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Grainger Announcer
If you're an H Vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
Casual Commentator
I can't believe they're having a gender reveal for their dog.
Narrator/Host
No, no, no, no.
Casual Commentator
This is a breed reveal.
Narrator/Host
Oh. So yeah, they're finding out the breed of the puppy they're rescuing so they could just be spending all their money on like pet insurance.
Casual Commentator
Instead.
Narrator/Host
We got lemonade for Roscoe and it covered vaccines, microchipping. We saved 90% on vet bills. Oh, here we go. What do you think beige confetti means?
Andrew Rines
I don't know.
Narrator/Host
That we'll never get this Saturday back.
Casual Commentator
Get a quote for any breed@lemonade.com pet.
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 era date is February 17, 1957 and the title is doubtful zone.
Grainger Announcer
If you're an H Vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you're an H Vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you're an H Vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows That you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
Miles
Gunboat brought to you by lmn. The cigarette you want in the pack you want from in your standard pack. A new crush proof box. Live modern, most modern Change to l
Andrew Rines
M.
Miles
Around Dodge City and in the territory on west there's just one way
Narrator/Host
to handle the killers and the spoilers.
Miles
And that's with a U.S. marshal.
Narrator/Host
And the smell of gun smoke. Gun smoke Starring William Conrad.
Miles
The story of the violence that moved
Narrator/Host
west with young America. And the story of a man who moved with it. 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 chance, a job. And it makes a man watchful and a little lonely. Morning, Miles.
Miles
17 minutes, Matthew. 17 minutes exactly since I sent that boy to find you.
Narrator/Host
How's that?
Miles
So a crime has occurred, Matthew. And dawdling over your breakfast coffee is not likely to bring the culprit to justice.
Narrator/Host
The boy said somebody broke into your store last night, Mouse. How'd they get in?
Miles
Well, by breaking the glass in the back window. Two panes at $4.32 a pane.
Narrator/Host
You know, Miles, I told you a year ago, you ought to put gratings over those windows like the rest of the stores and John. Aye, but gratings cost money, Matthew, and so do burglaries. What do they take?
Miles
Well, being compiling a list. Now, here's exactly what's missing. One blue blanket, retail price $6.40. One blue denim jacket, size 36, retail price, $2.
Narrator/Host
The price is unimportant.
Miles
Oh, to me they are. I have a certain respect for money.
Narrator/Host
Yeah, so I've heard. What else is missing?
Miles
Well, now, let me see. One hat, gray and of course, finest quality.
Narrator/Host
Yeah, I know I got one, Miles. Go on with the rest of your work. All right.
Miles
One pair of boots, size 6, un tooled, inlaid with kid, Retail price.
Narrator/Host
Here, let me take a look at it, will you? Thanks. Two flannel shirts. Five pound slab of bacon. Three pounds of dried beans. Pounds of salt. Box of matches of skillets. Looks like you've Just grubstaked somebody. Ma, I expect you to recover each
Miles
and every one of those items.
Narrator/Host
I'll try to. One can canteen, one hand axe, two pounds of cheese, and one 144 caliber cobra velvet.
Miles
Mardel 60. Repays at $56.80.
Narrator/Host
What about cartridges? You don't have them on the list.
Miles
Draw a multicat they give them. Expecting a case in today?
Narrator/Host
Well, the gun won't be much use without them. Wonder if any place else was robbed last night. Great heaven. Now what's the matter?
Miles
Ah, here. Something else has been taken. Matthew. There were three bottles right there on that shelf, and now here's only a few bottles.
Narrator/Host
Of what?
Miles
Perfume. Imported all the way from Paris, France. Now, what would a man like that grub stake himself want to see a perfume for?
Narrator/Host
Maybe it wasn't a man, Miles. Eh? The size of those boots and the jackets, it would take a pretty small man to wear clothes like that.
Miles
Oh, you mean a girl. What in the name of heaven would she be up to?
Narrator/Host
I don't know. Yeah, what is it?
Miles
Wilbur Jonas. Somebody come into his store, helped him up a while ago.
Narrator/Host
What, did he recognize him?
Miles
No, sir. He stuck a gun in his back, made him go into the storeroom and lock the door on him. He said whoever it was had a real soft voice, like a kid. Mr. Jones hadn't been to the bank yet, so at least there wasn't no
Narrator/Host
cash st. What was stone?
Miles
Nothing, except a box of.44 caliber cartridges.
