Luke Slaughter - Worth Its Salt

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio – "Luke Slaughter: Worth Its Salt"

Date: June 16, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode of "Luke Slaughter of Tombstone," titled "Worth Its Salt," plunges listeners into a tale of ambition, deception, and perseverance in frontier Arizona. Civil War veteran turned cattleman Luke Slaughter supports the candidacy of Ed Craig, an idealistic Easterner facing local skepticism and bitter political opposition. When Craig is swindled into buying a salted gold mine, his values and reputation are tested—until grit and conviction lead to an unexpected turn of fortune.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage: Arizona’s Future & Political Rivalries

• [02:54–04:56]

  • Ed Craig, a newcomer from the East, is running for Arizona territorial delegate against Paul Gallagher, a local saloon owner.
  • Luke Slaughter and his loyal hand, Wichita, debate the merits of statehood and the political motivations of the candidates.
  • Gallagher is portrayed as anti-statehood and self-serving, while Craig wants to genuinely represent Arizona’s needs in Washington.

  Wichita: "But what's the sense of electing a good man to the United States Congress when he don't even have a vote after he gets there." (03:22)

  Craig: "It seems to me Paul Gallagher's again progress. I'm afraid the main reason he's running against me is to get that free ride to Washington and back every year." (03:51)

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2. The Gold Mine Deal: Optimism Meets Deceit

• [05:03–08:49]

  • Craig buys a gold claim from Van Ling, intending to start a profit-sharing mine for local workers.
  • Both Luke and Wichita are skeptical of gold prospects in the region.
  • In a secretive exchange, it’s revealed Van Ling and Gallagher have colluded to "salt" the mine and discredit Craig, hoping to wreck his campaign.
  • Gallagher plans to spread word that Craig was duped, painting him as an ignorant upstart.

  Van Ling (to Gallagher): "We put it over on him real smart like, eh, Mr. Gallagher?" (08:03)

  Gallagher: "When the people find out how little Craig knows about the west, they'll laugh him right out of Arizona." (08:49)

---

3. Discovery of the Swindle

• [09:04–11:56]

  • Craig invests heavily in machinery, hiring local men and paying fair wages.
  • Luke suspects the mine is salted and conducts an experiment using a muzzle loader to fire gold into the rock, mimicking fraudulent prospecting.
  • Wichita calls out the ruse as "one of the scummiest tricks a Westerner can play on an Easterner."
  • Craig is disheartened but takes responsibility for his choice.

  Luke: "You fire soft gold into soft rock and it looks for all the world like the real thing." (11:48)

  Ed Craig: "When this gets out, I'm going to shape up as a fine candidate to represent the people of the West." (12:02)

---

4. Craig’s Resolve and Community Impact

• [15:00–16:46]

  • Rather than cut and run, Craig refuses to close the mine while men and their families depend on the work.
  • He keeps paying wages despite knowing he’s been swindled, evoking deep respect among Luke and Wichita.

  Ed Craig: "If people think I'm a fool, they'll just have to think it. But I'm not going to shut down until I find something else for the men to do." (15:21)

---

5. Gallagher’s Slander and Worker Discontent

• [16:46–19:43]

  • Gallagher manipulates the miners, calling Craig a swindler and telling them the promised fortune will never come.
  • Luke confronts Gallagher, defending Craig’s integrity and pointing out that, for the time being, their families are being provided for.

  Luke: "But remember who's setting up the food for your kids." (18:29)

---

6. Turning Point: A Vein of Silver

• [19:43–22:00]

  • Gallagher stirs the miners at the site, spreading rumors of a scam. Tension boils over, and a fight breaks out.
  • Despite discouragement, the miners, inspired by Luke, agree to keep digging with renewed determination.
  • Unexpectedly, they discover a rich vein of silver—the mine is valuable after all.

