Shooting Stopover | Gunsmoke (08-30-59)

Summary

Gunsmoke - OTRWesterns.com Episode: Shooting Stopover
Original Air Date: August 30, 1959
Release Date: January 11, 2025
Host/Author: Andrew Rhynes

---

Overview

In the Gunsmoke episode titled "Shooting Stopover," U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon faces a moral and practical dilemma while transporting a dangerous prisoner, Gurney, through Dodge City. The narrative delves into themes of justice, human dignity, and the complexities of maintaining law and order in the tumultuous American West. Supported by his trusted associates, Doc and Kitty, Matt navigates unexpected challenges that test his resolve and ethics.

---

Introduction

The episode opens with Matt Dillon, portrayed by William Conrad, introducing himself as the relentless and watchful U.S. Marshal responsible for keeping the peace in Dodge City. Matt is depicted as a man dedicated to his duty, often finding himself isolated due to the perilous nature of his job.

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 lone."
— [02:06]

Transporting the Prisoner

Matt Dillon is tasked with escorting Gurney, a man wanted for the murder of two individuals in Wichita. As they set off on the afternoon stage, tensions arise among the group, particularly concerning the treatment of Gurney.

Matt Dillon:
"It's not that easy, Doc. I'm gonna have to deliver it."
— [05:27]

Doc:
"Well, that's enough. You'll find coffee inside, folks."
— [08:31]

Conflict Over Gurney's Treatment

Upon arriving at Half Creek Station, Matt decides to chain Gurney to the wheel to prevent any escape attempts. This decision sparks a heated discussion with Kitty, who advocates for treating Gurney with humanity despite his crimes.

Kitty:
"I know you have to guard him, Marshall, but he's a human being."
— [09:29]

Matt Dillon:
"He's wanted for two murders."
— [09:35]

Kitty:
"There are a lot of money under this seat. I ain't riding easy until I get rid of it."
— [07:02]

This ethical conflict underscores the core of the episode, highlighting the struggle between enforcing the law and maintaining personal morals.

The Crisis Unfolds

As the group attempts to manage the situation, an unexpected crisis emerges. Lack of provisions leads to Matt venturing out to secure water, only to discover that they are vulnerable to an impending attack.

Matt Dillon:
"That's the last drop of the water, Marshall. Yeah, that parcels it out slowly to the driver during the day."
— [21:20]

The tension escalates when it's revealed that hostile forces are approaching, intending to seize the gold and jeopardize their safety.

Climactic Confrontation

Under dire circumstances, Matt faces a critical decision to protect his team and uphold justice. The confrontation reached its peak when Gurney, despite his status as a prisoner, pleads for mercy, challenging the notions of guilt and human dignity.

Kitty:
"I think it's important to be needed, don't you?"
— [25:37]

Matt Dillon:
"Because dignity is something that should never be taken from any man."
— [28:50]

Despite their best efforts to negotiate and find a peaceful resolution, the ensuing chaos leads to a tragic outcome.

Resolution and Reflection

In the aftermath of the confrontation, Matt reflects on the events that transpired, acknowledging the loss and the moral complexities involved in his role as Marshal.

Kitty:
"So I'd like to think that this was an unselfish act. That he wanted to do one thing with dignity, even if it meant his death."
— [28:35]

Matt Dillon:
"He didn't have much chance of ending it any better."
— [27:57]

The episode concludes with a somber reminder of the relentless nature of justice and the personal costs borne by those who enforce it.

---

Key Themes and Insights

• Justice vs. Humanity: The episode grapples with the balance between enforcing the law and recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of their crimes.

• Isolation of Duty: Matt Dillon's character embodies the solitude and burden that come with upholding law and order in a lawless land.

• Moral Complexity: Decisions made under pressure often blur the lines between right and wrong, showcasing the nuanced challenges faced by those in positions of authority.

---

Notable Quotes

1. Matt Dillon on His Role:
   "I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet."
   — [02:06]

2. Kitty Advocating for Humanity:
   "I know you have to guard him, Marshall, but he's a human being."
   — [09:29]

3. Matt Reflecting on Dignity:
   "Because dignity is something that should never be taken from any man."
   — [28:50]

4. Kitty's Moral Stand:
   "I think it's important to be needed, don't you?"
   — [25:37]

---

Conclusion

"Shooting Stopover" presents a compelling narrative that delves deep into the moral quandaries faced by those tasked with enforcing the law. Through Matt Dillon's interactions with his companions and the prisoner, the episode explores the delicate balance between duty and compassion, leaving listeners to ponder the true essence of justice in the rugged frontier.

