Heritage | Luke Slaughter of Tombstone (05-11-58)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast: Detailed Summary of "Heritage | Luke Slaughter of Tombstone"

Host: Andrew Rines
Episode Title: Heritage | Luke Slaughter of Tombstone
Original Air Date: May 11, 1958
Release Date: November 25, 2024
Presenter: William N. Robeson
Cast: Sam Buffington (Luke Slaughter), Norma Jean Nelson, Junius Matthews, Charles Seale, Carl Swenson, Vic Perron
Music: Composed and Conducted by Wilbur Hatch

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1. Introduction

In the "Heritage | Luke Slaughter of Tombstone" episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast, host Andrew Rines delves into a classic Western drama that embodies the rugged spirit and moral complexities of the Wild West. This digitally restored episode breathes new life into the timeless tale of law, justice, and personal honor in the unforgiving landscapes of Arizona Territory.

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2. Plot Overview

The episode centers around Luke Slaughter, a former Civil War cavalryman turned influential cattleman in Tombstone, Arizona. When Sheriff Clint Wallace discovers four renegade Apaches responsible for arson and murder, he seeks Luke's assistance in transporting them to Tombstone for trial. The journey becomes fraught with tension, loyalty tests, and unexpected confrontations, particularly with Al Larson, one of the Apaches who has his own motives for turning himself in.

Key Plot Points:

• Sheriff's Dilemma: Sheriff Wallace struggles with the logistics of transporting the dangerous Apaches without adequate support. [02:54]

• Luke Steps In: Luke offers his expertise in handling the stage rig, showcasing his leadership and sense of responsibility. [04:35]

• Al Larson's Betrayal: During the transport, Al Larson unexpectedly shoots a man, revealing deeper layers to his character and prompting a moral quandary. [06:18]

• Trial and Redemption: The episode culminates in a courtroom drama where Al seeks to protect his family by pleading guilty, challenging the notions of justice and personal sacrifice. [21:01]

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3. Character Analysis

• Luke Slaughter ([01:12]): A respected cattleman with a formidable presence, Luke embodies the archetype of the Western hero—steadfast, honorable, and burdened by the weight of leadership. His internal conflict and eventual decision to help Al Larson highlight his complex morality.

  "Slaughter's my name. Luke Slaughter Cattle's my business. It's a tough business. It's big business." ([01:12])

• Clint Wallace ([03:09]): The newly appointed sheriff grapples with the responsibilities of law enforcement in a tumultuous region. His interactions with Luke reveal his desperation and reliance on community leaders to uphold justice.

• Al Larson ([07:16]): Initially appearing as a typical outlaw, Al's character arc reveals his deeper motivations rooted in family loyalty and personal honor. His decision to confront Luke underscores the themes of redemption and sacrifice.

• Barbara Larson ([22:07]): Al's daughter represents innocence and the impact of adult decisions on the younger generation. Her presence adds emotional depth to the narrative, emphasizing the personal costs of frontier justice.

• Wichita ([19:02]): A seasoned stage driver, Wichita provides both comic relief and pragmatic insight, balancing the tension with his seasoned perspective on the harsh realities of the West.

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4. Key Themes

• Justice vs. Vigilantism: The episode explores the thin line between lawful justice and personal retribution, questioning whether true justice can be served in a lawless land.

• Loyalty and Honor: Characters are frequently confronted with choices that test their loyalty to friends and family versus their duty to the law.

• Redemption and Sacrifice: Al Larson's actions highlight the possibility of redemption through self-sacrifice, challenging preconceived notions of good and evil.

• Community and Responsibility: The narrative underscores the importance of community leaders in maintaining order and the collective responsibility to uphold societal norms.

