
Original Air Date: January 03, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Writer:• Les Crutchfield Editorial Supervisor:• ...
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Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode after Absolutely Free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.
William Conrad
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 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.
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 a man watchful and a little lonely.
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Chester
Pretty cold morning, ain't it, Ms. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
I'm ready for spring. Chester. The tail end of winter always gets on my nerves.
Chester
I shouldn't hurt Belong now. Worst of it. Bound to be over.
Matt Dillon
I sure hope so. Let's try Delmonico's here, huh?
Chester
I'm always ready to eat.
Doc
Well, look, Kitty, we've got company.
Kitty
Morning, Ma.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Kitty.
Doc
Doc, how about joining us?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, all right. Thank you.
Chester
Gracious, I could eat a bear, feet and all.
Kitty
In here, that's probably what you get.
Doc
Well, you're up early this morning, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Most of the times you don't even.
Doc
Start breathing before noon.
Matt Dillon
It's too cold asleep, Doc? A jail stove always burns itself out around 5:00 from then on.
Doc
What is it, Matt?
Matt Dillon
Those three men sitting at that second table from the window there.
Kitty
What about them?
Matt Dillon
They call themselves the Pueblo Gang. Kitty ran into them about four years ago out in Arizona Territory. I never heard of them coming this far east before, though.
Chester
Well, you want some help?
Matt Dillon
No. Sit tight, Chester. I'll be right back. All right. It's the Parks brothers, isn't it? Ed and Rio and Chuck Evans. Well, what about it? Easy, Rio. Easy. Dylan, our food's getting cold. You got something on your mind or not? No, nothing important, Rio. I figure it's quite an honor to have the Pueblo gang in town. I just thought I'd drop over and tell you how I felt, that's all. And how do you feel? Well, that depends, Ed. You boys here on business? My pleasure. Does it make a difference, Mark? Yeah. Yeah, it makes a difference. I know your reputation. West of here, half the stage holdups in the last five years from Colorado to the California border can be laid right to your door. But as far as I know, you're clean in Dodge City so far. All right, you just keep it that way. But you make one move here and your time's up, right? Then you're short. And I'll take you. All three of you. You understand? Sure, we understand. We'll think it over, Dylan. Let you know what we. You talk too much. See you around, boys. You can put that gun away now, Chester. Yes, sir.
Chester
I was just gonna be ready, in case.
Kitty
Math. Those men were in the Long Branch last night. They're bullies and they're mean.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know.
Chester
How you going to do, Mr. Dylan, run them out of town?
Matt Dillon
Not unless they give me some reason to trust you.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
But the law doesn't say you can hang a man because he might steal a horse. Let's forget it and eat. Hu.
Chester
Train about ready to pull out? It looks like.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, it's on time. It's 3:00.
Chester
Be in St. Louis tomorrow night and Chicago the next day.
Matt Dillon
That is, if the engine holds up.
Chester
Oh, they don't break down as much anymore. They're getting them worked out. Those are pretty dependable.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I guess so.
Chester
Don't you ever get a hankering to take a trip back east? See how things have maybe changed?
Matt Dillon
Ah, not me, Chester. I've been on the frontier too long. I'd be lost back there. I wouldn't know how to act.
Chester
Reckon a man could get his rope kinked over which fork to use or.
Doc
Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Hello, Will. What are you doing down here? Watching your competition pull out?
Doc
Ah, there'll be a stagecoach running for a long time to come yet. Railroad's not bothering me any.
Matt Dillon
I'm glad to hear it.
Doc
Something else is, though, Marshall. The stage from Buckeye is more than two hours overdue. I'm getting a little worried.
Matt Dillon
Oh, why? It's usually late, isn't it?
Doc
Not on this particular day of the month, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Oh, why today in particular?
Doc
Gold dust. This is the day. Those placer mines out there always ship their cleanup. Now, Charlie's never missed getting it here at 3 o'clock on time for the eastbound train.
Chester
Not once.
Matt Dillon
Who's riding shotgun?
Doc
Houston Jack.
Matt Dillon
He's a good man. I doubt if there's any cause to worry, Will.
Doc
That shipment runs 80 or $100,000 sometimes, Marshall. It's never been late before.
Matt Dillon
Well, Charlie will probably roll in any minute now.
Doc
Well, I hope you're right. See you later, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. So long, Will.