---

This summary captures the essence of the "Shooting Stopover" episode, highlighting key plot points, character dynamics, and thematic elements, while incorporating notable quotes with proper attribution.

Transcript

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[Andrew Rines]

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[Narrator]

Marshall Matt Dillon brings in his man and what a man as Gunsmoke follows next on the CBS Radio Network and KNX AM and FM CBS Radio in Los Angeles. It's six 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.

[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 lone.

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[Narrator]

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[Matt Dillon]

Now, you know, if you're not careful. Doc, you're going to finish that beer.

[Doc]

Why shouldn't I finish it?

[Matt Dillon]

There's no need to get your back up. I just meant you usually don't have time to finish it. More than likely you get called away before you get your beer half drunk, that's all.

[Doc]

Well, I. Oh, yes. Well, I guess you're right. I suppose I've mentioned to you before that some of us have to work at our job.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, Doc, you mentioned it.

[Doc]

Hello, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Kitty.

[Doc]

Afternoon, Kitty. You'll get up. I'll sit down with you.

[Matt Dillon]

All right.

[Kitty]

Why, what's the argument about this?

[Matt Dillon]

There's no argument, Kitty. But sometimes it's just about as tough to agree with Doc as it is to argue with it.

[Doc]

Either way, it's hard to have a conversation with somebody who doesn't know the difference.

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks, Doc.

[Doc]

I'm not even gonna try to understand you two.

[Kitty]

Can I get you another beer?

[Doc]

No, thanks, Kitty.

[Matt Dillon]

I guess I'll have one. Kitty.

[Doc]

Yes, I might have known.

[Matt Dillon]

Over here, Chester.

[Doc]

Dylan. Excuse me, miss Kitty. Doc, is that Chester?

[Matt Dillon]

What is it, Chester?

[Doc]

Well, it's just your telegraph just come in for you.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, let me see it.

[Doc]

Say, you sure was right. Suspicion in that Gurney fellow. It sounds like you know what's in that wire. Yeah, sure does. Well, of course I know what's in it. It's my business to know when a prisoner turns out to be a wanted man, ain't it, Mr. Jones? Oh, is that the man you locked up last night, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Doc, I sent an inquiry about him. Yeah, he's wanted, all right.

[Kitty]

What for, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Murder two of them. Wichita.

[Doc]

Wichita? Well, anyway, he won't be bothering you long.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean?

[Doc]

Well, they'll be 10 and 4 from Wichita, won't they? Getting him off your hands.

[Matt Dillon]

It's not that easy, Doc. I'm gonna have to deliver it. Well, come on, Chester. We'll take the afternoon stage. Looks to me as though that team could just about get there by itself, Jim, without you the driver.

[Narrator]

I expect them horses could do it all right, Marshall. They made the run often enough.

[Matt Dillon]

The ruts and the road ought to be enough to guide them, even if nothing else does.

[Narrator]

Yep. It don't get no smoother, does it?

[Matt Dillon]

No, I'll say. Not wrong time.

[Narrator]

Since you rode with me, Marshall, I'd.

[Matt Dillon]

Just as soon not be making the trip this time either.

[Narrator]

That Gurney fella giving you trouble?

[Matt Dillon]

Ah, no more than Usual Kester gets in more trouble than he does. How's that? Well, he doesn't patent to be in shackle to a prisoner when there's a pretty school arm riding across the coach from him. It is.

[Narrator]

I blame him.

[Matt Dillon]

I told him he'd have to go slow anyway with a preacher riding right along there, too. I guess you're right about that. Yeah.

[Narrator]

Get out.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on.

[Narrator]

I tell you true, Marshall, I'm kind of glad to have you riding shotgun this this trip, huh?

[Matt Dillon]

You worried about the gold?

[Narrator]

There's a lot of money under this seat. I ain't riding easy until I get rid of it.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, we're stopping here at Half Creek Station, aren't we? That's right, Marshall.

[Narrator]

Going to change horses.

[Matt Dillon]

Good. Be glad to stretch my leg. I guess I'll cut Chester loose for a while.

