Big Hands | Gunsmoke (08-04-57)

Summary

Gunsmoke – “Big Hands” (Aired 08-04-1957)

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Date: May 17, 2026 (Podcast Release)

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Episode Overview

In this installment of Gunsmoke entitled “Big Hands,” listeners are transplanted to Dodge City where Marshal Matt Dillon investigates the murder of a local homesteader, Hank Rutger. The case draws attention to a mysterious, powerfully-built stranger and the complicated motives lurking on the frontier. Underneath the lawlessness and violence, the episode explores themes of isolation, desperation, and the hard choices faced by women on the frontier.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Discovery of a Murder (03:11–10:33)

• Doc and Dillon’s Morning Encounter

  • The episode opens with light banter between Marshal Dillon and Doc, poking fun at each other’s morning routines.
    • “You're putting them on backwards, Doc.” – Dillon (05:30)
    • “I am not putting them—I was just about to turn them around.” – Doc (05:32)
  • They notice Ms. Rutger arriving into town early with her wagon.

• Tragedy Revealed

  • Ms. Rutger reveals her husband Hank is dead in the wagon, shot in the back.
    • “Hank's in the back of the wagon there, under that tarp.” – Ms. Rutger (08:11)
  • She gives a vague description of the murderer—a stranger with “the biggest shoulders I ever seen on a man. Mighty powerful.” (07:49)

2. Suspicion, Investigations, and Frontier Hardship (10:33–13:02)

• Investigating the Crime

  • Ms. Rutger, worn and burdened, claims she doesn’t know the killer’s name.
  • Marshal Dillon gently pushes for information, but she's emotionally spent and plans to get some rest.
    • “A woman needs a man. All right, I'll go now.” – Ms. Rutger (10:14)
  • Dillon and Doc note that Ms. Rutger seems to be holding something back.

• Reflection on Women’s Plight

  • Doc and Dillon reflect on the harsh lives of frontier women after Ms. Rutger departs.
    • “A woman hasn't got a chance out here.” – Doc (18:39)

3. Identifying the Stranger (“Bull” Logan) (13:02–16:55)

• The Stranger at the Bar

  • In the saloon, Kitty and Doc point out a new man with notable shoulders.
    • “That man over there at the end of the bar…he’s got the shoulders on.” – Kitty (13:08)
  • Dillon questions the man, who calls himself “Bull Logan.” He’s evasive about his origins and purpose in town.

• Lineup with Ms. Rutger

  • Marshal Dillon arranges for Ms. Rutger to identify the stranger.
  • Despite pressure, she says he is not the killer:
    • “No, Marshall, it ain't him. His shoulders, that's all. But other than that, he don't look nothing like that fella.” – Ms. Rutger (16:08)
  • Logan is reluctantly released.

4. Frontier Hardship and Social Commentary (17:37–19:29)

• Food and Civilization

  • Doc bemoans the tough food of Dodge City; Dillon ties civilization to the treatment of women.
    • “This town will never be civilized until it starts eating decent food.” – Doc (18:19)
    • “The mark of a civilization is how it treats its women folk.” – Dillon (18:19)

• Update on Logan’s Past

  • News arrives: Bull Logan is wanted in California for murder and assault, with crimes matching the current case’s MO.
    • “He's wanted in California. Two counts of assault and suspicion of murder. The victim was shot in the back.” – Dillon (19:22)

• Logan’s Whereabouts

  • Logan is reported to have been hired as a farmhand by Ms. Rutger.

5. Climax: The Truth Unveiled and Confrontation (22:02–25:25)

• Marshal Dillon’s Confrontation

  • Dillon visits Ms. Rutger at night and presses her about Logan, now working on her farm.
  • Ms. Rutger admits she lied; Logan is the killer.
    • “Yes, I lied.” – Ms. Rutger (23:25)
  • Dillon heads to the barn to arrest Logan, leading to a fatal gunfight where Logan is killed.

• Aftermath & Ms. Rutger’s Motives

  • Ms. Rutger expresses conflicted emotions—not about justice, but about survival:
    • “I don't know why I said it wasn't him. I reckon I must have been crazy or something. Just seems such a shame, though.” (24:42)
    • “I was left by myself. Bull here was big and strong. Seemed such a waste, him dead, too. I see I got ground that needs plowing, Marshall. Seed to be planted. Life ain't easy for a woman alone.” (24:54)
  • Marshal Dillon quietly reflects on the hard realities for frontier women, underscoring the theme of survival amid hardship.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Light-Hearted Banter in the Face of Grit (05:30–05:49)

  • Doc: “I've been putting my pants on for a long time without being told how by the ve. Willie's policemen.”
  • Dillon (dryly): “No, I think you can decide that for yourself.”

