Hoppy Takes a Chance | Hopalong Cassidy (02-19-50)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns: “Hoppy Takes a Chance”

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Show: Hopalong Cassidy
Original Air Date: February 19, 1950
Podcast Release Date: May 22, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rhynes introduces a digitally restored broadcast of Hopalong Cassidy titled “Hoppy Takes a Chance.” The story plunges listeners into a suspenseful whodunit on the frontier, as Hopalong Cassidy works to clear a wrongly accused ex-convict framed for a stagecoach holdup and murder. With a lynch mob at the gates and only a patchwork of evidence, Hoppy risks his reputation and safety to bring the real culprits to justice, embodying the Western ideals of truth and fair play.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Line Riders and Bar 20 Dynamics

• Setting: Early autumn at the Bar 20 Ranch, with line riders rounding up cattle at summer’s end.
• Introduction of Bob Cranston:
  • New hand, prefers solitary work even through winter.
  • “I don’t mind the cold. If you get me the job, I’d sure work at it, Hoppy.” (03:24, Cranston)
• Hoppy promises him the job if he wants it.

2. The Stagecoach Robbery

• Incident Reported:
  • Shelby Salinger, a rival rancher, reports a large cattle sale and $12,000 shipped by stage. The stage is robbed, driver and guard Clem Yates are killed.
• Immediate Suspect:
  • Sheriff and townspeople rapidly blame Johnny McIver, an ex-convict seen recently in the region.
• Leads Given:
  • “We talked to the only passenger on the stage, a girl named Ann Richards. She described him for us.” (05:07, Sheriff)

3. Hoppy Investigates Bob Cranston / Johnny McIver

• Hoppy learns Cranston’s real name is Johnny McIver, a recent parolee who worked under an alias.
• McIver’s Account:
  • Claims innocence; describes running into Salinger’s foreman (Sam Wellman) and Red Conroy at a campfire, where he wins $300 in poker.
  • Cannot provide a concrete alibi (10:19).
  • Hoppy extends trust:
    • “I want you to know I’m going to give you every break I can to tell them the truth. I’ll stand up with you against the whole town if you’re not.” (10:46, Hoppy)
• Investigation at the Scene:
  • No tracks, no campfire ashes; evidence appears to have been deliberately erased.
  • The absence of ashes is key: “Not what we found. It’s what we didn’t find.” (12:49, Hoppy)
  • Discovery of a cigarette butt, indicating the real thieves were smokers, unlike McIver.

4. Unraveling Salinger’s Motive

• Hoppy learns from Mike DeCicco, the barkeep, that Salinger was deeply in debt and had tried to borrow $10,000 – more than enough motive for staging an elaborate heist involving his own money.
• The plan: Salinger ships money by stage, arranges a robbery, will file a claim, and lets suspicion fall on the ex-con McIver.

5. Confronting the Only Eyewitness: Ann Richards

• Ann is Intimidated:
  • Pressured by Red and Sam to claim there was one bandit—McIver.
  • Hoppy confronts her with the truth:
    • “You’re willing to let an innocent man hang to save your own skin.” (20:00, Hoppy)
• Ann confesses under pressure from Hoppy, admitting there were two masked men, supporting Hoppy’s case.

6. Mob Justice and the Jailbreak

• Hoppy is arrested for sheltering McIver.
• California and Mike DeCicco stage a clever distraction, obtain keys, and help Hoppy escape the jail (24:15-26:29).
• Tension in town: With a lynch mob waiting for McIver, the sheriff and Hoppy orchestrate a risky plan to buy time and save the boy.

7. The Final Showdown and Confession

• Hoppy returns to Bar 20, confronting Salinger and his men with a (forged) written confession “from” Red Conroy, detailing how the stage was held up (30:47).
• Under the pressure, the real criminals—Salinger, Sam, and Red—turn on each other, fully exposing their guilt.
• The confession is actually a forgery by Mike DeCicco, the “best forger west of the Mississippi,” a sly twist revealed at the end (32:18).

