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Horse’s Mane Is Murder Clue | Dr. Sixgun (10-14-54) - Old Time Radio Westerns | Wave AI Podcast Notes

Horse’s Mane Is Murder Clue | Dr. Sixgun (10-14-54)

Fri Oct 24 2025

Original Air Date: October 14, 1954Host: Andrew RhynesShow: Dr. SixgunPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Karl Weber (Dr. Sixgun)• William Griffis (Pablo) Special Guests:• Denise Alexander• Bob Haig• Ken Williams• William Keene Writers:• George Leff...

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns: Dr. Sixgun – “Horse’s Mane Is Murder Clue” (10-14-54) Host: Andrew Rhynes | Release Date: October 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this captivating episode of Dr. Sixgun, titled “Horse’s Mane Is Murder Clue,” listeners are transported to the lawless frontier of the 1870s. The episode follows Dr. Gray Matson—known as Doc Sixgun—and his friend Pablo the Gypsy as they become entangled in a tragic murder mystery at Aaron’s Brook. When a rancher named Charlie Aaron is killed, his teenage daughter Allie, left to fend for herself and her younger sister, must decide the fate of their homestead. Clues around a distinctive horse and escalating tensions over land and water rights intertwine, spotlighting themes of justice, frontier hardship, and community in the Wild West.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. The Incident at Aaron’s Brook (01:15–13:00)

Pablo’s Narration & Introduction
Pablo reflects on life as a stranger in the territory and introduces Doc Sixgun as a universally respected figure.
Discovery of Trouble
Doc and Pablo arrive at Aaron’s Brook after a long ride and encounter gunfire.
Standoff at the Cabin
Allie Aaron, Charlie's 15-year-old daughter, points a rifle at Doc and Pablo, fearing their intentions.
The Grief of Allie Aaron
- Allie reveals her father was shot dead five or six days ago (“He killed him. He came and he killed him. Pa was in the yard fixing the axle… Just rode by and shot him.” – Allie, 09:09).
- Allie buried her father herself and has been protecting her younger sister Janie.

2. The Mystery of the Murderer (13:00–14:30)

Investigating Clues
- Allie recounts witnessing her father’s murder; the shooter was an unfamiliar cowhand with a big horse and a cropped mane (a rare sight in the territory), a crucial clue.
- Doc suspects the killer may be connected to the Circle B ranch.

3. Tracking the Suspect (15:00–17:30)

Visit to the Circle B Ranch
- Doc questions Clint Mackey, the Circle B boss.
- Mackey admits a former hand, Ranny Evers, owned such a horse but claims he quit weeks ago.
Farrier’s Revelation
- Smitty, the ranch blacksmith, tells Doc he recently shoed a big horse—matching the murder clue—hinting Evers is hiding out in the back range.

4. Justice on the Frontier (17:30–20:30)

The Apache Tracker
- Joe Ironfeather, an Apache tracker, helps Doc follow the trail.
- They find Ranny Evers dead, shot in the back, suggesting a planned silencing of the assassin.

5. Aftermath and Land Struggles (20:30–26:00)

Allie’s Dilemma
- Allie seeks Doc’s advice about selling the ranch after her father’s death.
- She reveals that Mackey offered to buy the land at a low price out of apparent sympathy.
Suspicion Around Mackey’s Motives
- Smitty discreetly tells Doc that Mackey covets the property for its valuable water rights.
- “Without water, you ain’t a cattleman. You’re a busted bum… Now, don’t let the little girl sell, Doc. You’ll make Clint Mackey king of everybody between the Mesa Verde and the river.” – Smitty, 25:00

6. Confrontation with Mackey (26:00–29:00)

Negotiation Turned Hostile
- Doc proposes Allie keep a small parcel with the house and brook if she sells, which Mackey resists.
- Mackey threatens Doc with a gun, desperate to secure complete control of the water rights.
- Smitty defends Doc, incapacitating Mackey with a hammer.
- “You see, Doc, I told you. You fixed up my arm real good. There’s only one trouble though. I guess I hammered myself clean out of a job.” – Smitty, 29:00

7. Resolution and Frontier Life (29:00–30:29)

Justice Served
- Mackey is set to hang for his involvement, demonstrating swift frontier justice.
New Beginnings
- Allie comes into town, supported by Joe Ironfeather, Pablo, and others.
- The community’s support helps the Aaron girls move forward.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

