
Have Gun—Will Travel 1959-03-22 (018) The Five Books of Owen Deaver
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A
What do you think makes the perfect snack?
B
Hmm. It's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.
C
Could you be more specific?
B
When it's cravinient.
D
Okay.
B
Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. p.m.
C
I'm seeing a pattern here.
B
Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.
A
Crave, which is anything from AM PM.
B
What more could you want? Stop by AM PM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience. A.m. p.m. Too much good stuff.
A
In a few minutes, Mr. This town will be owned by a band of renegades, and you'll be dead.
D
Have gun will travel starring Mr. John Dana as Paladin. San Francisco, 1875. The Carlton Hotel. Headquarters of a man called Paladin.
A
I thought you'd never get down Hayborn. Oh, it was a big job, Mr. Paladin. Let's hurry. The stage is ready to leave. The driver promised to wait for me. Why you want so many things in one suitcase? Making my job easier if you take two suitcases. It's easier for me when I only have one bag to carry on a long trip. Give me the bag. I'll take it from here. There's no need for you to get wet. Goodbye, a boy. Goodbye, Misa paradis. Oh, I'm. Oh, terrible sorry. Here, let me help you up. Please forgive me.
E
Please.
A
Are you hurt?
C
My dress. My dress.
F
It's so cute.
A
This is terrible.
C
You've ruined my dress.
A
Please, I'll buy you another dress. I'm catching the stage, and they're ready to pull out. I must go, but I'll be back in about 10 days. I'll take care of it. Then I'll buy you another dress.
F
Oh, here, here.
A
Here's my card.
F
I've registered at the hotel.
C
Have gone. Will travel. Wire Paladin, San Francisco.
D
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A
I looked forward to this trip to North Fork not because of the job there, which turned out to be routine, uneventful, but because it would give me the opportunity to visit some old friends of mine in three winds on my way home. Sheriff Barry Deaver and his wife. The 20 mile ride from North Fork through sand dunes, buttes and low hills led me to an unusually quiet three winds. The one saloon in town was quiet too. What'll it be, Mr.
F
Whiskey?
A
If you're gonna be in town for a while, you better check that gun in with the sheriff. Against the law to wear a gun in three winds.
F
He sure is.
A
Sheriff Deaver's the only one can carry a firearm in this town. Sheriff Deaver has changed his laws since I was here last. Something new? Six months new. Well, I'm on my way over to Deaver's office. I'll turn it in then if need be. He's a friend of mine.
F
Yeah.
A
You from Philadelphia? No, no. California. I didn't think you looked like an Easterner. I thought the only friends Owen Deaver had left lived in Philadelphia. Owen? No, I'm a friend of Owen's father.
F
Oh.
A
Well, didn't you hear? Old Barry's dead. Dead? Barry Deaver? Yeah, last fall. Died of consumption. Owen came back from law school in Philadelphia and took over his sheriff.
F
Uh.
A
Oh, there'll be trouble for sure. Why, there's just a couple of raunchy cowboys. Yeah, but Deaver will arrest him. He don't allow no shooting in town.
F
Yeah. Looky here, French. One customer in this saloon on a Saturday afternoon.
E
Hey, what time do the girls come in, Whiskey man?
A
No girls allowed in this saloon.
E
No girls.
A
City law.
E
Didn't know we was in a city. Only seen one saloon. Takes two to make a city, don't.
F
It don't matter, French.
A
We'll go up to North Fork.
E
Plenty of girls up there now. We gotta have a drink first. Bring us two bottles. One for me and one for Mason here.
A
I can't sell it with a bottle. Only four drinks to a Customer. It's the law.
F
What kind of law are you talking about? My law. The law of three winds.
E
Well, I didn't know this town was big enough to have a sheriff.
F
The law says four drinks to a person is the quota for a day. 4. Same law says all guns must be turned into my office when you arrive in three winds.
E
Now what is it?
F
I'll give them back to you when you leave.
A
Don't you think you ought to let law abiding people keep their guns to defend themselves with?
F
I defend law abiding people in this town. They don't have to carry guns.
A
As long as we get them back. I'll go along with your ordinance, Sheriff.
F
Lay it on the table. All right, you men, I'm waiting.
E
Mason.
F
Do what he says.
E
Yeah, there ain't no use arguing with a load of turkeys. Shot.
F
They'll be at my office when you leave town.
A
Watch it, Sheriff.