Chester
What do you think, Mr. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
Same as you do, Chester. That's right. Out to meet that stage.
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Chester
I still think I heard a horse went in, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I thought I heard it, too.
Chester
We must be an hour and a half from town. The way the stage runs, it sure is late, all right.
Matt Dillon
I hope late is all it is, Chester.
Chester
There. There it is again.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Came from that draw over there somewhere around that sumac thicket. Come.
Chester
Look. Wheel track's leading off the trail.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Chester, there's the stage.
Chester
Don't see no sign of life.
Matt Dillon
Let's take a look.
Chester
Tracks all around. Must have been three or four horses here.
Matt Dillon
Three, the way I'm figuring it, I'll lay any odds you want that this is some of.
Chester
That's Houston Jack.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Shot in the back of the head. They didn't take any chances. They must have ridden up behind the stage and fired without any warning. That's probably what spooked the horses and started to run away. Yeah, they shot the lead horse. It's an old trick.
Chester
Charlie's still up there on the box, Mr. Doan. They got him, too.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
Here's the strong box. Been forced open. It's empty.
Matt Dillon
That's the same way they used to work it out west. Shoot the guard in the back, let the team run until they're far enough off the trail, then kill the lead horse to stop them.
Chester
You mean the Pueblo gun?
Matt Dillon
Sure. Who else? Justin. Good thing there weren't any passengers there. They got the same treatment.
Chester
Mr. Jones. I think there was some passengers. One at least.
Matt Dillon
Huh.
Chester
There's a carpet bag of some kind inside the stage here.
Matt Dillon
Let's have a look. The only bodies are the guards and the drivers.
Chester
Maybe one of the gang was riding as a passenger.
Matt Dillon
Uh.
Chester
Oh, it's Madam Stone.
Matt Dillon
That stuff in the carpet bag belongs to a woman.
Chester
But there's no woman here.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know.
Chester
Well, then they. They must have taken her.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. All right. Come on, Chester. Let's try to pick up their trail.
Chester
It just ain't no use going any farther, Mr. Dylan. It's too dark to tell what we're doing.
Matt Dillon
I think we're heading toward the river here. Just take a look through these willows, and if we don't find anything, then we can ride on back to town.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
You know, Chester, I still keep getting a faint whiff of wood smoke from somewhere.
Chester
Well, I sure do wish we could find fire. Getting colder in the hinges.
Matt Dillon
Wait a minute. Look over there.
Chester
I swear it's fire all right. Yeah, what's left of 1. Ms. D. You suppose they're still there?
Matt Dillon
I don't know. There's nothing moving. No signs of life.
Chester
They couldn't have left too long ago. That fire would have burnt itself out. I say we're too late. Mr. Dunn, I think we've gone bucks.
Matt Dillon
That way all right. Yeah. A half hour or an hour ago. Made a fast camp. Stay long enough to warm up.
Chester
What was that?
Matt Dillon
I don't know. Here. Over here. Chester.
Kitty
Help me. Help me, please.
Matt Dillon
Chester, throw some brush on that fire, huh?
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Miss. It's all right. He'll be all right now. Miss.
Kitty
Three of them robbed the stage. Killed the driver and the guard Brought me with him.
Chester
Anything I can do, Mr. D?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I got some light over here. Chester, grab one of those branches that caught fire. Bring it over here.
Chester
That's right, what you're saying.
Matt Dillon
Take it easy now, man. It's going to be all right.
Kitty
I, I, I pleaded with them. I begged them to let me go.
Chester
This helping, Ms. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Hold it over here now. Closer, Helen.
Kitty
But they wouldn't. They wouldn't let me go.
Matt Dillon
Helen Ford.
Kitty
When they left, they. They drew their guns and shot me.
Matt Dillon
Now you just take it easy.
Kitty
Shot.
Matt Dillon
Helen. Do. Do you know who they were? Helen, can you hear me?
Kitty
One. One named Rio. One called Chuck. They. They sat down and their horses shot me. And they laughed.
Chester
She's in awful bad shape, Mr. Doomer. Couldn't we get her in the dock? Laughed.
Kitty
But it didn't matter. Not Finn. Not. Huh.
Chester
I guess it's too late now.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. It's too late.
Doc
You.
Chester
You knew her, Ms. D. Yeah, a.
Matt Dillon
Long time ago, Chester. And things happen the way they do. Later. She married Bill Ford. Went on out to Colorado. It was a long time ago. Didn't expect I'd ever see her again.