Allie’s Grief and Determination
- “I buried him myself. I dug most of the hole. Janey tried to help, but she ain’t but none couldn’t lift the pick.” – Allie, 08:51
On the Clue About the Horse
- “Said [the horse] was big. Much bigger than a cow pony and with no mane.” – Ali, 12:34
- “You don’t see many big horses around. Mostly mustangs and cow ponies.” – Doc, 12:55
Smitty’s Quiet Heroism
- “Without water, you ain’t a cattleman. You’re a busted bum…” – Smitty, 25:00
- “You see, Doc, I told you. You fixed up my arm real good. There’s only one trouble though. I guess I hammered myself clean out of a job.” – Smitty, 29:00
On Community Duty
- “That was Joe’s idea. Said his grandfather told him that the first duty is to the, well, the orphaned.” – Doc, 20:58
Allie Contemplating a Future
- “I mean, we get a little cash money from water rights. But I was thinking about Janie. I don’t get time to do everything on the place and to raise her up right. Do you think I oughta sell?” – Allie, 21:27

Important Timestamps

01:15 – Show proper begins; Pablo’s introductory narration
08:00 – Doc & Pablo confront Allie at the cabin
09:09 – Allie’s harrowing account of her father’s death
12:34 – Clue about the killer’s horse is revealed
15:00 – Visit to Circle B; Mackey questioned
16:30 – Smitty provides vital clue about recently shoed horse
18:30 – Joe Ironfeather helps Doc track the killer; Evers is found dead
20:30 – Allie consults Doc about her future and property
25:00 – Smitty explains Mackey’s ploy for water rights
27:30 – Doc and Smitty foil Mackey’s scheme
29:00 – Aftermath: Mackey’s fate and Allie’s new beginning
30:11 – Epilogue: Pablo and Doc discuss Allie’s future in town

Episode Takeaways

The episode underscores the vulnerability of women and children on the frontier and the importance of community solidarity.
The corruption and greed surrounding water rights drive the story’s central conflict, illustrating classic Western themes.
Justice, both through the law and the collective action of ordinary people (like Smitty and Joe Ironfeather), prevails.
Notably, the clue about the horse’s mane provides an intriguing detective element to this Western tale.

Listeners are left with a sense of closure for the Aaron girls and a reminder of the frontier’s harsh realities—and its rare moments of hope and decency.

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Transcript

Andrew Rines (0:00)

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Andrew Rines (1:15)

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode at Absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode. Across the rugged Indian territory rides a tall young man on the mission of mercy, his medical bag strapped on one hip, his six shooter on the other. This is Dr. Six Gun, another episode in the exciting adventure series Dr. Six Gun. Gray Matson, M.D. was the gun toting frontier doctor who roamed the length and breadth of the old Indian territory. Friend and physician to white man and Indian alike, the symbol of justice and mercy in the lawless west of the 1870s, this legendary figure was known to all as Doc Six Gun. This is the story of the One. As a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility, he knows keeping the line up and running is a top priority. That's why he chooses Grainger, because when a drive belt gets damaged, Grainger makes it easy to find the exact specs for the replacement product he needs. And next day delivery helps ensure he'll have everything in place and running like clockwork. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by for the ones who get it done. To be a stranger in the territory is sometimes a dangerous thing. Even I, Pablo the Gypsy, a friend to all men who have hard cash with which to buy. Even I am sometimes greeted by a closed door, a drawn gun, or a rifle cocked and ready. Yes, midnight this midnight he is my friend, even though she is a Bird friend. Oh, yes, yes. Midnight talks, he says little of any importance, but then why should he be different from the rest of us? There is one man in the territory, my friend. Dark Six guard. Few times have I ever seen a door barred to him. Rarely have I seen the look of suspicion that meets a stranger. But one time, I remember we rode together across the Badlands from the Whitelings River. Doc and I. We had met at Gary's Crossing. A little town. A town, One sod hut and a barrel of whiskey. Doc had treated a broken leg in the sod hut. And I had treated a dry throat at the barrel of whiskey. I ride an old pace. I lead an old dance. I mope to man stand for tooth roll, the whole hand. Their backs are all wrong. Well, you know, Pab, when I got out of medical school back East, I could have gone into practice with an old doctor outside of Philadelphia. I turned him down. Why? I said I never wanted to stay in an office, that I never wanted to get sore from sitting in a swivel chair behind a desk. If I'd only known. We've been riding for six hours today. Well, at least a saddle doesn't swivel. I suppose not. Hey, you got any water left in your canteen? No, but I have something in my canteen which is not exactly water. No water. No water. Well, never mind. We'll hit Aaron's Brook over the rise. Good water there. Maybe we can stay there a while, eh? Rest those sweevle sores, eh, Doc? Yeah, I gotta hit Frenchman's Ford by night. Oh, that kid there with summer fever. Doc, how many miles a day would you have made in that swivel chair in Philadelphia? Ah, there's Aaron's Brook, all right. Sage. Boy, he smells water. Doc, you have smoke coming from the cabin chimney. Maybe we can get something to eat. Ah, Charlie, Aaron's got enough trouble taking care of his kids without feeding, too. What's that? Rifle shot. Get down. Enter the house. See the smoke? What are they shooting at us for? No, wait a minute, Doc. Oh, there must be some mistake. Hey, Charlie. Charlie. Gray mattress. I'm mistaken. No mistake, no mistake. I don't get this. Charlie must be there buckboards in the yard. There's his horse in the corral. Hey, Charlie. Doc, somehow I get the feeling Charlie Aaron is not receiving callers. Something wrong? I'm going down there. Make a clear target coming down the trail. Yeah, well, we'll circle around and come up to the cabin from the back. You sure you wouldn't like to forget the Whole thing. I let you have my canteen. Maybe you'd even like it. Pablo, the horses don't care for trading Post whiskey. Oh, yeah. We've got to get down to that brook somehow. Come on, let's lead them around. I don't see anything. There's no window on this side. Oh. Now, you wait here. I'm going to edge along the side of the cabin, around to the door. Now duck. Be careful. Keep that bird quiet. All right, in here.

