
True Detective Mysteries 37-05-06 Death in Step-ins
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And now, the true inside story. Death in step ins who killed the girl on the rocks? From the pages of True Detective Mysteries magazine as told personally by prosecuting attorney Fines F. Bachelor of Crawford County, Arkansas. Our story begins on a perfect fourth of July morning in Fort Smith, Arkansas, as a happy family prepares for a picnic to the accompaniment of buttering firecracker.
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Joe. Joe, stop shooting off those firecrackers and come and help me.
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Now what do you want?
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Julia, bring those chicken that ham out here on the porch so I can pack them in the basket.
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All right, Julia, I'm a bringing them. Oh, gosh, I hate these 4th of.
A
July picnic like a bear hates honey. You hate them. Now put those fried chickens here on the bench.
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Those chickens look good enough to eat land shakes.
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What do you think I fried them for? Now, Mary and the others will be here any minute. We've got to hurry if we want to get to Big Clear Crisp in time for dinner. But with the crowds on the road and all.
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Oh, gosh, Julia, I'd rather eat my victuals here at home on the porch instead of out where the ants begin.
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That's what you always say, Joe Barrett. But we couldn't keep you away from a picnic, lest we put you in a straight jacket.
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Just a fugitive from a picnic. That's me. Here you are. Here's the ham and the cheese and the jelly and the coffee and the. Hey, where's the tomatoes?
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In the hand, Joe, as usual. Rack them up. Wax paper. Mary just loves nice ripe tomatoes.
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Oh, say, how about me? Mary won't even think about food today. The gals in love.
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Isn't it grand? Just think, Mary and Harry.
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Indeed.
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I've known them ever since they were babies. Mary's a mighty fine girl, sure, and.
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Harry's a fine young man. But oh, Julia, Mary's too young. She's only 15 and seemed to think to marry anyway.
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Well, Mary's older in her ways than most girls are. 15. I'm glad she's marrying a Good boy like Harry.
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Where are my hard boiled eggs?
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Now, you know you shouldn't eat them. You can make out with chicken and ham and chocolate cake.
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Oh, shucks. You can't have a picnic without hard boiled eggs. You know how I like em. I know I'll. Julia, you know I like em.
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Look how Marion. Marion.
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Well, there they be and they got Alice and Roy with them. Why, do you know? Hi.
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Well, well, well. So glad to see y'. All. Well, Mary, you look pretty darling as usual. Can I help you, junior? No, thanks, Mary. Leaving your plan at the. All right, sit down a minute, won't y'?
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All? Yeah, yeah. Sit down and rest your wraps a minute. I shake you up a cocktail. How about it, Harry? Well, whatever the others say goes to me. Mix us up 1 by the 4th of July only comes once a year. What do you say, Alice?
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In a row we ought to live one. Shake it up, Jo. Mary, the bride to be. And to Harry.
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Yeah, yeah. Put. Put one thing in the ceremony, Harry. Hard boiled eggs on picnics or no wedding. Thank you, Joe. I'll sure see the bath. Well, here we are, boys. Drink up. Here's to a pretty pride motorcycle riding school brother of yours, Harry Best. Welcome to the state of Arkansas. I got the drinks ready. Come on, Dusty. Just in time.
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Hello everybody.
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Thanks, Joe. You bet. Here's to my brother's girl. The sweetest girl in the state of Arkansas.
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Ay, Dusty, I'm happy today.
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All right, come on folks, let's zing up quick and get on the road.
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All right folks, we all ready? Let's get in the car. Joe, you take the basket. Mary, no, you bring the glasses. And Alex, you look after the basket.
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Hey, wait a minute. Anybody want to ride in the back of my motorcycle?
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Not the same, Dustin. You got the wrong girl.
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All right. Well, just for that, you'll have to eat my dust right up the big clear creek. Oh, hey, Julia, what about my hard boiled leg? Julia, them hard for. Oh, Mary, it's wonderful to have you out here in the country all alone.
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Well, the world thinks you'll stop today. Hence, no time, no anything.
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Just you and me and the flowers looking their prettiest. And all for you, Mary. Oh, you're lovely.
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Oh, Haley, look at the water. Doesn't it look cool?
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Uh huh.
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Oh, gee, it's so warm now. I wish I were in it. What's the 4th of July without a swim?
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You're such a kid, Mary.
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I wish I had my bathing suit. I'd duck right in that water.
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Mary. Mary, you're so impulsive. Sometimes I get scared.