8. Resolution and Justice

• The townspeople are calmed; McIver is exonerated.
• Hoppy, California, and Mike share a quiet moment:
  • “You got a clean slate now, Bob. From here on in, it’s up to you. And you can thank Mike here for small favors.” (32:02, Hoppy)
• Hoppy and crew keep the forgery secret, upholding the spirit of justice even as they bend the letter of the law.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “‘I want you to know I’m going to give you every break I can...I’ll stand up with you against the whole town if you’re not.’”
  — Hoppy expresses loyalty and belief in Bob/Johnny (10:46)

• “‘Not what we found. It’s what we didn’t find.’”
  — Hoppy explains his detective logic (12:49)

• “‘You’re willing to let an innocent man hang to save your own skin.’”
  — Hoppy confronts Ann Richards with the harsh truth (20:00)

• “You just leave it to me, Sheriff, and things will turn out just fine.”
  — Salinger’s fateful promise before the final reveal (30:27)

• “Want to take a look at it, Sheriff?”
  — Hoppy produces Red Conroy’s “confession” (30:59)

• “And we all have another secret to keep, eh, Mike?... That confession of Red Conroy’s. Or maybe you didn’t know that Mike DeCicco in his heyday was the best forger west of the Mississippi.”
  — The episode’s final twist (32:18, Hoppy)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:01-01:13 — Ads & Show Intro (skip)
• 01:29 — Episode begins: Ranch setting & line riders
• 04:10 — The sheriff arrives; Salinger’s report & the robbery
• 07:37 — Bob/Johnny’s interrogation and narrative
• 12:49 — Hoppy’s “it’s what we didn’t find” deduction
• 14:01 — Salinger’s motive and Hoppy’s interview with Mike DeCicco about debts
• 19:12 — Ann Richards confrontation, truth about the witness emerges
• 21:27 — Red Conroy confronts Hoppy; California knocks him out; evidence gathering
• 24:15-26:29 — Jailbreak sequence
• 30:14 — Hoppy returns to Bar 20 for final confrontation
• 30:47 — The forged confession—criminals exposed
• 32:18 — Reveal: Mike DeCicco’s forgery, episode’s sly twist

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Conclusion

Hoppy Takes a Chance is a classic Western morality tale, with Hopalong Cassidy embodying both lawfulness and clever frontier pragmatism. The episode features not only suspenseful action—jailbreak, standoffs, clever schemes—but also thoughtful dialogue about justice, redemption, and the stigma of crime, fitting seamlessly into the enduring tradition of Old Time Radio Westerns. Through layered performances and sharp audio restoration, the podcast brings this vintage episode vividly to life for a modern audience.

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Transcript

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[California Carson]

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[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Representative]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Andrew Ryans]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Ryans. And let's get into this episode. This episode's going to be Hop Along Cassidy Original Air Dates February 19, 1950 Title of this episode Hoppy Takes a Chance. Hope you enjoy and again, thanks for listening.

[Narrator]

It's Hop Along Cassidy. With action and suspense. Out of the old west comes the most famous hero of them all, Hopalong Cassidy. Starring William Boyd. The ring of the silver spurs heralds the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West. Hop Along Cassidy. This famous hero thrills his 60 million fans with action and dangerous adventure. In the role of Hop Along Cassidy is the popular star of the motion picture series, William Boyd. And appearing as that laughable old character, California, is Andy Clyde. Now to our story, Hoppy Takes a Chance. September at the Bar 20, like all cattle ranchers, is a happy month for the line riders, the lonely cowboys whose duty it is to patrol the boundaries of the ranch and see to it that the outfit stock stays on the reservation. It's a happy time because it marks the end of the season for them and the friendly atmosphere of the ranch house just around the corner. But Bob Cranston was different from the rest. There was a as Hoppy rode up to him on the ridge south of the Bar 20 Ranch hog.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Hi there, Wally. How's it going?

[California Carson]

Can't complain, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Good. I figure on sending you out of sin up tomorrow. Make a circuit of the ranch boundaries, run down the strays and kick any of Salinger's cows back onto their own territory.

[Narrator]

Take you a week or so.

[California Carson]

Okay, boss.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

How do you like the new job? Fine, I reckon.

