
Original Air Date: May 15, 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:• Barney Phillips• Vic Perrin Editori...
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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.
Ben Riley
Around Dodge City and in the territory on West.
Doc Adams
There's just one way to handle the.
Ben Riley
Killers and the spoilers, and that's with the U.S. marshall 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 Marsh. 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.
Doc Adams
It seems to me, Riley, if you'd have brought your wife this far, you'd have brought her on into Dodge for me to care for. I sure would have liked to do that, Doc, but Cassie just carried on about it something terrible. She said she just couldn't stand another turn of them wagon wheels, so I come to get you. Where you bound? We ain't decided on where to settle, Doc. Just heading west. Someplace where it'd be dry for Tassic. Oh, well, you're traveling for your wife. Hell fire, huh? Yeah, Doc, that's the reason for it. You see, Cassie's been ailing for a year or two back home. And finally we just figured to light out yonder and see if it'd help her something. When did she start to sicken? Must be a week now, Doc. First she tried to keep on going, but it just got to be so. She couldn't stand it to ride the wagon no more, so we stopped. What are the symptoms? How's that again? What seems to be wrong with your wife? Is she in pain? Can you keep her food down? Well, I ain't much up on what ails women, Doc, but she's coughing an awful lot. For one thing, she's awful weak. Can't hardly move around. I'll examine it. The wagon's around the next bend Dock down by the stream. I was beginning to think it was in the next county. Down there, Doc. Turn down there. All right.
Kitty
I'll head in right here under this tree.
Doc Adams
That's good, Doctor. You go on into the wagon now. I'll unhitch my horse from behind the bucket. All right, Riley. It's kind of a hot day to be under all that canvas. Mrs. Riley, I'm Doc Adams. Your husband brought me from Dodge. Mrs. Riley. Easy now, Mrs. Riley, I'm going to turn you over this way.
Matt Dillon
What a name.
Doc Adams
Riley. Right. Come here, quick. What? What's the matter, Doc? Engine. All right. It's a matter, Doc. What is it? I'm sorry.
Ben Riley
Dead. She's dead.
Doc Adams
Can't you do nothing? No, I can't do anything. She's been murdered. It does get unclear. Feeling great. Wouldn't hurt nobody. Nothing to stomp off their boots before he comes into town. Where's Matt? Oh, Doc, where you been at? We was looking for you. I haven't time, Chester. I gotta find Matt. Where is he?
Ben Riley
Well, hold your horses.
Doc Adams
He's right back there.
Matt Dillon
Hey, you're looking for me? Oh, Matt.
Doc Adams
Yes. You'll have to ride out east of town right away. Ah.
Matt Dillon
What's the trouble?
Doc Adams
There's been a murder. A woman, name of Tassie Riley. Boy, that's terrible.
Matt Dillon
Well, how did you know about it, Doc?
Doc Adams
Her husband came to Dodge to get me. Wanted me to go out and treat her. They were on their way west in a wagon and she got sick. When I got out there, she was dead.
Matt Dillon
You say she was murdered? That's right.
Doc Adams
She'd been beaten to death.
Matt Dillon
Where's the husband?
Doc Adams
I brought him in with me. He's up in my office.
Matt Dillon
I better have a talk with him.
Doc Adams
No, no. Won't do much good.
Matt Dillon
Why not?
Doc Adams
Well, to tell you the truth, man, I gave him a bottle of whiskey and told him to drink himself to sleep. He. He was in terrible shape.
Matt Dillon
Well, he still might be able to tell me something. Chester. Chester, get the horses ready. I'll meet you at the stable in a few minutes.
Doc Adams
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Come on, Doc.
Doc Adams
I left everything out there just the way it was, Matt. I didn't move her or anything.
Matt Dillon
That's good. You'll have to bury him yet. Yeah, that's one thing I've learned how to do.
Doc Adams
There it is. Right down there in that grove. Just don't seem right, everybody riding off and even her laying alone in that wagon down there. Ms. Jones.
Matt Dillon
O'Reilly staying wouldn't have done her any good, Chester.
Doc Adams
Well, he told you about some trapper being around, didn't he?
Matt Dillon
I don't know if he told me or not. He was muttering about a trapper that had made a camp with him all night.
Doc Adams
Well, you're sure gonna look for him, ain't you?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm gonna look.
Doc Adams
Sure is quiet, ain't it?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, it sure is.
Doc Adams
There's a barrier right here, Mr. Jones.
Matt Dillon
I don't think so, Chester.
Doc Adams
What?