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5. Notable Quotes

• Luke Slaughter on Responsibility ([01:12]):

  "Slaughter's my name. Luke Slaughter Cattle's my business. It's a tough business. It's big business." ([01:12])

• Clint Wallace on Justice ([03:39]):

  "That's why I came out here. Instead of letting the posse, let justice take its course." ([03:39])

• Luke Slaughter on Al's Actions ([07:14]):

  "You must have had a reason. You've lived in these parts better than 10 years. I don't think you've ever had an argument before that I heard about." ([07:14])

• Al Larson on Sacrifice ([08:34]):

  "When we get to my place, let me go in and say goodbye to my youngster." ([08:10])

• Clint Wallace on Legal Proceedings ([23:42]):

  "Albert Larson, you are charged with shooting to death an unidentified man in this county of Cochise on May 11, 1882. How do you plead?" ([21:40])

• Barbara Larson on Innocence ([24:27]):

  "A baby isn't born bad, no matter what its parents are. But if they're treated bad, if they're poked fun at and shamed, they can turn bad." ([24:27])

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6. Conclusion

"Heritage | Luke Slaughter of Tombstone" offers a rich narrative that captures the essence of Western lore while delving into profound moral dilemmas. Through its well-crafted characters and intricate plot, the episode invites listeners to ponder the true meaning of justice, the burdens of leadership, and the enduring power of redemption. Andrew Rines' meticulous restoration ensures that this classic tale resonates with contemporary audiences, preserving the legacy of Old Time Radio Westerns.

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Additional Information

Production Credits:

• Written by: Fran Van Hartesveld
• Directed by: William N. Robeson
• Editorial Supervision: Tom Handley

Cast:

• Sam Buffington as Luke Slaughter
• Norma Jean Nelson
• Junius Matthews
• Charles Seale
• Carl Swenson
• Vic Perron

Music:

• Composed and Conducted by Wilbur Hatch

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*This episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non-Commercial ShareAlike Copyright.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[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 Luke's Slaughter of Tombstone. Original Air date is May 11, 1958 and the title is Heritage. Let's get into it and I hope you enjoy.

[Luke Slaughter]

Slaughter's my name. Luke Slaughter Cattle's my business. It's a tough business. It's big business. I've got a big stake in it and there's no man west of the Rio Grande big enough to take it from me.

[Narrator]

Luke Slaughter of Tombstone Luke Slaughter of Tombstones, Civil War cavalryman turned Arizona cattleman. Across the territory from Yuma to Fort Defiance, from Flagstaff to the Huachucas, and below the border through Chihuahua and Sonora. His name was respected or feared, depending on which side of the law you were on. Man of vision. Man of legend. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

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[Luke Slaughter]

When Tombstone became the seat of the newly formed Cochise county in 1881, the Old Town marshal became the new county sheriff, and he discovered that it's hard sometimes for a man to assume added responsibilities.

[Wichita]

Hey Luke, here comes the sheriff. He's sure scally hooting.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, what kind of trouble you got yourself in now, Wichita.

[Wichita]

Why I ain't, you know better.

[Clint Wallace]

Have your advice, Duke.

[Luke Slaughter]

Howdy there, Sheriff. Can I wait till we say good morning?

[Clint Wallace]

No. Well, yeah, I guess it can. Good morning.

[Wichita]

Morning, Sheriff.

[Clint Wallace]

Luke, they're holding four renegade Apaches over at St. David. Burned a farm, murdered a man and a woman.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[Clint Wallace]

Yeah, but the posse ran them down all right.

[Wichita]

Well, that posse better string them engines up just as.

[Clint Wallace]

That's why I came out here. Instead of letting the posse, let justice take its course. The law says I gotta haul the four of them into Tombstone to stand trial.

[Luke Slaughter]

That is justice, Sheriff. If the Apaches can be identified in court, they'll hang legally.

[Clint Wallace]

Yeah, they got identification. Them for redskins was born bad.

[Luke Slaughter]

I don't think anybody's born bad, Sheriff.

[Clint Wallace]

Well, I haven't time to debate the point. What I want to know is how am I going to get the four of them into Tombstone?

[Luke Slaughter]

Where?

[Clint Wallace]

Or the full day's ride each way. I got one regular deputy, Flint Wallace. One of us has got to be in Tombstone and the other be dead if he tried herding them four killers here by himself.

[Al Larson]

Where?

[Luke Slaughter]

Why, why did you shackle them and bring them in by stage?

[Clint Wallace]

The stage line through St. David Went Broke. You know that.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yes, and there's a Concord wagon gathering dust over there. And there's six stage horses eating county oats to less sold at oxen. Hey there, isn't that.

