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Narrator/Announcer
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Luke Slaughter
Slaughter's my name. Luke Slaughter cattle's my business. It's a tough business. It's big business. I've got a big stake in it. There's no man west of the Rio Grande big enough to take it from.
Narrator
Luke slaughter of tombstone. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone. Civil War cavalryman turned Arizona cattleman. Across the territory from Yuma to Fort Defiance. From Flagstaff to the Huachucas. And below the border through Chihuahua and Sonora. His name was respected.
Luke Slaughter
Or feared, depending on which side of
Narrator
the law you were on. Man of vision. Man of legend. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.
Luke Slaughter
Carl justice was dead. Bushwhacked in the chiricahuas for the $10,000 he was was carrying. But justice wasn't dead. The posse from the Cattlemen's association would see to that. If we had to cover every half section between the Petrified Forest and the Mexican border. And it looked like we might, at least the first day in the saddle. We didn't find a trace of Justice's killer or the gold. We were a tired bunch of ranahans when we came back to town that afternoon. All right, boys. Get yourselves a good night's rest. Be ready to ride again at sun up.
Burwell
Come on.
Wichita
Well, howdy, Luke.
Luke Slaughter
Hello, Wichita.
Wichita
You look like you've been eating a lot of dust.
Luke Slaughter
I have.
Wichita
You turn up anything?
Luke Slaughter
Nothing. Not a single sign.
Wichita
A killer's gotta leave a sign.
Luke Slaughter
This one didn't.
Wichita
Sure is a shame. Carl oughta knowed better than to try carrying all that money over to Bisbee by hisself.
Luke Slaughter
But he didn't. Oh, man. Man, I'm tired.
Wichita
You gonna go out to the ranch tonight?
Luke Slaughter
No, I'll grab some shut eye over at the office. Let's go.
Wichita
Hold up a minute. You can't get by this outfit.
Luke Slaughter
Well, wagons. It's a pretty small train to be traveling alone.
Burwell
Keep it moving.
Wichita
Real driving boss, ain't he? Bet he wasn't raised on prunes and proverbs.
Luke Slaughter
You know, it's a funny thing about that outfit.
Wichita
What's that?
Narrator
No Kids?
Luke Slaughter
Not a single one.
Wichita
Yeah, that is peculiar. Usually they got young UN's festooned all over from the driver's box to the tailgate.
Luke Slaughter
Well, I'm gonna spread out in the cut back there.
Wichita
Yeah, yeah, you do that, Luke. And you better unlimber your guns. You ain't had them off since you rode out of here before dawn.
Luke Slaughter
Yeah, I'll drop them here on the desk.
Wichita
Pull your hat down over your eyes, Luke. Anybody come around asking fool questions, I'll take care of them.
Luke Slaughter
Thanks, Wichita. I sure wish I could find some trace of that killing.
Wichita
Oh, forget it. Now, Luke, I want to hear you snoring inside of two minutes. Carl justice can't get no deader in the ears right now. Evening, stranger. What can I do for you?
Lanigan
You can reach Mr.
Wichita
This is the office of the Cattlemen's association, stranger. Why the six gun?
Lanigan
I'm asking the questions. Who's the hombre on the bed?
Wichita
Why?
Lanigan
Answer me.
Wichita
Oh, him drunk, sleeping it off.
Lanigan
So you're a famous Luke Slaughter. A tombstone.
Wichita
What do you want, stranger?
Lanigan
That's what I wanted. Slaughter put you to sleep for a while.
Luke Slaughter
Wintertime. Winter time. I shouldn't have taken my guns off you. Get your wits back. I'll take over now.
Wichita
Hey.
Lanigan
Hey, Slaughter. Slaughter.
Burwell
They broke a window and I was fixing to rob a bank.
Luke Slaughter
Who was?
Burwell
There was two of them and now they're riding east out of town. Oh, well, ain't you gonna follow em?
Luke Slaughter
Why should I?
Burwell
Well, you're head of the posse for the cattlemen.
Lanigan
You're supposed to.
Luke Slaughter
What about that other rider headed west?
Burwell
He weren't nowhere near the bank. He come out of your office?
Luke Slaughter
That's right.
Burwell
Well, Slaughter, now look, we standing here yammering them thieves is getting that much farther.
Luke Slaughter
Did they get anything?
Burwell
No, but I told you they broke a window.
Luke Slaughter
I've got bigger problems than a broken window. Go chase them yourself.
Burwell
You. Well, the high handed cloud in the trail ways to wink at a plain case of lawbreak.