[Narrator]

You better warn the school more.

[Doc]

Oh, yeah, boy?

[Narrator]

Well, I don't see old Miller. Help him get out, will you, Marshall, I'm going to have to un hit your team myself.

[Matt Dillon]

Sure. J. You going to be stopped here for.

[Doc]

A spell, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, Esther. Come on out. Well, come on out.

[Doc]

Well, I can't exactly make it alone.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, why don't you bring Gurney with you then?

[Doc]

Well, sure, I'll be. Oh, excuse me. After you, man.

[Kitty]

Thank you.

[Matt Dillon]

Here you are, ma'am. Let me give you a hands down. There we go.

[Kitty]

Kindly Marshall.

[Doc]

All right now, Granny, come on, let's get cold. Excuse me. Parking.

[Narrator]

You go out of Edgeard Echo.

[Matt Dillon]

Come home, Gurney. Come on.

[Doc]

Set all day. You pull them shackles once more, I'll wrap them around your gullet. I'd be worrying about my own gullet by you.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, that's enough. You'll find coffee inside, folks.

[Doc]

Thanks. I'd like some coffee myself, Mr. Jones.

[Matt Dillon]

You'll get it, Chester. You'll get it. Here, hold out your arm. I'll take the manacles off.

[Doc]

Be care I won't be tired to be free of the likes of him. And that's I ever get this near you and I am free. You won't live to complain no more. Dylan, you ain't gonna let Gurney wander around loose in the state station, are you?

[Matt Dillon]

No, Chester. We'll shackle him to the wheel while they stop. All right, Gurney, come on.

[Doc]

Yeah, you do that, Marshall. You just locked me up good. Well, if two of you together ain't man enough to hold me.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, don't you worry about it there.

[Kitty]

Pardon me. Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma'am?

[Kitty]

I couldn't help noticing what you're doing to this man. What do you mean chaining him to the wheel?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, he's a prisoner, man, and he.

[Doc]

Just ain't no good at all, Mr. Andrew. Why, he's the worst kind of a thieving.

[Matt Dillon]

Never mind.

[Kitty]

I know you have to guard him, Marshall, but he's a human being.

[Matt Dillon]

He's wanted for two murders.

[Kitty]

Does that mean you have to treat him like a wild beast?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I have to make sure that he doesn't get away, ma'am.

[Kitty]

Well, you could bring him inside out of the sun, couldn't you?

[Matt Dillon]

I have to think of the safety of the other passengers. Besides, it's not going to hurt him, Marshall.

[Kitty]

Dylan, I believe in the dignity of man.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, so do I, ma'am. The trouble is, Gurney here doesn't.

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[Matt Dillon]

It isn't exactly as you presented the case, Marshall. How's that, Reverend? There's nobody here there's no coffee.

[Doc]

No coffee? Why, I never heard of such a thing. I. I'll see if I can.

[Matt Dillon]

There's usually somebody around now. He may be out with the horses.

[Kitty]

You ought to take some water to that man out there.

[Matt Dillon]

Don't worry, ma'am. We won't let him go dry.

[Narrator]

There don't seem to be nobody around at all. I know where that old man's gone off to.

[Matt Dillon]

He was here the last time he came through, wasn't he, Jim?

[Narrator]

Sure he was. He was always out front waiting. Old man Miller never saw nobody between stages, and he made up for it all at once. Like to talk your arm off, he.

[Matt Dillon]

Wouldn'T be likely to miss a stage stop on purpose.

[Narrator]

Not him, Wyatt.

[Doc]

Well, I declare. It's the truth, mister. They ain't no coffee. Just a little bit in the pot that must have been left over from breakfast, and that is stone cold.

[Matt Dillon]

Did you look outside for the old man who runs the place, Chester?

[Doc]

Well, no, sir, I didn't.

[Matt Dillon]

He.

[Doc]

He might get be out back way, though. I. I didn't go out there. I was mostly interested in the coffee.

[Narrator]

Well, I looked out there some. Didn't see nothing.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, looks like we're stuck for it, all right. Come on, Jim. I'll help you around out some fresh horses in the corral.

[Narrator]

That's about the worst of it, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Huh? Well, how's that?

[Narrator]

When I took our team around back to exchange them, there weren't no other horses.

