Ben Slade’s Saloon | Gunsmoke (05-24-52)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns — Ben Slade’s Saloon | Gunsmoke (05-24-52)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: February 12, 2026 (podcast), May 24, 1952 (show)
Episode: Gunsmoke – "Ben Slade’s Saloon"

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Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns presents a restored classic Gunsmoke drama, “Ben Slade’s Saloon.” The story follows U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon as he investigates a string of murders near Dodge City, all pointing back to a local saloon and its owners. Rich in atmospheric sounds and period-accurate dialogue, the episode blends suspense, drama, and character-driven storytelling, capturing the turbulent and violent nature of the Old West.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Another Murder Near Dodge City (01:41–04:48)

• Discovery: A buffalo hunter, Les Jones, is found stabbed near Cimarron Crossing, the third similar killing in two months.
• Suspects: Jones was last seen at Tad Slade’s Saloon, winning $3,000 at the faro table.
• Marshal Dillon's Approach: With evidence missing and a pattern of stabbings, Dillon suspects a serial killer.

Quote (Matt Dillon, 03:14):
"$3,000 and a widow woman on the Arkansas river."

(Noting both the victim's winnings and the potential impact on his family.)

2. Notifying the Jones Family (04:48–07:28)

• Personal Impact: Marshal Dillon travels to inform Mrs. Jones and her son Alvin of Les Jones’s death.
• Dillon's Compassion: He encourages Mrs. Jones to help her son cope, aware of how grief can lead boys to become future gunmen.

Quote (Matt Dillon, 07:16):
"Talk to the boy, Miss Jones. Explain it so he won't be bitter. Too many gunfighters got their start from a kid. I like it."

3. Investigating the Saloon (07:28–09:31)

• Confronting Tad Slade: Dillon questions Slade at the saloon, who claims an alibi (spent the night with his partner Ben Ramirez’s sister, Eve).
• Suspicion: Dillon stakes out inconsistencies but finds no direct evidence.

Quote (Matt Dillon, 08:08):
"You had a reason. I wasn't even here last night. My partner, Ben Ramirez, was running the place. Where were you?"

(Dillon probing Slade’s alibi.)

4. A Visit to Ramirez’s Place (09:31–14:50)

• Meeting Eve Ramirez: She recounts being with both men, but her flirtatiousness and reluctance to answer directly draw Dillon’s suspicion.
• Tense Encounter: Ben Ramirez confronts Dillon at gunpoint, asserting his protectiveness over his “sister” and warning Dillon away.

Quote (Eve Ramirez, 12:11):
"Tab Slade thinks we will marry. Well, we won't. Because I don't love him. I don't love anybody. Maybe."

Quote (Ben Ramirez, 13:51):
"The only reason I came to your place was to talk to you. I want to find the killer, Mr. Jones, and thought you might be able to help."

• Dillon’s Ultimatum: He threatens to get to the bottom of the murders, regardless of Ben and Eve’s threats or warnings.

5. Lynch Mob at the Saloon (16:03–18:58)

• Mob Psychology: Local ranchers gather to lynch Tad Slade after another murder—a rancher named Olson is found stabbed post-gambling.
• Dillon’s Stand: Dillon defuses the mob, threatens to shoot if necessary, and arrests Slade for trial, warning the crowd of the dangers of vigilante justice.

Quote (Matt Dillon, 18:28):
"If one of these men lays a hand on Tab Slade, I'll start shooting. There'll be a lot of men dead. How about you, Marshall? Might be you can get hurt, too. That's right, John. You could kill me. All right, which of you is going to shoot first and die first, huh? Well, which one?"

6. Breakthrough: Olson’s Dying Words (18:58–19:53)

• Clue from the Victim: Olson mentions "I fired a couple of times. I think it hit... just being friendly..."—indicating he may have wounded his attacker.

7. Final Confrontation at the Ramirez Place (21:52–27:24)

• Dillon’s Accusation: Dillon accuses Eve Ramirez of being the murderer, noting only a familiar or unthreatening figure could lure the men on the road.
• Evidence: He observes blood by the door and on the table, linking to Olson’s dying confession and the gunshot wound.
• Truth Revealed: Ben admits Eve is not his sister, but his wife. Dillon finds a wounded, dying Eve.
• Motivation: Eve confesses she killed for money, unable to love anyone but desiring wealth and briefly, love.

