
Original Air Date: June 24, 1956Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Harry Bartell• John Dehner• Joseph...
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Chester
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines. And before we get into this episode, I wanted to do a little PSA and remind you that I put out multiple shows a week of Old Time Radio Westerns. You can check them out by going to otrwesterns.com or looking up OTR Westerns on your podcast application of choice. We're releasing over 10 episodes a week so far, about a hundred a month. So definitely want you to check that out again otrwesterns.com and check it out. I also wanted to invite you to check out my sister podcast site, otnetcast, and that's N E T C A s t. So ot n e t c a s t netcast otnetcast.com we're currently releasing mystery genre shows and this is shows like the Shadow Escape, Suspense and the Whistler. And we have plans on bringing other shows to the network for you guys to listen to. So it's my non western old time radio channel that I can kind of do other genres that not only I like, but hopefully you would like too. You can check us out by going to otnetcast.com or searching t N E T C A S T on your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke Original Air Dates June 24, 1956 and the title is Sunday Supplement.
Narrator/Announcer
Gun Smoke brought to you by Chesterfield. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed. Thanks to Accuray, they satisfy the most 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 Dodge. Gun Smoke. Gun Smoke. 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.
Chester
A man watchful and a little lonely. Well, well, for heaven's sake, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, What?
Chester
Doc, look at that coming. It's a surrey. What? Our four passengers. Surrey. Oh, well, that's the first one of those I've seen west of St. Louis. What?
Matt Dillon
That's Kitty up there with a driver, isn't it?
Chester
Dog, Kitty or. Oh, why, so it is. But who is the driver?
Matt Dillon
I don't know. I don't know the one sitting in the back either.
Chester
That's pretty fancy. For dogs.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Those are a couple of dudes if.
Chester
I ever saw any Green Squad.
Kitty
Hi, Matt.
Chester
Hello, Kitty.
Kitty
We haven't met anyone.
Chester
Haven't even seen them yet.
Kitty
There they are. Marshall Dylan, Doc Adams, Samuel Sprague and Cliffs and Bunker.
Chester
Hello. Quite a wagon you gentlemen have. We brought it with us, Doctor, on the train. We've been all over the country around here in that surrey, haven't we, Bunker? What are you, Prospectors? No, Doc, we're writers, Doctor, from New York. Writers? Did you ever read anything by Ned Buntline? Oh, then you're not reporters. You. You write make believe stories. Well, we want to write true stories, Doctor, but there doesn't seem to be much material around here.
Kitty
Kind of disappointed. There hasn't been a gunfight since they arrived. And every Indian in Kansas seems to be growing old on a reservation.
Chester
You're not going to get any stories this way.
Matt Dillon
You mentioned that writer Ned Buntline, Mr. Spring? I met him once through Jim Bridger.
Chester
Oh, yes. He wrote a lot of stories about Jim Bridger's adventures.
Matt Dillon
Most of them were lies. They made Bridger look like a fool.
Chester
They also made Jim Bridger famous, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Like Wyatt Earp. Von D Line wrote about him, too.
Chester
Anything wrong with being famous?
Matt Dillon
I guess it depends how you get that way, Mr. Sprigg.
Chester
Yeah, go stir him up some Indians, Matt. A few massacred families out here would. Oh, that'd make nice reading in New York.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
Let's go get a drink, Kitty.
Kitty
You two go ahead. I'll join you.
Chester
All right. Good day, gentlemen. Gentlemen.
Kitty
Well, you were a great help.
Matt Dillon
What do you care about then?
Kitty
Kitty, I don't think a series of stories in the New York papers would hurt Dodge any, do you?
Chester
Oh. Oh, she's thinking of business night. I. I keep forgetting she's half owner of the Long branch now.
Matt Dillon
So that's it, huh?
Kitty
Of course it is. Don't want anybody killed, but you might at least be polite to him.
Matt Dillon
Haven't got time. Kidding.
Chester
What?
Matt Dillon
I got to ride up to Hayes City tomorrow. I may not be back for a week.
Kitty
Good.