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Oh, scared of what?
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Scared something will happen before. Before we get married. I'll marry. Kiss me. Hold me. Then I'll be sure you're really here.
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Where does that convincing?
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Oh, it sure does, honey. Howdy. Well, that means yes.
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Mrs. Barrett, will you and Mary take this bucket and get some water?
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Sure will.
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We're glad to. My, haven't it turned hot?
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Yes. Mary was talking about a swig.
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Don't be too long. Joe's yelling for his victuals already. I brought him some eggs and I'll be boiling them as soon as I get that water. Else he'll never stop talking.
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Wait, Harry.
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Wait, Mary. Wait for me. I'll wait, Alice. I'll wait here for Alice. Harry, you get the water for Julie yourself.
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All right. See you later, honey.
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All right. Well, thanks for waiting. There. Oh, isn't there? Huh? Why, we should go in bathing. Why can't we? Well, we didn't bring any shoes. What does that matter? We go in, you know, step in. Oh, I don't know. Somebody might see. Oh, there's nobody around here. And really lots of bacon feature just like step in. Come on, Alice, let's go. Well, there goes my dress. Well, and here goes my rat. Papa. Mary, if I had a figure like yours, I'd be in Hollywood right now. Big clear creek in Crawford County, Arkansas. Good enough for me. Well, here I go into Wallet. Come on. Come around. Oh, marvelous. Well, is it very deep? Oh, no, he's not to do that. It's cool. Or it's awful cold. Come on in, Alice. Oh, I am. All right. Come on. Soon as I get this set up, I know I come. I'm going to swim up the creek. Come, Lawrence. Not me. I'm not that good a slipper. You mind if I swim up around the bend? No, I'll thank you. All right, Alice, see you later. Why, hey, I'm eating the thing and the fries. Just chicken. Especially for you, Julia.
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I'm just waiting till Mary gets back. I wonder why she and Alice are so long. Just imagine a man not able to eat causes G, ain't he? Pass a ham, please. Believe you've been married long as you hear me, Harry. You lose your appetite easy. Here's the thanks, Dusty. I suppose I am foolish. This chicken is good, Julian. Boy, is it saying. You'd better hurry up on your share, Harry. Dusty won't leave anything. He's pitching it in just like it was hay. You're right. My brother's lost his Appetite. But nothing's the matter with mine.
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Oh, my. We waited for Mary and Alice. Seems kind of unsociable. Like to start dinner without them.
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Unsociable, my eyes. We waited half hour. That's one thing I like about a picnic. All the house rules don't hold. I wonder where Mary and Alice are. I think I better go hunting. Oh, they're all right, Harry. There's a dozen paths from the creek down here. You might miss them. Don't be so nervous. All right, all right, Dusty.
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But why, there's Alice now. Alice. Alice, call Mary to Harry. Mary. Why. Why isn't Mary here?
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No, honey. Where'd you leave Mary?
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Why, she must be here. She left me long ago. Said she was coming right back.
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Oh, where'd you leave her?
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She. I didn't leave her. She left me. We were swimming. What?
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Swimming?
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Yes, it was so hot. We went in in our fifth landscape. While we were in, Mary started swimming up the creek. I waited a while, got dressed and walked through the woods. I thought of.
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Where you going, Harry? I'm going to hunt Mary. Something may have happened to her.
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Harry. Wait a minute.
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I'll go with you.
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We'll find her.
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Oh, we'll find her, Harry. Now, don't worry about her. I'm going with you too, Harry. Yeah, me too.
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I'm coming along, Joe. Oh, no, no. I know something happened to Barry.
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Dusty, I'm sure Mary's drowned. I'm sure of it. No, no, Harry. Now don't take on to her. We'll find her. She's all right. Oh, no, I'm sure she's done. You and I have searched both sides of the creek. Joe and Roy are beating the woods. Now, look, suppose she fell asleep or she's playing a joke on it while Mary is full of jokes. Yes, Roy, what is it? I'm coming. What is it, Roy? Look by that rock. Mary's clothes. It's a dress. Poor kids. He's drowned. And here's her slippers and a. Oh, she's been drowned. I know she has. Call the police. Call the police. Oh, Mary. Mary. I'll go call the sheriff's office. Dusty, you stay here and do what you can. Sure, sure will, Roy. No, no, Hare. We'll find her. She'll be all right. Oh, I knew it. Something told me. Ah, you know Mary. Always up to something. We'll find her. We'll find a. Sure. Let's look along the creek here. Oh, Mary. Mary.