[Clint Wallace]

Only it's too dangerous for one man.

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, Sheriff, deputize me for a couple of days and I'll go with you.

[Wichita]

Now if you need.

[Clint Wallace]

I was hoping you'd volunteer, Luke. We leave early tomorrow morning. Say, can you handle a six horse hitch?

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, I never drove a six horse hitch. But there's a couple of men in Tombstone you could get.

[Wichita]

Can I get just one measly word in edgewise?

[Luke Slaughter]

Why sure, just say it.

[Wichita]

Well, I've drove stage for Birch and Holiday and Butterfield. And if I can't drive four ratty Apaches from St. David to Tombstone. Hank Monk itself couldn't. Dwight, get on there. Pull on there.

[Luke Slaughter]

Wichita, we know you're a top whip. But these horses still can't go 50 miles at a full gallop.

[Clint Wallace]

Down a little. These bumps are like to shake the shackles off the prisoners.

[Luke Slaughter]

Pull those horses way down. Time our prisoners had a drink of water.

[Wichita]

You're right, Luke. Awful hot and dusty out here.

[Clint Wallace]

Hey, Wichita, you're having the time of your life, ain't you? Well now, so would I. These murdering Apaches didn't have me spooked.

[Luke Slaughter]

I don't like any part of it. I'll be glad when the day's over.

[Wichita]

Yeah, they're mean customers, all right. They know it's their last ride. Less than they bust loose from us.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'll pass them the water bag. You men keep me covered just in case.

[Wichita]

Yes, we will, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

Here you are. Water.

[Barbara Larson]

I'll drink. Chains tight.

[Luke Slaughter]

Your hands are loose enough to hold it.

[Narrator]

Hurry up.

[Luke Slaughter]

Looks better. Pass it when you're through.

[Wichita]

Little whiffy up there. Close to him, ain't it?

[Luke Slaughter]

Like a wolf's den.

[Clint Wallace]

Hey, Luke. Down there in the wash, those two men.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah, I see him.

[Clint Wallace]

Ain't one of them Al Larson.

[Luke Slaughter]

It is Al at that. Hey there, Larson.

[Wichita]

Yeah? I don't recognize a fellow coming toward us right now.

[Clint Wallace]

Luke, did you see that?

[Luke Slaughter]

I sure did. Al. Emptied his iron right into it.

[Wichita]

Why did he do it? The other hombre never made no move to draw.

[Luke Slaughter]

Wichita. Keep an eye on the prisoners.

[Wichita]

Fine.

[Luke Slaughter]

Come on, Sheriff. Looks like we've got to take another passenger to Tombstone.

[Al Larson]

Al.

[Luke Slaughter]

You must have had a reason. You've lived in these parts better than 10 years. I don't think you've ever had an argument before that I heard about.

[Al Larson]

I can't Talk about it, Mr. Slaughter. I shot him. You saw that. And that's it.

[Clint Wallace]

You'll have to stand trial, you know.

[Al Larson]

Just take me before a judge and I plead guilty. I don't want to put anyone to any trouble.

[Luke Slaughter]

You're putting us to a powerful lot of Trouble. Wichita and two horses had to take the body back to St. David. And I got to drive this rig myself. Come on, Al. Who was he?

[Al Larson]

Don't know what he called himself. Nobody in St. David will identify him either.

[Luke Slaughter]

I've seen that face somewhere, I'm sure.

[Al Larson]

No, there wouldn't be a chance in a million of that. I'm willing to take my medicine, so forget it.

[Clint Wallace]

We want to do you a favor, don't you see? Give us a reason. You shot him. Maybe we can get you off.

[Al Larson]

I would like one favor.

[Luke Slaughter]

We'll try, Al.

[Al Larson]

When we get to my place, let me go in and say goodbye to my youngster.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, I think we could do what Al's asking, Sheriff. We've both known him for a long time.

[Clint Wallace]

If you say so, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

Al, Little Barbara's gonna find out you killed that man. There's no way out of it.

[Al Larson]

Well, I was thinking if I plead guilty without a trial or anything, then you could keep it out of the newspaper.

[Luke Slaughter]

I don't think we can. But just suppose we did. Somebody's gotta take care of Barbie. She's not 13 yet, is she?

