Doctor Tim 48-xx-xx (04) The Mystery of the Man from Trouble Creek

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Doctor Tim 48-xx-xx (04) The Mystery of the Man from Trouble Creek

Release Date: May 28, 2025

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "The Mystery of the Man from Trouble Creek," listeners are introduced to Dr. Timothy, a unique detective who blends medical expertise with investigative prowess. The episode delves into the enigmatic disappearance of Arnold Edwards, a farmer from Trouble Creek, unraveling a tale filled with mystery, medical intrigue, and heartfelt urgency.

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The Case Unfolds

The story begins as Dr. Tim is engrossed in his laboratory, examining rare microbes under a powerful microscope. His routine is interrupted when Jill Edwards, his landlady's daughter, brings forth a compelling concern.

[00:57] Jill Edwards: "Tim, you don't always get paid for your cases, do you?"

[01:19] Dr. Timothy: "Any doctor would. If you knew the number of free cases that doctors handle each year, you'd faint."

Jill expresses worry over Mrs. Edwards, Arnold's wife, who is struggling both financially and emotionally due to Arnold's illness and subsequent disappearance. This request marks the beginning of a poignant investigation where mystery meets medicine.

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Meeting Mrs. Edwards

Later that afternoon, Mrs. Arnold Edwards arrives at Dr. Tim's office, sharing the harrowing details of her husband's condition and sudden disappearance.

[02:20] Mrs. Arnold Edwards: "Everything went along pretty well until my husband started feeling bad a few months ago. He tried awful hard, but he just couldn't seem to get the farm work done."

She describes Arnold's symptoms: persistent cough, weight loss, and fatigue, which have rendered him unable to maintain the farm. The situation deteriorates when Arnold disappears after seeking medical advice, leaving his family in dire straits.

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Initial Investigation

Determined to uncover the truth, Dr. Tim collaborates with Officer Johnson from the local Missing Persons Bureau. Their initial efforts prove fruitless as they explore various avenues without success.

[04:05] Officer Johnson: "Sure, Doctor, anything you want. You've given us enough help in your time, but I'm afraid there's nothing here on it."

Despite thorough searches through hospitals, morgues, and charitable missions, Arnold remains untraceable. Dr. Tim's persistence leads him to discover a crucial detail: Arnold was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), confirmed by a recent examination.

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A Medical Revelation

Delving deeper, Dr. Tim uncovers that Arnold's diagnosis of TB was likely the motive behind his disappearance. The disease, known for its debilitating symptoms, posed a severe threat to Arnold's health and his family's well-being.

[08:03] Dr. Timothy: "It gives us the reason, without a doubt. ... He disappeared from home, probably to die somewhere alone."

This revelation shifts the investigation towards understanding Arnold's actions and the urgency to save him from a potentially fatal disease.

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Breakthrough at the State Fair

As weeks pass with no leads, Dr. Tim remains unwavering in his determination to find Arnold. The turning point arrives when Sandy and Jill present additional background information, revealing Arnold's interests and past occupations.

Armed with this new information, Dr. Tim attends the state fair, focusing on the nearly deserted poultry exhibit—a nod to Arnold's hobby of raising chickens. His vigilance pays off when he encounters Arnold.

[10:39] Dr. Timothy: "I have a message from your wife, Mr. Edwards. ... How about it, fella? Shall we talk?"

In a heartfelt plea, Dr. Tim urges Arnold to seek medical treatment, emphasizing the availability of specialized hospitals equipped to handle TB cases.

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Climactic Confrontation

The episode reaches its peak as Dr. Tim confronts Arnold amidst the bustling yet isolated fairgrounds. The emotional intensity underscores the stakes involved—not just a missing person case but a race against time to save a life.

[09:14] Dr. Timothy: "We can and we will. If. And it's a big if. If we can find him."

This pivotal moment encapsulates the essence of Dr. Tim's mission: merging medical knowledge with detective skills to resolve mysteries that impact lives deeply.

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Conclusion and Cliffhanger

As Dr. Tim successfully contacts Arnold, persuading him to consider treatment, the episode concludes on a hopeful yet suspenseful note. The promise of future adventures is hinted at, keeping listeners eagerly anticipating the next installment.

[13:57] Dr. Timothy: "This is Dr. Tim detective saying so long until next week at this same time, when Sandy, Jill and I will dip into my casebook for the exciting transcribed story I call the Mystery of the Second Alarm."

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Key Takeaways

• Integration of Professions: Dr. Tim exemplifies the seamless blend of medical expertise and detective work, offering a unique approach to solving mysteries.
• Human Element: The episode underscores the emotional and ethical dimensions of investigative work, highlighting the impact on families and communities.
• Medical Awareness: Through Arnold's case, the narrative raises awareness about tuberculosis, its symptoms, transmission, and the importance of timely medical intervention.