[California Carson]

Wondered if I might keep right at

[Hopalong Cassidy]

it on through the winter after cutting out in Brandon. You mean you want that winter job?

[California Carson]

Sure, why not?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Fucking the snow drift, running down weak dogies in a blizzard. Ah, most of the line boys jammer like a stuck pig. When I end up an assignment like

[California Carson]

that, Well, I don't know. I ain't much of a hand around the ranch house. Like to be off by myself. I don't mind the cold. If you'd get me the job, I'd sure work at it, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, brother, if you want it, you get it. Come on, Topper. Let's get back to headquarters.

[California Carson]

Morning, Huffy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Sheriff. What are you doing here?

[California Carson]

Oh, just dropping by on a friendly call. Huffy, you know Shelby Sellinger here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Sure. Hello, Mr. Sellinger. Have a chair.

[California Carson]

Thanks.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

How are you, Cassidy? Great. You sent one of my line riders out to hustle your stock back on the reservation? Seems an awful lot of circle. Sea cows like Bar 20 grass better than they own. Save your rider a lot of work, Cassidy.

[California Carson]

I sold them off last week.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I needed the money. I see.

[California Carson]

Yeah. Mr. Sellinger got payment before delivery and shipped $12,000 out by stage day before yesterday. Happy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah.

[California Carson]

Stay off alone on his range?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah.

[California Carson]

It didn't get very far.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What do you mean?

[California Carson]

About as far as the blind turret on the stage road. Road agent shot the driver outright.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Wait a minute. Clem Yates was guard on that stage.

[California Carson]

Shot him down in full blood.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Clem? How could anybody.

[California Carson]

Yeah, that's the way we all feel, Happy. Folks in town are ready for a lynching.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You got any leads?

[California Carson]

We know who it is. His name's Johnny McIver.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Is that so?

[California Carson]

Yeah.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

We talked to the only passenger on the stage, a girl named Levann Richards.

[California Carson]

She described him for us.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Who is this McIver?

[California Carson]

Young fella, about 25 or so. Let's get out of prison. Came through this part of the country a few days ago looking for a job. We wondered if he came by here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'll keep on the lookout for him, Sheriff.

[California Carson]

The townspeople have put up a reward

[Hopalong Cassidy]

if he shot Clem Yates. That's all the encouragement I need.

[California Carson]

We can sure use your help, puppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You'll get it, Sheriff.

[Narrator]

Thanks.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Bye. Goodbye. California, huh?

[Mike DeCicco]

Oh, how.

[California Carson]

Yeah, Hoppy. I was just frying up half a dozen eggs here. Just tide me over till dinner.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Forget your stomach for once, Poppy.

[California Carson]

Eggs is brain.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I don't need your brain. I need the seat of your pants in a saddle right now. Watch out. I want you to ride down to South Ridge and pick up Bob Cranston.

[California Carson]

You mean the new hand you put on yesterday?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right. I want to find out why he calls himself Cranston when his real name is Johnny Mac.

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[Narrator]

Now back to Hopalong Cassidy and our story, Hoppy Takes a Chance. Two men have been murdered, one of them the beloved Clem Yates. When the mail stage out of Baker's Crossing was held up and robbed by a masked bandit, the sheriff and the townspeople are sure the robber is Johnny McIver, a young ex convict. And while they scour the country for him, Hoppy is talking to him in the main room of the Bar 20 ranch house.

[California Carson]

You've got to believe me, Hobby. I had nothing to do with this. I didn't.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Take it easy, Bob. I'm not accusing you yet.

[California Carson]

How come you change your handle, sonny? Seems to me we hired a hand named Bob Cranston. I told you, California people just can't deal an ex convict a straight hand.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I can understand that. You didn't need a new name. Around here you take a man for what he is, not what he used to be.

[California Carson]

I wish they were all like you, Mr. Sellinger didn't look at it that way.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Salinger?

[California Carson]

Yeah. When I first got to town a few days ago, I hit him for a job.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

When was that?

[California Carson]

Let me see. Wednesday afternoon.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And the stage was held up that night at 8. What did Salinger tell you?

[California Carson]

He told me to come back about 10 o'.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Clock.

