Snakebite | Gunsmoke (08-12-56)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Gunsmoke — "Snakebite" (08-12-56)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Podcast: Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com
Original Air Date: August 12, 1956

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Overview

This classic Gunsmoke episode centers on Marshal Matt Dillon as he navigates a case of senseless violence and wrongful accusation in Dodge City. The story weaves together the fates of a lonely old drifter named Pony Thompson, a murdered partner, and the hard lessons of justice on the frontier.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Incident in Dodge (02:44 – 06:11)

• A peaceful day is disrupted when Walt Gorman shoots a playful puppy in the street.
• Chester, Matt Dillon’s loyal deputy, is shocked:

  “Why, he shot him. Well, what a mean, miserable thing to do. That little pup wasn’t hurting nothing.” — Chester (03:26)

• Marshal Dillon confronts Gorman and his partner Hicks, confiscating their weapons and warning them to leave town by noon the next day.

2. Enter Pony Thompson (07:33 – 09:52)

• The dog’s owner, Pony Thompson, is introduced — a drifter overwhelmed by life indoors, who comes to town only once a year to get drunk.
• Pony, grieving his loss, hints at a desire for retribution but is advised by Dillon to let the law handle the matter.
• Dillon refuses to disclose the shooter’s name, sensing trouble:

  “That wouldn’t help you, Pony.” — Matt Dillon (09:15)

3. Tension at the Saloon (09:52 – 12:42)

• At the Long Branch Saloon, Pony drinks alone, while Kitty and Dillon observe. Walt Gorman and Hicks enter, and Gorman provocatively approaches Kitty.
• Kitty famously calls out Gorman’s cowardice:

  “Tell me something, mister. You have to be awful brave to shoot puppy dogs.” — Kitty (10:52)

• A near-confrontation is defused as Dillon compels Gorman and Hicks to leave.

4. A Murder in the Night (12:53 – 14:52)

• The next morning, Chester discovers Gorman murdered in a stable, his throat cut and Pony Thompson passed out beside him, blood-spattered and with the murder weapon at hand.
• Pony, protesting his innocence and deeply disturbed by the idea of confinement, is arrested:

  “I told you how I am. I just can’t stand this... I’d rather die.” — Pony (14:52)

5. Jailbreak and Manhunt (15:30 – 18:09)

• Pony overpowers Chester and escapes jail, heading for a hideout along the Arkansas river.
• The posse — Dillon, Chester, and the ever-suspicious Hicks — set out in pursuit.
• Hicks, eager to join and pressing for a gun, is rebuffed by Dillon:

  “I want Pony Thompson alive. He’d be no good to me dead.” — Matt Dillon (19:46)

6. A Death in the Wild (18:39 – 21:41)

• At dawn, the group finds Pony dead inside a cave.
• The cause is soon evident — he was killed by a rattlesnake bite, the two telltale puncture wounds visible on his neck.
• Dillon observes:

  “He’d been sitting right down there in front of his cave for about eight hours. Now, he could have hollered for help, but he didn’t... Rather than face jail, he stayed in there and died.” — Matt Dillon (21:20, 21:47)

7. The Truth Unveiled (21:41 – 22:27)

• Hicks’ insistence on how Gorman died (mentioning he was stabbed in the back) raises Dillon's suspicion.
• Chester confirms he never shared that detail with Hicks — only that Gorman’s throat was cut.
• Dillon accuses Hicks of the murder, stating Pony died for nothing:

  “I don’t know why you killed your partner, and I don’t much care. But we’ll find out after we get Pony buried properly. ... And you’ll dig the grave, Hicks, and you’ll dig it deep. The old man deserves that much from you.” — Matt Dillon (22:14, 22:27)

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Memorable Quotes and Moments

• Kitty’s Scorn:
  “Tell me something, mister. You have to be awful brave to shoot puppy dogs.” (10:52)
• Pony’s Desolation:
  “I told you how I am. I just can’t stand this... I’d rather die.” (14:52)
• Dillon’s Justice:
  “And you’ll dig the grave, Hicks, and you’ll dig it deep. The old man deserves that much from you.” (22:27)

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Important Timestamps

• [02:44] — The puppy is shot, leading to tensions with newcomers Gorman and Hicks
• [07:33] — Introduction of Pony Thompson, the dog’s owner
• [10:52] — Kitty confronts Gorman in the saloon
• [12:53] — Discovery of Gorman’s murder and Pony’s arrest
• [15:30] — Pony’s escape from jail
• [18:39] — The posse hunts for Pony at dawn
• [21:10] — Pony found dead by snakebite
• [22:14] — Hicks' guilt is revealed

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Conclusion

This tightly woven episode of Gunsmoke is a meditation on loneliness, the rush to judgment, and the misunderstandings that can lead to tragedy. The story demonstrates Marshal Dillon’s commitment to justice and empathy, and ends with a somber reflection on the cost of a hasty accusation and a wrongful death on the western frontier.

