Prescribed Killing | Gunsmoke (02-28-60)

Summary

Detailed Summary of "Prescribed Killing" - Gunsmoke (02-28-60)

Podcast Information:

• Title: Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com
• Host/Author: Andrew Rhynes
• Episode: Prescribed Killing
• Original Air Date: February 28, 1960
• Podcast Release Date: April 12, 2025

---

Introduction

"Prescribed Killing" is a gripping episode from the long-running Western series Gunsmoke, which first premiered as a radio show in 1952. Hosted by Andrew Rhynes on OTRWesterns.com, this episode delves deep into the complexities of frontier life, exploring themes of loneliness, marital strife, and the moral responsibilities of law enforcement in the American West.

---

Plot Overview

Setting the Scene

The episode begins with Matt Dillon, the steadfast United States Marshal of Dodge City, returning home after a day's work. He reflects on the significance of dinner time, emphasizing the brief respite it provides from their demanding lives.

Matt Dillon [00:00]: "Dinner time. It's more than just a meal. It's when work comes to a halt."

Domestic Tensions

At home, Matt's wife, Myra Kirby, voices her growing dissatisfaction with their isolated existence. She laments the lack of social interaction and the monotonous routine of tending to their horses.

Myra Kirby [04:36]: "There ain't no talk between us no more. They're just eating and sleeping and tending to the place. There ain't no living."

The tension between Matt and Myra escalates as she expresses a desire to leave Dodge City, yearning for a more fulfilling life.

Myra Kirby [05:40]: "Couldn't we go back to St. Louis?"

Matt Dillon [05:45]: "Oh, you know we can't do that. We got our stake here, Myra got the horses."

The Foreboding Warning

Their neighbor, Widow Holland, arrives unannounced, bringing unsettling news. She warns Matt that Luke Kirby, a mutual acquaintance and Myra's husband, is harboring violent intentions towards Myra.

Widow Holland [07:59]: "You might say, Mrs. Kirby, it won't do you no good to set your cap for him."

Discovery and Suspicion

Tragedy strikes when Myra is found injured, revealing that Luke may have harmed her. Matt becomes embroiled in investigating the incident, struggling with his loyalty to a friend and his duty as a marshal.

Myra Kirby [12:03]: "He's going to kill me."

Chester [25:02]: "I know if Luke did kill that woman, he was partially drove to it. Powerfully drove."

Confrontation and Resolution

The climax of the episode sees Matt confronting Luke about the allegations. Luke admits to the altercation but claims it was in self-defense. The moral ambiguity of Luke's actions leaves Matt conflicted, ultimately reaffirming his commitment to justice despite personal ties.

Luke Kirby [26:26]: "I give warning, Marshall. I give warning twice. And then you shot. And then I shot."

Matt Dillon [28:48]: "I believe you, Luke. But we're gonna have to see if the court believes you."

---

Character Dynamics

Matt Dillon

As the protagonist, Matt embodies the unwavering moral compass of the series. His internal conflict between personal relationships and professional duty highlights the burdens carried by those tasked with maintaining law and order.

Matt Dillon [13:30]: "Well, if Mara's right. He must be carrying around quite a hate, too."

Myra Kirby

Myra represents the emotional toll of frontier life. Her isolation and yearning for connection emphasize the human aspect often overshadowed by the rugged exterior of Western settings.

Myra Kirby [05:26]: "I ain't got it in me to live this way no more. There's gotta be folks around and... trees for the wind to blow through."

Luke Kirby

Luke's character serves as a catalyst for the central conflict. His obsession with horse trading over his marital responsibilities illustrates the dire consequences of neglecting personal relationships.

Luke Kirby [25:08]: "Man's wife hates him so much that she'll make him kill her."

Doc

Providing a voice of reason, Doc aids Matt in unraveling the mystery surrounding Myra's injury. His interactions offer insights into the community's perspective on the unfolding drama.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Matt Dillon [00:00]: "Dinner time. It's more than just a meal. It's when work comes to a halt."
• Myra Kirby [04:36]: "There ain't no talk between us no more. They're just eating and sleeping and tending to the place. There ain't no living."
• Myra Kirby [12:03]: "He's going to kill me."
• Chester [25:02]: "I know if Luke did kill that woman, he was partially drove to it. Powerfully drove."
• Luke Kirby [26:26]: "I give warning, Marshall. I give warning twice. And then you shot. And then I shot."
• Matt Dillon [28:48]: "I believe you, Luke. But we're gonna have to see if the court believes you."