Matt Dillon
You want to come along?
Narrator/Announcer
Introducing one of the country's best known jazz musicians and arrangers, Mr. Bobby Haggart. How about whistling along with him?
Kitty
Packs more pleasure, Packs more pleasure. Chesterfield packs more more pleasure Because Chesterfield's.
Narrator/Announcer
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Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure Because Chesterfield's more.
Narrator/Announcer
Perfectly packed to the touch, to the taste. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed by Chesterfield mild, yet they satisfy the most.
Chester
Look. That's cavalry up ahead there, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
Pretty sloppy looking, ain't they? Half of them ain't even setting their saddles straight.
Matt Dillon
Uh huh.
Chester
Yeah. Not that I blame them then, riding them terrible McClellan saddles.
Matt Dillon
I think they've been ahead, Chester. They must have had a fight, Harry.
Chester
By golly, I think you're right.
Matt Dillon
Let's pull up.
Chester
Some of them boys is wounded. And look there. A couple of them tied across their saddles. They're dead.
Matt Dillon
I think I know that, Lieutenant. Justin. Yeah, That's Lieutenant Bane.
Chester
What in the world do you suppose this happened?
Matt Dillon
Hello, Lieutenant. Can we give you any help?
Chester
Might have this morning, Marshal. Indians, Chief Little Hawk.
Narrator/Announcer
Little Hawk?
Matt Dillon
The Pawnee.
Chester
Haven't you heard, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
What? I've been to Hayes City for a week.
Chester
Little Hawk and 40 Brave jumped reservation four, five days ago.
Matt Dillon
He's one of the most peaceful chiefs in Kansas, Lieutenant.
Chester
Look at my patrol, Marshal. Two dead and half a dozen wounded.
Matt Dillon
I don't understand it.
Chester
Neither does anybody else. He wiped out a family over on Walnut Creek yesterday and he hit us this morning.
Matt Dillon
You're the only cavalry in the field.
Chester
Yeah. Funny thing. We picked up Little Hawk's trail right here, Marshal. Right out of that grove of trees. It's a Pawnee burying ground. Guess they stopped there to make medicine or something. Well, see you at the dance, Marshal.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Lieutenant, I'm sorry it happened.
Chester
So am I. That.
Matt Dillon
Come on, Justin.
Chester
Them four doubles, they really got it, didn't they?
Matt Dillon
Well, they're not far from Fort Dodge now.
Chester
Where are we going? Look at this Pawnee graveyard.
Matt Dillon
Not exactly a graveyard, Jesse.
Chester
What is it then?
Matt Dillon
You'll see.
Chester
Mr. Dillon. What? All them poles sticking up over there with them platforms on graves, Justin. I've heard of that. They bury people up in the air on them platforms, don't they?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, that's right.
Chester
These is all new, Mr. Dillon. At least they're empty. Ain't no corpses laying on.
Matt Dillon
Little Hawk must have come by here to pick up his dad and take him with him.
Chester
What for?
Matt Dillon
I don't know.
Chester
He must have been in an awful hurry. Look at that platform over there. Uh huh. It's half tore down.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I noticed it.
Chester
The rest of them ain't. No. I declare, I. I don't feel right here, Mr. Gentleman.
Matt Dillon
Neither do I, Chester. All right, come on, let's.
Chester
I'll buy us the first drinks, Mr. Dylan.
Matt Dillon
All right, Jessica.
Chester
I swear my throat's solid alkaline. Yes.
Matt Dillon
Kitty.
Chester
Yeah? She wants you, mister.
Matt Dillon
I'll join you at the bar, Justin.
Chester
All right.
Kitty
How long have you been back, Matt?
Matt Dillon
Since noon, Kitty. I had a lot of business. At the bank, huh? Well, not personal business, you understand.
Kitty
Matt, you remember Sprig and Bunker?
Matt Dillon
No. Those dudes still in town?
Kitty
Matt, they want to talk to you.
Matt Dillon
Now, Kitty, their stories aren't going to put Pressure Dodge on the map. It's already there. Texas cattle did it not. New York riders.