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Notable Quotes

• Dr. Timothy at [01:19]: "Any doctor would. If you knew the number of free cases that doctors handle each year, you'd faint."
• Mrs. Arnold Edwards at [02:20]: "Everything went along pretty well until my husband started feeling bad a few months ago."
• Dr. Timothy at [08:03]: "It gives us the reason, without a doubt."
• Dr. Timothy at [09:14]: "We can and we will. If. And it's a big if. If we can find him."
• Dr. Timothy at [13:57]: "This is Dr. Tim detective saying so long until next week..."

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Final Thoughts

"The Mystery of the Man from Trouble Creek" serves as a compelling installment in the Doctor Tim series, seamlessly weaving medical intrigue with classic detective storytelling. Harold's Old Time Radio continues to captivate audiences with its rich narratives, memorable characters, and timeless appeal, harkening back to the beloved Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

[Dr. Timothy]

Trip planner by Expedia. You were made to have strong opinions about sand. We were made to help you and your friends find a place on the beach with a pool and a marina and a waterfall and a soaking tub. Expedia made to travel. This is Dr. Tim, detective, to bring you by transcription the mystery of the man from Trouble Creek. It was Jill, my landlady's daughter, who first brought the case to my attention. You see, Jill and her pal Sandy have helped me out on a lot of my cases, which are usually of the sort where mystery and medicine are combined. This morning, Jill and Sandy were standing by while I was looking for some rare but dangerous microbes under the powerful microscope I have in my laboratory. I don't know how the conversation started, but I remember Jill asking suddenly, Dr.

[Jill Edwards]

Tim, you don't always get paid for your cases, do you?

[Dr. Timothy]

Well, I'm not suffering from any want, if that's what you mean. I have standard fees for my crime investigation.

[Jill Edwards]

I don't mean exactly that. I was thinking of charity work.

[Dr. Timothy]

Well, you see, Jill, those are things that any doctor just naturally does in the course of events without any thought of reward.

[Jill Edwards]

But would you help out of person to somebody in trouble the same way?

[Dr. Timothy]

Of course I would. Any doctor would. If you knew the number of free cases that doctors handle each year, you'd faint.

[Jill Edwards]

Well, this isn't exactly a medical case. Well, it sort of is too, but.

[Dr. Timothy]

There'S something up your sleeve, isn't there?

[Jill Edwards]

Well, I just kind of feel sorry for her.

[Dr. Timothy]

Oh? For whom?

[Jill Edwards]

Mrs. Edwards. She's a friend of Mother's and she hasn't any money and a family to take care of. And gee, Dr. Tim, she sure needs help bad to see her husband sick. Only that isn't the worst part. He disappears. I thought maybe you might talk to her.

[Dr. Timothy]

And that was the way I first learned of the strange disappearance of Arnold Edwards, the man from Trouble Creek. Later that afternoon, Sandy And Jill brought Mrs. Edwards to my office.

[Mrs. Arnold Edwards]

You see, doctor, my. My husband and I live on a small rented farm at Trouble Creek. We have three tiny children and, well, things just haven't been working out. In a money way, I mean.

[Sandy]

Well, gosh, don't they have places where you can go and get some help?

[Dr. Timothy]

Now, Sandy, just wait until Mrs. Edwards has finished her story.

[Mrs. Arnold Edwards]

Everything went along pretty well until my husband started feeling bad a few months ago. He tried awful hard, but he just couldn't seem to get the farm work done.

[Dr. Timothy]

Just what kind of illness was it?

[Mrs. Arnold Edwards]

I don't know. It's Awful hard to get a doctor. And, well, there was the money, too.

[Jill Edwards]

He.

[Mrs. Arnold Edwards]

Well, he complained of feeling tired, and he lost a lot of weight, and I thought he looked like he had a fever.

[Dr. Timothy]

Hmm. Did he cough?

[Mrs. Arnold Edwards]

I don't remember. Oh, yes, he did have a bad cold.

[Dr. Timothy]

How long did it last?

[Mrs. Arnold Edwards]

That's the funny part. It never did seem to go away. It wasn't bad, but there was that cough that seemed to come back all the time.

[Sandy]

Gosh, Dr. Tim, what good are all those questions? He just walked away from home and disappeared?

[Jill Edwards]

Well, yes, and even the police can't find him.

[Dr. Timothy]

Now, look, you kids, every mystery has a number of causes, and you can't know too much about the background of everybody concerned in one. If you think detective work or medical work either, it's just. Just a matter of chasing around and getting into exciting scrapes. You'd better think again. All right, Mrs. Edwards. Go on.