E
My hand just shot my head. Whose side are you on anyway?
A
You can lock him up, Sheriff. He just tried to throw a knife in your back.
F
You ruined my hand. Thanks for saving my life, but I'll have to take you in, too.
D
For what?
F
For concealing that derringer. You should have turned it in with the other gun. Hand it over.
A
Look, if I hadn't kept the derringer, you would have been killed.
F
The law still stands. You'll spend a week in jail. What about me?
E
What about my hand?
F
You'll live, but you'll be in lockup till the judge comes through here. Then you'll be tried for attempted murder.
E
You taking me to jail, too?
F
No. You'll get out of town. If I ever see you back here again, I'll put you in jail for a year for trespassing. This town's out of limits to you because you've been associated with a murderer.
E
Well, now, ain't you tall? That shotgun sure makes you something I never heard of before.
F
Get out of here.
E
I'm going. But I'll see you again, mister.
A
What kind of rules are you laying down in this town, Deaver?
F
Rules that respectful citizens expect from their sheriff.
A
Well, don't you know if you disarm everyone who comes to three wins, you're waving a red flag in front of every gunfighter who thinks he's bigger than the law.
F
As long as I'm sheriff, there's no one bigger than the law in three wins. Let's go.
C
Be sociable. Look smarter. Keep up to date with Pepsi. Drink light, refreshing Pepsi. Stay young and fair and debonair. Be sociable, have a Pepsi.
D
When friends drop in, let your hospitality show you're sociable in the modern manner.
A
Pepsi, you know, is the favorite of.
D
The smart and young at heart.
C
Be sociable, look smart, keep up to date with Pepsi. Drink light, refreshing Pepsi. Stay young and fair and debonair. Be sociable, have a Pepsi.
A
Have you tried a Pepsi lately?
F
All right, get in there.
A
Beaver, you better get some bandages for this man's hand.
F
I need a doctor, that's what I need. Or does the law allow a prisoner to have a doctor? We'll get you fixed up, Ma. Got a couple of new prisoners. You're a fool. A two headed fool shooting that knife out of my hand. You got your brains and your feet.
B
I'll never forget what you did, mister.
F
We could have both been free if you hadn't butted in.
A
You talk too much, Enfield.
F
How do you know my name?
A
Didn't take much to figure you're one of the Enfield brothers, and that the kid named french is a member of your gang.
F
Well, we must be getting famous when tin horns like you know who we are. Well, I'll tell you something. It's gonna be mighty miserable for you when my brothers come back to get me out of here. You wish you'd never heard of the Enfield gang.
C
Oh, and I don't know why you have to arrest. Every stranger walks into this town. If I ain't nursing, I'm cooking. And if I. Paladin.
F
Hello, Ma.
C
Paladin. Bless the stars in heaven. It's good to see you.
A
It's good to see you, too.
C
Well, how long's it been? A year, year and a half?
A
Oh, no. Almost two now.
C
Oh, and you never met Paladin?
F
No.
C
You was away in school. And son, he helped your PA round up the orneriest, wildest bunch of gunfighters you ever seen. Was the barton brothers, wasn't it, Paladin?
A
That's right.
C
Well, what brings you back to three wit, Paladin? What are you doing behind those bars, Owen? How come Paladin's in jail?
F
Well, Ma, did you arrest him?
C
Owen Deaver?
F
Yes, I did.
C
Well, you just get him out of there right this minute, you hear?
F
I can't do that. He violated the law.
C
Violated the law? Now, just who do you think you are arresting a man like this? Turn him loose. Turn Paladin loose. Ursa, help me. I'll take a paddle and beat you to a blister.
A
It's all right, Ma.
C
Well, it ain't all right neither.
A
Now that Owen Knows that I'm a friend of the family. He and I can talk this out.
F
We can talk as much as you like, paladin, but you're gonna stay in jail for a week. It's the law.
C
For a week? For what?
F
For concealing a firearm and not turning it in?
C
There you go again with another one of your stupid ordinances. Now what's going to come of all your foolishness, Owen? The law is the law is the law. Listen to him, paladin. We let him go to philadelphia to study, and what does he bring back? Five books, that's all. Those five books over there on his desk. The municipal code of philadelphia. And he's been beating the town over the head with him ever since he come back. The ranch hands won't come into town anymore because he won't even let them spit in the street. Why, it's come to the place where nobody's even got any respect for the name of deaver.
F
Ma.