• Crushing Reality and Vulnerability (08:03–08:18)

  • Ms. Rutger: “You break your heart and you break your back and you end up with nothing. Even worse than nothing. The years are gone finally, and you can't get them back.”

• Defining Civilization (18:19–18:23)

  • Dillon: “Well, the way I heard it, the mark of a civilization is how it treats its women folk.”

• Survival over Sentiment (24:54–25:25)

  • Ms. Rutger: “What was done was done. There wasn't nothing gonna bring Hank back. I was left by myself. Bull here was big and strong. Seemed such a waste, him dead, too. I see I got ground that needs plowing, Marshall. Seed to be planted. Life ain't easy for a woman alone.”

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Important Timestamps & Segments

• [03:11] – Story introduction: “Around Dodge City…”
• [07:49–08:11] – Ms. Rutger’s revelation about Hank’s murder and description of the killer.
• [10:14] – Ms. Rutger’s expression of loneliness and need.
• [13:08] – Identification of Bull Logan as the man with “big shoulders.”
• [16:08–16:31] – Ms. Rutger denies recognizing Logan under Marshal Dillon’s questioning.
• [19:19–19:22] – Bulletin from California confirms Logan’s violent past.
• [23:25] – Ms. Rutger admits she lied; Logan is the killer.
• [24:54–25:25] – Ms. Rutger’s lament about a woman's struggle and the hard choices of life alone.

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Tone & Language

The episode juxtaposes the warmth and wry humor of Doc and Dillon’s friendship with the bleak realities of frontier life. Dialogue is plainspoken, weary, and tinged with resignation, particularly in Ms. Rutger’s scenes: her bluntness and pragmatism strike at the hardships and moral ambiguities faced by women in the Wild West.

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Conclusion

“Big Hands” is a somber tale about the violence and desperation of early homesteading life. Through the patient unraveling of a murder mystery, it reveals the limits of justice, the precarious position of women, and the ever-present struggle between survival and conscience on the American frontier. The episode stands as a testament to the authentic grit and emotional complexity that have made Gunsmoke a radio classic.

Transcript

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[Doc]

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[Ms. Rutger]

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[Doc]

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[Marshall Dillon]

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[Doc]

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[Ms. Rutger]

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[Doc]

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[Ms. Rutger]

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[Doc]

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke Original air dates August 4, 1957 and the title is Big Hands. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.

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[Marshall 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 where the U.S. marshal and the smell of gun Smoke. Gun Smoke Starring William Conrad. The the story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it. I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.

[Ms. Rutger]

Sam.

[Marshall Dillon]

Hey, doc. Yup. Hey, doc. You're gonna sleep your life away, Doc.

[Doc]

What's next? Hi. What time is it?

[Marshall Dillon]

7:30. Now put your pants on. Let's go up the street and get some breakfast. Now, come on. Come on, Roll out. It's daylight in the swamps. Come on.

[Doc]

Oh, I guess I might as well now that you got me wide awake.

[Marshall Dillon]

Wide awake? Yes.

[Doc]

Well, I'm getting there. Sure don't see the sense starting the day so it's all fired earlier.

[Marshall Dillon]

You're putting them on backwards, Doc.

[Doc]

I am not putting them. I was just about to turn them around. Oh, sure you were. I've been putting my pants on for a long time without being told how by the ve. Willie's policemen. Yeah. Now, do you care which foot I put in which leg first?

[Marshall Dillon]

No, I think you can decide that for yourself.

[Doc]

Yes. Say, where's Chester anyway? Why aren't you hounding him instead of me?

[Marshall Dillon]

Chester ran into an old friend of his last night.

[Doc]

Huh? Who's that?

[Marshall Dillon]

I've forgotten his name, but Chester went out to visit him for a couple of days.

[Doc]

Well, out where?

[Marshall Dillon]

Out? Fort Dodge.

[Doc]

For Dodge. You mean he's in the army?

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah. He's got a pretty interesting job, too. He's a mess sergeant.

[Doc]

Mess sergeant?

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah.

[Doc]

In a couple of days of that, you'll have to go after Chester with a wagon.

[Marshall Dillon]

They seem pretty excited about the whole thing.