---

Themes and Insights

Isolation and Loneliness

The episode poignantly depicts how isolation can strain personal relationships, leading to misunderstandings and heightened emotions. Myra's sense of entrapment in Dodge City underscores the psychological challenges of frontier life.

Duty vs. Personal Loyalty

Matt's struggle between his duty as a marshal and his friendship with Luke highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by law enforcement. This internal conflict drives the narrative forward, questioning where personal loyalty should yield to professional responsibility.

Neglect and Obsession

Luke's neglect of his marital duties in favor of horse trading serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession. His actions, driven by a singular focus, ultimately lead to tragedy, emphasizing the importance of balance in personal and professional life.

---

Conclusion

"Prescribed Killing" masterfully intertwines personal drama with the overarching themes of justice and duty. Through compelling character development and a tightly woven plot, the episode offers a profound exploration of the human condition within the rugged backdrop of the American West. For listeners new to "Gunsmoke," this summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing a comprehensive understanding of its key points, character dynamics, and thematic depth.

---

Final Note: For those interested in experiencing the full narrative and nuanced performances, listening to the "Prescribed Killing" episode on OTRWesterns.com provides an immersive return to the golden age of radio Westerns.

Transcript

[Matt Dillon]

Dinner time. It's more than just a meal. It's when work comes to a halt.

[Andrew Rines]

Where macaroni masterpieces are made and little.

[Matt Dillon]

Moments turn into lasting memories. With the Blue Cash Preferred card, you can get 6% cash back at US supermarkets so you can bring home the flavors that bring everyone together. We did say everyone make the special moments even more rewarding. Learn [e-mail] Explore BCP terms and cash back cap.

[Andrew Rines]

Apply with Blue Cash preferred. 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.

[Chester]

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 Sport 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.

[Myra Kirby]

Jim, I'm just going to rinse and stack the dishes.

[Matt Dillon]

That doesn't sound like you.

[Myra Kirby]

I've been house cleaning and lately with headache and muscular aches and pains, it's been slow going.

[Matt Dillon]

No work's easy with that discomfort.

[Chester]

Better try and get relief.

[Myra Kirby]

How?

[Matt Dillon]

I'd try Doan's Pills.

[Chester]

Good advice. That's Doan's Pills, an analgesic and mild diuretic to the kidneys. Nagging backache. Also headache, dizziness and muscular aches and pains may come on with overexertion, emotional upsets or everyday stress and strain. Doan's pain relieving action is often the answer. And they also offer mild diuretic action through the kidneys. So if nagging backache is making you feel worn out, tired and miserable with restless sleepless nights, don't wait. Try Don's Pills, used successfully by millions for over 60 years. See if they don't bring you the same welcome relief. Get Doan's Pills today to save money by Doan's big economy size.

[Myra Kirby]

Luke. Luke, Supper's on. Might as well be calling a hog. Only a hog would come faster. Luke. I ain't gonna hot it up twice.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm coming.

[Myra Kirby]

Coming when? His thoughts sure and ready. He's coming. Ain't nothing in this house to call him away from the barn. There ain't been nothing for a long time.

[Matt Dillon]

Horses.

[Myra Kirby]

Ain't nothing in his life but horses. Well, it's high time.

[Matt Dillon]

Luke, huh?

[Myra Kirby]

Used to be you was better mannered now, Myra. Used to be you'd wait to do your eating until a body had a chance to set.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, wish you was hurrying me.

[Myra Kirby]

Used to be you'd speak a word when you come into the house, not just set there feeding your face. There ain't hardly no talk between us no more. They're just eating and sleeping and tending to the place. There ain't no living.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, Myra.

[Myra Kirby]

There ain't no folks to visit. Ain't nothing to see but the land out there.

[Matt Dillon]

The land's been good to us.

[Myra Kirby]

There ain't no talk between us. I just ain't fit for it no more.

[Matt Dillon]

Mara.

[Doc]

You eat.

[Matt Dillon]

You'll feel better.

[Myra Kirby]

Luke.

[Matt Dillon]

Go on, Myra. Go on set and eat, Luke.

[Myra Kirby]

I ain't got it in me to live this way no more. There's gotta be folks around and. And trees for the wind to blow through. Luke, couldn't we go back to St. Louis?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, you know we can't do that. We got our stake here, Myra got the horses.

[Myra Kirby]

Ah, the horses, that's what's done it. You got no mind for anything except horses.

[Matt Dillon]

They fetch us a good living.

