Wrong Man | Gunsmoke (05-08-60)

Summary

"Wrong Man" | Gunsmoke Episode Summary

Introduction

In the "Wrong Man" episode of Gunsmoke, set in the rugged terrains of Dodge City, Kansas, U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon faces the challenges of law enforcement in the American West. Hosted by Andrew Rines and featuring the iconic voice of William Conrad as Matt Dillon, this episode delves into themes of justice, mistaken identity, and the complexities of human relationships during the settlement era.

The Arrest of Jack Norman

The episode begins with Matt Dillon receiving a report about a man named Jim Waddell, suspected of murder. Matt approaches Sheriff Blair to gather more information. As Dillon discusses the apprehension guidelines, he describes Jim Waddell as a "slick one" who "doesn't carry a gun" but instead "does his killing with a knife" ([05:12] Matt Dillon). Despite not having an active warrant, Matt decides to keep an eye out for Waddell, demonstrating his proactive approach to maintaining law and order in Dodge City.

Interactions at the Sheriff's Office

At the sheriff's office, Matt encounters Kitty, Chester Proudfoot, and Doc. Kitty expresses her frustration with the town's rough elements, saying, "The food and everything in it. Including the people" ([06:30] Kitty), highlighting the social challenges faced by residents. Chester Proudfoot, the friendly bartender, provides a glimpse into the community's dynamics, emphasizing the strain lawmen endure: "They make me sick. That's what they do" ([23:29] Chester Proudfoot).

Mistaken Identity and the Wrongful Arrest

Matt's investigation leads him to Jack Norman, a newcomer to Dodge City who doesn't fit the typical profile of a troublemaker. Despite lacking a criminal record, Matt arrests Norman based on circumstantial evidence and Sheriff Blair's circular. Norman's calm demeanor and refusal to carry a gun make him an unlikely suspect, leading Matt to reflect, "He shouldn't be too hard to spot if he comes through a place like Dodge" ([05:38] Matt Dillon). This pivotal moment showcases the challenges of identifying the right suspect based solely on behavior and reputation.

The True Culprit Emerges

As the plot unfolds, it's revealed that Jim Waddell, Norman's brother, is the actual perpetrator behind the stabbing incident. Jim admits, "He wanted to hide" and "He cut me. Knifed his own paw" ([17:30] Jim Waddell), indicating a personal conflict that escalated tragically. Ruth Waddell, Jim's wife, pleads with Matt, saying, "I stopped him. You tell him" ([21:46] Ruth Waddell), adding emotional depth to the narrative and highlighting the collateral impact of Jim's actions on his family.

The Climactic Confrontation

The tension culminates in a dramatic showdown between Matt Dillon and Jim Waddell. As Matt confronts Jim, he states, "I have to arrest somebody, anybody, to make a show of doing your job" ([15:19] Matt Dillon), emphasizing the burden of responsibility on lawmen. Jim attempts to negotiate, revealing his disdain for guns and preference for knives: "I don't like guns" ([11:32] Jack Norman). The standoff escalates when Jim threatens to kill Matt's horse unless surrendered, leading to a fatal shootout where Jim is killed. Chester Proudfoot reluctantly takes the fatal shot, expressing regret: "I didn't mean to kill him. I just..." ([21:14] Chester Proudfoot).

Resolution and Aftermath

In the aftermath, Matt acknowledges his mistake in arresting the wrong man but also recognizes that bringing the true culprit to justice was achieved. He apologizes to Jack Norman, saying, "I'm sorry. I was wrong about you" ([22:43] Matt Dillon), demonstrating his integrity and commitment to justice. Chester Proudfoot reflects on the complexities faced by lawmen, stating, "They make me sick. That's what they do" ([23:25] Chester Proudfoot), underscoring the emotional toll of Matt's profession.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Dillon: "He shouldn’t be too hard to spot if he comes through a place like Dodge." ([05:38])

• Kitty: "The food and everything in it. Including the people." ([06:30])

• Jim Waddell: "I don’t like guns. Marshal Dillon." ([11:32])

• Ruth Waddell: "I stopped him. You tell him." ([21:46])

• Chester Proudfoot: "They make me sick. That's what they do." ([23:25])

Conclusion

"Wrong Man" is a compelling episode that highlights the precarious nature of justice in the Old West. Through Matt Dillon's journey, listeners explore the moral dilemmas faced by lawmen, the impact of personal relationships on justice, and the often-blurred lines between right and wrong. The episode effectively balances action with emotional depth, making it a standout story in the Gunsmoke series.