Andrew Rines (11:39)

Who? Who came back? What happened to Charlie? What is this? I don't know, but I think I'm going to find out. She's asleep now. I don't understand. What happened. Who would shoot the Charlie Aaron? Why? When I got to calm down, I asked her if she recognized the man. Did she? No. That he looked like an ordinary cowhand except that his horse was kind of funny. Funny? Said it was big. Much bigger than a cow pony and with no mane. A horse with no mane? Cropped, probably. Oh, that's the way they turn out horses in the East. Oh, never see it in the Territory. Although I seem to remember one of the hands from the Circle B riding at a Frenchman's Ford on a the hunter. About 16 hands and a tail docked and a cropped mane. Yeah, he got into a fight with Curly Ladro about it. You think this man came from Circle B? I don't know. You don't see many big horses around. Mostly mustangs and cow ponies. Well, the little girl could be wrong. She's hysterical. Yeah. Yeah, she could be wrong. Think I'll write out Circle B tomorrow, boys. And listen to my tailor tail my old keys and prayer. Kumakaya, the bossy words that turned me mad. Hey, where's Clint Mackie? Hey, you're the doc from over in Frenchman's Forge, ain't you? Yeah, of course. The boss. Yeah, I thought so. Hey, listen, doc, what's good for rheumatism got at my elbow. Here, See the Hammer arm. I tried everything. Hot linseed oil, wagon grease. Too bad. I'm looking for your boss. Where is he? You figure if I learned a hammer left handed, I'd be all right? Maybe. Where's Clint Mackey? You want to see him? Yes. Oh. Oh, that's what you come for. He's in the shed. Thanks. Say, about that rheumatism. I figured maybe if I own it up good by. Where do you see a sore eye on that cow? I don't see no sore eye. Some cross eyed cow pulls hit him in the eye with a loop of rope, that's what. Now just see they get sobered up when they get back from town before they go on night herd. All right, Clint. Hello, Mackie. Oh, hi there, Doc. Boy, get this critter out of here. Hands ain't what they used to be. Doc came to ask you about one of your hands, Clint. Yeah? Which one, Doc? Them cowboys come and go so fast they don't get to know their names. Hardly. This one had a hunter in his string of ponies. Sixteen hands, dropped maneuver. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, I remember that fella. He quit. He just pulled his horses out of the remuda and walked off. Owed me a week's advance too. When was it? Maybe a couple weeks ago. Why? I think maybe he shot down Charlie Aaron five days ago. Charlie? What you mean? At Aaron's Brook? Mm. Oh, that's too bad. Yep. The daughter was left all alone there. 15 years old. She buried. Oh, that's real sad. Well, look, is there anything I can do? Maybe I'll ride over today and bring her some supplies. My land runs up to Aaron's in that section. Oh, that's all right. I'm taken care of. Let's see now. Rani Evers. Yeah, that was his name. Ranny Evers. I never did like that fella. I wonder why he killed Aaron. You haven't seen him, huh? Not since he quit, no. What's she gonna do with the place? Aaron's kid, I mean. I don't know. Can't run it herself. I mean, a 15 year old girl. No, guess not. That's real sad. Can't understand it. I never did like that Ranny Evers. A bad one. Yep. Well, I'll be riding back. Well, let me know if there's anything I can do, will you? Doc. Doc. Hey, Doc. You come into town to see me Saturday? No, it ain't about my rheumatism, Doc. Just bend down here and look at the hoof of your horse. Come on, boy. Give me a hoop. All right. There's nothing wrong with that hoof. I know. Now listen Doc. I heard what you said to Mr. Mackey and. Yeah. Oh darn, I, I can't tell you nothing. I need this job, Doc. I can't ride no more. And this here is the only outfit big enough to hire a smith. See, I, I, I just can't tell you Doc. You started, you better finish. I can't. But I don't hold with shooting down a man in front of his kids. Smitty, what are you trying to tell me? It's just this. You don't see no iron shoes on a cow pony, do you? Duck? No. Well, I shoed a horse with iron two days ago. A big horse hunter. I don't know them fancy names but it was a big horse crop main. Now if you looked in the right place, maybe you could find it. Now where? Maybe the back range up in the tablelands. Them iron shoes is easy to follow. You know Joe Ironfeather, the Apache fella works for the survey office. He could track him easy. Yes, yes, Mr. Mackey. Thanks. Just leave me alone now. See? Yep. That hoops all right now Doc. Just ride easy on it. Thanks, Meddy. Thanks. I just don't like to see a pitter suffer any critter. This is the story of the 1. As head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming and his facility shines with Granger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quick granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. You sure this is the trail, Joe? Doc, I learned a trick from my grandfather when I was little boy. He sent me out to hunt with one arrow. I track or I don't eat. Hungry Indian boy. I learned fast. Sure you can follow it? Oh, I know how to follow iron horseshoe. I remember five year ago I tracked cavalry squad 40 mile across the badlands. What happened to him? Document. Let us talk of something else, huh? See he turned up from tribe. He came through maybe three, four times. He's in the draw, Doc. How going on foot. He. He won't trouble you, Doc. What? Look up there, Doc. You see? Circling. Something is dead and it is not the horse. Come on. There's the hunter. There is the hunted. Huh? Shot the back. Who is he? A fellow named Evers. I Think Ranny Evers a friend of yours, Doc? Friend? No. No, he was no friend of mine. Tie him over the hunter. We'll take him back to Frenchman's Ford. And then. Joe, I've got another job. Doc.