Chester
It's a bad thing.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. But I'm gonna see them hang for.
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Matt Dillon
Over here, Chester. Let's check the livery stable.
Doc
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
They could have pulled out, of course, but out of lay odds they came straight back to town.
Chester
Well, it won't take long to find out.
Doc
Who's that? Who is it?
Matt Dillon
Matt Dillon. Is that you, Moss?
Doc
Sure is, Marshall. Yes. Let me get a lanner lit there. Just fixing to lock up the stable and go over and grab myself a bite to eat. Got a fire going back in the office, Marshall. Come on back and set a spell.
Matt Dillon
I'd like to. Marshall, we haven't got time. I'm looking for some horses.
Doc
Well, I got them, Marshall. You want to buy, trade or hire?
Matt Dillon
Just look, Moss. There are three fellas staying over at the Dodge House. Been there about a week. Ed and Rio Parks and Chuck Evans. Are they keeping their horses here?
Doc
They sure are. Right back here. And if I ever saw a rumination of good horse flesh, this is it. Take a look there. That one belongs to the oldest Parks boy, Ed. The one next to it is Rio's.
Chester
A Ben Road, Mr. Dung. A Ben Rode a plenty.
Matt Dillon
What time do they come in, Moss?
Doc
About an hour ago, more or less. Gone since forenoon and just came back a little while ago. Look at that horse. Been rubbed down twice and he's still wet.
Matt Dillon
They didn't say where they'd been, did they?
Doc
Not them. They ain't the talking kind. They just left their horses and went over to the hotel. Wherever they was though, they must have been riding like the devil himself was chasing them.
Matt Dillon
Maybe he was. Well, thanks, Moss.
Doc
Sure, Marshall. Good night.
Matt Dillon
Good night. I guess there's not much doubt about it, Justin.
Chester
Oh, sure. Them all right.
Matt Dillon
I could have stopped it before it happened. Man shouldn't be jailed on suspicion. I figured just because he might do something wrong.
Chester
Everybody has to play it the way he sees it.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, only sometimes you see it a lot plainer afterwards.
Chester
What are we going to do, Mr. D?
Matt Dillon
Go get him.
Chester
Where do we start looking?
Matt Dillon
Long branch. And one thing, Chester, before we go in, leave the play on this one to me. Just keep me covered, that's all, Mr. Don.
Chester
What was her name before she had.
Matt Dillon
Married Mr. Don Marlow? Helen Marlo. All right, let's go.
Kitty
Real dull evening, up until now. How are you, Matt? Chester Homes.
Chester
Kitty.
Matt Dillon
Kitty. I'm looking for the Pueblo gang. Have any of them been in here?
Kitty
Yeah, one of them's here now. Leopold Park. He's over there at the Farrell table.
Matt Dillon
Oh. Oh, yeah.
Kitty
Well, what's wrong, Matt? What happened?
Matt Dillon
They held up the Buckeye stage. Killed Charlie and Houston Jack and a passenger, woman. Helen Ford.
Kitty
Oh, no.
Matt Dillon
I'll see you later. Ah. There's 500 there. 500 says I got the card. You gonna cover me or not? What's the matter? Y'all a bunch of pikers? Maybe they haven't been out robbing stagecoaches. Rio. What do you mean by that? Maybe they don't make their living by killing women. Dylan, a man can get in trouble shooting off his mouth that way. You're already in trouble. All right, boys. Rio's checking in his hand. The game's over. You can slide off the end of the table over there. Rio, you're under arrest for murder. I don't know what you're talking about. Murder. And you're gonna hang for it. Now, where are the other two? Go and find him if you want them. I'm going to as soon as I finish with you. I said you're under arrest, Riona. Get your hands up. Supposing they don't? You're not gonna make any play. You don't have the guts. Shooting a man in the back is more in your line. Or killing a woman. Now get your hands up. That's better. All right, Chester, get his gun.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
All right, let's go. I still got two men to find.
Chester
It's getting colder, Mr. Dylan.
Matt Dillon
As clear as a bell, though. Like that moon.
Chester
Where you reckon they are? We've been in nearly every saloon on Front Street.
Matt Dillon
I don't know, Chester, but wherever they are, we'll find them.
Chester
Maybe the other two won't be took as easy as Rio was.