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Mom, it's pretty here. Look at that creek and the big Rocks in it, Mom? Yes, Otto, the water is lovely. This is called Big Clear Creek. The water comes way down from the Ozarks. The Ozarks? Gee, I thought I would only read about them in books. Mom, I'm sure glad we could leave New York and have our cation here vacation. Athos. It was good of your father to send us here. All this distance to Arkansas for a visit. Look, mom. Look at that. Walk around the bend. Which route? Oh, I see now. The one where the girl is taking a sun bath. She can't be taking a sun bath, Mom. Her head's in the water, my son. So it is. That is strange. Her. Her feet are in the water on the other side, too. Yes, and her arm flung up that way. Oh, mom, she. She needs to. Hardly any clothes on, but she has on her underwear. Let's walk out in the creek on these rocks. Hey, mom, what's the matter? You look pale. Oh. Oh, Otto. She's dead, Mom. She's dead, Mom. I don't want to see her anymore. Adam, don't look. Don't look, son. Oh, the poor, poor girl. Help.
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Help. Help.
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Help.
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What is it? What's the matter there?
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Come. Come quick. The girl's dead.
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See?
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What have they done to you?
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Oh, mirror. Her head. Her head. Oh, someone has beaten her.
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After two days, we find this. I'm sorry, Harry. Okay. Here, wrap this raincoat around her. I'll help you carry her ashore. No, I'll carry her alone. Give me the raincoat. I'll take in my arms. I'll carry her. Oh, Mary. Oh, Mother.
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Mary.
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Mary, my darling. My poor. What do they do? This? Why, Jeff, the coroner's jury isn't satisfied that Mayor Mehal was drowned. Oh, neither am I, o'. Neill. Accidental death when the girl's body was found on a rock six inches out of water. There isn't enough current in big clear creek at the that f to fling a body up on the rock that hard. That's my idea, o'. Neill. How far down the creek did they find her? 400 yards down the stream from where she was last seen bathing. The current isn't that strong. Oh, you bet it's not. He was carried there. What does the coroner say? Well, he says the poor girl's neck was broken at the third vertebrae. He could have been diving n. It was from a terrific blow with a club or a rock. She crushed her spine. That girl was dead when she was put on the rock. Was there any water in her lungs? None. O', Neill, you're going to earn your money as deputy now. This is murder. Yes, I'm ready. I saw the body. You saw the body? Girl was only 15. Beautiful, happy. A bride to be. I know. That's what makes it more horrible. Just a child and yet a woman. One of you, I want you to get together all the people who are on that picnic. Oh, I care. You don't suspect any one of them, do you? They were all Mary Mayhar's friends. Friend or no friend, one of them could have murdered Mary Mayhar. All right, now, is everybody present? O'. Neill. Yes, Sheriff. Here are your picnickers. All of them. Now, folks, you know what we're here for. I reckon a girl was murdered. One of your party. Now, I'm going to find out how it happened and who did it. I'm sure all anxious to help you, Sheriff, but I think you're barking up the wrong tree. We were all together when this. This thing happened. You all were the last to see Mary Mayhow alive. That's why you're here. Now, have any of you anything to tell me, or must I do the talking? So that's it, eh? All right, then, I'll do some questioning. Which of you saw her alive last?
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I did. I guess I was in swimming with her.
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Tell us the whole story.
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Well, it was so Mary and I went in. Mary swam around the bend, and after a while I dressed and came back. That's all I know.
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I guess the last time you saw Mary then Was when she swam around the bend?
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Yes. That's the last time.
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What did you do then?
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I went back to the crowd.
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They were eating and.
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And then they asked me where Mary was. I told them what I told you.
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Yes. Yes, I know. Ms. Gray. Mr. Gilford here is your. Your friend, isn't he, Roan?
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Sure, he's my friend. I've known him for years.
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Why didn't you go in swimming with him?
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With Rowan? Why? I just never thought of it. That's why I did.
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Oh, that ain't the reason. You had a date with someone, didn't you? You met someone at that creek. Now, didn't you?
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I did not. I almost said.
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Stop lying, Ms. Ray. Who'd you meet when you went in swimming?
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Nobody. I tell you, I was there with Mary. Nobody else.
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And you didn't see anybody else there either?
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No, nobody.
