Tonto (4:08)

I'm Silver.

Lone Ranger (4:09)

Let go, big color.

Tonto (4:11)

I am Silver.

Narrator (4:25)

The Lone Ranger and Toto camped for the night in the north range of the Monterey Mountains between the towns of Orville and Central City. The next morning, Toto left camp and rode to Orville for provisions.

Leo Kearney (4:43)

Well, well, T. How are you?

Tonto (4:46)

Oh, Kerny.

Narrator (4:48)

In the general store, Toto unexpectedly met Leo Kearney, a veteran prospector whom he and the Lone Ranger had known for many years. The miner, resplendent in gaudy new clothes, a haircut and beard trim, greeted the Indian while they talked. Neither paid attention to the two rough Looking men who inched close to them.

Tonto (5:07)

Tonto was saying me never see you dressed up like this before. You maybe find rich mine at last.

Leo Kearney (5:14)

Tato, between you and me, I found myself the richest Diggins ever turned up in this territory. Filed my claim and everything.

Tonto (5:21)

Oh, me plenty glad. Hear that we have camp in north range near your mine.

Leo Kearney (5:28)

Oh, you mean that Diggins over on the Central City side of the range where I was working last time I saw you? Ah, that vein was worthless. I gave up on that place two years ago. Just walked out of the shack, never went back.

Tonto (5:40)

Oh, me not know that, sure, but

Leo Kearney (5:43)

the reason I'm dressed like this is because I'm riding over to Central City this morning. Gonna meet the stagecoach from the east. My youngsters are on it, coming here to see me.

Tonto (5:54)

Oh, you got children may not know that.

Leo Kearney (5:58)

I have two of them. Only their they're not children anymore. Jenny is 16 and Damien, he's. The boy is 19.

Tonto (6:07)

Oh, that plenty big surprise.

Leo Kearney (6:09)

Yeah, I guess it would be. To most people out here, they don't remember when my wife Maggie was alive. She died when the youngsters were babies. Then her sister came out here and took them back east so they could be raised proper, you know, in schools and all that.

Tonto (6:25)

And now them come see you. Yep.

Leo Kearney (6:28)

After all this time. And Tonto, I'm happy because I'll be able to tell them they're gonna be rich. In this letter I got from them last week, young Damien tells me he wants to go to college and be a mining engineer.

Tonto (6:42)

That plenty fine thing here?

Leo Kearney (6:44)

It sure is. Why, he can take charge of my mine when he gets out of school. Have your horse waiting out front. Be right with you, Sadler.

Tonto (6:55)

Let me not say goodbye here. Me walk out to horse with you.

Leo Kearney (6:59)

Good, good. Come along.

Narrator (7:00)

As Toto and Leo Kearney disappeared into the street, the two men who had been eavesdropping exchanged glances. Mig Webster said to Jake Collins, jake,

Mig Webster (7:09)

did you hear all that?

Tonto (7:10)

I sure did. I'm glad we followed him in here. Now we know he did find a good claim. But he filed it already. He said so.

Mig Webster (7:17)

Doesn't mean we can't get the mine away from him. Or part of it anyway. Come out through the side door into the alley. I'll tell you there what I'm talking about.

Narrator (7:29)

Outside in the alley, Mig outlined a plan which Jake Collins approved at once.

Tonto (7:34)

That's a great idea, Meek. We just hold him up and say, give us your mine or we'll kill you. Right?

Mig Webster (7:39)

Right. I think we can get away with this thing. Jake, we haven't a dime left from that express company job we pulled. We gotta do something.

Narrator (7:47)

This is it.

Tonto (7:48)

Hey, Edwards. Kearney just rolled past the alley. We better take out after him.

Mig Webster (7:51)

Oh, all we gotta do is take a shortcut and we'll be waiting for him at Sudden Bend, halfway to Central City, Right near our hideout cabin in case we have to hide.

Narrator (8:10)

Leo Kearney was halfway to Central City when the two masked men brandishing guns rode from the underbrush at a spot called Sudd Bend.

Mig Webster (8:17)

All right, you hold up.

Tonto (8:23)

Get down off your horse. We want to talk to you.

Narrator (8:25)

Jake grabbed at Leo Kearney, but his hand missed the old man and fell sharply across the eyes of Kearney's horse. The animal, already frightened, whinnied in terror, whirled, and then plunged madly toward the

Leo Kearney (8:35)

side of the road.