Andrew Rines (22:51)

No. As a matter of fact, I think I'd like to talk to Clint Mackey. Hey, Lop eared, left handed farmer. You learned how to rope a calf that way in Texas. You want to break his leg? I'm telling you, Doc, I'd as soon get a bunch of girls out of one of them Spanish convents as the cloth headed rannies passing themselves off as top hands these days. Yeah, must be tough honey spread this big, Mackie. Yeah. Yeah, it is. You hear all them two bed cattlemen in town crying in their whiskeys about how easy Quint Mackey's got it? Just let him come out here and try to run it one day, that's all. Just one day. Hey, look. What are you trying to do, kill that critter? Crumpling. It's funny you should want to get even bigger, huh? Oh, I just heard you were thinking of buying the errand place. Oh, that. Yeah. Well, I felt kind of sorry for the girl. I mean, I don't need the land. Nothing but mesquite and tumbleweed. Never knew why Charlie Aaron hung onto it. You can't raise cattle on Alkali Does. A girl doesn't know if she should sell. Yes, Stubborn's her own man. Hey, look. Look out there. You got his legs. Look. Don't go away, Doc. Now look, Ain't you never branded a cat before? What do you take your ropes for? Holding up your pants? Come , duck, Doc. Six guns, Smitty. How's the rheumatist? Oh, much better, Doc. Hey, what was that stuff you give me? Some fancy medicine from back East. Rodent oil. I had it left over from treating a stage horse with glander. Fix me up real good. How'd the horse come out? He died. Oh. Well, it's mighty good for rheumatism, but he's gone a while. Mackie. Listen, Doc, it ain't that Mackie's a bad boss, though. He is. But I don't go to see an orphan get took. What are you getting at? Water. Water? The brook. Aaron's brook. Clint's been after that for years, but he's got water on his place a lot more than that brook. Sure, sure, there's water on the Circle B, but nowhere else except the brook. All them small cattlemen between here and the Mesa Verde, they got all the water at the brook. They used to pay Charlie Earn for the water rights by the head. Mackie wants to get all the water. Without water, you ain't a cattleman. You're a busted bum. And you Sell out cheap. Maybe you're going to even get a dollar an acre. Now, don't let the little girl sail, Doc. Well, it is her plate. Don't let her sail. You'll make Clint Mackey king of everybody between the Mesa Verde and the river. A king like in the Bible, only. Only ain't fit for it. Hey, what are you doing here, Smitty? You ain't finished the rims for the chuck wagon. I was just talking to doc, that's all, Mr. Mackey. Just. Just talking about my rheumatism, that's all. Well, get back to work. Sure, Mr. Mackey. Sure. Sure. Well, Doc, we was talking about helping out that errand gal. Yeah. Well, Mackie, I think it's mighty decent of you to want to help a neighbor in trouble. I've got an idea she ought to sell you the land. That's real sensible like. But, of course, she does need a place to live. Now, do you think it'd be a good idea to split off an acre around her house? Sure, sure, I think that's fine. Of course, the brook. What do you mean? Well, she's going to need water. Cooking, washing, tending chickens. What