Chinese Gold | The Lone Ranger (03-31-52)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: Chinese Gold | The Lone Ranger (03-31-52)

Host: Andrew Rhynes

Published: October 6, 2025

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Brief Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns presents “Chinese Gold,” an original Lone Ranger radio drama from 1952. The story centers on a gold rush settlement, Orville, where a wave of lawlessness threatens both the hardworking prospectors and especially a peaceful Chinese mining community. The Lone Ranger and his companion Tonto uncover a plot by local criminals led by Red Esty to rob the Chinese miners and incite a deadly mob under false pretenses. Through courage, sharp wit, and a call for tolerance, the Lone Ranger helps avert tragedy, unmask the real villains, and set Orville on a path towards justice.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Setting & Lawlessness in Orville

• Orville is a fledgling gold rush town, barely civilized, with no law enforcement and only a small newspaper run by Tom Spencer and his wife Ruth [05:02].
• Lawlessness thrives: “We don't have a bank, or a school, or even a law officer.” (Red Esty, 05:53)
• Red Esty, the local café owner, leads a gang that plans to rob prospectors and take over Orville as it grows [06:03].

2. Chinese Miners Targeted

• A community of Chinese miners, led by Sue Lum, is unusually successful, working hard and amassing gold.
• The Chinese are depicted as peaceful and refuse to arm themselves (“They don’t carry guns either, do they? … they're against that.” – Red Esty, 09:14).
• Lum Sue manages business and gold safely but is regarded with suspicion and contempt by the white criminal element [08:26–09:14].

3. Robbery & Escalation

• Wetzel and Vernon, Esty’s accomplices, are tasked with robbing the Chinese miners at night [09:23–09:49].
• The Lone Ranger and Tonto spot the crime in progress but only manage to recover one bag of stolen gold after a brief pursuit ([10:30]–[12:00]).
• Sue Lum and his friends are shaken but grateful to the masked man [12:25].

4. Mob Incitement & Race-Based Manipulation

• After the failed heist, Red Esty decides to leverage racism, stirring up the townspeople against the Chinese by fabricating stories of violence and threat ([15:07], [20:19]).
  • “You just speak hot and loud. I know how mobs act… boys, this could be bigger than an Indian massacre.” (Red Esty, 15:34)
• False claims are made that the Chinese plan to murder white townsfolk, aiming to justify a violent mob and cover for further robbery ([20:01], [20:19]).

5. The Lone Ranger’s Counterstrategy and Call for Tolerance

• The Lone Ranger realizes the urgency: “Their plan is to use a mob as a frontier. They really intend to go back and steal the money they couldn’t get earlier tonight. We must stop this mob.” (21:13)
• Tonto is sent to warn the Chinese and bring help from the marshal in Grand City [21:38].
• The Lone Ranger enlists Tom, Dr. Ross, and other good men to resist the mob and expose the true criminals [22:14–23:00].
• The heroes prepare a standoff: “Remember that all mobs are cowardly.” (Lone Ranger, 26:34)
• In a tense nighttime confrontation, the mob is halted by gunfire overhead and quickly disarmed [26:49–28:03].

6. Justice Restored & Moral Message

• With the arrival of Marshal Millen and the posse at dawn, the plot is revealed, and the townsfolk forced to confront how they were manipulated by prejudice ([28:22], [28:38]).
• The Lone Ranger articulates the episode’s main message:
  • “The masked man spoke to them of tolerance… of another man's race and beliefs. These crooks… had the mob attacking the Chinese merely because they were Chinese.” (Tom Spencer, 28:53)
• Esty, Wetzel, and Vernon are exposed; Orville gets its lawman and hope for a better future ([29:17–29:31]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“We don't have a bank or a school or even a law officer. This young whipping…”

— Red Esty, 05:53

“Wherever there’s gold you’ll find crooks. And until Orville sets up a law enforcing office, it’ll be our duty to go after those crooks.”

— The Lone Ranger, 07:58

“Leave it to you, Red, to look into future things.”

— Oak Wetzel, 06:13

“They use prejudice to rob the Chinese now and perhaps to murder them later on. They'll use the same tactic to rob other people regardless of race.”

— Tom Spencer, 22:51

“Remember that all mobs are cowardly.”

— The Lone Ranger, 26:34

“The masked man spoke to them of tolerance. Tolerance? Yes, of another man's race and beliefs.”