Narrator (8:36)

The prospector reached for the reins at the moment the horse stumbled. Kearney sailed over the neck of the animal and fell to the ground, hitting his head as he landed. As the old man's horse raced away, the crooks rode to where Kearney lay unconscious.

Mig Webster (8:52)

Well, pick Kearney up, will you? Sling him across your horse and lead him off the road into the bushes.

Narrator (8:56)

Jake lifted the injured man onto the horse, then mounted the animal sitting behind Kearney.

Tonto (9:00)

Let's get him out of here.

Leo Kearney (9:01)

All right, get him.

Mig Webster (9:02)

Get up there. Come on. Wait. Ho, ho. Reyn up, Jake. Oh, funny hole.

Tonto (9:09)

What's the matter?

Mig Webster (9:09)

Take that. Old coot's out cold, maybe out for hours. That spoils our entire plan.

Tonto (9:16)

Yeah, we'll not be able to talk him into doing what we say.

Mig Webster (9:20)

We gotta do something. I have a new idea. Let's take him up to our hideout, leave him there and talk to him later.

Tonto (9:27)

Later?

Mig Webster (9:27)

Yeah. Meanwhile, I'll go meet those youngster of his and give him a story about their father. That'll give us time to get him around to talking business.

Tonto (9:34)

All right, I'll put some kind of bandage on his head.

Mig Webster (9:37)

Good. Want the old goat to be sensible when we get around to talking business?

Narrator (9:41)

The crooks removed Kearney's collar, discarded it, and then ripped his gaudy green striped shirt and bandaged his head. Then again placing him across Jake's horse.

Mig Webster (9:49)

Get up.

Leo Kearney (9:49)

Come on.

Mig Webster (9:49)

Get up there. Come on.

Narrator (9:50)

They took him to their cabin in the mountains, a spot hidden by brush and trees, yet merely a mile from the trail. At the cabin, they bound the prospector. Then Mig removed a letter from Kearney's pocket and read it.

Mig Webster (10:12)

Hey, this is good. Tremas boy has a lot of personal stuff about him and his sister. I'll spring it on him when I meet him in Central City.

Narrator (10:27)

Mig Webster arrived in Central City within an hour. When the stagecoach from the east arrived, he was waiting with the two horses he'd hired from a public livery. Mig had no trouble picking out Jenny and Damen Kearney in the crowd. Their youthfulness and Eastern style clothes identified them easily, affecting an air of geniality. Mig walked over to the couple.

Tonto (10:53)

Hello there. How do you do? Hello.

Mig Webster (10:56)

You're Jenny and you're Damien, right?

Tonto (10:58)

Yes, that's right.

Mig Webster (11:00)

Well, I'm Mig Webster, a friend of your father's. He asked me to meet you.

Jenny Kearney (11:03)

Oh, Is something wrong?

Tonto (11:06)

He said he'd be.

Mig Webster (11:07)

He'd be here to greet you. I know, but Doug Garney just couldn't make it. He's having trouble at a place he just staked out.

Tonto (11:13)

What kind of trouble, sir?

Mig Webster (11:14)

Oh, nothing serious, but it'll keep him tied up for a day or two. Just don't you worry. You come along with me.

Narrator (11:27)

Leo Kearney's abandoned cabin and mine property were located in the hills near Central City and the hideout where he was being held by Jake Collins.

Lone Ranger (11:38)

Come on.

Narrator (11:38)

It was to the cabin on this property that Mig Webster led Jenny and Damien Kearney.

Tonto (11:44)

Why this place.

Narrator (11:45)

Amazement filled the couple as they crossed the threshold of the battered shack and entered the dust filled room that held only a broken table and a rickety chair. Mig, sensing their reaction, forced a weak smile.

Mig Webster (11:56)

Yeah, it's pretty bad, huh?

Tonto (11:59)

Looks as if no one had been here for years.

Mig Webster (12:01)

Well, that's sort of true. We're not good housekeepers, us miners. Besides, we sleep outdoors most of the time.

Jenny Kearney (12:07)

But Daddy said in his letters that he had a nicely furnished cabin for us to come to.

Tonto (12:12)

Jenny, judging by what I could see of that mine entrance outside, dad said a lot of things that aren't just so.

