
Original Air Date: February 22, 1959Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Vic Perrin• Clarke Gordon• Ann...
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Matt Dillon
Foreign.
Chester
Welcome.
Andrew Rines
To the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This episode is just one of over 80 episodes we release monthly. Now let's get into this episode.
Narrator
Around D 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. Gunsport, 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 Dullen, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chance, a job. And it makes a man watchful and a little lone.
Chester
Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, what, Chester?
Chester
Just look at them doggone prairie dogs. Skittering all around everywhere, scurrying down all them holes.
Matt Dillon
Well, what about them?
Chester
Well, I was just wondering, did you ever give them much thought?
Matt Dillon
Oh, I can't say that I have.
Chester
Well, they ain't good for nothing. Not one cussed thing.
Matt Dillon
You're right about that.
Chester
But all they do is increase their self and pock up the prairie at them holes.
Matt Dillon
You figuring on doing something about it, chester?
Chester
Well, yes, Mr. Dillon. I thought I might just maybe write a letter to the government about it.
Matt Dillon
Now, you go right ahead and do that.
Chester
You think you'd do any good?
Matt Dillon
Sure it would, Jester. The government would turn it over to the nearest marshal's office. Then I can turn it over to you right away and you can spend your time rounding up Prairie Dog.
Chester
Well, come right down to it, I ain't such a hand to write letters after all. Look, you, Honor, Mr. Dillon, a buggy pulled up to the side of the road there.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Now let's see if anything's wrong, huh?
Chester
What in the world would a lady be doing way out here all by herself?
Matt Dillon
Let's see. You need any help, ma'am?
Sarah Howell
It's that rear wheel. It just seemed to give way.
Matt Dillon
I will have a look.
Sarah Howell
In Wichita they said this was a down buggy.
Chester
You come all the way from Witch alone without no man?
Sarah Howell
Well, I. I hope to meet him in Dodge City.
Chester
Well, but it just ain't safe for a woman to go driving all over kingdom come without no man, Chester. Yeah, I know, but he's just plain foolish.
Matt Dillon
Let's have a look at the wheel, huh?
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, let's see here.
Chester
Look at there. The pin that holds the wheel on the axles. Come on. Wonder that wheel ain't rolling away across the prairie trail yet.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, there's not much we can do about it out here.
Chester
No, sir. That needs some first rate blacksmithing.
Matt Dillon
Well, ma'am, looks like you're stuck here. Can you ride a horse?
Sarah Howell
Well, I've ridden a horse, certainly, but never on a saddle like that.
Matt Dillon
Well, don't worry about it. We'll lift you up and you can sit sideways. We'll walk the horse in. It's not too far to Dodge.
Sarah Howell
I'm not sure I'm not accustomed to traveling with gentlemen. I don't know.
Matt Dillon
I'm the marshal out of Dodge City, man.
Sarah Howell
Marshall. I suppose it's all right then. My name is Sarah Howell.
Matt Dillon
Oh, Mrs. Howell is Chester proud for it.
Chester
How you do, ma'am?
Sarah Howell
It's Ms. Howell, Marshall. I'm not married yet. As a matter of fact, you might be able to help me about that.
Matt Dillon
How's that?
Sarah Howell
I'm coming to Dodge City to find my fiance, Marshall. And maybe you can help me find him. Maybe you even know him.
Matt Dillon
Well, what's his name, Ms. Helen?
Sarah Howell
His name is Guy Porter. He's a tall man and very handsome. Do you know him, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
No, ma'am, I'm afraid I don't. Are you sure he came this way?
Sarah Howell
He told me he was heading west. I have reason to believe he may be in Dodge City.
Matt Dillon
A lot of people come and go in Dodge. Cross.
Sarah Howell
You'll help me find him, I know you will.
Matt Dillon
A man can lose himself out here if he wants to, you know.
Sarah Howell
Oh, Guy isn't trying to hide from me, Marshall. He said he was coming back and I. I know he meant it. No, I. I'm afraid something's happened to him. I'm afraid there's trouble.
Matt Dillon
Well, if there's trouble, ma'am. I'd stand a better chance of locating him for you.
Chester
Yeah.
Matt Dillon
Come on, let's get going.
Kitty
Hello there, Chester. When did you get back?
Chester
Just a little bit ago, Miss Kitty. And I don't mind telling you, if I don't never take that ride to Park City again, I won't do no bellyaching about it. That is the one longest, driest, most, no count piece of.
Kitty
Did Matt come back with you?