Willie Deaver
Let me smell that perfume again, will you, Matt?
Narrator/Host
Yeah, sure. Kitty here.
Willie Deaver
Not any scent I know, but I sure like to. You say Miles has got two more bottles of it?
Narrator/Host
Ah, I got this sample from one of them.
Miles
Well, there's nothing like this around. Dodd. Couldn't be too hard to track down.
Narrator/Host
Yeah, provided the person who stole it opens the bottle.
Miles
Well, I'll keep sniffing the breeze, Matt. That's what we've been doing all day, Miss Kitty. Sniffing and smelling around all over town just like a couple of hound dogs. But we ain't caught a whiff of this stuff.
Willie Deaver
Well, you wouldn't be likely to, Chester.
Miles
Matt, maybe this girl, if it is a girl, she's already left. Now,
Narrator/Host
in a way, I kind of hope so.
Miles
She might have wanted the gun just to protect herself.
Narrator/Host
She wasn't protecting herself when she shoved it in Wilt Jonah's back this morning.
Miles
I know, but it wasn't.
Narrator/Host
It was empty then. It's not empty now.
Miles
Well, by golly, I was just wondering who I'd let buy me A drink this evening?
Narrator/Host
As far as I'm concerned, Doc, you still wonder?
Miles
Well, good evening. Good evening. Hello, Doc. Hello, Doc. Oh, see, I understand somebody borrowed a few things off of old man McCall's last name.
Narrator/Host
Yeah, they said, Doc.
Miles
Oh, they did. Crime rampant and the local law inhabited Halloom.
Narrator/Host
Here, Doc, smell this. Wouldn't. Huh?
Miles
Oh, yeah. What do you do, Matt? Put it on your hair or use it when you shave?
Narrator/Host
You ever smell that sn anywhere before, Doc?
Miles
Slightly familiar, huh?
Narrator/Host
What do you mean, slightly familiar?
Miles
Well, I mean, I smelled the same thing earlier today somewhere.
Narrator/Host
Today? Where, Doc?
Miles
Where what?
Narrator/Host
Where did you smell it today?
Willie Deaver
I don't even remember.
Miles
Say, Matt, what do you say we get off a poker day?
Narrator/Host
Doc, would you think. Where did you smell this perfume today? I don't know.
Willie Deaver
Let me see now.
Miles
I was all over town at one time or another. It wasn't at the livery stable, naturally, or at the bank. Oh, forget it, man. I don't have the slightest idea. Oh. Oh, oh, oh, wait a minute. Now I remember. I was talking to Mr. Dobie in the lobby of the Dodge House.
Narrator/Host
And this stood in the Dodge House, huh?
Miles
That's right. He reached at the stop.
Narrator/Host
Yes, that's where it was.
Miles
He rented himself a room there.
Grainger Announcer
But why?
Narrator/Host
I'll tell you later, doctor.
Miles
Justin.
Narrator/Host
Come on.
Miles
It's the next door on the left there. Mr. Jones, about Mr. David.
Narrator/Host
Yeah? Be careful of that water pitcher.
Miles
You reckon you'll put up a fight?
Narrator/Host
Or she will, or whichever. I don't know, Chuck. All right, go ahead and knock. Let's get clear before the door opens, huh?
Miles
Who? Sir, I fetched you some drinking water.
Willie Deaver
Leave it out there in the hall.
Miles
Okay, but you better get it for the ice minnow.
Narrator/Host
All right, walk off the waist. Get your hands up. You're under arrest.
Willie Deaver
What?
Narrator/Host
Chester, come here. Take the gun. All right, get back in the room. No use getting the whole hotel stirred up.
Willie Deaver
I ain't done nothing. You got no call to arrest me.
Narrator/Host
Inside.
Andrew Rines
I said
Miles
if you wasn't right, Ms. Dylan, it is a girl.
Willie Deaver
You mind your own business. Who are you, anyway?
Miles
What? He's a U.S. marshal. That's who he is.
Willie Deaver
A marshal.
Narrator/Host
Where did you get that shirt you're wearing, miss? And the boot? What about this gun?
Willie Deaver
Where do you think I got him?
Narrator/Host
I don't think. I know. Now, what's your name?
Willie Deaver
My name's Willie Deaver, and I'm from down around Oak Junction.
Miles
Willie? What kind of a name's that for a female?
Willie Deaver
Why, you set your tater how old are you?