  Wichita: "Now it's soft. ...You see? Soft and kind of lightish colored." (21:26)

  Luke: "This is silver...and it looks like as clean a vein as was ever found." (21:40)

---

7. Truth and Triumph: Justice for Craig

• [22:00–24:06]

  • The men confront Gallagher, exposing his role in the scam using public mining records and his failed attempt at denying involvement.
  • With news of the silver strike, and Gallagher’s duplicity laid bare, Craig’s reputation is restored and his candidacy is secured.

  Rollinson: "There's plenty of time before election to let the whole territory know that Ed Craig has made a million dollar strike." (23:46)

  Luke: "I'll telegraph Craig not to bother looking up any claim records. Gallagher's told us everything we need to know." (23:51)

---

8. Resolution: Victory and Values

• [24:06–24:39]

  • Craig is celebrated as the new delegate. Overcome with emotion, he entrusts Luke to speak on his behalf but the miners give their rousing endorsement.

  Luke: "I think they'd rather tell you, Ed." (24:19)

  Rollinson: "Boys, how do we feel about our new delegate to the Congress of the United States?" (24:22)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Integrity:

  "He thinks like an American, Wichita. And that's the kind of man Arizona needs for its delegate."
  — Luke Slaughter [04:23]

• On Swindling an Easterner:

  "You as Apache for one of the scummiest tricks a Westerner can play on an Easterner."
  — Wichita [11:56]

• On Leadership:

  "If people think I'm a fool, they'll just have to think it. But I'm not going to shut down until I find something else for the men to do."
  — Ed Craig [15:21]

• On Perseverance Rewarded:

  "This is silver... and it looks like as clean a vein as was ever found."
  — Luke Slaughter [21:40]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Content | Timestamp | |---------|---------|-----------| | Introductions & Politics | Statehood debate, Gallagher vs. Craig | 02:54–04:56 | | The Gold Mine Purchase | Craig buys salted mine | 05:03–08:49 | | The Conspiracy | Gallagher & Van Ling’s plot revealed | 08:03–08:49 | | Discovering the Salted Mine | Luke’s experiment, Craig’s reaction | 09:04–11:56 | | Craig’s Decision | Choosing not to cut and run | 15:00–16:46 | | Gallagher Slanders Craig | Tensions with workers | 16:46–19:43 | | Turning Point | Miners discover silver | 19:43–22:00 | | Confrontation & Exposure | Gallagher exposed, Craig vindicated | 22:00–24:06 | | Resolution | Craig named delegate | 24:06–24:39 |

---

Episode Tone & Style

• The tone blends frontier grit with underlying optimism and Americana.
• Dialogue is direct, wittily teasing, and loaded with colloquialisms reminiscent of classic Westerns.
• Themes stress community, honesty, perseverance, and the triumph of integrity over cynicism.

---

Takeaway

"Worth Its Salt" is more than a story of swindles and silver. It’s a portrait of frontier politics, the struggles of newcomers, and the communal values that defined the early West. Ed Craig’s story reminds listeners that it’s not the easy strike, but honesty, willingness to help others, and perseverance that yields the greatest rewards.

Transcript

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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 or feared, depending on which side of the law you were on. Man of vision. Man of legend. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

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[Narrator]

And now, Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

[Luke Slaughter]

Ed Craig came to Tombstone from the east a little after I settled here. Ed was well fixed, didn't have to scratch out a living like most of us. And in his quiet, likable manner, he soon proved to be the kind of man Arizona needed.

[Ed Craig]

Yes, I think I can do some good for the territory in Washington if the voters want to send me there.

[Luke Slaughter]

You certainly can, Ed. Our delegate ought to be a much stronger man than some of the ones we've sent.

[Wichita]

Yeah, I got all the respect in the world for Mr. Craig, Luke. But what's the sense of electing a good man to the United States Congress when he don't even have A vote after he gets there.

[Luke Slaughter]

He'll have a vote when Arizona becomes a state. Meanwhile, we need a delegate who can make the federal government understand our needs and our future.

[Wichita]

Yeah, Paul Gallagher's against statehood. He says if we got it, we'd be taxed out of our boots. The way it is now, he says. Well, getting a free ride.