Chester
Oh, yes, he did, Miss Kitty. He'll be in directed. He's seeing to a lady down to Moss Molly's.
Kitty
Oh, where'd he find the lady? Park City.
Chester
Well, no, that ain't exactly the way it was. It was more like that he found her along the way. Curious thing and.
Kitty
Come on over to the bar, Chester. I'll buy you a beer to wash some of that dust down.
Chester
Well, that is mighty friendly of you, Miss Kitty.
Kitty
This lady you brought in.
Chester
Oh, do you want to hear about her?
Kitty
Chester will have a beer, Sam.
Doc
Sure, Kitty. Sure do.
Chester
Thank you, Miss Kitty.
Kitty
Go on about the lady, Chester.
Doc
Here you are, Chester.
Chester
Oh, thank you, Sam.
Kitty
Chester, the lady.
Doc
Oh, yes.
Chester
Well, she come from Wichita, Miss Kitty. And she wants Mr. Doone to round up a man who's supposed to be out this way some worse.
Kitty
Does Map know who he is?
Chester
No, we don't. But he wouldn't have no trouble recognizing him if he seen him tall and toe headed forward. Him all the way from Wichita.
Doc
She did.
Chester
I guess women folks can do that better than anybody.
Kitty
So what?
Chester
Chester, recollect what a feller looks like. Why, they can take just one look at a man's face and they got it stored away in their minds forevermore. How his teeth was set, the way his hair growed out. What man don't hardly have a chance.
Kitty
Well, I wouldn't worry about it.
Chester
What do you mean?
Kitty
An awful lot of you get away.
Chester
Oh, hey, there's a stage going down the street, ain't it?
Kitty
That sounded like it to me.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
Well, then I better get down for the mail. Thank you for the beer, mister.
Kitty
All right, Chester. See you later.
Chester
Yes, ma'am.
Doc
I'll sure be back, ma'am.
Kitty
I'll be up for a while.
Doc
All right. Kitty. Kitty.
Rance
I seen you a minute?
Kitty
Well, sure, Rance. What's on your mind?
Matt Dillon
What?
Rance
That woman Chester was talking about, he say what her name was?
Kitty
No, Rance, he didn't.
Guy Porter
Why?
Rance
Well, I just thought I might know her. I got kinfolk in Wichita.
Matt Dillon
They was.
Rance
I was talking about a cousin coming out here.
Kitty
Oh, Well, I can tell you where she's staying. You could go down there and find out about her.
Rance
That'd help all right.
Kitty
Matt took her to Moss Molly's, the boarding house on the south end of town.
Rance
Thanks, Kitty. I'll go down there right off.
Doc
What's the matter with you, Ranch? You come pounding in here like the devil's on your tail.
Rance
You better start worrying about that a little bit, Joe.
Doc
What do you mean?
Rance
You talked me into saying you could stay on here with me. Mighty nice, claiming nobody saw you get away with that Wichita money.
Doc
Well, that's right. Nobody did.
Rance
Well, you should have looked back over the other shoulder. There's a woman asking all over town after you.
Doc
What?
Rance
She's giving you a description to the marshal right down to that pretty white hair. And he's looking for you too. Now, you. You just gotta get out of here, Joe.
Doc
Now, just a minute, Rance. You sure you know what you're talking about?
Rance
I know all right. This woman's from Wichita. She's standing at a town boarding house and she's asking about you. Now, I don't want no trouble with the law.
Doc
Quit your ballin, Rance. Ain't gonna be no trouble.
Rance
But if she spots.
Doc
She ain't gonna spot me.
Rance
You gonna move on?
Doc
No, she is tonight.
Rance
How do you know?
Doc
I'm gonna fix it, that's how. You know where this boarding house is?
Rance
Yeah, sure.
Doc
All right, you show me. After dark.
Rance
Well, you ain't gonna.
Doc
You want her to show me to the marshal?
Rance
No.
Doc
Well, then leave it to me.
Sarah Howell
Oh, I tell you too, Ms. Howell. Tain't often one of my lodgers takes it in mind to help out with the chalk? No, I'd sooner not have idle hands. Mrs. Smalley, I am grateful to you. Would you care to come set a spell in the parlor when we finish up? That's kind of you, but I think I'll just take a little stroll. You're going out walking? Whatever for, guy? Mr. Porter and I, we used to stroll. We used to take lovely strolls in the summer evenings. Perhaps I might even run into him. Stranger things have happened, haven't they, Mrs. Smalley? Take lightly. But there's always a chance in this life, Mrs. Smalley. Always a chance. Will you watch that you're back before it's full dark. Dodge City ain't the safest place in the world for a lady after nightfall. Oh, I don't think you need to worry, Mrs. Molly. I've never been troubled that way. I'm sure no one would bother me. Mr. Porter used to say a man can always tell a lady. I'm sure that's so, my dear. But in this town they just ain't particular if you're a lady or if you're not.