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This summary is based on the transcript provided and captures the essence of the "Wrong Man" episode of Gunsmoke, aired on May 8, 1960.

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.

[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.

[Matt Dillon]

And the smell of guns. Smell? Smoke.

[William Conrad]

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 chance, a job. And it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.

[Jim Waddell]

I ain't hiding. Come around back.

[Ruth Waddell]

I didn't know if you was to the house.

[Jim Waddell]

Yeah, well, I ain't now. Why? Were you lost finding Dodge?

[Ruth Waddell]

Lost? Well, you know why I wasn't lost, Pa. Been there twice since we come here.

[Jim Waddell]

What kept you? Well, I stopped off in one of them saloons.

[Ruth Waddell]

You know I ain't never been in one of them places, Pa. You'll go in one.

[Jim Waddell]

You just keep right on riding through town. Don't never bother to come back home.

[Ruth Waddell]

I know, Pa. What kept you there was one of them medicine shows, Pa. Fella with a magic AK and a pretty girl.

[Jim Waddell]

You were supposed to ride right home.

[Ruth Waddell]

I was thinking on you, Paul, with them pains in your back. This elixir some fellow was talking about. It would have fixed you up real good.

[Jim Waddell]

You didn't buy none.

[Ruth Waddell]

Well, you know I didn't have no money for it, Paul.

[Jim Waddell]

That's a good thing.

[Ruth Waddell]

Oh, they was selling a lot of it. And folks was drinking it down right there. You could see right away that they was feeling better.

[Jim Waddell]

Did you get what you went for?

[Ruth Waddell]

Oh, sure, Pa. I fetched a paper from the lawyer feller and about buying this place. And I fetched the mail, too.

[Jim Waddell]

Mail? Now, who'd be writing it's from?

[Ruth Waddell]

Jim. He must have found out we'd moved here.

[Jim Waddell]

You must want something pretty bad.

[Ruth Waddell]

Well, he. He's coming through this way. He wants to stop and stay a spell.

[Jim Waddell]

He ain't welcome.

[Ruth Waddell]

Jim's your boy, same as.

[Jim Waddell]

Not anymore, he ain't.

[Ruth Waddell]

Well, you ain't seen him in three years.

[Jim Waddell]

That was his doing, not mine. Him and his fancy manners and his fancy women. He didn't belong around his home no more.

[Chester Proudfoot]

What?

[Ruth Waddell]

I'd kind of like to see Jim.

[Jim Waddell]

Again, Pa. You ain't going to do it. Your brother's gone bad, Ruth. Mean, fancy bad. He didn't come when your ma lay dying and he ain't coming here whilst I live. Now, you got that straight?

[Ruth Waddell]

Yes, Paul.

[Jim Waddell]

All right, then. Come help me with this stock and try to do something right for once.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Plenty more coffee, Sheriff. You'd like another cup of it?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, this will do nicely, thank you, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Wouldn't be no trouble. It's all hot and everything.

[Matt Dillon]

No, no, thanks. Hello, Blair. I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Matt.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I've been extending to him the courtesies of your office, Mr. John.

[Matt Dillon]

You've been what? Give me some coffee. I don't know if that was a courtesy or not.

[Chester Proudfoot]

How's that?

[Matt Dillon]

It's all right, Chester. Matter of fact, I'll have some myself.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, sure. Ah.

[Matt Dillon]

Something on your mind, Blair, besides that cup of coffee? Yeah, Matt, there is. I'm after a man I'd like you to keep a lookout for. I think he may pass through here.

