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The Professor | Gunsmoke (11-20-60) - Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com | Wave AI Podcast Notes

The Professor | Gunsmoke (11-20-60)

Sat Aug 23 2025

Original Air Date: November 20, 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:• Vic Perrin• Barney Phillips• La...

Summary

Gunsmoke: "The Professor" (Aired 11-20-60)

Podcast: Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date Published: August 23, 2025
Starring: William Conrad as Matt Dillon

Episode Overview

This episode of Gunsmoke, titled "The Professor," weaves together Western action and the theme of outsiders facing the harsh realities of the frontier. The story spotlights Otis Milford, an earnest but naive academic from the East who arrives in Dodge City to study Native American culture and soon finds himself in deeper trouble than he expects. Marshal Matt Dillon, Chester, and the townsfolk wrestle with how to help or restrain Milford, who remains oblivious to the West’s dangers—both natural and human. The plot thickens as rumors of buried loot attract ruthless men, putting everyone, including the well-meaning professor, at risk.

Key Discussion Points & Storyline

1. Two Outlaws, Buried Gold, and a Plan

[03:49] Two men, Bricky and Cribb, dig a hole by the creek to bury stolen gold. Bricky insists they shouldn’t spend the loot until things settle in Dodge.
- Notable exchange:
  - Bricky: "We’re gonna lay low and dodge and we're gonna act like we never seen more than six bits all together until they forget about that hole."
  - Cribb: "I'll come dig up that gold myself."
They decide to return later, planning to dig it up when the coast is clear.

2. Introducing Otis Milford: The ‘Professor’

[06:50] Marshal Dillon and Chester encounter a stranded and ill-equipped man studying Native American artifacts.
- Milford admits: "I let [my horse] escape. I'm not accustomed to horses...I came back from the grave; the animal was gone."
Milford, writing a book on Indian tribes, is depicted as academically sharp but helpless and naive on the prairie.
Dillon and Chester offer Milford a ride back to Dodge, amused and baffled by his academic outlook.

3. Culture Clash in Dodge City

[12:11] Milford’s curiosity gets him in trouble at the Dodge House hotel while rifling through old registers for ‘research.’ The hotelier, Mr. Dobey, is furious, seeing this as prying.
- Dobey: "I don't allow prying, Mr. Milford!"
- Milford (innocently): “I was merely going through the back registers...for my book.”
Dillon mediates, assuring Dobey Milford means no harm and promising to talk to Milford.

4. Milford’s Outsider Status and Frontier Danger

[14:28] Dr. Adams and Dillon express concern—their guest is "bound to get himself into real trouble."
- Doc: "He just doesn't belong out in this country. I treated him for his limp, you know. Never saw such a pair of raw feet."
Milford makes no friends by pestering townsfolk with endless questions. He’s later rumored to be heading for an ‘expedition’ into Indian country—alone.

5. Marshal Dillon's Warning

[17:59] Dillon tries to dissuade Milford from venturing out, warning of real danger:
- Dillon: "A man who doesn't know the prairie stands a good chance of not getting back."
- Milford (undaunted): "A man must pursue his calling...You can't legally argue with that, can you?"
Dillon reluctantly lets him proceed but warns that he can’t be responsible for Milford’s fate.

6. Suspicion, Shovels, and Eavesdropping

[22:29] Milford shops for “expedition” supplies, including a shovel—overheard by Cribb, who grows suspicious he’s after their buried loot:
- Milford (to store owner): "You might call it treasure. Yes, it might be treasure."
- Cribb to Bricky: "I seen the fellow who said he was heading out to dig it up...he was buying a shovel."
The outlaws panic and set off to intercept Milford.

7. A Missing Professor and a Wrecked Wagon

[26:42] Milford disappears. His overturned wagon is found by the creek, with only his notebook left behind. Dillon and Chester track fresh footprints leading toward the water.