Quote (Eve Ramirez, 25:57):
"I killed four men for a very simple reason. I wanted the money they had. I wanted it very much."

Quote (Eve Ramirez, 26:46):
"Would you hold my hand?"
(Matt quietly agrees, and she passes away moments later.)

8. Resolution (27:24–28:50)

• Tragic Ending: Eve and Ben (her husband) die. Dillon reflects on the loneliness and tragic end of those consumed by greed and violence.
• Life Goes On: Dodge City continues to bustle, hinting at the unending cycle of violence and frontier justice.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Too many gunfighters got their start from a kid. I like it."
    — Matt Dillon to Mrs. Jones (07:16)

• "Men are such fools. But Matt Dillon is not so. But you wouldn't keep me out of town."
    — Eve Ramirez (12:06)

• "If one of these men lays a hand on Tab Slade, I'll start shooting. There'll be a lot of men dead."
    — Matt Dillon confronting the lynch mob (18:28)

• "I killed four men for a very simple reason. I wanted the money they had. I wanted it very much."
    — Eve Ramirez’s confession (25:57)

• "Would you hold my hand?"
    — Eve Ramirez’s final request (26:46)

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Key Timestamps

• 01:41: Introduction to the murder and Marshal Dillon’s investigation.
• 04:48: Dillon breaks the news to the Jones family.
• 07:28: Confrontation with Tad Slade at the saloon.
• 09:31: Visit to the Ramirez home; suspicious conversation with Eve and Ben.
• 16:03: Lynch mob assembles; Dillon’s tense standoff.
• 18:58: Aftermath—Slade arrested; clues from Olson's dying words.
• 21:52: Final confrontation, Eve’s confession, and denouement.

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Tone & Style

The episode stays true to Gunsmoke’s signature tone—gritty, tense, morally complex, and compassionate. Dialogue is crisp, performances nuanced, and there’s an undercurrent of melancholy as lives are lost to violence and greed. The restored audio adds immediacy to the period soundscape, immersing the listener in the world of Dodge City.

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Summary for New Listeners

This episode of Gunsmoke encapsulates the dangers, complexities, and heartaches of frontier life. Marshal Dillon’s investigation into a series of murders uncovers secrets, misplaced loyalties, and the destructive power of greed. The show’s highlights include sharp character interactions, a powerful portrayal of mob justice narrowly averted, and a haunting final confession. Both a classic mystery and a human tragedy, “Ben Slade’s Saloon” stands as a testament to the timeless allure of Old Time Radio Westerns—brought vividly to life by careful restoration and passionate preservation.

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Transcript

[Matt Dillon]

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[Narrator/Podcast Host]

This is the story of the 1. As the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, she knows the only thing more important than having the right safety gear is having it there when you need it. That's why she partners with Grainger for auto reordering, so her team members can count on her to have cut resistant gloves on hand and each shift can run safely and efficiently. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. Welcome to the old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Hines. And let's get into this episode. The this episode is going to be Gunsmoke Original Air Dates May 24, 1952 and the title is Ben Slade's Saloon. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.

[Matt Dillon]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. Well, Chester. It's another one, Mr. Dillon. Laying near his wagon. The horse was still hitched and was grazing. Another stabbing? Yes, sir, Mr. Dillon. Two buffalo hunters found him earlier this morning on the road leading out Cimarron Crossing. We just brought him back. Who was he? His name was Jones. Les Jones. Been in town a couple of days buying supplies, food. Where'd he come from? Well, some of the boys told me he's got a little farm on up there. AR Kansas piece. Got a wife, too. Pretty little thing, they tell me.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

You know anything more about him? He was at Tad Slade saloon last night playing Pharaoh. Drunk. We'd had a bell or two, but not drunk. Did all right at the faro table. He must have had two.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

$3,000.

[Matt Dillon]

$3,000 and a widow woman on the Arkansas river. Beg pardon, Mr. Dillon. Yeah? Nothing, Chester. The money's gone, of course. Yes, Ask the doc to come down when he can. With you, Chester. Right, Doc. Come down a minute.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Mr. Dillon wants you coming and coming.