Doc
Rance. Here, come over here. Did you find out who she is? You know where her room is?
Rance
I know who she is all right, Joe. Her name's Howell.
Doc
Come on then, let's go.
Rance
Now wait a minute. She ain't there.
Doc
Ain't there? You listen to me, Rance. It won't do you no good to try to trick me away from doing this.
Rance
Now that ain't it. I swear it ain't. She went out for a walk. That's what they told me.
Doc
Out for a walk. Why would. Wait a minute.
Matt Dillon
What's the matter?
Doc
Quiet. It must be her walking alone.
Rance
And don't you do nothing, Joe.
Doc
Don't you hurt. You be quiet now. You won't be talking about me or nobody else. Oh, hello, Matt. I was gonna send somebody for you.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I just heard, Duck. How is she?
Doc
Well, Matt, I don't know. There must be something about this town. I'm continually being called in to take care of somebody who ought to be dead but isn't.
Matt Dillon
Not quite. Does she have a chance?
Doc
Any doctor in his right mind would say no, she shouldn't be alive. But she is. I don't know. She just may stay that way.
Matt Dillon
Any idea who did it to her?
Doc
I didn't have time to ask.
Matt Dillon
Could I see her?
Doc
Oh, no, I wouldn't recommend it.
Matt Dillon
Would it hurt her?
Doc
Well, no, I guess it won't hurt her, but it won't do you any good. She's delirious, man. She just keeps moaning and calling for somebody named Guy. She's not able to tell you anything.
Matt Dillon
Well, I guess that's the way they wanted it. Thanks, Kitty.
Kitty
It's hard to figure why anybody do such an awful thing. What could that poor woman have done to anybody?
Matt Dillon
I don't know, Kitty. It's pretty bad, even for Dodge.
Kitty
She hasn't been able to tell you anything yet.
Matt Dillon
I don't suppose she will be able to, even if she gets well. It was dark and whoever it was jumped her from behind.
Kitty
Dodge. Seems a strange place for a lone middle aged woman like her to come to, doesn't it, Matt?
Matt Dillon
Especially when she said she came to find the man she was engaged to.
Kitty
You think he could have done it?
Matt Dillon
I'm not even sure there is such a man, Kitty.
Kitty
Well, Lance Matson couldn't have been the one, he's much too young. Rance Matson, that young farmer lives out of town.
Matt Dillon
Oh yeah, I know who he is. Well, what's he got to do with this?
Kitty
Oh, maybe nothing. But he was in here earlier asking about the woman who came from Wichita. Thought she might be one of his kinfolk.
Matt Dillon
Oh, what do you want to know.
Kitty
Her name, where she was staying? Matt, do you think?
Matt Dillon
I don't know, Kitty, but I'm sure gonna find out.
Chester
I sure wasn't anxious to be out on this road again so soon, Mr. Dun. Seems like we ain't hardly been off it.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, we could have stopped off at.
Chester
The Matson place yesterday just as easy on our way back from Park City.
Matt Dillon
And it might have saved some trouble if we had. Chester. Come on, let's turn in here.
Chester
Here's ranch standing out in front there.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Anson, I want to talk to you.
Chester
Why, he's running, Mr. Gillet, and where you are.
Rance
Don't shoot again. Don't shoot.
Matt Dillon
Next time I'll be aiming for you. Get his gun, Chester.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Rance
Now look, come on, I don't want no more trouble.
Matt Dillon
Chester, keep an eye on him. I'm going up to the house.
Chester
Yes, sir. There's nothing inside.
Matt Dillon
All right, come on out of there. Come on. There are two of us here.
Chester
No, don't shoot anymore.
Kitty
I'm.
Guy Porter
I'm hit.
Matt Dillon
Then come on out. All right, Chester, let's try to patch him up, huh? Want him to last long enough to answer a few questions.
Doc
All right, Matt, come in. I'll be as gentle about it. As you can see, Hardly has any strength left.
Matt Dillon
Okay, Doc. Ms. Howell. Ms. Howell. Oh, it's Matt Darwin, Ms. Howell. I. I'd like to talk to you for a minute.
