Cooter {Frank Cady}{reused script} | Gunsmoke (04-16-61)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: Cooter (Frank Cady) {reused script} | Gunsmoke (04-16-61)
Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: November 2, 2025

---

Overview

This episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast showcases a digitally restored classic episode of Gunsmoke titled "Cooter." The story revolves around US Marshal Matt Dillon’s efforts to uphold law and order in Dodge City, centering on a deadly con involving a crooked gambler, a hired gun, and the town’s simple-minded but well-meaning resident, Cooter Smith. Through dual layers of manipulation and moral ambiguity, the episode explores the perils of dishonesty, the exploitation of the vulnerable, and the often-bleak justice of the Old West.

---

Key Discussion Points & Plot Highlights

1. A Killing in Dodge City (03:22 – 06:04)

• Marshal Matt Dillon returns to Dodge and learns from Chester about a killing the past night: a “wandering cowboy” is shot dead.

• Chester mentions the killing was by a man named Pate, with a new gambler, Ben Sissel, as witness.

• Kitty clarifies: The victim drew his gun first, but was not aiming at Pate – he was after Sissel. Pate killed the cowboy, ostensibly in self-defense, but the circumstances seem orchestrated.

  "He wasn't after Pate. He was after Ben Sissel." – Kitty (05:21)
  "He's pretty handy with a gun, is he? … Too handy for an ordinary man, Matt." – Matt & Kitty (05:51–05:53)

• Dillon recognizes the pattern: Sissel uses a gunman (Pate) to protect him when caught cheating.

2. Confronting Sissel & Pate (06:11 – 12:25)

• Dillon interrogates Sissel, who denies wrongdoing and claims not to know Pate’s whereabouts.

• Accompanied by Chester and Sissel, Dillon goes to Pate’s room. Sissel and Pate try to maintain innocence.

• Matt confronts Pate unarmed, forces him to strap on his gun, then orders him out of Dodge.

  "What kind of gunman are you, Pate? You afraid of him? The kind of gunman that can be hired isn't the kind that's gonna take any real chances." – Matt Dillon (11:28–11:48)

• Sissel is warned, "You won't find any gunman here who'll hire out to you now, Sissel, so you might as well learn to deal straight." (12:02)

3. A New Plot: Cooter Smith Draws a Gun (13:00 – 16:02)

• With Pate gone, Sissel appears to be staying honest, but Doc warns: “A man like Ben Sissel doesn’t change... He’s a crook, and he’ll always be one. He’s worse than a crook. He’s practically a murderer.” (13:00–13:07)

• Chester spots the harmless Cooter Smith openly wearing a gun, which alarms the lawmen.

• Upon investigation, Cooter reveals Sissel paid him to wear it, promising to explain his “job” later.

  "The fella that gave me this gun, he hired me for an awful lot of money, he said."

  "Who was that?"
  "Ben something. Ben Sissel." – Cooter & Matt Dillon (15:06–15:14)

• Dillon suspects Sissel is plotting something manipulative and dangerous.

4. The Setup at the Long Branch (17:44 – 20:25)

• Matt watches Sissel and Cooter at the saloon. Sissel has convinced Cooter he must draw on Matt (the Marshal).

• Sissel’s plan is clear: push Cooter to provoke Matt into a gunfight, giving Sissel the chance to shoot Matt from the side and claim self-defense.

• During the confrontation, Cooter is scared and slow; Matt demonstrates he's no match and Sissel’s double-cross becomes apparent.

  "What you planned was to make me kill him. It wouldn’t look so good for me to kill a man like Cooter, would it? Nobody would stand for that. They’d laugh me right out of town. That’s what you were figuring on, wasn’t it?" – Matt Dillon (20:19)*

• The plot fails, and Matt gives Sissel an ultimatum: leave Dodge within the hour.

5. Tragedy in the Stable (21:11 – 23:16)

• As Sissel prepares to leave, Cooter confronts and kills him, feeling humiliated by Sissel’s manipulation.

