
Original Air Date: April 24, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Ralph Moody• Lawrence Dobkin• Vic...
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Matt Dillon
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
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.
William Conrad
Around Dodge City and in the territory on west. There's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Gun smoke. Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it.
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, but it makes a man watchful and a little lone.
Bigfoot
Sat.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Bigfoot.
Bigfoot
I have watched you. Come. You're welcome.
Matt Dillon
You've traveled a fur piece from your lodges.
Bigfoot
Sometimes trail is long. Come, we will have food. Sit.
Rouse
I'm hungry.
Matt Dillon
That's a fact.
Bigfoot
Here, antelope, eat.
Matt Dillon
I was afraid for a while there.
Rouse
My ribs was gonna stick together.
Bigfoot
You come with news?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Bigfoot. I told you I'd bring you news. You can head back to your lodges.
Bigfoot
The man with the scar is dead. No, he ain't dead.
Matt Dillon
But he's been picked up.
Bigfoot
Picked up?
Matt Dillon
Mm.
Bigfoot
Marshall's got him.
Matt Dillon
The pokey?
Rouse
In jail.
Bigfoot
But he is not dead.
Matt Dillon
Well, not yet he ain't. He may be soon enough. Marshall's riding him out to Hays City tomorrow to be tried for murder.
Bigfoot
No. His life belonged to me.
Rouse
What do you care, Bigfoot?
Matt Dillon
Just so they got him.
Bigfoot
This man Rouse killed my father. His life belonged to me.
Matt Dillon
You're not thinking straight, Bigfoot. Forget all this and go home.
Rouse
Leave Rouse to the law.
Bigfoot
Round my brother?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Bigfoot
Your trail goes past the lodges of my people.
Matt Dillon
I should be riding past there tonight.
Bigfoot
I ask you to see my son, young Hawk, and send him here to me.
Matt Dillon
Sure, I can do that, Bigfoot.
Bigfoot
But.
Matt Dillon
I'm telling you again, I wouldn't get myself mixed up in nothing if I was you.
Bigfoot
The murder of my father must be answered.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, but the law has arrested this fellow Rouse. They'll take care of him.
Bigfoot
His life does not belong to white man. It belong to me. Now eat. You will need food to travel.
Chester
Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
Did it ever strike you how much time folks waste just writing things down?
Matt Dillon
I can't say I've done much worrying about it.
Rouse
No?
Chester
Well, you see every day how much of it's going on.
Matt Dillon
Oh, how's that?
Chester
Well, when I go to pick up the mail. There's always a whole pile of letters there, ain't there?
Matt Dillon
That's what the mail's for, Chester, to bring letters.
Chester
Yes, I know that. But every one of them letters has something wrote down in it, don't it?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
Yeah. Now, I don't need circulars and important things like that. I mean, all them letters that don't say nothing more than just howdy and how you ben, et cetera. Why, if they were to take all the letters that were wrote in this country on a single day, they wouldn't.
Rouse
Be worth a whole boot.
Matt Dillon
You may be right, Chester, but I know one thing.
Chester
What's that?
Matt Dillon
You'd be pretty hard to live with if you didn't get one of those worthless letters every now and then. Well, now. Yeah. Come on, let's get a beer and cool off, huh?
Chester
Is dark coming in out of that bright sun, ain't it?
Matt Dillon
I can see well enough to make it out that doc beat us to it.
Chester
Whoa, Doc. Oh, Miss Kitty. Just it, Matt.
Kitty
Come on, sit down.
Matt Dillon
Thanks, Kitty.
Chester
Thank you.
Matt Dillon
I'm surprised to see you here at this time of day, Doc.
Chester
Oh, I don't think you're in any position to call attention to a man's taking time off for a little refreshment.
Matt Dillon
Well, I wouldn't even notice any man but you.
Chester
What do you mean by that?
Matt Dillon
Well, you're always so ready to give a piece of your mind whenever anybody else takes a little time.
Rouse
Oh, for heaven's sake.
Kitty
Doc tells me you're taking a trip tomorrow night.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm delivering a prisoner to Hay City.
Chester
Mr. Don, I just don't feel easy about you taking that cussed rouse up there all along.
Kitty
What's the matter, Chespie? Don't you think Matt can take care of himself?