[Mrs. Arnold Edwards]

Well, finally my husband did ask the Cali nurse where to go for help, and she told him to come to town here. That was three weeks ago, and I haven't heard a word from him since. Oh, Doctor, isn't there something you can do?

[Dr. Timothy]

Well, there I was. You can't say no to an appeal like that. And besides, she was Sandy's and Jill's own case, if you want to put it that way. The first time they'd actually come to me for help. I may be a sucker, but I just can't seem to turn down people in a jam.

[Officer Johnson]

This is.

[Dr. Timothy]

Edwards was staying for a couple of days right in the house as a guest of Jill's mother. So I decided to find out as much of the picture as I could. First, I called the Missing Persons Bureau of the police department.

[Officer Johnson]

Sure, Doctor, anything you want. You've given us enough help in your time, but I'm afraid there's nothing here on it. A usual routine investigation. Yes.

[Sandy]

We've checked the hospitals, the morgue, looked.

[Officer Johnson]

In on the missions for destitute men, Salvation army and all that. No luck. After all, the man isn't a criminal, and there isn't very much to go on. Yes, you're welcome.

[Dr. Timothy]

I tried a few leads of my own, including a telephone call to the county nurse, but she was away on vacation. I was sure she must have given Edwards a card or letter to some specific medical agency. And so the next thing to do was to make a thorough check of all those. On the fourth call, I found what I wanted.

[Officer Johnson]

Yes, Doctor. We gave him an examination. His skin test. X rays. Thorough. Jacob? Yes. Tuberculosis. A Pretty advanced case, too. No, no address except the farm at Trouble Creek. No, no, he came back in person and we advised him of what the matter was and what to do. Disappeared. Well, that's odd. No, I haven't the slightest idea. Yes, you're welcome.

[Dr. Timothy]

And there we were at a dead end again. It wasn't even any news to me to discover that the Welfare Medical center had diagnosed Edwards disease as tuberculosis. From what his wife had said, the conclusion was obvious. A loss of weight, the wasting away process which gave the disease its original name of consumption. The fever, the cough, the tiredness and inability to work, all those were signs that the dread tubercle bacilli had the cause of tuberculosis or at their deadly work inside his lungs. If the man was to live, those lungs must have rest, complete rest, to allow the healing processes of nature to do their job. That meant a hospital, specialized care, months perhaps, of expert attention. But why? Eddie disappeared from home. It wasn't until the day that Mrs. Edwards left to go back to Trouble Creek that things began to make sense. Sandy and Jill dropped into the laboratory, and Sandy announced proudly, oh, I guess.

[Sandy]

We aren't so dumb.

[Jill Edwards]

No, sir. You said you got background about everybody in the case, and we've got.

[Dr. Timothy]

Well, let me disinfect my hands. I've been analyzing some poisons. Maybe we'd better have a conference. Find yourselves a chair there.

[Jill Edwards]

Okay, we've got everything written down in a notebook. First, I want to say we interviewed Mrs. Edwards thoroughly.

[Dr. Timothy]

An excellent idea.

[Sandy]

Okay. Arnold Edwards, 39, farmer, born 1909. Two brothers, one sister.

[Jill Edwards]

I guess that's just like the way you put information down about your patients, isn't it, Dr. Tim?

[Dr. Timothy]

Oh, exactly.

[Sandy]

Went to school through the sixth grade, then had to find work because of family.

[Dr. Timothy]

I must admit that after my week's rush of work and the extra task of trying to locate the missing farmer, I began to nod as Sandy and Jill in turn went through the long and irrelevant history of Mr. Edwards life. I thought with a wry smile that I'd done my work too well when I suggested that backgrounds were important and a mystery. I hadn't the heart to cut him off. And then, coming to attention at a word or two after what seen hours of case history, I snapped suddenly, hey, go back there. A few words. What was that you said?

[Jill Edwards]

You mean about Mr. Edwards matter?

[Sandy]

Here it is. Mrs. Edwards quote. Two years ago, my husband's mother died. That was just before my youngest baby was born. She had lived with us.

[Dr. Timothy]

What did she die of?

[Jill Edwards]

She had a. It says here A hem.

[Dr. Timothy]

Hemorrhage?

[Jill Edwards]

Uh huh. Of the lung.

[Dr. Timothy]

Now hold on a minute. Answer this carefully. Did Mr. Edwards realize that his mother had died of tuberculosis? Oh, sure.

[Sandy]

His wife said it was a very sudden thing as far as they knew him.

[Jill Edwards]

And the doctor tossed it over with him. See, I thought TB took a long, long time to kill anybody.