[Myra Kirby]

You'd sooner be in the barn with them horses than up here with.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, you ain't talking good sense.

[Myra Kirby]

I ain't worth talking to, but them horses is. I guess nobody's worth talking to but them horses. Except maybe that Holland woman.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, just hold on there.

[Myra Kirby]

You was over there again today, wasn't you? Well, wasn't you?

[Matt Dillon]

Myra, you know full well why I go there.

[Myra Kirby]

I know you don't get to haunt my friend.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, it ain't easy keep a place going when your man's been took. Suddenly a widow woman needs some help. I ain't gonna stay here arguing with you.

[Myra Kirby]

That's right. Just walk out. Walk right on back to your horses or to that woman. Don't waste no time.

[Chester]

You ain't listening no more.

[Myra Kirby]

You ain't listening. You ain't talking. You ain't even hardly living here no more.

[Matt Dillon]

You gentle down some. I'll be back.

[Myra Kirby]

You ain't doing nothing for me no more. Nothing but killing me. You hear that, Loop, Kirby? You ain't doing nothing but killing me. You kill me and I'll laugh. Cause you'll pay. You'll see. You'll pay. Widow Holland. Who is it? I come to see the Widow Holland. Joe Holland is my husband. Who are you? Well, I. I don't expect you'd figure to see me. It's my husband you know better. You Luke's wife? That's what they call me. Well, it's mighty nice of you to come to call, Mrs. Kirby. It's a far drive from your place.

[Matt Dillon]

How many?

[Myra Kirby]

Set a spell. I ain't come to socialize. I can brew a pot of tea. I ain't coming in. Well, you ain't come all this way, not even to climb down out of the wagon. I'll sit right, Mrs. Kirby. Why did you come over here? I come to see the woman my husband rides off to see. He don't come to see me, Mrs. Kirby, he says, being neighborly to Joe's memory, you might say. You might say, Mrs. Kirby, it won't do you no good to set your cap for him. I ain't setting my cap for anybody. Even after I'm gone, he won't be free. I'll be gone, but he won't be free. I'll thank you to be leaving, Mrs. Kirby. Oh, I'm going all right. But admiring Luke won't do you no good. No good at all.

[Chester]

And now a word to those of you who suffer from the minor pains of arthritis or rheumatism. Here's how you can start getting relief within 30 seconds. Use Mentholatum Deep Heat Rub, the modern rub with external aspirin. External aspirin, as we call it, is methyl salicylate, an aspirin related pain reliever that's applied externally. Thus, Mentholatum Deep Heat Rub has pain deadening properties like aspirin as well as the warming, soothing properties of a rub. Mentholatum Deep Heat Rub is perfectly safe. Massage it in often, it won't upset the stomach as tablets can you. Don't wait for your system to digest it to get relief. It's absorbed right into your skin. Within 30 seconds, the external aspirin and the other active ingredients of Mentholatum Deep Heat Rub start to warm and soothe. Concentrate safe temporary relief right at the painful areas. Today get the rub with external aspirin. Greaseless stainless manfolatum Deep Heat rub.

[Doc]

So that's the way it was, Mr. Dylan. Old Dan had to stand right there.

[Matt Dillon]

In the kitchen watching, watching them clean the fish.

[Doc]

Well, he didn't care about the cleaning so much, but he wanted to see him cut them fish heads off.

[Matt Dillon]

What for?

[Doc]

Old Dan insisted on seeing the fish head come off and every fish before he'd eat it.

[Matt Dillon]

Ah.

[Doc]

Well, don't you want me to tell you why, Mr. Jones?

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester, you go on. You tell me. Why? Why?

[Doc]

Why? So's he'd be sure he wasn't eating a mermaid.

[Matt Dillon]

That's not very much of a joke, Chester.

[Doc]

Well, there ain't no Joke about it, Mr. Dylan. Old Dan was dead serious.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester, I'll take your word for it.

[Doc]

Ain't my word. There's been old Dan watching them people. See that?

[Matt Dillon]

Look.

[Doc]

Ain't that Luke Kirby's wife driving that wagon in here?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, it is. Hello, Myra.

[Myra Kirby]

Marshall, I. I want to see you.

[Matt Dillon]

Sure. What can I do for you?

[Myra Kirby]

I don't want the whole town here.

[Matt Dillon]

And you better come on in the office. In here. I'll help you now.

[Myra Kirby]

Thank you.

[Matt Dillon]

There you go. Oh, Chester, take care of the rig there, will you? And then you can go on down and get the mail, huh?