[Doc]

Yeah, I can imagine. Well, the quartermaster's going to be excited too, when he starts checking his groceries.

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah. Oh, come on, Doc. You take more time than a woman. Come on.

[Doc]

Well, I want to look my best. It isn't often somebody buys my breakfast.

[Marshall Dillon]

Buys it. Now, wait a minute.

[Ms. Rutger]

I'm ready. Let's go.

[Marshall Dillon]

Now. No wonder you're so rich.

[Doc]

Sure, I'm rich all right. Here and IOU at Least you got

[Marshall Dillon]

something to dream about.

[Doc]

See, it's a nice day.

[Marshall Dillon]

It'll get hot, though.

[Doc]

Who's that woman driving the wagon that

[Marshall Dillon]

looks like Hank Rutger's wife, huh? Yeah, it is. Rutger?

[Doc]

You mean, was he that runny little sod buster out by Cottonwood Spring?

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah, that's the one. I wonder what she's doing in time this early in the morning, Marshall.

[Doc]

Oh, well, she's beckoning to you.

[Marshall Dillon]

Let's go see what she wants. Morning, Ms. Rucker.

[Ms. Rutger]

Morning, Marshall. Doc.

[Doc]

Good morning.

[Marshall Dillon]

You're up early.

[Ms. Rutger]

Yeah.

[Marshall Dillon]

Been quite some time since we've seen you in town.

[Ms. Rutger]

Always work to do when you're homesteading. You break your heart and you break your back and you end up with nothing. Even worse than nothing. The years are gone finally, and you can't get them back.

[Marshall Dillon]

How's Hank?

[Ms. Rutger]

Hank?

[Marshall Dillon]

Yes, ma'. Am, Your husband, Hank.

[Ms. Rutger]

Eight years slaving for him, working my fingers to the bone, and you end up with nothing.

[Marshall Dillon]

Ms. Ruggers, there's something wrong, Ms. Rugger, I. I said, is there something wrong?

[Ms. Rutger]

I heard you. Hank's in the back of the wagon there, under that tarp.

[Marshall Dillon]

What? Here, Doc, I'll pull the cabinet back. All right. Well, he's dead, Matt. Yeah. Shot in the back. How'd it happen, Ms. Rucker?

[Ms. Rutger]

I don't know about things like this. What you're supposed to do, I mean. So I loaded him into the wagon and come into town. I figured you'd be the one to see.

[Marshall Dillon]

You figured right, but what happened?

[Ms. Rutger]

It wasn't me, Marshall. I didn't shoot him.

[Marshall Dillon]

Who did?

[Ms. Rutger]

I don't know.

[Marshall Dillon]

You don't know?

[Ms. Rutger]

I mean, I don't know his name or nothing. He was a stranger. Stopped by the place yesterday evening just before sundown. Wanted to water his horse. Hank wasn't there. This fella kept looking at me and talking kind of funny. Then he saw Hank coming and he rode on.

[Marshall Dillon]

Maybe. Then he's the one that late last

[Ms. Rutger]

night, Hank woke up, heard something outside, thought it was an animal. Both in the stock went out. Pretty soon there was a shot.

[Marshall Dillon]

How do you know it was the same man?

[Ms. Rutger]

Because he come by the house after, but I run him off.

[Marshall Dillon]

What'd this fellow look like?

[Ms. Rutger]

I don't know. Like any other man, I reckon. Nothing special except for his shoulders.

[Marshall Dillon]

What do you mean?

[Ms. Rutger]

He has the biggest shoulders I ever seen on a man. Mighty powerful.

[Marshall Dillon]

Look, Ms. Rutgers, why don't you go across the street there to the Dodge House and take a room and get some Rest, huh? You leave the wagon here, Doc, and I'll take care of things for you, huh?

[Ms. Rutger]

I'm all right, Monster.

[Marshall Dillon]

Now, you go on, now.

[Ms. Rutger]

Feels strange being alone. Hank wasn't much, I guess. Didn't treat me good, but at least he was always there. A woman needs a man. All right, I'll go now. Thank you, Marshall, for taking care of things.

[Marshall Dillon]

I'll stop by later, Ms. Rugger.

[Ms. Rutger]

All right, Marshall.

[Doc]

Well, what do you think, miss?

[Marshall Dillon]

I don't know, Doc. That woman's got something in mind she isn't telling us about. Well, here's our expectant father, the memory expert. And how do you feel, sir?

[Ms. Rutger]

Lousy.

[Doc]

Oh.

