His Name Is John Smith | Frontier Town (1949)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns: "His Name Is John Smith" | Frontier Town (1949)

Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: 1949
Episode Summary Date: October 11, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, listeners are transported to the frontier town of Dos Rios, a setting teeming with classic Western intrigue, lawlessness, and the push for justice amid the chaos of the Wild West. "His Name Is John Smith" follows the adventures of frontier lawyer Chad Remington, his colorful sidekick Cherokee O'Bannon, and townsfolk caught in the crossfire of a bank robbery, false identities, and moral dilemmas. This drama weaves together suspense, humor, and touches on the complexities of redemption and frontier justice.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

Introducing Dos Rios and Its Dilemmas

• [03:53] Chad Remington introduces himself as the town's country lawyer, explaining that frontier law is scarce and trouble is rarely in short supply.
• Discussion with Judge Fillmore and Libby on advancing "legal law" over "gun law."
  • Notable Quote:
    • “We can’t just accept the facts because they’re facts. We gotta do everything we can to rid ourselves of gun law and substitute legal law.” – Chad Remington [04:59]

The Bank Robbery and the Mystery of "John Smith"

• [05:46] Bank robbery erupts; Cherokee O'Bannon apprehends the bandit, who refuses to offer much personal information besides the name "John Smith."
  • Notable Moment:
    • “Why don’t you just make it John Doe?” – Judge Fillmore [07:04]

Investigating the Bandit

• [07:29-09:11] Chad and Cherokee discuss events at the sheriff’s office. A shirt label points toward Houston, prompting Chad to send a telegram.
  • Humorous banter about Cherokee's "rattlesnake oil" and heroism.

The Cummings’ Secret – A Tale of the Past

• [09:31-12:14]: At the telegraph office, Harry and Martha Cummings' anxiety about contacting Houston leads to a confession:
  • Harry is an ex-railroad telegrapher, wrongfully imprisoned in Houston nine years prior, escaped after a year, and has been hiding under a new name.
  • His telegraph "fist" (distinct sending style) might expose him.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “I served a year I shouldn’t have served. They’re not gonna put me back. Believe me, they’re not.” – Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings [12:09]

Justice, Mercy, and Redemption

• [13:01-14:28] Chad advocates for Harry’s pardon with Judge Fillmore, ultimately securing the judge’s reluctant promise to help.
• Promise of a fresh start for Harry and Martha following a hopeful telegram from the governor.

Escape and Betrayal

• [14:28-15:29] The plot twists: A shootout at the jail reveals both "John Smith" and Harry have escaped. Chad is dejected, having gotten Harry nearly pardoned only for him to become a fugitive again.

Fallout and Friction Among Friends

• [16:09-18:11] Chad faces disappointment: Friends and allies—Judge Fillmore, Libby, and even Martha—disapprove of Chad's well-intentioned actions.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “In other words, without a trial, without any suitable evidence, you’re gonna convict a man that just yesterday you agreed was decent and honest to the best of your knowledge.” – Chad Remington [17:11]

Tracking Down the Fugitives

• [20:05-22:41] Chad and Cherokee form a makeshift posse. Chad demonstrates his rancher’s skill by following signs, finding a clue—a piece of Harry’s sleeve guard—near a mine.

Confrontation at the Mine

• [23:04-26:38]:
  • Chad and Cherokee discover the fugitives hiding in a deserted mine.
  • Chad notices telegraph-style tapping from inside—a desperate Morse code message from Harry.
  • Instead of a violent confrontation, Chad uses tactical skill: he and Cherokee smoke out the fugitives with burning brush.
  • Notable Moment:
    • Chad’s realization: “It’s not just digging...sounds more like dots and dashes, like telegraph code. You mean it’s Harry sending us a message?” [25:01]

Resolution and Restored Order

• [26:22-28:06] The outlaws surrender.

  • Cherokee knocks out John Smith as he tries to resist.
  • Emphasis on teamwork: credit is passed among Chad, Cherokee, and Harry for the capture and survival.
  • Light-hearted close with recognition of Cherokee's famed “rattlesnake oil.”

• [28:06-29:37] Emotional closure:

  • Relief for Harry and Martha.
  • Judge Fillmore credits Cherokee for his quick action.
  • Chad and Libby step aside for a heartfelt conversation.