[Doc]

All right, Mr. Dungan, I'll do that.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on, Myra. All right, Myra, what's on your mind?

[Myra Kirby]

I want to tell you something about Luke Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, go ahead.

[Myra Kirby]

He's going to kill me.

[Matt Dillon]

What? He's gonna what?

[Myra Kirby]

I figured you ought to know.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, just a minute, Myra. You can't be right about that.

[Myra Kirby]

I'm right.

[Matt Dillon]

I've known Luke for years. He does not to kill and sort.

[Myra Kirby]

You ain't been living with him.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, has he harmed you?

[Myra Kirby]

No, not yet he ain't, but he's a going to.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, now, don't you worry about it, Myra. I'm sure Luke won't do any such thing. But I'll have a talk with him anyway.

[Myra Kirby]

There's nothing you can do, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

You must have figured I could do something if you'd come to tell me about it.

[Myra Kirby]

I just wanted you to know for afterward.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, afterwards. Mighty late, isn't it?

[Myra Kirby]

No, Marshall, it ain't late. You'll know what to do then. You'll know what to do, all right. Well, that doesn't make any sense, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

No, Kitty, it doesn't. That's just the way she said it, though. Her husband's gonna kill her, but she doesn't want me to do anything about it until afterwards.

[Myra Kirby]

Well, I believe I'd want you to step in a little earlier if it were me.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, most people wouldn't.

[Myra Kirby]

I don't know Myra Kirby, but I'm sure of one thing about her.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, what's that?

[Myra Kirby]

The hate she feels for her husband's a terrible thing. Yeah, I wonder how he feels about her.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, Kitty, if Mara's right. He must be carrying around quite a hate, too.

[Myra Kirby]

It doesn't sound like Luke Kirby. He's always seemed like such a kindly man.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Myra Kirby]

Oh, well, you can ask him about it. He just came in. He's heading for the bar.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh. Oh, yeah. Thanks, Kitty. I'll. I'll go talk to him.

[Doc]

Sure.

[Matt Dillon]

Leave a bottle, Sam. I'll be using it a while. Hello, Luke. Huh? Oh, hello, Marshall. I don't see you in here very often. No. No, I. I ain't in Alton. There's times a man got to get some drinking done. Yeah. You having troubles, Luke? Well, I ain't had no sleep. I. I got a sick stud horse out there. I've been setting up with him. What brought you into town? Oh, I run out of horse medicine I've been using. Hey, Marcia, we want to have a drink. No. Did you drive in with Myra? Myra don't come to town. She was here today, Luke. I don't know nothing about it. She came to see me. I told you, I don't know nothing about it. She told me you were having trouble. Man has trouble with his wife, it's his own business. She said. She's afraid you're gonna harm her. Oh, she'd be better off keeping her mouth shut. Myra said you're gonna kill her, Luke. Well, she's a bigger fool than I took her for it. Listen, Marshall. Marshall. Man's wife, he. He's got to deal with her. Yeah. Just so the law doesn't have to deal with you, I figure you're trying to do me a favor. I don't want to see you in any trouble. You can't help the trouble I'm in. And the law can't help it neither. Man's wife starts living with devils, ain't nobody can stop it. Just don't you try to stop it for good, Luke, that's all. Well, there ain't nobody else to do it, Marshall. Ain't nobody else but me.

[Chester]

Munch, munch, munch a bunch of Fritos.

[Myra Kirby]

Corn chips it's not polite to smack.

[Chester]

Your lips but you can't help it.

[Myra Kirby]

With Fritos corn chips Munch.

[Matt Dillon]

That'S right.

[Chester]

Fritos corn chips so crisp and light there's contentment in every munch Serve them at parties as snacks or with dips Fritos corn chips are so good with cold drinks Everyone will want to munch a bunch Fritos have a flavor no other kind of chip can match Munch.

[Matt Dillon]

Munch, munch a bunch of Fritos Corn.

[Chester]

Chips Fritos are golden Chips of corn just made to munch Keep Fritos corn chips on hand for a between meal treat Tuck a bag in lunchboxes Serve them with sandwiches, salads or soups Fritos Corn chips are full of good crisp flavor Good for you Nourishment Munch, munchy, munch A bunch of burritos Corn chips.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Doc.

[Doc]

Ah, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm heading for some lunch. You want to come along?

[Doc]

I'm still looking for some breakfast.

[Matt Dillon]

You're getting awful lazy in your old age, aren't you? Sleeping till noon.