Wichita
What's going on anyway, Luke?
Luke Slaughter
I don't know, Wichita. I wish I did.
Wichita
Umbrella had no call to pistol whip me.
Luke Slaughter
He wouldn't have gotten away with it if I'd had my guns. But remember, he thought he was pistol whipping me. Wichita.
Wichita
Gee, that's right. Well, ain't you gonna try to chase him down?
Luke Slaughter
No, it's almost dark. Besides, who would you chase? The two riding east who broke the window in the bank or the one riding west who dented your skull?
Wichita
Clean getaway on all counts, huh?
Luke Slaughter
No, Wichita. I don't think so. I've got an idea right now. Let's get over to the old docks and get a plaster for your scalp. You might need your head before the night's out.
Wichita
Luke, you ain't told me one blame thing about where we're going or what you're up to.
Luke Slaughter
I'm not sure myself.
Wichita
Well, just riding in the moonlight won't get us nowhere. Besides, I'd think you'd. You'd had yourself enough riding for one day.
Luke Slaughter
I have. I don't cotton to a stranger cracking you over the side of the head with a pistol.
Wichita
Yeah, I appreciate that, Lou.
Luke Slaughter
But there are some other things that just don't fit.
Wichita
Such as?
Luke Slaughter
Now why did those bank robbers break a window? That's noise. The last thing a thief wants.
Wichita
Why? Dogies. That's right. But that still don't explain why we're night riding out here a mile west of town, headed for California.
Luke Slaughter
We're not going that far. Witcher Town rain up.
Wichita
Stand still. Yeah. Now what?
Luke Slaughter
Well, I figure the wagon train that came through town just before sundown couldn't have gotten any further than mule crossing before it bedded down.
Wichita
What of it?
Luke Slaughter
I'm going to pay him a visit.
Wichita
Luke, this ain't no time for being social.
Luke Slaughter
This isn't social, Wichita. This is business.
Wichita
You think that wagon trade had something to do with all these things been going on?
Luke Slaughter
Maybe. You wait here behind these rocks and don't move out for anybody. I'll whistle when I come back.
Wichita
Why you want me to stay here?
Luke Slaughter
Because I think I'm gonna need you later.
Wichita
Hope you know what you're doing.
Luke Slaughter
I'll know better in a half hour.
Narrator/Announcer
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Luke Slaughter
So long.
Wichita
So long. Dead bling. Tight mout.
Lanigan
Hold up and don't you turn around.
Luke Slaughter
Evening.
Lanigan
What's your business, stranger?
Luke Slaughter
I want to talk to the boss of this wagon train.
Lanigan
Why?
Luke Slaughter
Are you the boss?
Lanigan
No.
Luke Slaughter
Then I'm talking to the wrong man. Where's your boss?
Lanigan
Put up your hands and move on slow.
Wichita
Hey, Bur.
Lanigan
Yeah, this is Lanigan. I'm coming in.
Wichita
Come on in. Don't sit out there and yell about it.
Lanigan
I got me a snooper.
Wichita
Well, that's different.
Lanigan
Here he is, Burwell, riding in like he owned the camp.
Burwell
Yeah, we ain't much for visitors when they come at us in the dark, Mister. What you want?
Luke Slaughter
Some information.
Burwell
What kind?
Luke Slaughter
How many people in your train, where you're headed, where you camped last night, and where you were on the trail the day before.
Lanigan
That nosy, ain't he?
Luke Slaughter
Maybe you gents ought to know my name.
Burwell
Well, what is it?
Luke Slaughter
Slaughter. Luke Slaughter.
Lanigan
He ain't Luke Slaughter.
Burwell
Shut up, mannequin. I'll handle this.
Luke Slaughter
Just who did you think I was, Lanigan?
Lanigan
Why, I, I.
Burwell
We're pleased to make your acquaintance, Lauder. My name is Burwell. Why don't you light and enjoy the fire?
Luke Slaughter
Thanks. Burwell.
Burwell
About those questions of yours. Why do you want to know about us?
Luke Slaughter
For your own protection. It was a murder 10 miles east of Tombstone early last night. We haven't found the killer yet.
Burwell
A bushwhacking, huh?
Luke Slaughter
Yeah. And whoever did it got away with several thousand dollars in gold.
Burwell
Oh, say, that's too bad.
Luke Slaughter
There's a couple of other things, too. Just after you passed through town before sunset, there was an attempt to rob the bank.
Burwell
You don't say.
Luke Slaughter
And a good friend of mine named Wichita got pistol whipped while that was happening. What the hell?