[Ms. Rutger]

Why?

[Doc]

You ever take care of 8 kids while your wife is in the hospital having number nine?

[Marshall Dillon]

No.

[Doc]

Take my advice, don't. I haven't had a good night's sleep in days. I think my kids are part spun.

[Marshall Dillon]

Oh, really? Why?

[Doc]

Well, they drink enough water to irrigate a desert, and mostly in the middle of the night.

[Marshall Dillon]

Well, at least you don't have to worry about your wife. She and the baby are getting good treatment at the hospital. And thanks to Medicare, there won't be any expensive bills for you to pay.

[Doc]

That's what bugs me, man. Why, it's such a bargain. You know, no woman can resist a bargain.

[Marshall Dillon]

If your wife is bargain minded, better get the pamphlet on Dependence Medical care program fast.

[Ms. Rutger]

Like another beer, Doc?

[Doc]

No, guess not, Kitty. People criticize me enough for this.

[Ms. Rutger]

Oh, there's Matt over here, Matt.

[Doc]

Oh, well, maybe I will have a beer after all.

[Marshall Dillon]

Kitty.

[Doc]

On him.

[Marshall Dillon]

Hello, Kitty. How are you?

[Ms. Rutger]

Good, Matt. You look tired.

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah, I am tired. If it gets any hotter, they're going to have this country.

[Doc]

Any luck, man?

[Marshall Dillon]

No, Doc. I checked every room in house in Dodge, every liver stable. Even talked to some of the homesteaders out south of town. And nobody's seen a stranger who matches Ms. Rutger's description. If you can call it a description.

[Ms. Rutger]

Did she remember anything new?

[Marshall Dillon]

Not much. I talked to her late this afternoon. She thinks that he had reddish brown hair, but she's not sure.

[Ms. Rutger]

Just those shoulders, then.

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah, that's all she's sure of.

[Ms. Rutger]

I guess she'd remember that, all right. Well, Matt, maybe you won't have to look any farther.

[Marshall Dillon]

Oh, what do you mean?

[Ms. Rutger]

That man over there at the end of the bar.

[Marshall Dillon]

What?

[Ms. Rutger]

We've been keeping an eye on him until you showed up.

[Marshall Dillon]

Who is he, Kitty?

[Ms. Rutger]

I don't know.

[Doc]

Tonight's the first time he's been in here.

[Ms. Rutger]

Been staying to himself pretty Much? Just drinking and not talking. But he's got the shoulders on.

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah. I think I'll go have a word with him. Evening, stranger.

[Doc]

Evening.

[Marshall Dillon]

You're new in town, aren't you? I don't remember seeing you around before.

[Doc]

You feel like Gavin, you better find somebody else, mister.

[Marshall Dillon]

I would if it was a matter of pleasure. My name's Dylan. I'm the U.S. marshal here.

[Doc]

That's supposed to bother me?

[Marshall Dillon]

It bothers some. Others not. And I'm one of the others. What's your name? Logan. And is that all? Just Logan. Bull.

[Doc]

They call me Bull.

[Marshall Dillon]

Logan, why don't you hit Tom today?

[Doc]

Just going through.

[Marshall Dillon]

Oh? From where?

[Doc]

Out west, different places.

[Marshall Dillon]

Why?

[Doc]

What difference does it make?

[Marshall Dillon]

None. Maybe. You mind taking a little walk with me? Where? Across the street. I'll carry your gun before you. What's the idea?

[Doc]

You arresting me for something, Marshall?

[Marshall Dillon]

No, I'm just asking you to walk across the street.

[Doc]

What's over there? A woman. You trying to get me into some kind of trouble?

[Marshall Dillon]

Logan, if this woman recognizes you, you're in plenty of trouble. Now, come on, let's go. All right, you stand right there, Logan.

[Doc]

I don't know what you're trying to pull, Marshall. You're all wrong.

[Marshall Dillon]

That's possible.

[Ms. Rutger]

Oh, Marshall, I couldn't.

[Marshall Dillon]

Is this a man, Miss Riker?

[Doc]

What are you talking about? I never seen her before in my life.

[Marshall Dillon]

I thought you better take a look at him, Ma'.

[Ms. Rutger]

Am.

[Marshall Dillon]

I don't know this woman.

[Doc]

Now, what is this? What are you trying to set up here?

[Marshall Dillon]

Shut up, Logan.

[Ms. Rutger]

The man that shot Hank was real big. I reckon. It stuck in my mind because Hank was such a little man. Such a difference between them.