Guy Porter
Oh, Marshall, nice of you to come.
Matt Dillon
To see us about. About the man you were looking for.
Guy Porter
Guy. You. You found Guy?
Matt Dillon
Well, we might have, Ms. Howell.
Guy Porter
Guy.
Sarah Howell
I knew I'd find him.
Matt Dillon
Now you said that he was a tall man.
Guy Porter
Tall, Marshall. Straight as a young tree and yellow headed. He has light colored hair all right. It shines into the sun.
Matt Dillon
Well, we found a man that looks something like that.
Guy Porter
When can I see him? Where is he? Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Now just a minute, Miss Howell.
Chester
You.
Matt Dillon
You might not be so glad to see him as you think.
Guy Porter
Marshall Dilling, you mustn't talk that way. I've never had a thought for any other than him.
Matt Dillon
I didn't mean that. But for this man. He may have changed some since you last saw him.
Guy Porter
Oh, not Guy. He couldn't have. Besides, it Was just a little while ago.
Matt Dillon
I have to tell you, Ms. Howell, this man is wanted for robbery in Wichita. And he. He may even be the man who beat you up. Oh, Marshall Dillon, I'm sorry, but that's the way it looks.
Guy Porter
Why, Guy Porter never did a dishonest thing in his life. Where is he, Marshall? Let me see him.
Matt Dillon
I didn't know the way it turned out. If you didn't want to see him after all.
Guy Porter
Please, Marshall, bring him to me.
Matt Dillon
All right, ma'am. She wants to see him, Doc.
Doc
All right, ma'am.
Matt Dillon
Chester.
Kitty
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Bring him in.
Guy Porter
Yes, sir.
Chester
Come along now, mind you steps up.
Matt Dillon
Take your hat off in a lady's bedroom. Here he is, Ms. Holmes.
Guy Porter
Guy. Guy. Come. Come closer now.
Matt Dillon
Go on, step up there.
Guy Porter
Tall and slim.
Matt Dillon
But you're old.
Doc
Old?
Guy Porter
No, no, you're not, Guy.
Matt Dillon
You sure about that, ma'am?
Guy Porter
Of course I'm sure, Marshall. What? Guy is young. Young? He's only a couple years older than I am, Marshall.
Doc
Young.
Chester
Mr. Young.
Doc
You better take him out here, Chester.
Chester
All right, Doc.
Doc
Matt.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Doc, I'm. I'm ready to.
Guy Porter
Just a minute, Marshall, if you please.
Matt Dillon
Yes, ma'am.
Guy Porter
I don't seem to have made myself clear to you about Mr. Porter, Marshall. Perhaps in the interest of preventing another unfortunate error, you don't have to talk anymore. I prefer to get things straight, Doctor. Guy Porter is a young man, Marshall. We grew up together.
Matt Dillon
That's all right, Ms. Hart.
Guy Porter
No, no, it certainly is not all right. You clearly don't understand greeting that middle aged man in those rough clothes. White Guy would never let his uniform look so tacky.
Matt Dillon
His uniform?
Guy Porter
Of course, Marshall Dillon, as long as the war continues, he'll be in uniform. Even though his regiment was ordered into the western wilderness, he'd never let himself look like that.
Doc
Well, you better leave Madder. I'll give her something.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Doc, you. You do that.
Guy Porter
They ordered him west and I waited and waited and finally I came to find him. It was all right for me to come, wasn't it, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
It was all right, ma'am.
Guy Porter
You won't make a mistake and bring me the wrong man again. William Marshall. Just Guy.
Matt Dillon
No, ma'am. I won't bring you the wrong man again.
Chester
By jing, I tell you for sure, Mr. Jones. I'm glad they sent a deputy to take that outlaw back to Witcha on the stage. I sure wasn't hankering to ride that road again so soon. Yeah, he was a awful mean one, beating up a lady like that. Is Ms. Howe gonna be all right, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
I guess she'll get over the beating, Jester. But Doc doesn't think her mind will ever be any better.
Chester
How could she go on like that all these years, thinking that fellow was coming back to her?
Matt Dillon
I don't know. Memory can do funny things.
Chester
Yeah, but Doc says she was carrying around a telegraph for the War Department center years ago, telling her this guy Porter had been killed.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know. She didn't want to believe it. No, she didn't. And I guess she never will.
Narrator
Gun Smoke produced and Directed by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gun Smoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Vic Peron, Clark, Gordon and Anne Morrison. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week for another story on Gun Smoke.
Rance
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.
