Cyclone | Gunsmoke (03-14-53)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode Summary: Cyclone | Gunsmoke (03-14-53)

Original Air Date: March 14, 1953
Podcast Release Date: July 2, 2026
Host: Andrew Rhynes

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Episode Overview

This episode, a digitally restored broadcast of the classic Gunsmoke radio drama “Cyclone,” delivers a suspenseful investigation into the sudden sale of the Cyclone Ranch outside Dodge City. Marshal Matt Dillon is drawn into a web of suspicion when the beloved Bartlett family vanishes after supposedly selling their ranch to a group of strangers. As peculiarities around the sale mount, Matt Dillon and his deputy Chester Proudfoot set out to discover what really happened, unraveling a frontier mystery full of tension and eventual tragedy.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

Setting the Scene: The Arrival of Spring in Dodge City

• Chester and Matt discuss the unexpected warmth, signaling spring.

  “Spring is downright staring us in the face.” — Chester Proudfoot (02:11)

• The Texas Trail is busier than normal: former Cyclone Ranch hands are celebrating being paid off after a sale.

The Mystery of the Cyclone Ranch Sale (03:09–06:10)

• Miss Kitty and the saloon crowd reveal that old man Bartlett has supposedly sold the ranch to a stranger named Jed Wade, who brought his own men.
• Ed Revere, former foreman, expresses doubts about Bartlett’s abrupt departure.

  “It just ain’t like Bartlett to run out this way.” — Ed Revere (04:48)

• Matt learns from the town record keeper, Mr. Mifflin, that no deed of sale has been filed.

  “There’s been no deed of sale on the Cyclone Ranch filed in this office.” — Mr. Mifflin (05:12)

• Nobody has seen the Bartletts since the previous week.

Tensions at the Ranch: Introduction of Jed Wade (06:10–12:05)

• Dillon and Chester ride out to the ranch, noting the new owners’ cattle and hasty branding.
• Dallas, the range boss, warns them off; Mrs. Wade (Jed’s mother) welcomes Dillon into the house.
  • Mrs. Wade’s presence adds depth, as she expresses pride in the purchase, unaware of its dark origins.

  “A body just can’t figure why the owners would ever want to sell it and leave.” — Mrs. Wade (08:39)

• Dillon confronts Jed Wade, demanding the bill of sale.
• The bill appears legitimate, verified later by comparing signatures.

Doubt and Suspicion Grow (12:05–14:38)

• Matt is not satisfied, believing the Bartletts did not leave willingly.
• Chester expresses anger at Wade’s rudeness, especially towards his mother.

  “You can’t jail a man for meanness. Not as long as it only comes out in words.” — Matt Dillon (11:46)

Special Feature: Governor of Kansas Address (13:06–14:10)

• Governor Edward F. Arn commends Gunsmoke for its authentic depiction of Kansas history and drama.

Digging for the Truth: The Investigation Deepens (14:38–19:57)

• Matt confides in Chester and Miss Kitty; he’s convinced the sale is a cover-up for something sinister.

  “A man can be made to sign something, Chester.” — Matt Dillon (15:40)

• Night falls; Matt is drawn by the cries of coyotes gathered at the riverbank.
• Matt and Chester investigate and begin digging where the coyotes are congregated.

  “If you’d have told me what we were up to, I could have brought a lantern.” — Chester Proudfoot (19:21)

• They discover the bodies of the Bartletts, confirming foul play.

The Confrontation & Climax (20:01–25:05)

• As Matt and Chester uncover the bodies, they’re fired upon from the riverbank by Dallas.
• They return fire, killing Dallas.
• Determined to apprehend Jed Wade, they return to the ranch.
• Mrs. Wade, worried, innocently attempts to be helpful, not aware of her son’s crimes.
• Matt and Chester find Jed Wade in the barn; Wade pretends to surrender, then tries to escape by smashing a lantern and causing a fire.
• In the chaos, Wade dies in the blaze.