Burwell
Things are kind of active in Tombstone, ain't they? Well, now, you don't think that my little outfit.
Luke Slaughter
I think that your outfit might be in for trouble if it met up with any of these lawbreakers. I see those questions, Burwell.
Burwell
Oh, sure, sure, slaughter. Well, there's 11 of us. There's eight men, three women. We left Dodge City several weeks ago, headed for the ocean. Camped on the trail last night. No special place.
Luke Slaughter
Have you seen anything or anybody unusual?
Burwell
No, no. Can't say I have.
Luke Slaughter
Well, keep your eyes open, Burwell. I wouldn't want to see an innocent wagon Train get dry gulched.
Burwell
Oh, we'll do that, Slaughter. Mighty nice of you to ride out to Dallas.
Luke Slaughter
Friendly thing to do, I figure.
Burwell
Now, we ain't got much by way of hospitality, but I could lay the dust a little for you.
Luke Slaughter
Now, that'd go down real good on
Burwell
a night like this, Molly. Yeah, Hank, Bring the whiskey. A man's gonna have to forget his manners out on the trail, Slaughter.
Molly
Here's the jug, Hank.
Burwell
Well, this here is Luke Slaughter. Molly, she is my wife.
Luke Slaughter
Howdy, ma'.
Burwell
Am.
Molly
Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Slaughter.
Burwell
Why don't you try this for size?
Luke Slaughter
Thanks. Just right.
Burwell
Well, it's turning into a cold night. Have another.
Luke Slaughter
No, thanks. That does it. It's time I got back to town. Oh, by the way, Mrs. Burwell, one thing has me curious.
Molly
What's that, Mr. Slaughter?
Luke Slaughter
Every wagon train I've ever seen carried at least half a dozen kids. You don't seem to have any.
Molly
Some people don't have children, I guess.
Burwell
That's right.
Luke Slaughter
It was just a thought.
Burwell
You're being pretty personal, ain't you, Slaughter?
Luke Slaughter
I didn't mean to be so long, Lanigan. Maybe we'll meet up again sometime.
Lanigan
Yeah. Yeah, sure.
Luke Slaughter
Like I said, Burwell, be careful. Adios.
Narrator
In a moment, Luke's Slaughter of Tombstone returns on CBS Radio's Gunsmoke. Today, a colorful character named Livy learns that arson is a crime, no matter what the motive. Livy doesn't want her son to grow up like his alcoholic father. Her notion of how to keep the boy from drinking is set afire to every saloon in Dodge City. When she threatens to act on her idea, however, she lights the fuse on an explosive situation for Marshal Matt Dillon as well as for herself. For adventure in the west as our pioneers knew it. Hear this thrilling episode of Gunsmoke later today on CBS radio. And now, Act 2 of William N. Robeson's production of Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.
Wichita
About time you was getting back, Luke. I was beginning to know all the coyotes by name.
Luke Slaughter
It was worth it with your tongue. I've been talking to the man that pistol whipped you a few hours ago.
Wichita
He was.
Luke Slaughter
And after that bunch has had a chance to think it over, I think we'll both be talking to him.
Wichita
It makes sense. Will you, Luke?
Luke Slaughter
That wagon train, Wichita. It's the headquarters for everything that's been happening around here lately.
Wichita
It is? Well, you just ain't gonna leave them out there and let him go on.
Luke Slaughter
No. Unless I'm dead wrong, they're gonna send a man gunning for me. And I think I know who it'll be.
Wichita
That pistol whipper.
Luke Slaughter
Yeah. Listen. That's one horse, Luke, and one rider. He's gotta slow down to get through these rucks. When he does, jump him.
Wichita
That will be a pleasure. Hey.
Molly
Hey.
Luke Slaughter
Don't reach or I'll drop you.
Lanigan
What is this?
Luke Slaughter
Get his guns, Wichita.
Wichita
Already got him, Luke.
Lanigan
Slaughter.
Luke Slaughter
Yeah, Lanigan. Slaughter.
Wichita
Can't a man ride into town for
Lanigan
a peaceful drink without being ambushed?
Luke Slaughter
Light.
Lanigan
But I don't see why.
Luke Slaughter
Get off that horse.
Lanigan
Yeah, sure, sure.
Luke Slaughter
Lanigan, I want you to meet a friend of mine. Wichita, this is the man who laid that gun barrel alongside your ear this evening.
Wichita
I ought to kill you same as I would a skunk.
Lanigan
Ah, wait a minute boys.
