Wild Bill Hickok ep009: "The Road Agents at Red Rock"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Date: August 24, 2025
Cast: Guy Madison (Wild Bill Hickok), Andy Devine (Jingles), plus supporting characters
Setting: Western town of Red Rock, late 19th century

Episode Overview

This episode whisks listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, featuring a classic western caper with Wild Bill Hickok and his trusty sidekick, Jingles. In "The Road Agents at Red Rock," Hickok and Jingles arrive in the small town of Red Rock, only to find it plagued by a string of gold robberies. As they investigate, they discover a tangled web of deceit linking the robberies to a larger land-buying scheme, with betrayal lurking close to home.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Arrival at Red Rock & Setting the Scene

• Warm Welcome and Old Friends (02:34):
  • Bill and Jingles arrive at Belle Brady’s Boarding House. Belle greets them with warmth, food, and a touch of humor, establishing a close, family-like bond.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Oh, I declare, Jingles, you haven’t changed a bit.” — Miss Belle [03:35]
• Trouble in Town (04:17):
  • Belle pleads with Hickok to stay and help, revealing that gold thieves have been targeting the High Pocket Mine for three months.

2. The First Clues & Attempts on Their Lives

• Horse Theft and Escalating Danger (06:41):
  • Just as they resolve to investigate the thefts, their horses are stolen outside the boarding house, quickly entangling them in Red Rock’s troubles.
• Race Taggart Introduced (07:07):
  • Town businessman Race Taggart responds to their plight with apparent generosity, offering help retrieving their horses, but also inviting suspicion.
• Ambush (08:21):
  • Bill and Jingles are shot at in the night—an ominous warning to leave town.

3. Gathering Intelligence in Red Rock

• Meeting Race Taggart (08:47):
  • Taggart reveals he is co-owner of the High Pockets Mine and that the gold robberies have cost him $40,000. Suspicion falls on his partner Al Jackson.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “We've lost over $40,000 in gold.” — Race Taggart [09:12]
• Another Hold-Up (09:55):
  • Mike McGinnis, the wagon driver, bursts in, having just been robbed on the mine road.
  • Tense exchange between McGinnis and Jingles, filled with classic western insults.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Who's your beargrees friend, Hickok?” — Mike McGinnis [10:47]

4. The Night Stakeout and Revelations

• Out to the Scene (14:40):
  • Bill and Jingles head out at night to the “camel humps,” hunting for clues about their stolen horses—and about the heist.
  • Using torchlight, they find their horses’ tracks, confirming the theft was a diversion.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Now we know our horses were stolen to keep us in town while somebody robbed McGinnie.” — Wild Bill [15:21]
• The Land Scheme Connection (15:51):
  • Bill reveals he’s investigating a related scheme involving buying up New Mexico land with gold, tying the Red Rock robberies into a wider plot.

5. Confrontation at the Rocks

• Spy in the Night (16:39):
  • McGinnis reveals grudgingly that he’s been threatened to keep quiet, but still withholds key details.
  • Jingles’ comedic impatience appears as they stake out the area.
• Attackers Arrive (18:01):
  • The gang returns for their stash; Bill, Jingles, and McGinnis observe as they recover the gold and head to the old mill.
  • Two men are found dead—Shad Martin and Al Jackson, Taggart’s partners.

6. Justice at the Old Mill

• Final Showdown and Confession (21:28):
  • At the mill, Bill and Jingles overhear Taggart confess to orchestrating the scheme—covering the robberies, eliminating his partners, and planning to escape to New Mexico.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Why do you think I had you steal his horses just to cover this thing tonight? … Now we’ll have to lay low until he leaves. Then we can all go to New Mexico and live like kings.” — Race Taggart [21:43]
• Capture (22:03):
  • After a brief scuffle, Bill and Jingles round up Taggart and the gang, preparing to return the gold and see justice done.

7. Farewell to Red Rock

• Warm Goodbye (22:26):
  • Belle laments Bill and Jingles’ departure, hinting at her affections for Jingles.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Well, do you have to take Jingles with you? I’d be right proud to look after him.” — Miss Belle [22:33]
  • Jingles demurs, eager to return to the open trail.

Timeline / Timestamps

• 02:34 – Belle welcomes Bill and Jingles at the boarding house.
• 04:17 – Belle asks for help with the gold thieves.
• 06:41 – Horses are stolen; urgency increases.
• 07:07 – Taggart offers help, introduces himself.
• 08:21 – First attempt on Bill and Jingles’ lives.
• 08:47 – Discussion with Taggart; $40k stolen, suspicions raised.
• 09:55 – McGinnis arrives with news of another robbery.
• 14:40 – Night ride to the camel humps; key deduction made.
• 15:51 – Land-buying scam revealed as connected.
• 16:39 – Stakeout; McGinnis joins, tension in the rocks.
• 18:01 – Attackers retrieve gold; Shad Martin and Al Jackson found dead.
• 21:28 – Eavesdropping at the old mill; Taggart’s confession.
• 22:03 – Final roundup and justice for Red Rock.
• 22:26 – Farewells at Belle’s; episode conclusion.

Notable Quotes

• “Anywhere Wild Bill Hickok goes, you can bet on trouble.” — Jingles [04:09]
• “Some folks do.” — Wild Bill (on being called 'Wild Bill Hickok') [10:34]
• “Well, sometimes a man keeps his hide by keeping his mouth shut.” — Mike McGinnis [11:49]
• “You said yourself you wanted to settle down.” — Miss Belle [22:53]
• "Why do you think I had you steal his horses just to cover this thing tonight? … Now we’ll have to lay low until he leaves. Then we can all go to New Mexico and live like kings." — Race Taggart [21:43]

Memorable Moments

• Jingles’ comic banter with Miss Belle, especially his sheepishness around her affection [02:18 – 03:35]
• Wild Bill’s quick thinking connecting the gold thefts to a land scam over state lines [15:51]
• The clever use of tracking by moonlight and improvisational torches, displaying classic resourcefulness [14:40 – 15:14]
• The layered suspense as our heroes lie in wait among the rocks, capped off by the reveal of McGinnis’ true loyalty and the grim discovery of dead partners [17:14 – 18:58]
• The dramatic final eavesdrop and Taggart’s downfall at the mill [21:28 – 22:11]

Conclusion

This episode is a lively, tightly-packed western adventure that pairs classic radio humor with a twisting, action-filled mystery. Listeners are treated to sly quips, suspenseful shootouts, and a satisfying conclusion as Wild Bill and Jingles restore order to Red Rock and expose the true mastermind, Race Taggart. It’s a quintessential slice of Golden Age radio, full of character, charm, and adventure.