[Ed Craig]

It seems to me Paul Gallagher's again progress. I'm afraid the main reason he's running against me is to get that free ride to Washington and back every year.

[Luke Slaughter]

That's about the size of it. And he doesn't need the free part any more than you do. He's made a wad of money out of his saloon and his gambling room.

[Ed Craig]

I wouldn't know about that. All I know is that he bellowed like a branded longhorn about half the gambling license fees going into the school fund.

[Wichita]

Bellowed like a branded Longhorn? Mr. Craig, you're even starting to talk something like a Westerner.

[Luke Slaughter]

He thinks like an American, Wichita. And that's the kind of man Arizona needs for its delegate.

[Ed Craig]

Remember, I still have to be elected.

[Luke Slaughter]

You will be.

[Ed Craig]

You know, I have a personal reason for wanting to be in Washington. My little girl goes to school in Baltimore.

[Wichita]

Oh, you got a sprout. I didn't know that.

[Luke Slaughter]

Show Wichita the picture in your watch, Ed.

[Ed Craig]

Well, here it is.

[Wichita]

Why, she ain't no sprout. She's a growed up young lady. And Purdy is a spotted puppy riding through snowstorm in a little red wagon.

[Ed Craig]

Thanks, Wichita. Well, I've got to be getting along, Luke. Thanks for your confidence.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, I wish you wouldn't hurry, Ed.

[Ed Craig]

I have an appointment over at Gallagher Saloon. I'm buying a gold mine.

[Van Ling]

What?

[Ed Craig]

That's right. An old prospector named Van Ling wants to sell his claim. Says it's more fun discovering gold than working to get it out of the ground.

[Luke Slaughter]

Now, wait a minute, Ed. I've never heard of any worthwhile gold ore in these parts. The silver Schieflin's strike proved that. But I'd never gamble on gold.

[Wichita]

I'd never gamble on no more silver. I figure old Schieflin found the only load in the Mule Mountains.

[Ed Craig]

Van Link took me out to his claim and I watched him take the samples. They assayed high enough to be worth taking a chance.

[Luke Slaughter]

It's your money, Ed. But you're no more a mining expert than I am.

[Ed Craig]

I know, I know. I just figure I can put some men to work. And if the vein's as rich as it seems to be Their families will be comfortable for life.

[Luke Slaughter]

You mean you're going to hire on a profit sharing basis?

[Ed Craig]

I've got as much money as I need. And I hope what the men get, they'll sort of invest back in Arizona.

[Wichita]

What? Cash money. Wages.

[Ed Craig]

You paying exactly what Luke pays you, Wichita. And if you quit him to work for me, you might not get your ranch job back if the claim peters out.

[Wichita]

I wasn't asking for no different job. I know when I'm well off, when I'm a setting on a horse.

[Luke Slaughter]

Just don't get so wrapped up in helping people that you forget to campaign, Ed. Because you can really help them when you're Arizona's delegate to Congress.

[Van Ling]

4800. 4900. 5000. That's the correct amount, Mr. Craig. And you got yourself a gold mine.

[Ed Craig]

Fine, Mr. Vanling. The papers seem to be in order, and I'll take care of filing the transfer.

[Paul Gallagher]

That's a lot of cash money to be carrying around Tombstone, Van.

[Van Ling]

Mm?

[Paul Gallagher]

Care to leave it in my safe overnight?

[Van Ling]

Well, now, I might just do that, Mr. Gallagher. Where at Easy Safe?

[Paul Gallagher]

In my office. Well, Craig, this will be an interesting experience for you.

[Ed Craig]

I think so. I think it'll be a profitable one.

[Paul Gallagher]

Well, if it is, maybe you'll quit harping on statehood for the territory. Government will take it all away in taxes.

[Ed Craig]

Statehood's a few years away, Mr. Gallagher, no matter which one of us goes to Washington.

[Paul Gallagher]

Your ideas are too fancy for us out here, Craig. Can I have a Westerner to represent the West?