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Memorable Quotes & Key Moments

• Chad Remington, on reforming justice:
  “We gotta do everything we can to rid ourselves of gun law and substitute legal law.” [04:59]

• Curmudgeonly humor, Cherokee O'Bannon:
  “On my honor, Chad, I was cold sober.” [08:09]
  “This astounding preparation not only cures dandruff and heaves in your favorite horse, but is sold with a money-back guarantee to cure morning after collywobble.” [18:46]

• Judge Fillmore, on the dilemma of justice vs. friendship:
  “All I know is that someone did find him guilty and sent him to jail. Besides, to be very frank about it, I don’t especially like Chad’s suggestion that I impose on a friendship.” [13:23]

• Climax maneuver:
  “If I hadn’t wanted to save Harry, it would have been easy enough. We could have shot through the entrance to the mine and blasted them out of there. The shot might have killed Harry.” – Chad [25:29]

• Lighthearted wrap-up:
  “That’s one way of getting business. Getting business? You bet. I can’t think of a better customer now for your Cherokee Indian rattlesnake oil than Mr. John Smith.” – Chad Remington [27:27]

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Key Timestamps

• 03:53 – Chad Remington introduces life in Dos Rios.
• 05:46 – Bank robbery, capture of "John Smith."
• 09:31 – Harry and Martha’s secret revealed.
• 13:01 – Chad pleads for Harry’s redemption.
• 14:28 – Jailbreak: Harry and Smith escape.
• 17:19 – Tension between Chad, the judge, and Libby.
• 22:09 – Trail clue found at the brier bush.
• 25:01 – Morse code message from inside the mine.
• 26:22 – Climax: confrontation and capture in the mine.
• 28:06 – Resolution, thanks, and reflection.

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Tone and Style

The episode balances earnest drama, Western grit, and comedic relief. The language evokes the Old West with cowboy idioms (“dab your rope on it,” “varmint,” “calaboose”), while the exchanges between Chad, Cherokee, and the townsfolk brim with warmth, wit, and moral seriousness. Elements of suspense and redemption run throughout, as does a healthy skepticism about frontier justice and the power of second chances.

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Conclusion

"His Name Is John Smith" is a classic Western tale brought to vibrant life through restored audio and colorful performances. The story delivers high-stakes action, a compelling moral struggle, and the enduring belief in justice—even when the path is crooked. Andrew Rhynes’ podcast curation ensures these golden-age tales remain as rich and engaging as ever for today’s listeners.

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Transcript

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[Chad Remington]

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[Libby Fillmore]

We save.

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[Chad Remington]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines (Podcast Host)]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines, and before we get into this episode, I wanted to remind you to check out our other western podcasts released daily by going to otrwesterns.com or searching OTR Westerns in your podcast app of choice. I also wanted to invite you to check out our other podcast channel releasing non western shows by going to otnetcast.com or by searching otnetcast in your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Frontier Town. Original air date is sometime in 1949 and the title of this episode is His Name is John Smith. Let's get into it. And again, thanks for listening.

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[Narrator/Announcer]

Frontier Town the Saga the Roaring West Frontier Town El Paso Cheyenne Powder River, Tombstone Frontier Town Here is the adventurous story of the early west, the tamed and the untamed. From the Pecos to Powder River, Dodge City to Poker Flat, these are the towns they fought to live in and lived to fight for. Teeming crucibles of pioneer freedom.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Frontier Town.

[Chad Remington]

If you're ever in Dos Rios and meet a loy, you might look me up In a cowtown or frontier town, I don't need much of an office. If you really want to find me, my one room suite is upstairs over Cherokee o' Bannon's livery stable. There's a sign out on the side alley with my name on it. Chad Remington. I don't want you to think there's not much for a country lawyer to do in Los Rios. Because with the type of people who settle the frontier and whose places sprawl over it, we've got all kinds of the good and meek, loud and leathery. Take just last week for instance. Not only did I get a client, but I earned myself plenty of trouble. Came close to being shot to death. I guess the best place to start is when I was over at Judge Fillmore's house, chatting with the judge and enjoying a few understanding smiles and looks from his daughter Libby.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Chad, no matter what you and I and Libby think about it, we've got about as much real law out here on the prairie as a porcupine has pin feathers.

