Police Reporter 3x-xx-xx ep06 The Case Of The Mounties

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Police Reporter 3x-xx-xx ep06 – "The Case Of The Mounties"

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio revisits a classic "Police Reporter" drama, presenting a true murder mystery involving the Royal Northwest Mounted Police (the Mounties). The story follows Trooper Nicholson as he unravels a two-year-old case that begins with the discovery of a bloodstained fur cap and ends in a hunt for a cunning murderer. The episode highlights the dogged persistence and investigative skills characteristic of the Mounties in the golden age of law enforcement.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Mysterious Fur Cap (01:43–02:02)

• Trooper Nicholson finds a fur cap with a bloody bullet hole on the trail, but with no missing person reported, it is stored and largely forgotten.
• Quote: "This hat was different from others of its kind because it had a hole in the side, a neat, round hole with blood smeared over parts of it." (02:02, Narrator)

2. The Arrest Attempt and Gruesome Discovery (02:36–05:20)

• Nicholson attempts to arrest Moscher Koenig for horse stealing at a remote cabin.
  • Koenig claims innocence but reveals he has something important to show Nicholson.
  • They find human remains (a skull with a bullet hole and hand bones) in the cabin stove's ash box.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • Koenig: "That's what you think. Dig around in the bottom and you'll get an eyeful." (03:43)
  • Nicholson: "Why, they're bones. The bones of a man's hand." (03:56)
• As Nicholson investigates, Koenig locks him in a storeroom and escapes.

3. Connecting the Evidence (05:54–07:46)

• Nicholson returns to headquarters with the remains but loses Koenig and his horse, earning a reprimand from his superior.
• While clearing evidence from old cases, Nicholson and a fellow trooper discover the fur cap fits the skull, and the bullet holes align:
  • Quote: "The hole in the hat matches the hole in the skull." (07:05, Nicholson)
• They realize the victim was wearing the cap when he was killed.

4. Linking the Victim's Identity (08:00–09:58)

• Local tax collector Higby mentions a missing neighbor, Joe Hindle, who supposedly moved to Minnesota but hasn't been heard from in two years.
• Higby recognizes the cap as belonging to Joe Hindle.
  • Quote: "That's Joe Hindle's hat.... Positive. I was with him when he killed the critter that fur was taken from." (09:45, Higby)
• Trooper Nicholson decides to investigate in Bemidji, Minnesota.

5. The Break in the Case – Koenig Unmasked (10:26–12:15)

• In Minnesota, Nicholson meets a man claiming to be Joe Hindle, but recognizes him as Koenig.
• Confrontation:
  • Nicholson: "Not when I knew you, it wasn't. Not when you locked me in your storeroom four months ago, it wasn't." (11:29)
  • Koenig admits his identity, but initially denies the murder.
  • Nicholson presents the incriminating evidence: "All that's left of him is in the ash box of your stove at Ponoka." (11:55)
• Koenig is arrested.

6. Justice Served (12:15)

• The episode concludes by noting that William Koenig was executed for the murder.
  • Quote: "Early in 1910, William Koenig was hanged by the neck until dead. And once more, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police had gotten their man." (12:15, Narrator)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the discovery of evidence:
  • "Well, here's a skull." (04:03, Trooper Nicholson)
  • "The hole in the hat matches the hole in the skull." (07:05, Trooper Nicholson)
• On Koenig’s arrest:
  • "We're taking you back for murdering Joseph Hindahl two years ago."
  • "All that's left of him is in the ash box of your stove at Ponoka." (11:55, Trooper Nicholson)
• Dramatic closure:
  • "Early in 1910, William Koenig was hanged by the neck until dead. And once more, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police had gotten their man." (12:15, Narrator)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 01:43 | Introduction to the case and the Mounties | | 02:36 | Nicholson confronts Koenig at the cabin | | 03:42 | Discovery of human remains in the stove | | 05:54 | Nicholson escapes and returns to headquarters | | 06:47 | Revealing the cap and skull connection | | 08:00 | Introduction of Higby and the missing Joe Hindle | | 09:45 | Identification of the hat as Joe Hindle's | | 10:26 | Nicholson travels to Minnesota | | 11:24 | Arrest of Koenig posing as Hindle | | 12:15 | Resolution: Koenig executed, case closed |

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Tone & Style

The episode employs a classic radio drama style: suspenseful, methodical, and tinged with gallows humor (as in the conversations about the skull and the cap). The language is straightforward, with an undercurrent of frontier grit and the stoic professionalism associated with the Mounties.

