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Foreign. Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke original air dates July 19, 1952 and the title is Doc Holliday. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening. 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 the 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 Mar. Hey, all you pretty travelers, you listen to me. You gotta get welcome to Dodge City proper. Like. Hey, you there, mister. I said you. You addressing me, sir? I reckon I am. You a preacher? Not exactly. You dress like a preacher. If you'll excuse me. Back up, fancy pants. You ain't no preacher. I figure I'm making you dance some for the folks you think can hurrah me. Dude, I said dance. Dance. Or the next shot will take off one of your toes. I don't think I'd like that, Doc. No. All right, Thorn. Put up the gun. Marshall. You got a wild and woolly town here. Marshall, you move aside. I'm going to make this grinning dude kick up his heels for us. I'd say that might be quite a trick, Thorne. Unless he's changed a lot since I last met him. Have you, Doc? Not for the good, Matt. I was afraid you. Casey face 10 if what I said for you. Shut up. He's drunk, Doctor. He's dead. You just don't know it yet. I'll take it. Good. If you'd meet me later at my office. All right, M. You. Well, that's sure a lot of talk. Now, I'm going to shoot that dude's boot heels. Fire one shot and I'll pistol whip you. What's that? You're kind of forgetting who's holding a gun, ain't you? I wasn't forgetting. Oh, my wrist. You broke my wrist. I doubt it. Now let's go to jail. You can't put me in jail. I'm Thorn Finley. Move. Oh, you wait till I kill Big Jack about this and I will too. Do that. He might be grateful to me for saving your neck. You pulled some fool stunts, dawn, but you've never been closer to dying than just a minute ago. Do you mean from that fancy pant? Well, I could handle six like him. That makes you a lot of men I can name a Dozen pretty good gun hands who can't handle one of it. What? That's Doc Holliday. Salute, matt. Salut, doc. That sounds worse. Doc. Yeah? I got orders to go to Arizona. Air is dry there. Better for my lungs going. Thought I might. Wyatt invited me to visit him. He and Virgil and Morgan of the law down there. Some little mine in town called Tombstone. Well, it sounds peaceful. Anyway, it isn't. It will be by the time Wyatt Earp gets through. He is the peacemaking as man I ever met. Outside of you, Matt. Who was the tallahead down at the depot, anyway? No, Thorne, you're just a spoiled kid. Kid couldn't be much younger than you. Sure, but Thorne never grew up. His father has coddled him and protected him and gotten him out of scrapes ever since he was a pup. He's never had to be a man. Not with Big Jack wet nursing. Big Jack? Big Jack Finley? Now, you know him? I've heard of him. Well, that figures. He owns about half of Kansas. Star in a box. Runs more cows than he can count. Swings a lot of weight and dodge. Yeah, too much. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Dillon. Somebody said that Doc Holliday had come into town today and he. Oh, excuse me. It's all right, Chester. Why'd you shake hands with him? Don't mind if I shake with my left hand. It's a kind of habit. Yeah, I know. Mr. Dillon has the same habit. He would. How about dinner tonight, Matt? Sure. Sure. How long will you be in Dodge? Not long. Just till I finish a chore. Oh, that chore have anything to do with Big Jack? Finley? Might say so. It's gonna kill him. All right, Dylan, turn him loose. You forgot to close the door, Mr. Finley. You're gonna turn my boy loose? I'm gonna have to do it for you. You got a rid of habeas corpus. Rich Thorn didn't commit no crime. Charges are drunk and disorderly, disturbing the peace and attempted assault with a deadly weapon. I was. You still need a writ. But, man, Judd Nathan does what I say and you know it. Don't you think I can get a writ? I'm sure you can and will. You always do. Then what's the point, Dylan? It's just a lot of useless red tape. It's a law. Close the door on the way out, All right, Thorn. Didn't I tell you Big Jack could get me out? When are you going to learn you can't save the speech? The law can't touch a Finley. You ought to get smart, Marshall. Like you sure. Like me. Hi, Big Jack. You okay, son? Fine. Anything else, Mr. Finley? Why, yes. My boy here is a little boisterous sometimes. I know. High spirited, you understand. So? So I want to put a stop to all this nonsense of yours. Arresting him every time he kicks up his heels a bit. Go on. Well, I'm offering you a job. Let's say protecting my interests. 