[Doc]

Sleeping here? That sounds like the kind of deduction you'd make.

[Matt Dillon]

You mean you didn't sleep till noon, Doc? What's the matter then? You waiting for somebody to come along and buy your breakfast?

[Doc]

I'm waiting for a chance to eat it. I've been out to the Kirby place already this morning.

[Matt Dillon]

No. Well, why?

[Doc]

Myra Kirby's badly hurt.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, what happened to her?

[Doc]

Cut on the head, bruises.

[Matt Dillon]

She gonna be all right?

[Doc]

Yeah, I think so.

[Matt Dillon]

Could she tell you how it happened?

[Doc]

Well, she says Luke did it to her, but I just don't know.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Doc]

Well, where are you going?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm gonna see Luke Kirby.

[Doc]

Wait a minute. Won't do any good going out there now.

[Matt Dillon]

Why not?

[Doc]

Luke's not there. Oh, Myra says he's off to the west, buying up some horses. Be gone a few days.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll go see him when he comes back.

[Myra Kirby]

Are you sure you've had enough, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Kitty, I guess I have for now.

[Myra Kirby]

Oh, I sometimes wish I could sit down and eat like a man. Two helpings of meat and three of potatoes.

[Matt Dillon]

What's stopping you?

[Myra Kirby]

A very important thing. It's called the waistline.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, come on now, Kitty. A little extra heft never hurt a woman.

[Myra Kirby]

It hurt me in the pocket, boy.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'll buy the extra food.

[Myra Kirby]

Well, it's the extra clothes I'd have to buy. I'm talking about, Matt. I settled down to second. Helpin and I split out at the scene.

[Doc]

Matt, I've been looking for you.

[Myra Kirby]

Oh, sit down, Doc.

[Doc]

Ah, having a good time? You better come with me, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Where you headed?

[Doc]

Back to the Kirby place.

[Matt Dillon]

What, Myra take a turn for the worse?

[Doc]

You might call it that.

[Chester]

She's been.

[Doc]

Doc's been in there through an awful long time, ain't he, Mr. Jones?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Doc]

I wonder how she's coming along.

[Matt Dillon]

Doc will let us know as soon as he can.

[Doc]

Yeah, guess he will, all right. Just don't seem decent, does it? For a Poor woman. To get shot just a few days after she's been beat up.

[Matt Dillon]

No, it doesn't, Matt. Oh, yeah, Doc, you better come in now. All right, in here, man. Meyer, here's the Marshall.

[Myra Kirby]

Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Right here. Myra.

[Myra Kirby]

Listen close to me, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm listening.

[Myra Kirby]

He done it. Luke done it. You hear me?

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, I hear you.

[Myra Kirby]

He rolled off, but he done it. He killed me like I told you he would. He'll pay for it, won't he, Marshall? He'll pay.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Myra, I expect he's paying already.

[Myra Kirby]

He'll pay.

[Matt Dillon]

She's gone. She never had a chance. Yeah, she didn't give herself a chance.

[Myra Kirby]

Document.

[Chester]

Are you all out of tune? Because you're irregular. Then help yourself. Get back in tune with Kellogg's All Brand. You'll feel right on pitch when Kellogg's All Brand goes gently to work. Relieves constipation due to lack of bulk by supplying your system with bulk forming. Whole bran. Yes, a daily bowl full of Kellogg's All Bran with milk helps put you right back in tune. The natural way. The good tasting way, too. Fact is, Kellogg's All Brand is the one brand cereal that combines proved effectiveness with appetizing taste and crispness. It never gets mushy in milk. So remember, if constipation's a problem, gentle it away, as millions do with Kellogg's All Brand. The good food way to keep regular as clockwork. A double L hyphen. B R, A N. Kellogg's All Brand at your grocer's.

[Doc]

Mr. Dillon. You don't think Luke Kirby would have just come over here at the Holland place, do you?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know, Chester. I'm gonna find out.

[Doc]

Looks to me like a man. I'd like to put a lot more distance between him and the law on this.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, maybe so. You stay here with the horses, will you?

[Doc]

Yeah, sure. You don't think you'll need me inside, that is?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, if I do, I'll holler. Ms. Holland, it's Marshall Dillon.

[Myra Kirby]

Come in. Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Do you know that Myra Kirby's been shot?

[Myra Kirby]

No, Marshall, I. I didn't.

[Matt Dillon]

She's dead. Oh, she said Luke. Shudder.