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Summary

This episode delivers a tight, suspenseful narrative built on a murder mystery from the Canadian frontier, showcasing old-fashioned detective work, the persistence of the Mounties, and the dark turns of justice in the wilderness. The interplay between evidence, deduction, and character testimony propels the story to a dramatic finish, adhering to the style and spirit of Golden Age radio storytelling.

Transcript

[Trooper Nicholson]

The police reporter.

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

It's it.

[Trooper Nicholson]

The police reporter brings you another true murder mystery, this time a story of the redcoats. The royal Northwest mounted Police. It's really necessary to go back two years before the story proper and tell you something that occurred at that time.

[Narrator]

A Canadian mounted policeman named Nicholson came into his headquarters at Ponoka, northwest territory, with a fur hat he'd picked up on the trail. This hat was different from others of its kind because it had a hole in the side, a neat, round hole with blood smeared over parts of it. As the owner couldn't be located and no one was reported missing, it was carefully packed away in the basement at headquarters. Now, two years later, Nicholson rides up to a lonely cabin to place its owner under arrest.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Anyone at home? Hello, Katie.

[Moscher Koenig]

Hello, mountie.

[Trooper Nicholson]

I'm glad you're home. Why? I'm here to put you and your two friends under arrest for horse stealing. Where are they? They beat it. What do you mean, beat it? They live here, don't they? Well, they've been staying with me, if.

[Moscher Koenig]

You call that living here.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Where'd they go?

[Narrator]

How should I know?

[Moscher Koenig]

Made a break for the states, I guess. Took my gear with him and left me flat.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, get your things on. You're going back to the post with me.

[Moscher Koenig]

I ain't got nothing to be afraid of if I stole that horse.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Where is he?

[Moscher Koenig]

You don't see him around, do you?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, the prosecution claims that you sold him.

[Moscher Koenig]

Ah, it's just spite work, and I'll prove it when we get to town.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, that's up to you, Kenny. I'm just sent out here to serve this warrant.

[Moscher Koenig]

Come on in the house. I got something you ought to see. Now.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Wait till I tie up my horse. Come on, lady.

[Moscher Koenig]

I'd have come in to the post and told you about it, but I ain't got no transportation.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, what is it that's so important?

[Moscher Koenig]

Something right in your line. Come on in.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, what is it you want me to see?

[Moscher Koenig]

Take a look in the ash box of that stove over there.

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Hmm.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Just full of ashes.

[Moscher Koenig]

That's what you think. Dig around in the bottom and you'll get an eyeful.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Hey, you mind if I dump them on the floor?

[Moscher Koenig]

No, go ahead.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Hey, what's this?

[Moscher Koenig]

What's it look like?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Why, they're bones. The bones of a man's hand.

[Moscher Koenig]

That's it. Now, hunt a little more careful, mountie.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, here's a skull.

[Moscher Koenig]

Don't expect to find anything like that, did you?

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

No.

[Trooper Nicholson]

There's a hole in it. A bullet hole.

[Moscher Koenig]

Interesting, ain't it?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Hey, what do you know about this canyon?

[Moscher Koenig]

Not much. But I'll tell you what I do know. A couple of days before the two guys left, they said they was going hunting. That afternoon I heard a lot of shooting. After dinner, they went out again. They come in late at night with a lot of big bundles and had them in the storeroom all night. They kept the fire going, and the next day they was gone.

[Trooper Nicholson]

When did you first find these things?

[Moscher Koenig]

The morning after the two guys left.

[Trooper Nicholson]

What do you think happened?