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Transcript

[John Hakes]

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke Original air date is August 12, 1956 and the title is Snake Bite.

[Announcer]

Gun Smoke Brought to you by L M the modern cigarette that lets you get full exciting flavor through the modern miracle of the pure white miracle tip Live modern smoke L and M.

[John Hakes]

Around.

[Announcer]

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. Gunsmoke Starring William Conrad. The transcribed 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.

[John Hakes]

Well, we kindly cooled up after all that hot weather, didn't it, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Uh huh.

[John Hakes]

Sure turned out to be a pretty nice day. Yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

Kind of makes a man lazy though, doesn't it?

[John Hakes]

Hey, look at that. That little old dog out in the street there, he sure is playful, ain't he?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, yeah. If he had any sense, he'd go lie down in the shade somewhere.

[John Hakes]

Well, he's just a pup. Uh oh, now he better leave them horses be. He's gonna get kicked.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, he's gotta learn sometime.

[John Hakes]

Go on. Go on, scat. Go on. Get away from me, you mutt. You gonna make that fella mad. Go on. Oh, I'll fix you. Hey. Why, he shot him. Well, what a mean, miserable thing to do. That little pup wasn't hurting nothing.

[Matt Dillon]

No, he sure wasn't.

[John Hakes]

Hey, that's a Marshall. Now what do you want?

[Matt Dillon]

Get on off those horses. Do it right now.

[John Hakes]

All right, now what's your trouble, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

I'll take your gun, mister.

[John Hakes]

No, you won't.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm not even gonna argue with it. Then I'll make a move here, Chester. Hold it.

[John Hakes]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, I'll take yours too.

[John Hakes]

Sure, Marshall. I ain't gonna try nothing.

[Matt Dillon]

Hold up, now.

[John Hakes]

What's this all about, anyway?

[Matt Dillon]

What's your name, mister?

[John Hakes]

Walt Gorman.

[Matt Dillon]

Mm. What's yours? Hicks.

[John Hakes]

John Hakes.

[Matt Dillon]

All right. I don't allow shooting and dodge. Well, ain't no reason to take our guns. I ought to bend them across your heads. Come on, just a.

[John Hakes]

Hey, wait a minute. When do we get them guns back?

[Matt Dillon]

Tomorrow noon, when you leave town.

[John Hakes]

We ain't figurin on leaving. Oh, never mind him. He can't run us out. By golly, you are too, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

I will. Chester.

[John Hakes]

Look at that poor little dog. I wonder whose tea is.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know. Probably belongs to some kid around here.

[John Hakes]

I'll carry it around back to jail. Maybe the kid will want to bury it himself.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Why don't you do it?

[John Hakes]

That Gorman sure is a mean one.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I can get mean too, Chester. And I got a feeling I may have to before I'm through with him.

[John Hakes]

Why don't you? Live modern Live modern Live, live, live modern Change to L. M.

[Announcer]

Only with L M can you enjoy the full, exciting flavor of today's finest tobaccos through the modern miracle of the L M miracle tip through the pure white miracle tip L M tastes richer, smokes cleaner, draws easier no other cigarette plane or filter gives you all the flavor you want the rich, exciting flavor you get only from L and M. So light up, free up let your taste come alive Live modern Smoke L and M.

[Matt Dillon]

Make today your big red letter day.

[John Hakes]

And start to live the modern way Live, live, live modern get L. Hey, Mr. John. Guess what.

[Matt Dillon]

Now what, Joseph?

[John Hakes]

You know who that little raggedy dog belonged to? There was no kid at all. It was an old fella called Pony Thompson.

[Matt Dillon]

Bonnie Thompson?

[John Hakes]

Yes, sir. He come in here a while ago. He heard we had him. He's out back now burying him.

[Matt Dillon]

I never heard of Bonnie Thompson.

[John Hakes]

Neither had I. He's a real nice old fellow, though. Oh, kindly. Funny looking. He looks at you from under them scraggly eyebrows like an old gray wolf. But that's him.