Kitty
Please. Map. I'm asking.
Matt Dillon
Well, if you're going to turn female.
Kitty
On me, you forget I'm part owner of this place. Now, I can have you thrown out.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'd sure be talking to those.
Kitty
Two right there, Matt. At that table. You see him?
Matt Dillon
No.
Kitty
Well, then walk around a while. You'll find them. I'm going to talk to Justin.
Matt Dillon
Good evening, gentlemen. Marshall Dillon.
Chester
Sit down, Marshall. Sit down.
Matt Dillon
All right.
Chester
Marshall, we've got a proposition to make you. Oh? The Utah. Well, Marshall, we heard about those Indians.
Matt Dillon
Some soldiers from Fort Dodge were in.
Chester
Here a while ago, and we want to find them.
Matt Dillon
What are you talking about? Spring.
Chester
Well, I don't mean find them exactly, but the next time they attack some settler, we want to be the first to get there. That way we'd really see what it's like.
Narrator/Announcer
Marshall, maybe we could even talk to the survivors.
Matt Dillon
If there are any. We'll pay you.
Chester
Well.
Matt Dillon
They made for what?
Chester
For guiding us. For taking us there. What do you say, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
You want me to guide a couple of vultures like you?
Chester
That's uncalled for, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Why don't you go back to New York, huh? They got plenty of corpses there. And they're a whole lot prettier than anything the Indians might leave for you.
Chester
Now, look here, Marshall, there's no getting along with McAll.
Kitty
Well, you certainly didn't talk to them very long, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Is that my drink, Chester?
Chester
No, sir, it ain't. No, it ain't. It ain't. It's my. It's my.
Matt Dillon
It's.
Chester
It's yours. Now.
Matt Dillon
Pour yourself another one. I'll buy it.
Chester
Well, thank you. I don't mind if I do. Oh, Mr. D. Look at this. Little D. Miss Kitty's been showing me, huh? They had it hung up behind the bar there. See? It's all carved out of bone.
Kitty
Here, let me see that interesting, isn't it, Matt?
Matt Dillon
Where'd this come from, Kitty?
Kitty
Well, it's an Indian totem of some kind. Spriggan Bunker brought it in.
Matt Dillon
Spriggan Bunker?
Kitty
They're just lending it to us to hang behind the bar. You know what? I'll go with him, Chester.
Chester
Well, I'll go.
Matt Dillon
Where did your men get this totem?
Chester
We've had enough of you for tonight, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
I want to know where you got this totem sprig.
Chester
You're joking me.
Matt Dillon
Then tell me.
Chester
We got it from a soldier.
Matt Dillon
A soldier? What soldier?
Chester
A private from Fort Badge. It was Roger Harlow. We bought it. What is it, Mr. Dylan?
Matt Dillon
Jester, we're riding out to Fort Dodge in the morning and time to wake up Major Honeyman.
Chester
All right, Marshall. B Company moved out yesterday. My judgment of the situation is that they'll make almost immediate contact.
Matt Dillon
I see, major.
Chester
But I don't like your insinuation that the cavalry is responsible for Little Hawk jumping reservation. I'll admit garrison life's dull, but no soldier in my command would want action that badly. Where's your proof, marshal?
Matt Dillon
Right here, major.
Chester
Why, this is a Pawnee totem.
Matt Dillon
It's more than that, Major. It's a fox clan totem.
Chester
Little Hawks clan. Yeah.
Matt Dillon
Well, I've told you where I think it came from. Now, let's get that private in here and settle this, huh?
Chester
Marshall, I'll feed him the Little Hawk if this is true. Oh, sergeant. Sergeant Grimes. Oh, what'd you say his name is? Harlow.
Matt Dillon
Roger Harlow.
Chester
Yes, major. Sergeant, you pride yourself on knowing every man at Fort Dodge. As regimental sergeant, I consider it my duty, sir. What company is Private Roger Harlo assigned to? Private Roger Harlow? Yes, that's right. There ain't no Roger Harlow on this post, major. Never had been.