[Moscher Koenig]

I think they met somebody on the trail and killed them and robbed them.

[Trooper Nicholson]

You got any idea who it was?

[Moscher Koenig]

Nope. But maybe you can find out. They left a lot of junk in the storeroom.

[Trooper Nicholson]

If I only knew who this guy was.

[Moscher Koenig]

Well, why don't you look in there? Maybe you'll find some of his things.

[Trooper Nicholson]

That's not a bad idea. I'll mosey around while you're getting dressed.

[Moscher Koenig]

Say, listen, Mountie, I didn't steal that horse.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, that's up to you to prove, Koenigse. Say, it's dark in that storeroom. You got a lantern?

[Moscher Koenig]

Here, take my flashlight.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Thanks. Hey, where is this stuff?

[Moscher Koenig]

Over in the far corner.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Oh, there's just a bundle of clothes in here.

[Moscher Koenig]

Well, maybe you can find some kind of identification in them.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Hey, there's something in the pocket of this coat.

[Moscher Koenig]

Well, stay in there and examine it for a while.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Hey, what are you doing?

[Koenig (during escape)]

Open up that door.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Cranny, you open it.

[Moscher Koenig]

I ain't got time. Shalong. Mountie. I hope you freeze to death painting.

[Koenig (during escape)]

Get me out of here. I'll be back in a week.

[Moscher Koenig]

Mountie.

[Koenig (during escape)]

I'll get you for this. You can't get away with this, Koenig. So long, Mountie. Open this door.

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Koenig.

[Koenig (during escape)]

Open this door. I'll be seeing you.

[Narrator]

After much pushing and straining, Trooper Nicholson managed to open the door and get back to headquarters. He arrived there with the bones and skull, but without his man or his horse. Koenig had disappeared. And Trooper Nicholson was sharply reprimanded by his superior. A few days later, he and a fellow trooper were in the cellar of the post cleaning up. They were sorting mementos of unsolved cases.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Hey, Nicholson, you found this fur cap, didn't you?

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Yeah.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Never did find out who it belonged to, though. It's a funny thing, wasn't it?

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

What's funny about it?

[Trooper Nicholson]

That hole.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

A hole's a hole where I come from.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Yes, but that hole's a bullet hole. And those stains are some man's blood.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Oh, forget about it. Let's put all your relics together. The fur cap, the skull and the.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Yeah, put the fur cap on the skull.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Not a bad idea. It'll keep the poor devil's bald head warm. Say, it fits.

[Moscher Koenig]

What?

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

The hat fits the skull.

[Trooper Nicholson]

It does. Let me take a look at it. There's something funny about this. Take a look at that.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

What?

[Trooper Nicholson]

The hole.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Well, what about it?

[Trooper Nicholson]

The hole in the hat matches the hole in the skull.

[Narrator]

What does that prove?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Plenty. Pretty nearly proves that this was a man who was wearing the hat.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

I'm beginning to see the significance of those holes in the hat and the skull. They were both caused by the same bullet.

[Trooper Nicholson]

I found the hat two years ago in the skull last month. This skull must have been in that stove for almost two years. Well, what I have to find out now is who's been living in that shack for the last two years. Who could have tried burning this skull.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

When you find that out, you'll have a good idea who the murderer is. But you still won't know who the dead man is.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, he's somebody. Somebody's going to miss him. And when they do, the case is in the bag.

[Narrator]

Three weeks later at the post and the troopers are struck.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Well, how are you doing, Nicholson?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Not so good. There's only one fact I've dug up in the last three weeks. That check has never been lived in by anyone except Koenig for the past three years. And he hasn't lived in it more than two months. In all that time.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Doesn't look so good for him, does it?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Oh, he knew more than he was telling, I guess.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Well, where is he? We haven't seen hide nor hair of him since he locked you in his shack and made his getaway.

[Trooper Nicholson]

I'd like to talk to him right now for about a half an hour.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

All you have to do is to find him.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Ah, he'll turn up. They always do. Come in. Oh, hello, Higby. What's on your mind?