[Al Larson]

Well, almost. And Barbie knows what she's to do if anything ever happens to me.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, you didn't figure all the consequences of shooting that man down, did you?

[Al Larson]

I figured the consequences of not doing it. My farm's just ahead. Now can I go say goodbye to Barbie?

[Luke Slaughter]

As far as I'm concerned, Sheriff.

[Clint Wallace]

All right, Larson. I'll unlock your wrist chains and give you five minutes.

[Luke Slaughter]

Oh, well, that. I wonder how Wichita drives six horses.

[Clint Wallace]

I wish he'd hurry up, Sheriff.

[Luke Slaughter]

He hasn't been in there much more than a minute. This whole mess makes me almost sick.

[Clint Wallace]

I know, Luke. Me too.

[Luke Slaughter]

The face of the man he killed. I could only remember where I've seen it.

[Clint Wallace]

Why we stop? Why die?

[Luke Slaughter]

Never mind. Just be quiet down there.

[Clint Wallace]

We gotta make Tombstone 4 dark. Can't trust an Apache any further than you can throw.

[Luke Slaughter]

Sheriff. That chained. Who's that? It's Al. Come back here.

[Clint Wallace]

All right, Slaughter. Letting him say goodbye to his kid was your idea.

[Luke Slaughter]

I can't believe I could be so wrong about him. I can't believe anything that's happening today.

[Clint Wallace]

Now what do we do?

[Luke Slaughter]

Get the Apaches to Tombstone as fast as we can. Organize a posse and go after Al.

[Clint Wallace]

Well, where are you going now?

[Luke Slaughter]

Have a quick talk with Larson's daughter. Just watch these prisoners.

[Barbara Larson]

He didn't say where he was going, Mr. Slaughter, just that he'd be back.

[Luke Slaughter]

Just that?

[Barbara Larson]

Well, exactly what he said was that he be back from me.

[Luke Slaughter]

Barbie, this is rough country. Sometimes things we can't know about just sort of happen. What if your father was delayed? Say he. Well, he didn't get back for quite a long time.

[Barbara Larson]

Well, I know it won't, but. Well, if anything does happen to him, I'm supposed to go into St. David. We're Mormons, you see, and if there's trouble, we take care of each other.

[Luke Slaughter]

I know. You're not worried about the Indians?

[Barbara Larson]

Oh, no. They come here for food if they need it. And of course, we always share what we happen to have.

[Luke Slaughter]

If more people acted that way, there'd be less trouble with the Indians. Barbie, you're getting to be a fine looking young lady. In favor of your mother, do you?

[Barbara Larson]

Father says not too much.

[Clint Wallace]

No, Kitty. Move on.

[Luke Slaughter]

We have a long trip, Barbara. So when your father comes back, tell him. Well, tell him I'm sorry. Whenever I miss a friend, I guess.

[Clint Wallace]

We'Ll make it before dark. About 10 miles yet.

[Luke Slaughter]

To be a cinch if it weren't for this hill. Whoa. Oh. This loaded? It finished the horses. We'll have to take the leg irons off the Apaches and all walk up.

[Clint Wallace]

Yeah, I reckon you're right, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, Ms. G, you and your friends can stretch out with. You want water? You'll get it, Sheriff. You got the keys?

[Clint Wallace]

Of course I have. Just your legs. You filthy.

[Luke Slaughter]

Don't waste time calling them names.

[Clint Wallace]

Don't you waste time. Give them the water as soon as.

[Luke Slaughter]

You get clear to keep a gun on them.

[Clint Wallace]

I got a gun on him. Only takes one hand to unlock the shackles.

[Luke Slaughter]

Here. Niskanay, switch her up.

[Barbara Larson]

Lawman's gun.

[Luke Slaughter]

I trample white eyes.

[Barbara Larson]

Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

Niskanae. You'll never eat. Gorla take keys. Make hands free.

[Barbara Larson]

Law men die fast from own gun.

[Luke Slaughter]

Slaughter die slow.

[Barbara Larson]

From Niskine's knife.