[California Carson]

Said he'd let me know then.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

So you went back, huh?

[California Carson]

Yeah, I started back from town about 7. Didn't see anyone till I got to that place where the Fords a creek.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You know there's a grove of cottonwoods there. Yep, I know the place. There was a fire going and a

[California Carson]

couple of men boiling up some coffee. They said they were from Sellinger's ranch.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What did they look like?

[California Carson]

One of them was heavy set, wore a pair of side whiskers. Better be Sam Wellman.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Who? Sellinger's ranch foreman. What about the other one?

[California Carson]

He was red headed, kind of short.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, it's Red Conroy. What happened then?

[California Carson]

They told me Sellinger wasn't back to the ranch yet. Asked me to have a cup of coffee with him. It was pretty chilly and I figured a cup of coffee would taste good, so.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

So you accepted the invitation?

[California Carson]

Yeah. They said Mr. Sellinger had passed right

[Hopalong Cassidy]

by there on his way back.

[California Carson]

Well, we sat around a while.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Then the redhead pulled out a pack

[Narrator]

of cards and suggested a game.

[California Carson]

Uh oh, them fellers are sure death at poker, huh?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Red and Sam are a couple of pretty slick poker players. How much did you lose?

[California Carson]

I didn't lose. I won $300. Sonny, you're wasting your time as a cowpoke. Anyone who can skin them coyotes, that draw poker is.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Wait a minute, California. You pretty good at poker, Bob?

[California Carson]

Oh, just fair. They played pretty stupid. I took 100 pot with a pair of tens.

[Mike DeCicco]

Huh?

[California Carson]

Plain again. Red Conroy and Sam Wellman.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, wait a minute. Maybe this makes sense. What did you do with the 300, Bob?

[California Carson]

I saved it. They told me a lot of places

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I could blow it in town, but I didn't. They did, huh?

[California Carson]

Now what's that got to do with it, Hop?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'm not sure yet, but I got an idea a coach was robbed at 8 o'.

[California Carson]

Clock.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Where were you at that time, Bob? That was about 30 minutes before I

[California Carson]

met the two men. I was at the trail quite a piece.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Alone. No alibi?

[California Carson]

I guess not.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

About a half hour after the robbery, you run onto Red and Sam and win $300 from him. With poker they figure, of course, you'll roll into town and blow it sky high. When did Salinger finally show up? I don't know.

[California Carson]

About 10, I guess.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And he turned you down?

[California Carson]

Yeah. They didn't want any truck with jailbirds.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I see. Bob, before we start out, I want you to know I'm going to give you every break I can to tell them the truth. I'll stand up with you against the whole town if you're not. I'm not worrying about that hobby. Okay, let's get going. Where the blind turn on the stage road where the coach was robbed. Maybe we can find a few tracks. Bob. Yeah? You can check your gun here at the ranch house. California and I will take care of any shooting that has to be done.

[California Carson]

Any luck, Hoppy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No, not a chance to find any tracks on the road here. Someone came through here with a bunch of cattle after it happens.

[California Carson]

That was Sellinger. That bunch of stairs he just sold.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Tell me something, California.

[California Carson]

Anything you want, Hoppy. My brain's at your service.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, harness it up for a minute. You plan to hold up the mail coach here? Where would you hide out?

[California Carson]

That's a cinch. Right behind the tree.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

On it. That's what I thought. Come on.

[California Carson]

Hey, I said over there behind the tree. Sure.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

So naturally, a smart bandit would hide up in those rocks above the turn.

[California Carson]

Cassidy.

[Mike DeCicco]

So help.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Don't get insulted. California. You got a wonderful pair of feet.

[California Carson]

Pretty hard to find any tracks on these granite rocks, Hoppy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, especially when the robber was careful not to make any. Getting pretty dark now, too. You got a match, Bob?

[California Carson]

No, I don't carry him.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, well. No use looking around here in the dark. May as well ride over to that cottonwood grove of the creek, see if there's anything left of that campfire that you sat around.

[California Carson]

No dice, Hoppy. There ain't a thing to show anyone's been here. Not a track, not a sign of a campfire.

[Mike DeCicco]

But I told you the truth, Hoppy.