Miles
16. It's any of your business, 16, huh?
Narrator/Host
Why did you break into that store last night?
Willie Deaver
Who says I did?
Narrator/Host
The clothes you're wearing. That Stetson on the bed over there. The stuff all over this room, every bit of it was stolen.
Willie Deaver
How'd you figure it was me?
Narrator/Host
Martha, that perfume you took. Doc Adams was down in the lobby when you rented your room here. He smelled it on you,
Willie Deaver
I guess. I know that person was gonna bring bad luck. Them other things I needed was that there curfew. I just wanted. Never had none before. Never even felt none. Just heard about it.
Narrator/Host
What are you doing running away from home?
Willie Deaver
I ain't running. I already run. You was to drag me with wild horses. I wouldn't go back there.
Narrator/Host
Why not?
Willie Deaver
He knows my step, while you wouldn't ask. Why not?
Narrator/Host
Work.
Willie Deaver
Work a body to their death, that's all he knows. Got a dry farm down here. Ain't never gonna be worth nothing. No matter what, he'll work day and night just like a man. I ain't never even owned a dress. I don't believe in going in for frills.
Narrator/Host
I see.
Miles
It beats me, too.
Willie Deaver
Last time he'd done it two days ago. I just lit out. You see that bruise on the side of my head? All right, get your hands up. And you make a move, Marshall, and I'll blow this feller's backbone clean through his belly.
Narrator/Host
I'm not moving. Just take it easy.
Willie Deaver
Right, back off now, mister, away from the door. I didn't run away from home just to end up in no jail.
Narrator/Host
Where are you gonna end up, Willie?
Willie Deaver
Never you mind about me, Marshall. Now, you two just stay put.
Miles
I'm awful selling, Mr. Gillino. I didn't have no idea what she's up to.
Narrator/Host
He doesn't either, Justin. That's their trouble.
Miles
D. Fool kid.
Narrator/Host
Yeah, darn fool kid with a loaded gun, Sam.
Miles
Well, let's see now, Matthews. This shirt's not being worn. Won't have to discount it at least.
Narrator/Host
And the same goes for this skillet, Miles. And the blanket, canteen, hand axe.
Miles
It's none of these beans. I need you, Ms. McCrack. No, just hold your horses, you two. I got to weigh this key. A man can't calculate his prophets without knowing his Christian. I knew some of it was gone. I heard about 20 cents worth off that corner with 22 cents.
Narrator/Host
Well, at least you didn't have time to eat any bacon, Miles. There you are. It's about the size of it. That's all we found in Our room
Miles
just as a low price items. Matthew, he still got away with a $12.50 pair of boots.
Narrator/Host
He hasn't gotten away yet, Miles. We'll find it before the night's over.
Miles
We know what she looks like now at least. And we know her name. Willie Beaver. Hey. Homesteader's child, you say?
Narrator/Host
Yeah. Dry farm down Cordeau Stage. It's too much work, I guess, and too little for anything else.
Miles
Might be hard living. Dry farming doesn't pay much of anything to speak of.
Narrator/Host
Not much.
Miles
Matthew. Look, if you catch her and you get back those boots and that gun and the other items.
Narrator/Host
Well, what I mean is this.
Miles
She can keep that perfume if she wants it. Well, evermore. I couldn't have sell it anyway if
Narrator/Host
you've used some of it. Yeah, sure, Miles. I understand you as tired girl wandering around alone.
Miles
Well, come find it. Don't just stand there staring at me.
Narrator/Host
I'm not staring at you, Miles. I'm just listening to you, that's all. Oh, ay.
Miles
Smirking like a cat in a birdcage. I told you that perfume isn't saleable. Now you go on out and catch that young ruffian. You bring her to justice. Stealing from honest, God fearing folk. Violating private. All right, Myles.
Narrator/Host
All right. And if you get that gun and
Miles
those boots back and does not hurt any, send a denim jacket too.
Narrator/Host
Well, I'll. I'll give that child a dress right out of my stock.
Miles
My lan aggressive. Well, it's not a matter of sentiment. No, it's just that it isn't fit for a young girl to go into court dressed like a man. It's no decent.
Narrator/Host
Yeah, sure, sure, Miles, I know what you mean. Just a proper respect for appearances. That's all it is, isn't it?
Miles
Oh, confound the both of you. You're trying to accuse a man of charity when he hasn't an ounce of
Narrator/Host
it in his entire nature.