[Matt Dillon]

I think we better take a real look around then. Chester, you keep an eye on Gurney here. Jimmy, come with me, huh?

[Doc]

All right.

[Matt Dillon]

All right.

[Narrator]

Marsh.

[Doc]

Mr. Jones, look at these horses.

[Narrator]

Somebody's running them out of the crowd.

[Doc]

Go.

[Narrator]

Wait a minute.

[Matt Dillon]

Jim.

[Narrator]

Where do we get.

[Doc]

Jim, come back.

[Matt Dillon]

Tester, cover me. I'm going after him. Jester, Stay load. Jim, you heard? Bad?

[Narrator]

No, no, they. They're running yonder toward them rocks.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. One of them run off the horses, and the other two is after the.

[Narrator]

Gold on the stage.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, they almost got it, too.

[Narrator]

I. I gotta get it down off of the box.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, you stay right there. I'll get it. They'll cut you down. Now, you stay down. I'm gonna. It's all right, Ch. I got it. Chester.

[Doc]

Yes, Mr. John?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. You stay here with Jim while I unlock Gurney from that wheel.

[Doc]

He ain't worth taking a chance for.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe not, Chester. But like the lady reminded us, he's still a human being. There you go, Jim. You'll be all right here. Thanks, Marshall. Chester, as soon as you Get Gurney tied. Heat some water, will you?

[Doc]

Oh, yes, I'll do that.

[Matt Dillon]

I saw a good many wounded in the war, Marshal.

[Doc]

May I offer my help?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm glad to have it, Reverend. He caught one on the side. Well, let's get his shirt off.

[Doc]

Yes, I see.

[Matt Dillon]

The bullet will have to be extracted. Yeah. Uh. You any good at this, Reverend? I've never actually operated, Marshall.

[Doc]

Still, if you need me to do it.

[Matt Dillon]

No, I'll do it. I guess I'm a little more familiar with bullets than you are.

[Doc]

Just tell me how I can assist.

[Matt Dillon]

It might just help to have somebody in your line at work standing by. Very well. Chester, you getting some hot water? Yes, sir, I am.

[Doc]

I'm trying to, but there sure ain't much water there in the bucket.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, you bring me what you got. Yes, sir.

[Narrator]

Sure get thirsty. If we have to stay here for.

[Matt Dillon]

Long for those gunmen out there. We don't have time to worry about that later. Ms. Lorentz, I think maybe you better get some sleep. I'll watch Jim for a while.

[Kitty]

I don't mind, Marshall. I'm not tired.

[Matt Dillon]

No, you go on now. It's getting light and you need your rest.

[Kitty]

There was only something I could do for him.

[Matt Dillon]

There's nothing to do but wait.

[Kitty]

I suppose you're right. Please call me if you need me, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma'am, I will. You try to get some rest, huh?

[Kitty]

I think I'd best get her some breakfast first.

[Doc]

If you're thinking about breakfast, Mr. Randy, you got another drink? Hunt. Ain't no food in them cupboards at all.

[Kitty]

I know that, Mr. Proudfoot, but I have some food I brought with me.

[Doc]

You brought some with you?

[Kitty]

I always pack a lunch. I'll get it. Now, let me see. I'll divide it. I saved some for Mr. Burke.

[Doc]

That ain't gonna leave you too much.

[Kitty]

No, but it's better than nothing. Now, let's see. There's the reverend and the Marshal, and you, Mr. Buck, and the prisoner.

[Doc]

Are you planning on dividing up this little bit of food with him?

[Kitty]

Well, he's as hungry as any of us.

[Doc]

Well, yes, ma'am, but he ain't. Well, I mean, I'll take the prisoners first.

[Kitty]

I brought you some food.

[Doc]

Well, now, ma'am, it's mighty nice of you. It's mighty nice, but I ain't able to eat it with my hands tied behind me.

[Kitty]

Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma'am?

[Kitty]

I think this man's hand should be untied so that he can eat.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, I'm not sure, Ms. Lorenzo.

[Kitty]

Please, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester, untie his hands, will you?

[Doc]

Well, I sure do hate to do this, Mr. John. I was afraid like you. I'd hate to do it, too. Don't you worry nothing about me being afraid of the likely. You there won't hurt my feelings none if you choke on that fool, little lady.

[Narrator]

Don't feel that way, do you?