[Matt Dillon]

You'll see. Hello, Mr. Thompson.

[John Hakes]

No, I ain't no mister. Pony's good enough. This is Marshal Dillon. How do, Marshal?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm sorry about your dog.

[John Hakes]

Well, I shouldn't have brung him. Town's bad enough for humans.

[Matt Dillon]

Where you from, Pony? I haven't seen you in Dodge before.

[John Hakes]

I don't seek out no town. But once a year, I move around on the prairie, Marshal. Sometimes you go into the mountains. I just can't stand four walls and a roof. Like being in jail?

[Matt Dillon]

What are you doing here now?

[John Hakes]

Once a year, I get drunk. What? That's why I come to town, to do it. I figure if I gotta get drunk, I gotta be cooped up in some saloon. But, you know, just walking down your street there, I feel kinda hog tied. My goodness. Marshal.

[Matt Dillon]

Yep.

[John Hakes]

Who shot my dog?

[Matt Dillon]

Aye. A couple of men who just rode into town.

[John Hakes]

I'll have to know their names.

[Matt Dillon]

You want them to pay you for the dog, Pony?

[John Hakes]

No, taint money I'm after.

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't think so.

[John Hakes]

You know, I got a heavy old rifle down at the stable with my gatherings. I figured to go kind of beat them half to death with it.

[Matt Dillon]

That wouldn't help you, Pony.

[John Hakes]

You. You ain't gonna tell me their names?

[Matt Dillon]

No, Pony, I'm not. Why are you gone?

[John Hakes]

I can't get drunk less than I start drinking, can I? Oh, I'll find out who shot my dog, don't you worry.

[Kitty]

Your friend Pony Thompson's doing pretty well at the bar over there, Matt. That's his second bottle he's working on.

[Matt Dillon]

He sure keeps to himself, doesn't he?

[Kitty]

Man who drinks alone is usually peaceful anyway.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[John Hakes]

Now hurry it up, bartender. We ain't got.

[Kitty]

All right, now, who's that pair just came in? Well, you know him, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. One of them's the man who shot Pony's dog I was telling you about.

[Kitty]

He looks like the kind. I know what Sam wants. Hey, Kitty, I better go. See you. I'll be right back.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure, Kitty.

[John Hakes]

Hey, look at this. She's pretty.

[Matt Dillon]

Hey, girly, buy you a drink?

[Kitty]

No, thanks. What do you want, Sam?

[Matt Dillon]

Never mind about him.

[John Hakes]

Come on, have a drink.

[Kitty]

I said no.

[John Hakes]

I said yes. Come on, girly, loosen up.

[Kitty]

Now, tell me something, mister. You have to be awful brave to shoot puppy dogs.

[John Hakes]

What?

[Kitty]

Must take a real man to do that, huh?

[Matt Dillon]

I just ought to slap your face in for you. I wouldn't try that, Garner.

[John Hakes]

It's a marshal.

[Matt Dillon]

Now what? You get out of here and you'll take Hakes with you. You sure like having your own way in this here town, don't you? I sure do. Now you get moving.

[John Hakes]

Come on, Gorman. We don't want no trouble. All right.

[Matt Dillon]

I sure am getting a belly full of that.

[Kitty]

What a hero.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. You know, Kitty, I wish you hadn't mentioned the dog.

[Kitty]

Oh, I'm sorry, Matt. I forgot.

[John Hakes]

Hey, evening, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Ah, hello, Pony.

[John Hakes]

Oh, that feller's name was Gorman, huh? Got a mean face, too, ain't he?

[Matt Dillon]

Now look here, Pony.

[John Hakes]

Oh, don't you worry I ain't gonna follow him, Marshall. No, sir. E. Bob, I got me this here bottle to finish. Yeah, I'm gonna get drunk tonight, remember?

[Kitty]

Well, I guess it doesn't matter after all. Matter?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I hope not, Kitty, but I'm not so sure.

[John Hakes]

Oh, my side meat fried potatoes, Harmony gritson, sorghum and a cup of lye. Matt, there was a mighty poor breakfast, if I do say so.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, then I'm glad I didn't treat you to.

[John Hakes]

If you ever treated me to breakfast, I'd be so dumbfounded I couldn't complain. Dylan. Mr. John. Why, it's Chester. At the stable door there. You too, doc. Hurry up. Me? What's he got, a sick horse in there?

[Matt Dillon]

He's got something, Doc. He looks pretty worried.