[Jack Norman]

In his way from Texas.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh. Name's Waddell. Jim Waddell.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Here's your coffee, Mr. Jones.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, thanks, Sheffner. What's he done? Just about everything. But I want him for murder. You got a circular on him? No, there isn't one out yet. How's he look like? He doesn't look like the kind who gets in trouble. He's a slick one. Never carries a gun, dresses like a dude. Does he act like one? Yeah. He's a soft spoken fella. Fancy mannered, especially with the ladies. He shouldn't be too hard to spot if he comes through a place like Dodge. Maybe not, but I'd be careful with him. No, he likes to do his killing with a knife. And he don't care much whether it's.

[Jim Waddell]

A man or woman.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll keep an eye out for him. Blair. If you spot him, will you lock them up till I can come get him? Yeah, I'll let you know if I do.

[Kitty]

Just look at that.

[Matt Dillon]

Look at what?

[Kitty]

The plate full of leftovers they serve you for stew.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know, Kitty. Tastes pretty good to me.

[Kitty]

Everything tastes good to you.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, food's food, you know.

[Kitty]

That's the trouble with this town.

[Matt Dillon]

What? The food?

[Kitty]

The food and everything in it. Including the people.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ah.

[Matt Dillon]

Somebody been giving you trouble?

[Kitty]

Oh, no. Isn't anybody in particular? Just everybody.

[Matt Dillon]

It's taken in a lot of territory, isn't it?

[Kitty]

Sometimes I think if I see another drunken cowboy, I'll scream.

[Matt Dillon]

Your saloon makes a lot of money off of Drunken cowboys. Kidding.

[Kitty]

Yeah, but I don't have to like it.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe not. There are a lot of other people in town.

[Kitty]

Yeah. They're either blown dry by the prairie or trying so hard to scramble for money they never look up.

[Matt Dillon]

You're in a mood for fair, aren't you?

[Kitty]

I guess I am. Sometimes I just get sick of it all.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I sort of admit that Dodge isn't the prettiest place I've ever seen.

[Kitty]

Well, the people aren't very pretty, either.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, come on, Kitty. Have some more coffee. It'll make you feel better.

[Kitty]

No, no, thanks. You have some. I think I'll go on.

[Matt Dillon]

You sure?

[Kitty]

Yeah, sure.

[Matt Dillon]

You want me to come along with you?

[Kitty]

No, thanks. I'll go on alone. See you later.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Kitty.

[Kitty]

Thanks for the d.

[Jack Norman]

Oh, hello, Miss Kitty.

[Kitty]

Hello.

[Jack Norman]

Beg your pardon.

[Kitty]

You could at least look where you're going.

[Jack Norman]

Did I hurt you, ma' am?

[Kitty]

No, no, you didn't hurt me.

[Jack Norman]

I certainly am relieved to hear that.

[Kitty]

My purse.

[Jack Norman]

I'll get it. Here you are, ma' am. And if there's any damage, I'll be glad to buy you a new one.

[Kitty]

Well, no, it doesn't really hurt you.

[Jack Norman]

Be sure now. It was right clumsy at me, bumping into a lady like that.

[Kitty]

Oh, it could happen to anyone. You're new and Dodge, aren't you?

[Jack Norman]

Why, yes, ma' am. Jack Norman at your service.

[Kitty]

Well, I don't know where you came from, Mr. Norman, but you sure don't act like the men around this town. They'd bump into you without even noticing.

[Jack Norman]

I find it hard to believe anyone wouldn't notice you, ma' am.

[Kitty]

No, sir, Mr. Norman, you don't act like anybody I know.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Two beers, Sam.

[Jack Norman]

Two beers.

[Chester Proudfoot]

It's my turn to buy, Mr. John.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester, get your money up.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I got it right here.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, you're a real sport, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, n. It ain't nothing.

[Jack Norman]

Here you are.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, I declare, Ms. Dylan, on a hot day, a glass of beer tastes almost as good as a cup of my coffee.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

That was a sort of a joke, Mr. Dylan. That was. That's a nice fellow, ain't he, that Kitty's having a drink with?