[Kitty]

Now you're entitled to some nourishment.

[Doc]

Sure is nice to have you on my side, ma'am.

[Kitty]

I'm only on the side of what's right.

[Doc]

Well, I don't blame you for choosing me over these two. Why, she ain't a doing no such a thing. You just keep your mouth shut.

[Matt Dillon]

Never mind Chester.

[Doc]

Well, you ain't choosing him, are you, Ms. Loranda?

[Kitty]

I'm choosing the ideas I try to teach in my school. Mr. Proudfoot, no man can be considered guilty until he's had a fair trial.

[Doc]

How about that law man? Did you ever think of that?

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, I have, Gurney.

[Kitty]

I'm just saying I think all law is important, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma'am. And so do I.

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[Matt Dillon]

That's the last drop of the water, Marshall. Yeah, that parcels it out slowly to the driver during the day. But he's burning up with fever. I don't know how long he'll last now that it's gone. Well, I'll go out and get some more.

[Doc]

No, machine, don't. Them fellas will pick you off going into well, sure as anything.

[Matt Dillon]

We got to have water. Chester, hand me the bucket. Marshall, what you doing? And I guess you were right, Chester. Nobody's gonna make it to that well. At least not in the daylight.

[Doc]

Are you all right?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I'm all right. I'll get the water, Marshall, now. They'll blow you to kingdom come. Reverend, I'm a man in the cloth. They won't shoot at me.

[Doc]

Why, them fellas would shoot their own mothers to get at that goal.

[Matt Dillon]

I wouldn't count on being so safe. Reverend, we better wait for dark. Jim. Buck may not have that much time.

[Doc]

Hand me that other bucket.

[Matt Dillon]

There seems to be a hole in the one you carried, Mark. It's not worth the chance. Reverend, a man's life is worth any chance. Please stand away from the door. Okay. Thank you.

[Doc]

Gentlemen. They shot him before he got out the door.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on, let's get this.

[Doc]

Now, there's two wounded in bad need of water.

[Matt Dillon]

No Cheshire. He won't be needing any. He's dead.

[Doc]

Ain't no sense to killing a man like him. Ain't no sense at all.

[Matt Dillon]

They're not interested in the kind of men they kill, Chester.

[Doc]

Well, what do they mean to do, Mr. Ever More Rock. It's got something tied around.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Here's your answer about what they mean to do in this note.

[Doc]

What's it say?

[Matt Dillon]

We got food and water and time to wait for the gold.

[Doc]

What are you gonna do? What? You don't.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know, Chester, but I don't like my choices.

[Kitty]

Here's your share. The last bit of the food, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, thank you, ma'am.

[Kitty]

Side is nothing to wash it down with.

[Matt Dillon]

How's Jim doing?

[Kitty]

Not well. I'm very fearful for him if we don't get help soon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma'am.

[Kitty]

You and Chester, you've. You've been at the windows for hours. Do you. Do you see any way out for us?

[Matt Dillon]

No, not right now in the daylight.

[Kitty]

But tonight.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, we had one more man to draw their fire.

[Kitty]

Maybe I could do it.

[Matt Dillon]

No, things aren't that bad yet. Don't you worry, ma'am. We'll get out of this some way.

[Doc]

Go ahead, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Let her help you.

[Doc]

It's about what I'd figure from you.

[Matt Dillon]

That's enough, Gurney.

[Kitty]

I'll take around the rest of the food. Jessica.

[Doc]

Thank you.

[Kitty]

Where's your share?

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks.

[Kitty]

I'll untie your hands.

[Doc]

You ain't afraid of me?

[Kitty]

Well, no, I'm not afraid of you.

[Doc]

Most folks are.

[Kitty]

Does it please you that they're afraid?

[Matt Dillon]

No, ma'am.

[Doc]

I guess it doesn't take the food.

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks.

[Doc]

You really meant it when you said you'd walk out there to help the marshal. You really meant that.

[Kitty]

Certainly I meant it.

[Doc]

What makes you figure it'd be worth it? Why?

[Kitty]

Because There's a need, Mr. Gurney. There's a badly wounded man. We have to get him out someway.

[Matt Dillon]

That ain't much of a reason to risk your life.

[Kitty]

I think it is, Mr. Gurney.

[Matt Dillon]

Why?

