
Original Air Date: February 26, 1956Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• John Dehner• Sam Edwards• Clay...
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Joe Delk
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And before we get into this episode, I wanted to remind you to check out our other western podcasts released daily by going to otrwesterns.com or or searching OTR Westerns in your podcast app of choice. I also wanted to invite you to check out our other podcast channel releasing non western shows by going to otnetcast.com or by searching otnetcast in your podcast app of choice. Now, let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke. Original air date is February 26, 1956 and the title is who Lives by the Sword? Let's get into it.
William Conrad
Gun Smoke brought to you by Chesterfield. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed. Thanks to Accuray, they satisfy the most 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 transcribed 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.
Joe Delk
There.
Chester
I got enough to buy one more drink, Miss Kitty.
Kitty
You shouldn't spend all your money on me, mister.
Joe Delk
Mister?
Matt Dillon
Well, listen to that.
Chester
Ain't nobody calling me mister in my whole life.
Kitty
How old are you, Billy?
Matt Dillon
21.
Chester
Oh, it's true.
Kitty
Well, anyway, you're old enough to be called mister.
Matt Dillon
Golly, you.
Chester
You sure make a man feel good, Miss Kitty.
Kitty
Thank you, Billy. But you pick up that money now. You've had enough to drink for one night.
Joe Delk
Oh, a couple of beers.
Kitty
Save it for breakfast, Billy. You'll be glad I made you now.
Matt Dillon
You ain't treating me like a man, Miss Kitty.
Joe Delk
There's no reason why she should, kid. Kitty. Huh? You won't have no trouble treating me like a man, Kitty.
Kitty
Beat it, stranger.
Chester
What are you horning in here for?
Joe Delk
Go on home to bed, Kid. Let you and me sit down somewhere, Kitty.
William Conrad
Talk it over a little.
Kitty
You wouldn't feel at home, stranger.
Joe Delk
Huh?
Kitty
There's no hogwaller for you to sit in around here.
Joe Delk
People don't talk to Joe Delk like that.
Kitty
Then Joe Delk had better go back to wherever it is he's got people afraid of him. Not here, mister.
Joe Delk
Not in Dodge don't be afraid of me, Ndodd. You just don't know I'm here yet.
Kitty
Well, why don't you go let him know and leave us alone?
Chester
She's asking you, mister.
Kitty
I'm telling him.
Chester
You heard her.
Joe Delk
I'll take care of you in a minute, Kitty. Soon as I get this little blow fly off my neck. This your money, Kid?
Chester
You leave that alone.
Joe Delk
Go on, go pick it up before you get into real trouble.
Chester
I'll kill you for that.
Kitty
No, Billy. He's a gunman. Can't you tell?
Chester
I don't care what he is.
Kitty
You killed him. He was only a kid.
Joe Delk
I wouldn't care if he was a grown man.
Kitty
He didn't have a chance against a professional like you.
Joe Delk
Nobody I've ever met has. But now people begin to know. Joe Delks in town.
Matt Dillon
Never heard of Joe Delkin.
Joe Delk
Maybe not, mister, but you've seen what he can do.
Matt Dillon
I didn't see it, Matt.
Kitty
That poor kid. I don't even know his last name.
Matt Dillon
What happened, Kitty?
Joe Delk
I'll tell you what happened, mister. He got the crowd in me. Same as you're doing right now.
Kitty
This is Marshall Dillon you're talking to.
Joe Delk
Oh, Marshal Dillon, eh? Well, I don't mind eating a marshal now and then.
Matt Dillon
Did he murder the boy, Kitty?
Kitty
No, he didn't, Matt. Kid drew first.
Matt Dillon
Must have been easy for you, Duck.
Joe Delk
Real easy, Marshall. It's kind of fun.
Kitty
Fun? Killing that nice boy fun.
Joe Delk
Ah, Taking my time that way. What are you doing? Give me my gun.
Matt Dillon
You're not gonna be needing a gun. Don't.
Kitty
Goodness.
Joe Delk
Okay. What?
Chester
You.
Kitty
God. He sure never expected that, did he?
Matt Dillon
No gunman would, Kitty. But he's sure never gonna forget.
William Conrad
Introducing one of the country's best known jazz musicians and arrangers, Mr. Bobby Haggart. How about whistling along with him? Packs more pleasure Packs more pleasure Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed the more perfectly packed your cigarette the more taste and mildness are released for you. Chesterfield, made by exclusive Accuray, has an open, easy draw that unlocks all the pleasure of fine tobaccos. Now, Accuray ensures an even distribution of tobacco from one end of your Chesterfield to the other. Chesterfield is firm and pleasing to the lips. Mild, yet deeply satisfying. Chesterfield packs more pleasure Because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed to the touch, to the taste. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed by Chesterfield Mild, yet they satisfy the most.