8. Confrontation by the Creek: Danger and Courage

[29:30] Milford, intent on his "scientific investigation," is ambushed by Bricky and Cribb, who accuse him of hunting for their gold.
- Milford: “I'm carrying on a scientific investigation. Told you, Cribb. He's digging for the loot.”
- Bricky: "You're close to being buried yourself, mister."
Marshal Dillon and Chester arrive just in time. A violent struggle ensues; Chester is knocked unconscious.
In a surprising show of resolve, Milford, using his newfound archery skill, wounds one outlaw with an arrow, helping save the day.
- Dillon: “Nice shooting, Mr. Milford. I never aimed an arrow at a human being before. Sorry. I had to.”
Milford’s bravery contrasts with his earlier helplessness.

9. Reflection: Prejudice and the Dangers of the West

[31:59] In the aftermath, Milford reflects with Dillon:
- Milford: “It isn’t always the Indians who are dangerous, is it?”
- Dillon: “No, sir. You’re right. It isn’t always the Indians.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“[The professor’s] just doesn’t belong out in this country. I treated him for his limp, you know. Why, he must have walked for miles.” — Doc Adams ([14:35])
"A man must pursue his calling...You can't legally argue with that, can you?" — Otis Milford ([18:59])
"You're close to being buried yourself, mister." — Bricky, outlaw ([30:50])
“It isn’t always the Indians who are dangerous, is it?” — Otis Milford ([31:59])
“No, sir. You’re right. It isn’t always the Indians.” — Matt Dillon ([32:00])

Important Timestamps

[03:49] - The outlaws bury their stolen gold
[06:50] - Dillon and Chester meet Milford on the plains
[12:11] - Milford caught rifling through hotel records; local backlash
[14:28] - Doc and Dillon discuss Milford's unsuitability for western life
[17:59] - Dillon attempts (and fails) to talk Milford out of going “on expedition”
[22:29] - Store scene; Milford unwittingly alarms the outlaws
[26:42] - Milford missing; his wagon found overturned
[29:30] - Confrontation at the creek; Milford and Chester in danger
[31:59] - Milford’s reflection on the episode’s events and prejudices

Final Thoughts

The Professor stands out as a classic Gunsmoke tale, juxtaposing Eastern idealism and academic detachment against the unforgiving, suspicious, and dangerous realities of the frontier West. Otis Milford’s earnestness and subsequent ordeal offer both comic relief and a deeper message about the perils of ignorance and the unpredictable nature of true danger—a lesson both for outsiders and those living in Dodge.

For more episodes and Western tales, visit OTRWesterns.com.

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Transcript

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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 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. I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.