— Tom Spencer, 28:53

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Key Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Content | |---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:02 | Introduction of Orville, Tom Spencer, and the Sentinel newspaper | | 06:03 | Red Esty explains lawlessness and plans the robberies | | 09:01 | Chinese mining camp introduced; Sue Lum as community leader | | 10:30 | Lone Ranger and Tonto witness the robbery attempt | | 11:21 | The Lone Ranger recovers one stolen gold bag | | 12:25 | Sue Lum recounts the crime to the Lone Ranger | | 15:34 | Red Esty incites a mob with racist lies and mob psychology | | 20:19 | Mob rally in the café; Wetzel’s inflammatory (false) speech | | 21:13 | Lone Ranger and Tonto coordinate countermeasures | | 22:14 | Masked man enlists Tom Spencer and decent townsmen | | 26:49 | Lone Ranger and allies halt and disarm the mob | | 28:22 | Marshal Millen arrives; truth revealed to the town | | 28:53 | Tom Spencer summarizes the lesson of tolerance | | 29:31 | Resolution and farewell from the Lone Ranger |

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Tone & Style

The episode’s language, characteristic of 1950s radio drama, is direct, earnest, and occasionally heightened (“those thrilling days of yesteryear”). The Lone Ranger personifies calm, reasoned heroism; the villains are bluntly unscrupulous; and the townsfolk waver between ignorance and decency until events force a reckoning. The script doesn’t shy away from exploring the dangers of prejudice and mob mentality, wrapping its moral lesson in classic Western adventure tropes.

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Conclusion

“Chinese Gold” is both an engaging mystery-adventure and a clear call for justice and tolerance. The Lone Ranger not only foils a robbery and prevents violence, but also confronts the roots of mob violence: lies, fear, and racism. The episode stands out for its progressive message—delivered in the context of a classic Western—and its structured drama, climaxing in a well-executed standoff and a satisfying, thought-provoking resolution.

Transcript

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[Tom Spencer]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Oldtime Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator]

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hi O Silver the Lone Ranger.

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[Narrator]

With his faithful Indian companion, Tato, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the Plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver.

[Tom Spencer]

The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver.

[The Lone Ranger]

Let's go, big fellow.

[Tom Spencer]

Hail Silver away.

[Narrator]

When gold was discovered in the hills north of Snake river, men headed there from all parts of the West. Prospectors built flimsy cabins in the hills and near the river's Banks. And the settlement was called Orville. At the extreme end of the main street, a shack had been built by young Tom Spencer and his wife Ruth. This was the newspaper that Tom Spencer called the Orville Sentinel. And the Sentinel, together with its owner, became an object for ridicule by the lawless element. Red Esty, the cafe owner, laughed as he talked to his two crooked cohorts, Oak Wetzel and Pug Vernon, both of whom had arrived in Orville that day.

[Red Esty]

Imagine these people. Start a paper in a town where maybe five or six people will bother to read. Roll with Orville, the paper says. What a laugh.

[Tom Spencer]

We don't have a bank or a.

[Red Esty]

School or even a law officer.

[Tom Spencer]

This young whipping. Hey, wait, Red. You said they have no lawmen here.

[Red Esty]

That's right, Oakie. It's wise simply you and Pug.

[Tom Spencer]

This sounds good.

[Red Esty]

It's going to be good. Most of the men you see around the cafe are my boys. Things really begin to boom, they'll be in the spot to take over the suckers that come here.

[Tom Spencer]

Leave it to you, Red, to look into future things.

[Red Esty]

Yeah, but here's why I want you to. A lot of these prospectors in the hills have hit it rich. They don't have time to come to town. All they do is stash their gold away. I want you boys to get as much of that gold as possible. It'll be easy.

[Narrator]

During the next few months, more and more prospectors poured into the hills around Orville. And with their coming lawlessness increased. The greatest losses were suffered by the prospectors who were robbed of their hard earned gold by two men who attacked them in their lonely cabins or at their diggings. Tom Spencer, young editor of the Oreville Sentinel, poured out indignant columns in his newspapers. But as he said to his wife Ruth and his neighbor, Dr. Niles Ross.

[Tom Spencer]

What good does it do getting indignant? No one reads my paper except perhaps the crooks I write about and complain about. They do it to laugh. That's not true, Tom. A great many people read the Sentinel. Your wife's right, Tom.

[The Lone Ranger]

Don't get discouraged.

[Tom Spencer]

You wrote to Marshal Millen down at Grand City, didn't you? Yes. I asked him to suggest some man who'd take the job as sheriff. A good man who'll clean out places like Estes and who put an end to robbery and mayhem. The marshal will find the man, Tom. Be sure of that. I hope so. Something must be done, and we can't wait longer.

[Narrator]

At that moment, the Lone Ranger and Toto were riding in the hills toward the scene of the gold strike. The masked man's thoughts were the same as those of Tom Spencer and Dr. Ross Totto.

[The Lone Ranger]

Orville will become the most lawless community in the west unless steps are taken soon.

[Tom Spencer]

Stories we hear not good.

[The Lone Ranger]

Wherever there's gold, you'll find crooks. And until Orville sets up a law enforcing office, it'll be our duty to go after those crooks. If we move a little faster, Toto, we'll be able to make the outskirts of Orville by midnight.

[Tom Spencer]

Monsoon.

[Narrator]

Late that after Red Esty met with Oak Wetzel and Pug Vernon in his office at the rear of the cafe.

[Red Esty]

Boys, I received some news today that knocked me right out of my settlement.

[Tom Spencer]

What kind of news?

[Red Esty]

Red, you know that bunch of Chinese that set up diggings on the north side of the hill?

[Tom Spencer]

Oh, sure. They have a bunch of cabins down by the river. What an outfit they are.

[Red Esty]

Yeah, they've dug more gold than anybody else around these parts.

[Tom Spencer]

Huh? You crazy, Red? What do they know about gold mining?

[Red Esty]

They know how to work. That seems to be the answer. Jed Lansing down at the general store took them out a lot of provisions.

[Tom Spencer]

He got to talking with one talker.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah?

[Red Esty]

According to Jed, one of them speaks English. Fella by the name of Lum. Sue Lum he's called.

[Tom Spencer]

He must be the one I saw down at the Spencer's newspaper office.

[Red Esty]

As must be. He's the one that does all the talking and all the business for him. And he's the one who stashes away all the gold they dug. Jed Langson told me.

[Tom Spencer]

Hey, they don't carry guns either, do they?

[Red Esty]

No, they're against that. So you see how it is.

[Tom Spencer]

You want us to get their gold?

[Red Esty]

Yes. Their colony is set off by itself out near the river. Sue Lum's cabin is the last one nearest the water. Take your horses tonight and ride out there along the shoreline. Leave your horses in that scrub brush along the water.

[Tom Spencer]

Easy.

[Narrator]

It was after midnight when Oak Wetzel and Pug Vernon dismounted and left their horses waiting in the underbrush that skirted the river. Then assured that there was no one acting as guard in the Chinese colony. The men began to approach the row of tumbledown shacks a short distance away.

[Tom Spencer]

Come on, Pug.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger and Tahto drew rein in the hills. They dismounted and prepared to camp for the night. The moon was full and the masked man walked to a spot where he could see the river below. As he watched, he saw two figures emerge from the brush at the river's edge and begin to slink in a furtive manner toward a cabin.

[The Lone Ranger]

Toto, come here. Look down there. See those men? They seem to be up to no good.

[Tom Spencer]

Then sneak up to cabin and look. Kimasabi see man on the outside?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes. He holds a gun. I thought we're going down there.

[Tom Spencer]

We ride there them here horses and get away before we reach them.

[The Lone Ranger]

I realize that. We'll leave our horses here and go down on foot. We'll try to take them by surprise. Let's go.

[Narrator]

A short time later, the masked man and the Indian, after making their way down from the hills, approached the rural cabins where they had seen the two men. Then they heard two shots from the cabin nearest the river. At almost the same moment, the cabin door opened and two men rushed out and ran toward the river.

[The Lone Ranger]

Those are the two we saw. They're carrying bags and they must have fired those shots.

[Narrator]

Come on, after them. The two crooks were more than 50 yards away and their horses were but a short distance from Su Lum's cabin. They were astride their horses when the Lone Ranger and Tottle, guns drawn, ran past Su Lum's cabin. They paid no attention to the Chinese men who ran from the cabin shouting. Instead, the Lone Ranger called to Toto, how do, Shooter?

[Red Esty]

They'll get away.

[The Lone Ranger]

I winged one of them. He dropped his bag.

[Narrator]

Let him get way.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, they're both getting away. Too bad we didn't ride our horses.

[Tom Spencer]

Them ride to town?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes. Perhaps they'll cross the river farther downstream and ride to Grand City. It looks now as if they're heading for Orville.

[Tom Spencer]

We get horses right after them.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes. First let's recover that bag the one man dropped and returned to those men.

[Narrator]

Up at the cabin. The Lone Ranger picked up the heavy loaded bag and brought it back to the cabin where a group of aroused Chinese were gathered around Sulam. They parted when the masked man and Indian appeared. The actions of the Lone Ranger had made the Orientals place immediate trust in him. And Sulam told of the robbery.

[Tom Spencer]

Crooked crook fellas have come on face, no sea face.

[The Lone Ranger]

Did they hide their faces with handkerchiefs?

[Tom Spencer]

Yes, all same wear. Like you say, take gold, shoot Chinese fella on Tong. When on Tong, he make a fight. Me try make a fight. Crook fella hit me on head with a gun. Me fall down when me get up. Crook fella shoot gun run away.

[The Lone Ranger]

So that's it. They stole your gold.

[Tom Spencer]

Steal some.

[The Lone Ranger]

They can't be allowed to escape. Sulam, as soon as I've treated the wound of your friend on Tong. Tato and I are going after them.

[Narrator]

After the Lone Ranger had treated the wounded Chinese, he and Toto returned to their camp for their horses. Soon they were galloping along the riverbank heading in the direction the crooks had taken. Oak Wetzel was the crook who had been shot by the Lone Ranger. He and Pug Vernon, after doubling back to Orville, had gone at once to Red Estes office. Entering the cafe by a rear door. After leaving the single bag of gold on the table, Vernon joined Red Esty in treating Wetzel's wounds. Este completed the job.

[Red Esty]

That'll keep you going till Doc Ross opens up in the morning. You can go Tomland and give him some trumped up story about how you got shot.

[Tom Spencer]

Thanks Red. I'll do that.

[Red Esty]

Now then, let's hear what happened to you. How come you got shot and only have one bag of gold? We're lucky we got there.

[Tom Spencer]

That's right. Tell em, Pug. Those Chinese had no guards outside their cabins because most of them must sleep in Si Lum shack guarding the gold. There must have been 15 of them when we broke in here. Like finding yourself in a hornet's nest. They woke up and tried to keep us from the bags of gold. We slugged a few and shot one fella, I'm sure. Then we grabbed the two first bags of gold we could get our hands on and made a run for it. Guns or no guns, we couldn't stand off 15 Chinese. They started to go crazy. Sure seem to have a lot of gold in the shack. But Red, it'd take more than two men to get at it the way they look after it.

[Red Esty]

All right, so you only got two bags of gold. I see. Only one. Where's the other?

[Narrator]

The crooks told Red Esty about their pursuit by the Lone Ranger and Totto Oak ended.

[Tom Spencer]

One of them shot me just as I got on my horse. The gold bag fell to the ground. I couldn't get off and pick it up. That's right, he couldn't. They were getting near. Besides, our shots were getting too close.

[Red Esty]

Why didn't you shoot it out with them?

[Tom Spencer]

They were behind us when we were running for the horses. Old got himself shot. I'm sorry about losing that other bag, Red.

[Red Esty]

That's a part I don't like. You say they have a load of gold in Sulam's cabin.

[Tom Spencer]

The most I ever saw. Bags of it.

[Red Esty]

Then we're going back after that gold.

[The Lone Ranger]

All of it?

[Tom Spencer]

All of it. When?

[The Lone Ranger]

Now.

[Red Esty]

Before the night's over.

[Tom Spencer]

Red. You're crazy. We couldn't manage it.

[Red Esty]

That's what you think. I have different ideas. Those Chinese don't have guns. You sure of that?

[Tom Spencer]

Yeah, we made sure.

[Red Esty]

But they have gold. And I have a lot of men. And all my men in the cafe have guns. We don't have to worry about that masked fellow you saw. If he's still out with the Chinese, we'll kill him too, if we must.

[Tom Spencer]

Now, Wade. Red. I don't get this. What are you planning?

[Red Esty]

I told you. To get the Chinese gold. We're gonna work up my men so they'll use their guns. We're taking every man in that cafe. We're going out to where those slant eyes are now.

[Tom Spencer]

What about the men outside who aren't in your gang?

[Red Esty]

Whatever the crowd will, they'll do. You and Oak go into the cafe and start an indignation meeting. I'll tell you what to say. You just speak hot and loud. I know how mobs act. When you're finished, they'll want to kill every Chinese that's out of San Francisco. Boys, this could be bigger than an Indian massacre.

[Narrator]

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.

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[Tom Spencer]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Now to continue. The Lone Ranger and Toto, following the crooks trail, arrived at the end of the short main street that ran through Orville. They dismounted and left their horses in a grove of trees. The masked man noticed a light burning inside the last shack in the settlement. The moonlight revealed the sign above the front door.

[The Lone Ranger]

The Orville Sentinel. Otto, the young fellow who publishes that paper, Tom Spencer, is going to become an important man in the West.

[Tom Spencer]

You say him have good newspapers?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, he does. Perhaps we'll Visit him before we leave.

[Tom Spencer]

What you do now, Kimasab?

[The Lone Ranger]

The only horses I see are at the hitching post in front of that building. The other end of the street. It must be the cafe. We go there and look for crooks. Yes, they walk to the rear of these buildings until we get there. And I'll decide what action to take. Well, here we are. Tado. It's a cafe, all right.

[Tom Spencer]

Let's see. Kimosabi window at bank open.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes. Let's go there. Perhaps we'll be able to look over the place without being seen. We can see inside from here. Taro, what's this?

[Tom Spencer]

Everybody there together. Big crowd.

[The Lone Ranger]

One place there's a man standing on the bar asking for silence. And Toto, there's another man who's been lifted up beside him. See, his arm is bandaged. It's in a sling.

[Tom Spencer]

Maybe him. Man, you shoot a river.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, perhaps it is.

[Narrator]

Inside the cafe. Red Estes stood to the rear of the crowd that had gathered around the bar. At the raucous request of Pug Vernon. Vernon stood atop the bar and Oak Wetzel stood beside him. Finally, the noise subsided and Pug began to speak.

[Tom Spencer]

Men, we all know what a big menace those Chinese out on the river become. You probably heard how they've been jumping claims and stealing gold. Now they plan to murder us. They're plotting right now to kill every white man in the hills and along the river. You don't know that show, Pug. I don't know. Pug knows. He tried to kill me, but they got away. I was shot tonight and left for dead. While I made believe I was dead, I heard those yellow men plot. They're going to march into town tomorrow afternoon loaded with guns.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger was serious as he backed away from the window of the cafe.

[The Lone Ranger]

Otto, those men are liars. They know as we know, the Chinese inn around Orville are hard workers and peaceful. They don't even carry guns for protection. I'm convinced those men who were speaking are the two we chased tonight.

[Tom Spencer]

That what me think. Got bandage and arm him. Make up story how Chinese shoot him.

[The Lone Ranger]

I think their plan is to use a mob as a frontier. They really intend to go back and steal the money they couldn't get earlier tonight. We must stop this mob from leaving Orville for the Chinese colony. Ride out there at once. Tell Su Lum what's happening here. Have him hide his friends in the money. Then cross the river and ride to Grand City.

[Tom Spencer]

You want me get Marshal there?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes. Marshal Millen is a good officer. And he knows we've helped him in the past. Ask him to enlist a posse and get here as soon as possible.

[Tom Spencer]

Migo Kimasabe, take shortcut to Grand City.

[The Lone Ranger]

Good. I'm going to the newspaper office. I hope Tom Spencer will be able to help me.

[Narrator]

Tutto rode off for the Chinese colony and the Lone Ranger hurried to the office of the Orville Sentinel. When he entered the one room building, he saw a man and woman intent on writing at a large desk. They dropped their pencils on the table and leaped to their feet in alarm when they saw the masked man.

[Tom Spencer]

Who are you? What do you want?

[The Lone Ranger]

Please don't be alarmed. I have reasons for wearing this mask, but I haven't time to explain them now. Are you Tom Spencer? Yes.

[Tom Spencer]

What do you want?

[The Lone Ranger]

Your help, Spencer. Your help and the help of any decent man in or near Orville. Unless we act, there might be a mass murder tonight.

[Tom Spencer]

No. What are you talking about?

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger told of the mob being formed at Red Estes Cafe and.

[The Lone Ranger]

Concluded, though my friend Toto is going to warn them, they still may not be safe.

[Tom Spencer]

You're right. Unless we do something now, no one will be safe in the future. They use prejudice to rob the Chinese now and perhaps to murder them later on. They'll use the same tactic to rob other people regardless of race.

[The Lone Ranger]

That's usually the way, but we haven't time to discuss reasons and possibilities. What we want now are a few good men who will not be afraid to use guns against a mob.

[Tom Spencer]

Tom, Dr. Ross will help. Sure he will. Dr. Ross's office is only a short distance from here. There's also Jed Lansing and his son, Ed. They sleep in back of the general store. I'll ride up into the hills and get the prospectors we know to be on our side. I'll go right now.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get the men you mentioned, Spencer. Have them come here. I'll hurry back to the cafe and see what's happening there.

[Narrator]

When the Lone Ranger reached the rear of the cafe a few minutes later, he could hear Oak Wetzel still haranguing the mob in the cafe. Inside the cafe, Wetzel stood alone atop the bar, talking to the men who'd heard his tirade.

[Tom Spencer]

Well, you'll follow me there, boys, and get rid of those murdering Chinese. We like it. My gun. And I gotta get mine, too. All right, and get your guns, everybody. Take ropes, too. We may need them. We'll start off from here in a few minutes. We want to get this thing over before dawn. That's either us or the Chinese. And we don't want it to be us.

[Narrator]

Letting the Lone Range's attention was diverted to another window. This one revealing the interior of Red Estes office. Esty was inside, talking with Pug Vernon. Cautiously, the Lone Ranger walked to the door that was a ring exit from the office. There, he placed his ear against a crack in the door and listened. And in his office, Red sd hept up a bag of stolen gold and talked to Pug Vernon at the same time.

[Red Esty]

Did a good job, Pug. You and Oak let him lead the mob out to the river. We'll ride behind and be ready to move in on the money shack once the mob takes over and chases the Chinese into the hill.

[Tom Spencer]

Yeah, I know where the money's kept. Too bad we didn't have more men with us before. We could have made off with a whole pile of bags.

[Red Esty]

We'll get it all this time, Pug. Don't worry.

[Tom Spencer]

You made a lot of money, Red. From the jobs Oak and I have been doing around Orville.

[Red Esty]

You haven't done too bad yourselves. You'll be rich with your cut from the Chinese gold.

[Tom Spencer]

Are you gonna give us our split on everything, then? Yeah.

[Red Esty]

And don't always be worrying about that money I owe you. Everything you've stolen is right over there in that big safe.

[The Lone Ranger]

The marshal from Grand City will be glad to know that.

[Tom Spencer]

Hey, what did you get in?

[The Lone Ranger]

You covered? Both of you. Move and I'll shoot.

[Red Esty]

Take it easy, stranger. We're not moving. What's the play?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll take your gun, Lester, and I'll tell you.

[Red Esty]

Well, you have my gun.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, yours, Pug.

[Red Esty]

That's it, Red.

[Tom Spencer]

The boys are starting off.

[Red Esty]

I hear them.

[The Lone Ranger]

So do I. Quickly, out the rear door, both of you.

[Red Esty]

What for?

[The Lone Ranger]

Move, I say. Use this gunner. You don't.

[Red Esty]

You heard what he says, Pug.

[The Lone Ranger]

We're moving. Now that we're out here, walk fast before that mob out front forms. We're going to the Sentinel office.

[Tom Spencer]

Oh, you. What's this?

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger pushed Red Esty and Pug Vernon into the office.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get in there.

[Narrator]

Where Tom Spencer stood with Dr. Ross and Jed and Ed Lansing. All men carried guns.

[The Lone Ranger]

Locked him in that closet over there. I'll explain later. The mob's forming. It'll pass you any minute. Have your guns ready and let me handle this.

[Red Esty]

All right.

[Narrator]

Red Esty and Pug Vernon were shoved into the closet without question. And a heavy door that could not be broken was locked behind them. Then the four men stepped outside into the night, guns ready.

[The Lone Ranger]

They're in the shadows, all of you. They'll have to march in the direct light of that full moon. Look.

[Tom Spencer]

Here they come now. Ready, Doctor? With two guns. What about you, Jed and Ed? We're with you.

[Red Esty]

Don't worry.

[The Lone Ranger]

Do not expect this. Be at ease. Passing here. Remember that. Also remember that all mobs are cowardly.