200amonth and no work. Naturally. I see we understand each other. Perfect. No work. Of course. All I have to do is just shut my eyes whenever junior here breaks the law. I said we understand each other. There's no need to elaborate on it, Dylan. There's a big need. Only, how do I explain to a person like you that some men don't wear a price tag? How do I explain how I feel about a so called respectable citizen making the law his private doormat? Hey, you're nothing but the stupid gunman I've always thought you were. I understand you took the part of Doc Holliday against my son. I kept Thorne from committing suicide. Yeah. You sided with a notorious killer against an important citizen of this community. Now I'm telling you, Dylan, I don't want him in Dodge tomorrow. Doc may be a gunfighter, but he's clear with the law, Finley. And a better man than your son will ever be. What? Why, I. That hurts, doesn't it? Cute. I'm serving notice, Marshall. You run that killer out of Dodge City or I'll do it myself. Big Jack Finley, cattleman and self made king of Southern Kansas. No better or worse than most of the men carving empires out of the West. Until love for his son blinded him to the fact that Thorn Fenley had gone bad. From here on, I knew the war was on between Big Jack and me. So Big Jack finally's gonna run me out of town. No. Unless I do it first. Home. I do something? Naughty man. You threatened a man's life. And just between friends, man. Anything else, Doc? Not murder. Murder? I give him an even break. With you, that's still murder. Don't you think you better tell me about it? What if I don't tell you now? Then my job's to warrant Finley and try to protect him. You're a tough man to be friends with, man. It applies to you too, doesn't it? Guess maybe it does at that. Doesn't realize how I put you on the spot. By spouting off my good intentions. Sorry. Forget it. Forget it. You want to talk to me? All right. Remember a girl named Ruth Davis? Mm. Died in a riding accident. A few months ago. Always wondered if it wasn't suicide. She lost her brother two weeks before. Then, no accident, no suicide. You sure? Sure. You know, Ruth and her brother ran a ranch alone. A man started pestering Ruth and she hated him. The brother kicked the man off the ranch. This fellow drag Ghost, Ruth's brother made it look like a robbery. You have any proof of this? Yeah. Ruth was afraid to go to the law, so she sent a letter to me. Here, read it yourself. She says the man was Finley and says she expects him to try and shut her up for good. That doesn't mean it's Big Jack. I went to see Ruth's folks. They had her belongings. Among them, I found this watch chain engraved JF on the clasp. Jack Finley. You see why I've got the killing that forced Ruth's horse over that cliff. Sure, but do you still think she died accidental? No, but who's responsible is something for a court to decide. Court? With Finley's money and influence, he wouldn't spend five days in jail even if he was convicted, which he wouldn't be. He doesn't own the court. Maybe not, but it's still the most powerful man in the state. Against a dead girl who's only friends is Doc Holliday. How do you think a judge will decide? Doc, I'm going to ask you a favor. Make it one I can give. I got an idea. But you must let me handle it my way. Give the law a chance. All right, Matt, I can wait. Thank you. I'll keep this letter in chain for a while. All right. But if the law fails, I'll brace Big Jack Finley when he walks out of the courthouse. And you'll be bracing two men. Doc Finley and me. Come in. Morning, Marshall. Looks like it'll be a fine day. Well, you're up kind of early just to bring me a weather report, aren't you, Judge Nathan? Oh, well, I. I want to see you now. Go right ahead. You mind if I finish shaving? No, no, please do. Just thought I'd chat with you about the doctor. Finley, uh. Oh, yes. It seems that Big Jack's very upset by your attitude. I'm not surprised. Feels you're a little rough on his boy. I am. Then his boy's a little rough. Yeah. Well, Raph Thorn is high spirited. Like yesterday. Yesterday he was just plain high. Tell me, Judge Nathan, how do you like being on Fenley's payroll? What? You know, you used to be a pretty decent person. Oh, you can't talk