Gunsmoke: "The Second Choice" (Original Air Date: November 6, 1955)

Podcast: Gunsmoke | OTRWesterns.com
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Date: January 10, 2026
Series Context: Gunsmoke is a classic old-time radio (OTR) and western drama set in Dodge City, Kansas, during the American frontier era. The episodes revolve around U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon as he grapples with frontier justice.

Overview

This episode, "The Second Choice," grapples with the tension between a man's right to redemption and the stubborn pull of his past. Marshal Matt Dillon faces a moral and legal quandary when Andy Hill, a reformed man with a criminal history, is targeted by a new warrant for murder in Oklahoma Territory. As Dillon seeks the truth, deeper motives and old vendettas surface, testing justice, loyalty, and the limits of friendship.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

1. Setting the Scene in Dodge City

• Characters Introduced: Marshal Matt Dillon, Chester Proudfoot (deputy), Miss Kitty, and Andy Hill, a reformed man with a questionable past.
• Tone: The day starts quiet and reflective. Dillon is preoccupied, troubled by concerns over Andy’s standing and fate. (06:13–07:03)
  • “I was thinking about Andy Hill.” – Matt Dillon [06:18]

2. Andy Hill’s Past Catches Up

• Matt is awaiting a telegram about Andy Hill and is hopeful due to Andy’s good behavior since settling in Dodge.
• Telegram arrives: Oklahoma Sheriff’s deputy is coming to collect Andy for trial. The warrant is for murder, not just robbery. (08:42–09:10)
  • “And sending Deputy Jack Ha to return Andy Hill for trial.” – Matt Dillon [08:42]

3. A Deputy with a Mission

• Deputy Jack Haw from Oklahoma arrives, bearing a very official-looking warrant and grim news: New witness testimony fingers Andy for a murder during a botched saloon robbery. (11:27–12:12)
  • “A man was killed just before Andy left Oklahoma territory, Marshal. There were three witnesses... They say it was Andy who did the killing.” – Jack Haw [12:25]
• The discussion delves into Andy's background and reputation as a clever talker and a liar—supposedly like his brother, who also committed murder. (13:03–13:32)

4. Matt Faces a Difficult Arrest

• With mixed feelings, Matt goes to arrest Andy. Andy adamantly denies guilt, claiming mistaken identity with his brother, He points out a possible vendetta: the murdered bartender’s cousin, Butler, had sworn revenge against any Hill, and Andy doesn’t trust the deputy’s identity. (14:48–16:09)

  • “How do I know this Jack Haw ain’t really Bob Butler’s cousin? He could shoot me easy before we ever got back there.” – Andy Hill [16:04]

• Matt, resolute, takes Andy’s gun and arrests him, torn between duty and sympathy. (16:10–16:36)

  • “I’m a lawman, Andy. Now, don’t make me kill you.” – Matt Dillon [16:22]

5. Preparing for the Road Back to Oklahoma

• Andy is silent and sullen in jail, fearing he’ll be killed before ever reaching trial.
• Jack Haw reassures everyone that Butler’s cousin is dead and promises Andy a fair trial, vowing to make the trip back as easy as possible. He seems unusually courteous for a lawman bent on extradition. (17:24–18:49)
  • “I don’t want to cause you no embarrassment, Andy. I’m gonna take you back. But I’m gonna make it as easy on you as I can.” – Jack Haw [18:36]

6. Doubt and Investigation

• After Andy and Haw leave on the stagecoach, Chester realizes that someone owing him money at the Dodge House has left town early, and the register displays the name “Jack Hall”—the deputy’s name, but with a different signature style. (21:17–22:29)
  • “Jack Hall. What’s the matter, Mr. Dillon?” – Chester Proudfoot [22:24]

7. Truth Uncovered and Final Confrontation

• Dillon recognizes the “fancy” signature on the hotel register as matching the allegedly official warrant—implying forgery.
• He races to stop the coach, confronting Haw and Andy at the stage station, exposing Haw’s real motive: personal vendetta, not justice. (22:55–24:00)
  • Matt: “Sheriff Catlin didn’t sign that warrant. You did.”
  • Haw, drawing his gun: “You’re smart, Marshal. Let’s see if you’re as fast with your gun as you are with your head.” [24:00]
• A gunfight ensues, and Matt kills Haw before he can carry out his revenge. (24:05–24:27)
  • Chester: “He’d have killed me if you hadn’t shot him.” – Andy Hill [24:27]

8. Resolution and Restored Justice

• The truth comes out: Haw was likely Butler’s cousin, masquerading as a deputy to kill Andy in retribution for his cousin’s death.
• Matt promises Andy that he’ll write again to Sheriff Catlin—this time, justice will be based on the facts. (24:49–25:04)

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• “If there were more men like him around Dodge, it might not be such a bad place to live.” – Miss Kitty [08:21]
• “You would, wouldn’t you?” – Andy Hill (to Matt) [16:29]
• “He was a real feudin’ man. Your brother killed his cousin and he was willing to die right here if he could only take you with him.” – Matt Dillon [24:31]
• “You know, a man could lose his life on the frontier and not create much stir. But if he made a new one for himself, well, he had the respect of everyone.” – Matt Dillon, episode close [25:55]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Setting up the main conflict: [06:11–09:06]
• Arrival and statements of Deputy Jack Haw: [11:27–13:57]
• Arrest confrontation between Matt and Andy: [14:42–16:36]
• Discussion about Andy’s fears and journey preparation: [17:08–18:49]
• Suspicion at the Dodge House, noticing the forged signature: [21:17–22:29]
• Stagecoach & confrontation finale: [22:55–24:27]
• Resolution and Matt’s reflection: [25:55–26:12]

Memorable Moments

• The tension of duty vs. friendship as Matt arrests Andy, not wanting to but feeling compelled.
• The reversal of expectation: Deputy Haw is unmasked as a vengeful impostor instead of a lawman.
• The climactic gunfight prevents a cold-blooded execution.
• Matt’s philosophical reflection on reputation and redemption in the West.

Summary

This Gunsmoke episode masterfully explores law, justice, and the value of personal change. As Matt Dillon faces the possibility of sending Andy Hill—whom he trusts—back to likely death, the twist of a forged warrant and a false lawman highlights the difficult, dangerous ambiguities of Western justice. In the end, the episode leaves listeners with the sense that even on the frontier, fairness and truth must be fought for, and a good man deserves a chance at redemption.

For listeners seeking a classic Western tale with intrigue, moral nuance, and a classic Gunsmoke shootout, "The Second Choice" embodies the very best of OTR drama.