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Where were you, Guilford? Well, what do you mean? You know what I mean. Where were you when the girls were in Fleming? Well, I was with the others. Oh, no, not all the time, you weren't. Where did you go, Gilford? Come on, tell the truth. I didn't go anyplace. Yes, you did. You were away for a half hour before Miss Gray returned. Now, where'd you go? I took. Oh, yes, I remember. I went to some work. That's right. We were going to build a fire and we needed some twigs. And it took you half an hour to find a few twigs. You expect us to believe that? Well, I don't care if you believe it or not. It's the truth. You like Ms. Mahar, didn't you, Guilford? Oh, no more than I did many other girls. Well, you liked her more than you did Miss Gray, didn't you? Well, how did that makes. No, no, I didn't. Mary was Harry's girl. I didn't make any difference to you, now, did it? What do you mean? Ch. Ask your friend here what I mean. He'll tell you. Oh, don't believe him, Harry. He's only trying to make trouble. We're only trying to find out who killed Mary Mayhar. Now, tell us what you know, Gilford, or we'll tell you a few things and you may not write rats from us. All I have to say is that I didn't kill Mary and I don't know who did. About that other thing, I. Well, I did go out with Mary once or twice. I don't see what that has to do with solving this case.
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Case? You went out with Mary? Why didn't you tell me?
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Roy all. It was nothing, Alice. Oh, thank you for that, Roy. You'll be sorry you messed around with my girls. How about you, Mr. Barrett? What were you doing while the girls are in swimming?
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I can answer that cur. My husband here was interfering with everyone on account of those hard boiled eggs.
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Hard bo. Who are they?
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Oh, you don't understand green eggs to mean go crazy about them. And he wants us to make some for him right in the middle of cutting the trip.
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I see, I see. Did you leave the party at All Bar? No, but I should have, though. Girl down. Fourth of July. Didn't it give me a pain? Oh, you gave Mary Mayhow a drink intoxicating liquor before you went on this picnic, didn't you? What in the world are you driving at? You. You don't think I had anything to do with this, do you? It so happens that I'm the sheriff here, Barrett, and I'm asking the questions, not you. All right, Sheriff. Yes. Marry me. I had a drink before she left, but so did we all. What about it? I say we ain't getting anywhere, folks. Come here, Jo. Which one, sir? Me and my brother. You. You're the one who was engaged to Mary, aren't you? Yes. When was the last time you saw her? When she went in. Swim. Did you see her go into the water? No. She said she'd like to go in alone. And Mrs. Baird called me to do something. Later I found out she went in with Alice. You found out? Yes. Mary. She came back. And when we asked where Mary was, she. She said she thought Mary had come back. Then you were the last one to see Mary Mayhar alive, Ms. Gray?
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I guess so. Outside of the one who killed her.
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Mrs. Barrett. Who is missing besides these two girls?
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Well, I. I can't say for sure, but near as I can remember, Harry Jordan Hill was the only other one. He went for some water. I'll send it.
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All the others were there with you?
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I. I think so, but I. I can't be sure. Sheriff Joe here was making such a fuss.
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About what? About Gilson.
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Oh, he was there. Oh, yes, yes. Later he left for a little while to get some twigs, he said.
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Yeah, he said. Oh, Jordan and Nisha. No, no, no, not this time. Your brother. Now, Dusty. Yes, yes, what is it? Were you away from the party at any time while these girls were swimming? Not that I remember. Well, that's. Yes, you were. Well, come to think of it, I. I worked for a little while. I. I went for some water. Oh, so you went for some water, too? Yes. Mr. Baird here wanted some hard boiled eggs, so I figured I'd surprise him and get some water and. But Ms. Baird sent me for the water. Yes, I know. That was after I'd gone. Now, just a minute. You went before your brother did? I don't know. That is, I. I might have. I really don't remember. You went for water? What'd you expect to carry this? I had the only bucket. I, I. But, but you remember, Harry. I had a canvas bucket in my motorcycle kit. I was going to get this.
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I remember now. I remember that.
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Remember what? What's the. The matter, Ms. Gray?
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I just recall something. Something that might be important.
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Well, come on, what is it?
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Well, you remember asking me if I saw anybody when Mary and I went in swimming?
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Yes, I remember now. Did you?
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No, I didn't see anything.
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Well, I'll say. What's the idea? You playing with us or something?
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No, but, But I heard something. Something that I just thought of.
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Oh, he did? Well, come on, tell us. What was it?