[Ed Craig]

We'll see what the people decide.

[Paul Gallagher]

That we will.

[Ed Craig]

And no hard feelings either way, Mr. Vanling. If you change your mind about joining the mine crew, just look me up.

[Van Ling]

It's pretty. For certain I won't.

[Ed Craig]

Well, keep in touch anyway. Remember, you'll get a share of the profits.

[Paul Gallagher]

Come along to my office, old timer.

[Van Ling]

All right.

[Paul Gallagher]

Give me a receipt, Electioneer. If you want to, Craig. Even if this is my place, I'll

[Ed Craig]

let the electioneering go until I round up some minor.

[Paul Gallagher]

Hold it.

[Van Ling]

Hold it. Now.

[Paul Gallagher]

Go ahead. It's worth laughing at.

[Van Ling]

Share the profits. We put it over on him real smart like, eh, Mr. Gallagher?

[Paul Gallagher]

It wasn't hard. Give me the money, van.

[Van Ling]

I get 300 of it, remember?

[Paul Gallagher]

That's right. 100 now and 200 when I know you're in Yuma.

[Van Ling]

I did. I'd kind of like to stay around and watch the fun.

[Paul Gallagher]

Your mouth's too big, old timer. I wouldn't want Craig to find out he actually bought that claim from me.

[Van Ling]

Oh, I'd never breathe a word. And you fix the papers yourself.

[Paul Gallagher]

You're going to Yuma. By the time you get there, it'll be time to start spreading the word that Mr. Edward Craig, candidate for delegate from the territory of Arizona, is pouring a fortune into a salted gold mine.

[Van Ling]

I bet you win that election, Mr. Gallagher.

[Paul Gallagher]

Safest bet you'll ever make. When the people find out how little Craig knows about the west, they'll laugh him right out of Arizona.

[Luke Slaughter]

The claim didn't look like much to me. There were traces of gold in the sandstone where old Van Ling had roughed out the start of a mine shaft. But they were shallow deposits and they disappeared when Craig's men got to tunneling a real shaft. The crew worked with picks and shovels and drew their pay regularly. Then at last, the tracks and mine carts and heavy ore crushing equipment arrived in Benson by rail. And the whole mine force went down to mule freight it back to Tombstone. I persuaded Ed to make a trip to the mine with Wichita and me while the men weren't around.

[Ed Craig]

We'll make a lot more progress when we get the machinery in loop.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, you'll dig deeper, faster.

[Wichita]

That's sure ain't no machinery been invented that'll put gold in the ground where there ain't none.

[Ed Craig]

I don't want to put it in. I want to get it out.

[Luke Slaughter]

Do you mind my asking how much this equipment set in your back, Ed?

[Ed Craig]

About 10,000. Another couple thousand to ship it.

[Luke Slaughter]

Then with your payroll, you're close to 20,000 in the hole.

[Ed Craig]

I think it's a sound investment now. You mind me asking you something, Luke?

[Luke Slaughter]

Nope. You're gonna ask me to keep my nose out of your personal business.

[Ed Craig]

Not at all. I'm just curious about that old muzzle loading rifle.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, I've been studying up on gold. This antique gun's for a little experiment I want to make. Whoa. Whoa there, Fell.

[Van Ling]

Yeah, all right.

[Wichita]

Mary's Pride Mine. You got a sign? And a tunnel.

[Ed Craig]

Anyhow, I named it after my daughter. You'll be proud as punch when I telegraph her we've hit high grade ore.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, I've got some high grade gold nuggets here, Ed. I'm gonna put a charge of powder in this old blunderbuss. Tamp the wadding, use a nugget for a bullet and fire into the rock near the shaft opening. Now we'll repeat the experiment.

[Ed Craig]

Well, what kind of nonsense is this, Lou?

[Wichita]

You better sort of hope it is nonsense, Mr. Craig.

[Luke Slaughter]

Here goes another one. Now, let's Take a look at the sandstone. Well, how about it, Ed? Looked like the place where Van Link chipped off the samples.