[Libby Fillmore]

Well, you know I don't always agree with my father, judge or not, but this time I must.

[Chad Remington]

Livy, I don't disagree with you two Fillmores, but I feel we can't just accept the facts because they're facts. We gotta do everything we can to rid ourselves of gun law and substitute legal law.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

That's exactly the point I was making when I was up to the state capitol last week. The governor, as you remember, is not only a political associate of mine, but one of my oldest friends.

[Libby Fillmore]

Don't be surprised if Daniel B. Fillmore drops the judge from his name next election and substitutes Lieutenant Governor.

[Chad Remington]

Well, and I suppose the daughter of the Lieutenant governor would consider herself slumming if she went out with a cowtown lawyer. That is, if he asked.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Now don't forget, Chad, as good a friend of mine as the governor may be, your father was the closest friend I ever had.

[Libby Fillmore]

That sounded like an explosion.

[Chad Remington]

Those sound like shucks, Chucks.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Good.

[Chad Remington]

So someone just held up the bank.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Great day in the morning.

[Narrator/Liberty Mutual Ad Voice]

The bank?

[Chad Remington]

Libby, you wait here.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Come on, Chad, let's get down there.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Pass.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Stand still there, you pussymanias. Pussyfoot and polecat, or this time I'll beat your brains out for fair.

[Chad Remington]

Cherokee. You mean to stand there and tell me you captured this gunman inside the bank single handed?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

My boy, don't ever let it stand. Be sad that old Bannon is single handed. It takes just one old Bannon to care for one row. But for rebellion it might take two. Stand still there, you varmint? Then stop twisting my yawn.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Stand back, everybody. Here comes the sheriff.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Out of my way now. Out of my way. Move back. Move back there.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Good thing you got here, Sheriff. There's no hurry anymore. One man Army o' Bannon caught your man for you.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Well, so you thought you could get away with holding up the bank all by yourself, did you? You. Well, I wasn't asking just to hear myself talk.

[Chad Remington]

Maybe he's not answering on advice of counsel, Sheriff. What's your name?

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Smith.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

John Smith, huh?

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Why don't you just make it John Doe?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Well, Smith, whatever your name is, I'm hauling you down to the calaboose. And maybe by the time we get through with you down there, we'll find out who you are, where you came from and your right name so we can make it legal when we change your name to a number. Now come on.

[Chad Remington]

Well, Cherokee and I helped the sheriff down to jail and waited in the outside office while the sheriff tried to get a slightly better identification than the convenient name of John Smith. While we were there, knowing Cherokee, I took occasion to do a little investigating of my own.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

I the memory of my sainted mother. Chad, I am telling you the truth.

[Chad Remington]

The whole truth and very little of the truth. Now, Cherokee, I'm not saying you didn't catch the rat. I'm not saying you're not a hero. All I'm saying is, since you didn't have a bottle of your Cherokee Indian rattlesnake oil with you, what did you drink to give you that much Dutch courage?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

On my honor, Chad, I was cold sober.

[Chad Remington]

Well, cold anyhow. But yeah, er, what?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

I must admit that I was just passing by the bank when that thieving old good buzzard Smith backed out, tripped over me and when I landed on top of him it knocked all his windows.

[Chad Remington]

Now we're getting places. And since we've gotten the true facts, counsel will excuse witness for. Oh, well, Sheriff, what did you find out?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Well, nothing. All he'll say is his name is John Smith, but there's a label in his shirt from a store in Houston. I thought I might telegraph down there with a description of him and see.

[Chad Remington]

If he can't be identified. Say, that's a good idea. Fellow like that's probably wanted on 30 charges in 30 states. Might even be a little reward money.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Reward money? This is getting to look like the brightest day of my ill favored life. Think I'll go down and send that telegram to Houston myself. Oh no you don't, Cherokee. As the man who caught the prisoner. You're staying right here and answering a lot of questions for me.

[Chad Remington]

You see, Cherokee, the wages of heroism is work. I'll tell you what. I'll stop by the Western Union office and send the telegram for you myself. Oh, Harry, the sheriff asked me to stop by and send a telegram for him.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Why sure, Chad, sure. What's it about? The fellow tried to hold up the bank.

[Chad Remington]

You dabbed your rope right on it.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

I.