Aftermath & Tragedy (25:05–27:24)

• Mrs. Wade grieves the loss of her son, expressing sorrow and a sense of inevitability.

  “I always knowed it was going to end like this sometime.” — Mrs. Wade (25:40)

• Matt offers to take her back to town, honoring her request to leave only with the few belongings she brought.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the arrival of spring & foreshadowing:
  “Well, this weather won’t hold, Chester. We always got a rip snorter after a spell like this.”
  — Matt Dillon (01:59)

• On Bartlett’s character:
  “Said he put half his life into that place and planned on living out the rest of it right there.”
  — Ed Revere (04:26)

• On Wade’s hostility:
  “Suppose you turn around, hightail it out of here. Whenever Jed’s got business with the law, he’ll come to you.”
  — Dallas (07:11)

• After the climax, Mrs. Wade’s grief:
  “Those boys done a lot of bad things, Mr. Dillon, but I don’t hold with killing.”
  — Mrs. Wade (26:05)

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Important Timestamps by Segment

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:09 | Chester and Kitty note the arrival of spring | | 03:09 | Disclosure Cyclone Ranch was sold to a stranger | | 05:12 | Mr. Mifflin confirms no deed filed for the ranch | | 08:03 | Mrs. Wade invites Matt and Chester into the home | | 10:02 | Dillon requests to see the bill of sale from Jed Wade | | 13:06 | Governor Arn’s special message | | 15:40 | Matt expresses doubts about the bill of sale | | 18:00 | Matt and Chester follow coyotes to the riverbank | | 19:57 | Discovery of the Bartletts’ graves | | 20:50 | Gunfight with Dallas at the riverbank | | 23:18 | Matt and Chester confront Jed Wade in the barn | | 25:01 | Wade perishes in the fiery barn | | 25:40 | Mrs. Wade laments the loss of her son | | 26:24 | Mrs. Wade requests a ride back to town |

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Tone & Style

The episode captures the gritty, restrained dramatics of classic Gunsmoke Westerns. Dialogue stays close to the rural, clipped speech of the frontier, mixing stoicism, wry humor, suspicion, and solemnity.
Justice is meted out at a heavy cost, and the episode closes on a note of sadness, with empathy for the suffering of even the guilty’s kin.

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Conclusion

“Cyclone” stands out as a taut, atmospheric mystery that typifies Gunsmoke’s reputation for adult, realistic Western storytelling. The episode explores the dark underside of law and violence on the frontier as Matt Dillon methodically uncovers the truth amid suspicion, culminating in a tense confrontation and tragic loss for both the innocent and the guilty.

This restored audio gem invites listeners into the heart of radio’s golden age, breathing new life into a timeless tale of justice and heartbreak.

Transcript

[Chester Proudfoot]

Foreign.

[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 date is March 14, 1953, and the title is Cyclone. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.

[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. Gun smoke. Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. Ladies and gentlemen, later on tonight's program, you'll hear a special message from the Honorable Edward F arne, Governor of the State of Kansas. But now we bring you the first act of gun smoke.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I'll swear it's going to be spring before we know it, Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, this weather won't hold, Chester. We always got a rip snorter after a spell like this.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Sure don't look much like it today. I even heard a meadowlock this morning.

[Matt Dillon]

It's early for meadow larks, isn't it?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir, that's what I'm telling you. Spring is downright staring us in the face. Well, the Texas trail's kind of lively for this time of the afternoon.

[Matt Dillon]

Be livelier if you're right about spring and those trail herds start rolling in.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Look who's here.

[Miss Kitty]

And in the daytime, too.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Miss Kitty.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Miss Kitty, isn't it wonderful out?

[Miss Kitty]

And guess what, Matt? I heard a metal like this morning.

[Matt Dillon]

You and Chester, huh?

[Chester Proudfoot]

I've been telling you, Miss Kitty, Spring is just around the corner.