[Matt Dillon]

Did Jones have a gun on him? Chester? We found a sharp special in his spring wagon. He wasn't carrying anything on it. It's outside. Do you want to see it? Had it been fired? No, sir.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Good morning. Marshall wanted to see me?

[Matt Dillon]

I wanted to ask you a question, doc. Yeah? There have been two stabbings in two months. Jones makes a third. You think the same person killed the other two?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Well, there's no way to be sure.

[Matt Dillon]

But from the position of the wound in the body and from the angle of the knife thrust, I say it's a killer. All killers use the same, doc. I just wanted a simple answer.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Yes, I think the same person murdered all three men.

[Matt Dillon]

Any way of telling how long Jones has been dead? Well, I'm not a picketing man, but I'd say sometime after midnight. Between three or four in the morning, maybe. And I'd also say from the amount of bleeding. Okay, doc. Chester. Yes, mister? Get my horse. I'm gonna ride out to the Jones place. I figured Ms. Jones will want to know.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Hello, mister.

[Matt Dillon]

Howdy, bub.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I live here. Where are you from?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm from Dodge.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Dodge. Meet you ride all the way from God?

[Matt Dillon]

Sure.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Get down and I'll water your horse.

[Matt Dillon]

All right. Yeah. Here you are. What's your name, son?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Alvin Jones. My dad is Les Jones. I guess you know him, huh?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure, I guess. Most everybody knows him. Your mother in the house?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

You gonna stay for dinner?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I don't think so. Is she in the house?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Yeah, she's there. Just go on up. Don't worry about your horse.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank you.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Alvin. Alvin, stop that. Don't be.

[Matt Dillon]

It's not Alvin. Ms. Jones?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Oh, I am sorry. I thought it was my son.

[Matt Dillon]

My name is Dylan, Ms. Jones. Marshall. Dylan at Dodge.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Come in, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank you, ma'. Am.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

You care for some buttermilk or maybe? Out here, men don't drink buttermilk like they do at home.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank you, but nothing for me. Ms. Jones, I got some unpleasantness for you. Yes? It's about your husband.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

He's in trouble.

[Matt Dillon]

I left Dodge four hours ago. I thought I should be the one to tell you.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

He hurt bad?

[Matt Dillon]

More than bad, Ms. Jones.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I pulled the saddle off your horse, Mr. Macy. That's Goodwin.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, thank you, son.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Alvin, this is Marshall. Dylan from DO the Marshall. Alvin, Your PA won't be home for a while. When Marshall play. Well, not for how long, I. Well, not for how Long more.

[Matt Dillon]

Not for quite a time, son. So you will have to run things a while longer.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Make sure I can take care of them all right? Sure you can. Would you stay to eat?

[Matt Dillon]

No, no, no. No, thank you, ma'. Am. I got to get back, Dodge. Miss Jones, could I.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Yes, Mr. Gilling.

[Matt Dillon]

Talk to the boy, Miss Jones. Explain it so he won't be bitter. Too many gunfighters got their start from a kid. I like it.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I'll try not to do it.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll try. Good afternoon, man. And make sure you got enough whiskey to finish the night this Thursday weather. Oh, we've got plenty, Mr. Slade, if no fight starts there. Oh, Mr. Slade, there's company coming. Marshall, Dylan just walked in. I'll set that bottle of rye up on the bar. Yes, sir. Howdy, Matt. Join me in a drink? Thank you, I will. What kind of drive?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Been traveling?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I've been up the river a bit to the Jones place. Jones tell his wife? She's a widow. Oh, yeah, I heard about that. Too bad. He was in here last night, wasn't he? Oh, yes. Matter of fact, he was. You wouldn't know anything about his being killed? Were you asking me, Dylan? Straight question? Are you saying I killed him? Just asked a question. Sleep. I don't know anything. Someone knifed that man after he left here. He was taking a lot of money out of your place. You had a reason. I wasn't even here last night. My partner, Ben Ramirez, was running the place. Where were you? I was with his sister. All evening? Till late enough. Where's Ben and his sister now? I know. Home, I guess. I think I'll ride out and have a talk with him and Slade. Yeah. If you have any big winners tonight, make sure they get home, see, huh?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

There is no one there.

[Matt Dillon]

You cannot.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Very foolish. You cannot see me.