A
I. I don't hold any offense against him. If this is the law of three winds, I want to abide by it. We'll talk it out later. Now, you give me those bandages, and I'll take care of this man's hand for you.
C
Yeah, all right. I guess there ain't no use arguing with you. Or there aren't either, for that matter.
A
He's a man of principle and strong will. I'd say he takes after his ma.
C
Go on with your foolishness. I'm gonna start your supper.
A
There goes a fine woman, owen. You ought to be proud of her.
F
I am. She doesn't realize the ways of the old frontier towns are gone.
A
Are they?
F
You're gonna stand there and talk all day? My hand ain't getting any better, Owen.
A
Have you heard of the enfield gang?
F
Enfield's. Yeah, I got a circular on him just the other day. It's in my desk somewhere.
A
This man is mason enfield. His partner in the saloon was another member of the gang, the one they call french.
F
Are you sure he's lying, sheriff? Never even heard of the enfield gang. I'll see if I can find the circular.
A
Here's the bandage. Hold out your hand. Now let's see what we can do.
F
Thanks, rabbit head. It's a good thing my left hand's in good shape. What's the matter, paladin?
A
Why did you hit him? Because he tried to hit me. Yes, he didn't want me to tell you who he was.
F
Ah, you are right. His picture's here on the circular with the others. And here's the one that was in the saloon with him. French.
A
French will bring the others back here to get mason out. Three more of the moment and they'll shoot this town up and drag the jail down the middle of the street. You're going to need help. Let me out of here.
F
No, Owen.
A
I helped your father once. You and I could nail the enfield gang.
F
I won't let you out, Paladin. I'll round up a few deputies. We'll be ready for the enfields when they get here.
A
I hope you are, Owen, because there's a lot that could go wrong.
E
There goes a treasure car. There goes another and another. And one of them may be your car. Yes, folks, you may have a fram treasure hunt filter in your car worth a thousand dollars and not even know it. A fram filter worth 1000 silver dollars. A filter change is important to today's cars. So important that fram corporation, in conjunction with its silver anniversary, is paying $60,000 in cash to get you to check your filters. Now, last year, 10,000 secretly numbered fram filters were distributed all over the United states and installed in cars during regular servicing. These filters are worth from $1 to $1,000. You may have one in your car and not even know it. A fram filter worth 1000 silver dollars. Check your oil filter and air filter. Now, if there's a specially numbered fram filter in your car, you will win up to a thousand silver dollars.
A
And.
E
And your dealer will win the same amount. Get in on fram's big silver treasure hunt. Check your car filters. Now.
A
Owen Deaver, stubborn when it came to upholding his new laws, was inherently a kind hearted man. He was considerate enough to move me to another cell, which allowed me a decent night's sleep away from Mason enfield. Next morning, ma deaver let me out to have breakfast with in the kitchen. Owen was out trying to round up some deputies.
C
Paladin, what am I gonna do about owen and his crazy books?
A
He. He's still young. He'll learn in time. If he doesn't get killed first.
C
You think they'll come? The enfields?
A
Mm, mm, mm. They'll come.
C
No one knows how to fight. Mr. Deaver taught him how to shoot a gun, use his fists, everything. He can hold his own when it comes to fighting. But he never learned the good judgment his father had.
A
He's a rare youngster who learns wisdom from his parents. It usually comes self taught through experience.
C
Do you have any luck, Owen?
F
No. No.
C
Valet.
F
What are you doing out of your cell, paladin?
C
I let him out.
F
He's under arrest. Don't you ever let him out again.
C
What'll you do, arrest me?
F
I'll get back inside, Paladin.
C
All right, Owen, Instead of putting him back in jail, why don't you deputize him? He's a friend.
F
He's also a prisoner. Get in there.
C
Owen, when your father ran this office, he wasn't afraid to take advice, not even from a woman.
F
I'm not, pa. I don't try to be.
C
You couldn't be. He was respected and well liked.
F
Now, why shouldn't he be well liked? He never stepped on anyone's toes.
C
He didn't have to. And he didn't need these five books to tell him what was right or wrong.
A
She's right, owen.
F
Now, don't you start in on me, paladin. What's the matter with everyone? Why can't they understand what I'm trying to do here?
A
What made you choose the philadelphia ordinances for three winds?
F
Because they're good ones. I like living in a city guided by laws like these.