[Chad Remington]

What was that again, Chad? Oh, I forgot. You've been out here in the cattle country for only a few years, Harry. To dab your rope on something is a cowboy's way of saying you hit the bullseye.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Oh, I guess I'll never get used to the way you west. Well, here comes my wife with my lunch.

[Chad Remington]

Hi there, Ms. Cummings. You bring enough lunch for the two of us?

[Martha Cummings]

Oh, hello, Mr. Remington. No, but I'll be glad to go home and get some more. Hello, darling.

[Chad Remington]

Hello, Martha.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Bring me something good.

[Martha Cummings]

Well, there's a piece of that pumpkin pie we had last night and some cold fried chicken.

[Chad Remington]

I don't mean to interrupt the menu, but I think so. I don't impede the wheels of justice. I'd better send this telegram to Houston and get along to where, Chad? To Houston? Maybe coming from Schenectady. You don't know that Houston's in Texas.

[Martha Cummings]

Yes, yes, we know Houston's in Texas.

[Chad Remington]

Hey, what's going on here? The minute I mentioned Houston, you both started to look as if you'd lost your last friend.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

No, no, there's nothing wrong.

[Chad Remington]

It's just that.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Well, seems to be some trouble on the line to Houston lately.

[Chad Remington]

Mind you, Harry, I'm not calling you a liar, but that's really a little flimsy.

[Martha Cummings]

Harry, what's the use? Mr. Remington knows you're lying. Tell him the truth.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Now, Martha, you keep out of this.

[Martha Cummings]

I'm not going to. We've had this thing hanging over our heads for years now and I'm tired of it. Some nights we can't even sleep. Pray to my own shadow.

[Chad Remington]

Well, I will. Listen, what's the trouble with or in Houston?

[Martha Cummings]

Go on, Harry.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Well, nine years ago I got thrown.

[Chad Remington]

In jail in Houston.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

I was working for the railroad then as telegrapher.

[Martha Cummings]

There was a hold up and they felt Harry was mixed up in him.

[Chad Remington]

You weren't?

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Well, not mixed up the way they meant. I recognized Martha's kid brother. Oh, I could have stopped him, but I didn't.

[Chad Remington]

Uh huh. Then what happened?

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Well, they sentenced me to seven years after A year I. I broke out.

[Chad Remington]

I see. But I still don't understand your reluctance to telegraph.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

I. I don't know if you know much about us telegraph operators, but. Well, we all have a certain touch. Another telegrapher can recognize a man's fist. Just the way you can recognize someone's voice.

[Martha Cummings]

You see, Mr. Remington, about 10 days ago, when Harry was sending a message to Houston, the man on the other end thought he recognized me. And asked him if his name wasn't Harry Cheeseborough. Cheeseborough's our real name.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Chad, I'm scared. I served a year. I shouldn't have served. They're not gonna put me back. Believe me, they're not.

[Chad Remington]

Now, look, Harry. As a lawyer and as a friend. The best possible thing you can do is turn yourself over to the sheriff. What?

[Martha Cummings]

Listen to him.

[Chad Remington]

Harry, I don't want a red cent. I'll handle your case. And I'm as sure as a man can be that I'll get you off.

[Martha Cummings]

Harry, do what Mr. Remington says. Living like this is just like living in purgatory.

[Chad Remington]

But come on, Harry. You and I are going down to jail. Harry didn't like the idea. Once the sheriff reassured him that his chances of getting off were pretty good. He seemed to feel better with our little jail full. The sheriff put him in the same cell he put the bank bandits a little earlier. With my client now in jail, I went down to see the judge.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Chad, I'm afraid you don't realize what you're asking me to do. Just because the governor happens to be an old friend of mine.

[Chad Remington]

Sir, as a judge, I know you're interested in justice. The ends of justice wouldn't be served by having that man extradited.

[Libby Fillmore]

Chad's right, Father. Why, Harry and Martha Cummings are good people. It hasn't been a Sunday. They haven't been to church. And they've never done anything wrong in all their lives.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

I'm no judge of that. All I know is that someone did find him guilty and sent him to jail. Besides, to be very frank about it. I don't especially like Chad's suggestion that I impose on a friendship.

[Chad Remington]

I didn't say anything about your friendship with the governor. I appealed to you as a judge and as an honest and upright citizen. To have the governor quash any extradition proceedings should they ever be brought.