[Matt Dillon]

No, I can't see you.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Well, don't be mad at me. I'll come to where you are, you see? One shot at the shadows and here I am. What do you want?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm looking for Ben Ramirez. He is not his own or his sister.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I am his sister. What's the matter? You don't believe me?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, yes, I'm not that I saw you.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Thought I would be in the house. Why, when the night is so beautiful, you want to talk with me?

[Matt Dillon]

I want to talk with your brother.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

But he's not here. So why not talk with me?

[Matt Dillon]

My name's Matt Dillon. I'm marshal of Dodge.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I know. I've been wanting to meet you.

[Matt Dillon]

I've come on Business.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I like business. Talk with me.

[Matt Dillon]

Last night, maybe after midnight, a man was killed on the river road. Killed by a knife. Stabbed in the chest.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Why do you tell me this?

[Matt Dillon]

He was carrying $3,000 he won at Slade's.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

And so?

[Matt Dillon]

Tab Slade told me he spent last evening with you.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

He came for dinner. He often does. He thinks he loves me.

[Matt Dillon]

Your brother, was he here?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Tab Slade and Beno. In the saloon together. They're partners. They think at least one should be there all the time. Ben went down after we ate.

[Matt Dillon]

Did Slade. Was he here long?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Yes, he's my fiance doing all that. Isn't this Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

Why, that's your business, Ms. Ramirez.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

My name is Evelita. You could call me Eve.

[Matt Dillon]

When do you expect your brother?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I don't know what my brother does. He may be home soon. He may be late. I don't know. I've seen you when I've been in town. Magdalen?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I don't ride in often. Slade's such a fool. He and my brother don't like me to come to town.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, Dodge is rough, Ms. Romeo.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Always. He has to protect me. Men are such fools. But Mad Dylan is not so. But you wouldn't keep me out of town.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, that's not my affair, Ms. Ramirez. It'd be for your brother and Tab Slade to say.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Tab Slade thinks we will marry. Well, we won't. Because I don't love him. I don't Love anybody. Maybe. Ms. Ramirez, don't you find me practice?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, yes.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Oh, why don't you care for me?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, no, I didn't mean to. Dylan. I've got a gun pointed at the back of your head, Ben.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I want to.

[Matt Dillon]

Pointing with another man's fiance isn't smart, Dylan. Then, please, you go inside. Aren't you going to say anything, Dylan? What do you want me to say, Ben? By this time, most men will be crawling. You're a hard one, Dylan. I can't fight a man who's behind me in the dark with his gun drawn. There. Is that better? You can see me now. Takes a small man to make love to another man's woman. You can't haze me into a draw. I'm not trying to. I don't want a gunfight. I just want to talk. Dylan, you're calling it. I saw a sleigh just a few minutes after you left this place. Told me you were trying to tie us with a murder. I said he was wrong and came up here to get the straight of things. From what I saw a minute ago, he Might have been right. After all, you'd like his woman, so it'd be handy to have him out of the way. Is that the way you figure it, Ramirez? Yeah, that's the way I figure. The only reason I came to your place was to talk to you. I want to find the killer, Mr. Jones, and thought you might be able to help. You're not going to get any information sniffing around, Eve. What's your plan, Maria? To give you some advice, Marshall. Cab. Slade's been a good friend of me and I'll help him protect anything that's his. Eve's here, so stay away. You're not gonna find a killer while you're saying pretty things. Are you through? All right, then listen to me. You say Slade had nothing to do with those killings. I won't say he did because I don't know. But I'm gonna find out who did it. And if it was Slade, I'll get him. Now, do I ride back to town? Yeah, ride back to Dodge, Marshall. And between here and where your horse is tied, not so much as twitch up finger. I don't know whether you're a fool or a brave man, Ramirez, but just let me give you one bit of advice. Don't tire the wrong brand. It's easy to do. Just walk away. Marshall. You're hoarse. You walk easy. Marshall. Yeah? If you find out who killed Jones, let me know. I'll do that, Ben. I sure will. We will return for the second act of Gun Smoke in just a moment. But first, hello.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I'm Kathy Lewis, the girl who plays Jane on my friend Irma. Irma, tie this string around your finger to remind you that starting Sunday we go on the air at 9:30pm instead of 6:00pm Eastern Daylight Savings day time. All right, Jane.