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This land of plenty. We occasionally forget that millions of less fortunate people elsewhere in the world are hungry, sick, destitute. But the three great religious faiths of our country, Protestant, Catholic and Jewish, haven't forgotten. They conduct annual campaigns to help the needy overseas. 80% of all volunteer aid is channeled through religious organizations here. Because of the scope of this great charitable work, United States government surplus food can be distributed at low cost. For example, $1 will send more than 300 pounds of food abroad. But the money you contribute through your church or synagogue goes for more than food. It helps send clothing, bedding and medicine, too. It goes toward the maintenance of hospitals and orphanages to initiate and carry out self help and resettlement projects. During this month of Thanksgiving, keep faith with those in need overseas. Give through your faith. You sure you know what you're doing, Berkey? Yeah, I know. This here. Good enough. Police. Well, come on, climb down. Don't make no sense to me leaving it here after all we done. Get it Rang the shovel. Put your hand on some money and buried it. Makes no sense at all. Go on down there near the creek. Right there under these bushes. All right. It's as good a place as any. All right, start digging. Now listen, Bricky, you. Now you start digging. All right. All right. Ain't gonna do us no good to have the money if they come take it off of us, is it? Well, no. No, it sure ain't. We start spending any of it before the fuss dies down, they're gonna be looking our way short. I wouldn't spend much of a turkey, honesty. Oh, you would. Just enough to keep yourself liquored up till it was run clean through. That ain't no. We're gonna lay low and dodge and we're gonna act like we never seen more than six bits all together until they forget about that hole. And then I'll make you a bargain crib. What's that? I'll come dig up that gold myself. Yes, sir. You won't even have to touch a shovel. Oh, I won't mind doing the digging then. All right, then, get on with it now. Ain't hankering to spend another night in this prayer. I know why I'm on. I still have technology. I sure will be glad to get back to the dodge this time, Ms. Jones. You know something, Chester? You're always glad. Yes, sir. I know it ain't so bad, these long rides if we get something done. But to ride all that way for nothing. It wasn't for nothing, Chester. We at least found out that the hold up Men weren't there. Oh, we did that all right. We done that. We also found out that nobody don't know who they was nor where they went, if that's any help. Might be more help than some of the false leads we get. Sometimes that could be true. Well, I do declare. Looky there, Ms. Dylan. Why? Off to the right there. Just. Just look, John. Yeah. Come on. I think he don't look like no Indian. It doesn't look like he's got a horse. You're a long way from your horse, monsieur. Yes, sir, I am. Matter of fact, I let him escape. You let him escape? I'm afraid that's exactly what happened. I'm not accustomed to horses. When I came back from the grave, the animal was gone. I guess I hadn't secured him properly. Grave? Just what grave was that? An Indian grave Back there a few miles where I picked up this fine specimen of a bow and arrow. Who are you? My name is Milford, sir. Otis Milford. Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. You make it a habit to rob Indian graves? No, sir, I do not. I have great respect for the Indians. I study them. You might say I'm writing a book on every phase of their culture and of this West. Once in a while, it's necessary in the interest of science, to collect a certain article. You don't look as though you're very familiar with any culture out here on the plains. You're right, sir, I'm not. I have studied the Indians of the East. I've come to study the Indians of the West. Were you aiming at something with that arrow? Yes, sir, I was. I wanted to test it, you know, to compare the bow with the ones used by the eastern tribes. Compares very well. Sure. The Pawnee. You'll be glad to hear that. I was just on my way to pick up the quarry. You shot something? Yes, sir. A rabbit. It's just over here. You shot a rabbit. You're either a very good shot or mighty lucky. I've studied to become expert. Where are you headed for now, Milford? I was heading for Dodge City before my horse ran off. Now we're headed for Dodge. We'll give you a ride in if you want it. Be much obliged, sir. Very much obliged. Sure. Right up behind me, Dylan. All right, Chester, give him a hand. Thank you. Be careful of the bowl, please. Yeah, Chester, be careful of the bowl, please. All right, let's go.

Narrator/Actor (12:11)