Narrator/Announcer
Where are you listening to Gunsmoke? In your kitchen getting ready for Sunday supper? Maybe in your living room relaxing or out driving, Say, be sure and watch the road. But remember there's pleasure ahead when you smoke Chesterfield when you satisfy yourself with Chesterfield's better taste than mildness it stands to reason A cigarette made better and packed better smokes better, tastes better and Chesterfield is more perfectly packed by accuray. This electronic miracle removes human error in cigarette manufacture. So accurate. Chesterfield is firm and pleasing to the lips. Mild, yet deeply satisfying. Yes, Chesterfield gives you something no other cigarette can give you.
Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more.
Chester
Perfectly packed to the touch, to the taste.
Narrator/Announcer
Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed by Chesterfield Mild, yet they satisfy the most.
Chester
Sam.
Matt Dillon
Morning, Doc.
Chester
Hey, good morning. Did you find Sprig in Bunker last night, man?
Matt Dillon
No. We finally learned at the stable. They drove out of Dodge in that surrey yesterday morning.
Chester
You going after him?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, as soon as Chester comes with our horses.
Chester
What do you think they're up to now, man?
Matt Dillon
I wish I knew, Doc.
Chester
May ought to be hung at dark. Yes.
Matt Dillon
Look over there. Come under the plaza.
Chester
Oh, yeah. Well, you won't have to ride after them now. No. Them and their fancy, sir. Yep. Matt, where you going? Hello, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Get on, Bunker. You, too. Spring.
Chester
Now. Well, we saw it, Marshall. We saw practically all of it. It was exciting and with no help from you. Oh, it was magnificent. The cavalry really got their own back this time.
Matt Dillon
What are you talking about?
Chester
The Indians.
Narrator/Announcer
The cavalry practically wiped them out.
Matt Dillon
What?
Chester
Yesterday, Marshall, just before dark. We were driving along the Arkansas and heard all that gunfire and commotion up ahead. And we got there just in time to see what few Indians were left running for their lives. They killed all but half a dozen of them. And they got that cheap little or two.
Matt Dillon
You saw this, Marshall?
Chester
We wouldn't be making it up, would we? And I might add that it's about.
Matt Dillon
Time we saw something around here in our sprig. I was talking to Doc Adams over there when you drove in. You know what he'd like to see?
Chester
No.
Matt Dillon
He'd like to see you and Bunker hung.
Chester
What?
Matt Dillon
And so would I.
Chester
What's the matter with you, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Why did you tell me a soldier gave you that totem?
Chester
Oh, you. You found out.
Matt Dillon
Why did you lie about it?
Narrator/Announcer
Because you were choking me.
Chester
And because I didn't know what you do next or why. Wine.
Matt Dillon
You men robbed a Pawnee grave. You stole a totem. A totem of Little Hawk's clan.
Chester
That's all we took. Who cares about a savage idol anyway?
Matt Dillon
Little Hawk did. He went on a war path.
Chester
Nonsense, Marshall. Over a fool thing like that? Marshal, you're not standing up for a bloodthirsty redskin, are you?
Matt Dillon
I knew Little Hawk Sprig. He was a good chief. He was a brave man and a peaceful one till you shamed him.
Chester
Well, he's not shamed now, Marshall. He's a good Indian.
Matt Dillon
Now, you get out, both of you. You get out. Today. Enough men have died because of you. And you go back to New York, and when you get there, you write a story about a marshal who'd I like nothing better than handing you over a little hook. Maybe we're still alive.
Narrator/Announcer
In a moment. Our star, William Conrad.
Kitty
Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed.
Narrator/Announcer
A cigarette made better and packed better smokes better, tastes better, and Chesterfield is more perfectly packed. By Accuray. This electronic miracle removes human error in cigarette manufacture. So accurate. Chesterfield is firm and pleasing to the lips, Chesterfield mild. Yet they satisfy the most.
Matt Dillon
You know, there's a saying on the frontier, kicking won't get you nowhere less than you're a mule. Well, next week a man complains that somebody's trying to kill him and isn't believed until it happens. But that was the West. Good night.