Miles
That sort of page also sounded like.
Narrator/Host
Yeah, Come on, Chester, let's find out. So help me, Marshall, I didn't know.
Miles
I didn't have the least idea.
Narrator/Host
Well, it wasn't your fault. Jason just said you send somebody to find Doc.
Miles
Yes, we did. Dashing boy went fetching Mr. Dillon.
Narrator/Host
Load was a girl that. I just opened the safe and didn't
Miles
let her have the money.
Narrator/Host
I wouldn't have shot an old girl, not if I'd known. It couldn't have been expected in our judgment. Oh, that bandana over her face, dressed like she was. Wasn't that gun just as rock Steady as any man I ever see. Yeah,
Miles
and you know I always keep
Narrator/Host
my gun stuck right between the safe and the desk. You facing something like this. So I made like I was going to open the safe and. And. You sure, Marsh? Are you sure she. She's dead? Yeah, I'm afraid she is. Killing this girl. I never done nothing so bad in my whole life to help. I didn't know. Look, anybody else would have done the same thing. Now, it couldn't be helped. It's done. And blaming yourself won't undo it. Now look, why don't you go outside a while and get some fresh air, huh? I reckon maybe I better. I reckon I just better get outside a while.
Miles
Old racing broke up pretty bad over there.
Narrator/Host
Well, I guess most anybody. Well, she paid for it, sister. Well, there's no point leaving her there on the dirty floor. Let's lift her up on the counter.
Miles
Let me get her shoulder. You know she wasn't lying. She has got a bruise on her head.
Narrator/Host
I guess her paw did beat her. All right. All right, let's lift it.
Miles
Well, what's that? Fell out of her jacket. Yeah, I know her perfume.
Narrator/Host
You know, on the frontier, even the roughest of nester families had to scratch. Awful hard to Terrell living out of the dry parched earth. Yet next week a lone ranch woman has to kill the one person who might have helped her. Gun Smoke produced and Directed by Norman McDonald.
Miles
Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke
Narrator/Host
by Les Clutchfield with editorial supervision by John Messon. The music was composed.
Miles
Composed and conducted by Rex Corey.
Narrator/Host
Sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Ben Wright, Sammy Hill and Lawrence Dobskin.
Miles
Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc. And Georgia Ellis is kidding. We are proud to announce that Lex
Narrator/Host
Corey won the annual Downbeat magazine award for the best original scoring of a regularly scheduled radio series. As musical director of CBS Radio's Gunpowder Smoke.
Miles
Join us again next week for another
Narrator/Host
story on gun smoke. This is the CDF Radio Network.
Grainger Announcer
If you're an H vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click. Grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you're an H Vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you're an H Vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
Miles
Foreign.
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.
Casual Commentator
If you're the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference. That's why hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering. With on time restock, your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need at the start of their shift and you can end your day knowing they've got safety well in hand. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you're the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference. That's why hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering. With on time restocks, your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need at the start of their shift and you can end your day knowing they've got safety well in hand. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you're the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference. That's why, hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering. With on time restocks, your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need at the start of their shift and you can end your day knowing they've got safety well in hand. Call 1-800-granger clickgranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Podcast Date: February 22, 2026
Original Airdate: February 17, 1957
In this digitally restored classic episode of Gunsmoke, titled “Doubtful Zone,” the story opens with Marshal Matt Dillon investigating a peculiar burglary in Dodge City. What begins as a routine robbery quickly unfurls into an emotional tale of poverty, hardship, and misunderstood intentions as the lawmen pursue a young girl driven to crime by desperation and abuse. The episode skillfully blends suspenseful investigation, character-driven drama, and a profound look at morality on the harsh frontier.
The episode resonates with Gunsmoke’s signature combination of gritty realism and empathy. The dialogue is earthy, direct, and at turns, both humorous (in Miles’s penny-pinching) and poignant (in the honest accounts of hardship and guilt). The climactic tragedy is rendered with understated emotion, inviting the listener to reflect on themes of innocence lost, the cost of survival, and the subtle emergence of compassion in a tough town.
“Doubtful Zone” stands as a powerful and affecting entry in the Gunsmoke saga, blending investigation, social commentary, and human drama. The digital restoration enhances the immersion, bringing new immediacy to the atmospheric soundscape and strong vocal performances, making this lost tale of frontier justice and compassion as vital today as it was in 1957.