The Big Itch | Gunsmoke (10-02-60)

Summary

Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com
Episode Summary: "The Big Itch"
Release Date: July 27, 2025

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Introduction

In the "Gunsmoke" episode titled "The Big Itch," listeners are transported back to Dodge City, Kansas, during the tumultuous settlement of the American West. Hosted by Andrew Rines, this episode delves into a gripping investigation led by U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon as he unravels the mystery behind a sudden disappearance and a lurking threat within the community.

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Setting the Scene

The episode opens with the iconic voice of Matt Dillon setting a gritty tone:

Matt Dillon [00:50]: "The smell of guns. Smell smoke."

This immediately immerses listeners in the rugged atmosphere of Dodge City, highlighting the constant presence of danger and the Marshal's ever-vigilant role.

The Disappearance of George

The central plot revolves around the mysterious disappearance of George, a rancher who vanished shortly after a significant financial transaction. Samantha Church, George's wife, seeks Matt Dillon's assistance:

Samantha Church [04:11]: "Where's George?"

Matt Dillon [04:15]: "George? He in some kind of trouble?"

Chris Perfectfooth further complicates the situation with remarks about potential dangers:

Chester Proudfoot [03:07]: "Just stay still so somebody could get at you. Doggone be buzzing around his head all day. He could add a body's brain."

Samantha reveals that George had been handling a substantial payment from selling cattle, intending to clear all debts:

Samantha Church [04:49]: "He just worked the place free and clear. We sold our first big stand of cattle, Matt, and the money took care of all that we was owing."

Concern grows as Samantha mentions that George hasn't returned despite his usual diligence:

Samantha Church [05:03]: "He saddled up the minute he got it. Rightly. Couldn't wait to pay off that note, Matt."

Investigating Leads

Matt Dillon begins his investigation by consulting the local bank, uncovering that George was indeed en route to deposit the money. Upon learning that Hobie Price was last seen with George, Dillon shifts his focus to locating Hobie:

Matt Dillon [07:22]: "I'm not sure. You seen him lately?"

Chester Proudfoot admits that Hobie hasn't been seen, raising suspicions:

Chester Proudfoot [07:29]: "He hasn't been in today."

The Poison Ivy Connection

As Dillon and Proudfoot search for clues, Chester develops a mysterious rash:

Chester Proudfoot [15:14]: "Oh, nothing, Mr. Jones. Nothing too hard."

Matt Dillon [15:25]: "You're breaking out in a rash. You better let Doc have a look at that."

Chester's ailment introduces a subplot involving potential poison ivy contamination, adding layers of complexity to the investigation.

Discovery of the Grave

The turning point occurs when Matt and Chester discover a freshly dug grave near a creek:

Matt Dillon [23:24]: "Yeah, fresh dug. We better see who's in it."

Upon investigation, Ben Stanley, a trusted member of the community, emerges as a prime suspect. His behavior raises red flags, especially when he tries to flee:

Matt Dillon [26:12]: "Come on."

Chester Proudfoot [26:17]: "Come on."

The Confession

Confronted with evidence, Ben Stanley confesses to the murder of George:

Chester Proudfoot [26:38]: "I didn't mean to kill him, Marshall. I didn't want to hurt him. No, I only wanted the money."

Chester Proudfoot [26:49]: "But he fought me for it."

The confession reveals that Stanley's motive was purely financial, stemming from George's successful cattle sale and subsequent debt clearance.

Resolution

Marshal Dillon wraps up the case by emphasizing justice and the unpredictable nature of human actions:

Matt Dillon [27:25]: "Like what, Marshall fights for the things that belong to him. And other men get poison ivy and end up getting hung."

The episode concludes with Dillon ensuring that Stanley faces the consequences of his actions, restoring peace to Dodge City.

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Key Takeaways and Themes

1. Justice and Vigilance: Matt Dillon epitomizes the relentless pursuit of justice, showcasing the challenges faced by lawmen in the Wild West.

2. Human Nature and Greed: Ben Stanley's downfall is a stark reminder of how greed can corrupt and lead to tragic outcomes.

3. Community Trust: The betrayal by a respected community member underscores the fragile nature of trust within tight-knit communities.

