. I'll wait here. Now. I'll be back later. Hello, Matt. Huh? What? Well, what is it, Doc? Chester. He's gonna be all right. You sure? Of course, Matt. His breathing has changed. The pressure's off somewhere. Oh, he's gonna be fine. That's good. Good. That's good. Course, he'll be in some pain for a while yet. Yeah. All right, Doc. I, I. I'll come see him in a little while. I'll tell him that. Okay. All right. Come on, Trevor. Where to? Come on, I said. What's up, Marshall? I'll be back for you. Sto. Get going. Trevit. Superstobo did it, not me. You can't do anything to me. Shut up, Trevit. Your horse is down at the National. You go get on it. You turning me loose? You go get your horse and ride. And don't ever come back to Dodge. Not while I'm alive. Now go on before I change my mind. Sure, sure, I'll. Yeah. Next. Stubble. What you do with Trevit? Put a knife on him. Turn him loose. Come on, get out of that cell. Am I free to. You will be in a little while. Marshall. Marshall, I. I just saw Doc. And he says it just where you going with Stobo when he shoot me in the back? Probably right. Marshall. I'm gonna do what I should have done three days ago when I sent Chester after you. Bring him out back. Shovel. Let's go, Stobo. Slow and easy now. Over here. You're gonna drag me, is that it? Would you try that? That's what you'd do, isn't it, Stowwolf? Don't you try. Never mind. Yes. Shiloh. Oh, my gun. Look, Marshall, don't. You're gonna fight me, Marshall? You're crazier than I thought. Well, I'll tear you throat out if he wins. Let him go, Shiloh. Maybe I will. I said you'll let him go. All right, Marshall. All right. I guess this is your party. Come on, Marshall. I'll make it short for you. Real short. You're big, Stobo, but you're stupid. You're ugly stupid. All right, Marshall. Marshall. That's enough, Marshall. Cool. That's enough. All right, give me my guns, Shiloh. Here. You don't look too good, Marshall. I better get the dunk. He's hurt, but he isn't dead. If he can't ride, throw him on the stage. But get him out of here. If I see him again, I'll shoot him. Chester. What happened to you? I've been lecturing a couple of hard nosed cowboys. One of them in particular. I see. I'm sorry, Mr. Dillon. Them two kind of got the drop on me. Yeah, it sure did. Mr. Jones. Yeah, Mr. Joan, I've been thinking and. Yeah? What is it? Well, still not. I ain't much help to you here. Maybe it'd be better if I just kindly. Well, I. I've been thinking. You just stop thinking, Chester. I'm gonna tell you something. I need you here. You see, you're the only man in Dodge that I can really trust. The only one. Yes, sir. Will. You can trust me, Mr. Dillon. Yeah, I know that and I'm thanking you. But you know, you're sure no help to me lying there. You're no help to me at all. Well, I don't mean to stay here long. Doctor's. I'll be up and around again for too long. Now look, Chester, I'll go get patched up and then we'll make Kitty come over and fix us some steaks and we'll have some beer too. What do you say? That'd be fine, Mr. Dillon. My, I. I sure would like. It's trick or treat time again. And that means it's time to get a batch of colorful, wonderful Halloween pictures. But only with flash can you catch those little neighborhood visitors when they come trick or treating, day or night. And you'll get them at their best so quickly, so easily, every time. Especially when you use Sylvania Blue Dot flash bulbs, the world's largest selling brand. Flashbulbs let you take indoor pictures in color, for instance, morning, noon or night. And they let you take exciting shots after dark outdoors too. And flashbulbs work with any film, anytime, anywhere, with any camera. So when all those little costumed visitors start ringing your doorbell, start snapping their pictures and presto. You'll have a Halloween you can remember forever. Don't get caught with an empty flash gun. Be sure to pick up several packs of Sylvania Blue Dot flashbulbs the next time you're out shopping. And when you do, ask your dealer For Sylvania's free 32 page flash guidebook to help you take the best pictures ever. Remember this year, be set for Halloween with lots of Sylvania Blue Dot flashbulbs. 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 John Neston. Featured in the cast were barbarians Barney Phillips, Harry Bartel, Vic Herron Lawrence Dobkin and Sam Edwards. Harley Baer 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.

[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 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 707986, 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.

[Matt Dillon]

Sam.