to me. Yes, I can. I'm sending a copy of Thorne's record to the Governor. Governor? And with it I'm sending the list of the rich you've issued to get him out of jail and a copy of the court records. I've only tempered my justice with mercy, that's all. Thorn's been arrested for 18 offenses, convicted of 10, spent no time in jail and paid a total of $15 in fines. I'd say you've been very merciful. You said you were sending this to the Governor. You haven't actually mailed it yet. No. You got an op. Not that I don't feel justified in any decisions I've made, but such a report might cause undue talk at the Capitol and ruin your political hopes. Well, my conditions are simple. Get off Finley's payroll now. Very well. And give me cooperation from here on, no matter who's involved. Do that and I shelve the report. Mr. Dillon. Trouble to make it. What kind of trouble, Chester? It's big Jack Finley, Mr. Dillon. He's rounding up his crew at the Alfraganza. They're gonna ride Doc Holliday out of town on a rail. Did you cut yourself shaving? We will return for the second act of gun smoke in just a moment. But first, don't forget, starting Monday, CBS Radio's tremendous news staff will start bringing you the complete coverage of the Democratic convention in Chicago. As you found during the Republican convention, CBS radio never misses. So starting Monday, stay with CBS Radio all day and evening for the Democratic convention. Now, the second act of gun smoke. Doc. Doc, wake up. Doc, it's matt. Oh, What's up? Trouble. Lots of trouble. Big Jack Finley's organizing a little citizens committee of his own. Hand picked men coming to escort you out of town on a rail. Yeah, that's a general idea. Here, take the shotgun. Yeah, I'll hide it under the covers. Modest like. I'll wait against the wall here. Good. That'll put them in a crossfire, it comes to that. There's enough of them. We're in a spot. Likely we are. You're risking your neck to save me some bruises. One I owe you, friend. Matt, it's my job. Still one I owe you. There he is. Grab him up. All right, stop right there. I'll shoot the man who takes another step. You think you're going to stop us, Dylan? I think so. Me and Doc. Doc. Show him, Doc. Sure thing, Marshall. Look, boys. Surprise. I sure do love surprises, Dylan. I've got a dozen men with me. Well, sure, about six of them will Die, Finley, if you don't crawl out of here fast. And guess who'll die first. Big Jack. You there, Moncrief. I always figured you for some brains. Get your boss out of here quick. Sure talking, sis. Big Jack. Shut up, Moncrief. You showing yellow. Oh, but, man, there's nothing here for us to die over. Listen to him, Finley. That Greener Doc is Holding has 18 buckshot in each barrel. He'll get slaughtered if he triggers that thing. And I'm getting edgy, Finley and me. If I get a coffin spell, I'm liable to shoot without meaning. All right. All right. This is twice you have made a Finley back down. You'll never get a third chance. Let's get out of here. Matt, when you gonna arrest him? When I'm ready. Not long. I hope not. Getting impatient to see that man. I got your message, Marshall. I hope it's important. It is. Moncrief. How long you been foreman for Big Jack? 15, 16 years. You know him pretty well. Would he be the kind to kill a girl? No, of course not. Because he'd kill a man if he got mad enough that he wouldn't kill no girl. Marshall, I have proof that he did a girl and her brother. But it doesn't set right. I'm hoping you can help. What's your proof, marshal? A letter that names Finley is the man Ruth Davis wrote it for. She died. Ruth Davis. And this watch chain was found with her belongings. It's engraved on the. I know. I was with Big Jack when he bought this chain in Chicago. It was right after his wife died. Big Jack wear it all the time. You rode the right hunch, Marshall. Thorne is your man. Just like you figure. He had a yen for the Davis girl, but he kept it quiet. Guess he didn't want it known she throwed him over. But the watch chain. Big Jack gave that to thorne on his 25th birthday. Whole ranch can testify to that. Good. All right. Thank you, Moncrief. You gonna try and arrest Thorne? Why? If Big Jack believes Thorne killed that girl, it'll break his heart. Broke her neck. If he don't believe it, then he'll protect Thorne. And Marshall, there's not enough lawmen in the state of Kansas to make Big Jack give up his so. Yeah. What it. Oh, it's you, Marshall. And John