[Doc]

All right, I'm big.

[Marshall Dillon]

What about it?

[Doc]

You claiming you seen me before?

[Marshall Dillon]

Stay where you are, Logan. He's not Gonna hurt you, Ms. Ricker. Now take a good look at him. Is this the man who stopped by your place yesterday afternoon? Who came back later and shot your husband? Well,

[Ms. Rutger]

no, Marshall, it ain't him. His shoulders, that's all. But other than that, he don't look nothing like that fella. I never seen this man before in my life.

[Marshall Dillon]

Look, if you're scared of him, don't be.

[Ms. Rutger]

I ain't scared of him. Why should I be? He ain't the same one.

[Doc]

Well, you satisfied, Marshall?

[Marshall Dillon]

All right, Ms. Lugger. Thanks. Anyway, I'm sorry that bothered you.

[Ms. Rutger]

I'm going back out to the place in the morning, Marshall. There's things to do. And I think that fella's got clean out of the country by now.

[Marshall Dillon]

All right, ma'. Am.

[Doc]

Do I get my gun back now?

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah. Here you are, Logan. Thanks.

[Doc]

Be seeing you. Pleased to met you, ma'.

[Marshall Dillon]

Am.

[Doc]

Good night. This food. I'll tell you something, Matt. The mark of any civilization is its food.

[Marshall Dillon]

Is that right, Doc?

[Doc]

Dang Tootin is right. Take France for instance. Paris. Paris, France. You know, their food is cooked just right, it's seasoned right, and it's served right. And by golly, they're civilized. It goes together.

[Marshall Dillon]

Doc, you've been eating this same grub ever since you came to Dodge. Now what's wrong with it? All of a sudden?

[Doc]

Look at the stuff. What's wrong? A plate full of greasy spuds and a few chunks of boiled leather. I tell you, man, it's enough to turn a man's stomach.

[Marshall Dillon]

It's no worse than usual. Now go on, finish it. Supper.

[Doc]

Ah, I wouldn't touch another bite of that with a ten foot pole. No, sir. Don't tell me, Mac. This town will never be civilized until it starts eating decent food.

[Marshall Dillon]

Well, the way I heard it, the mark of a civilization is how it treats its women folk.

[Doc]

Oh, how? You think Dodge City rates any higher on that score?

[Marshall Dillon]

No, I guess not.

[Doc]

No, they're fancy women. They plague till they drink themselves to death. And their farm wives, they work to death. My woman hasn't got a chance out here.

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah, so I've been told. By a woman.

[Doc]

Of course, she was right. Whether it's the food or the women folk, this town is no God dang good. Marshall Dillon.

[Marshall Dillon]

Oh, hello, Jim.

[Doc]

How things Telegraph office, Jim? Fine, Doc. I brought this telegram right over, Marshall. It's your answer to that circular you sent out on Bull Logan.

[Marshall Dillon]

Oh, yeah, thanks, Jim.

[Doc]

What about this Bull Logan?

[Marshall Dillon]

Well, I thought he might be mixed up in the Rugger killing.

[Doc]

I thought you'd given up on that.

[Marshall Dillon]

No, I sent out a bulletin just on a hunch.

[Doc]

I don't know, I.

[Marshall Dillon]

What is it? Wow.

[Doc]

Huh.

[Marshall Dillon]

He's wanted in California. Two counts of assault and suspicion of murder. The victim was shot in the back. I should never have let him leave town.

[Doc]

Well, he didn't go far, Marshall.

[Marshall Dillon]

Now, what do you mean, Jeff?

[Doc]

I ran into Ed Perkin on the way over here. He seen Logan just this afternoon.

[Marshall Dillon]

Where?

[Doc]

Out by Cottonwood Crossing. He said Bull Logan's gone to work for Mrs. Rutger.

[Marshall Dillon]

Another visit with Joe and Daphne Forsyth.

[Ms. Rutger]

Joe, what are you doing?

[Doc]

Oh, hi, Daphne. Just eating a midnight snack.

[Ms. Rutger]

What is that mess?

[Doc]

That mess is a Liverworth Salami Lettuce and peanut butter delight.

[Ms. Rutger]

Nightmare is more like it. What woke you up?

[Marshall Dillon]

My stomach was growling.

[Doc]

What woke you up?

[Marshall Dillon]

You.

[Ms. Rutger]

And I was dreaming Such a pleasant dream. Oh, what I dreamed all of our savings bonds had matured and we were cashing them in.