[Matt Dillon]

It seems all right.

[Chester Proudfoot]

George like to have her sat down at his table.

[Matt Dillon]

Kitty sells a lot of drinks that way.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Look, she's coming over here.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. She'll lose money on us, Chester.

[Jack Norman]

I reckon she will.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I ain't got no more to spend. Well, hello, Miss Kitty.

[Kitty]

Hello, Chester, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Hi, Kitty.

[Kitty]

You boys want to sit down?

[Matt Dillon]

No, thanks, Kitty. I got to be getting back and Chester's out of money.

[Kitty]

Well, it sounds like I'm wasting my time.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Is your friend, that Mr. Norman, gonna be in town for long?

[Kitty]

Oh, I don't know. Chester. He's having pretty good luck at that poker game over there. He may not be in any hurry.

[Chester Proudfoot]

See, they just dealt him in again.

[Kitty]

Yeah. Hope he has good luck.

[Matt Dillon]

He's in with a tough bunch.

[Kitty]

Oh, he can handle himself.

[Matt Dillon]

Hey.

[Ruth Waddell]

Hey, look, they're fighting.

[William Conrad]

Come on.

[Matt Dillon]

That's enough.

[Kitty]

Watch that.

[Matt Dillon]

Hold on. All right. Yeah, just stand easy, Mort.

[Jim Waddell]

I ain't the one to grab hold of Marshall. He's the one that pulled the knife, Norman.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, sir, he sure did. All right. What about that Norman?

[Jack Norman]

Man has to protect his interest, Marshall. It was a crooked deal.

[Jim Waddell]

Ain't nothing dirtier than a knife fighter.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll take your knife.

[Jack Norman]

It won't be necessary, Marshall. I won't hurt him.

[Matt Dillon]

I said I'll take the knife.

[Jack Norman]

I don't think.

[Matt Dillon]

Now that's better. Now, do you always carry a knife, Norman?

[Jack Norman]

I don't like guns. Marshal Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

I see you been in Texas lately?

[Jack Norman]

Yes, I have. I'm on my way from there now.

[Matt Dillon]

Where are you headed?

[Jack Norman]

Why, I haven't made up my mind. Just sort of going from town to town, taking it as it comes.

[Matt Dillon]

With your knife handy, huh?

[Jack Norman]

Well, now, Marshal, a man has to protect himself.

[Matt Dillon]

Have you ever killed anybody with that knife?

[Jack Norman]

It was necessary once, Marshal. Like I said, a man needs protection.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Oh, so does the law.

[Jack Norman]

How's that?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm gonna lock you up for a.

[Jack Norman]

Couple of days for getting into a fight. I didn't hurt anybody.

[Matt Dillon]

Move. Yeah. She being a little hasty maybe, But I'm gonna hold him until I hear from Blair.

[Kitty]

I don't think Jack's a killer.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know whether he is or not yet. I'm still gonna lock him up.

[Jack Norman]

You've got no right to do this, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

You can argue about that in jail.

[Jack Norman]

Making a big mistake.

[Matt Dillon]

Mistake? If I am, I'm sure I'll hear about it.

[Jack Norman]

I'm sure you will too.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, come on, Chester, let's get him out of here.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, here you are. Was there a telegram for you, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Uh huh.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Does Sheriff Blair think he's the right fellow?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Everything matches up but his name.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Fella could change that easy, no.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I know one thing. I'll be glad to be rid of him one way or the other.

[Matt Dillon]

He seems quiet enough when I'm around. Chester. Is he causing you trouble?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, it ain't what he does, it ain't even what he says. It's more the way he says it.

[Matt Dillon]

He's a smooth talker, all right.

[Chester Proudfoot]

More like a smart Alec, in my way of thinking.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Kitty.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Thanks, Kitty.

[Kitty]

Did you find out anything about Jack Norman?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, we.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mr. Dylan disc got a telegraph about him. Sheriff claims he's the right one, all right.

[Kitty]

Well, it's about time he came and made certain, isn't it?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, he can't start for a day or two. He's got something to attend to in Wichita.