[Ed Craig]

Why, yes. That's just the way the gold flecks were distributed. Well, Luke, I bought a salted mine, didn't I?

[Luke Slaughter]

I'm afraid you did, Ed. You fire soft gold into soft rock and it looks for all the world like the real thing.

[Wichita]

You as Apache for one of the scummiest tricks a Westerner can play on an Easterner.

[Ed Craig]

Mr. Craig, I I. When this gets out, I'm going to shape up as a fine candidate to represent the people of the West.

[Luke Slaughter]

That may have been what someone was thinking when you fell for the trick, and I doubt if old Van Ling is much interested in politics.

[Narrator]

In a moment, Luke Slaughter of Tombstone returns. With the warm weather here, young folks are champing at the bit to get outdoors and enjoy themselves. Many of them, far too many, in fact, may be thinking of quitting school after this semester and going to work. If they're not graduating this June, ask them to give the matter a second thought. The grass may look very green and inviting from the classroom window, but if they don't complete high school or college, they may be looking just as longingly out the window 20 years from now, bored and disgusted with a dull or menial poor paying job. The good jobs, the interesting jobs, the secure jobs and the high salary jobs are reserved for those with college degrees. There are some pretty good jobs for high school graduates too. But remember this the less education you have, the less money you're likely to earn during your lifetime. You may hear of a lot of people being out of work today, but there's still a crying need for engineers, scientists, doctors, nurses and teachers. And jobs like that require a sound, complete education. Urge the young people you know to qualify for them. They can if they stay in school and graduate.

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[Narrator]

And now, Act 2 of William N. Robeson's production of Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

[Luke Slaughter]

Ed Craig had bought a salted gold mine. There wasn't any doubt about it. And if word got out, ridicule was gonna ruin his chance of beating Paul Gallagher in the election for territorial delegate to the the United States Congress.

[Ed Craig]

As I see it, gentlemen, there's only one thing I can do.

[Wichita]

Close up the mine, huh?

[Ed Craig]

No, Wichita. Keep digging. My men have their families in Tombstone. Some of them have brought them a long way to settle here. If people think I'm a fool, they'll just have to think it. But I'm not going to shut down until I find something else for the men to do.

[Luke Slaughter]

Can you afford it, Ed?

[Ed Craig]

I can. For a while anyway. And just because the top stratum was salted is no proof there isn't pay dirt further in.

[Wichita]

Mr. Craig, I wouldn't trade a spavin broom tail range mustang for this whole dang rock pile. And neither would anybody else in their right senses.

[Luke Slaughter]

What's your time, Ed? We both admire you. And we both wish you all the luck in the world.

[Wichita]

Oh, of course we do. I never said I didn't wish you luck. But you're sure gonna need it.

[Luke Slaughter]

Election day was getting close and Ed Craig's chances looked worse and worse. Out here, the weak and the foolish don't survive long. And in the eyes of the hard working settlers, Ed looked more than a little foolish. Money doesn't come easy to our people. They don't like to see a man throw it away. Especially when they don't understand his motives. And Paul Gallagher slandered those motives even to the men who were benefiting from them.

[Paul Gallagher]

Howdy there, Mr. Rollinson.

[Rollinson]

Howdy.

[Paul Gallagher]

How'll it be?

[Van Ling]

Whiskey, I guess.

[Paul Gallagher]

Oh, put your money away, my friend, huh? This is on the house.

[Van Ling]

Why, it's very nice of you.

[Luke Slaughter]

Mr. Gallagher.

[Paul Gallagher]

Still working for Craig at the Mary's Pride?

[Van Ling]

That's right.

[Paul Gallagher]

But maybe not for long, eh?

[Van Ling]

I don't know. We sure ain't finding pay dirt. But Craig keeps handing over our wages.

[Paul Gallagher]

Yes, those wages aren't quite as much as you hope to make on the deal.

[Van Ling]

Well, no, but if we make a strike, we're all gonna share in the profits.