A
But this isn't philadelphia. There's no mayor here, no town council. All you have is a sheriff and a judge who comes through once a month. It's the sheriff who must decide what's right and what's best for his town.
F
Yeah, yeah, and if the sheriff gets up on the wrong side of the bed one morning, Everything's a crime that day. But if he wakes up feeling good, nothing's illegal. That's why we've got to have a legal written code to live by.
A
I'm not arguing against that principle. But don't you think that you should write your own code? One that fits your town?
C
Owen, they're out there.
F
Who's out there?
C
The enfields out front. I saw them through the curtains. Two men are behind a wagon across the street. The other one's at the side of the house.
A
They're waiting for you to come out the front door.
F
I'll go out the back door and around the side.
A
You won't have a chance against three killers. Let me go with you. No, Ma. Get my gun and go with him.
F
Go ahead.
A
You know how to pull a trigger.
F
You want to get her killed?
C
I'm not going to stand by and let them come in here and shoot us.
F
After you get killed, there's nothing you can do.
C
I can draw their fire, Give you a better chance.
F
They'll kill you. Don't you understand?
A
Who's going with you, owen? Your mother or me?
F
All right. All right, Paladin, you win.
A
Get my gun, Ma.
C
Sure.
A
Owen, there's a flat roof over the jail. Is there any way we can get up on top without making too much noise?
F
Yeah, yeah, through the kitchen. There's a ladder just outside the back door.
C
Here's your gun.
A
Thanks, ma.
F
Let's go.
C
Get out.
F
There's another one out there.
A
Yeah, yeah. Either that or the man on the side of the building came around back.
F
What do we do?
A
Go up to the front window and open fire on the two out by the wagon. I'll try to get this man back here.
D
How?
A
I'll stay down on the floor and open the door to draw his fire. Now, go on, hurry.
F
All right.
A
Did you kill him? Yeah. I made a good target standing up at the rain barrel. Should have crouched behind it.
F
You think these two by the wagon are the only ones left?
A
Uh huh. Now, you take anything on the right, I'll take the left. As soon as one of them raises up to shoot, you got him. You know how to use a rifle?
F
I had a good teacher. Oh, there goes the other.
A
He's down. Come on.
F
Both of them are dead. You're pretty good with a six gun.
A
I had some experience with the same teacher you did.
F
My PA was a man you could learn a lot from.
A
Yeah, I remember something else I learned from him the last time I was here. It was something he said. What was that? That one man doesn't have the right to say what's good for all men. The lawman doesn't try to dictate the will of the people. He reflects it.
F
Paladin. You know, anyone might be interested in buying some books.
A
I wouldn't sell those books, Owen. Just put them away for a while. Who knows? Someday Three winds might have a mayor down, council or even sidewalks.
F
Yeah, maybe so.
A
Come on, we got to dig some graves. Oh, Mr. Paladin.
F
Hey, boy.
A
Oh, I knew you come in on the stage tonight. I make. Well, don't ever make bets on when I'll be returning to the carlton. Let's get my luggage up to the room, will you, please? Oh, yes, sir. I know when you come back this time, it's in the air. What's in the air? Rain. It rains when you leave, and when it rains again, I know you come back. Oh, this time, incidentally, what about the young lady? The one I accidentally knocked down when I left? Oh, you make a very big splash. She the one I make bet with on your returning? She's still here. Did she order a new dress? No, not yet. She waited for you. She says she'll ask you to go shopping with her. I remember. She was the most attractive young lady. Most attractive. Why don't you make arrangements for this evening, hey boy? To go shopping? Of course. But be sure we start in the lounge at seven with cocktails. Yes, sir, Mr. Paladin.
D
Here comes Elmer Blurt, world's lowest pressure salesman.
F
Nobody home. Hope. Hope.
E
Hope Rudolph, the bodybuilder at your service.
F
I only came to tell you about the new 1959 Rambler.
E
Okay, lie down on the table and let's talk.
F
Well, I don't know.
E
L. Oh, but the 59 rambler.
F
I know.
E
First in sales gains, first in economy, first with personalized comfort.
F
Couldn't you just count on your fingers?
E
Imagine, Rambler seats are individually adjustable. Perfect fit. Perfect comfort for tall people or short. No more kinks in those leg muscles there.
F
Oh, is me.
E
No stiff neck either. Because Rambler has adjustable headrests.
A
You.
E
Yes, sir. Only Rambler has the best of both. Big car rooms, small car, economy. Well, you've sold me. Sign me up.