Chester
Well, good morning, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Morning, Chester.
Chester
I let Del carve his cage. He ain't none too Surprised this morning?
Joe Delk
What do you expect me to do? You holding a shotgun on me.
Matt Dillon
How you feeling, Dulk? Outside of your pride being hurt, I mean.
Joe Delk
You know, I think of a man who fights with his hands martial.
Matt Dillon
I don't care what you think about anything.
Joe Delk
He's a coward, that's what he is.
Matt Dillon
It took you by surprise, didn't it?
Joe Delk
Of course it did.
Matt Dillon
And I hurt you too, didn't it, Doak? Hurt you pretty bad. You wouldn't want to go through that again, would you?
Joe Delk
No, no, I wouldn't.
Matt Dillon
Because I'd kick you half to death next time. Now what are you doing in Dodge anyway?
Joe Delk
Coming on the Santa Fe.
Matt Dillon
I said what are you doing?
Joe Delk
Look, Marshall, just because I had to shoot a man in self defense. Boy, he had a gun, didn't he?
Matt Dillon
Against you, he might as well have had a stick.
Joe Delk
It was still self def.
Chester
There.
Matt Dillon
There's your gun belt.
Joe Delk
You turning me loose?
Matt Dillon
Put it on.
Joe Delk
Okay.
Matt Dillon
Now. I can't reach you from here with my fists, Del.
Chester
My, that was an awful chance you took, Mr. Dillon. I mean, you might have had to shoot him.
Matt Dillon
I was pretty sure he wouldn't draw, Chester.
Chester
Well, why?
Matt Dillon
The beating I gave him last night. That takes the vinegar out of a man like Dulk. Kind of scares him.
Chester
You mean that's why he just walked out of here?
Matt Dillon
And it could be one reason.
Chester
One reason.
Matt Dillon
Maybe he's got something in mind.
Chester
Like what?
Matt Dillon
Like finding me when I'm not ready for him. They're putting himself behind a shotgun, shooting me in the back. Doc never got hurt that way before. It rattled him some. But he's not through. Not.
Kitty
Can I borrow your spoon to stir my coffee, man?
Matt Dillon
Ah, sure, Kitty. Here, here.
Kitty
You'd think this restaurant could afford more than one spoon to two customers.
Matt Dillon
Well, if they did, they couldn't afford the quality beef they serve.
Kitty
Then I won't complain. I'd hate to think of eating any lower off one of those animals.
Matt Dillon
You know something, Kitty? Before long, some bright fella's gonna get the idea of raising cattle in one small area where they can live peaceful and grow fat and juicy.
Kitty
Sounds like a great idea, Matt. Why don't you start it?
Matt Dillon
No, I got a job.
Kitty
Sure, I forgot. After all, a job with a future like yours. I can see your gravestone. He didn't die rich, but he sure died stubborn.
Matt Dillon
I like that. I think I'll use it.
Kitty
You won't be there.
Matt Dillon
Well, maybe you'll take care of it for me, huh?
Kitty
Having dinner with you is real pleasurable, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Why, thank you, Kitty.
Kitty
Don't mention it, Mr. Jones.
Chester
Hello, Miss Kitty.
Kitty
You sit down chest to have some coffee with us.
Chester
We ain't got time, Miss Kitty. Doc's gonna be waiting outside any minute.
Matt Dillon
Doc?
Chester
He wants you to go at the Dodge house with him, Mr. Jones.
Matt Dillon
Oh, what for?
Chester
To see Joe Delk.
Kitty
Well, tell me somebody's finally shot that ape.
Chester
No, taint that. He was over the Texas trail drinking all day yesterday. He sent word to Doc. He's sober now, but he's got the shakes and needs something to fix him up.
Kitty
Wolf poison might help.
Matt Dillon
Why does Doc want me along, Justin?
Chester
Maybe he don't trust old elf. Anyway, he says he won't go see him alone.
Matt Dillon
Maybe he's right.
Kitty
I never heard of a gunman fool enough to drink so much. He got the shakes, man.
Matt Dillon
Now neither did I kill him.