[Paul Gallagher]

That Craig is a fast talker. But I'll bet you wouldn't have moved your family down from Globe if you'd known it was for just a few weeks. Poor pay.

[Luke Slaughter]

Pardon me for interrupting. It's been a few months, and it's mighty good pay.

[Van Ling]

Oil.

[Paul Gallagher]

Slaughter. Our private conversations between my customers and me. Any concern of yours?

[Luke Slaughter]

When they're derogatory to one of the finest men in the territory.

[Van Ling]

Yes, Mr. Slaughter. Mr. Craig's nice enough, but we were led to believe we were going to make a lot of money.

[Luke Slaughter]

I bet you're making more now than you've ever made in your life.

[Paul Gallagher]

How long's it gonna last, Slaughter? When the election's over, Craig will shut up that mine like it was a pest house.

[Luke Slaughter]

What makes you think so?

[Paul Gallagher]

Because Craig's not a complete fool. He got stuck with a solid mine. He figured he'd hide it under a big gesture. A gesture that might even get him elected. Then when he got to Washington, he'd make it up and graft.

[Luke Slaughter]

Got any more to say, Gallagher?

[Paul Gallagher]

Only that Arizona folks aren't stupid enough to be taken in by an Eastern swindler.

[Luke Slaughter]

I dare you to say that again any place except in your own miserable gambling house.

[Paul Gallagher]

You heard me this time. No need to chew my cabbage twice.

[Luke Slaughter]

You better come with me, Rollinson.

[Van Ling]

Well, as long as Mr. Gallagher's setting up drinks.

[Luke Slaughter]

Have it your own way. But remember who's setting up the food for your kids.

[Lowe's Announcer]

Duke.

[Wichita]

I don't see what good we're doing Mr. Craig by coming out to the mine when he ain't even here.

[Luke Slaughter]

We may be doing a lot of good.

[Wichita]

Yeah, but the election's day after tomorrow. And the way people are talking, he ain't got a Chinaman's chance to win.

[Luke Slaughter]

Craig knows that too, Wichita. But he wouldn't be nearly as disappointed over losing as he would be to find his miners have let him down.

[Wichita]

Yeah, Pears. They ain't doing much mining today. Looks more like they're having theirselves associable.

[Narrator]

Well, I've been.

[Luke Slaughter]

Gallagher's talking to him.

[Van Ling]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, Gal Collins.

[Paul Gallagher]

And thought I'd be doing you men a favor if I came out and told you what Craig is trying to pull. As for myself, I don't believe he got the assayed samples from this claim at all. I don't believe he paid old van ling any $5,000. I think the whole thing was a planned swindle to get him To Washington. And to make you pay taxes to a state and a federal government.

[Rollinson]

I told you not to call Craig a swindler again, Gallagher.

[Van Ling]

Wait.

[Paul Gallagher]

Wait?

[Rollinson]

Wait for what? I'll take that gun, Gallagher.

[Luke Slaughter]

And now I'll take you.

[Rollinson]

Now, boys, as you know, Mr. Craig is campaigning in Prescott. He'll be back for the election. And it doesn't look like he can win.

[Luke Slaughter]

Craig isn't a mining expert.

[Rollinson]

He fell for assaulted claim. I told him so weeks ago.

[Luke Slaughter]

And I guess all Arizona knows it now. But he kept all of you working

[Rollinson]

because he felt a responsibility to you and your families. And for some strange reason, because he still has faith in this mine. Maybe that faith boils down to faith in the west and the men who want to live here. Now, what do you say we forget about the election? And when Ed Craig comes home, we'll show him the longest mine tunnel he ever saw. Whether there's gold in it or not. I'm gonna dig. Wichita's gonna dig. How about the rest? Keep those oracles coming back, men. We'll keep them filled up.

[Wichita]

That was a pretty enticing speech you made, Luke. When I started swinging this pick, I almost enjoyed it. But now the rock's getting awful hard.

[Rollinson]

Keep swinging anyway.