[Jed Wade]

Kitty?

[Miss Kitty]

Yeah?

[Matt Dillon]

How come there's such a crowd in here?

[Miss Kitty]

Oh, you mean the boys at the bar? Well, it's some of the writers in the Cyclone Ranch.

[Matt Dillon]

They're celebrating. Seems they were celebrating Saturday night. They're making kind of a long weekend out of it, aren't they?

[Miss Kitty]

Jim Paulson said they all went back to the ranch Monday morning, but they got paid off. Yeah, the ranch was sold.

[Matt Dillon]

Sold? You mean old man Bartlett sold out? I hadn't heard anything about it.

[Miss Kitty]

Well, that's what they said. The new owner had already taken over some stranger. He's the one who paid him off. He'd brought his own riders with him.

[Matt Dillon]

What's this stranger's name?

[Jed Wade]

Kitty?

[Miss Kitty]

Well, I don't know, man. Ed Revere over there was Bartlett's foreman. Ask him.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I think I will. Excuse me.

[Jed Wade]

I figured old man Bartlett could stay on.

[Ed Revere]

Howdy, Marshall. Figure on throwing Us into Hooscow?

[Matt Dillon]

No, Ed, I wasn't planning on it. Do you happen to know where I can find old man Bartlett?

[Ed Revere]

Well, afraid you're out of luck. Him and his wife's left the country. At least that's what the fellow that bought the ranch told him.

[Matt Dillon]

You mean he didn't even stay around to pay you off?

[Ed Revere]

Nope. Made up his mind right sudden, I reckon. Guess this fella Jed Wade made him a mighty good offer.

[Matt Dillon]

Jed Wade, huh?

[Ed Revere]

Yeah, Texas man, more than likely. Ain't from around here anyways. None of his cowboys, neither.

[Matt Dillon]

Then you haven't seen old man Bartlett since you left the ranch and came into town Saturday morning, huh?

[Ed Revere]

Mary, Hide in your hair.

[Matt Dillon]

And he didn' anything last week about planning to sell?

[Ed Revere]

No, I didn't. Sure can't figure old man Bartlett selling out. Said he put half his life into that place and planned on living out the rest of it right there.

[Matt Dillon]

Listen, Ed, let me ask you something. What do you figure about all this?

[Ed Revere]

I don't know, Marshall, except that it ain't quite right somehow.

[Matt Dillon]

You don't think there's something crooked about

[Ed Revere]

it, do you, Marshall? I don't know what to think, but it just ain't like Bartlett to run out this way. If there's anything I can do.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure. Thanks, Ed.

[Mr. Mifflin]

Marshall, I don't even have to look it up in the record. There's been no deed of sale on the Cyclone Ranch filed in this office. If there had, I'd know about it.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, well, all right. Thanks. That's all I wanted to know.

[Mr. Mifflin]

Furthermore, there won't be one filed. Old man Bartlett will live out his life and die right there, you take it from me.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, well, that's what I figured, Mr. Dillon. Oh, come on in, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Mifflin.

[Mr. Mifflin]

Oh, quite all right, sir. I believe our business is completed.

[Jed Wade]

Yeah?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. What'd you find out, Chester?

[Chester Proudfoot]

I checked the depot and the stage lines, Mr. Dillon, and nobody in town hasn't seen neither one of them since last night week.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, all right, Chester, I guess we better ride out to the ranch.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Looks like that new outfit brought some of their own cattle up from Texas, Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, they're wasting no time slapping a brand on them either.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Want to take a look at him?

[Jed Wade]

No.

[Matt Dillon]

Let's ride on up to the house.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I sure can't figure it, Mr. Dillon. Working night and day to build up a good feeder ranch like this, and then up and selling out without even thinking it over.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I can't figure it either, Chester.

[Jed Wade]

All Right.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh,

My golly, it sure is a fine ranch.

[Dallas]

We ain't hiring anybody. Better mount up and ride.