are you getting at, Doc? Well, it works out fine, Mackie. You give her the money you offered and she's still got a house in the brook. Now, Doc, I kind of figured I'd take over the whole parcel. I mean, it don't hardly pay to run surveyor stakes through. But you don't really need the water, do you, Mackie? No, no. Sure not. All right, then. That's why I'll advise her to keep the water. And she'll do what you tell her, huh, Doc? Well, she asked my advice. Yes, I'm in the bar in a minute, Doc. Bye. Why? Because I got a frontier. 45 pointing right at your middle? Seems like sound reason. Come on, give me that six gun of yours, Doc. You want that water real bad, don't you, Mackey? Real bad. Document. Cattle markets busted wide open. Army canceled orders when the Sioux made peace. Look, I got notes at the bank, Doc. I can meet him if I take over those stinking little spreads between here and Amaza. But I gotta take them over cheap. And I gotta take them over real cheap. You tried to get the brook from Aaron before, didn't you? He was a real unreasonable man. Document. I offered him twice what that sand heap of his was worth. I want that water. I didn't let Aaron stand in my way. And I ain't gonna let you. You'll have to do it Yourself this time, Mackie, you won't be able to bring in a gun hand. Not after what happened to the last one. Not even a killer will work for a boss who pays off with a bullet in the back. And have the man telling tales, Doc. I can understand that, Mackie, but I. Get away, Doc. Next time I'll break your arm, Doc. You ain't breaking Nobody's arm, Mr. Mackey. Get out of here, Smitty. You don't understand, Mr. Mackey. My arm hurt real bad. Rheumatism. It wasn't. Doc fixed it up real good. Get out of here, Smitty, before you get hurt. Oh, it don't hurt no more, Mr. Mackey. I. I told you the doc fixed it up real fine. Hey, you crazy yo. Get out of here. I'm gonna stop you. What? I'm gonna stop you from hurting. Duck. Are you threatening me, you old half wit? Why, you haven't even got a gun. No, no, I ain't got a gun, Mr. Mackey. I got my hammer. What's ready, Smitty? You all right? Got hit in the arm, Duck. Let me see. I figure you better pick up them guns in case Mr. Mackey comes too. Now he's safe for a while. That hammer hit him square between the eyes. You see, Doc, I told you. You fixed up marm real good. There's only one trouble though. I guess I hammered myself clean out of a job. All right, Doc. Dock, my friend. Pavlo. What's the news from the railhead? Glee to Mackie. Hangs tomorrow. The territorial governor denied his appeal. Outside of that, the news is that the ladies are wearing silk collars again. Midnight is not approved. He's a very evil minded bird. He prefers more lady and less color. Well, he'll have to behave himself. I've got a lady visiting. Pablo, you remember Ms. Aaron? Okay. Charmed, senorita. Hello. Ms. Aaron has come into Frenchman's Ford to meet people. Well, I am certain that people will be most happy to meet Ms. Aaron. That is, if she has improved her method of greeting since the first time I met her. A rifle shot around the ears does not exactly encourage friendship. I don't think friendship is exactly what Ms. Ally has in mind to encourage you.