[Wichita]

Yeah, but it shows, Doc. Gone. Now. Now it's soft.

[Van Ling]

Where?

[Wichita]

Right here. Look. You see? Soft and kind of lightish colored.

[Ed Craig]

Widget.

[Luke Slaughter]

Get that light in closer.

[Wichita]

There.

[Van Ling]

There.

[Luke Slaughter]

This is silver.

[Wichita]

Silver.

[Rollinson]

Silver.

[Luke Slaughter]

And it looks like as clean a vein as was ever found in.

[Rollinson]

Let's stop in at Gallagher's.

[Wichita]

Man,

[Rollinson]

Gallagher. We're having a little celebration. Thought you might want to set up a few rounds.

[Paul Gallagher]

You keep out of here, Slaughter. Unless you want a warrant for battery slapped on you.

[Wichita]

Yeah, battery is right. You look like you was run over by a stage coach.

[Paul Gallagher]

You get out, too.

[Rollinson]

All of you, get out.

[Paul Gallagher]

I don't need your votes.

[Rollinson]

Every vote counts, Gallagher. Sure you don't want to set the boys up?

[Paul Gallagher]

I told you to get out.

[Rollinson]

There's one thing I'd like to settle first. You've been telling these men that Van

[Luke Slaughter]

ling didn't get $5,000 from Craig for his mine claim. What makes you think that?

[Paul Gallagher]

Well, how should I know what Craig paid him?

[Luke Slaughter]

The transaction took place in your establishment.

[Paul Gallagher]

I don't remember everything that goes on here.

[Rollinson]

A short memory is a pretty handy thing.

[Luke Slaughter]

I guess you wouldn't remember transferring the claim to Van Ling a month before he sold it to Craig.

[Paul Gallagher]

No, I don't.

[Luke Slaughter]

Do you know enough about territorial government to realize that all mining claim Records are filed at Prescott. And are you keeping close enough track of the election to realize that Ed Craig has been campaigning up there?

[Paul Gallagher]

Look, Slaughter, if I gave away a worthless claim and Craig was foolish enough to buy it. It still doesn't involve me.

[Wichita]

Of course it don't. Van Ling's the one who gets a hunk of the prophet.

[Paul Gallagher]

Did Craig give that poor old coot the same story he gave these men?

[Luke Slaughter]

You ought to know. The only thing you don't know is that we struck silver at the Mary's Pride today.

[Van Ling]

That's right. Gallagher as rich a load as Ed Chaffeland's tombstone strike.

[Rollinson]

Maybe richer. Now wait a minute.

[Paul Gallagher]

That was my claim. I only transferred it to Van Lin

[Rollinson]

so he could salt it and sell it. Well, boys, we better get to the telegraph office. There's plenty of time before election to let the whole territory know that Ed Craig has made a million dollar strike.

[Luke Slaughter]

And I'll telegraph Craig not to bother looking up any claim records. Gallagher's told us everything we need to know.

[Ed Craig]

Fellow citizens of Arizona,

[Rollinson]

there are times

[Ed Craig]

when words just can't seem to please. Try to tell them for me, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

I think they'd rather tell you, Ed.

[Rollinson]

Boys, how do we feel about our new delegate to the Congress of the United States?

[Narrator]

Luke slaughter of tombstone, starring sam buffington. Was written by fran van hardesveldt and directed by william n. Robeson. Editorial supervision by tom hanley. Supporting Mr. Buffington were joe desantis, jack moyles, barney phillips and junius matthews. 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]

Talk about painting the clouds with sunshine today on CBS Radio. Ralph Bellamy, Robert Preston, Judy Holiday, Andy Griffith, Edgar Bergen, Herb Shriner, Edie Gourmet, Andy Williams, the Ames Brothers, the Ray Charles Singers and David Rose will all participate in radio's first color extravaganza. Never mind the canvas. Forget the brushes. Join these exciting stars and enjoy a new listening experience as they translate music and comedy into color on our two hour Masland Radio color roundup. Later today on most of these same CBS radio stations,

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