Jenny Kearney (12:19)

Damien. Mr. Webster, is there any food in the house?

Lone Ranger (12:24)

Food?

Tonto (12:25)

Why?

Mig Webster (12:26)

Oh, your father arranged for one of the engines who worked for him to bring food for Orville this afternoon. He wanted to be sure it was fresh.

Jenny Kearney (12:35)

Those bricks in the corner with the pipe leading to the roof, is that a stove?

Mig Webster (12:39)

Yeah, that's what it is, a stove.

Jenny Kearney (12:42)

Damien, let's start a fire and then we'll try to clean this place.

Tonto (12:46)

That'll be a lifetime job, but we'll try.

Mig Webster (12:48)

Well, say, that's mighty nice of you. While you're doing that, I'm gonna ride into Oreville and tell that engine to hurry the provisions along.

Tonto (12:54)

That all right with you? Certainly.

Jenny Kearney (12:56)

We're famished we can't wait to eat

Mig Webster (12:58)

something and you'll have it real soon. I'll be back.

Narrator (13:07)

When he left the brother and sister mig rolled to the shack where Jake Collins waited with Leo Kearney. A journey of less than 2 miles.

Mig Webster (13:14)

Ho ho ho. Hi Jake. Well, it worked just like I figured it was.

Tonto (13:25)

Hey, hey.

Mig Webster (13:26)

Don't tell me the old coot hasn't come to yet.

Tonto (13:28)

He did once. Started making him propositions for his like you told me he began to cuss me out so I hit him one. He went to sleep again. What happened to the youngsters?

Mig Webster (13:39)

Well, I'll tell you.

Narrator (13:42)

At that moment the lone Ranger and tottle riding through the hills saw smoke rising into the sky. Investigating the source, they found that it came from the abandoned cabin where Leo Kearney once lived. They rode to within a short distance of the cabin and screened by the underbrush reined their horses

Lone Ranger (14:02)

ta. There are horses in front of the cabin.

Tonto (14:04)

Ah, maybe somebody won't work mine.

Lone Ranger (14:08)

No prospector who knows these parts would attempt that if they knew Leo Kearney gave it up as he told you this morning.

Tonto (14:15)

Maybe they not know about that.

Lone Ranger (14:17)

There's a chance that they're not prospectors at all.

Tonto (14:20)

Tullo, this place not far from trail. But not many people ever come here as I know.

Lone Ranger (14:27)

That's why I think you might go to the cabin and try to learn who's staying there.

Narrator (14:40)

The curtain falls on the first act of our lone ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scenes please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Too fast Trevor. Too fast.

Trevor (15:02)

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Tonto (15:07)

I know what I'm doing, mom.

Trevor (15:09)

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Tonto (15:29)

They're here.

Trevor (15:31)

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Narrator (17:35)

Now to continue, Toto rode to the cabin, dismounted, and walked toward the door. Before he could knock, the door opened and the girl stood in the opening.

Jenny Kearney (17:49)

Oh, here you are. It's about time. We're starving. But where's the food?

Tonto (17:55)

Huh? Food mean not savvy.

Jenny Kearney (18:00)

Well, aren't you the Indian Daddy sent to Orville to get provisions?

Tonto (18:03)

No, Jenny. I'll talk to him. Mister, do you work here at the mine? Nobody work here at mine. It closed long time ago.

Mig Webster (18:12)

What?

Tonto (18:13)

Well, you're wrong about that. My father owns the place. May look as if it hasn't been worked. But wait, wait. Methink me know who you are. I'm Damian Kearney. This is my sister, Jenny. Our father is Leo Kearney. Do you know him? Ah, him good friend. Me with him this morning. Before him go meet you. Before he went to meet us. What are you talking about? Dad didn't meet us.

Jenny Kearney (18:37)

Dad's at another claim in the mountains.

Tonto (18:39)

Oh, that's not true. Me know him go meet you. Huh?

Jenny Kearney (18:43)

What?

Tonto (18:44)

Who tell you? Him and mountain?

Jenny Kearney (18:46)

Mr. Webster. Daddy's partner. The man who brought us here.

Tonto (18:49)

Him got no partner.

Mig Webster (18:51)

No partner?

Tonto (18:51)

Did your father not work here in two years? In two years and him not live here? Him tell me that.