[John Hakes]

Chester's always worried. If it isn't money, it's women. Ma Strimick went to the office looking for you.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, what's the trouble, Chester?

[John Hakes]

There's been a killing.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[John Hakes]

That fellow, Walt Gorman, he got his throat cut in here. Moss found him laying in one of the stalls. Pony Thompson done it.

[Matt Dillon]

How do you know?

[John Hakes]

Well, he was right in there with him. He still is. We tied him up with a rope. Of course, he was passed out drunk when Moss found him. Did he come too fast enough when we swooshed some water on him? How could he kill a man when he was passed out? I don't know, Doc, but he was all spattered with blood. And the knife was laying there, right there by his hand. There he is, Marshal. Marshall, make him turn me loose. That's Gorman under the saddle blanket back there. Right. I'll take a look, but I don't know how much good. Oh, please get me loose, Marshall. Please, I. I just can't stand this.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, on time, Chester.

[John Hakes]

All right. I didn't kill nobody. The knife's in that board right next to you, Mr. John.

[Matt Dillon]

Tony, is this your knife?

[John Hakes]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure it's mine, but I didn't use it on nobody. It was laying right by his hand. Well, then somebody put it there. Gorman's dead, all right, Matt. Four or five hours. He took a knife in his back and then had his throat cut there. Well, I wouldn't do a thing like that, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I wouldn't have thought so. Point.

[John Hakes]

It's true. Oh, sure, I found him later, after you left the long branch. But I only swore at him a little for shooting my poor pup.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm gonna have to lock you up.

[John Hakes]

Oh, no, please, Marshall, don't do that. Please don't I got no choice, I tell you. I'll just go crazy. You put me in the. In jail. I told you how I am.

[Matt Dillon]

Just take him down.

[John Hakes]

Come on, Pony, let's get going. Oh, please don't. Not jail. You should have thought about that before you killed Garmin. Now, come on. I'd rather get shot. I. I'd rather die. You ain't going to die. Now, walk along. Hello, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I've been waiting for you.

[Announcer]

Hello, Hicks.

[John Hakes]

I seen Chester a while ago taking Pony Thompson into the jail here.

[Matt Dillon]

He'll tell you what happened.

[John Hakes]

He sure did. I didn't want to see Gorman, not after what that old man did to him.

[Matt Dillon]

Come out into the office, Hicks.

[John Hakes]

Chester.

[Matt Dillon]

What'S the matter? What's the matter? You sick or something?

[John Hakes]

He hit me.

[Matt Dillon]

What? Where's Pony Thompson?

[John Hakes]

That's what I'm telling you. He hit me with that spot. You mean he got away? I turned my back to go out of that cell. That's all I remember.

[Matt Dillon]

And he's been gone about 20 minutes.

[John Hakes]

Well, let's find him. Standing around here is doing no good.

[Matt Dillon]

We'll find him, Hicks.

[John Hakes]

But I know where he went.

[Matt Dillon]

You do? Where?

[John Hakes]

Well, in the stable there. He was mumbling about a hideout he knows down by the Arkansas somewhere.

[Matt Dillon]

You feel up to riding Jessup?

[John Hakes]

You bet I do. And I'm coming, too. I'll shoot that old devil on sight.

[Matt Dillon]

It's a good thing I took your gun, Hicks. But you're coming with us. All right. Just to make sure you don't find another one.

[John Hakes]

Why don't you? Live modern Live modern Live, live, live modern Change to L and M.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes.

[Announcer]

Have an L. M. Enjoy a really modern cigarette. A cigarette that gives you all the full, exciting flavor of today's finest tobaccos. No other cigarette, plane or filter gives you the flavor. You get through the modern miracle of the lip through the pure white miracle Tip L and M tastes richer Smokes cleaner, draws easier so light up, free up let your taste come alive Live modern Smoke L and M Make today.

[John Hakes]

Your big red letter day and start to live the modern way Live, live, live modern Get L and M today.

[Matt Dillon]

It.

[John Hakes]

Well, it's breaking day, Mr. Dillon. We can get moving again directly. We could be 30 miles from here by now. Well, you can't track a man in the dark, Hakes. We done the best we could. Blackest night I ever seen. Marshall, I want you to give me a gun today.

[Matt Dillon]

You're awful anxious to shoot him down, aren't you, Higgs?