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Might I ask you what you think you're doing, Mr. Milford? Mr. Dobey, this is all most interesting. Very interesting. You ain't got no right to be going through them papers in my desk. Why, you're quite right, Mr. Dobey. I suppose I should have asked you first. I don't allow prying, Mr. Milford. I wasn't prying, Mr. Dolby. I'd like to know what you called it going through them papers. I was merely going through the back registers, Mr. Dobie, to see who had stayed here at the Dodge house in years past. That Ain't any of your business. First, I can see it was in the spirit of pure research, Mr. Doby. I was just looking for more background material for my book. I don't care what you're looking for. I want you to get out of my office, to stay out. Certainly, sir, if you feel that way about it. But I don't know much about it. You just get out, and I'll see that you stay out. I told him I wouldn't stand for it. Marshall Dillon, I want you to see to it that it don't happen again. All right, Dobie. All right, all right. Just calm down. Now, there wasn't anything missing, was there? Well, now, nothing was missing, but that's not the point. I just don't want him snooping around. Well, I don't think he'll bother you anymore, Dobby. He's not a crook. Well, I'd like to know what you call it. Milford was doing just what he said. He was looking up material for his book. He just neglected to ask your permission. Probably never occurred to him. And I ain't going to stand for it. All right, all right. I'll talk to him. That's the proper way to conduct your job, Marshall Dillon. Good day. Good day, Dr. Adams. I didn't see you coming. Yeah, you better be more careful opening doors, Dobby. You might become a patient. Good day, Doctor. Yeah, good day. Come on in, Doc. He's upset because our friend Milford started looking through the hotel records without Dobie's say so. Oh, Milford. I should admit that fellow's bound to get himself into some real trouble. Ah, Milford's harmless, Doc. Sure, he may be harmless to other people, but he's not harmless to himself. Huh? What do you mean? He just doesn't belong out in this country. I treated him for his limp, you know, like you said. And I swear, man, I never saw such a pair of raw feet in my life. Why, he must have walked for miles. And his boots, well, they didn't even fit. Grant that he's no frontiersman. I should say he isn't. And he's not making any friends around Dodge, either. Oh, what's he doing now? Well, Matt, it's nothing criminal, but he keeps stopping people and asking them fool questions. And he nearly got himself kicked in the head a little bit ago. Oh, what happened? Oh, he was trying to get a better look at the saddle of old man Garcia's horse. It's got silver work on it, you know. Well, I don't blame him for looking. It's mighty Rare in Dutch. Milford could have been killed. Yeah. Yeah, he could. And he's talking now about starting off on an expedition into Indian country. Well, then he will be killed. Well, I say I'd give him about two days. All right, Doc, all right. I guess I better have a talk with him. I don't think it'll do much good. Well, maybe you can send him back to his eastern Indian. I have a feeling they sent him out here. Come on, Doc, I'll buy you a beard. Well, I'm glad I didn't order, Matt. The food would have had to been warmed up twice. I'm sorry I'm late, Kitty, but I've been looking for somebody. It's all right. Sit down. Oh, thanks, Kitty. I could stand some food. And I think, Kitty, maybe you better go ahead and order your dinner, huh? I'll be a little while yet. What is it now? That's who I've been looking for. You mean that little professor fella? Yeah, that's the one. I want to talk to him before he gets into any more hot water. Before you eat? I'm afraid so. All right, Marshall. Far be it for me to interfere with the processes of lot. I kidding. Go on, Matt. I can pay for my own dinner. Just remember, you had your chance. I'll see you later. Sure, Matt. Sure. Can I see you for a minute, Mr. Milford? Marshall. Dylan. Sit down. Sit right down. Oh, thank you. May I offer you something? Some coffee? No, thank you. You go right on with me to dinner. Why, finish. Thank you. Well, what can I do for you, Marshal Doolan? Oh, I understand that you're planning to head out on the high plains. Yes, sir, that's exactly what I plan to do. And you're going alone, is that right? I always go alone, Marshall. It's the only way to do a true job of study. I don't think that's a good idea, Mr. Milford. Well, I don't understand. I don't think it's safe for you to ride off out there alone. It's tough country. I'm not afraid, Marshal Dillon. Might be better if you were a little afraid. You weren't doing so well the last time we found you. I'm not going to try to ride a horse this time, Marshal. You're not going on foot now. Doc says you're lucky to have any feet at all. I think your doctor is somewhat of an alarmist. But no, Marshall, this time I'm taking a wagon. I'm going to be properly equipped. Equipment isn't the whole answer, Mr. Milford. A man who doesn't know the prairie stands a good chance of not getting back. I'll know the prairies when I get back. I promise you that. Well, the Indians might not be too glad to see you, either. I happen to be a friend of the Indian, Marshal Dylan. Yeah, but you might not get a chance to prove it. They can be dangerous, you know. Certainly appreciate your interest, Marshal, but a man must pursue his calling. You can't legally argue with that, can you? No, and I can't legally stop you. But I can warn you, I won't legally be responsible for what might happen to you. I understand your position, Marshall. I hope you can understand mine. Yeah, I can understand it. But I don't like it.