[Libby Fillmore]

Please, Father.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Well, I'll see what I can do. But believe me, it's not entirely voluntary.

[Chad Remington]

Now, believe me.

[Libby Fillmore]

Mrs. Cutler, please.

[Martha Cummings]

Not Mrs. A friend like you've been would certainly call me Martha.

[Chad Remington]

All right. Martha, now, if you just lean on my arm, I think we can make the two blocks to the sheriff's office in no time.

[Martha Cummings]

I just can't wait to see the look on Harry's face when he sees this telegram you've gotten from the governor.

[Chad Remington]

Oh, me too. From now on, neither you nor Harry's gonna have to worry about Houston or any other town on the Basin.

[Martha Cummings]

Chad, those shots.

[Chad Remington]

Yeah, Martha, come on. Those shots are coming from the J.

[Libby Fillmore]

Chad, what is it?

[Chad Remington]

Can you see? All I can see is some horses tearing out of town. Sheriff. Sheriff, what happened?

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Nothing. Nothing happened.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Nothing at all.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

That bank crook, John Smith, Cherokee caught you busted out of jail.

[Chad Remington]

Stop huffing and puffing. You'll catch him again. That's not too bad.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Well, maybe that's not too bad, but Harry Cummings busted out with him.

[Martha Cummings]

Harry?

[Chad Remington]

Harry broke out of jail?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

He sure did, man.

[Chad Remington]

Well, this serves me right. I get the man practically pardoned by the governor, and what does he do? Breaks jail. Makes a real outlaw of himself. Now, there's no question about it. Harry Cummings is actually a fugitive from justice.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Will return to the stirring climax of Frontier Town in just about one minute. And now, Frontier Town.

[Chad Remington]

I'm not asking for sympathy, just asking you to try and understand. As far as everyone was concerned, and that includes me, Chad Remington, everything I'd done at the Rock, not only had I induced Harry Cummings to give himself up and go to jail, but when, because of it, he broke out again, the sheriff was against me, Harry's wife was against me, and most of all, Judge Fillmore and Libby.

[Libby Fillmore]

Chad, how could you?

[Chad Remington]

How could I?

[Libby Fillmore]

Wasn't it enough that you came here first and talked Father into helping you? Did you have to come back? No. Now that it's too late, I'm only.

[Chad Remington]

Trying to explain to you both, I'm.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Afraid that explanations are no longer in order. In fact, I'm afraid any explanations that are due will be mine. Trying to explain to the governor the meaning of this. This utterly ridiculous situation.

[Chad Remington]

I thought if anyone around Dos Rios would understand and have a little sympathy, it'd be you two.

[Libby Fillmore]

Oh, so now you're going to try to turn things around and blame them on Father and me?

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

The less said about this, the better off we'll all be.

[Chad Remington]

In other words, without a trial, without any suitable evidence, you're gonna convict a man that just yesterday you agreed was decent and honest to the best of your knowledge.

[Libby Fillmore]

Chad, I resent your tone of voice. And I certainly resent your speaking that way to my father.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Just a moment. Livy, I'm quite capable of taking care of myself. Mr. Remington seems to feel that this is a courtroom. And that as the attorney for the poor, downtrodden, misunderstood defendant, he's going to make an impassioned, oratorical ballyhoo on behalf of his client.

[Chad Remington]

I'm not trying to do a young man.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

You could at least have the decency to wait until I finish.

[Chad Remington]

Yes.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

I'm just going to add that since this is not a courtroom, and since your client is not on trial here, but since this is the parlor of my home, I'd appreciate your leaving.

[Libby Fillmore]

Oh, Father.

[Chad Remington]

Oh, let it go, Lyddy. This is your father's home. I'm certain he's not going to be any happier or any more satisfied. Until I've proved that Harry Cummings.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Harry Cheeseborough.

[Chad Remington]

I'll accept the correction, your honor. Until I've proved that Harry Cheeseborough either was forced to break jail or was completely out of his head, you're not.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Going to prove anything standing here.