[Kitty]

So Norman sits in jail while she, Sheriff Blair takes his time.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, Kitty, there isn't anything I can do about it.

[Kitty]

Maybe not. You had to arrest him in the first place.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Come on, Chester. Poor Kitty takes over my office.

[Kitty]

Sometimes I think I could do a better job of it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, man, she's kind of all fizzed up, ain't she? I. I mean about that fella Norman being put in jail.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, don't try to figure out women.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, there's nothing wrong with your appetite. I can say that.

[Jack Norman]

Ask the marshal to step back here, will you?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, now, Mr. Dillon is a busy man tending to his job, and I'm.

[Jack Norman]

Part of his job. Go on, tell him I want to see him.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, Mr. Dillon. Yeah, Chester, he wants to see you. I'll take the tray back.

[Matt Dillon]

You got something to say to me?

[Jack Norman]

Yes, Marshall, I do. I think it's about time we were honest with each other.

[Matt Dillon]

All right.

[Jack Norman]

I just want you to know I understand how you marshals have to operate.

[Matt Dillon]

That's so.

[Jack Norman]

You hear about a crime, then you have to arrest somebody, anybody, to make a show of doing your job.

[Matt Dillon]

That's the way you figure it, huh?

[Jack Norman]

That's the way it is. Well, I can see how you have to do these things, but don't you think it's about time to let me go now?

[Matt Dillon]

No, I don't.

[Jack Norman]

You haven't got a shred of evidence against me.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, Matt. Back here, Doc.

[Jim Waddell]

Oh.

[Kitty]

Matt.

[Jack Norman]

The Reed boy just rode into town for me. Says there's been a terrible ruckus out at the Waddell place.

[Matt Dillon]

Waddell?

[Jack Norman]

They're those new folks out west of town. The old man's been hurt bad. Stabbed, I understand. I thought maybe you'd want to ride out, wouldn't they?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Yeah, Doc, I do. Come.

[Jim Waddell]

Oh, good. You.

[Jack Norman]

You got the water. Pour some into that pan, will you, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure. Do you.

[Ruth Waddell]

Now?

[Matt Dillon]

Here you are.

[Jack Norman]

Thank you. Now, just hold his head up a little.

[Jim Waddell]

Easy.

[Jack Norman]

Easy now. We'll fix it.

[Matt Dillon]

Who did this, Waddell? Can you tell me who did it?

[William Conrad]

Right.

[Jim Waddell]

I should have known and never thought that.

[Matt Dillon]

Me, his own pa. Will you tell me about it?

[Jim Waddell]

Jim, my boy, he wanted to hide.

[Matt Dillon]

Here in the house and you wouldn't let him.

[Jim Waddell]

We ain't got much, Marshall, but we abide by the law. I told him to go.

[Matt Dillon]

Then what happened?

[Jim Waddell]

He was trying to get in the door and I wouldn't let him. He cut me. Knifed his own paw.

[Matt Dillon]

Where did he go, Mr. Wenneau?

[Jim Waddell]

He made Ruth go with him. Poor slow Rufe. Jim. Jim will kill him, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Can you tell me where he went? Just try and tell me that.

[Jim Waddell]

I'm not sure. Loaded horses with supplies. He could have doubled back toward Texas.

[Matt Dillon]

All right. We'll find it.

[Jim Waddell]

No, don't. Don't want no harm to come to roof. He ain't bright. He's a good boy. And Jim will kill him.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe I can stop that. Mr. Wato.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I swear, I don't understand why this Jim took his brother along with him. You'd think he'd have finished him off long this fall.

[Matt Dillon]

He figures to use him some way, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, maybe. But you'd think that anyhow.

[Matt Dillon]

Never mind, Chester. Just keep your eye on that shack up ahead.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Figure they might be up there?

[Matt Dillon]

They might be anywhere.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Going in there?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Leave the horses behind these rocks and bring your rifle. I will head for the side. Get down.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Guess we found.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Just stay low.

[Jim Waddell]

Don't come any closer.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm a U.S. marshal, Waddo. There are two of us there.