[Matt Dillon]

Are you Jed Wade?

[Dallas]

Name's Dallas. I'm the range boss.

[Matt Dillon]

Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Mr. Wade here?

[Dallas]

He's out in the barn. What do you want to see him about?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, suppose I take that up with him, huh?

[Dallas]

And suppose you turn around, hightail it out of here. Whenever Jed's got business with the law, he'll come to you.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, look, Mr. Father, you hadn't ought

[Mrs. Wayne]

to talk to businesses that way.

[Dallas]

Jed don't want strangers hanging around. Ms. Wade, you don't want you talking to strangers either. You better go on back in the house.

[Mrs. Wayne]

I guess I know better than you

what my old son wants. I'm the only one that understands him. You come right on inside, gentlemen.

Mr. Dillon, did you say? That was the name?

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma', am, that's right. This is my partner, Chester Proudfoot.

[Chester Proudfoot]

How do, man?

[Dallas]

How do you fellas wait right there. I'll go get Jeff.

[Matt Dillon]

I think we'll accept the lady's invitation. After you, ma'.

[Jed Wade]

Am.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Why, thank you, Mr. Vince. Surely does drink a body after they haven't collars in her own house. Especially when you live so long from hand to mouth.

[Matt Dillon]

I understand that you're new here, ma'.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Am.

Oh, yes, yes, we were camped for three weeks down along the river. Nary a caller. Just living in a wagon. Oh, do be seated, gentlemen.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Ain't this a real pretty place now? Why, when Jed and Dallas rode back to camp Sunday morning and said they just bought a real bargain, I couldn't dream they meant something like this.

A body.

Just can't figure why the owners would ever want to sell it and leave. Would you gentlemen care for some cold buttermilk?

[Matt Dillon]

No, thank you, ma'. Am. You didn't meet the owners yourself then, huh?

[Mrs. Wayne]

No, no, they're already gone when I came over. Oh, you mustn't mind Dallas, Mr. Dillon. He's really a good boy at heart. Him and Jed just picked up a habit of talking mean like that sometimes, and seems like people just don't understand it. Mr. Dillon, Jed ain't got himself into some kind of trouble again, has he?

[Matt Dillon]

Again, Mrs. Wayne?

[Mrs. Wayne]

Well, it's like I said, people just don't understand Jed lots of times. It ain't easy to bring up a boy alone and a body don't always know what's the right way to do and whatnot. But Jed's real good hearted down underneath. Once you understand him like I do, why why, the way he even talks to me sometimes would make you think that he was.

[Jed Wade]

Son, what did I tell you about

mouthing off the stranger?

[Miss Kitty]

But I was.

[Jed Wade]

Get in the kitchen.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Well, all right, sir, you say so.

[Jed Wade]

He's getting old and it's been a hard trip up here. Dallas told me you was here, Marshal. What can I do for you?

What do you want?

[Matt Dillon]

I'd like to see your bill of sale for this ranch, Mr. Wade.

[Jed Wade]

What for?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'll tell you after I see it.

[Jed Wade]

Are you trying to accuse me of something?

[Matt Dillon]

Not if you got a bill of sale signed by old man Bartlett. Well,

[Jed Wade]

all right, Marshall. There you are. Take a look,

[Matt Dillon]

Huh?

[Mr. Mifflin]

Satisfied?

[Matt Dillon]

Now, where did the Bartlets go, Mr. Wade?

[Jed Wade]

They said they was leaving the country and that's all I know about it. Yeah? You want to give me back my

[Matt Dillon]

bill of sale now? I'd like to take it into town and check the signature, if you don't mind.

[Ed Revere]

Go ahead.

[Jed Wade]

It'll check.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, then you got nothing to worry about, have you?