F
Okay, but you'll have to carry me.
E
Out to my Rambler so I can.
F
Get my order pad.
D
Rambler outsells all six of the best selling foreign makes combined 59. Rambler sales are nearly two and a half times greater than a year ago. See the success car at Rambler dealers. Have Gun Will Travel.
F
Created by Herb.
D
Meadow and Sam Rolfe, is produced and directed by Norman McDonnell and stars John Dana as Paladin with Ben Wright as Hey boy. Tonight's story was written by Sam Rolfe and adapted for radio by Frank Michael. Featured in the cast were Paul Dubov, Helen Kleeb, Ken Lynch, Jess Kirkpatrick and Sam Edwards. Hugh Douglas speaking. Join us again next week for have Gun Will Travel.
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Have Gun—Will Travel 1959-03-22 (018) "The Five Books of Owen Deaver"
Air Date: October 12, 2025
This episode features the classic radio drama "Have Gun—Will Travel," set in Three Winds, a frontier town struggling with the imposition of a rigid new legal code. The story follows Paladin, a cultured gun-for-hire, as he visits old friends and becomes entangled in a standoff between outlaw justice and idealistic law enforcement. The episode explores themes of law, order, and the tension between imported ideals and local realities.
Paladin’s Arrival & First Hints of Trouble
Quote:
“The law says four drinks to a person is the quota for a day. Same law says all guns must be turned into my office when you arrive in Three Winds.”
— Sheriff Owen Deaver (05:55)
Tension with Townspeople & Outsiders
Paladin witnesses and intervenes in an altercation at the saloon involving wanted men from the Enfield gang.
He secretly retains a Derringer for protection, uses it to save Owen’s life, but is nonetheless arrested for violating the firearm ordinance.
Quote:
“Thanks for saving my life, but I’ll have to take you in, too.”
— Owen Deaver to Paladin (06:51)
Paladin and Enfield are locked up.
Ma Deaver (Owen’s mother) objects to her son’s inflexible application of the law, contrasting him with his late father’s wisdom and community respect.
Quote:
“Now what’s going to come of all your foolishness, Owen? The law is the law is the law. Listen to him, Paladin. We let him go to Philadelphia to study, and what does he bring back? Five books, that’s all.”
— Ma Deaver (12:00)
Owen defends his reliance on legal codes, believing written law is the only fair governance—an idealistic, sometimes naïve, approach.
Paladin reveals the true identity of Enfield, warning that the gang will return for revenge.
Owen refuses Paladin’s help, insisting on handling the situation by deputizing locals, but fails to find reliable support.
The next morning, Ma Deaver pleads with Paladin for help as she recognizes Owen’s stubbornness may endanger him.
Tension rises as the Enfield gang returns for a jailbreak, surrounding the sheriff’s office.
Key Moment:
“They’re out there. The Enfields out front. I saw them through the curtains. Two men are behind a wagon across the street. The other one’s at the side of the house.”
— Ma Deaver (17:41)
Paladin convinces Owen to let him help in the coming fight. They plan a tactical defense, using the roof and strategic positioning to counter the gang’s attack.
Quote:
"One man doesn't have the right to say what's good for all men. The lawman doesn't try to dictate the will of the people. He reflects it.”
— Paladin (20:14)
Owen realizes the limitations of his approach and is counseled by Paladin to keep his lawbooks for a future with more civic infrastructure.
Owen’s Idealism vs. Practicality:
“But this isn’t Philadelphia. There’s no mayor here, no town council. All you have is a sheriff and a judge who comes through once a month. It’s the sheriff who must decide what’s right and what’s best for his town.” — Paladin (17:11)
Ma Deaver as Voice of Experience:
“When your father ran this office, he wasn't afraid to take advice, not even from a woman.” — Ma Deaver (16:34)
Paladin on Leadership:
“The lawman doesn't try to dictate the will of the people. He reflects it.” — Paladin (20:14)
This episode of "Have Gun—Will Travel" artfully intertwines Western action with a meditation on law, leadership, and the pitfalls of applying distant ideals to local reality. Through the character of Owen Deaver, audiences explore the challenges of inheriting authority and the journey from rigid youthful idealism toward wise, flexible stewardship. The show's sharp dialogue, memorable performances—particularly Ma Deaver's grounded wisdom and Paladin's sage counsel—and tightly constructed action make it a quintessential example of Golden Age radio drama.