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Now, you might advise me about that, Mr. Ross. I want it for digging. Well, you might call it treasure. Yes, it might be treasure. I won't be much longer, mister. I can wait on you soon. Never mind. You must have been in a big hurry. Sure. I hate to lose a customer. I have taken a lot of time. Well, you're buying a lot of goods. Let's see, here's the shovel. That looks all right to you? I should think that would do nicely, Mr. Ross. Now, if you'll just help me get these things in the wagon. Are you going to pay now or later? Forgive me, I forgot. I'll pay now. How much does it come to, Mr. Roth? Let's see, it's a $25 for the Bing. That's a $340 for the blanket, $2 for the shovel. I'll come to $7.65. 7.65. There you are. Nine. All right. Thank you. Well, let me give you a hand down to the wagon with all this. We gotta get out of here, huh? Oh, ain't no hurry, crib. Have yourself a drink. There ain't time, I tell you. Got a lot of time. Get them shells I sent you. That's what I've been trying to tell you. I didn't wait around. I told you it wasn't no good. Told me what wasn't no good? Burying the gold like that, babe. Come on, and talk straight, will you? I seen the fellow who said he was heading out to dig it up. You seen the what fella? I don't know who he was. Don't make no difference. He was buying a shovel and he said he was gonna dig it up. You sure? Well, I was right there, wasn't I? And I heard him. He's starting out in the wagon and he's gonna dig. I told you it wasn't no wagon. Oh, shut up. Come on. Oh, hello, Doc. You got something on your mind? Oh, nothing that you're gonna help me with. That's plain to see. Now, what do you mean? Well, they tell me Milford started out west. Yeah, Doc, I'm afraid he did. I thought you were gonna talk to him. I did talk to him. Didn't do any good, obviously. What'd you want me to do, Doc, lock him up? It might not have been a bad idea. Now, listen, doc, I'd have Mr. Dillon. All right, Chester, I hear you. Here I am. Hello, Doc. Excuse me for interrupting, but I got something telling Mr. Dillon. Go ahead, interrupt, interrupt. What is it, Chester? Mr. Dillon, that fella has went and done it again. What fellow? That Milford fella. Where is he now? That's just it, Mr. Dillon. They ain't hiding her hair of him. Hiding her hair of him? Where, Chester? Out there. Where's wagon turn? All right, start from the beginning. Where is the wagon? Well, sir, Luke Myers was riding in the town, see? And when he got about a mile or so from Crawdad Creek, he seen this wagon turn clean over on its side. Oh, the team was in terrible shape. Thrashing around, carrying on, so he cut them loose. Well, how do you know it was Milford's wagon? Well, because Luke looked around there some and he found one of them little notebooks Mr. Milford's always carrying around with him and writing in. Had his name on it. And no sign of Milford? Not a sign in the world. That doesn't look good, Matt. No, doc, it doesn't. You better get the horses, Chester. We'll have to go out there and take a look around. There it is, McDylan smacked on its side. Yeah. What? You ain't around here. No sign of a struggle either. You mean he wasn't carried off? No, it doesn't look like it. Looks like somebody carried some stuff off in the wagon home. It still ain't much left. He may have taken it himself. Well, no. Look there. Look at that, Justice. Look like fresh footprints, don't they, Mr. Dillon? Yeah. Let's see where they lead. Looks like they're heading for the creek, don't it? All right, we'll leave the horses here. Chester, go down through the bushes. Yes, sir. What do you suppose he'd be after down here? There's no telling, Chester. He's a hard one to figure if it's really Milford we're tracking. Listen to that, Mr. John. Yeah. Come on. Be quiet. You gentlemen are wrong. You're dead wrong. You mean this? Looks like you were digging in the wrong spot. I'm not digging in any particular spot. I'm carrying on a scientific investigation. Told you, Kirk, he's digging for the loot. Well, he ain't gonna do no more digging at all. Now, you men pay attention. Pay attention? I don't know anything about any loot. If I did, I wouldn't care about it. I'm digging for signs of a lost civilization, Artifacts that might be buried in this area. You're close to being buried yourself, mister. Those guns. Now, you're certainly not going to kill me. I don't believe it. You believe it. You cover the farthest from Chester when I start. Yes, sir. Now. All right, drop your gun. Hey, Berkey. You got him, Mr. Dillon. Hey, Chester. He ain't moving none, Marshall. Now, you stand still or I'll throw another bullet into your friend there. I'm backing out of here. Slow and easy. Nice shooting, Mr. Milford. I never aimed an arrow at a human being before. Sorry. I had to. Yeah, but I'm glad you knew how. Chester. Chester, you all right? No. It's all right, Chester. It's all over. You got a crease in your head, Chester. Good thing you've got a thick skull. Yes, sir, Mr. Milford. Did they hurt that little Mr. Milford? No, Chester, they didn't hurt him. Oh, that's good. I've been worrying about him. You don't need to worry anymore, Chester. He just saved your life. He saved me? How could that be? Never mind. I'll tell you when you feel better. May I just say one thing, Marshall Doolan? What's that? It isn't always the Indians who are dangerous, is it? No, sir. You're right. It isn't always the Indians.