[Jed Wade]

Nary thing, Marshall, I don't know what's on your mind, but you're barking up wrong tree.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You ask me, Mr. Dylan, I'd say that Wade and his partner are ornery enough for anything. Just plumb cussed, downright sneak in mean.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe so, Chester, but you can't jail a man for meanness. Not as long as it only comes out in words.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I suppose there ought to be a law of some kind. Not take. Like the way he talks to his mom. I don't see how she can put up with it.

[Matt Dillon]

And she's his mother, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, I know that, but there's no.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Matt.

[Jed Wade]

Oh, how you, Doc?

[Dallas]

Just getting ready to close up the office.

[Matt Dillon]

How about feeding with me later maybe, Doc. I'd say, Doc, you still got that bill of sale on that horse you bought last fall from old man Bartlett?

[Dallas]

Why, sure.

[Jed Wade]

Guess so, Madge.

Why?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I just want to check Bartlett's signature.

[Jed Wade]

Why?

[Matt Dillon]

What do you got there?

[Jed Wade]

I know his signature pretty well.

[Matt Dillon]

Let me take a look at that.

[Jed Wade]

Now, man.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, here, see what you think, huh?

[Jed Wade]

Oh.

Oh, yes. That's old man Bartlett.

[Dallas]

Scroll all right.

[Jed Wade]

Of course, there.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, maybe I was wrong.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir.

Looks that way, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

But only about the bill of sale. Chester, we still don't know what happened to the Bartletts.

[Narrator]

At this time. It is with great pride that Gunsmoke is able to bring you a specially recorded message by the Honorable Edward F. Arne, Governor of the State of Kansas. Ladies and gentlemen, Governor Arn, it's a

[Governor Edward F. Arne]

real pleasure for me on behalf of Kansans everywhere to congratulate the CBS Radio Network, the writers, producers, directors, actors and technicians on the splendid job you are doing with Gunsmoke. Here is real adult Western drama without the usual horse opera cliches, portraying an era and community of Kansas that graphically mark the formative years of our great state. Let me point out, however, the Dodge City of today is a far cry from the Dodge City so vividly brought to life in Gunsmoke. From those early pioneer and frontier days, Dodge City has developed into one of the fine cities of our state. Industrially, agriculturally and historically. The folks of Dodge City, and indeed all the people of this great Sunflower State, thank you for a good job well done.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Governor Arne. And now, the second act of Gunsmoke.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Big crowd in town tonight, Mr. Dylan. In here, too. Must be the feel of spring in the air. Get the man on the prod. Makes him feel good.

[Matt Dillon]

Not me.

[Jed Wade]

Just.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir. I've been noticing that you haven't said one dozen words in the last hour. It don't do a man any good to stay down in the dump that way.

[Matt Dillon]

Drink your beer.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, now, we just made a mistake, that's all. Got the wind up over nothing.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, we know it's old man Bartlett's signature, but I just can't help feeling that we haven't made a mistake.

[Miss Kitty]

Well, maybe you ought to make one, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, hi.

[Miss Kitty]

Everybody ought to make a mistake once in a while.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Keep them from getting old or else helps them along.

[Miss Kitty]

What's your trouble, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, feeling that somebody's guilty, not being able to prove it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

It's that Cyclone Ranch business, Ms. Jetty.

[Matt Dillon]

I know Bartlett didn't sell her.

[Chester Proudfoot]

His signature is on that bill of sale, Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, but a man can be made to sign something, Chester.

[Miss Kitty]

Well, why don't you find Mr. Bartlett and ask him?

[Matt Dillon]

I'd settle for just finding him. I don't think I'd need to do any more asking.

[Miss Kitty]

Do you mean that the way it sounds, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I know I'm jumping at conclusions, but the way things add up, it's the only answer that makes any sense.

[Miss Kitty]

Well, I hope you're wrong, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

So do I. But I don't think I am.

[Miss Kitty]

Anyway, there's not much you can do about it right now.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Why don't you forget it for a while?

[Miss Kitty]

How about a round of drinks, Matt? An honor of Spring.