[California Carson]

I was here. Someone's cleaned the place up.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I know it.

[California Carson]

Huh? You mean you believe me?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I think I believed you from the first, Bob. Now I got proof.

[California Carson]

We ain't found a thing.

[Mike DeCicco]

Hobby.

[California Carson]

How can you.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's just it. Not what we found. It's what we didn't find.

[California Carson]

What do you mean?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

One of our line riders uses this place regularly. Builds a fire right here in the clearing. The ashes would be here if someone didn't have a reason for cleaning them up. They knew Bob had come here with a story. They wanted to make a liar out of him.

[California Carson]

You mean Sam and Red?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah. In fact, they're at the blind turn. We didn't find any tracks on that granite, but I found something else.

[California Carson]

What was that?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's why I asked you for that match. I never saw a cigarette smoker yet who didn't carry matches. One of the robbers left this behind.

[California Carson]

Well, I'll be a cigarette, but yeah.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Do you think it was Salmon Red and someone else. The man who planned the job. I can't think of a single reason why I had to drive a herd of cattle six miles out of the way. Unless there was some embarrassing tracks he wanted to cover up.

[California Carson]

Lord Almighty. Salinger.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right. Salinger.

[California Carson]

Amigo, you come here to my Fiesta Saloon. Once in the blue moon, the Sassa Perilla, she is on me.

[Mike DeCicco]

Ah.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Afraid I haven't time for a drink, Mike. I got a lot of things on My mind right now.

[California Carson]

You tell Mike the SEO, huh? Maybe I help change Sabi.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What do you know about selling your Mike? Seems to me he was up against it for money for a while back.

[California Carson]

Why do you ask?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Copy. That's pretty important right now to a kid named Johnny McIver.

[California Carson]

That kid, he make one big mistake

[Hopalong Cassidy]

when he killed Clem Yates. You think he did it? The whole town thinks so.

[California Carson]

His life, she's worth 2 centavas, maybe less.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You know why, Mike? Because the kid has a prison record. See, he's the second man who came to Baker's Crossing with a record, Mike. See, and he feels like you did when you got out. He wants to go straight if the people here let him alone.

[California Carson]

You have kept our secret well these 10 years, Otto. But why do you ask about Salinger?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Because I think you know how bad he needs money.

[California Carson]

See, he. He tried to borrow 10,000 from me two weeks ago.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

His rancho.

[California Carson]

The Circle siege isn't one butt fixed.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's what I thought. He got his money, Mike. Huh? What do you mean? He figured by shipping that cattle money express and robbing the stage, he'd collect from Wells Fargo, too. A nice way to double your money. You got a young ex convict handy to take the blame.

[Mike DeCicco]

Madre de Dios.

[Ann Richards]

You.

[California Carson]

You mean selling?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, with Red Conroy and Sam Wellman to give him a hand.

[California Carson]

Hubby, You. You can prove this?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

There was one passenger on the stage, a girl named Ann Richards. I think she knows more than she's telling.

[California Carson]

Oh, but the word of a young senorita against Salinger?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No.

[California Carson]

She's no good, huh?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

She's not enough, Mike. See, that's just why I came to.

[Narrator]

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[California Carson]

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[California Carson]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Representative]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

[Narrator]

Now back to Hop Along Cassidy. And Hoppy takes a chance. Hoppy is sure now that Shelby Salinger and his two henchmen engineered the robbery of the mail stick, carrying his own money, knowing that Johnny McIver, a young ex convict, would be blamed. But it's quite another matter to prove it. That's why Hoppy has called on Ann Richards, the one passenger on the stage during the robbery and the only living witness.

[Ann Richards]

Please, Mr. Cassidy. That's all I know. It's just as I told the sheriff.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I tell you, I want to know the truth, Ms. Richards. I want to know exactly what happened on that stage from the minute the driver pulled up at that blind corner.

[Ann Richards]

But I've told you.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Tell me what someone's forcing you to say. Yeah.

[California Carson]

Fred Conroy standing across the street. I just seen him through the window.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I know, Huh? I made sure he saw me. Come here. Keep an eye on him.

[California Carson]

Sure, Hoppy.

