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.