Matt Dillon
It's up to them. They want to surrender. They can never shot a man with his hands up. Wait a minute. Justin and Ben's Barber Shop. That man, he's shaving.
Chester
It's kindly hard to tell with all that lather.
Matt Dillon
That's Edge Parks. Come on.
Chester
There's just him and Ben in the shop. Wonder where Chuck Evans is.
Matt Dillon
Worry about him later. Just help yourself to seat, gentlemen. Be ready for you just soon over. Evening, Marshall. Ben. I didn't know you were in the habit of shaming outlaws. Well, now, maybe you're mistaken, Marshall. Now, just have a seat. No, I recognize him all right. It's Ed Parks. Well, looks like you got the advantage. You made Dill we can't have. Then wipe the lather off his face, Ben.
Doc
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Sure thing, Marshal. Just take it out, Mr.
Chester
Parks.
Matt Dillon
There. There you are. It's too bad you have to leave that shave half finished, Ben. But they'll give you a free one just before they hang you. What are you talking about, Dylan? Now, gentlemen, you're under arrest for murder. Ed, you got your hands up. Your brother's waiting for you at the jail.
Doc
You arrested real.
Matt Dillon
What about your hands, Ed? Are you gonna put them up? No. Dirty tin heart's gonna make us go. Well, that was a pretty fast move for a barber, Ben. Hell, I knew he had a gun under the towel, Marshal. Of course, I couldn't do anything about it, you know. Oh, thank you, Ben. And if you'll send the bill for your shaving mug to the stage company, they'll probably take care of it. Yes, sir. Marshall. All right. Chester spilled some water on him. I want him to walk to jail.
Chester
I'll bet Chuck Kevin's got clean away, Mr. D. The word must have got to him.
Matt Dillon
Well, he had to do it awful fast. The clerk said he checked out of the hotel less than 10 minutes ago. Moss. That light must hurt his eyes. He never keeps a lantern burning.
Chester
Afraid of fire maybe.
Matt Dillon
Moss, are you there?
Doc
Yeah. What's wrong? Who is it?
Matt Dillon
Matt Dillon. Strike a light, will ya? A man could fall over something in this stable and break his neck.
Doc
All right, all right, don't get excited. Used to it myself just where everything is. Don't see any point in wasting oil when I. Now what's on your mind, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Chuck Evans. Is his horse still here?
Doc
Yes, indeed, it most certainly is. As a matter of fact, he's back there saddling up right now.
Matt Dillon
Good.
Doc
I told him it seemed like a fool time of night to start out on a trip, but he can't reason with anybody that treats horses the way that bunch does.
Matt Dillon
I guess not. Mark, answer him.
Doc
Yeah, what is it? Give me a hand back here, will you?
Matt Dillon
Tell him. Yes.
Doc
All right, I'm coming. What's this all about, Marsh?
Matt Dillon
Nothing to get yourself worked up about. Just stay right here and stay out of the way. Come on, Chester.
Chester
Yes, sir. He's got a lantern back here installed.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. You were right about one thing. He's trying to leave.
Doc
Give me a hand for this, Martha.
Matt Dillon
I can't seem to get you gone somewhere, Chuck.
Doc
Now look, Dylan, you got nothing on me and I'll lay you off.
Matt Dillon
The Parks boys are in jail.
Doc
I don't know anything about it, Dylan. You can't prove a thing. And you can't shoot me. I'm not even wearing a gun. Hanging there on the saddle.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, so I see.
Doc
After other boys did something.
Matt Dillon
I don't know anything about it. You're a liar, Chuck. And you're a coward. Now you got no call to talk like that. Shut up. You're under arrest. Chester, get his gun off the saddle.
Chester
Look at Alex Dillon.
Doc
He's got another gun. I'll kill you, Dylan, so help me.
Matt Dillon
Well, I guess that does it. Chester, let's go.
Doc
What was it, Marshall? What happened?
Matt Dillon
Evans is dead. The Parks boys are gonna hang. You're short three customers, Moss.
Doc
Who's gonna pay the stable bill now?
Matt Dillon
You got their horses. Sell them.
Doc
I never thought of that. Well, it serves them right. Anybody who'd treat a horse the way that.
Chester
Guess it's over, Mr. Jones.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, it's over.
Chester
And it sits as well. This country will be a lot better off with them dead than alive.
Matt Dillon
I guess so.