Narrator (18:57)

Today, Toto introduced himself, told of his long friendship with Leo Kearney and of their meeting that morning. Impressed, the Kearneys told of their meeting with Mig Webster and of his bringing them to the cabin Damien ended.

Tonto (19:10)

And now everything makes sense. The deserted appearance of the mine property, the condition of this cabin, the lack of food and activity, everything. Yeah, it all makes sense. Except the man's reasons for bringing us here.

Jenny Kearney (19:23)

He said he'd return later.

Tonto (19:25)

What him say? Not matter what happened to your father? Matter. You listen, please.

Narrator (19:31)

Toto told of the Lone Ranger and of the masked man's mission to help others. Damien and the girl, skeptical at first, relented and told Tonto to have the masked man come inside. When the Lone Ranger returned, his words and manner soon convinced the Kearneys of his integrity. They told him their story. When they finished, the Lone Ranger said,

Lone Ranger (19:51)

the important thing is to try and locate your father. Toto, you say you saw Leo Kearney set out for Central City.

Tonto (19:58)

Ah, he even helped him get on horse. Cause him not good rider.

Jenny Kearney (20:02)

Oh, perhaps he met with an accident.

Lone Ranger (20:05)

It's possible, though not probable in view of your story. But let's not guess. Let's find out.

Narrator (20:10)

Damian and Jenny Kearney asked if they might accompany the Lone Ranger and Tonto. The Lone Ranger, learning each was an expert rider, allowed them to ride with him and Tonto. Shortly after, the four riders reached the main trail.

Lone Ranger (20:28)

This spot is about halfway between Oroville and Central City.

Tonto (20:31)

Ah, and how we start search. Kimosabe.

Lone Ranger (20:35)

We'll divide into two parties. You and Ms. Kearney ride toward the east. If any of us find anything suspicious looking, we'll ride back and advise the others.

Tonto (20:44)

Get him off, Scout.

Lone Ranger (20:45)

Come on. To her.

Tonto (20:46)

Get a boy.

Narrator (20:52)

The Lone Ranger and Damian reached the spot called Sudden Bend a short time after leaving Toto and Jenny there on the road, the Lone Ranger saw blood stains that a less practiced eye might have overlooked. He left. Damien rode back and located Toto and Jenny, then returned with them to where Damien waited.

Lone Ranger (21:12)

See, Toto? The stains and hoof prints go off the road through this underbrush. All right, follow me. Monsoon,

Narrator (21:29)

Hold up.

Lone Ranger (21:30)

Don't make any noise.

Jenny Kearney (21:33)

What? I see a cabin behind those trees.

Tonto (21:35)

That horse beside it. Jenny. That's the one that Mink Webster rode. That mean him Here.

Lone Ranger (21:41)

Let's just mount and tie our horses here.

Tonto (21:42)

Easy.

Lone Ranger (21:43)

Steady, beast. I see a window at the side of the cabin. We'll make our way up there. The trees will hide our movements.

Tonto (21:51)

Are you ready? Yes, sir.

Lone Ranger (21:53)

All right, I'll lead the way.

Narrator (22:04)

Inside the cabin, Leo Kearney had been revived and was going through an ordeal of badgering and bullying by Mig Webster and Jake Collins. Mig, who hoped to give an aspect of legality to an act that had been criminal, was placating in his tones.

Mig Webster (22:18)

Now looky here, Kearney, we're being nice about this. Listen to me, will ya? I said we just want to trade with you. We know where your youngsters are. You don't. For half an interest in your mine, we'll tell you where they are. Well, that's just a trade.

Tonto (22:32)

See, this new mine of yours is as rich as you think it is. It can't hurt you to give us half of it. You still have plenty.

Mig Webster (22:39)

And we'll handle it all legal like. Now, look, while you were unconscious, we wrote out a paper making the transfer. It's all ready for you to sign.

Tonto (22:46)

Put your name on it. And while you wait here with me, I'll take it to Orville and file

Leo Kearney (22:50)

it with the court.

Mig Webster (22:50)

And when that's done, I'll tell you where your youngsters are. We're Right here.

Leo Kearney (22:54)

That's where we are.

Tonto (22:55)

Mig.

Mig Webster (22:56)

Kids. You sneakin varmints. You followed me here.