[Myra Kirby]

I don't hold with talking. Disrespectful of the dead Marshall Dillon. But she was a mean woman. Mighty mean.

[Matt Dillon]

You don't sound very sorry.

[Myra Kirby]

I take no pleasure in a person's dying, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

She was found down by the barn.

[Myra Kirby]

She must have known something after all.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, what do you mean she wouldn't.

[Myra Kirby]

Go near the barn? I figured it was because of Them horses. She hated them horses. But maybe she knowed something would happen to her there.

[Matt Dillon]

Do you know where Luke is?

[Myra Kirby]

I ain't seen him in a week, Marshall, and that's the truth.

[Matt Dillon]

You don't know where he is, then?

[Myra Kirby]

No, I don't know. But I know this, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

What's that?

[Myra Kirby]

I know if Luke did kill that woman, he was partially drove to it. Powerfully drove.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Ms. Holland, I think maybe you're right.

[Doc]

I sure do hope you're right, Mr. Doan. Figuring that Luke Kirby headed out this way.

[Matt Dillon]

Don't worry about it, Chester.

[Doc]

Oh, I ain't worried.

[Matt Dillon]

But I will.

[Doc]

Says this ain't the prettiest camping place I ever stopped at.

[Matt Dillon]

What's the matter? You're missing your feather bed.

[Doc]

Now, you know I ain't got no feather bed, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, stop complaining then, and toss another log on the fire.

[Doc]

Still like to know, though. How come you figured Kirby'd be heading this way?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, if I were in Kirby's place, I'd want to find a friend. Chester, that horse trader's probably the only person Kirby feels safe with right now. He sure couldn't find a friend in Dodge.

[Doc]

Yes, sir. But if he murdered his wife, maybe.

[Matt Dillon]

He did, maybe he didn't. I killed her. All right, Marshall. Hello, Luke. Come on up to the fire. Sit down and get warm. Thank you. Hey, Mr. Young.

[Doc]

He's gone.

[Matt Dillon]

It's all right, Chester. You can have a gun. Marshal, you didn't try very hard to get away. Wasn't no use to it. I don't know why I headed out the first place, except, like, I guess a man just has to try. Yeah, I guess so. Wasn't no use from the beginning. Myra fixed it all, just like she said. She fixed it so as you'd shoot her, didn't she, Luke? Yes, she did, Marshall. Seen past believing, but that's what she did. How did she do it? She was in the barn hiding. See, she. She never come to the barn, Marshall. Now, I thought someone after that stud horse of mine, he's worth about everything I got. I always feared somebody'd steal him. And I heard a noise in the stall. I'd come out with my gun. I give warning, Marshall. I give warning twice. And then you shot. And then I shot. And she was waiting for it, Marshall. Just waiting so as I couldn't miss. Ain't nobody gonna believe me. That's the holy truth. I believe you, Luke. But we're gonna have to see if the court believes you. You're gonna have to come back with me. Oh, come easy, Marshall. I think you got a good chance. Well, I tell you true, Marshall, I don't care a whole lot. Man's wife hates him so much that she'll make him kill her. Ain't much to care about. Yeah, well, you can bet down on the other side of the fire there, Luke. We'll head back at sunup. Right.

[Chester]

Here's Hollywood star Mona Freeman, who feels.

[Myra Kirby]

Like acting with a miserable cold. I relieved cold distress the fast way with four way cold tablets.

[Chester]

Yes, tests of all the leading cold tablets proved four way fastest acting. Amazing. Four way starts in minutes to relieve muscular pains and headache, reduce fever, calm upset stomach. Also overcomes irregularity when a cold strikes.

[Myra Kirby]

Do what I do. Take four way cold tablets. It's the fast way to relieve nasty cold distress and feel better quickly.

[Chester]

Four way only 29 cents. And now here's a message about another fine product of Grove Laboratories. Does dandruff dull your hair? Leave scalp itchy? Get Fitch Dandruff Remover shampoo and get rid of unsightly dandruff in three minutes. Three minutes with Fitch regularly is guaranteed to keep embarrassing dandruff away forever. Apply Fitch before wetting hair. Rub in one minute. Add water, lather. One minute. Rinse one minute. Every trace of dandruff goes down the drain. Three minutes with Fitch. Unsightly dandruff's gone. Fitch can also leave your hair up to 35% brighter. Fitch dandruff remover Shampoo 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 Lawrence Dobkin, Virginia Christine and Gene Bates. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on Gun Smoke, WBT Charlotte.

[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.