Doctor Tim - The Mystery of the Man from Trouble Creek

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Doctor Tim – The Mystery of the Man from Trouble Creek

Podcast Date: May 9, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Featured Characters: Dr. Tim, Jill, Sandy, Mrs. Edwards, Police Officer

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Overview

This episode transports listeners back to the golden era of radio drama, presenting a classic “Doctor Tim, Detective” mystery: "The Mystery of the Man from Trouble Creek." Doctor Tim—equal parts physician and sleuth—is drawn into the case of Arnold Edwards, a farmer who mysteriously disappeared from his struggling family in Trouble Creek. The episode is a blend of medical intrigue and compassionate detective work, exploring themes of illness, pride, sacrifice, and the lengths people go to protect their loved ones.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Progression

[00:33] – The Case Introduced

• Dr. Tim is in his laboratory with Jill (his landlady’s daughter) and her friend Sandy.
• Jill asks about Dr. Tim’s charitable work and introduces Mrs. Edwards’ problem: her husband has disappeared after a long illness.

Quote:

“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.” — Dr. Tim (00:33)

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[01:46] – The Edwards’ Plight

• Mrs. Edwards arrives, explaining that her husband Arnold became ill—fatigued, losing weight, persistent cough—and finally disappeared after seeking help from a county nurse.

Quote:

“He complained of feeling tired and he lost a lot of weight, and I thought he looked like he had a fever.” — Mrs. Edwards (02:47)

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[04:03] – The Investigation Begins

• Dr. Tim contacts the police and other agencies—no leads, routine searches turn up nothing.
• A thorough check with a welfare clinic reveals Arnold was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a serious and highly contagious disease.

Quote:

“We gave him an examination... His skin test. X-rays. Tuberculosis. A pretty advanced case, too.” — Medical Agency (05:13)

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[05:49] – Medical Explanation

• Dr. Tim explains the gravity of Arnold’s illness and why he may have vanished, needing rest and specialized care.
• Emphasizes risks to family from TB, and Arnold’s likely motive—removing himself as a danger.

Quote:

“Rather than expose his family to TB any further, he did what he considered the only possible thing. He disappeared from home.” — Dr. Tim (08:47)

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[06:44] – The Detective Work Continues

• Jill and Sandy conduct their own investigation, compiling background details on Mr. Edwards.
• Through a clue in his history (his mother died of TB), Dr. Tim clarifies TB cannot be inherited but can be contracted through close contact.

Quote:

“Tuberculosis can't be inherited. But it can be transferred through contact.” — Dr. Tim (08:35)

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[09:23] – Shifting Focus: Hobbies and Skills

• Two possible leads: Arnold’s interest in chickens and his past as a bricklayer.
• The team searches local businesses but finds nothing.

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[10:29] – The Critical Letter

• Mrs. Edwards receives a letter from her husband—he tells her not to look for him, vowing to send what money he can.

Quote:

“All he says is that I shouldn't worry, just to forget it, and he'll send whatever money he can.” — Mrs. Edwards (10:29)

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[11:56] – The Break: A Trip to the State Fair

• Nearly giving up, Jill and Sandy propose visiting the state fair’s poultry exhibit.
• Dr. Tim is struck by the chickens lead—Arnold may be working there.

Quote:

“And the craziest bunch of birds and chickens you ever saw. Which ones have feathers clear down to the ground and colored top nuts... And chickens.” — Jill (12:09)

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[13:01] – Resolution in the Poultry Barn

• Dr. Tim finds Arnold Edwards tending chickens at the fair.
• He delivers a compassionate appeal, explaining hospitals exist for TB patients who can’t pay, and relays his family’s love.

Quote:

“Your family have been examined and haven’t taken the disease, your wife is heartbroken and your kids are crying for you. So how about it fella? Shall we talk?” — Dr. Tim (13:05)

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Notable Moments & Quotes

• “Every mystery has a number of causes, and you can't know too much about the background of everybody concerned in one.” — Dr. Tim (03:20)
• “I may be a sucker, but I just can't seem to turn down people in a jam.” — Dr. Tim (04:03)
• “Then we can save him? We can and we will. If. And it’s a big if. If we can find him.” — Dr. Tim (09:23)

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Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:33 – 02:07: Case discovery, explanation of Arnold’s illness and disappearance.
• 04:03 – 05:49: Police and medical investigation; TB diagnosis revealed.
• 06:44 – 08:35: Jill & Sandy’s background detective work; inheritance myth dispelled.
• 09:23 – 10:29: Search pivots to hobbies/past work; letter from Arnold.
• 11:56 – 13:01: State fair breakthrough; Dr. Tim finds Arnold.
• 13:05 – 14:23: Compassionate intervention and hopeful resolution.

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Tone & Experience

• The episode is laced with warmth, respect for medical wisdom, and gentle humor.
• Dr. Tim is firm but kind, frequently offering educational asides about medicine, especially infectious disease and community health.
• Jill and Sandy provide youthful enthusiasm and a focus on empathy-driven, grassroots detective work.
• The ending is hopeful—with Dr. Tim poised to reunite Arnold with his family and secure the care he needs.

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Summary

“The Mystery of the Man from Trouble Creek” blends classic whodunit intrigue with a heartfelt medical drama. It resonates as a slice of Golden Age radio: a blend of mystery, compassion, and period-appropriate public health advice. The story highlights sacrifice, family, and the responsibilities of neighborly care, wrapped up in accessible storytelling perfect for all ages.

Transcript

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[Dr. Tim]

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]

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

[Dr. Tim]

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

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

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

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

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

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

there's something up your sleeve, isn't there?

[Jill]

Well, I just kind of feel stuck.

[Dr. Tim]

Oh? For whom?

[Jill]

Mrs. Edwards. She's a friend of Mother's, and she hasn't any money and a family to take care of him. But gee, Dr. Tim, she sure needs help bad. You see, her husband's sick.

[Dr. Tim]

Me?

[Jill]

That isn't the worst part. He disappears. I thought maybe you might talk to her.

[Dr. Tim]

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.

[Jill]

You see, doctor, 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.

[Dr. Tim]

Well, guys, don't they have places where you can go and get some help? Now, Sandy, just wait until Mrs. Edwards has finished her story.

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

Just what kind of illness was it?

[Jill]

I don't know. It's awful hard to get a doctor. And, well, there was the money, too. He. Well, he complained of feeling tired and. And he lost a lot of weight, and I thought he looked like he had a fever.

[Dr. Tim]

Hmm. Did he cough?

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

How long did it last?

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

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

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

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, is just a matter of chasing around and getting into exciting scrapes, you'd better think again. All right, miss. Mrs. Edwards. Go on.

[Jill]

Well. Well, finally my husband did ask the county 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. Tim]

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. Mrs. 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.

[Police Officer]

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, we've checked the hospitals, the morgue, looked 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. Tim]

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.

[Police Officer]

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. Tim]

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. The 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, 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 had he 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, well, I guess

[Police Officer]

we aren't so dumb.

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

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]

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

[Dr. Tim]

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

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

Oh, exactly. Went to school through the sixth grade,

[Police Officer]

then had to find work because of family.

[Dr. Tim]

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. 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 in a mystery, I hadn't the heart to cut him off. And then, coming to attention at a word or two, after we'd seen hours of case history, I snapped suddenly, hey, go back there. A few words. What was that you said?

[Jill]

You mean about Mr. Edwards mother?

[Dr. Tim]

Here it is, Mrs. Edwards.

[Police Officer]

Quote, Two years ago my husband's mother died.

[Dr. Tim]

That was just before my youngest baby was born.

[Police Officer]

She had lived with us.

[Dr. Tim]

What did she die of?

[Jill]

She had a. It says here, a hem.

[Dr. Tim]

Hemorrhage.

[Jill]

Uh huh. Of the lung.

[Dr. Tim]

Now hold on a minute. Answer this carefully. Did Mr. Edwards realize that his mother had died of tuberculosis? Oh sure. His wife said it was a very sudden thing as far as they knew him.

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

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

[Jill]

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

[Dr. Tim]

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.

[Police Officer]

Hey, what does all this have to

[Dr. Tim]

do with Mr. Edwards disappearance? It gives us the reason, without a doubt. Just this, I'm sure. The doctor who attended old Mrs. Edwards 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]

To die? But he was. Can't TBB cured.

[Dr. Tim]

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. Then we can save him? 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.

[Jill]

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, doctor, please, please find him for me.

[Dr. Tim]

By this time, both the kids and I were frantic. I'd spent so much time on the case that my regular work was going 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]

Nothing new, I guess, huh?

[Dr. Tim]

No. Gosh, we feel kind of like heels. Not helping any. I guess there isn't anything else to do. I'm afraid not, kids.

[Jill]

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.

[Police Officer]

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

[Dr. Tim]

Oh, I'm afraid I'm too tired, kids. You go on. You wouldn't have to do much of anything if you. 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]

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 ones have feathers clear down to the ground and colored top nuts? And they don't even look like chickens. Lots of them.

[Dr. Tim]

And chickens.

[Jill]

Good gosh, you said.

[Dr. Tim]

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. 1. False alarm. 2. 3. And then.

[Police Officer]

You look lost, mister. Ain't something I can do for you.

[Dr. Tim]

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 you. 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.

[Jill]

Sam.

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