[Red Esty]

All right, boys.

[Narrator]

Ok. Wetzel walked slightly in front of the mob as it paraded along the moonlit street past the office of the Orville Sentinel. Suddenly there was an outburst of shots above his head and that of the crowd.

[Tom Spencer]

All right, stop right there, all of you. Hey, what the. Masked man. Boys, get him. Guns alone? You're covered from all sides.

[The Lone Ranger]

I don't believe it.

[Tom Spencer]

I'll show you.

[Narrator]

Three men had reached for their guns and three shots from the darkness near the building had shattered their gun hands.

[Tom Spencer]

Oh.

[The Lone Ranger]

Does anyone else want a bullet? Get your hands up, all of you.

[Red Esty]

Hi.

[The Lone Ranger]

Now spread out in single file and face the other direction. I mean it. The next shot may hit a target.

[Narrator]

The mob had become a mass of unbelieving and shaking men. They had no idea how many guns were played on them from the shadows. And they saw a masked man whose flashing eyes compelled attention even as did his fast shooting gun. They obeyed his commands immediately.

[The Lone Ranger]

All right, Spencer, you and Dr. Ross please walk in back of those men and remove their guns from pockets and holsters.

[Tom Spencer]

Certainly. Come on, Doctor. I'm with you.

[The Lone Ranger]

You men in the mob, you'll stay just as you are until you've been relieved of your guns. Then you'll turn, walk to the front of the building and place yourselves flat against it. Max. Turn. Any of you attempt to move, you'll be shot.

[Tom Spencer]

You men come this way.

[Narrator]

When Tuttle let Marshal Millen and his posse the in to Orville at dawn, a strange sight met his eyes. In front of the Orville Sentinel, a crowd of men were standing with their faces to the wall of the building with their hands held high against it. Four men holding guns ready stood behind them. And a masked man was speaking.

[The Lone Ranger]

Those of you who were let into this mob with the lies of Oak Wetzel and Hug Vernon must know by now how wrong you were. You heard me force them to admit the truth of what I heard Vernon and Red Esty discuss in Estes office. They're the ones who've been robbing the prospectors.

[Tom Spencer]

Are you sure of that?

[The Lone Ranger]

Marshall Millen. I'm glad Totto found you and that you've arrived.

[Tom Spencer]

Who are these men?

[The Lone Ranger]

You have tied up most of the men back there. Are Members of Red Estes gang. They're either cooks or card sharps. The rest of the mob was either ignorant or befuddled.

[Tom Spencer]

They've had their eyes opened these past few hours, Marshall. The masked man spoke to them of tolerance. Tolerance? Yes, of another man's race and beliefs. These crooks, Este, Wetzel and Vernon had the mob attacking the Chinese merely because they were Chinese.

[The Lone Ranger]

Spencer will tell you the entire story later. Marshal, I thought you might want to know that the loot for most of the robberies around Orville is in a large safe in Estes office.

[Tom Spencer]

I see.

[The Lone Ranger]

These men are witness to confessions Wetzel and Vernon made while we waited for you and your posse. You'll have no trouble sending them to prison.

[Tom Spencer]

Thanks. I'll leave that part to the new sheriff I brought with me in response to a letter from Tom Spencer.

[The Lone Ranger]

And everything is under the best control now, Otto. You and I aren't needed any longer. The good people of Orville have a great future ahead of them. Good luck with your paper, Spencer.

[Tom Spencer]

Good luck to you. And thanks. Thanks for everything. He's a great man, that one. I'm sure the Chinese out on Snake river will be grateful when they hear what he did for them. He's done a great deal for everyone everywhere. I happen to know much that he's done in the past. Ruth, you hear that? Come on outside here. Marshall Miller knows all about the masked man. Oh, I'm so glad things have turned out like this. Marshall, is that true about the masked man? You know him only as the rest of you do. How you know him now? A stranger doing good for all you see. He's the Lone Ranger. SA.

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[Tom Spencer]

Sam.

[Narrator]

This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle. Produced by Trendle Campbell Mule Incorporated. Directed by Charles D. Livingston and edited by Fran Striker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer.

[Andrew Rines]

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 YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Ron W. 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.

[Indeed Advertiser]

You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job posts seen on other job sites with Indeed sponsored jobs. Your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Don't wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com kidsandfamily just go to Indeed.com kidsandfamily right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.