Luke Slaughter
It's against my nature to fight an unarmed man. Lanigan. Any one of his guns, Wichita. Barrel first, Luke. Now put it in your holster, Lanigan. And you're welcome to use it anytime you want to.
Lanigan
Slaughter, I, I.
Luke Slaughter
Tell me the real story about that wagon train, Lanigan.
Lanigan
Why, I don't know what you're talking about.
Luke Slaughter
Have you ever been pistol whipped?
Burwell
No.
Molly
No.
Luke Slaughter
You're about to learn what it feels like. Unless you care to draw.
Lanigan
Slaughter. For the love of heaven, don't.
Luke Slaughter
You killed Carl Justice.
Lanigan
But I never heard of no Carl justice.
Luke Slaughter
He had 10,000 dol and gold yesterday.
Lanigan
What's that?
Luke Slaughter
Who killed him? You tell me or I'm going to rake a gun sight through your left ear. Talk or draw. An. Who killed him? You want another one?
Lanigan
No, no. It was Burwell. He told me not to but he, he put up a fight and, and, and Burwell.
Luke Slaughter
A man doesn't fight with his back. Where did you pistol whip Wichita?
Lanigan
Well, it was Burwell's idea. He heard about you and he thought that if you was laid low for a while people would want to go after whoever.
Luke Slaughter
That's what I figured.
Lanigan
Yeah. Then a couple of the boys broke that window in the bank to make it look like.
Luke Slaughter
Burwell's a pretty smart man, isn't he?
Lanigan
Oh yeah, he sure is.
Luke Slaughter
But he made the mistake of getting feather headed yellow gunslingers like you to work for him.
Lanigan
Look, you can't call me.
Luke Slaughter
I am calling you. If it isn't true, draw. Take his gun, Wichita. He won't use it.
Lanigan
Or Slaughter. Please give me a chance. Just let me go and I'll go back to Dodge and I'll never come out this way again.
Luke Slaughter
Witcher. Time. Head his horse back toward camp and give it a slap.
Wichita
Sure, Luke.
Lanigan
Whatcha gonna do, Slaughter?
Luke Slaughter
I'm gonna use you for bait. Wichita. You walk him back into town.
Wichita
Where are you going?
Luke Slaughter
I'm not through here yet. Oh, and get a message to Sutton. Tell him to wake up the posse and spread him around the cattleman's office ready to shoot.
Wichita
You can't face that whole wagon train by yourself.
Luke Slaughter
I won't have to, Wichita. When Lanigan's horse gets back to camp, they'll know something went wrong. And most of them will go to town looking for me. That's why I want that posse standing by.
Wichita
Well, what do you want me to do with this here tail dragon specimen when I get him back to town?
Luke Slaughter
Tie him up in the back room of the cattleman's office and wait for me. Oh, and don't light any lanterns.
Wichita
You don't have no objections if I have to ruffle this waddy up some, do you?
Luke Slaughter
None at all.
Wichita
They come on, you walk.
Luke Slaughter
Get your hands up, all of you.
Molly
Who's out there, Luke?
Luke Slaughter
Slaughter, man. Now do as I tell you.
Molly
What you holding a gun for Slaughter?
Luke Slaughter
Are there any guards out?
Molly
No. All the men folk rode into town a while back.
Luke Slaughter
I liked your hospitality so well, Mrs. Burwell, I came back for some more of it.
Molly
Didn't Put that gun away. You don't need that.
Luke Slaughter
I think I might. You see, Mrs. Burwell, I know the whole story.
Molly
What do you mean?
Luke Slaughter
Lanigan talked, that's what I mean.
Molly
Well now that puts a different light on things.
Luke Slaughter
How so?
Molly
Burwell lied to you about me.
Luke Slaughter
He lied about everything.
Molly
But this is important. I'm not his wife.
Luke Slaughter
What of it?
Molly
You're a good looking man, Mr. Slaughter. Makes some woman a fine husband. A rich woman, Luke.
Luke Slaughter
Meaning?
Molly
I know where there's a sack of gold big enough to last a man and a woman like you and me for the rest of our lives.
Luke Slaughter
I'll bet you do.
Molly
Why don't you call me Molly?
Luke Slaughter
All right, Molly.
Molly
Have you ever kissed a high spirited woman, Luke?
Luke Slaughter
Why don't we get rid of the company first?
Molly
What do you want to do with them?
Luke Slaughter
Tie him up spread eagled on a wagon wheel.
Molly
You sure are smart. We're gonna get along fine.
Luke Slaughter
Now, about that gold, Molly.
Molly
Ah, no hurry, is there?