Chester
Maybe it ain't even true, Mr. John. Maybe he's got something fancy in mind, like you said.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, maybe. You wait down here, Chester.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
What'd the clerk say, man? Top of the stairs and fifth room on the left. Wouldn't surprise me if he's recovered by now. Oh, what do you mean? It's been two or three hours since he sent for me. I didn't think he had hurt him to live with his misery a while. If there was anything wrong with him at all.
Kitty
No.
Matt Dillon
I heard he'd been drinking yesterday. Jim Buck said he saw him over there. Man can make a show of drinking and still be sober, Doc, if he's got a reason, you know. Yeah.
Chester
Wait a minute.
Matt Dillon
This is the room. Wait a minute. Listen. Somebody's in there.
Joe Delk
What?
Matt Dillon
No, it's just doctor.
Joe Delk
Get away. Don't hit me. Get away. Stop. I'll kill you.
Chester
I'll kill you.
Joe Delk
Matt, it's locked.
Matt Dillon
It's not. Out of the way, Doc.
Joe Delk
Don't hit me, Marshall. Don't hit me.
Matt Dillon
Why, he's asleep, Matt.
Chester
He's dreaming.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Hey, Doak. Doak, come on, wake up. Doak, Come on.
Joe Delk
Marshall, what are you doing here? Who's he?
Matt Dillon
Well, I'm Doc Adams.
Chester
You're awake now, Doak. You were having a nightmare.
Joe Delk
Yeah, I was dreaming. Where you been? I sent for you hours ago. What'd you bring the marshals for?
Chester
What in the world's going on here, Mr. Jones?
Matt Dillon
It's all right, Chester. Bill got a little mixed up. He started seeing things.
Joe Delk
Yeah, he said dreaming.
Matt Dillon
Man like you can't afford to dream like that, Doc. He can't afford to get as jumpy as you are.
Joe Delk
Doc, give me something, will you? Give me something to taste?
Matt Dillon
Yes.
William Conrad
All right.
Matt Dillon
I've got some pills here somewhere, if.
Joe Delk
I can just find them.
Chester
Now?
Matt Dillon
Yes, but these pills won't do you as much good as about a gallon of coffee, will.
Joe Delk
What are you staring at me for, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Just taking a last look, Duck.
Joe Delk
What do you mean?
Matt Dillon
Two hours from now. I don't want you anywhere near Dodge.
Joe Delk
I ain't done nothing.
Matt Dillon
You're all through, Duck. Your gun's no use to you anymore.
Joe Delk
You're afraid I had a bad dream. That don't mean nothing.
Matt Dillon
You got two hours, Del. Go get killed someplace else. I don't want to watch it.
William Conrad
Where are you Listening to Gunsmoke in your favorite easy chair or out driving. Oh, there you are in the kitchen. Say, you want to make whatever you're doing more enjoyable. Have a Chesterfield. Enjoy. Chesterfield's better taste and mildness. You see, Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed. A more perfectly packed cigarette gives you an open, easy draw that unlocks all the better taste and mildness of fine tobaccos. And Chesterfield, made by exclusive accuray, is more perfectly packed with an even distribution of tobacco from one end of your Chesterfield to the other. Firm and pleasing to the lips. Mild, yet deeply satisfying. Remember to the touch, to the taste. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed by Chesterfield. Mild, yet they satisfy the most.
Chester
I shouldn't ought to even be in here, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Oh, why not, Chester?
Chester
Well, I'm broke.
Matt Dillon
The beer's on me.
Chester
Oh, well, now, I surely do thank you, Mr. Dillon. I am plum grateful. I truly am. Plum grateful.
Joe Delk
Grateful food.
Matt Dillon
I only figured on buying you one, Chester.
Chester
Oh, Mr. Dylan.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I see him, Ali. Still got an hour.
Chester
Who? That fell.
Matt Dillon
He's talking to some drifter.
Joe Delk
I guess I'll buy you a drink, mister. No, I ain't drinking no more. I only come in one. I said I'd buy you a drink. Sorry, stranger. One all I can take. I did my drinking yesterday. I don't like it much when a man's downright unfriendly. Well, some other time, mister. I could take it. You think you're too good to drink with me. That ain't what I'm saying. I told you why. You'll drink with me. No, no, I can't. All right. You're wearing a gun. No.
Chester
What you doing?
Matt Dillon
All right, hold it, Mr. Marshall. Step back, Dalk.
Joe Delk
What are you interfering for?
Matt Dillon
You ever hear of Joe Dunk?
Joe Delk
What's he got to do with this?
Matt Dillon
You were about to fight him, Joe.