Matt Dillon
The body's gone.
Doc Adams
What? Mr. Dillon, you don't think somebody stole that poor woman clean away?
Matt Dillon
It's hard telling. Maybe that's our answer.
Doc Adams
What?
Matt Dillon
Look over there.
Doc Adams
Why, it's a platform. Like up on Poleswood doing. Yeah, that looks like one of them Pawnee graves built up that way, don't it?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, it sure does. Come on.
Doc Adams
Mighty Claire. I ain't never heard of Indian stopping a burial. Quiet. Have you, Miss John?
Matt Dillon
No.
Doc Adams
That framework don't look like it's been up there very long. Day. No.
Matt Dillon
Wood's fresh cut. All right, Chester, you hold it steady while I take a look, huh?
Doc Adams
I'm chilling.
Matt Dillon
Why?
Doc Adams
Behind you.
Ben Riley
Disturbing graves ain't seemingly.
Matt Dillon
Who are you?
Ben Riley
Them was passed on got a right to rest.
Matt Dillon
I'm a U.S. marshal. It's my job to find out who's up there.
Ben Riley
I can tell you that thought.
Matt Dillon
You unresting her, you tell me who you are first, huh?
Ben Riley
Call me Ben.
Matt Dillon
Don't you have a last name?
Ben Riley
Not that I never heard, mister.
Matt Dillon
Are you a trapper boy?
Ben Riley
Trade some in pelts and skins?
Matt Dillon
Uh huh. Now tell me who's up there?
Ben Riley
A girl? Woman. Who put her there? I did, mister.
Doc Adams
The Indian grave.
Matt Dillon
How come you buried her? Pawnee style?
Ben Riley
The Pawnees reared me, mister. I learned their ways. And their burying strikes me a sight nicer than digging in the ground.
Matt Dillon
Did you kill her?
Ben Riley
No, mister, I didn't kill her.
Doc Adams
He's bloodied up. Like you could have done it. All right, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Doesn't look good for you, Ben.
Ben Riley
I reckon maybe it don't.
Matt Dillon
I'm gonna have to take you along with me till I find out about.
Ben Riley
This in the town.
Matt Dillon
Mm, the Dodge City.
Ben Riley
You gonna lock me up until I.
Matt Dillon
Find out who did this?
Ben Riley
Well, I ain't never been locked up.
Matt Dillon
Chester, get his gun.
Doc Adams
That's it. All right, hand it over.
Ben Riley
You're slow asking.
Doc Adams
How's that?
Ben Riley
I could have shot the pair of you full if I didn't mind.
Doc Adams
That's right, Mr. John. He could have done just that.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I couldn't. All right, come on.
Kitty
Hello, man.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Kitty.
Kitty
Sit down.
Matt Dillon
I haven't got time. Kitty. I'm looking for a man named Riley. Did you notice him in here?
Kitty
Oh, I would say I have.
Matt Dillon
How does he cause trouble?
Kitty
No, ma' am, not trouble. I guess the poor man's got a life. It's a take on some, losing his wife that way. But I can't help thinking he's overdoing it a little bit.
Matt Dillon
What do you mean?
Kitty
Oh, just he's always up at the Bar, drinking and carrying on about his wife. I guess I just expect a man to stand things better than that.
Matt Dillon
Sometimes you expect a lot of us, Kitty.
Kitty
Sometimes I get a lot.
Matt Dillon
I guess I better go talk to him.
Kitty
He's down at the end of the bar.
Matt Dillon
Nice Kitty. Riley.
Doc Adams
My name is Riley. All right. Who are you?
Matt Dillon
Matt Dillon, the U.S. marshal. I came to see you the day Doc Adams brought you into town.
Doc Adams
I don't remember that.
Matt Dillon
No, it doesn't matter. I am. I'm sorry about your wife.
Doc Adams
You're too late, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
It'd help if you tell me what you knew.
Doc Adams
I know. Know that my poor wife Lies murdered my poor wife. That I was bringing west to get well.
Matt Dillon
Was she sick?
Doc Adams
She's sick and all the way west, Marshall. I was bringing the doctor to her when we found her. Poor weakening thing.
Matt Dillon
When you got there, she was dead.
Doc Adams
Beaten, Marshall.
Ben Riley
Beaten.
Doc Adams
That's a terrible thing for a man to see.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Doc Adams
I just like to get me that trapper.
Matt Dillon
What about the trapper?
Doc Adams
That trapper fella's the one that done it. We shared fires two nights back. And he was laring at poor Tassie the whole time.
Matt Dillon
And you figure he followed you, huh?
Doc Adams
Sure, Marshall couldn't have been nothing else.
Matt Dillon
You didn't take out after the Trevor, but no Marshall.
Doc Adams
Tell the truth, I was just plum sick. And when the doc had to give me a powder. I sure would like to get my hands on him, though, and that's a fact.
Matt Dillon
You may get the chance.
Ben Riley
What do you mean?
Matt Dillon
He's in jail? Come on.
Doc Adams
I tell you, Marshally, giving me the sickness again. Just thinking of seeing that traffic.
Matt Dillon
You'll be all right, Riley.
Doc Adams
I was wondering if I hadn't ought to stop by Doc's first.
Matt Dillon
Let's stop in here first. He's back there.
Ben Riley
Hello, Riley.
Matt Dillon
All right, Riley. Do you recognize him?
Ben Riley
Certain. Sure he does, Mr. Camp. The same fire two nights running.
Doc Adams
He's a trapper.
Ben Riley
Made me mighty sorrowful coming on your wife that way. Didn't seem hardly like it could be seeing her living so strong just the night before.
Matt Dillon
Riley says you did it, Ben.
Ben Riley
Why? Bad mistook.
Matt Dillon
He said you were following him.
Ben Riley
Well, was that. But a man shouldn't point no finger. Mustn't. He's certain. Sure.
Matt Dillon
He seems sure.
Ben Riley
Riley, you bad mistook.
Doc Adams
Marshall.
Ben Riley
We was friends, Riley. Why, you ain't got no cause to suspicion me, Marshall.
Doc Adams
It sickens me to look at him. I feel the need to get outside.
Matt Dillon
All right. All right, Riley, you can go, but stay in town. I'll need you to talk to the judge.
Ben Riley
Sure, Marshall. Sure, mister. Yeah, but a man shouldn't tell if he can't prove out.
Matt Dillon
Well, he thinks he can.
Ben Riley
Maybe it's his grieving that makes him so bad.
Matt Dillon
Mistook maybe it is.
Doc Adams
Here's your vittles, man.
Matt Dillon
I'll be pleased to eat.
Doc Adams
Now, I'll say this much for you. You sure ain't no problem to feed.
Ben Riley
I ain't one to fuss down over eating.
Doc Adams
There you are. Ain't trying like the usual on the people I get in here small belly egg. And I guess you'd think I was feeding them straight out of a hog pan.
Ben Riley
As long as you fetch me free food, I won't complain.
Doc Adams
Well, I don't charge for it. That's one thing. I tell you the truth, Ben, I don't find it too easy to figure.
Ben Riley
You out what's trolling you.
Doc Adams
Well, you seem like a nice, decent kind of fella. And you ain't no bother at all in that cell. You ain't snarling and mean all the while.
Ben Riley
Well, I don't aim to be.
Doc Adams
And yet you could go and do a thing like killing that poor little sick lady out there. Laying on what was maybe her deathbed.
Ben Riley
Look, you ain't talking about Tassie. Well, sure being aen.
Doc Adams
Why, you know that Ben Riley was bringing Doc out to see her when he found her killed. He said she'd sickened so all the way west she couldn't hardly move no more.
Ben Riley
Who told that?
Doc Adams
Why, Riley told it, of course. He's the one to know. He was her husband. Was, wasn't he.
Ben Riley
Chester?
Doc Adams
Well, I got to get on back.
Ben Riley
I'm mindful of that. But I. I figured you'd ought to know about that loose bar.
Doc Adams
What loose bar?
Ben Riley
That loose bar up to that window.
Doc Adams
Oh, my gracious. I certainly should know about it any better. Take a look at it.
Ben Riley
You can climb up on that bunk there.
Doc Adams
It sure don't make no sense to have a goose bar in a jail winder. Just about which one is it, Ben?
Ben Riley
Here. I surely do hate to do this gesture.
Doc Adams
Listen here, Ben. Let me go now, Ben.
Ben Riley
Just got to tie you up chestnuts. Oh, is about these belts will have to do.
Doc Adams
You can't go and do a thing like this, man.
Ben Riley
Oh, that ought to hold. I ain't happy about this, Chester. You tell the marshal I was driving. But I ain't used to being kept in. And now I got to move out of here.
Doc Adams
Well, it ain't gonna do you no good he'll find you. He'll bring you back.
Ben Riley
Yeah, I reckon he'll have to try, Chester, it being his job and all.
Doc Adams
Bet your doggone boots he will.
Ben Riley
We all have to move in our own way, Chester. Now, you just rest easy until he comes and lets you loose.
Kitty
I wonder what's keeping Matt.
Doc Adams
Well, I wouldn't worry about Matt's missing a meal, Kitty. He considers eating as much of a duty as his job is. He'll be here.
Kitty
I guess you're right.
Doc Adams
Certainly I'm right. By the way Matt and Chester eat, they'd need a chuck wagon all their own on a cattle drive.
Kitty
You against eating, Doc?
Doc Adams
Oh, no, no, no. Certainly not. But I don't specialize in it the way those two do.
Kitty
Want another fixed pie?
Doc Adams
It don't matter if I do, Kitty. No, I don't mind.
Kitty
Oh, here's a man.
Ben Riley
Hello, Matt.
Doc Adams
Hey. Feel up to taking on a little.
Ben Riley
Nourishment, do you, Kitty?
Matt Dillon
Doc? Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do. Joe, bring me some steak and potatoes and a piece of pie, will you?
Ben Riley
Sure, Marshall.
Doc Adams
Kitty was worrying about you, man. I think I convinced her that you wouldn't miss a meal.
Matt Dillon
Oh, I've been talking with the judge, you know.
Doc Adams
What do you mean about that trapper.
Matt Dillon
That you got locked up? Mm.
Doc Adams
It looks like he did the thing, doesn't he?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Doc, it does.
Kitty
Well, I hope you have more than Riley's word for it.
Doc Adams
That man gives me the creeps.
Kitty
Boy, he's been cheering on.
Matt Dillon
He's taking it hard, all right.
Kitty
I'm glad I won't have to be seeing him anymore.
Matt Dillon
What do you mean by that?
Kitty
Well, he was in the long branch this morning. Had a few even then. And he told Sam he was taking his last drink in Dodge. It was too hard for him to stay around so close to where his wife was killed.
Matt Dillon
He was leaving?
Kitty
Yeah. Told Sam he was going to pick up his things at the Dodge house and move on.
Matt Dillon
Excuse me, Kitty. Doc, I better try and catch him. Chester. We gotta get Moland.
Doc Adams
Chester, I'm back here. Mr. Jones.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Ben Riley
What?
Matt Dillon
What in the.
Doc Adams
Would you untie me, please?
Matt Dillon
Mr. Stone, how in the world did you get in this mess?
Doc Adams
Well, it was that fellow.
Matt Dillon
Band, turn around. What happened?
Doc Adams
Well, he tricked me into climbing up to look at that window. He said one of the bars had come loose.
Matt Dillon
And then he jumped you, huh?
Doc Adams
Yes, sir, he sure did. He did tell me to tell you he was sorry to have to do it.
Matt Dillon
Well, that helps. Yeah.
Doc Adams
Thank you. Well, he was just as Nice as candy. But he said he had to move on.
Matt Dillon
Well, that makes two of them. Riley moved on, too. Go get our horses.
Doc Adams
Which one of them are we taking out after first, Mr. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
I'm hoping we'll find them together.
Doc Adams
I feel real bad about letting Ben get away, Mr. Jones. He'll be awful hard to track. He ain't so used to this country and all.
Matt Dillon
Don't worry about it.
Doc Adams
Better be got clean away.
Matt Dillon
He's not trying to get clean away.
Doc Adams
What?
Matt Dillon
Look there.
Doc Adams
Ways, Ben.
Ben Riley
And he's got Riley.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I figured they'd be together. Come on. All right, Ben, Let him go. Let him go now. What's this all about?
Ben Riley
It's proved out. Marshall.
Doc Adams
Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Let him talk, Riley.
Ben Riley
It was him. Marshall killed his own woman. I know that. As soon as I learned he was spreading stories about how ailing she was. Why, she weren't ailing, mister. She was a young, strong woman and done all this caring and fetching. I knowed it was him when I learned that. And then it come to me why he was doing it. So he could make like he was away fetching the duck.
Matt Dillon
Well, how about it, Riley?
Doc Adams
There ain't no truth to it.
Ben Riley
If he'd give me leave, mister, I could make him tell I ain't one for hurting creatures. But it would come easy with him.
Matt Dillon
Maybe that's a good idea. No.
Doc Adams
No. If you keep him away, Marshall. Keep him away.
Matt Dillon
You got something to say, Riley? No. All right, go ahead, Ben.
Ben Riley
All right.
Doc Adams
All right. I killed her.
Ben Riley
I killed her.
Doc Adams
She was making moon eyes at him, saying how nice and gentle he was. Now, a man don't have to take that from his woman.
Matt Dillon
A man doesn't have to kill her either.
Ben Riley
Chester.
Matt Dillon
Take him away.
Ben Riley
Mister. Yeah, Ben, I'm sorry for the fuss back at the jail come to me that I. I couldn't do nothing in them four walls.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Ben, I'm sorry about that.
Ben Riley
You was doing what you figured was the right thing. Man can't always know for certain.
Matt Dillon
No. Man can't always know for certain. Come on, Ben. I'd like to buy you a.
Ben Riley
Gun. Smoke produced and directed in Hollywood Hollywood by Norman McDonald 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 Barney Phillips and Vic Perrin. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS radio presents another story story on gun smoke. Latest News next then Walter Cronkite, Dave Camera Sports and the Mitch Miller show on the CBS Radio Network.
Kitty
I love the music on cbs.
Doc Adams
I think they cover the news the best. I love the drama on CB 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 Become one 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.
Doc Adams
Sam.
Podcast Summary: Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com - "Tall Trapper" (05-15-60)
Release Date: May 18, 2025
Host: Andrew Rhines
In the "Tall Trapper" episode of Gunsmoke, U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, portrayed by William Conrad, navigates the treacherous landscape of Dodge City, Kansas, solving yet another perplexing case. Hosted by Andrew Rhynes, this episode delves deep into themes of grief, trust, and justice in the rugged American West.
The episode opens with a somber tone as Matt Dillon is introduced to the predicament surrounding the death of Cassie Riley.
Matt Dillon (00:00): "Foreign."
Shortly after, Doc Adams, portrayed by Howard McNear, arrives to inform Matt of the grim situation.
Doc Adams (01:59): "When did she start to sicken? Must be a week now, Doc."
As Doc examines Cassie, the gravity of her condition becomes clear.
Doc Adams (02:53): "She'd been beaten to death."
The realization that Cassie's ailment was a facade for foul play sets the stage for the investigation.
Matt promptly takes charge of the situation, seeking to uncover the truth behind Cassie's death. He interrogates Ben Riley, Cassie's husband, who appears deeply troubled and evasive.
Matt Dillon (05:30): "Well, hold your horses."
Ben Riley (05:32): "He's right back there."
Ben's behavior raises suspicions, especially when Matt discovers inconsistencies in his account.
Matt Dillon (07:56): "There's a barrier right here, Mr. Jones."
Further probing reveals Ben's unfamiliarity with Dodge City's customs and his nervous demeanor.
Matt Dillon (09:04): "I'm a U.S. marshal. It's my job to find out who's up there."
As the investigation progresses, Ben Riley's defensiveness intensifies. He vehemently denies any involvement in his wife's death, yet his actions suggest otherwise.
Ben Riley (10:00): "No, mister, I didn't kill her."
Matt remains unconvinced, leading to a tense standoff where Ben threatens violence.
Ben Riley (10:31): "I could have shot the pair of you full if I didn't mind."
This confrontation culminates in Matt deciding to detain Ben for further questioning.
Kitty, portrayed by Georgia Ellis, provides additional context about Ben's state of mind, hinting at his grief and potential for violence.
Kitty (11:31): "I just expect a man to stand things better than that."
Meanwhile, Doc Adams reflects on the complexity of the case, emphasizing the need to uncover the truth.
Doc Adams (13:11): "That trapper fella's the one that done it."
The plot takes a dramatic turn when Ben Riley confesses to the murder, revealing his true motives rooted in jealousy and desperation.
Ben Riley (23:50): "I killed her."
This confession shocks both Matt and Doc, as Ben explains his rationale:
Ben Riley (23:54): "She was making moon eyes at him, saying how nice and gentle he was. Now, a man don't have to take that from his woman."
Matt's unwavering pursuit of justice leads to Ben's eventual apprehension.
Matt Dillon (24:04): "Take him away."
The episode concludes with reflections on the fragility of trust and the lengths one might go to in the face of personal turmoil. Ben Riley's admission underscores the complexities of human emotions in the lawless West.
Matt Dillon (24:25): "No. Man can't always know for certain."
Doc Adams and Kitty express their relief and acceptance of the case's closure, highlighting the supportive community in Dodge City.
"Tall Trapper" masterfully weaves a tale of mystery and morality, showcasing Matt Dillon's dedication to upholding justice amidst personal and communal strife. The episode encapsulates the enduring allure of the Western genre, blending suspense with deep character exploration.
For more enthralling episodes and discussions, visit OTRWesterns.com.