[Matt Dillon]

Spring, huh? You and Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, it is, Mr. Dylan.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Yeah, even the coyotes feel it. Did you Hear him just after dark

[Miss Kitty]

tonight, yapping down along the river bottom.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I heard him. Kitty, would you mind if we had that drink later?

[Miss Kitty]

All right, but where are you going?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I just thought that Chester and I might take a little ride, that's all. Hold up a minute, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes.

Be all right to roll a cigarette, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

No, you better not. We're too close to the Bartlett place.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Miss Kitty sure was right about those coyotes. Every one of them and his brothers out tonight, all yapping their fool heads.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You suppose those coyotes really know it's spring coming, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

It could be.

[Chester Proudfoot]

They're sure scattered all over the countryside.

[Matt Dillon]

There seems to be more of them off there toward the river bottom, though.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir.

Maybe you're right, Mr. Dillon. Wonder why.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know. Might be worthwhile taking a look.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, of course.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, it sounds to me like most of those coyotes are up around those river bluffs there by the bend.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, Mr. Jon.

I believe it does that.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on, Chester. Let's ride over that way. They're on the other side of that willow thicket. Let's cut through the thicket here.

[Chester Proudfoot]

They must be awful interested in something or they sure wouldn't let us get this close.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I guess they heard you, Chester. I think most of them are over there at the foot of the bank. Let's take a look. Come on.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Chunk of the banks caved off there, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, but the coyotes didn't do it. I've been trying to dig something up, not bury it. I wish there was more moonlight.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir.

Well, if you'd have told me what we were up to, I could have brought a lantern.

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't know we were going to run into anything. Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir?

[Matt Dillon]

See if you can find a stick and let's scratch her on in this loose dirt, huh?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Anybody tried to tell me this morning

that I'd be out here in the middle of the night digging in that

dirt like a groundhog, not even knowing what the same hill I was.

[Matt Dillon]

What is it, Chester? Did you find something?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir, I sure have.

[Matt Dillon]

Here, let me see.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mighty lucky hunch you had, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, now we know why nobody saw the Bartletts leave town.

[Chester Proudfoot]

They killed him. They killed both of them?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, after they made him sign that bill of sale. Hit the dirt, Chester. They came from the edge of the bank up there. Watch for the next flash.

[Jed Wade]

Is that you, Wade?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Just to the left of that Zoomac, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I saw it.

[Jed Wade]

You're under arrest for murder, Wade. Now throw down that gun.

[Matt Dillon]

And come out of there with your hands up. All right, Chester, let's open up on him. Careful, Chester. He may be faking it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Only one thing, Mr. Dylan.

It's not wade.

It's dallas.

[Matt Dillon]

Then let's go find wade.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ranch is dark. Looks like they're all in bed.

[Matt Dillon]

It may be easier that way.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes.

[Matt Dillon]

I wish there was some way of keeping his mother out of it. I don't see how it can be.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Dallas, is that you?

You scare the coyotes away.

I heard the shooting in a house.

[Matt Dillon]

It's not Dallas, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Why, it's the marshal and Mr. Broadfoot. At this time of night? This is quite a surprise.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma', am, I reckon so. Is Jed here?

[Mrs. Wayne]

Well, I guess so. Maybe he's out in the barn or somewhere. What's wrong, Mr. Dillon? I sure do hope Jed ain't in some kind of trouble.

[Matt Dillon]

I just want to talk to him. Miss Weener, why don't you go on back in the house, huh? And we'll see if we can find him.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Well, all right. If you think best. You just go straight on back through the barn. I reckon you'll find them all right.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank you. Man,

[Chester Proudfoot]

it's not gonna be easy.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I know. Keep yourself covered.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I will. Sounds like he's working back there.

[Dallas]

Yeah.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Bartlett put up enough prairie hay here

to last for three years.

[Matt Dillon]

Right on back.

[Jed Wade]

Dallas.