Joe Delk
D. That couldn't be him.
Matt Dillon
Oh, why not?
Joe Delk
Del couldn't take that kind of talk. He'd have killed me right off.
Matt Dillon
Now, you're just lucky, mister.
Joe Delk
You really Joe Delk? Mister, I am. Look, I didn't mean nothing. I didn't know. I got to be going anyway. Well.it ain't two hours, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
I said I didn't want to watch you get killed here. You go find yourself a horse. I'll be at my office for 30 minutes. Then I'm going to come looking for you.
Chester
The 30 minutes is up, mister. Jonah.
Matt Dillon
Yeah?
Chester
You reckon he's left?
Matt Dillon
I hope so, Chester.
Chester
I feel kind of sorry for him.
Matt Dillon
Do you?
Chester
It's him.
Joe Delk
Take it easy, Marshal. I ain't looking for trouble. I. I want to talk to you.
Matt Dillon
All right, talk.
Joe Delk
You seen it? That fellow over at the saloon?
Matt Dillon
Yeah. What about him?
Joe Delk
I backed down, Marshall. I was afraid of him. Don't you understand that?
Matt Dillon
He was no gunman? Of course he would.
Joe Delk
Something's wrong with me, Marshall. Ever since that beating you give me.
Matt Dillon
Why did you want to see me about that?
Joe Delk
You gotta help me.
Matt Dillon
Help you?
Joe Delk
I'm going to take my gun off. I'm through gun fighting. But you gotta protect me. You gotta do it, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
I'm sorry, Doc. There's nothing I can do.
Joe Delk
I'll get killed. There's men all over looking to kill me.
Matt Dillon
You should have thought about that a long time.
Joe Delk
Let me stay here, Marshal. You tell everybody to leave me alone. I'll die if you don't.
Matt Dillon
Elk. Let me ask you something. How many men have you killed in your time?
Joe Delk
I don't know. A lot of them.
Matt Dillon
What difference how many? Like that boy you shot down the other night.
Joe Delk
You're against me. You ain't gonna help.
Matt Dillon
No, I'm not gonna help you. You're a killer, Doak. You're nothing but a murderer. All right.
Joe Delk
I'll go. I don't know where and I'll go.
Matt Dillon
Wait a minute, Dude. You ever hear that saying about how a man who lives by the sword dies by the sword?
Joe Delk
Yeah, I heard that somewhere.
Matt Dillon
Well, it's true, you know.
Joe Delk
I guess it's gonna be true for me.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Joe Delk
You know something, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
What?
Joe Delk
I can't think of no reason why someday he ain't going to be true for you.
William Conrad
In a moment, our star William Conrad Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed. Chesterfield, made by exclusive accuray, packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed Unlocks all the pleasure of fine tobacco. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because Chesterfield's more perfectly packed, firm and pleasing to the lips. Chesterfield mild, yet they satisfy the most.
Matt Dillon
You know, people on the frontier look down on a buffalo skinner. They referred to him as a stinker, and they avoided him. The next week, one of these outcasts wins the respect of the whole of Dodge. And that was the West. Good night.
William Conrad
Gun Smoke Produced and Directed by Norman MacDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Our story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey, sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were John Dana, Sam Edwards and Clayton Post. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Smokers. This is it. L and M filters so good to your taste so quick on the draw make today your big red letter day your L and M red letter day Superior taste and filter it's the miracle tip make today your big red letter day Change to L and M today.
Matt Dillon
L and M M so good to.
William Conrad
Your taste so quick on the draw Get L and M today Relax with L and M so good to your taste so quick on the draw. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on Gun Smoke.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com/copyright. Have a great day and thanks for listening.
Podcast Summary: Gunsmoke | "Who Lives by the Sword" (02-26-56)
"Who Lives by the Sword" is a compelling episode from the renowned Western drama series Gunsmoke, originally aired on February 26, 1956. Hosted by Andrew Rines on OTRWesterns.com, this episode delves into the turbulent dynamics of Dodge City, Kansas, highlighting the perpetual struggle between law and lawlessness in the settling American West. The narrative centers around U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon as he confronts the menacing presence of Joe Delk, a seasoned gunman whose arrival threatens the fragile peace of the town.
Matt Dillon (William Conrad): The steadfast U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, embodying justice and moral integrity.
Joe Delk (Sam Edwards): A feared gunman with a violent past, whose arrival in Dodge City sets the stage for conflict.
Kitty Russell (Georgia Ellis): The charming and resilient owner of the local bar, serving as a confidante to Matt Dillon.