Chester
Even the moon looks brighter now. You're still thinking you should have jailed them on suspicion, ain't you?
Matt Dillon
I'd have half a dodge in jail if I started that. No, Chester. It's the kind of a chance a lawman has to take.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Whether he likes it or not.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
And I'm not liking it much right now. In the morning, I'm gonna talk to the preacher about holding a service for Helen. That's all I can do for her right now.
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William Conrad
Gunsmoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman MacDonald, stars William Con as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Les Crutchfield with editorial supervision by John Meston. Marley Bear is Chester. Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Hawkins is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on gun smoke.
Matt Dillon
Latest news follows. Then Mitch Miller with tonight's guest stars on the seat.
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 YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank the following ranch hand, Steve who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
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Gunsmoke | Episode: "Trojan War" (01-03-60)
Host: Andrew Rines
Release Date: March 15, 2025
In the "Trojan War" episode of Gunsmoke, host Andrew Rines sets the stage for a gripping tale of law and disorder in Dodge City, Kansas. The story unfolds with U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon facing a formidable challenge as the notorious Pueblo Gang arrives in town, bringing violence and chaos to the settlement of the American West.
The episode opens with Matt Dillon (William Conrad) discussing the uneasy peace in Dodge City. Chester (Marley Bear) and Doc (Howard McNear) are by his side as they navigate their daily routines.
Their conversation is interrupted when Dillon notices suspicious men at the local establishment, identifying them as members of the Pueblo Gang—a ruthless group responsible for numerous stagecoach holdups across the West.
Dillon's intuition leads him to the Buckeye stagecoach, where he anticipates trouble. His suspicions are confirmed when the stagecoach arrives late, a rare occurrence for Charlie's dependable schedule.
Upon investigation, Dillon discovers the aftermath of a brutal robbery. The stagecoach has been shot up, the strongbox emptied, and the driver Charlie and guard Houston Jack are dead. Additionally, a passenger, Helen Ford, is missing and presumed kidnapped.
Dillon and Chester follow the trail left by the robbers, analyzing the wheel tracks and signs of violence to identify the perpetrators. Their meticulous examination reveals that the Pueblo Gang employed a classic tactic: shooting the lead horse to cause chaos and disable the stagecoach.
The discovery of a carpet bag belonging to Helen Ford deepens the mystery, compelling Dillon to intensify his search for the gang members.
Dillon’s investigation leads him to confront Leopold Parks (Rio Parks) at the local hotel. Using his sharp instincts and authoritative presence, Dillon accuses Rio of involvement in the robbery.
Despite Rio’s attempts to evade arrest, Dillon successfully apprehends him, leaving two more gang members—Ed and Chuck Evans—to be tracked down. The tension heightens as Dillon prepares for confrontations with the remaining outlaws.
The climax builds as Dillon and Chester engage in a tense standoff with Chuck Evans at the livery stable. Despite Evans' attempts to deceive and escape, Dillon's unwavering determination leads to his arrest.
The resolution of this showdown signifies the triumph of law and order, albeit at a personal cost to Dillon, who grapples with the consequences of his decisions.
In the aftermath, Dillon reflects on the necessity and burden of his role as a marshal. The episode concludes with a somber acknowledgment of Helen Ford’s fate and the moral complexities of justice in the Wild West.
Dillon’s contemplation underscores the perpetual struggle between upholding the law and dealing with its often harsh realities.
"Trojan War" delves into themes of justice, morality, and the burdens carried by those entrusted with maintaining order. Marshal Dillon's internal conflict highlights the human side of law enforcement, where decisions have profound personal and societal impacts. The episode also emphasizes the relentless nature of criminal elements during the Westward expansion and the enduring struggle to establish peace in burgeoning settlements.
Andrew Rines masterfully narrates a quintessential Gunsmoke episode, blending action, character development, and moral dilemmas to create an engaging and thought-provoking story. "Trojan War" is a testament to the show's enduring legacy in portraying the complexities of life in the American West, offering listeners a rich and immersive experience even if they haven't tuned in to the original broadcast.
Production Credits:
Gunsmoke was produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman MacDonald, starring William Conrad as Matt Dillon, Marley Bear as Chester, Howard McNear as Doc, and Georgia Hawkins as Kitty. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Les Crutchfield with editorial supervision by John Meston.
Note: This summary excludes sponsor messages, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the narrative and key elements of the episode.