Holiday. Doc, this is Judge Nathan Holiday. Oh, yes. I've heard of you. I've heard of you too, judge. One to which has heard the worst. What's that? Why, I. Judge, I'm here On business. Oh, of course. Come in, won't you? In my study here, so we won't be disturbed. Now, what is it, Marshall? I want you to swear out a warrant for Thorne Finley's arrest charge. Murder. You sure you want to go with me, Doc? I'm sure. All right. Hold up your right hand. Oh, no, Matt. You wouldn't make me a lawman. If you go, you go as my deputy. I'm not letting you make this a private fight. And with my friends if they hear I wore a star. All right, Matt, it's your show. You swear to uphold and enforce the laws of this community, the state of Kansas and the United States to the best of your ability as deputy marshal, so help you God. All of that. All of that. I swear. Here, pin on this badge. All right, man. You know, I'm feeling this badge is going to cramp my style something terrible. Better breathe. Our horses going up through this path. We still got a good ride ahead. How far? About 10 miles. What do you think, Matt? Will they fight? Well. Duck. Duck. Stay your horse, Marshall. Grab some clouds. Keep those hands high. He'll queens on the other side of the pass behind you. That's being smart, Dylan. Queen will drop you if you touch a gun. But you're handy at this bushwhacking, aren't you, Thorn? If. Doc. He's all right. My slug seems to have bounced off his thick skull. Good. Let's pull your teeth. Better you do it with your left hand. Reach down and across. Slow. Pull your gun out with your fingertips and toss it away. Nervous? Just cautious. Or maybe this Queen doesn't exist. Haen Queen's one of Dad's men. But I pay him extra to work for me. Any more questions? I guess not. There's my gun. The rifle. Next I. I got a pen knife in my pants pocket. You know why Holliday came to Dodge? Yeah. Yeah, I guess you do. You wouldn't be riding with him. Well, he's not going to tell any stories to my dad or anyone else. You can't kill us. You not planning on killing you. And what have you got planned? A Queen's kind of a magician. He's gonna make Holiday just disappear. Folks won't care much about one of his kind. I would. I'd care so much I'd hang you for it. No. No. With Holiday gone, it's your word against mine. And you won't be able to approve a thing, Dylan. You sure of that? I'm sure. Otherwise I'd take care of you along with Holiday. Now get down and start walking back to town. It's like I told you. Law can't touch of Finley. It was no time for heroic, so I walked. When I reached a turn, I cut back through the rocks. But it was too late. They were gone. And with them the horses, guns and Doc Holliday. Two miles up the road I found my horse turned loose. And with a mind full of cold hate, I raced on to the star. In a box on the front porch of the ranch house is one of Big Jack's men. Hold it right there. Out of my way, mister. I'm in no mood to shake hands. Where you heading, law man? You don't hear well. Dylan. Where's Holiday? How should I know? Get off my wrench. And where's that prize son of yours? What? Trot him out. I want him. Do you now? What an earth for. Thorn, put that gun away. Oh no. This is just in case the Marshall loses his temp. I've lost it, Junior. Sure, Dylan, I've had all I'm going to stand from you. You just think you have. Where's Holiday? Thorne? Where'd Queen take him? Holiday? Why? Haven't the faintest idea. Where is Queen? Dad? Righty fence line. But Woody. Marshal, we don't know where your friend is. You're under arrest, Thorn. What's that? Ask him to show the warrant. Here, read it. Finley. Oh no. No, that's not possible. The judge wouldn't issue a warrant without proof. He has proof, Thorn. This is a lie. Bourne couldn't be guilty of murder. Now take a look at his face, son. Daddy's trying to frame me. Don't let him get away with this. No, I won't. I won't. Get out. Dylan, man, open your eyes. This is not gonna happen. You heard me. I don't believe you, your warrant or your proof. I believe my son. So get off this ranch. Get out of the state. You let me see you again, so help me, I'll kill you myself. Forget me. You're back in the law. You can't. I'm into my own law. So do I. Doc. Holiday. You're supposed to be dead. Queen was supposed the one who's dead. I carry a knife in my boot just for men like him born. God help me. You are guilty. He sure is. And if he knows any prayers, he'd better get him over