[Luke Slaughter]

An Apache foot on my throat. Apache knees pin in my arms and legs. This guinea leering over me as he grabbed my hair. And then from a rock cover somewhere on that hill.

[Al Larson]

Are you all right, Mr. Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah. Yeah, Al, I'm. I'm all right.

[Al Larson]

Well, the. The sheriff stunned, for so are the Apaches.

[Luke Slaughter]

Where'd you come from, Al? I figured you and Barbie would be across the border by now.

[Al Larson]

Well, I went back as soon as I thought it out. We'd be running the rest of our lives, and someday I'd have to tell her why we were running. So I was riding after you to give myself up.

[Luke Slaughter]

Things are going to turn out all right for you and your youngster. What you just did will make a big difference with the jury. You just tell them why you shot that man this morning.

[Al Larson]

There isn't going to be a jury. Doesn't have to be. I'm guilty. I killed a man. But nobody's ever going to know why I killed him.

[Narrator]

In a moment, Luke Slaughter of Tombstone returns.

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[Luke Slaughter]

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[Narrator]

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[Luke Slaughter]

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[Clint Wallace]

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[Clint Wallace]

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[Narrator]

A big slice of the American dollar goes for research. And because we endorse the American system, the money devoted to medical research comes from voluntary gifts. A cure for cerebral palsy will surely be found. But how rapidly depends directly on how much we're willing to participate. Participation, in this sense means contributing the dollars to support a concentrated program of medical research against cerebral palsy, the brain disorder that cripples more than 200,000 children in this country. Somewhere in America, cerebral palsy strikes some child every 53 minutes every day in the year. United Cerebral Palsy is fighting this relentless timetable. You can participate in a fine, humane effort. Contribute to the 53 Minute March on Cerebral Palsy. Tuesday, May 20th. Or mail your contribution today. Address it to Paul Z. Care of your local postmaster. And now, Act 2 of William N. Robeson's production of Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

[Luke Slaughter]

Al Larson and I brought five bodies into Tombstone. There wasn't any trouble about the dead Apaches. They'd been witnesses to their other murders. Al and I had seen them kill the sheriff. Deputy Clint Wallace was sworn in as the new sheriff, and Al was quietly locked up. Wichita and I were the only ones left who'd watched him gun a man down in the desert.

[Barbara Larson]

Oh, good morning, Mr. Slaughter. Come on in.

[Luke Slaughter]

Morning, Sheriff.

[Barbara Larson]

Why don't you just call me Clint like you used to?

[Luke Slaughter]

Sure thing. And you start calling me Luke. How's Al Larson?

[Barbara Larson]

Just the same. Quiet. No trouble. You want to talk to him?

[Luke Slaughter]

Wichita's Back. We'll talk to Al when he gets here. Good.

[Barbara Larson]

I hope you don't think I administer the law as sloppy as the place looks. I'm cleaning out the old sheriff's belongings.

[Luke Slaughter]

Junk is a better word for it.

[Barbara Larson]

I liked him. He was a good law man when the job wasn't so big. But he sure was a pack rat. Look at these handbills from 10, 15 years ago.

[Luke Slaughter]

Wanted for mine fraud, Colorado, 1868. Wanted for murders, Sacramento, 1871.

[Barbara Larson]

Must have saved him from long before he even came to Tombstone.

[Wichita]

Well, here I be. Here's this son of a gun stew and biscuits I cooked up for Al. Oh, howdy, Clint.

[Barbara Larson]

Howdy, Witchy. Th.

[Luke Slaughter]

Clint, you mind if I take these old handbills?

[Barbara Larson]

Why, of course not. I don't see why you'd want them. But you.

[Luke Slaughter]

I have a collection of them myself.

[Barbara Larson]

Oh, you're a pack rat, too?

[Clint Wallace]

Oh, no.

[Wichita]

Luke calls himself a amateur historian or something.

[Barbara Larson]

Oh, well, I'll get Al. You'd rather talk out here, I imagine.

[Luke Slaughter]

Please.

[Wichita]

Here, take the grub along. I know you aim to run a good jail, but you're too young to know how to cook.

[Barbara Larson]

I'm too busy. Haven't had too many complaints about the wife's cooking, though.

[Wichita]

Yeah, Women can't cook neither. Talk Al into taking a jury trial.

