Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: Diamond Trail | The Lone Ranger (03-04-42)
Release Date: February 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "Old Time Radio Westerns" features the classic Lone Ranger radio drama "Diamond Trail" (originally aired March 4, 1942). Andrew Rhynes presents a meticulously restored audio experience, immersing listeners in a story of greed, deception, and justice on the lawless frontier. The Lone Ranger and his faithful companion Tonto face a cunning plot by the Drexel syndicate involving a staged robbery, a stolen diamond, and a frame-up designed to bring down the masked hero. Through sharp dialogue, inventive plotting, and evocative sound design, this episode encapsulates the thrilling spirit of the Old West and the enduring heroism of the Lone Ranger.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: Corruption in Deadwood

[02:48 – 05:01]

• Gold fever has brought both honest settlers and criminals into the Black Hills.
• Clark Drexel, head of a criminal syndicate, owns the Golden Lady Cafe, using parties to ingratiate himself with townspeople while plotting shady deals behind closed doors.
• Drexel laments the failure of an associate, Beasley, who’s now jailed due to Lone Ranger’s intervention.

Notable Quote:

“Most men have some weakness. Find it, and you’ve got them... But strength can be weakness, Rita.”
— Clark Drexel ([05:46])

2. Conspiracy Against the Lone Ranger

[05:10 – 07:44]

• Drexel and his partner, Rita Perry, discuss their inability to operate freely with the Lone Ranger interfering.
• They devise a plan to exploit the Lone Ranger’s sense of justice, using Rita’s upcoming trip and her “diamonds” as bait.
• The plot hinges on drawing the Lone Ranger into a trap via false information about a loan deadline threatening Rita’s (fake) gold mine.

3. The Staged Stagecoach Breakdown & Framing the Lone Ranger

[08:47 – 11:31]

• Rita boards the morning stage to Crawford, carrying her diamonds; Judd Bartlett (in on the scheme) is the driver.
• Near Lookout Hill, Judd sabotages the axle and creates the appearance of an accident, awaiting the Lone Ranger’s expected arrival.
• Rita and Judd, performing for the Lone Ranger, convince him to take the diamonds to Crawford to help her brother.

Notable Quote:

“You’re my only chance... Here, take the diamonds.”
— Rita Perry ([11:19])

4. Ambush and Arrest

[12:19 – 14:38]

• Rita immediately accuses the Lone Ranger of robbing her, telegraphing ahead to ensure the sheriff in Crawford expects a masked bandit.
• En route to Crawford, the Lone Ranger and Tonto are ambushed by the sheriff’s posse.
• Tonto escapes with the diamonds, while the Lone Ranger is taken into custody.
• The curtain falls on Act I as the Lone Ranger faces trumped-up robbery charges.

5. Twists Revealed: The Double Con

[16:37 – 21:02]

• In jail, the Lone Ranger asks Tonto (who has visited under cover of darkness) to test the diamonds—discovering they are fakes.
• Tonto spots Rita wearing a single, exceptional stone and deduces it could be the famous, unrecovered Rockwell Diamond.
• Lone Ranger refuses to escape immediately, investigating further.

Notable Quote:

“Not even the diamonds are genuine... There’s only one diamond that big in the United States...”
— Lone Ranger ([18:19])

6. The Jailbreak & Retrieving the Diamond

[21:02 – 22:59]

• Tonto breaks the Lone Ranger out, and they return to Deadwood.
• They break into Rita’s room, retrieve a strongbox (with the real diamond), and narrowly escape after Drexel interrupts them.

7. Confrontation & Confession in the Cave

[23:25 – 27:32]

• Rita and her brother Rance bicker over how their plan went awry, then are led by Tonto to the Lone Ranger’s hideout.
• They attempt to bargain, offering to clear the Ranger’s name if he returns the strongbox.
• Instead, the Lone Ranger reveals the sheriff is listening in and has heard their confession about the attempted frame-up and diamond theft.

Notable Quotes:

“But suppose I do this, Ms. Perry. Suppose I give myself up to the sheriff. Suppose I hand over...the real ones I took from your room last night.”
— Lone Ranger ([26:05])

“You’re a smart masked man... But you still don’t know how powerful Clark Drexel is. You ever find out? Well, maybe that’ll be the last of the Lone Ranger.”
— Rita Perry ([27:44])

8. Justice Prevails & The Lone Ranger’s Departure

[27:58 – 29:13]

• Rita finally confesses, and both siblings are arrested.
• Sheriff thanks the Lone Ranger, who rides off into the night, leaving law and order restored but hinting at future dangers.

Notable Quote:

“You have your prisoners, Sheriff.”
— Lone Ranger ([27:58])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Drexel’s Philosophy on Weakness:
  “Most men have some weakness. Find it, and you've got them... But strength can be weakness, Rita.”
  ([05:46], Clark Drexel)

• Tonto’s Loyalty:
  “You wait. I'll come back soon.”
  ([18:49], Tonto)

• The Twist:
  “Not even the diamonds are genuine.”
  ([18:19], Lone Ranger)

• Rita’s Fatalistic Warning:
  “You still don’t know how powerful Clark Drexel is. You ever find out? Well, maybe that’ll be the last of the Lone Ranger.”
  ([27:44], Rita Perry)

Important Timestamps

• [02:48] – Introduction to Drexel’s syndicate and criminal ambitions in Deadwood
• [05:11] – Drexel and Rita plot to frame the Lone Ranger
• [09:32] – Stagecoach sabotage at Lookout Hill
• [11:19] – Rita hands “diamonds” to the Lone Ranger
• [14:38] – Lone Ranger arrested and Tonto escapes
• [18:19] – Discovery that the diamonds are fakes; true diamond revealed
• [21:02] – Jailbreak and break-in at the Golden Lady Cafe
• [25:23] – Rita and Rance led to the cave for final confrontation
• [27:01] – Sheriff hears confession, Rita and Rance arrested
• [29:13] – Lone Ranger rides away after restoring justice

Episode Tone & Style

The dialogue is fast-paced, tense, and rich with period detail and intrigue. The Lone Ranger maintains his stoic, honorable demeanor against the cunning and bitterness of his adversaries. Rita's manipulations and Drexel’s moral ambiguity provide a shadowy counterpoint to the heroism at the episode's core. Trademark catchphrases (“Hi-Yo Silver! Away!”) and the signature soundscape of hoofbeats and saloon bustle anchor the story in the immersive Western radio tradition.

For fans old and new, this episode offers everything that made "The Lone Ranger" legendary—tight plotting, sharp banter, justice, and the ever-present sense that, as long as the Lone Ranger rides, the West will not fall to corruption.