Chester (Harley Bear): A loyal friend to Matt Dillon, providing support and insight throughout the episode.
Doc Adams (Howard McNear): The town's doctor, involved in mediating tensions and addressing the consequences of violence.
The episode unfolds with Joe Delk's aggressive entrance into Dodge City, immediately unsettling the townsfolk. Delk's interactions with Kitty and his confrontations with Matt Dillon reveal his inner turmoil and the dark path he's entrenched in. As tensions escalate, Delk grapples with his violent instincts and a yearning for redemption, leading to a series of poignant confrontations that test Matt Dillon's resolve and the town's capacity for forgiveness.
Joe Delk makes his presence known in the local bar, attempting to buy Kitty a drink. Kitty, wary of his intentions, rebuffs his advances, leading to a tense exchange.
Joe Delk: "Not in Dodge don't be afraid of me, you just don't know I'm here yet." [04:01]
Matt Dillon: "You ain't treating me like a man, Miss Kitty." [03:20]
This scene establishes Delk as a formidable antagonist and sets the tone for the ensuing conflict.
Following a violent altercation, Matt Dillon discusses the implications of Delk's actions with Chester, highlighting the marshal's determination to uphold peace.
Matt Dillon: "Because I'd kick you half to death next time. Now what are you doing in Dodge anyway?" [08:18]
Chester: "He started seeing things." [10:03]
These dialogues underscore Matt's unwavering commitment to justice, despite personal risks.
Delk approaches Matt Dillon, expressing his desire to abandon his violent ways but seeking protection in return. Matt remains resolute, emphasizing the inevitable repercussions of a life spent with a gun.
Joe Delk: "I'm going to take my gun off. I'm through gun fighting. But you gotta protect me. You gotta do it, Marshall." [20:32]
Matt Dillon: "You got two hours, Del. Go get killed someplace else. I don't want to watch it." [15:03]
Matt Dillon: "You got two hours, Del. Go get killed someplace else. I'll be at my office for 30 minutes. Then I'm going to come looking for you." [15:03]
Joe Delk: "Yeah, it's true, you know." [21:55]
These exchanges highlight the central theme of the episode: the inescapable consequences of living by violence.
Delk accepts his fate, reaffirming the adage that those who live by the sword ultimately perish by it, bringing the narrative full circle.
Joe Delk: "I can't think of no reason why someday he ain't going to be true for you." [22:03]
Matt Dillon: "You can't think of no reason why someday he ain't going to be true for you." [22:03]
This resolution reinforces the moral underpinnings of the Western genre, emphasizing justice and retribution.
Violence and Redemption: The episode delves deep into the psyche of Joe Delk, portraying his internal struggle between his violent tendencies and his desire for a peaceful existence. This duality serves as a commentary on the human capacity for change and the lingering shadows of one's past actions.
Justice vs. Mercy: Matt Dillon embodies the archetypal lawman who balances the scales of justice with a semblance of mercy. His interactions with Delk reflect the broader societal conflict between upholding the law and offering second chances.
Isolation and Loneliness: Delk's interactions hint at a life of solitude, emphasizing the emotional toll of a path laden with violence. Conversely, Matt Dillon's role as a marshal often isolates him, highlighting the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of duty.
"Who Lives by the Sword" masterfully encapsulates the essence of Gunsmoke, blending intense drama with profound moral questions. Through the lens of Joe Delk's troubled existence and Matt Dillon's unwavering dedication, the episode offers listeners a rich tapestry of character development and thematic exploration. It stands as a testament to the enduring narrative power of Westerns, where personal demons and the quest for redemption play out against the rugged backdrop of the American frontier.
Matt Dillon: "You ain't treating me like a man, Miss Kitty." [03:20]
Joe Delk: "I'm going to take my gun off. I'm through gun fighting. But you gotta protect me. You gotta do it, Marshall." [20:32]
Matt Dillon: "Because I'd kick you half to death next time. Now what are you doing in Dodge anyway?" [08:18]
Joe Delk: "Yeah, it's true, you know." [21:55]
Joe Delk: "I can't think of no reason why someday he ain't going to be true for you." [22:03]
These quotes encapsulate the central tensions and resolutions within the episode, highlighting the clash between violence and the quest for peace.
"Who Lives by the Sword" is emblematic of Gunsmoke's ability to intertwine gripping storytelling with meaningful reflections on human nature and societal norms. For new listeners, this episode provides a quintessential glimpse into the moral complexities and dramatic tensions that have long made Gunsmoke a staple of Western radio drama.