[Mike DeCicco]

Oh, I sure wish I knelt. Book had been on.

[Ann Richards]

You know what you're doing, Mr. Cassidy? He's watching this house. He'll do anything. Kill me, anything.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Wait a minute, Ms. Richards. I wonder if you know what you're doing.

[Ann Richards]

I tell you, he'll kill me. Do you understand that? He'll stop it.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Listen to me. You're the only witness to that robbery. Because you said so, they're out looking for one man instead of three. Because you said so, they'll hang Johnny McIver because he happens to have a prison record and no alibi.

[Mike DeCicco]

I can't help it.

[Ann Richards]

I can't.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

If you want it in plain English, Ms. Richards, you're yellow. You're willing to let an innocent man hang to save your own skin.

[Ann Richards]

But it's too late to do anything now. The people are ready to lynch him. I can't stop them. What can I do?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You can tell me really what happened out there at that blind corner.

[Ann Richards]

You're right, Mr. Cassidy. I guess I am a coward. I don't know when they came here and threatened me.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Who?

[Ann Richards]

Conroy and Wellman. They said they'd kill me if I didn't tell the story the way they wanted it.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, let's have it now.

[Ann Richards]

There wasn't just one man, Mr. Cassidy. There were two.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Conroy and Wellman?

[Ann Richards]

I think so. I couldn't identify them out there on the road. They wore masks, and one kept calling the other McIver.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I see.

[Ann Richards]

I was inside the coach when they forced Clem Yates to get down. He was right next to the window. I heard him say, MacIver, you're not Mac Ivers.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Then what?

[Ann Richards]

That's when the shot came.

[California Carson]

Pete, he's coming across the street.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

There he is now. Get behind the door. When I open it, you know what to do. Stay right here, Ms. Richardson.

[California Carson]

Ready? Let her rip. Hello, Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Conroy. What can I do for you?

[California Carson]

I can talk better inside, especially with a gun in my hand.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You think that's gonna get you anywhere, Red?

[California Carson]

Put your hands up, Cassidy.

[Mike DeCicco]

That's better.

[California Carson]

You know, you got a bad habit messing around in things that ain't your business. And I'm gonna break you of that right now before you get your nose caught in somebody's keyhole. Keep those hands up, Cassidy.

[Mike DeCicco]

Do you hear what I.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Nice work, California.

[California Carson]

Hit him too hard. My gun butt'll never be the same, Mr. Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You see, Ms. Richards, these tough guys aren't so bad when you use the right kind of diplomacy. Get some rope out back, California. We're gonna truss this turkey up so he won't come undone till roasting time.

[Narrator]

Right, puppy?

[Ann Richards]

Why are you going through his pocket?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Ah, here we are.

[Ann Richards]

A letter.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, that ought to be just what the doctor ordered. You see, Ms. Richard, we can hook Red and Sam on your testimony. There's no way we can touch Salinger. That is, unless either Red or Sam decide to talk.

[Ann Richards]

They'll never do that. You don't know them that Cassidy and Ms. Richard.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You don't know Mike Decico.

[California Carson]

So she's changed the story, hu?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah. Ah, but not good enough. I want Salinger, too. And if she tells her story now, we lose any chance of getting him. Wait. Huh? Don't turn around.

[California Carson]

The sheriff just came in. Quick, take this case.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

A letter Red Conroy wrote to a girl in Council City. Yeah, boy.

[California Carson]

Good morning, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, howdy, Sheriff. Anything new?

[California Carson]

Been keeping mighty busy, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Me too. Have no business hanging around the fiesta here. Better get on back to the ranch.

[California Carson]

Just a minute, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Huh?

[California Carson]

Don't run off. Thought you might like to know Johnny McIver was spotted by a Posyman an hour ago, riding line on the bar 20.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Which means what?

[California Carson]

Which means you're under arrest. Concealing and giving shelter to a Public Enemy. Sorry, Hoppy, but you're going to jail.

[Mike DeCicco]

What can I do for you gents?

[California Carson]

Hurry. I'm California Carson. This Here is Mike DeCicco. I'd like to see Hopalong Cassidy, if you don't mind.