[Luke Slaughter]

I haven't talked to him at all yet. Wichita.

[Barbara Larson]

Yes.

[Luke Slaughter]

Weren't you out in California around Sacramento some years ago?

[Wichita]

Yeah. Let's see. August of 1870 to February of 72. Couldn't stand it no longer. Got too civilized.

[Luke Slaughter]

Why, that's just the time I'm interested in. You recall a bad shooting in a hotel out there around 1871?

[Wichita]

Oh, sure. Sure, I do. The Lord Massacre, as they call it. It was the dangling.

[Luke Slaughter]

Tell me about it later, Wichita.

[Wichita]

Oh, well, howdy there, Al.

[Al Larson]

Howdy, Wichita. Morning, mistress. Lawyer.

[Luke Slaughter]

Morning. Please make it Luke. Al. Wichita wrote to St David again yesterday. Got back just a few hours ago.

[Al Larson]

How's Barbara? You see her?

[Wichita]

Of course I seen her. She's sure a top little filly, Al.

[Al Larson]

Thanks, elder Norton. And Mrs. Norton taking good care of her?

[Wichita]

Oh, she's in real good hands. See, I brung you some biscuits.

[Barbara Larson]

I told him. Wichita.

[Luke Slaughter]

Al. Wichita says that the man you. Well, he was never identified.

[Al Larson]

No one in St. David could have known him.

[Luke Slaughter]

There weren't any papers on him. His horse was a stolen horse.

[Al Larson]

He's been buried, God rest his soul.

[Barbara Larson]

Who was he, Al?

[Al Larson]

I haven't any idea what he called himself.

[Luke Slaughter]

Why won't you let Us help you.

[Al Larson]

Luke, I killed a man. The law says it's wrong. Law can have me.

[Luke Slaughter]

You killed four more men saving my life. The law doesn't say that's wrong, Al. The circuit judge will be in Tombstone day after tomorrow. Still rather go before a stranger than the local judge?

[Al Larson]

Yep, that's what I want.

[Wichita]

Filler and bear cubs. Man, everybody in town knows you. Why don't you take a jury trial? Luke and me will testify the other Humber drew on you, and you'll go scot free.

[Al Larson]

Wichita. Nobody's going to lie for me now, Luke. I mean that. You're not going to do it.

[Luke Slaughter]

No, we aren't. Clint.

[Barbara Larson]

Yeah, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

When the judge gets in, tell him this prisoner waives his right to a jury trial and counsel. And it'll be your responsibility to see that no one else attends his trial.

[Clint Wallace]

Albert Larson, you are charged with shooting to death an unidentified man in this county of Cochise on May 11, 1882. How do you plead?

[Al Larson]

Guilty, your Honor.

[Clint Wallace]

Sheriff Wallace, the brief you prepared might not be a model for a law class, but it's a fine example of getting to the meat of a case. The two gentlemen who have been sworn are your only witnesses?

[Barbara Larson]

Yes, sir.

[Clint Wallace]

You may proceed.

[Barbara Larson]

Well, Mr. Slaughter, you and Wichita Mr. Bagby watched Mr. Larson fire six shots at the DC Stranger.

[Luke Slaughter]

We did.

[Barbara Larson]

Well, how far away were you?

[Luke Slaughter]

Oh, I should say about 40 rods.

[Barbara Larson]

You recognized Mr. Larson, but not the other man, huh?

[Luke Slaughter]

That's right.

[Barbara Larson]

Did you recognize him when you reached the body?

[Luke Slaughter]

I thought perhaps I'd seen the face before, but it wasn't till yesterday I was sure of it.

[Al Larson]

Luke, you didn't know him.

[Clint Wallace]

The defendant will remain quiet, please.

[Luke Slaughter]

Then I found this old hand bill issued by the California state marshal in 1871. I will swear that the face drawn here is the face of the man Mr. Larson shot.

[Wichita]

I'll swear, too. It's either him or that artist fellow was a mighty lucky guesser.

[Clint Wallace]

Wanted for murder, arson, armed stagecoach robbery, parley Ring. Well, I was in California myself when young Ring was terrorizing the whole state.