Chester
Why, of course he can take care of himself, Miss Kitty. But this fella is awful mean. It just might work out to be easier if I was to go along on the stage with you.
Kitty
Why don't you take him with him, Matt?
Matt Dillon
Now Chester has to stay in Dodge. Kitty, we got another man in jail.
Chester
It wouldn't hurt him none if we just left him locked up overnight. Mr. Dillon, the way he was feeling this morning, he probably wouldn't even know the difference.
Matt Dillon
Chester, you're staying here. Yes, sir.
Kitty
Well, Matt, if this man's dangerous, maybe you'd better take Jester.
Chester
Yes, Matt, by all means. That's what I think, Mr. Diller.
Matt Dillon
I'll get him there alone. I'm gonna go get.
Rouse
Sure nice of you, Marshall. Ranging of property stage, so to speak. Hey, Marshall, you hear me?
Bigfoot
Yeah, I heard you.
Matt Dillon
My guess, nobody wanted to ride that close to you.
Rouse
I don't know. I ain't such a bad sort of a fellow. Hey, Marshall, you know, I could be real comfortable this trip if you just undo these here wrist irons. Marshall, you got the gun. Ain't nobody else here to object.
Matt Dillon
I'd object.
Rouse
Well, that don't make no sense, Marshall. Lessen your beard of me. Hey, is that it, Marshall? You feared to ride with me with my hands free, huh? Even without a gun.
Matt Dillon
You talk too much, Rob.
Rouse
Yes. Hey, you're feared of him.
Matt Dillon
Just shut up, Jim. How many?
William Conrad
Got two.
Matt Dillon
Look like all right.
Rouse
What? Why are we stopping?
Matt Dillon
Maybe we can talk to him. We sure can't outrun them.
Rouse
Hey, Marshall. Shoot.
William Conrad
Shoot, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Why don't you shut up and sit still?
Bigfoot
You are wise, Marshal. Now I take your gun. Bigfoot, the gun.
Rouse
Throw it out. Good.
Matt Dillon
I didn't know you were a hold up man, Bigfoot.
Bigfoot
Not hold up man.
Matt Dillon
You've gone to a lot of trouble for nothing. There's no gold on this stage.
Bigfoot
I don't look for gold. I look for prisoner Rouse. I want prisoner Marshall.
Rouse
Don't. Don't you let him get.
Matt Dillon
Shut up, Russ.
Rouse
Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Bigfoot, you and I have been friends. You've been able to take my word.
Bigfoot
Marshall has always acted with honor.
Matt Dillon
Then let me tell you something. I'm taking this man to Hays City to be tried for murder. The evidence against him is great. He'll probably hang.
Bigfoot
His life belong to me.
Matt Dillon
He may not have a life at all. After the trial, you take him. You won't either.
Bigfoot
He killed my father.
Matt Dillon
Let the law punish him then. Don't start trouble with the tribes.
Bigfoot
I do not start trouble. He started trouble.
Matt Dillon
Let me finish it for you then. Let me take him onto Hay City. I promise you justice, Bigfoot.
Bigfoot
He will have justice, my son. Get off your horse. Now, Marshal, you and your prisoner will get out of the stage. And you, driver, you will sit quiet and not be foolish. Come now, get out.
Matt Dillon
I suppose you've got a plan for me.
Bigfoot
The marshal must come with me for a while.
Matt Dillon
You're making a mistake, Bigfoot.
Bigfoot
I would make mistake to let Marshall go free. All right, my son. By the hands of Marshall, I will watch prisoner. And you, driver, you free to go. Do not return to Dodge.
Rouse
Marshall. Hey, you awake?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm awake.
Rouse
I can't see any engines.
Matt Dillon
Don't worry about it. They can see you.
Rouse
I just thinking we might make Break.
Matt Dillon
For it in the dark. It wouldn't get 10ft.
Rouse
A gamble. A bullet at me.
Matt Dillon
They wouldn't waste a bullet on you, Ross. They just drag you back. The gamble isn't good enough.
Rouse
Ain't you gonna do nothing?
Matt Dillon
I have to be alive to do it.
Rouse
What does that mean?
Matt Dillon
It means I'm gonna wait for a better chance than making an open target of myself with my hands tied.
Rouse
You should have left my hands free.
Matt Dillon
If your hands had been free and you'd tried to do anything, you'd be dead right now.