[Mike DeCicco]

Well, I don't know. Sheriff said no one's to see him.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What?

[California Carson]

Jack, that means why not in Mexico?

[Mike DeCicco]

Already told you Sheriff said no. Wants to see him. Well, nothing to do but wait until

[California Carson]

the sheriff gets back in. Reckon so. Mind if we sit down?

[Mike DeCicco]

The country jail is public property. Sit anywhere you please.

[California Carson]

Gotcha. That means thanks mix. Now, you sit in the chair there, Mike, and I'll sit in this here packing box.

[Mike DeCicco]

Excuse me a minute, Chance. I just want to check up on the.

[California Carson]

Mike, did you get a look at them selkies hanging from his belt? Can you get them? Can I get them? At the age of six, I was the second best pickpocket in Mexico City. Who is the bear?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

My papa.

[California Carson]

We'll get him. When he says down, you pull the

[Hopalong Cassidy]

chair and grab his gun, huh?

[Narrator]

Here he comes.

[Mike DeCicco]

Stone walls do not the prison makes the fell says ain't never received the Baker's cross in jail, I reckon. Oh, old hobby.

[California Carson]

Wonder if he's had his dinner.

[Mike DeCicco]

Oh, don't worry, Sheriff.

[California Carson]

We'll bring him something when he gets back.

[Mike DeCicco]

Hey, Fell. Thought we might have it in game while we waiting.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You.

[California Carson]

Maybe a little fanny, Anthony.

[Mike DeCicco]

No tenth of a cent, I always say now.

[California Carson]

Suffering snake. Sir, you hurt yourself?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Let me help you.

[Mike DeCicco]

Chair went right out from under me. Don't know what happened.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Here.

[California Carson]

Here, I'll give you a hand.

[Mike DeCicco]

Foot slipped under the desk. Caught on something down there. Now watching Charlie Nation.

[California Carson]

What's the matter here? You. You're stuck.

[Mike DeCicco]

Got my foot damned in the spit too. Drafting. Drafting like a rat.

[California Carson]

No dice? No dice. Oh, let me get a new hope here.

[Mike DeCicco]

That won't work neither. Only making my leg longer. Gotta move the desk.

[California Carson]

Guess so. There she goes.

[Mike DeCicco]

Crazy but chew. Hey, man, ain't had a world like that since I stepped into bar trap one winter in Montana. Let's get the dust back on his heathen.

[California Carson]

Hey, what's the matter?

[Mike DeCicco]

Where's the other feller? Huh?

[California Carson]

Oh, you mean Mike.

[Mike DeCicco]

Well, gone. Looks like he wins. Trying to pull the bull over my eyes, eh? He's back there at Cassidy cell. That's where he is. I'll show that fella rules of rules. Yeah, by golly, you show him. Hey, you down there. Dustin in the door.

[California Carson]

What do you see?

[Mike DeCicco]

Look at that. Doris opened Tag busted. He took my key.

[California Carson]

Well, I'll take a look inside. Maybe Hoppy's hiding under the bed or something.

[Mike DeCicco]

I can't sound it. I can see, can I? Jesus, that fears, that face.

[California Carson]

You as me.

[Mike DeCicco]

Hey, where were that. Open this door. Get me out of here. Get me out. Get me out of here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You got him?

[Mike DeCicco]

Sure, I got him.

[California Carson]

Come on, let's get going.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, we haven't much time.

[Mike DeCicco]

Wait a minute. You foreman, so help me. Adios, amigo. Adios. What does that mean? It's goodbye in Mexican. Let's show you my pair. Now,

[California Carson]

quiet, everyone. It's my duty to see justice is done. That's why I've come out here to the bar. 20 after Johnny McIver. If he's found guilty by a jury after he's had a fair trial, he'll get the full punishment under the law, and not until.

[Mike DeCicco]

We'll give you five minutes to turn him over, Sheriff. After five minutes.

[California Carson]

Getting mighty rough out there, Sellinger. Don't think we can hold out much longer. He hasn't got a chance.

[Mike DeCicco]

He don't deserve a chance.