[John Hakes]

It's to keep him from shooting me. Probably armed by now. Oh, sure he is. There's lots of guns laying along the banks of the Arkansas. I'm cold. I'm gonna walk around a little and stretch my legs. Don't you get lost, Sonny. Why don't you try keeping quiet? Your voice itches my ears.

[Matt Dillon]

Exterminism. How long were you and Gorman partners? About a year.

[John Hakes]

Why?

[Matt Dillon]

I just wondered.

[John Hakes]

You gonna let me have a gun today?

[Matt Dillon]

I wouldn't trust you with a buggy.

[John Hakes]

Now, you got no cause to say that.

[Matt Dillon]

I want Pawnee Thompson alive. He'd be no good to me dead.

[John Hakes]

What do you mean?

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't get a chance to talk to him, for one thing.

[John Hakes]

Hey, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, what?

[John Hakes]

There's a little old cave right up here. Go crawl in it. Maybe it'll fall on you.

[Matt Dillon]

It sure bothers me that you kind of bother him.

[John Hakes]

I ain't done nothing to him. Mr. Dunn, come here, quick.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[John Hakes]

Yeah. What is it, Chester? There's a man in this cave. It's old Pony Thompson.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, drag him out.

[John Hakes]

I. I did. He's dead. Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Huh?

[John Hakes]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Make a torch out of some of those dry weeds, Chester. I can't see much here.

[John Hakes]

Yes, sir. What is it, Marshall? Somebody kill him?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know, Hakes. Just stay out of the way.

[John Hakes]

Doggone it. You treat me like I was dirt. I've had enough of that.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on, Chester. Hurry up.

[John Hakes]

Yes, sir. I got it. Here, let me get lit.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't feel blood anywhere.

[John Hakes]

Yeah. Ain't gonna burn long, though.

[Matt Dillon]

Hold it near his head.

[John Hakes]

I don't see nothing.

[Matt Dillon]

No, wait a minute.

[Announcer]

Hold it closer, huh?

[Matt Dillon]

Down here.

[John Hakes]

There ain't a mark on him.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, there is. See those two little punctures on his neck there?

[John Hakes]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester. Well, I guess Pawnee meant what he said about not liking jail.

[John Hakes]

What do you mean?

[Matt Dillon]

He'd been sitting right down there in front of his cave for about eight hours. Now, he could have hollered for help, but he didn't. Help for what? There was a rattlesnake in that cave.

[John Hakes]

That's what them marks on his neck was. He got bit.

[Matt Dillon]

Rather than face jail, he stayed in there and died.

[John Hakes]

Don't get to feeling so sorry for him. He stuck Gorman in the back and cut his throat, didn't he?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Hicks, that's exactly what happened to Gorman.

[John Hakes]

What are you looking at me like that for?

[Matt Dillon]

Chester.

[John Hakes]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Did you tell Hicks that Gorman got knifed in the back?

[John Hakes]

No, sir. All I said was he got his.

[Matt Dillon]

Throat cut and poor old Pony Thompson died for nothing. I don't know why you killed your partner, and I don't much care. But we'll find out after we get Pony buried properly.

[John Hakes]

Now look here, Marsh.

[Matt Dillon]

And you'll dig the grave, Hicks, and you'll dig it deep. The old man deserves that much from you.

[Announcer]

In a moment, our star, William Conrad. In a recent study, a noted traffic expert estimates that inadequate highways and resultant traffic jams cost the American economy billions of dollars every year and suggests that the cost of modernizing our roads would quickly be regained in time saved. Discussing motor accidents, this same expert suggests that legislation may be needed to curb the speed of our powerful automobiles before they ever leave the factories. This is a controversial question on which the experts disagree. But all traffic experts agree on one thing. Common sense cannot be legislated into the automobile driver. He has to learn it by himself. Anger, bravado and the spirit of competition often are expressed on the highway by excessive speeding, disregard of traffic signs and signals and other risky maneuvers. Psychologists sum it up by saying that careless drivers are emotionally immature. Put more bluntly, it means that careless driving is kid stuff. This has been a CBS radio public service announcement.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, when a high plains woman was looking for a husband, Callahan's used to laugh and say she's throwing a wide loop. Well, next week a woman catches her man right enough, but with a.50 caliber rifle. And that was the west.

[Announcer]

Gunsmoke, produced and directed by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U. S. Marshal. Our story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey, sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Joseph Kearns, Vic Perrin and Lawrence Dobkin. Harley Bear As Chester, Howard McNear as Doc and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on gun smoke.

[John Hakes]

Sam.

[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 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.