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: October 6, 2024
Original Air Date: February 22, 1959
In the "Sarah’s Search" episode of "Gunsmoke," listeners are immersed in a gripping Western narrative set against the rugged backdrop of Dodge City, Kansas. This episode delves into themes of love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of truth as Sarah Howell arrives in town seeking her missing fiancé, Guy Porter. The story intertwines the resolute law enforcement of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon with the mysterious circumstances surrounding Sarah’s plight.
Arrival in Dodge City
At [04:02], Sarah Howell arrives in Dodge City with a broken-down buggy, seeking assistance from Marshal Matt Dillon. Her urgent quest is to locate her fiancé, Guy Porter, who she believes is in town. Her distress is palpable as she explains, “I'm coming to Dodge City to find my fiancé, Marshall. And maybe you can help me find him. Maybe you even know him” ([05:22]).
Community Interactions
As Sarah's predicament unfolds, interactions among the townsfolk add depth to the narrative. At [06:50], Kitty converses with Chester about Sarah's arrival, highlighting the tight-knit community's concerns for her safety. Chester remarks, “She comes from Wichita, Miss Kitty. And she wants Mr. Doone to round up a man who's supposed to be out this way some worse” ([07:51]), indicating the seriousness of the situation.
Rance Matson’s Involvement
Rance Matson enters the scene around [09:01], revealing his connection to Sarah Howell and escalating the tension. He warns Doc about a woman searching for him, implying past transgressions that could jeopardize his safety ([10:04]). This subplot introduces an additional layer of conflict, hinting at Doc's mysterious history.
The Assault
Tragedy strikes when Sarah Howell is assaulted, leading to her hospitalization. Matt Dillon is informed by Doc that Sarah is delirious and struggling to remember details, complicating the search for Guy Porter ([14:14]). A critical moment occurs when Sarah moans for "somebody named Guy," but her fragmented memories hinder progress ([14:48]).
Mistaken Identity and Revelation
As Matt Dillon investigates, he encounters Guy Porter, who does not match the description provided by Sarah Howell. At [22:20], Guy Porter confronts Matt, clarifying his identity and expressing confusion over Dillon's search for "Guy," suggesting a case of mistaken identity or possible deception. The tension peaks when it becomes evident that the man brought before Sarah is not her fiancé but an outlaw named William Marshall ([22:20]).
Matt Dillon: “I'm that man, Matt Dullen, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chance, a job. And it makes a man watchful and a little lone.” ([02:15])
Sarah Howell: “I'm coming to Dodge City to find my fiancé, Marshall. And maybe you can help me about that.” ([05:22])
Chester: “But all they do is increase their self and pock up the prairie at them holes.” ([03:09])
Doc: “Now, you go right ahead and do that.” ([03:24])
Guy Porter: “Guy Porter never did a dishonest thing in his life.” ([20:15])
Matt Dillon: “I have to tell you, Ms. Howell, this man is wanted for robbery in Wichita. And he. He may even be the man who beat you up.” ([20:00])
Pursuit of Truth: Matt Dillon embodies the unwavering pursuit of justice, navigating through ambiguous clues to uncover the truth behind Sarah Howell's missing fiancé.
Mistaken Identity: The episode explores the complexities of identity, as the genuine Guy Porter is obscured by the presence of an outlaw bearing a similar name, leading to dramatic confrontations and moral dilemmas.
Mental Health and Obsession: Sarah Howell's relentless search for her fiancé highlights the psychological toll of loss and obsession, raising questions about memory, perception, and reality in the harsh landscape of the American West.
Community and Isolation: The interactions among Dodge City's residents underscore the challenges of maintaining a supportive community amidst personal tragedies and lawlessness.
"Sarah’s Search" masterfully weaves a tale of love, loss, and the relentless quest for truth within the unforgiving terrain of Dodge City. Through Matt Dillon's determined efforts and the intricate relationships among the townsfolk, the episode captures the essence of Western drama. The revelation that the man found is not the sought-after Guy Porter leaves listeners pondering the thin line between justice and deception, a hallmark of "Gunsmoke's" enduring legacy in Western storytelling.
Produced and Directed by: Norman McDonald
Featured Cast: William Conrad, Vic Peron, Gordon Clark, Anne Morrison, Harley Bear, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis
Written by: Marion Clark
Editorial Supervision by: John Meston
This summary is intended for listeners seeking an in-depth understanding of the "Sarah’s Search" episode of "Gunsmoke" and serves as a comprehensive overview for those who have yet to experience this classic Western drama.