• Despite Matt’s earlier warnings, the vulnerable Cooter is pushed beyond his breaking point.

  "He lied to me. He made a fool out of me." – Cooter (22:25)

• Matt comforts Cooter, recognizing his innocence and the real villainy was Sissel’s exploitation of him.

  "I know that. Now, just calm down. I’m not gonna hurt you." – Matt to Cooter (22:44)

6. Aftermath and Reflection (23:03 – 23:18)

• Chester asks if Matt will chase Cooter, but Matt hesitates, not wanting to traumatize him further:

  “Scare him even worse? It’s bad enough now… Done enough to Cooter for one day.” – Matt Dillon (23:03)

• The episode ends on a somber note: sometimes the pursuit of justice in the West leaves only unsatisfying options.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Justice & Reputation:
  "What you planned was to make me kill him. It wouldn’t look so good for me to kill a man like Cooter, would it? Nobody would stand for that. They’d laugh me right out of town." – Matt Dillon (20:19)

• On the Tragedy of Manipulation:
  "He lied to me. He made a fool out of me." – Cooter Smith (22:25)

• On Law in the Old West:
  "It’s a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely." – Matt Dillon (02:16)

• Doc’s Insight on Sissel:
  "A man like Ben Sissel doesn’t change, Matt. He’s a crook, and he’ll always be one." – Doc (13:00)

---

Key Timestamps

• 03:22: Chester recounts the prior night’s killing
• 05:21: Kitty reveals the cowboy wasn’t drawing on Pate
• 06:41–12:25: Dillon confronts Sissel and Pate; Pate is run out of town
• 13:00–15:39: Concern over Cooter’s sudden gun-toting, Sissel’s new scheme
• 17:44–20:25: The confrontation at the Long Branch; Sissel’s setup fails
• 21:11–23:16: Sissel is killed by Cooter; Matt handles the aftermath

---

Tone & Atmosphere

• The language is classic Gunsmoke: spare, hard-boiled, and authentic to the genre.
• The tone is tense and somber, with moments of humor (courtesy of Chester and Doc) and a deep, underlying sadness about justice and the fates of the weak or innocent.

---

Summary

This Gunsmoke episode is a powerful exploration of justice, moral gray zones, and manipulation in the Old West. Marshal Dillon’s wisdom, Kitty’s realism, and Doc’s fatalism provide a sharp contrast to the cruelty and cowardice of Ben Sissel. The heart of the story, however, is Cooter Smith: the kind of vulnerable soul the frontier often chews up. In the end, the law doesn't solve everything, and even intended justice can leave pain in its wake.

Listeners are treated to a meticulously restored audio drama—one that preserves the grit, tragedy, and stark humanity that made Gunsmoke a legend.

Transcript

[AM PM Advertiser]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

Hmm. It's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.

Could you be more specific?

When it's cravinient.

[Chester]

Okay.

[AM PM Advertiser]

Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. p.m.

I'm seeing a pattern here.

Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.

Crave, which is anything from AM PM.

What more could you want?

[Matt Dillon]

Stop by AM PM where the snacks.

[Lowe's Advertiser]

And drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience.

[Chester]

A.m. p. M. Too much. Good stuff.

[AM PM Advertiser]

This is the story of the 1. As head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support, his venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Andrew Rines]

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

[Narrator]

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.

[Matt Dillon]

Gun smoke.

[Narrator]

Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. And the story of a man who moved with it.

[Matt Dillon]

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.

[AM PM Advertiser]

This is the story of the 1. As a custodial supervisor at a high school, he knows that during cold and flu season, germs spread fast. It's why partners with Grainger to stay fully stocked on the products and supplies he needs. From tissues to disinfectants to floor scrubbers. All so that he can help students, staff and teachers stay healthy and focused. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Chester]

Hey, what you doing?

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Chester.

[Chester]

Well, how are things up at flying, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Real peaceful town. Constable's all they need. I'm not going to recommend the government spend any money up there. Tell me about Dodge, Chester. Anything been happening here this past week?

[Chester]

Nothing much. One fella kindly got killed last night, but outside of that it's been dull as winter.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, who got killed?

[Chester]

Why? Don't know. Some wandering cowboy.

[Matt Dillon]

Who killed him?

[Chester]

A man called Pete. You tell me. You have a self defenseness don't cure and sympathy.

[Matt Dillon]

Did you see it?

[Chester]

Well, no sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Well who did?

[Chester]

Well, I believe the only man who seen the whole thing was that gambler Ben Sissel.

[Matt Dillon]

Sissel?

[Chester]

He's new here. The last few days been playing car drawer at the Long Branch.

[Matt Dillon]

You don't seem to know a whole lot about it, do you, Chester?

[Chester]

No, sir, I don't. But I was just starting to find out when I seen you riding up the street.

[Matt Dillon]

Uh huh. Where were you last night, Chester?

[Chester]

I wouldn't be no gentleman to tell, Mr. John.

[Narrator]

All right.

[Matt Dillon]

I hope you had a good time.

[Chester]

Oh yes sir, I had a fine time. Just fine.

[Matt Dillon]

All right. You can put my horse up if you want. I'm gonna go for the long grass.

[Chester]

Yes sir. I'll come along when I'm through.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll wait for you.

[Kitty]

Hello, Matt. When did you get back?

[Matt Dillon]

I just rode in, Kitty.

[Kitty]

Afternoon.

[Chester]

Thank you.

[Kitty]

Out the trip?

[Chester]

Yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

Pretty good. Tell me something, Kitty. Were you here all last night?

[Kitty]

Oh, you're thinking of the killing we had. Yeah, I was here.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, did you see it?

[Kitty]

I was standing there at the bar and Pate and Ben Thistle and the cowboy were at a table in the back.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester heard that it was self defense.

[Kitty]

Well, a cowboy drew first math, but I don't know that you'd call it self defense.

[Matt Dillon]

Why not?

[Kitty]

He wasn't after Pate. He was after Ben Thistle.

[Chester]

What? Yeah.

[Kitty]

He wasn't even looking at Faith, Matt.

[Chester]

He was looking at Sissel.

[Kitty]

Even so, when he started to draw, it was Pate who killed him.

[Matt Dillon]

Fay calls that self defense.

[Kitty]

He claims he thought the cowboy was drawn on him. Besides, he said the cowboy knew Cissa. Wasn't he none.

[Matt Dillon]

Wasn't he?

[Kitty]

He never is.

[Matt Dillon]

I see. Tell me, Kitty, is this Pate always around when Ben Sissel's dealing?

[Kitty]

He sure is, Matt, always.

[Matt Dillon]

And he's pretty handy with a gun, is he?

[Kitty]

Too handy for an ordinary man, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I thought so. Ben Sissel's another crooked gambler using a hired gunman to protect him when he's caught.

[Kitty]

I don't know how you can prove it.

[Matt Dillon]

Why would I find Ben Sisle? Now, Kitty, you know.

[Kitty]

Yeah. Standing at the bar over there in a long black coat.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, Good. I'll see you later. Ben Sissel? That's me. My name's Dylan sissel. I'm the U.S. marshal here. Oh, I thought you were out of town. Well, I was. Well, what do you want, Marshall? Where you from, sizzle? Oh, all over, Marshall. You know how gamblers are. Yeah, I know. Where'd you gamble? Lasts I? Back east.

[Chester]

Why?

[Matt Dillon]

How long's Pate been working for you? Working for me?

[Chester]

Mm.

[Matt Dillon]

What are you trying to say, Marshal? Well, I'll make it real simple. The way you operate has already led to one killing here, and I'm not gonna have any more. I didn't kill anybody, Marshall. There are plenty of witnesses to that. Where's P. I don't know where he is. Why should I? I want to talk to him. And I want you with me when I do. Getting kind of pushy, Marshall. I can get a lot worse. I suppose we go outside and wait for a friend who's coming here to meet me, and then we'll go talk to Pate, shall we?

[Chester]

Get moving.

[AM PM Advertiser]

This is the story of the 1. As head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Andrew Rines]

Here.

[Lowe's Advertiser]

For the Lowes early Black Friday deals, you're right on time for some of our biggest savings. We're talking up to 50% off. Select major appliances. Plus up to an extra 25% off when you bundle. Select major appliances. Holiday lights going up soon. Select ladders are up to 50% off right now. Get Black Friday prices without the Black Friday crowds. Lowe's, we help you Save. Valid through 1119. Selection varies by location. Select locations only while supplies last. See lowe's.com for more details.

[Narrator]

Today ends the country's 100th anniversary observance of National Boys Club Week. This great organization dedicated to juvenile decency looks back on a century of progress in building the nation's youth into better citizens, in replacing hopelessness with guidance and accomplishment. Wherever Boys Clubs serve. But looking ahead is more important to today's youth. And tomorrow's new Boys Clubs must be built to serve whole new areas of the country. As former President Hoover, chairman of the Boys Clubs of America for 25 years, has said, the Boys Clubs are The greatest cure for delinquency in our country. Today, 175 individual clubs serve over 600,000 youths in 383 communities. These groups work actively to promote religion in the home, group brotherhood throughout the community, community beautification and many more valuable programs. A word of gratitude now from the CBS Radio Network and all its affiliated stations to the Boys Clubs of America entering their second century of service to youth.

[Matt Dillon]

Eight rooms up here, Marshall. I don't know if he's in, but if he isn't, you start thinking of someplace he might be. So sure, sure.

[Chester]

I wouldn't blame you for not being here, Mr. Dillon. This is the worst hotel in Dodge.

[Matt Dillon]

This the room? This is it. All right. Knock on the door, tell him you want to talk to him. Okay, but you're going to wish I hadn't knock.

[Chester]

Who's that?

[Matt Dillon]

Ben Sissel. Hello, Sissel. Who's these two? This is Marshall Dillon, Pate. Marshall Dillon? What's he doing here? We'll come inside and tell you, Tate. Now wait a minute, Marshall. Get out of the door. Now you look, Marshall, if you come here over that cowboy last night. It's no use. Everybody saw it. Knows I killed him in self defense. Of course he did. There's plenty of witnesses to that. You're smart, sizzle, but you're a coward. That's why you need a hired gun to help you when you're caught dealing crooked. You'd better watch what you're seeing. Why? I don't carry a gun, Marshal. But Pate does. He happens to be a good friend of mine. Sure, but right now, Pate's gun belt is hanging on that chair over there.

[Arthur Godfrey]

You see it?

[Matt Dillon]

Blasted fool. Shut up. Now, Marshall, I. I ain't afraid of you. But you're armed. And I'm not. Chester, he'll get his gun built.

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

That's pretty brave of you, Marshall. Arresting an unarmed man. I'm not arresting you, Pate. I wish I could. And what are you doing? Chester, unbuckle that belt and hand it to him.

[Chester]

Here you are. All right.

[Matt Dillon]

Put it on, Pete. Put it on. That's right. Okay.

[Chester]

All right.

[Matt Dillon]

You got your gun on now? Yeah. Get out of Dodge.

[Arthur Godfrey]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

I said get out of Dodge right now. I ain't done nothing, Marshall. I got no quarrel with you. What kind of gunman are you, Pete? You afraid of him? The kind of gunman that can be hired isn't the kind that's gonna take any real chances. Sissel. I said I. I got no quarrel with you.

[Chester]

I Don't.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't like this, you know. You let me out of here. Out of Dodge, pig? Sure. It's no good town anyway. Door's open. Marshal's right, Cecil. This job don't pay enough. I guess you win, Marshal. You won't find any gunman here who'll hire out to you now, Cecil, so you might as well learn the deal straight. Oh, I always do, Marshal. Yeah. Come on, Chester, let's get out of here.

[Chester]

Maybe you should have run Thistle out of Dodge, too.

[Matt Dillon]

I'd rather he stayed, Chester. Maybe next time I can arrest him and see him hung like he deserves. It didn't take Peter any longer to leave Dodge than to find his horse and get mounted. And for the next week there was no trouble from Ben Sissel. He went on dealing cards, and although everybody was watching him pretty close, nobody found any reason to complain about him. He didn't win much money, but I began to think maybe he decided that being honest had some value. Anyway, Doc and I were talking about him in my office one noon.

[Chester]

A man like Ben Sissel doesn't change, Matt. He's a crook, and he'll always be one. He's worse than a crook. He's practically a murderer.

[Matt Dillon]

He's also a coward, Doc. That's why I think maybe I got him stopped.

[Chester]

Well, we got him fixed now. In order to stay free, he's got to stay honest. That must be a hard choice for a man like that, Mr. Dillinger. Oh, hold on, Chester. Mr. Dillingham, I just seen the doggones thing out on the street there. Yeah?

[Matt Dillon]

What was that?

[Chester]

Well, sir, who would you say is the last man in Dodge you'd ever expect to start carrying a six gun? I am? Yeah. No, no. Besides of you, Doc, I can't think.

[Matt Dillon]

Of anybody except Doc who doesn't carry a gun. Chester.

[Chester]

Well, what about Cooter Smith?

[Matt Dillon]

Cooter Smith?

[Chester]

If I hadn't saw him, I wouldn't believe it neither.

[Matt Dillon]

What's he doing with the gun?

[Chester]

Just leaning on a post down the street there. He shouldn't be allowed to wear a gun, a man like him. No.

[Matt Dillon]

Tester, go bring him in here. I want to talk to him.

[Chester]

All right, I'll get him. Things will get mighty bad around here when even Cooter Smith decides to arm himself.

[Matt Dillon]

Man, Cooter's pretty harmless.

[Chester]

Well, you never know. A man like that would be harmless one day and dangerous the next.

[Matt Dillon]

What's the matter with Cooter anyway, Doc?

[Chester]

I don't know for sure. I did examine him once, and it.

[Kitty]

Looked to me like he got kicked.

[Chester]

In the head by a horse at one time. He won't say so for some reason, but maybe he doesn't even remember.

[Matt Dillon]

Whatever it was, it sure made him half simple.

[Chester]

I've seen men worse off. Hey, Mr. Jones.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Cooter. Come on in.

[Chester]

Hello, Cooter. Hello, Doc. Why come here like Chester said, Marshall. Good.

[Matt Dillon]

I wanted to talk to you, Cooter.

[Chester]

Well, you never told me to come here before.

[Matt Dillon]

You never wore a gun before, Cooter.

[Chester]

Oh, that. Well, that's for my job, Marshall. Your job? What job of work I got.

[Matt Dillon]

What kind of a job is it?

[Chester]

Why, I don't rightly know yet, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, can you tell me what you do know then? Like who hired you?

[Chester]

Well, the fella that gave me this gun, he hired me for an awful lot of money, he said.

[Matt Dillon]

And who was that? Ben something. Ben Thistle?

[Chester]

Yeah, that's him. He's gonna pay me for wearing this gun.

[Matt Dillon]

He is?

[Chester]

He'll tell you why this afternoon. What? Well, that's when he's gonna tell me everything I gotta do. He's gonna talk to me some more this afternoon. He sure talks a lot, that fellow.

[Kitty]

Yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

Okay, Cooter, you can go along now. But I hope you don't let Sissel talk you into any trouble.

[Chester]

Ah, it ain't that, Marshall. Long as he don't try to make a fool out of me. Sometimes people do. I don't like that.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure, Cooter.

[Chester]

I think I'll go talk to him now and make sure. Goodbye.

[Matt Dillon]

Bye, Cooter.

[Chester]

Well, what in the world do you make of that?

[Matt Dillon]

I think maybe Sissel's crazier than Cooter is. Chester, I'm going to be at the Long branch tonight to make sure.

[Narrator]

When humorous Sam Levinson switched careers, the teaching profession lost one of its most amusing schoolmasters to show business. Tomorrow and all next week, Smilin Sam serves as guest host of the CBS Radio Network's Arthur Godfrey Time, a duty he's been known to carry off in high style before. He'll be introducing you to some fine guest entertainers, too. Be listening for Sam and his friends tomorrow and throughout the week on Arthur Godfrey Time. Just as every weekday tomorrow, the CBS Radio Network will shuttle from shore to shore to bring you top stars of the broadcast entertainment world. Beginning in New York with Arthur Godfrey Time, the network then takes you to Hollywood for art link letters house party. Then back to Manhattan for the Garry Moore Radio Show. Again, a return trip to the coast for the Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney show. There are stops in between, of course, for CBS news from everywhere. Be listening for them all tomorrow and each Monday through Friday. Right where you've got your dial set now at the stars address.

[Matt Dillon]

Evening, Kitty.

[Kitty]

Hello, Matt. What are you doing around here so early tonight?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm looking for Ben Sissel.

[Kitty]

Over there. Is there trouble, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe. Hello, Marshall. Cecil Cooter Smith tells me you were talking to him this morning. I was, and he'll be here in a minute. You can talk to him some more.

[Chester]

Fine.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, I don't know, Marshall. Maybe it won't be so fine. Oh, Cooter's not as easygoing as most people seem to think. He isn't?

[Arthur Godfrey]

No.

[Matt Dillon]

For example, you tie a gun on him, it kind of changes his whole character. Makes him mean, Marshall. You'd be surprised how mean. Yeah, I guess I would. You don't believe me? I'll show you.

[Chester]

Do this.

[Matt Dillon]

Hey, Cooter. Go ahead, Cooter. I told him.

[Chester]

Go ahead.

[Matt Dillon]

Now.

[Chester]

Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, Cooter.

[Chester]

I'm gonna draw on you, Marshall. I'm gonna shoot you.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Chester]

I'm gonna kill you.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, look, Cooter, you know better than that. Is this what you've been putting into his head? Sizzle?

[Chester]

Yup. Don't you look at him, Marshall. You look at me. Don't you look at him. You just look at me.

[Matt Dillon]

So that's it, huh? Okay, Cooter. Go ahead, draw.

[Chester]

Why, I am. I'm going to. You look out, Marshall. I. I sure am.

[Matt Dillon]

No, you're not, Cooter. You haven't got a chance. Now watch this, Cooter. There, you see? You're too slow. I got my gun out, and you haven't even touched yours.

[Chester]

No, I touched mine. Your gun's pointing at me. I. Ben.

[Matt Dillon]

Ben. He's not gonna help you, Cooter.

[Chester]

Yes, he is. He is, too. It's him that's gonna shoot you. It's him.

[Matt Dillon]

You think so?

[Chester]

Ben. Ben, he's gonna kill me. Ben. You guys shoot him. I. I can't stand that. I. I can't.

[Matt Dillon]

You poor devil, Al Sissel. You ought to be real proud. I. I didn't do nothing, Marshall. I wasn't going to shoot you. I don't even carry a gun. You know that. Yeah, sure. But Cooter didn't know it. You told him to make me start for my gun and then you'd shoot me from the side where I couldn't see you. You told him he'd be safe.

[Chester]

That ain't so.

[Matt Dillon]

Marshall, what you planned was to make me kill him. It wouldn't look so good for me to kill a man like Cooter, would it? Nobody would stand for that. They'd laugh me right out of town. That's what you were figuring on, wasn't it? I. I had nothing to do with it, Marshall. I wasn't figuring on nothing. You're not as smart as I thought you were. You're leaving town, Cecil. I'm going to give you one hour, and I hope you take longer. But what you made me do to Cooter is going to be a real pleasure to drag you out of town.

[Chester]

Still leave yet, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

He's still saddling up in the stable over there, Chester. I'm going to give him about one more minute. What did Doc say about Cooter?

[Chester]

Oh, Cooter's fine. Doc give him some powders and stuff. He's real calm now.

[Matt Dillon]

Where is he?

[Chester]

I don't know.

[Matt Dillon]

He left Doc's quite a little bit ago. You explained to him what Cecil was trying to do?

[Chester]

Oh, yes, sir. I made it real plain like you told me.

[Matt Dillon]

You think he understands now?

[Chester]

He understands everything, Mr. Jones. You know, it's funny, but like Doc said, getting scared so bad he fainted seems to help Cooter think straighter, at least about what happened. He ain't near so fuzzy as usual.

[Matt Dillon]

Not good. Sizzle's time's up. I'm going in that stable now and run him out.

[Chester]

He won't give you no fight.

[Matt Dillon]

No, he won't. But I kind of wish he would.

[Chester]

You could have run him out of Dodge a long time ago.

[Matt Dillon]

I wanted to catch him, Chester. I wanted to bring him to trial.

[Chester]

That seems hard to say.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on.

[Chester]

Put that dunk, Scooter. He's killed Ben Sissel.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, drop the gun, Cooter.

[Chester]

I dropped it. Ain't gonna shoot no more. Marshall. Shot him right in the head, Mr. Nell.

[Matt Dillon]

He.

[Chester]

He lied to me. He made a fool out of me.

[Matt Dillon]

Why did you have to kill him, Cooter? I was running him out of Dodge.

[Chester]

Don't you shoot me, Marshall. I wasn't gonna shoot you. Honest, I wasn't. I like you. Sissel told me I wasn't doing anything bad. I wasn't gonna shoot you. Sissel was gonna shoot you. I like you. All right.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Cooter. I know that. Now, just calm down. I'm not gonna hurt you.

[Chester]

Well, you're pointing that gun at me. No.

[Matt Dillon]

Gun's back in my holster, Cooter. Look at it.

[Chester]

See, I am looking at it and I can't stand it. No. Cooter. Cooter. Well, ain't you going after him then?

[Matt Dillon]

Scare him even worse? It's bad enough now, but he killed a man.

[Chester]

He murdered him.

[Matt Dillon]

He won't run far, Chester. I'll find him when his trial comes up. Done enough to Cooter for one day.

[Chester]

Well, it ain't your fault, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

No, that doesn't make me feel any better about it.

[Narrator]

Here with a personal message about cancer is Arthur Godfrey.

[Arthur Godfrey]

Thank you. Cancer is a subject I know something about. But for the grace of the good Lord and some wonderful, courageous doctors, I'm here to talk to you about it. Right now, I want to do everything I can to help save other people. Let me pass on to you the best advice the American Cancer Society has to offer, and that is to see your doctor at least once a year.

[Matt Dillon]

For a health checkup.

[Arthur Godfrey]

It could mean the difference between cure and tragedy. And we all must do even more than that. We've got to help our scientists conquer this thing. Dig deep, my friend. Remember, this is cancer we're fighting. We've all got to give that much more.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Arthur Godfrey. Remember, when an American Cancer Society volunteer, your neighbor calls on you. Give generously. Gunsmoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Frank, Katie, Barney Phillips and Vic Perrin. Parley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on gun smoke.

[Chester]

The last laughs are on Arthur Godfrey.

[Narrator]

Every Weekday on the CBS Radio Network.

[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.

[Chester]

Sam.