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Well, when Mary swam around the bend, I heard a motorcycle coming down the road. It stopped. And then I heard a voice, a man's voice, say, must be funny, Daddy. And then he said something else, but I couldn't understand what it was. Dusty rides a motorcycle. But I don't know where they.
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Oh, just a minute. Come on. Get out of my way. Get out of my way. You're my own brother. You killed my girl. Harry, wait a minute. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to kill her. It was an accident. I was. I didn't mean. Come on, Jordan, talk and talk straight. Well, I knew the girls were. I had them talking about it. And so I took my motorcycle and I rode up to the bend in the creek.
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Oh, now this is fun. You're so cool. Jackie, what are you doing here? Go away. I haven't had a bathing suit on.
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Must be fun in there, Ms. Barry. A lot of cigarettes. Sure.
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The only one.
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All right. Here, Jackson. Okay.
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Okay.
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You got it?
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Yeah. What. What good are cigarettes without a mask?
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Well, come and get one. I dare you.
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I will not. Don't be scared. I'm going to stay right here behind this bush.
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Oh, come on. I dare you. What are you afraid of?
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Well, all right. You don't mind? I don't.
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Well, come on. Here. Here it is, Mary. Give us a little kiss, huh?
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Oh, no, we'll not. No, please don't dust me. Oh, I wish I hadn't come out.
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Oh, come on, give me a little kiss.
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Oh, no.
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Come on, now. Don't be stinky.
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Please don't.
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Come on.
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Give me.
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Clyde Jordan. You have heard the verdict of the jury. Guilty of manslaughter in the first degree. Manslaughter of the girl your own brother intended to marry. I hereby sentence you to seven years in state prison. The story you've just heard is death in step in who Killed the Girl on the Rock. From the pages of True Detective Mysteries magazine. Electrically transcribed by the Trans American Broadcasting System. Sam.
Air Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original Air Date of Show: May 6, 1937
This episode presents a dramatization of a real-life crime story titled "Death in Step-ins: Who Killed the Girl on the Rocks?" Originally from the True Detective Mysteries magazine and conveyed through the voice of Prosecuting Attorney Fines F. Bachelor of Crawford County, Arkansas, the narrative steps back into the 1930s. It reconstructs the events of a Fourth of July picnic that takes a tragic turn when one of the young girls, Mary, goes missing and her body is subsequently found under suspicious circumstances. The story unravels through vivid character interplay, incremental revelations, and a tense police investigation, recreating the feel of the Golden Age of radio drama.
Notable Quote (Joe, on eggs):
"Shucks. You can't have a picnic without hard boiled eggs. You know how I like 'em." ([02:58])
Memorable moment (Discovery):
"Look, mom. Look at that... The one where the girl is taking a sun bath... Oh, Otto, she's dead, Mom. She's dead, Mom. I don't want to see her anymore." ([11:54])
Notable Exchange (Sheriff interrogates Alice and Roy):
Sheriff: "You like Ms. Mahar, didn't you, Guilford?"
Roy: "Oh, no more than I did many other girls..."
Alice: "You went out with Mary? Why didn't you tell me?" ([18:35–19:51])
Pivotal moment:
Harry: "You're my own brother. You killed my girl."
Dusty: "I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to kill her. It was an accident. I was... I didn't mean..." ([23:36])
Dramatic dialogue (Mary resists Dusty):
Dusty: "Come and get one. I dare you."
Mary: "I will not. Don't be scared." ...
Dusty: "Give us a little kiss, huh?"
Mary: "Oh, no, we'll not. No, please don't, Dusty..." ([24:46–25:31])
Notable Quote (Final sentencing):
"Clyde Jordan, you have heard the verdict of the jury. Guilty of manslaughter in the first degree. Manslaughter of the girl your own brother intended to marry. I hereby sentence you to seven years in state prison." ([25:58])
The language and interplay are vivid, colloquial, and era-appropriate, evoking small-town Americana. Light-hearted teasing transitions into urgent, emotionally charged exchanges as the investigation unfolds. The narration is brisk and the dialogue direct, making the story both accessible and compelling.
The episode is a classic crime mystery weaving together suspense, tragedy, and justice, anchored in the rich tradition of Golden Age radio drama. It reminds listeners of a different era—when families listened together and storytelling thrived on voice alone. The broadcast achieves a balance of nostalgia, tension, and emotional resonance, making "Death in Step-ins" a memorable journey into true crime storytelling.