[California Carson]

The law says he gets a fair trial, Sam. That mob ain't going to take him without a fight. 12 men against that mob out there? You're out of your mind, Sheriff. You got any ideas, Sellinger?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, you went out on the porch there and grabbed their attention. The kid and I might be able to get away from the rear.

[California Carson]

Say, that might work, Sheriff.

[Mike DeCicco]

If we could get him back to

[California Carson]

the jailhouse, we might be able to hold him off. And if the mob spotted you, that's the chance we have to take.

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[California Carson]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

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[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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[California Carson]

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[Hopalong Cassidy]

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[Hopalong Cassidy]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Now back to Hopalong Cassidy.

[California Carson]

I don't know about that, Sellinger. If you take Johnny McIver out the back way and make a run for it. Don't you see it's the only chance the men you got won't stand up against that mob for two minutes? Well, I guess we'll have to try it. But an awful lot depends on you. You just leave it to me, Sheriff,

[Hopalong Cassidy]

and things will turn out just fine.

[California Carson]

I'll bring the kid in. Come here, McIver. I want a. Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Hello, Sheriff.

[California Carson]

What are you doing here?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, I got kind of bored down at the jail. Hello, St. And Sam Wellman. Welcome to Bar 20. You're just in time for the payoff.

[California Carson]

What are you talking about, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

This.

[California Carson]

What's that?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

A little Billy do from your pal Red Conroy. Starts out the following is my true and complete confession on the hold up and murder at the blind turn at 8 o' clock on the night of September 12th.

[California Carson]

Let me see that.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Not so fast, Sellinger. Want to take a look at it, Sheriff?

[California Carson]

Yeah, it's a trick. Shut up, Salinger. It's Red Conroy's handwriting all right. I got to tell it a mile away. What did you do with him, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

He's taking it easy in town.

[California Carson]

And while I stood guard at the bend, Sam Wellman walked up to Clem Yates.

[Ann Richards]

It's a lie.

[Mike DeCicco]

Conroy killed you. Shut up. Double crosser ain't gonna train me.

[California Carson]

And you ain't either, Sellinger.

[Mike DeCicco]

I never pulled a trigger, Sam.

[California Carson]

Get away from him, Sellinger.

[Mike DeCicco]

Challenger shot the driver, Sheriff. It's the truth around me. I was keeping water.

[California Carson]

And it was Red who walked up to Clem Yates, huh?

[Mike DeCicco]

Yeah. Yes. Stay where you are, Sellinger.

[California Carson]

Keep your hands up.

[Mike DeCicco]

I'll get you for this, Wellman. So help me out.

[California Carson]

You ain't getting anyone now, Sellinger. You're gonna turn around while I march the two of you out on the porch. Read this confession to the crowd. Come on now, get going. Did it work, Huffy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, we're going out on the porch.

[California Carson]

It was a mic. Too close for me, Hoppy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Too California.

[California Carson]

How about me?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You got a clean slate now, Bob. From here on in it's up to you. And you can thank Mike here for small favors. Oh, it was nothing, amigo. As they say in Mexico, la cuer de seronado, the rope she break at

[California Carson]

the weakest point is very that, no?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, and we all have another secret to keep, eh, Mike? What's that, Huffy? That confession of Red Conroys. Or maybe you didn't know that Mike DeCicco in his heyday was the best forger west of the Mississippi.

[Narrator]

Mighty peaceful at the bar 20 now that this Johnny McIver affair is over. But somehow things never stay that way for very long. Hoppy in California will be riding into more dangerous adventure real soon. Hop Along Cassidy, starring William Boyd, is transcribed and produced in the west by Walter White Jr. Hoppy takes a Chance was written by Harold Swamp. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence E. Mo. This is a Commodore production.

[Mike DeCicco]

Foreign.

[Andrew Ryans]

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 join in the conversation by going to otrwesterns.Com Discord and don't forget to send us an email. Podcasttrwesterns.com 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 again, thanks for listening.

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[California Carson]

Hey everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Representative]

Oh no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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[Hopalong Cassidy]

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[Mike DeCicco]

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[Hopalong Cassidy]

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[Hopalong Cassidy]

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[Mike DeCicco]

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