[Jim Waddell]

I'm honored, Marshal.

[Matt Dillon]

You have a better chance if you give yourself up.

[Jim Waddell]

Can't quite see that, Marshal.

[Matt Dillon]

We can wait you out, Waddo.

[Jim Waddell]

No. No, I don't think so.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Look, he's opening the door.

[Jim Waddell]

There are two of us, too. Ruth, stand that door.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ms. Dunkey. Standing there without no gun nor nothing.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, that's the other one. Waddell, your brother's an innocent man. No use letting him get hurt.

[Jim Waddell]

I hoped you'd feel that way, Marshall. Rufe won't get hurt as long as.

[Matt Dillon]

You let me move freely.

[Jim Waddell]

You understand?

[Matt Dillon]

It won't work. Weto be your fault if it doesn't.

[Jim Waddell]

I'm moving out of here now.

[Matt Dillon]

Roof in front of me.

[Jim Waddell]

I'm coming for your horses. You make any move, I'll have to shoot.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ruth, you'll do it too. Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Don't shoot, sister.

[Jim Waddell]

Glad to see you have good judgment, Marshal. You just walk steady, Ruth. My dad. Michael. You stupid kid. Jim.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Shot him.

[Matt Dillon]

Cover me, Chester.

[Jim Waddell]

Don't come any closer.

[Ruth Waddell]

Marshall.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mr. Dillon. Well, I didn't mean to kill him. I just.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester, you did fine. Catch a canteen.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Roof.

[Ruth Waddell]

Jim.

[Matt Dillon]

Your brother's dead. Ruth, we didn't have much choice.

[Ruth Waddell]

I know that, Marshall. Pa. How's Pa?

[Matt Dillon]

He has a chance.

[Kitty]

We.

[Ruth Waddell]

You tell him.

[Matt Dillon]

Tell him what?

[Ruth Waddell]

You tell him I. I stopped him.

[Matt Dillon]

Sure. Oh, sure.

[Ruth Waddell]

I had done much for Paul was right, but you tell him. You tell him I stopped Jim. Nope. That was right, Marshall, wasn't it?

[Matt Dillon]

That was right.

[Ruth Waddell]

Ruth, will you tell Paul?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I'll tell him. All right, Norman, you can go.

[Jack Norman]

About time.

[Matt Dillon]

I. I'm sorry. I was wrong about you. I know.

[Jack Norman]

I know you're sorry, but I've been sitting in this cell for a week. Wasted a lot of my time.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, don't let me waste any more of it, then.

[Jack Norman]

Gotta figure a small town lawman doesn't know any better.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, go on, get out of here.

[Jack Norman]

It's my pleasure. My pleasure, Marshall.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Doggone him, Mr. Dung. He didn't have no right to talk to you like that.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know, Chester. I can't blame him too much.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yeah, but you.

[Matt Dillon]

He was right about one thing. I locked up the wrong man.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, maybe you did. But you got the right man too, didn't you?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, with his brother's help, I got him.

[Chester Proudfoot]

People's a bunch of smart Alex. They ain't got no notion of what it takes to be a lawman. Tracking and trailing and risking life and land for folks that don't appreciate it. And half the time don't even deserve it. They make me sick. That's what they do.

[Jim Waddell]

Doggone them.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mr. Dillon. Ms. Dylan, I'd be proud to buy you beer.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank you, Chester. I'd like that. I like that a lot.

[Jim Waddell]

Satisfaction produced and directed in Hollywood by.

[William Conrad]

Norman McDonald, 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 Harry Bartel, Sam Edwards, Lawrence Dobkin, Vic Perrin and Jack Moyles. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story of the Western frontier. When Matt Dillon, Chester Proudfoot, Doc and Kitty, together with all the other hard living citizens of Dodge, will be with you once more. It's America growing west in the 1870s.

[Jim Waddell]

It's gun smoke.

[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.

[Matt Dillon]

Become one.

[Andrew Rines]

Of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve Technogod and Craig who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcast trwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 this episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Jim Waddell]

Sam.