Narrator/Announcer
Gun Smoke Produced and Directed by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Our story was found specially written for Gunsmoke by John Mustin, with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey, sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Harry Bartel, John Dana, Joseph Kearns, Lou Krugman and Ralph Moody. Barley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Live Modern Smoke L and M.
Chester
Only.
Narrator/Announcer
With L M can you enjoy the full, exciting flavor of today's finest tobaccos through the modern miracle of the pure white miracle.
Chester
Tip so light up, free up, let.
Narrator/Announcer
Your taste come alive. Live Modern Smoke L and M. Live.
Chester
Modern Change to L and M.
Narrator/Announcer
Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on gun smoke.
Chester
Sam Sat 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 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.
Podcast: Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Release Date: August 18, 2025
Story Setting: Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West
This classic episode of Gunsmoke, titled "Sunday Supplement," centers on the disruption caused by two New York writers visiting Dodge City in search of sensational stories. Their intrusion—driven by a hunger for drama—ultimately stirs fatal trouble, provoking a once-peaceful Pawnee chief, Little Hawk, into violence. The episode explores the consequences of outsiders meddling in local affairs for the sake of publicity and personal gain, as well as the ripple effects of cultural insensitivity and greed.
[04:12–05:43]
“Most of [Ned Buntline’s stories] were lies. They made Bridger look like a fool.” —Matt Dillon [05:10]
[05:06–05:24]
“They also made Jim Bridger famous, Marshall.” —Sprague
“I guess it depends how you get that way, Mr. Sprigg.” —Matt Dillon
[08:08–11:38]
“Little Hawk and 40 braves jumped reservation 4, 5 days ago.” —Lt. Bane [09:16]
“They bury people up in the air on them platforms, don’t they?” —Chester [10:51] “Little Hawk must have come by here to pick up his dad and take him with him.” —Matt Dillon [11:20]
[15:09–15:58]
“You men robbed a Pawnee grave. You stole a totem. A totem of Little Hawk's clan.” —Matt Dillon [21:47]
[16:19–17:45]
[20:05–22:30]
“Yesterday...we were driving along the Arkansas and heard all that gunfire...We got there just in time to see what few Indians were left running for their lives...They killed all but half a dozen of them. And they got that chief Little Hawk too.” —Bunker [20:52]
“You men robbed a Pawnee grave. You stole a totem...Little Hawk did. He went on a war path.” —Matt Dillon [21:47]
“He was a good chief. He was a brave man and a peaceful one till you shamed him.” —Matt Dillon [22:09] “Now you get out, both of you. You get out. Today. Enough men have died because of you.” —Matt Dillon [22:30]
Matt’s Reflection on Fame:
“I guess it depends how you get that way, Mr. Sprigg.” —[05:22]
Chester’s Discomfort in the Graveyard:
“I declare, I...I don’t feel right here, Mr. Dillon.” —[11:12]
Matt’s Fury at the Writers’ Sensationalism:
“You want me to guide a couple of vultures like you?” —[14:23]
Moral Condemnation:
“You men robbed a Pawnee grave. You stole a totem...He was a good chief. He was a brave man and a peaceful one till you shamed him.” —Matt Dillon [21:47–22:09]
Closing Rebuke:
“You go back to New York, and when you get there, you write a story about a marshal who’d like nothing better than handing you over to Little Hawk.” —Matt Dillon [22:39]
The conversation maintains the classic, clipped, and gritty tone of Gunsmoke, with heavy themes of morality, unintended consequences, and a deep disdain for exploitation. The dialogue is natural and character-driven, balanced with moments of dry frontier humor—especially from Chester and Kitty.
“Sunday Supplement” offers a powerful meditation on the dangers of sensationalism and disrespect toward other cultures. The arrival of outsiders seeking exciting stories leads, through a small act of theft and thoughtlessness, to a chain of violence and loss. Matt Dillon’s strong moral core is clear: public notoriety is hollow if it is built on suffering. The episode serves as a critique of those who would exploit tragedy for personal gain, whether in the 19th century or today.