[Matt Dillon]

Good girl.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Now, what's that string to remind you of to buy some more string. That's my friend Irma, whom you can now Hear on Sundays, 9:30pm Eastern Daylight Savings time.

[Matt Dillon]

Remember, my friend Irma is now heard at a new later time on Sundays. Check your local schedules. Now the second act of Gun smoke. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Dillon. What? Who is it? It's Chester, Mr. Dillon. Oh, Chester. Wait a minute. What time is it? Almost four in the morning, Mr. Dillon. Four. Yes, sir. I'm sorry to have to wake you, but you better get dressed and come right away. They've got Tab slayed Slade. Who's got Slade? Some of the ranchers are going to lynch him right in front of his saloon. Well, go and try and hold him for A minute. I'll be right along. Yes, sir. And if you then go ahead with this mission, Mr. Dillon's gonna have every one of you up for trial. No reason for you to get hurt. All right, Chester, I'll take over. Marshall, we don't want to have trouble with you, but we're gonna hang Tad Slade. Harrison, you're too smart a man to be the head of a mob like this. Not. Tell your men to break it up and go home. I'm sorry, Marshall. I can't do that. Slade killed another man tonight, and he's gonna pay for it. All right, now listen to me, all of you. If Tap Slade killed a man tonight, I'm gon. If you can prove Tab Slade killed a man tonight, I'll take him to jail and hold him there for trial. Marshall, Tab ain't gonna be alive to stand trial. Do you know Slade killed anybody? If one of these men lays a hand on Tab Slade, I'll start shooting. There'll be a lot of men dead. How about you, Marshall? Might be you can get hurt, too. That's right, John. You could kill me. All right, which of you is going to shoot first and die first, huh? Well, which one? Chester. Yes, sir. Go pull Slade off that horse. Cut the ropes and take a gag out of his mouth. Yes, Mr. D. And you men, don't anybody make a mistake. Don't you move a shadow. All right, Slade, get down off there. All right, Chester. Now you and Slade walk back to the far side of the street. Slow. Yes. The rest of you just stand where you are, looking right here at me. First man so much as moves his eyes will be in real trouble. We're across the street.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Miss killing.

[Matt Dillon]

Good, Chester. Now walk Slade down to the jail and put him in a cell for safekeeping. Now, Harrison, you and your boys head for home. And if you got any sense at all, forget to tell your families what you were almost a party to. Now, good night, gentlemen. Chester, what happened tonight? Man named Olson, a rancher, was at Slade's place. Gambling. Yeah, certainly did pretty fair. He left around midnight and was found about two hours later. He'd been stabbed. His money was gone. You talked with him? Yes, sir. He just mumbled about having tried to be friendly. He said that several times, Mr. Dillon. Just being friendly. Then he said, I fired a couple of times. I think it hit. You mean he hit whoever stabbed him? I think that's what he meant. He say anything else? Nothing. There's not much help in just that. He can't tell us anymore. I'll talk with Slate and I'll bring him out, huh? Yes, you. Mr. Dillon wants you. Please.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Matt, you gotta believe me. I don't know anything about the killing, this one or any of the other. I don't have to believe anything, Slade. I'll find out. But I didn't do it, Matt. Why is everybody sure you did? Why are they so sure that they're trying to lynch it? Does a lynch mob have to be sure of anything, Slade? Before. Before you came here to dodge, you were a gunfighter. You had a bad reputation. You were in with the Kansas Raiders, too. The Raiders were killers and thieves. Some were. Now, when a man with your background goes straight, he's always suspect. Matt, I didn't have anything to do with the killing. What about this partner of yours, this Ramirez? I met him in Kansas. Him and his sister. We joined up and came out here. Thought we'd make good a team. Where's Ramirez now? I don't know. Matt, please listen to me. I got to believe me sister. Oh, Matt, I don't know. Why isn't Ramirez around now that you're in trouble?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Please.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe he doesn't know. I don't know. He'd know by now. The news Dodge. Chester? Yes. You're Mr. Dylan. Put Slade back in the cell. Then load your shotgun and keep a close watch on it. Well, where are you going, Mr. Dillon? I'm gonna take a ride out to the Ramirez place. I want to have a talk with Mr. Ben Ramirez and his sister, Eve. Sa.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Don't move.