[Chad Remington]

You're quite right, judge. When I've proved something, I'll be seen. Cherokee, I appreciate your trying to butt me up, but it's a waste of breath.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Now just a minute, my fine, upstanding friend. Right here in my hand, I hold this little bottle of absolutely genuine Cherokee Indian rattlesnake oil. You say you want to know what this little article does? Well, I'm going to tell you. This astounding preparation not only cures dandruff and heaves and your favorite whores, but is sold with a money back guarantee to cure morning after collywobble. Blue, isn't it? Bluer than the sky.

[Chad Remington]

All right, Dr. O'. Bannon. I certainly can't give a testimonial for your universal panacea. But I'm ready and willing to admit that even without your rattlesnake oil, you can cure a case of blues depression and save a man from suicide.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Now, sonny boy, you're talking. So let's analyze your problem. You wouldn't have a trouble in the world if we could find Harry Cummings and clear this thing up.

[Chad Remington]

Just as simple as all that, is it?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Even simpler now, look at it this way. He broke out of jail with that John Smith character. Who caught John Smith in the first place? Never mind. I'll tell you.

[Chad Remington]

I did.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

And if I could do it once, I could do it again.

[Chad Remington]

Well, if you think I'm gonna wait until the two of them stumble over your legs this time, you're greatly mistaken. If you really want to help Throw a couple of saddles on two of those broken down nags you had here and let's deputize ourselves at two men posse to find them and bring them back.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Find him? How do you propose to do that?

[Chad Remington]

I may be a lawyer now, Cherokee, but don't forget I was born on a ranch and brought up on a ranch. I can still read sign and cut trail. Now go on, get me a good horse and let's be going.

[Libby Fillmore]

Oh, Chad, if you only could find him.

[Martha Cummings]

I just know that Harry never, never broke out of jail himself.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Well, ma', am, he certainly broke out. Me and Chan ain't gonna find him at all unless we get locomotin. If that's the word.

[Chad Remington]

Martha, believe me, I'll do everything a man possibly can. Don't forget, you and Harry aren't the only ones involved in this thing now.

[Libby Fillmore]

Oh, God bless you, Jim. God bless you.

[Chad Remington]

All right, Cherokee, get that horse turned around and let's keep going. Ever looked for a needle in a haystack? Well, that's what we were doing. To make it worse, the weather had turned as black as my mood. A cold wind had frozen the ground hard, showing about as much sign as a piece of smooth carved granite. But with Martha Cummings on my mind and Libby Fillmore in my heart, Cherokee and I pushed stubbornly again.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Now I move men. But this is one wild goose chase where I'm starting to feel like the goose. You look like a gone Goslar.

[Chad Remington]

Well, there is a goose involved in this all right. Several geese in fact. Harry's, Martha's, and not the least of them my own.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Knowing the fair sex like they do, I can promise you Libby will get over it.

[Chad Remington]

Knowing the judge like I do, I can promise you he.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

Ho, ho.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Grain up what'd twisted up tarnation you stopping out here for? Want a freeze to dance?

[Chad Remington]

No, but I sure want to look at that briar bush over there.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Briar bush?

[Chad Remington]

Hey, hey, Cherokee, look. Look what was snagged off on that briar.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Looks like a little piece of black cloth.

[Chad Remington]

Black alpaca cloth, if I'm not mistaken. The same black alpaca Harry Cummings sleeve guards are made of. Cherokee, I think we found the trail.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

I'll braid my hair and call me Pocahontas. Do you mean to say you spotted that little patch of black cloth out here in the middle of no place? And did it mean something?

[Chad Remington]

Sure does mean something. Means we're turning our horses and riding through that brier patch.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

But there ain't nothing beyond the Brier, that is nothing but rocks.

[Chad Remington]

Nothing but rocks. And I hope, a trail that'll lead us to that bank bandit and Harry Cummings. All right, this is good, Cherokee. Right here. Oh, no. Oh, boy.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Whoa, you elegant. Eat wine.

[Chad Remington]

Oh, nothing up here but rocks, huh? What does that look like?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Looks like the entrance to a deserted mine.

[Chad Remington]

Except I don't know how deserted it is right now.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

And if those two are down there and we go in after them with the light coming from behind us we'd make two of the prettiest targets you ever saw.

[Chad Remington]

Right about that. Sure wish there was some way of finding out if there's anybody down there and what's going on. Smith.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

I tell you, we'll starve down here. Would have been better off staying in jail.