Rouse
You know what they're gonna do?
Matt Dillon
Bigfoot wants to give you a fair trial, Ross. They're gonna walk us to the encampment. There's a meeting of the council of the tribe. Yeah.
Rouse
Dirty Injuns.
Matt Dillon
At least they're giving you a chance. That's more than you did for Bigfoot's father when you.
Rouse
Oh, he was just a no good, dirty, injured. Marshall, listen.
Matt Dillon
I want to tell you make me sick. Why don't you shut up? I want to get some sleep.
Rouse
Oh, Marshall, I tell you true, I ain't gonna last much longer.
Matt Dillon
Quit crying, Ross.
Rouse
We must have come 20 miles since sun up walking while them engines ride.
Matt Dillon
I know how far we've come. I walked it with you.
Rouse
Well, you ain't roped to no horse like me. And you got your hands free. Daytimes anyway. Ain't fair.
Matt Dillon
They're not worried about what you think. Russ.
Rouse
You sound like you're on their side.
Matt Dillon
It's not an easy choice.
Rouse
You wouldn't raise a finger to save me, would you?
Matt Dillon
Listen to me rouse. I may not like it, but it's my job to get you to Hays City alive.
Rouse
You don't act like you're trying very hard. I tell you, Marshall, is ain't hardly human being drug along prairie like this. It's just more than a man can stand.
Matt Dillon
You're still on your feet, aren't you?
Rouse
Well, yeah, but I.
Matt Dillon
You better try and keep it that way.
Rouse
What does that mean?
Matt Dillon
They could keep right on dragging you. When you quit walking.
Rouse
I'll keep walking.
Matt Dillon
You better start saving your breath too.
Rouse
Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Rouse
Marshall, ain't they never gonna stop?
Matt Dillon
I don't know.
Rouse
We ain't even stopped for water since mid morning. Ain't you thirsty? Well, ain't you?
Matt Dillon
Why don't you shut up?
Rouse
Marshall. Oh, hey, Marshall, listen to me. You gotta live. I gonna make it much longer. Marshall. I got a rock in my boot. It's gone right through my foot.
Matt Dillon
That's too bad.
Rouse
I mean It, Marshall, I just ain't gonna be able to walk no further.
Matt Dillon
You want me to carry you?
Rouse
Talk to him. Make him stop Just. Just while I take it out.
Matt Dillon
They're not likely to stop for you to feel easier.
Rouse
Might if you asked him. Ain't got nothing against you. They just seeing you don't free me is all. Oh, please, Marshall, ask him to stop, just for a minute.
Matt Dillon
All right, Ralph. But you keep quiet, you hear? You let me do the talking. Sure.
Bigfoot
Sure, Marshall. I will beg.
Matt Dillon
Bigfoot, I want to talk to you. Ross, your prisoner has a stone in his boot. He wants you to undo his hand so he can take it out so he can go on walking.
Bigfoot
He will walk.
Matt Dillon
He'll make better time to your council if you don't have to drag him in a mile.
Bigfoot
We reach a stream, water horses, fix foot. Then at the stream we go.
Matt Dillon
Get your head up before you fall down. We're heading for the stream.
Rouse
You gonna stop?
Matt Dillon
That's what he said.
Bigfoot
Marshall, you and prisoner sit.
Rouse
Oh. Oh, I thought I'd never sit down again.
Matt Dillon
You better be sure you can get out.
Rouse
Get him to untie my hands so that I get my boot off, will you?
Matt Dillon
Gonna untie his hands, Bigfoot? He wants to take his boot off.
Bigfoot
Young Hawk, untie rope from horse.
Rouse
Now, just take a handcuffs.
Bigfoot
No handcuffs.
Rouse
I can't do nothing.
Bigfoot
This way, Marshal. Yeah, this is where it will be done. I will water horses. You will take boot off. My son will stay with you.
Rouse
He will watch I take my own boot off.
Bigfoot
The marshal will do it.
Matt Dillon
You better settle for that, Ross, if you want that rock out.
Bigfoot
You stay, son, and watch.
Rouse
Watch.
Matt Dillon
All right, Ross, which foot is it?
Rouse
It's this the right one?
Matt Dillon
All right, now brace yourself.
Rouse
Yeah. Easy.
Chester
Easy there.
Matt Dillon
Whether you want your boot off or not. Yeah, but pull it slow.
Rouse
Pull it real slow.
Matt Dillon
I've known old women of my time.
Rouse
Yeah, that's. That's where I slow. Hey, Young Hawk, you just look here. Just look. Lean over here. Lean. Now you see?
Matt Dillon
Look out.
Rouse
Got you.
Matt Dillon
Knife, tape.
Rouse
I sure did. Martial art guy right in his belly.
Matt Dillon
Pyong hung.
William Conrad
Here.
Matt Dillon
Let me see. I worked that out real good, didn't I, young Hawk? Why, you dirty pig, you killed him.
Rouse
That one name, it'll just tickle him. Now grab his gun before his old man gets back.
Matt Dillon
I'd worry about that if I were you.
Rouse
Go on, grab his gun.
Matt Dillon
All right, I got it.
Rouse
That's the way, see? Now you and me's got the deal. All you got to do is shoot that engine. When he comes back and we all see set.
Matt Dillon
I'm not gonna shoot him.
Rouse
Ain't gonna what?
Matt Dillon
He hasn't killed anybody. You have.
Rouse
Dylan, you crazy? I'm a white man.
Matt Dillon
You're nothing to be proud of.
Rouse
Hey, here he comes. Why'd you shoot him, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Go on shooting, Bigfoot.
Bigfoot
My son hurt.
Matt Dillon
He's dead.
Rouse
Shoot. Heaven's name, Marshall.
Bigfoot
Shooting Marshall. You did not do this thing.
Matt Dillon
No, Bigfoot. I'm sorry. I couldn't stop it, Dylan. He pulled a knife from his.
Rouse
Will you shoot him?
Bigfoot
This white man, he crawled on a snake's belly.
Matt Dillon
We'll punish him, Bigfoot. I guarantee you that.
Bigfoot
I punish him now. The white snake is dead.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, he's dead.
Bigfoot
Bigfoot has done what he had to do. It is finished.
Matt Dillon
Not quite. Bigfoot, I'm gonna have to take you in.
Bigfoot
It does not matter. My father lies dead. My son lies dead. The white man who killed them lies dead. It is finished. Here, my gun.
Chester
Hey, Doc. Eh, don't you suppose it's getting nearly time to eat? Eat again. Just finished breakfast by night, huh, Doc?
Rouse
Catch it. Oh.
Bigfoot
Kitty.
Chester
Ho, there, Miss Kitty. Aren't you out kind of early?
Kitty
I'm bringing a message to Matt. A friend of his was in the long branch last night and wanted me to say hello for him when Matt got back.
Chester
He didn't get back.
Kitty
I thought he was due in on the stage this morning.
Chester
That's what I thought too, Miss Giddy. And it's left me in an awful pickle. Well, what's the trouble, Chester? Why, that prisoner in there, the one he left with me in the jail.
Kitty
What's the matter with him?
Chester
Nothing's the matter with him, except he thinks he should get out. And I'd like to let him out too. I'm tired of feeding him. Where. You got the key, haven't you? Yeah. Well, Doc, of course I got the key, but I ain't sure it's fitting to me to let anybody out at the authority.
Kitty
Well, looks like you can ask Matt.
Chester
Well, look at that. I guess Mr. Dillon decided to ride back. Well, with an Indian. And on an Indian pony. That is kind of strange now, ain't it?
Kitty
Hello, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Chris.
Chester
Dylan.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Kitty. Doc.
Chester
Matt.
Matt Dillon
Chester.
Bigfoot
Bless you.
Matt Dillon
Put this man in the cell, William.
Chester
Locky, move.
Matt Dillon
That's what I said.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
All right, Bigfoot, go with Chester.
Chester
Well, Matt, I. I guess we needn't.
Rouse
Have worried about you.
Chester
You start off with one prisoner and you come back with another.
Kitty
Just like if we're not trouble at all.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Well, if you don't mind, I'll see you both later.
Rouse
Sure.
Chester
Matt, wait.
Rouse
Interesting.
Matt Dillon
There something wrong, Matt? What could be wrong, Doc? Like you said, Kitty, it's no trouble.
William Conrad
Sat produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman MacDonald. 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 Ralph Moody, Lawrence Dobkin and Mick Perrin. Barley Baer is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. And now, here's a special word from our star.
Matt Dillon
This is William Conrad. I don't often step out of Matt Dillon's shoes on the air, but I'm gonna do it today for an important reason called Radio Free Europe. Did you know that 93% of the refugees escaping Iron Curtain countries prove to be Radio Free Europe listeners at risk of life itself? Captive people do listen. Hunger for the truth about the free world. Your truth dollars, your help, whatever the amount will keep the truth going through the Iron Curtain. Send it now to the crusade for freedom, care of your post office.
Bigfoot
Gunsmoke is a presentation of the CBS.
William Conrad
Radio Network.
Rouse
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of OTRWesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com.
Rouse
Become one.
Andrew Rines
Of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands Steve Technogod and Craig who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcast trwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 this episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Matt Dillon
Sam.
Podcast Information:
"Stage Snatch" transports listeners to Dodge City, Kansas, during the tumultuous settlement of the American West. The episode focuses on Matt Dillon, the steadfast United States Marshal, renowned as "the first man they look for and the last they want to meet" (03:01), as he navigates the challenges of maintaining law and order in a rapidly evolving frontier town.
Early in the episode, Matt Dillon encounters Bigfoot, a Native American whose demeanor suggests both wisdom and weariness. Their conversation sets the stage for the central conflict:
Bigfoot reveals that the man responsible for killing his father has been apprehended, but tensions remain high as Bigfoot grapples with seeking personal vengeance versus adhering to the law.
Back in Dodge City, Matt's trusted associates, Doc Chester and Kitty, discuss the impending stagecoach trip Matt is about to undertake:
Their dialogue highlights the community's dependence on Matt's judgment and the unease surrounding the transport of a potentially dangerous prisoner, Rouse.
As Matt prepares to escort Rouse to Hays City for trial, tensions escalate:
Despite suggestions to bolster the escort, Matt opts to undertake the journey alone, aiming to prevent further complications.
The stagecoach ride becomes fraught with tension as Rouse, the prisoner, becomes increasingly agitated:
Rouse's attempts to provoke Matt culminate in a desperate act when he pulls out a knife, forcing Matt to take decisive action:
In self-defense, Matt is compelled to shoot Rouse after the latter poses an immediate threat, leading to Rouse's death.
In the aftermath of Rouse's death, Bigfoot seeks retribution for his father's murder:
Bigfoot confronts Matt, resulting in a tense standoff where Matt is compelled to detain Bigfoot to prevent further violence. The situation underscores the fragile balance between personal vendettas and the rule of law.
Upon returning to Dodge City, Matt faces the repercussions of the day's events:
The community grapples with the loss of Rouse and the new tension introduced by Bigfoot's involvement, highlighting the complexities of justice in a multicultural frontier town.
The episode concludes with Matt Dillon reaffirming his commitment to justice despite personal losses:
"Stage Snatch" masterfully explores themes of law versus vengeance, the challenges of leadership, and the personal costs of maintaining order in the Wild West. Matt Dillon's unwavering dedication serves as a beacon of integrity amidst the pervasive turmoil of frontier justice.
"Stage Snatch" encapsulates the essence of Gunsmoke, blending intense character interactions with moral dilemmas that define the American frontier. Through Matt Dillon's journey, listeners are reminded of the perpetual struggle between upholding the law and confronting personal vendettas, all set against the rugged backdrop of Dodge City.
<a id="time-0301">[03:01]</a>, <a id="time-0316">[03:16]</a>, <a id="time-0404">[04:04]</a>, <a id="time-0503">[05:03]</a>, <a id="time-0608">[06:08]</a>, <a id="time-0631">[06:31]</a>, <a id="time-0650">[06:50]</a>, <a id="time-0800">[08:00]</a>, <a id="time-0843">[08:43]</a>, <a id="time-0902">[09:02]</a>, <a id="time-0908">[09:08]</a>, <a id="time-1003">[10:03]</a>, <a id="time-2112">[21:12]</a>, <a id="time-2116">[21:16]</a>, <a id="time-2234">[22:34]</a>, <a id="time-2251">[22:51]</a>, <a id="time-2106">[21:06]</a>, <a id="time-1406">[14:06]</a>, <a id="time-1507">[15:07]</a>