[Wichita]

So was I, your honor. Everybody figured Ring got wounded so bad in that bloody Sacramento mess that he must have died. But the man on that handbill is the man Larson shot.

[Al Larson]

I never knew him as parley ring.

[Clint Wallace]

Mr. Larson, you'll have a chance to testify later if you wish.

[Al Larson]

Sentence me. Get it over with.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'll stop it. Your Honor, if I may. Well, there are just the five of us here now. Clint's going to ask you just a Couple of questions.

[Al Larson]

No.

[Luke Slaughter]

Try to answer them. You're not going to have to say much.

[Clint Wallace]

Go ahead, Mr. Wallace.

[Barbara Larson]

Al, before you came to Arizona, did you and Mrs. Larson happen to run a boarding house in Sacramento? Yeah. Did a young couple with a small baby take a room just before a shooting fray known as the Gaylord Hotel massacre?

[Al Larson]

I didn't know who they were.

[Barbara Larson]

You called to identify a woman who was killed as she helped her husband gun down a whole room full of celebrating miners.

[Al Larson]

It was her.

[Barbara Larson]

Did you ever see the man again?

[Al Larson]

Not till he come to St David four days ago and wanted Barbara. We couldn't tell anybody they left the baby. A baby isn't born bad, no matter what its parents are. But if they're treated bad, if they're poked fun at and shamed, they can turn bad. But we couldn't let that happen to Barbie. We couldn't ever let her know.

[Luke Slaughter]

Your Honor, Al Larson and his wife and that abandoned baby came to Arizona nearly 12 years ago. Mrs. Larson died the year after. I don't know how you feel about what's born in a child and what's put there by the way it's raised, but Barbara Larson's a young lady I'd want for a daughter. And Al Larson's a friend to everyone who knows him. I think Clinton Wichita will bear me out.

[Wichita]

That's what I think, your honor.

[Barbara Larson]

So do I. It's all the case we got.

[Clint Wallace]

You've presented a good case. We've accomplished more, I think, than if we'd spent several days hearing lawyers wrangling to impress a jury. The court finds this homicide justifiable, committed in the lawful protection of the defendant's child. Mr. Larson, we're hereby released from custody.

[Al Larson]

Your Honor.

[Barbara Larson]

You come outside with me, Al. Yeah.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah.

[Wichita]

Al. Might be somebody who wants to see you.

[Clint Wallace]

Father.

[Barbara Larson]

Oh, Father.

[Wichita]

Barbie?

[Al Larson]

Barbie, honey.

[Barbara Larson]

Oh, Father. Is everything all right?

[Clint Wallace]

Yeah, Barbie.

[Al Larson]

Everything's all right now.

[Narrator]

Luke's Water of Tombstone, starring Sam Buffington, was written by Fran Van Hartesveld and directed by William N. Robeson. Editorial supervision by Tom Handley. Supporting Mr. Buffington were Norma Jean Nelson, Junius Matthews, Charles Seale, Carl Swenson and Vic Perron, with music composed and conducted by Wilbur Hatch.

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[Narrator]

Next week at this time we return with Slaughter Is.

[Luke Slaughter]

The name Luke Slaughter? When we meet up again? You can call me that Luke Slaughter.

[Narrator]

One false move can lead Detective Johnny Dollar to disaster. Johnny, however, seems to be gifted with a knack for dodging the wrong clues and that along with his inclination for patting expense accounts and his not too idle habit of attracting the attentions of lovely women makes his career an exciting one to follow for the next thrill laden episode of his story here, yours truly Johnny Dollar later today on most of these same stat. This is 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 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 youm can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Sharelike Copyright. For more information go to otr westerns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[GEICO Advertiser]

How do you feel when you switch to GEICO and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on one Thursday morning and thinking to yourself just one more day until Friday. But then somebody in the elevator says Happy Friday. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So yes, Happy Friday. Random stranger in the elevator Happy Friday indeed. Yep, switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico. How do you feel when you switch to GEICO and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on one Thursday morning and thinking to yourself just one more day until Friday. But then somebody in the elevator says Happy Friday. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So yes, Happy Friday. Random stranger in the elevator Happy Friday indeed. Yep, switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico.