Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Calling All Cars 37-12-07 ep211 Skeleton in the Desert

Date: October 3, 2025
Podcast Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Original Airdate of Episode: December 7, 1937
Episode Theme:
A reenactment of a true crime investigation—a mysterious murder in the California desert. Sheriff Shea and his deputies piece together evidence and pursue a killer using then-modern detective methods, culminating in a dramatic trial and execution.

Episode Overview

This classic "Calling All Cars" dramatization follows law enforcement as they unravel the case of a dead body discovered near Langford's well in the Mojave desert. By tracking clues from a bloodstained murder scene to a single slip of paper from a bank, police doggedly follow a trail of financial transactions and witness recollections leading to the apprehension of a killer. The episode showcases the transition from old-fashioned law enforcement to scientific criminal investigation—a hallmark of the Golden Age of Radio crime dramas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Crime Discovery and Initial Investigation

[00:10–04:30]

• Body Found: Officers discover a body in the desert, initially located by two children riding with a prospector.
  • "Looks like the man was killed here on the road and dragged over there." (A, 02:19)
• Crime Scene Analysis:
  • Officers observe marks suggesting the body was dragged.
  • No immediate identification available, no dental work or pocketed belongings.
• Crucial Clue: A shred of memo paper from Security State Bank, Ogden, found among the victim's belongings, is noted with figures: "87, 79."
  • "Looks like there's some printing... that's just what it is. Came from the Security State Bank." (A, 03:29)

2. Following the Financial Trail

[04:31–13:00]

• Sheriff Shea's Deduction: Travels to Ogden, Utah, to investigate bank connection.
  • "I'm going up to Ogden and see what I can find out from the Security State Bank. Do you think they'll recognize this memo sheet?" (A, 05:50)
• Bank Teller Discovery: The memo pad is traced—used only since June of that year.
• Identification via Telegraph Records:
  • Telegraph records reveal the victim's name as Wilford Hay, via two money transfers.
    • "Have you got it there?" / "Yes. Shall I read it? ... It's signed AT Wilson Hay." (A & B, 10:54–11:04)
• Physical Description: Hay described as slight, reddish-brown hair, refined, a printer traveling west for work.
• Hotel and Garage Leads: Hay and a companion, Watts, stayed in Ogden; their car broke down and was fixed at a garage.
  • "Recall how this man Watts look? ... 5, 9 or 10 inches tall... athletic." (A, 12:52)

3. Piecing Together the Victim’s Background

[13:01–17:35]

• Detroit Bank Details:
  • Hay previously lived in Detroit, sold war bonds, and had money transferred west.
  • "According to our records, he left about $100 in that account and left for California." (A, 15:10)
• Landlady Reminiscence:
  • Mrs. Forrest describes Hay as a quiet former soldier and printer, supportive even of his less-fortunate friend Watts.
• Last Seen: Both men depart together by car at the end of October.

4. Following the Killer’s Trail

[17:36–21:18]

• Tracing Telegraph and Bank Activity in California:
  • Telegram and account records in Los Angeles show funds transferred for Hay by an acquaintance, also identified as Watts, using Hay’s identity.
  • "That would indicate that Hay was alive on December 9th." – "Emmett. Yes? I don’t believe it." (A, 18:58–19:01)
• Post Office and Forwarded Address:
  • Change of address to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, suspected as a false lead.
• Nationwide Alerts:
  • Warrants, bulletins, and vehicle tracing are issued for Watts, now using multiple aliases.

5. Apprehension and Exposing the Fraud

[21:19–22:20]

• Capture in San Francisco:
  • Watts, going by "Craig," is apprehended at a post office while trying to collect mail. He insists on his innocence.
  • "'We do police officers.' / 'You?' / 'Yeah. What's the idea?' / 'A little item of murder. San Bernardino.'" (A & B, 21:33)
• Evidence Gathering:
  • Checks, handwriting samples, and telegraph records are scrutinized. Sand from the suspect’s clothing matches the murder scene.

6. Trial and Forensic Testimony

[22:21–23:42]

• Handwriting Analysis:
  • Handwriting expert confirms Watts forged Hay’s signature on checks.
  • "Is it the signature of Wilfred Hayes? No, it is not. It is identical with the handwriting of J.H. Watts." (A, 23:18)
• Telegraph and Sand Analysis:
  • Witnesses identify Watts as the man sending telegrams under Hay’s name; sands are forensically identical.
• Crucial Testimony:
  • Watts’s own brother testifies about helping him use Hay’s identity to open accounts.

7. Conviction and Aftermath

[23:43–End]

• Guilty Verdict:
  • Jury finds Watts guilty of first-degree murder.
  • "We the jury, find the defendant, J. H Watts, guilty of murder in the first degree." (A, 24:13)
• Execution:
  • Watts is executed at San Quentin, as the narrator notes, "Watts walked up the steps of the gallows... Without an apparent qualm, he plunged through the trap and the brutal murder of Wilford Hay was avenged." (A, 25:31)
• Case Legacy:
  • The case sets a precedent on convictions made by circumstantial evidence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:19] "Looks like the man was killed here on the road and dragged over there." (Sheriff’s team at the crime scene)
• [03:29] "Looks like there's some printing... that's just what it is. Came from the Security State Bank." (Discovery of vital clue)
• [18:58]
  "That would indicate that Hay was alive on December 9th."
  "Emmett. Yes? I don't believe it. Neither do I. That body has been out there for at least a month when we found it." (Sheriff Shea suspects fraud)
• [21:33]
  "'We do police officers.' / 'You?' / 'Yeah. What's the idea?' / 'A little item of murder. San Bernardino.'" (Watts arrested at the post office)
• [23:18]
  "Is it the signature of Wilfred Hayes? No, it is not. It is identical with the handwriting of J.H. Watts." (Handwriting expert at trial)
• [25:31]
  "Watts walked up the steps of the gallows... Without an apparent qualm, he plunged through the trap and the brutal murder of Wilford Hay was avenged." (Narrator’s closing)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp (MM:SS) | Segment/Event | |:---------------------:|:-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:10–04:30 | Discovery of body and investigation at the scene | | 04:31–13:00 | Tracking bank records, telegrams, and victim ID | | 13:01–17:35 | Background checks in Detroit, landlady testimony | | 17:36–21:18 | Following financial and telegraph leads in CA | | 21:19–22:20 | Arrest of Watts (alias "Craig") in San Francisco | | 22:21–23:42 | Trial evidence: handwriting, sand analysis, witness | | 23:43–End | Conviction, execution, and case legacy |

Tone & Style

The narrative and reenactments carry the clipped, formal, and slightly dramatic style typical of 1930s radio crime shows. Law officers speak in measured, matter-of-fact tones, with the investigation unfolding methodically. Occasional moments of dark humor—“I'm riding with the dead one”—and the weight of justice served permeate the dramatization.

Summary

“Skeleton in the Desert” is a gripping tale of meticulous detective work, following a thin thread of circumstantial evidence from a memo slip to telegraphs, financial records, and eyewitness accounts. The case not only highlights the transition into scientific criminal investigation but also cements the power of persistence, patience, and attention to detail in law enforcement’s pursuit of justice. The dramatization brings listeners into the heart of Depression-era forensic methods, ending with a reflection on the precedent set by this circumstantial evidence conviction.