Luke Slaughter
You might as well tell me.
Molly
No, I don't know as I can trust you yet.
Luke Slaughter
No, no you don't.
Molly
But I want to. It's in a chest in the lead wagon.
Luke Slaughter
Thanks. Now stand over there with the rest of them.
Molly
What?
Luke Slaughter
I'm gonna tie you up, too? Molly Slaughter. If I had a gun, I know I'd be dead. Just like Carl Justice.
Wichita
Is that you, Luke?
Luke Slaughter
Yeah.
Wichita
What's that sack you're carrying?
Luke Slaughter
The gold that belonged to Karl Justice. Burwell show up?
Wichita
Yeah, with six of his partners. Come up on the boardwalk out front. Thought they was gonna break in for a minute, but they decided against it. Heard one of them say it'd make too much commotion.
Luke Slaughter
Where'd they go?
Wichita
Right across the street there to the Oriental.
Luke Slaughter
That means when we fire up some lanterns, we'll have visitors. Is the posse spread out?
Wichita
Just like you said. On the roof of the Oriental. On top of the bank. The dry goods store and express company.
Luke Slaughter
Good. How's Lanigan?
Wichita
Well, he's gonna have a sore head before he hangs. I had to persuade him just a little before he'd go to sleep.
Luke Slaughter
Too bad. Yeah. Well, let's get this over with. I'm going out the front door. You light the lamps in the office.
Wichita
By jogies. This does my old heart good.
Luke Slaughter
There he is now, boys.
Burwell
Come on.
Luke Slaughter
Stay where you are, Burwell.
Burwell
Now, Slaughter boys and me just want to talk to you.
Luke Slaughter
Do you? Talking from right there?
Burwell
I don't like to shout up and down the street.
Luke Slaughter
I do. Before you say anything else, I think you ought to know that you're covered by 18 guns. 20, including mine. And in case you think I'm not telling the truth. I'll ask the men on the top of the bank to speak up. Now, just what did you want to talk about, Burwell?
Burwell
Let's forget it, Slaughter. Me and the boys will be moseying along now.
Luke Slaughter
No, you won't. I've got some talking to do. Your women folk are tied up to the wagons out at your camp. One of your gunslingers is tied up in the office behind me. And he talked. And this, burwell, this is $10,000 in gold that I got out of your lead wagon. It belonged to Carl justice before you killed him. You got anything to say now, Burwell? I reckon you said it all then. Drop your guns and step forward, all of you. All right, men, close in and take them.
Wichita
Luke, that is the dangest thing I ever seen. Got every single one of them and didn't smoke up the town a bit.
Luke Slaughter
Sometimes you're lucky. Wichita. Don't fool around with a red hot branding iron until you're ready for the roundup.
Narrator
Looks Slaughter of Tombstone starring Sam Buffington. Was written by Alan Botzer and directed by William N. Robeson. Editorial supervision by Tom Handley. Supporting Mr. Buffington were Gene Carson, Junius Matthews, Lawrence Dobkin and Chet Stratton, with music composed and conducted by Amerigo Marino. Next week at this time we return
Luke Slaughter
with Slaughter's the Name Luke Slaughter when we meet up again. You can call me that Luke Slaughter.
Narrator
This is the cbs radio network.
Narrator/Announcer
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Episode: Luke Slaughter – Wagon Train
Date: June 16, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Format: Golden Age of Radio drama with commentary
This episode transports listeners back to the dusty trails of the Old West with a dramatized story from the "Luke Slaughter of Tombstone" radio series. The central theme of this episode, "Wagon Train," revolves around a cold-blooded murder, missing gold, and a mysterious wagon train passing through Tombstone. Luke Slaughter, former Civil War cavalryman turned Arizona cattleman, takes center stage as he unravels the crime, confronts outlaws, and restores order using wit and courage.
The episode maintains a gritty, suspenseful, and period-authentic tone throughout, peppered with dry humor and classic frontier wisdom. Luke Slaughter is portrayed as perceptive, tough, and no-nonsense but fair—a true Western hero. The banter between Luke and Wichita provides levity and camaraderie.
"Wagon Train" stands as a quintessential example of Golden Age radio drama, showcasing sharp dialogue, clever plotting, and the lasting appeal of the American Western. Without unnecessary violence, Luke Slaughter outwits an organized band of criminals, secures justice, and restores order to Tombstone—all while keeping his signature cool under pressure.
For fans of old-time radio or newcomers to Westerns, this episode offers both nostalgia and narrative punch, embodying the timeless allure of the lawman-versus-outlaw tale.