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

There's something kind of puzzle in me.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Is there any way that I can help you? Maybe.

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

I don't know. I've been tax collector for this district for over 15 year, and I ain't had nothing happen like this afore.

[Trooper Nicholson]

What is it?

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Oh, one of my neighbors named Joe Hindle left about two years ago to take possession of a farm he'd inherited in Bemiji, Minnesota. I ain't heard from him since.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Maybe he can't write. Higby.

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Don't be funny. Joe. Ain't paid any of his taxes since he left, and he don't answer any of my letters. Now, that ain't like Joe. And I wish you'd find out through the chief of police at Bemidji.

[Trooper Nicholson]

If he's all right, I'll be glad to do it for you, Higby.

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Thanks, Nicholson. How soon do you think you'll know?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Oh, drop around about 10 days and I'll have the information for you. Yeah.

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Say, what's the idea having this skull on your desk? Trying to scare people? Sure.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

What do you mean by letting him sit around without his hat on? Show the gentleman how you look in your hat, Scully. There you are. How does he look, eh?

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Well, I'll be houndswaddled. Speak of the devil.

[Trooper Nicholson]

What is it, Higby?

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

That's Joe Hindle's hat.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Are you sure?

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Positive. I was with him when he killed the critter that fur was taken from. He was a wearing that there hat in the morning. He come to say goodbye two years ago.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Are you sure of that, Higby?

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

Oh, sure and sure.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Say, Nicholson, how would you like to go to Bemiji?

[Trooper Nicholson]

I think that would be a very interesting trip.

[Narrator]

After much arguing, the sergeant in charge of the post gave Nicholson the authority and money to make the trip. After a long talk with the chief of police at Bemiji, they started out into the country to find Hindo at his farm.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, start up the motor and let's get it going out.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Find out anything from the chief?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Yeah, he says that Hindell came to take possession of the farm he'd inherited about two years ago. Been around here ever since, except two or three times when he's away on trips.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Well, how do we get to this place?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Oh, we'll go about two miles out this way, and then we take a right turn at the schoolhouse corner. Second farmhouse on the left. I guess that must be the house up there.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Say, we're in luck. He's at home. I see smoke coming from his chimney.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Right on up the driveway.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Hang on. It's pretty drop.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, come on, let's go. Well, here we are.

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

Say, there's someone inside. I hear them coming to the door.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Hey, let's stand aside so he can't see us till he opens it.

[Moscher Koenig]

Well, what is it?

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

They told us we'd find a man named Hindle living here.

[Moscher Koenig]

My name's Hindle.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Not when I knew you, it wasn't. Not when you locked me in your storeroom four months ago, it wasn't.

[Moscher Koenig]

What are you talking about?

[Trooper Nicholson]

You know what I'm talking about, will you, Moscher Koenig.

[Moscher Koenig]

Well, supposing I admit I'm Koenig?

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

What of it?

[Trooper Nicholson]

We've come to put you under arrest.

[Moscher Koenig]

And you're going to take me back to Petnoka for stealing your whore?

[Trooper Nicholson]

No, we're taking you back for murdering Joseph Hindahl two years ago.

[Moscher Koenig]

You're crazy.

[Trooper Nicholson]

I don't think so. I got a watertight case, Koenig.

[Moscher Koenig]

How can you try me for killing a man you don't even know is dead?

[Trooper Nicholson]

Well, if he isn't dead, where is he?

[Fellow Trooper / Sergeant]

I don't know.

[Trooper Nicholson]

Then I'll tell you. All that's left of him is in the ash box of your stove at Ponoka.

[Moscher Koenig]

You'll have to prove that.

[Trooper Nicholson]

I can prove it. And without much trouble. Finding you Here is the only bit of evidence I still needed to send you to the gallows.

[Narrator]

Early in 1910, William Koenig was hanged by the neck until dead. And once more, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police had gotten their man.

[Trooper Nicholson]

You have just heard the sixth story taken from police records and brought to you by the police reporter. Listen for the next. This is a radio release production.

[Narrator/Police Reporter]

It. It.