[Kitty]

I think it's important to be needed, don't you?

[Doc]

I don't know I ever gave it much thought.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester.

[Doc]

Oh, Mr. Dunn.

[Matt Dillon]

You seen anything moving?

[Doc]

That's right. I wouldn't claim that my eyes was too good. Banana, though.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. That's been a long night, Mr. Dun.

[Doc]

You think them fellas out there are getting any sleep?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm not worried about whether they're getting any sleep or not, Chester.

[Doc]

Seems like tonight's the only chance we got to make move.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Kitty]

Mr. Dillon, we've got to get water. I know I can get out to the well and back.

[Matt Dillon]

Let's understand each other, Marshall.

[Kitty]

This man is dying.

[Matt Dillon]

I know that man. But getting somebody else killed isn't going to help any.

[Kitty]

If the goal this important, couldn't we give them the goal to save a man's life?

[Matt Dillon]

This man risk his life for it once as up to us to see that he didn't do it for nothing.

[Kitty]

I'm not going to wait. I'm going out there.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, you listen to me, ma'am. Nobody's going to get anywhere running out there alone. For any of us to have a chance, we're going to have to know exactly where those men are. We'll have just one shot at them if we're lucky.

[Doc]

This is on this journey, making a break for it. I'll go after him.

[Matt Dillon]

No.

[Narrator]

They get you, too. Up in the trees, Chester. Get them.

[Doc]

You think shooting's over?

[Matt Dillon]

I gotta think so. Chester. Now, you keep an eye on those trees and go. Not to where Gurney fell.

[Doc]

Yes.

[Matt Dillon]

I think it's over, Chester. Come on out.

[Narrator]

All right, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm coming with you. You didn't need to come, ma'am. It's not a pretty sight.

[Kitty]

Did you do it?

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma'am. I guess the others are dead, too.

[Kitty]

What an awful way to end a life.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, he didn't have much chance of ending it any better.

[Doc]

He sure was a fool making a.

[Narrator]

Break for it like that.

[Doc]

But he was certain death.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Kitty]

I'm not too sure that's what he was doing.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Kitty]

Maybe he wasn't making a break for it.

[Doc]

Of course he was. My goodness. Why else would he run out that.

[Kitty]

Way to save our lives? Maybe he knew he could by drawing that fire.

[Matt Dillon]

He was going back to be tried for murder, you know.

[Kitty]

I know. But you said yourself that a man can't be judged guilty until a court of law finds himself. It's possible that he would have gone free, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma'am, that's possible.

[Kitty]

So I'd like to think that this was an unselfish act. That he wanted to do one thing with dignity, even if it meant his death. It wouldn't hurt to think that, would it, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

No, ma'am. It wouldn't hurt a bit. Because dignity is something that should never be taken from any man.

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[Narrator]

Car owners. I have news of a product so new it's amazing it's here today at all. It's new. K site Smooth seal. You say it's new. You say it's new, so it's new. What does it do? Well, it's a fluid you add to your automatic transmission. Automatic transmission. You stop leaks in your transmission and makes it smooth and quiet. Makes it smooth, makes it quiet. How can I tell if I should try it? That's easy. You're stop seeing. You start to go and you give it the gas pretty good. If you hear a sort of whirring or grinding noise. If you feel a jerk or jolt or jar, then your transmission just isn't up to par. Grinding noises, jars and jerks. That's how my transmission works, boys. If that's the case, then you've got a case for new K side Smooth Seal. New K side Smooth Seal. How will that help? Well, it's made to soften those shrunken seals and smooth out the shifting when there's power on the wheels. If you heard a whirring or felt a jar when you pull away in your modern car, you are a man who needs a can. Just a $95 and it works while you drive. Anyone here for K side Smooth seal? Hit me. I'm in. If it doesn't do the job, you get double your money back. Gun Smoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, US Marshal the story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Gene Bates, Vic Perrin, Harry Bartel and Barney Phillips. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. KMOX radio the voice of St. Louis speaks now from the nation's most modern radio studios featuring the latest electronic miracles. A pace setting building for a pace setting radio station. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on Gun Smoke. Latest news follows then Mitch Miller with tonight's guest stars on the CBS Radio Network and KNX AM&FM CBS Radio in Los Angeles.

[Matt Dillon]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com 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.

[Advertiser]

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