[Chad Remington]

Why don't you dry up? Should have left you in that jail to rot.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Maybe I'd been better off rotting there than down here. We only had some air.

[Chad Remington]

You keep that up and you'll get air all right.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

I'll ventilate you proper.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

You're just the kind who would too. If I'd had any salt in me at all, I wouldn't let you take me with you.

[Chad Remington]

Why, you.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Now keep that trap of yours shut.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Look, the air down here is so bad. Won't you let me see if I.

[Chad Remington]

Can'T dig a little hole up toward the top? Just a little one.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Just enough to get some fresh air.

[Chad Remington]

All right. Let me keep you amused like you would a kid.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Can I.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Can I use one of your spurs to dig with?

[Chad Remington]

Yeah, yeah, you can use anything, only just shut up. Here.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Thanks. Now maybe we can get some air.

[Chad Remington]

Hey, Cherokee, you hear that?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Yeah. Sounds like someone digging inside the mine.

[Chad Remington]

It's not. Just digging isn't steady enough. Sounds more like. Like dots and dashes, like. Like telegraph code. You mean it's Harry?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Send us a message. What does he say?

[Chad Remington]

I don't know. They didn't teach telegraphy at law school. It convinces me of one thing. Harry didn't voluntarily escape and he's risking his neck now in the hope that somebody will hear this and capture them.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Yeah, Fine chance. Just the two of us. The entrance to this place. A regular shooting gallery.

[Chad Remington]

Cherokee, if you got the salt to try something, I've got an idea. If it may work, it's gotta work. And none of us are gonna get out of here. Al, if I hadn't wanted to save Harry, it would have been easy enough. We could have shot through the entrance to the mine and blasted them out of there. The shot might have killed Harry. So I had Cherokee climb on top of the entrance and hang there like a possum by its tail. Then I gathered up some dry brush, trusting to the wind to carry the smoke inside. Set fire with the smoke blowing inside the place. I just wait. Then after minutes, it seemed hours.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

All right. All right, you gunners, we're coming out.

[Chad Remington]

And keep your hands where we can see them. Watch it, Cherokee. Don't trust that Smith as far as you can throw a buffalo by its tail.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

I got you, Chad. Fell only once and I can do it again.

[Chad Remington]

All right, come on, shake a leg or you'll both end up in there barbecued. All right, mister, you got us out of there. You haven't got me yet. Oh, what a yellow spine varmint you are, Smith, using Harry as a shield. Don't mind me, Chad.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

Get him.

[Chad Remington]

I'm afraid, Harry that just talks easy. Come on. If you want horses, ours are over there. All right, mister, get moving. All right, Cherokee, jump.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Why, you.

[Chad Remington]

That's it, Cherokee.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Now hold on to him.

[Chad Remington]

That Cherokee there. That's one way of getting business. Getting business? You bet. I can't think of a better customer now for your Cherokee Indian rattlesnake oil and Mr. John Smith. You might even do a wholesale business with him when he's up in his permanent home, the state penitentia.

[Martha Cummings]

Chad, I can't ever tell you how much both Harry and I owe you.

[Chad Remington]

You don't owe me a thing. Anything you might owe, you owe the judge for his influence with the government. Oh, stuff and nonsense.

[Judge Daniel B. Fillmore]

I'd say the real thanks are due to Cherokee. He's the man who knocked the wind out of Smith twice.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Now, just a minute. Nobody could have done anything if Harry hadn't tapped out that message. So we know he was down there.

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

What would you have done if your.

[Chad Remington]

Life was at stake?

[Harry Cheeseborough/Cummings]

No, sir, I'm passing the medal right back to Chad.

[Chad Remington]

Libby, let's let them all stay here making speeches. I think you and I ought to take a little walk. We have a few things to talk over.

[Libby Fillmore]

I haven't much to say, Chad. But you think you have? I can be an awfully good listener.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Frontier TOWN Starring Tex Chandler as a Bruce Ells Production Supervision by Joel Murcott. Story and direction by Paul Franklin Music written and played by Ivan Ditmars. Be sure to be with us again this time, one week from today for another fine action adventure story with your favorite young western star, Tex Chandler. Frontier Town came to you from Hollyw.

[Chad Remington]

Sam Foreign.

[Andrew Rines (Podcast Host)]

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 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.