4. Unexpected Complications: The subplot involving poison ivy adds an unexpected twist, highlighting the unpredictable challenges in investigations.

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Notable Quotes

• Matt Dillon [00:50]: "The smell of guns. Smell smoke."
  Sets the gritty atmosphere of Dodge City.

• Samantha Church [04:49]: "He just worked the place free and clear. We sold our first big stand of cattle, Matt, and the money took care of all that we was owing."
  Highlights George's commitment and the significance of the financial transaction.

• Chester Proudfoot [15:14]: "Oh, nothing, Mr. Jones. Nothing too hard."
  Introduces the subplot of Chester's mysterious rash.

• Chester Proudfoot [26:38]: "I didn't mean to kill him, Marshall. I didn't want to hurt him. No, I only wanted the money."
  Reveals Ben Stanley's motive and leads to the resolution.

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Conclusion

"The Big Itch" masterfully intertwines themes of justice, human weakness, and community dynamics within the rich tapestry of the Old West. Through compelling dialogue and intricate plotting, this episode exemplifies why "Gunsmoke" remains a beloved classic in Western drama. For those who haven't listened, this summary offers a comprehensive glimpse into the tension and resolution that define this unforgettable episode.

Transcript

[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.

[Narrator]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west. There's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers. And that's where the U.S. marshal and.

[Matt Dillon]

The smell of guns. Smell smoke.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Gun smoke.

[Narrator]

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 Dullen, 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.

[Narrator]

In a world of doubting. Thomas's. Decades ago, it never would have been possible for stars to shine in the daytime. But in this day and atomic age, anything's possible. Thus, it's not only possible, but a fact that only on stations of the CBS Radio Network. Stars do indeed shine in the daytime. And they're stars of the first magnitude, one and all. You'll find them illuminating an entire segment of your daytime listening every Monday through Friday. These stars have all been named. By celestial authority vested in their forebears. Those names are Arthur Godfrey, Art Linkletter, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Gary Moore and Derwood Kirby. You won't find them in your book of the planets and stars. But no compendium of show business luminaries would be complete without them. Monday through Friday, your radio set is your personal telescope. On this star studded display on your CBS radio station. To list them once again. Arthur Godfrey, Arth Linkletter, Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney in tandem. And Gary Moore and Derwood Kirby. Enjoy them often.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Just stay still so somebody could get at you. Doggone be buzzing around his head all day. He could add a body's brain.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, a sting doesn't do him any good either.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, Mr. Dillon. Well, I tell you, I'd as soon get stanged and listened to all that buzzing.

[Matt Dillon]

Let him sting you then and get it over with.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yeah, Matt McDonald can't rightly do that.

[Matt Dillon]

Why don't you try opening the window?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, no, no. I just closed it. That's how he got in in the first place.

[Matt Dillon]

All right.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh my goodness. Flew right out that window.

[Matt Dillon]

He was trying to get out all the time, Chester.

[Samantha Church]

Well, now you.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You can't be too sure of that, miss. Don't worry, I've no Bees to just absolutely ignore. Well, Ms. Church.

[Samantha Church]

Hello, Chester. Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Samantha. Come on in and sit down.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Here's chairman.

[Samantha Church]

Thank you. Matt, I need your help.

[Matt Dillon]

Sure, Samantha. What can I do?

[Samantha Church]

Where's George?

[Matt Dillon]

George? He in some kind of trouble?

[Samantha Church]

That's what. I don't know. He ain't come home since day before yesterday.

[Matt Dillon]

Home from where?

[Samantha Church]

Home from right here in Dodge. He rode in from the ranch Monday morning, and I ain't seen him since.

[Matt Dillon]

That doesn't sound like George and I wait two nights.

[Samantha Church]

No, Matt, don't. I didn't worry too much about the first night. Man has a right to do some celebrating every now and then.

[Matt Dillon]

But, Samantha, was he celebrating something special?

[Samantha Church]

Was mighty special to us, Matt. He just worked the place free and clear. We sold our first big stand of cattle, Matt, and the money took care of all that we was owing.

[Matt Dillon]

Uh, was George bringing the money to town?

[Samantha Church]

He saddled up the minute he got it. Rightly. Couldn't wait to pay off that note, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. All right, Samantha. I'll tell you what we'll do. Let's go over to the bank. They ought to know something about this.

[Samantha Church]

I've been there. I've been every place else I could think of in town. Nobody's seen him. Seems like he never got here at all.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Tell me this. Who else knew that George was bringing in the money?

[Samantha Church]

Nobody. Except maybe Ben. He probably knowed about it all right.

[Matt Dillon]

Ben? Oh, he's the one who helps you run the place, right?

[Samantha Church]

Yes, Nat. We took him in when he was just a little boy. Raid got his mom, Paulie. He's just like our own.

[Matt Dillon]

Nobody else knew.

[Samantha Church]

Well, Hobey Price come riding up just as George come out of the barn. They rode off together.

[Matt Dillon]

Have you seen Hobie since then?

[Samantha Church]

I ask around for Matt, but I ain't found him. Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah?

[Samantha Church]

I ain't never been one to give away.

[Matt Dillon]

I know you haven't.

[Samantha Church]

I. I got a bad feeling about this, Matt. I got a bad feeling about George.

[Matt Dillon]

I accept, Samantha. No use for a bad feeling yet. You just let me start looking, huh?

[Samantha Church]

Yeah, I guess I got to. I ain't getting nowhere.

[Matt Dillon]

You go on home now. You try to get some rest. It isn't gonna do George any good for you to get worn down.

[Samantha Church]

I guess you're right.

[Matt Dillon]

Sure I'm right. Maybe. Maybe you better go see Doc, huh?

[Samantha Church]

I got no need for doctrine, Matt. Just you find George.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. I'll start looking, Samantha. Right.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Hey. Hello, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Kitty. D I haven't got time, Kitty. I. I'M looking for Hobie Price.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Hobie Price?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Have you done something?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm not sure. You seen him lately?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, no. I'm.

[Samantha Church]

See.

[Chester Proudfoot]

He hasn't been in today.

[Matt Dillon]

It's the last couple of days. I'm interested.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Last night? No, night before.

[Samantha Church]

Bobby was in.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Men. All right, man.

[Matt Dillon]

Did you talk to him?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Nobody could have talked to him that night.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean?

[Samantha Church]

He was drinking whiskey like he wasn't.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ever going to get any more. Buying drinks for everybody in the place. Ah, I see you.

[Matt Dillon]

You haven't seen him since.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No matter.

[Matt Dillon]

I haven't.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I wouldn't be surprised, though, if he.

[Samantha Church]

Was still sleeping at all.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Kitty. Thanks.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Are you off to look for Hobie Pratt?

[Matt Dillon]

He's one of the people I'm looking for. I'll see you later, Kitty.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Sure, Matt. See you later.

[Matt Dillon]

Foreign.

[Narrator]

To anybody that the attractive and inexpensive new radios have proved popular. It's no surprise, that is, to anyone who listens to CBS radio. With so much in the way of music, comedy, drama, variety and news coming your way every day on CBS radio, more than one radio around the house is more than a convenience. It's almost a necessity for anyone who has a daily routine. The man of the house wants to come home to an attractive home and an attractive wife. But household chores in themselves are rarely inspirational. The smart homemaker is one who refuses to let her regular responsibilities get her down. She gets her work done every day, but she gets her entertainment in, too. She has a radio in the kitchen as well as the living room. Chances are she has a portable radio as well to follow her from one task to another around the house. She knows why the inexpensive new radios are so popular. And she knows the value of CBS radio, too.

[Samantha Church]

Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Chester Heidegger.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I don't see why we're doing all this riding when all we got to do is find Hobie Price.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, don't Miss Church seen him ride off with her husband, didn't she?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

And Miss Kitty said she seen him throwing his money around that night, didn't she?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

And he ain't nowhere to be found around Dodge, is it?

[Matt Dillon]

No.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, Ms. Dillon, just makes sense we ought to be riding off after Hobby Price instead of wasting time out here at the church place.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, do you know which direction Hoby Price rode off in? Do you?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, no. No, Ms. Dillon.

[Samantha Church]

I don't know.

[Matt Dillon]

You think we should just sit and dodge and wait until he comes back, do you? Well, no, sir. All right, then. Something else might have happened to Church. He Might have had an accident. Right. And then I want to look the countryside over real good. Yes, sir. There's a lot of land to cover on the church spread. When we get to the fork, you ride off north and I'll ride south. We'll meet at the ranch house.

[Chester Proudfoot]

All right, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Don't just stick to the trail, Chester. Take a good look around any trees and through the bushes.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir, Mr. Dillon. I'll look real good. Even though they ain't hardly know the likelihood of finding it.

[Matt Dillon]

You make up your mind about that later.

[Chester Proudfoot]

All right, Ms. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

But all the same, here's the fork. All right, you go that way.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You sure you won't need me with you?

[Matt Dillon]

I think I'll be able to handle it. Chester, why don't you go along now?

[Chester Proudfoot]

All right, Ms. Dylan. Guess you know what you're doing.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I know what I want you to do anyway. Go on. Good.

[Chester Proudfoot]

What you doing?

[Matt Dillon]

Any luck? Just you.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, sure. I didn't find nothing. And I look real good, too.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah? All right. Come on in. Chester didn't find anything either, Samantha.

[Samantha Church]

Oh, well, thanks for looking anyway, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, yes, ma'. Am. And I'm sorry. I didn't find nothing.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, I mean, this is Ben Stanley. Chester Proudfoot.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I do.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, Chester, we've given the ranch and the road to town a good looking over, and we haven't found a thing. You got any ideas, Ben?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, Marshall, I don't. Mr. Church rolled off just like he'd always done.

[Samantha Church]

Oh, he set off a bit earlier than usual.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, yeah, he done that all right. He was mighty anxious to get that money to the banker.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Did you see him before he left?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Why, yes. Marshall sure did. I helped him saddle up.

[Matt Dillon]

He didn't say anything to you special about anybody he was going to see or anything?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No.

[Narrator]

With the banker.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Seemed like that was the only thing on his mind. Getting the money there and that note paid off.

[Samantha Church]

Never sat well with George owing any money. He wanted things free and clear.

[Matt Dillon]

Samantha, did you and George have any kind of trouble? Maybe, you know, like a argument or something?

[Samantha Church]

Oh, Matt, if you're thinking he might just have rode off from me, that ain't so.

[Matt Dillon]

No argument, sir.

[Samantha Church]

I ain't saying George and I never had our differences. Cause we did, sure enough. We got along, Matt. We was comfortable together. He wouldn't have rode off, would he, Ben?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, ma'.

[Matt Dillon]

Am.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No. There wasn't ever nothing like that, Marshall. There's no cause for thinking it.

[Samantha Church]

All right, Matt. You. You think you'll find him Lots of.

[Matt Dillon]

People turn up, Samantha. We'll keep trying.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, I can't say I'm sorry to be back in the office, Ms. John.

[Matt Dillon]

You're getting to be a homebody.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, sir, that ain't so. But I ain't one to want to waste a whole day just riding around in the hot sun. I'll say that.

[Matt Dillon]

You'll live.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, yes, sir, I'll live all right. But we might just as well have stayed here. That's the thing that bothers me.

[Matt Dillon]

Never mind, Chester. Maybe something came in the mail. That's worth you a while.

[Chester Proudfoot]

It sure do. So.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, would you light someplace? You're starting me to fidget.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, well, sure, sure, Ms. J. You. You right on head. Me letters.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, thank you. That's very nice of you.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I'm gonna itch him, face it.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, nothing, Mr. Jones. Nothing to hard.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, what's the matter with you? You got a beetle under your shirt or something?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Why, no, sir, M. But it does seem that there is always some place that needs scratching.

[Matt Dillon]

Something bite you, Pol?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No shrine, Ben Beety. Just these little red patches. Here, let me look. See.

[Matt Dillon]

Pull up your shirt.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

You're breaking out in a rash. You better let Doc have a look at that.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, no, that ain't needed, Mr. D. It'll be all right. Just itch.

[Matt Dillon]

May be all right for you, but it's not all right for me. Seeing you scratch makes me itch too. Well, I Miss D. Go on, Chester. Take your itch to dock.

[Chester Proudfoot]

This stuff ought to make you feel better. Jesse, hold still. Now, don't tell me that hurts. I bet you're the only person in Dodge today complaining about anything being cold. Thanks, Doc. Oh, I'm glad to do it. I'd hate to see Matt bothered by your scratching the way you said he was. Oh, he sure was. I could have stood it all right. But Mr. Dillon, he was getting pretty edgy about it. You're telling for me that he's lucky he only had you to contend with. How's that document? I had another case just like yours yesterday. Ben Stanley. Funny thing, too. The first time I've seen ivy poisoning this year. Then there's two of them in two days. All right, Chester, put your shirt on. Now, Tato. Was Ben scratching real bad too, Doc? Like three hound dogs with fleas. You had a pretty good case of it. That's good.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, what's good about it?

[Chester Proudfoot]

It's just good to know that somebody else scratched his self when he itched, that's all. And I bet Mr. Doan would scratch his self too. He would if he had what you've got. Now, here at Chester, you better take a bottle of the salon and dab some of the lotion on your itchy spots every once in a while. Keep the itch down. Oh, well, thank you, Doc. That's all right, Chester. As the old saying goes, you scratch my back and I scratch yours. Oh, you want me to scratch your back, Doc? Oh, no, Chesty. Never mind. Go scratch Matt's.

[Narrator]

Hi, this is Dennis James with a longtime favorite.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, the long time favorites are usually the best, aren't they?

[Narrator]

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[Matt Dillon]

It tastes good too.

[Narrator]

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[Matt Dillon]

Okay. Now, Kitty, I didn't find Hobie Price and I didn't find anything at the church place.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You might as well have stayed right here.

[Matt Dillon]

You're thinking of all the beer I'd have bought.

[Chester Proudfoot]

We don't need your business today, Matt. An awful lot of people are drinking an awful lot of beer.

[Matt Dillon]

That's a good day for it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, here comes Jessica.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ms. Dylan. Excuse me, Ms. Gibbet. I got some news for him.

[Samantha Church]

That's all right, Jesse.

[Matt Dillon]

That is interesting.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, sir, I passed Moss Grimmick on the street and he said a fellow this morning said he'd seen Holby pry where larn. It says he's staying at a hotel there, big as you please.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, that fixes us a nice hot ride for tomorrow.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, I hope you have more luck.

[Samantha Church]

Than you had today.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, me too. Now, you must have seen dark. Chester, you're standing still.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, yes, sir, I did. He gave me some white stuff in a bottle.

[Samantha Church]

You're supposed to do your drinking in here, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, no, mister. It wasn't a drink. It was to splash on myself to cure me of the itch.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank goodness it's working. He was driving me crazy, Scratch.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, you better start working Worrying about yourself, Ms. John.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean by that?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, this itch may be something that's gonna spread around. You might get it for yourself. Doc took care of Ben Stanley for it just yesterday.

[Samantha Church]

Oh, don't be silly, Chester. I never heard of an epidemic of poison ivy.

[Matt Dillon]

Neither did I. Ben Stanley.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir. Doc gave him a bottle of the self same lotion just yesterday.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, did you get off your horse when you were riding on the Church place this morning?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, I did. I watered him at the creek. That wandered all over the place there down in them brambles. Real pretty little place here.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm going to give you a chance to see it again.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, now, I ain't that anxious. To tell the truth, I'd run.

[Matt Dillon]

We'll be riding out there in the morning early.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I thought you were going to learn it.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe I won't have to. Kitty. Come on, jester, let's go get some sleep. All right now, Chester. There's the creek.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir, I see it.

[Matt Dillon]

You'll find the exact place where you got off your horse, huh?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, yes, sir, but I don't see how it makes all that difference, so.

[Matt Dillon]

Let me worry about that. Yes, sir.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Let me see right along in here someplace. Yes, sir. I remember that dead log.

[Matt Dillon]

All right. We'll leave the horses here. Had you smear Doc's lotion on this morning?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, I didn't. Hard to think it was necessary.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe he's sorry after you go through these bushes again.

[Chester Proudfoot]

That was John.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

If George Church was here, I'd have seen him yesterday, wouldn't I?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know, Chester. We'll just keep looking for a while all through these bushes.

[Chester Proudfoot]

All right.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester. Esther, I've got a shovel off one of the horses estate. Very neat job. Almost too neat. Come on, hurry up, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I'm coming for out the canvas. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Look down there.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Gracious. Alive. Looks like a grave.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, fresh dug. We better see who's in it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Anyway.

[Matt Dillon]

Deep Doug in a hurry. Yeah, I was afraid of it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You reckon Hoby Price drug him here?

[Matt Dillon]

Not unless he has a case of poison Ivy.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, Mr. Dunn, you don't think.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Chester. I think Ben Stanley buried Church's body here and got the itch like you.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Did that nice young fellow, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I could be wrong. I need a lot more than this to tell a judge.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Anyway, you can't hang a man just for scratching hisself.

[Matt Dillon]

Now you can't, Chester. Come on, let's find out if I'm wrong.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Marshall. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Ben? If I was you, I'd head south from here.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I don't think you're going to find much up ahead.

[Matt Dillon]

There's a creek up There, isn't it, Chester?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, yes, sir. There's a creek there.

[Matt Dillon]

Our horses will be needing a drink. I might as well ride that way.

[Chester Proudfoot]

They can get a drink down this way, too, Marshall. Oh, not that it matters to me. I just want to help you look around.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, thanks. I think we'll just go ahead for a little while.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Marshall. Down in that gully there. That'd be a good place to look.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, we'll take a look at it after we give the horses a drink.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Drink?

[Matt Dillon]

Chester was not in those bushes yesterday. Got himself a bad case of poison ivy. Isn't that right, Chester?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, yes, sir, that's right.

[Matt Dillon]

Did you ever get it bent?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, no, it doesn't bother me none.

[Matt Dillon]

Ah, doesn't bother me, either. I guess we're lucky.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yeah, lucky.

[Matt Dillon]

Enough. That rash on your neck looks an awful lot like Chester's.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, no, that ain't it.

[Matt Dillon]

That's good. Now, here we are. You can lead the horses from here. Now. Come on, Ben. Get down and give your horse a chance to drink.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Sure, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Sure. Lead the horses down. Right about here ought to be a good place.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, I ain't going. This building's making a run for it.

[Matt Dillon]

Hold it, Stanley.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Sit there.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on.

[Samantha Church]

You.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Know. You knew about it, didn't you, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Ben, I knew.

[Chester Proudfoot]

When did you find him?

[Matt Dillon]

This morning.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I didn't mean to kill him, Marshall. I didn't want to hurt him. No, I only wanted the money.

[Narrator]

But he fought me for it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

He fought me so hard, Marshall, I had to kill him.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Now, I thought I was all right. Ms. Church said you was after Hobie Price. I know he rode off to the Willets place, but nobody else did.

[Matt Dillon]

And you weren't about to tow, were you?

[Chester Proudfoot]

I didn't mean no harm to Mr. Church, Marshall. If he'd just give up the money easy. If he just wouldn't have fought.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, Ben, some men do funny things like that.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Like what, Marshall fights for the things.

[Matt Dillon]

That belong to him. And other men get poison ivy and end up getting hung. All right. Come on, Chester. Let's help him on his horse.

[Narrator]

Thousands of copies of the composite forum Recommendations of the 1960 White House Conference on Children and Youth have gone out not only to millions of Americans interested in the future of our nation, but to people all over the world. In his address at the opening session of the Golden Anniversary White House Conference on Children and Youth, President Eisenhower said, you are working with the most precious resources of our nation, a whole generation of Americans who will someday make their country's policies and dispose its great power. This is why the 670 recommendations published by the White House Conference have such wide interest. Check these recommendations. Write Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25 D.C. ask for Recommendations 1960 White House Conference on Children and Youth the price is 35 cents. Check with your state committee or your national or local organizations to see what you can do to help put these recommendations into practice. Gun Smoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonnell, 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 Lynn Allen and Sam Edwards. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis's Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on Gun Smoke. Latest news follows, after which we join the Mitch Miller show on the CBS Radio Network.

[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 Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Become one.

[Andrew Rines]

Of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Ron W. 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 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.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Sam.