[Matt Dillon]

Just stay where you are, Ramirez. It's late for a social call, Dylan. Why you're still dressed? I was just going to turn in. Last time we talked, you had a gun in my back. Now your gun's on your hip, and it'd be smart to keep it there. Am I going to try a shootout with you, Dylan? I wouldn't chance it. Especially in this lamplight. There'll be no reason for anyone to draw. I just want the answer to some questions. What question? Where's Eve? What do you want her for? I ask you a question, Ramirez. I want an answer. Where's Eve? She's in bed. Where Was she around 3 this morning? Here, I suppose. Asleep, I think. You better get her out here, Ramirez. What's so important about Eve? A man was killed this morning and I think she might have done it. You know what you're saying? I know. You're calling my sister a murderer. That's right. If you're going for your gun, Ramirez, make sure you're ready to die. I told you before, I'm not a fool. But if I can trick you, I'll kill you. Don't try, Ramirez. Why do you say my sister killed a man? No hand around these parts had stopped for anyone on the road at night. Not unless it was someone they knew or someone they didn't have to fear. Like a woman. Like your sister. You don't know anything. Gentlemen. You're guessing wrong. I didn't know when I got here, but now I'm sure. What do you mean? The man who died tonight shot at and hit the person who stabbed him. There's no blood on you, but there's blood on the floor over there by the door. Blood that could have come from a gunshot wound. That doesn't prove anything. And there's blood on the table by you there. It's not blood. It's just a shadow from the lamp there. The lamp won't light. Does it hurt, Ramirez? I hurt inside. Bad. I won't be around for the trial. Did she do it, Ramirez? Your sister killed those men. She's not my sister. She's my wife. Wife? That's why she didn't marry Slade. She's in the other room. Hurt that. Get a doctor for her, Ramirez. She's not good. But I don't. She's got a horse. I saw your horse grazing when I topped that slope. Matt.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

What are you going to do with me?

[Matt Dillon]

Take you back to Dodge. Have you up for trial.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

There's no point. I wouldn't live long on horseback. I've bled too much already.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

No.

[Matt Dillon]

Nothing. Eve, can you tell me why? Why? You killed four men for a very simple reason.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I wanted the money they had. I wanted it very much. Not. I've been thinking about my husband. Is he dead? Man. Did you kill him?

[Matt Dillon]

He went for his gun, Eve.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

I. I killed him. He was kind to me. I tried to love him, but I couldn't. I didn't love anything but money. Neither night. I could have loved how I thought. For everything. But. Yeah, very lonely. Would you do something for me?

[Matt Dillon]

Sure.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Would you hold my hand?

[Matt Dillon]

All right. Good.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

That's good. Very good. I'll just rest here a minute longer. Perhaps I can hide.

[Matt Dillon]

She lay there, her dark hair framing her face. The spring grass crushed by her body. A red stain across her silk blouse. The morning sun warmed the soft wind that moved across the land later that day. Eva Merz and her husband were buried on the outskirts of Dodge City, not far from the banks of the Arkansas river. And later that night, Dodge City was alive with saddle bums, ranchers, cattlemen searching the dark of the Kansas night for excitement. Gun Smoke, under the direction of Norman MacDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Special music for tonight's story was composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in our cast were Georgia Ellis, High Ever Back and Jack Crucian, with Richard Beals and Morrison and Herb Ellis. Harley Bear is chester and Howard McNear is DOC. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the west in Gun Smoke, Don't Miss Gangbusters and the Case of the Variable Blonde later tonight on most of these same CBS radio stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking and this is the CBS Radio Network.

[Various Characters (e.g., Chester, Doc, Eve Ramirez, Ben Ramirez)]

Sam.

[Narrator/Podcast Host]

This has been a presentation of ootrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739. This episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information, go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening. Back in the Old west, folks didn't run to the pharmacy every time trouble hit. They relied on the know how and natural remedies. Kind of like how Tonto always seems to have a special mixture ready for whatever came next. If you want to learn how to do that today, check out the Beginner's Guide to Herbal Remedies, Easy steps for teas, tinctures and salves. Even if you've never tried herbs before, visit otrwesterns.comherbs to learn more. Again, otrwesterns.com herbs.