Tonto (22:58)

Mig, we gotta return.

Lone Ranger (22:59)

You better not try.

Tonto (23:00)

What? Mask man, Shoot him.

Lone Ranger (23:02)

Drop that gun, Mig.

Tonto (23:03)

Go.

Leo Kearney (23:03)

My arm.

Tonto (23:04)

Out of the way, Mig. I'll take him. Watch out, mask man. He'll shoot you.

Lone Ranger (23:07)

No, you don't, Jake. You're too slow. Now drop that gun.

Leo Kearney (23:11)

Breaking my arm.

Tonto (23:12)

I'll take his gun. Masked man.

Narrator (23:14)

There.

Mig Webster (23:15)

Wait.

Leo Kearney (23:15)

Masked man. Hold him. Just a second, please. I owe him this. Ah. Dad, that was some punch. Ah, wasn't it? Good thing the masked man was holding him, or I'd never been able to throw it so hard.

Jenny Kearney (23:27)

Daddy. Oh, look at your head. Oh, they hurt you, Jenny.

Leo Kearney (23:32)

Jenny, Lamb, I don't hurt even a little now that I know you and Damien are here unharmed.

Narrator (23:38)

As father and children embraced and talked, the Lone Ranger and Tottle prepared to tie up the crooks. The rope that had bound Leo Kearney was used to tie Jake Collins. Then, seeking another rope, the Lone Ranger opened a closet door. It was a closet filled with many things. Shotguns, dynamite. And buried beneath a pile of wood shavings, two canvas bags and bank wrappers used for currency. After a minute's study, the masked man

Lone Ranger (24:03)

said, these bags are the property of the Central Express Company. Their office in Oroville was robbed last month.

Tonto (24:09)

I told you not to leave them in that closet. Keep quiet.

Mig Webster (24:12)

You just said it'll put us in jail for years.

Leo Kearney (24:14)

I sure hope it does. What are those? Wrappers. Mister.

Lone Ranger (24:18)

Banks use them to enclose paper money. These come from the Central City Bank.

Leo Kearney (24:23)

Say that. That was robbed three months ago.

Lone Ranger (24:25)

MiG, you're bank robbers too, huh?

Mig Webster (24:28)

You know everything, don't you? Stop asking questions. Get me to a doctor first.

Lone Ranger (24:33)

We'll hand you and Jake over to a Sheriff Potto. Get Jake and take him outside.

Tonto (24:37)

I'm able to walk. I'll go.

Leo Kearney (24:39)

I sure would like to take another sock at you. That first one didn't put you out more than a few seconds. Oh, that's too bad, dad.

Tonto (24:47)

You can put him out of commission longer when you testify against him in court.

Leo Kearney (24:50)

I'll sure do that. Oh, but first I gotta take you and Jenny to the new cabin I built for you when I heard you were coming here. It's real nice with all kinds of furnishings.

Lone Ranger (25:01)

Mig, get moving. Follow your palantado. All right, Kernie, we'll ride ahead of you three. You tell them everything they'll want to hear, and I'll inform the sheriff you'll be along later.

Leo Kearney (25:10)

All right. All Right, Masked man.

Jenny Kearney (25:12)

Isn't he the most wonderful man in the world?

Leo Kearney (25:16)

Yes, he's all Latin. More Jenny. You'll know why when I get around to telling you everything there is to know of him. You see, he's the Lone Ranger,

Tonto (25:45)

Sam.

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Narrator (26:44)

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Narrator (26:47)

At a playground?

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Narrator (26:54)

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Tonto (26:58)

Mom needs a second.

Grainger/VRBoCare Advertiser (26:59)

Honey, you can really have it delivered. Really? Or I can pick it up at the dealership.

Tonto (27:04)

One sec, sweetie.

Narrator (27:05)

Mommy's buying a car. Mommy, look. I think your kid is walking up the slide.

Jenny Kearney (27:09)

Kyle.

Tonto (27:09)

Again?

Jenny Kearney (27:10)

Really?

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Tonto (27:34)

It.

Narrator (28:21)

This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Muir Incorporated, directed by Charles D. Livingston and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer.

Tonto (28:54)

Foreign.

Andrew Rines (29:01)

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com

Leo Kearney (29:23)

Become one

Andrew Rines (29:23)

of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve, who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate. Send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739. This episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

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