[Dr. Timothy]

Not necessarily. Many times its onset and the resulting death are very rapid.

[Jill Edwards]

Anyway, I'm lost. Do you mean Mr. Edwards could have inherited it from his mother?

[Dr. Timothy]

No, no, no, no. Tuberculosis can't be inherited. But it can be transferred through contact. Anyone who lives with a tubercular person should have frequent X rays and tests to determine if he has gotten the disease.

[Sandy]

Hey, what does all this have to do with Mr. Edwards disappearance?

[Dr. Timothy]

It gives us the reason, without a doubt. Just this, I'm sure. The doctor who attended old Mrs. Edwards is informed her son of the dangers of getting the disease by association. Well, when he suspected that he too had it, he took the only course he made sure by a medical examination. And then, rather than expose his family to TB any further, he did what he considered the only possible thing. He disappeared from home, probably to die somewhere alone.

[Jill Edwards]

To die? But he can't. TBB cured.

[Dr. Timothy]

It can. It's dropped from first to eighth place as a cause of death just in the last few years, thanks to medical science.

[Sandy]

Then we can save him?

[Dr. Timothy]

We can and we will. If. And it's a big if. If we can find him. Now go on with that background information. There were two clues to Mr. Edwards probable whereabouts. The fact that before he became ill, he was interested in raising chickens and had hoped to experiment with breeding them to develop some new strains. The second point might or might not be important. He had been a bricklayer at one time in his life. And so the search was on. We drew blanks on both scores. I was sure that our missing man would not be well enough for the heavy labor of laying bricks. But with the help of a picture which his wife had mailed us, we canvassed every building contractor in town. We did the same with every poultry raiser in the district. None had hired him. Dejected, we had just about decided that our man had left this part of the country when a telephone call came from Mrs. Edwards at Trouble Creek.

[Officer Johnson]

Doctor, I got a letter from him from right here in town. All he says is that I shouldn't worry just to forget it and he'll send whatever money he can until the guy he doesn't want me to find for the good of myself and the children. Oh, Dr. Please, please find it for me.

[Dr. Timothy]

By this time, both the kids and I were frantic. I'd spent so much time on the case that my regular work was growing into a mountain of backbreaking labor. And the farther away from a solution the matter looked, the more determined I was that I was going to save a stubborn human being from the death that would surely come I. Unless I could find him and persuade him to enter a hospital for treatment. But doggone fool, I thought, doesn't he know there are special hospitals right here in the state for TB patients who can't afford to pay? It had been over a week since our search had started. Was it possible that it was such a short time? Wearily threw myself onto a chair and tried to think. Sandy and Jill knocked quietly at my door. Come in.

[Jill Edwards]

Nothing new, I guess, huh?

[Dr. Timothy]

No, Raj.

[Sandy]

We feel kind of like heels. Not helping any. I guess there isn't anything else to do.

[Dr. Timothy]

I'm afraid not, kids.

[Jill Edwards]

We thought maybe we'd go see the state fair. Tonight's the last night, and I sure hate to miss all the roping and the rodeo and the exhibits and everything.

[Sandy]

Yeah, it's really gonna be a lulu. Wanna come along?

[Dr. Timothy]

Oh, I'm afraid I'm too tired, kids. You go on.

[Sandy]

You wouldn't have to do much of anything.

[Dr. Timothy]

You.

[Sandy]

You don't want to watch the show. You could just wander through the exhibits and think, hardly anybody's there when the show's going on in the arena.

[Jill Edwards]

Well, sure, they have lots of interesting things. Rabbits, funny looking ears of corn. And the craziest bunch of birds and chickens you ever saw, which always have feathers clear down to the ground and colored top nuts. And they don't even look like chickens. Lots of them. And chickens.

[Sandy]

Good gosh, you said.

[Dr. Timothy]

Don't even stop to talk. Get me my hat and coat. Let's get in that car, but fast. It's our last chance. A half hour later, I walked quietly up and down the aisles of the almost deserted poultry exhibit of the fair. My heart was beating fast. I glanced from time to time the picture in my hand. One. False alarm. Two, three. And then. You look lost. Mister. Is something I can do for you? I work here. Yes, there is. I have a message from your wife, Mr. Edwards. Now, I don't want you to say a word. I want to talk to you about finding a hospital that will cure you. All those lungs need is a rest. Simple surgery, if needed, can do much to make you a new man. Your family have been examined and haven't taken the disease your wife is heartbroken and your kids are crying for it. So how about it, fella? Shall we talk? This is Dr. Tim detective saying so long until next week at this same time, when Sandy, Jill and I will dip into my casebook for the exciting transcribed story I call the Mystery of the Second Alarm.

[Officer Johnson]

It.