with. No, Doc. He goes back with us as our prisoner. You're wrong, Marshall. I'll take care of my son. Dad. You rotten, lying, murderous. I should have strangled you. I threw myself at Fenway's box but hit the floor rolling away from thorn as he raised his gun to fire. Then in the doorway, the blood stained, terrible figure of doc holliday went into action. His stale hand blurred over his whole. Ruth Thorne. Ruth. Sage is ready to leave the m holiday. Thanks, Chester. You sure you want to stay around a while, doctor? Yeah, we're good friends, man. But you're a peace officer. I guess I'm not a very peaceful man. You could be, Doc. No, I'm not gonna change. And you shouldn't. Law needs men like you. No, if I stayed, there's too good a chance I might cross you. Yeah, then I'd have to meet you over gun barrels. And it's one thing I'm afraid of. So long, man. Good luck, doc. My, I never would have thought doc holliday was scared of meeting anyone in a gunfight. You don't understand, Chester. Doc's afraid because he might beat me. Gun smoke under the direction of Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, u. S. Marshall. Tonight's story was specially written for gunsmoke by herb purdom with music composed and conducted by rex Corey. Featured in our cast where Harry Bartel as doc Holliday with Lee millar, Nestor piva, Ralph Moody and Tom Tully parley bear is Chester. 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 gun smoke. Sunday evenings we invite you to join lovely Doris day spring bunnington playing a december bride and Audrey tarter as Millie. They're here on most of these CBS radio stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking. This is the CBS radio network. Sam. 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 applications. 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 have a great day and thanks for listening.
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: July 19, 1952
Podcast Release Date: March 5, 2026
This Gunsmoke episode, beautifully restored and presented by Andrew Rhynes, centers on the arrival of the legendary Doc Holliday in Dodge City. Marshal Matt Dillon is confronted with personal and moral challenges as the lawless son of a powerful cattle baron, court corruption, and a tale of vengeance collide. The drama explores the blurred lines between law, justice, and personal loyalty in the Old West.
"You addressing me, sir? ...You ain't no preacher. I figure I'm making you dance some for the folks—"
— Thorne Finley [02:00]
"There’s a big need. Only, how do I explain to a person like you that some men don’t wear a price tag?"
— Matt Dillon to Big Jack [09:50]
“With Finley’s money and influence, he wouldn’t spend five days in jail even if he was convicted...”
— Doc Holliday [18:00]
“Thorn’s been arrested for 18 offenses, convicted of 10, spent no time in jail and paid a total of $15 in fines. I’d say you’ve been very merciful.”
— Matt Dillon to Judge Nathan [23:15]
“That Greener Doc is holding has 18 buckshot in each barrel. He’ll get slaughtered if he triggers that thing.”
— Matt Dillon, redirecting the mob [28:20] "If I get a coughing spell, I’m liable to shoot without meaning."
— Doc Holliday [29:00]
“You rode the right hunch, Marshall. Thorne is your man. Just like you figure.”
— Moncrief [32:05]
“You swear to uphold and enforce the laws of this community...as deputy marshal, so help you God?”
— Matt Dillon [36:30]
“All of that, I swear. Here, pin on this badge. ...I have a feeling this badge is going to cramp my style something terrible.”
— Doc Holliday [36:50]
“You rotten, lying, murderous—I should have strangled you…”
— Big Jack to Thorne [46:10]
“You’re a peace officer. I guess I’m not a very peaceful man... If I stayed, there’s too good a chance I might cross you. Then I’d have to meet you over gun barrels—and it’s one thing I’m afraid of.”
— Doc Holliday [49:00]
In the classic Gunsmoke style—gritty, taut, and deeply human—this episode paints a tense picture of justice on the frontier. William Conrad’s Matt Dillon balances law and loyalty as only he can, while Doc Holliday emerges as a tragic antihero, as dangerous as he is honorable. The audio restoration brings out the sweeping Western soundscape, creating a vivid, immersive experience that honors the timelessness of radio’s golden era.
For longtime fans and new listeners alike, this is Old Time Radio Westerns at its best—danger, drama, and a rattling good showdown beneath the prairie stars.