[Marshall Dillon]

That kind of a dream I can appreciate.

[Ms. Rutger]

We were planning a trip around the world, and you bought me a fur coat. And I bought you that fishing tackle you want. Oh, it was gorgeous.

[Doc]

Well, it doesn't have to be just a dream. Some of our savings bonds are ready to mature now.

[Ms. Rutger]

Joe, Maybe we shouldn't cash them in. They can go on earning interest, you know, and it adds up fast.

[Marshall Dillon]

I know.

[Doc]

That's why we started buying savings bonds.

[Marshall Dillon]

Remember, with a bond a month on

[Doc]

the payroll, savings plan, our money is saved automatically.

[Ms. Rutger]

Stop waving that sandwich under my nose. You're making me hungry.

[Marshall Dillon]

Well, fix yourself a sandwich, ma'.

[Doc]

Am. I got all the makins right over here.

[Ms. Rutger]

All right, move over, you. Bon. Buying Midnight Maverick. I'm going to fix myself a humdinger. Who is it? Who's there?

[Marshall Dillon]

That's Marshall Dillon, Ms. Rugger. I. I'm sorry if I scared you.

[Ms. Rutger]

No, no, you didn't. I just couldn't figure who it was. Nobody comes here at night.

[Marshall Dillon]

It must be kind of lonesome since Hank was killed, huh?

[Ms. Rutger]

Well, yeah. Yeah, it is.

[Marshall Dillon]

You managing all right by yourself?

[Ms. Rutger]

Well, I've had some help this week.

[Marshall Dillon]

Oh, some of the neighbors, huh?

[Ms. Rutger]

No, I. I took on a hired hand to help out.

[Marshall Dillon]

Well, you're lucky to find one. The boys can usually make more work in cattle this time of year.

[Ms. Rutger]

Well, I offered shares on the crop. Woman can't run a place like this by herself.

[Marshall Dillon]

No man? I guess not. A local man, is he? Somebody from town?

[Ms. Rutger]

No, just a stranger riding through.

[Marshall Dillon]

That's kind of risky, isn't it? Taking on a stranger.

[Doc]

Well, what's his name?

[Marshall Dillon]

Ms. Rugger.

[Ms. Rutger]

I reckon you already know, Marshall.

[Marshall Dillon]

Yes, ma', am, I already know. Did he tell you that he's wanted in California? Maybe other places, too?

[Ms. Rutger]

No.

[Marshall Dillon]

Two counts of assault, suspicion of murder. Your husband wasn't the first man he shot in the back.

[Ms. Rutger]

What do you mean?

[Marshall Dillon]

It is the same man, isn't it, Ms. Rucker?

[Ms. Rutger]

No.

[Marshall Dillon]

When you said you'd never seen him before, you lied, didn't you? Didn't you, Ms. Rucker?

[Ms. Rutger]

Yes, I lied.

[Marshall Dillon]

All right. Now, where is he?

[Ms. Rutger]

He's out in the barn.

[Marshall Dillon]

You stay here. And don't you try to warn him.

[Doc]

That you, martha? I said, is it?

[Ms. Rutger]

Yeah.

[Doc]

Marshall, you're long ways from town.

[Marshall Dillon]

You're under arrest for murder, Logan.

[Doc]

So she told you about me after all.

[Marshall Dillon]

Not yet. But she will. I just got word back from California. Seems you're wanted out there now. Don't try it, Logan. You're not taking me now.

[Ms. Rutger]

Is he. Is he dead, Marshall?

[Marshall Dillon]

Yeah, he's dead.

[Ms. Rutger]

I don't know why I said it wasn't him. I reckon I must have been crazy or something. Just seems such a shame, though.

[Marshall Dillon]

A shame.

[Ms. Rutger]

What was done was done. There wasn't nothing gonna bring Hank back. I was left by myself. Bull here was big and strong. Seemed such a waste. Him dead, too. I see I got ground that needs plowing, Marshall. Seed to be planted. Life ain't easy for a woman alone.

[Marshall Dillon]

I don't know, man. Seems pretty easy the way you go at it. You go on back to the house now. I'll take care of things here. Sam. Gun smoke produced and directed by norman McDonald. Stars william conrad as matt dillon, u.s. marshal. Featured in the cast were parley bear as chester, howard mcnear as doc, and georgia ellis as kitty. George walsh speaking. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on gun smoke. This is the united states armed forces radio and television service.

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[Marshall Dillon]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.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.

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