[Matt Dillon]

Got these here running irons finished. Dallas won't be needing any running irons, Wade, or anything else. He's dead. We found where you buried the Bartlets.

[Jed Wade]

That's what that shooting was.

[Matt Dillon]

You and Dallas, you're under arrest for murder. Wade, if you make a move, you're gonna end up the same way Dallas did.

[Jed Wade]

How could I do anything martial?

[Matt Dillon]

I got no gun. I noticed it hanging on the wall there behind you. You leave it there?

[Jed Wade]

Sure.

[Matt Dillon]

Now lay down that hammer and stick out your wrist.

[Ed Revere]

Sure.

[Matt Dillon]

Anything you say.

[Jed Wade]

He smashed the lantern, Ms. Dylan. Now watch it, Chester. He'll have his gun now.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Accurate.

[Jed Wade]

Get back, Chester. Get back toward the door.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I can't see a thing in all this smoke.

[Jed Wade]

That haze is dry as powder. This burn's going to go up like a tinder box. Wade. You haven't got a chance. Now, come on out of there while you still can.

[Matt Dillon]

Why, you come back here and get a crazy fool.

[Jed Wade]

Come on out now.

[Chester Proudfoot]

The heat's getting awful bad, Mr. Dylan.

[Jed Wade]

Yeah, I know. Back toward the door, Chester. We're going to have to get out of here.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Even for a man like Wade, that's not a good way to die, Mr. Dallas.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, no way. Yes. Then you come right down to a Chester kid.

[Jed Wade]

Kid?

[Mrs. Wayne]

He's in there, lady. He's there with all that fire.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm sorry, ma'.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Am, you got to go get him out of there.

[Matt Dillon]

No, I'm afraid there's no use.

[Mrs. Wayne]

I'm going there myself.

[Jed Wade]

No, no, no. It's too late to help him.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Yes.

I always knowed it was going to end like this sometime. I always knowed it.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm sorry, Ms. Waden.

[Mrs. Wayne]

You had done something real bad. Didn't he, Mr. Dillon? Him in Dallas. That's why you come back here.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma'. Am, I'm afraid so. They killed the people who owned this ranch. They buried them down along the riverbank.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Those boys done a lot of bad things, Mr. Dillon, but I don't hold with killing.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm sorry it had to happen this way, ma'.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Am.

Mr. Dillon, I'd like to ask a favor.

[Matt Dillon]

Why, certainly, ma'.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Am.

I come out here in a wagon. Shout back at the house. Now that it's getting right, if you'd hitch up my team to it, I'd like to go back to town with you.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, Mr. Dillon, I'll do it.

[Mrs. Wayne]

I'll just take what I brought, Mr. Dennett. Nothing else.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, just as you like, ma'.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Am.

It's all in the trunk. Funny thing. I never did unpack.

[Narrator]

Gunsmoke under the direction of Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Tonight's story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Les Crutchfield with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast were Vivi Janis, Harry Bartel, Lawrence Dobkin, Joe Cranston and Jerry Hausner. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Gun smoke is heard by our troops overseas through the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West. In Gunsmok. Tomorrow night, Theater of Stars brings you Dana Andrews as a New England fisherman of the old school in a colorful, exciting drama of the clipper ship day titled the Token. Hear what happens when a determined young lady seals her sister's betrothal token and then sets out to seal the stalwart young fisherman as well. It's on Theater of Stars tomorrow night on most of these same stations a feature presentation of CBS Radio at the Star's address. And you've heard of people stopping the show? Well, there's a show on CBS Radio every Sunday evening. That stops the people. It's the Jack Benny show, of course, and when it comes on the air, practically everybody stops doing practically everything except laughing. So tomorrow night just stop everything and listen to Jack Benny. He'll be on your favorite CBS radio station, George Walsh speaking. And remember, Eve arden as our Ms. Brooks also teaches you how to laugh Sundays on the CBS Radio Network.

[Mrs. Wayne]

Sam.

[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.