
Original Air Date: March 27, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Special Guests:• Jeanne Bates• Ralph Moody• Vic Pe...
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Narrator
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Andrew Rines
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.
William Conrad
Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there is just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal. And the smell of gun smoke. Gun smoke. Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it.
Matt Dillon
I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely. Come on, now. And you go. Chester, open up the cell. We got a customer. Yes, sir.
Chester
Gracious me, mister. Don't look like he gets sober up in a month of Sunday.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, well, he's been working at it good and steady. There we are. All right, in you go.
Chester
Know who he is, Mr. John?
Matt Dillon
No, I don't think I've ever seen him before. He wasn't in any shape to tell me his name.
Chester
I ain't sure he'll ever remember it the way he looked.
Matt Dillon
Well, we'll give him time to recollect. Yeah. Come on, Chester, let's go get some breakfast.
Doc Adams
Ah, you sure did a good job there, Doc. That's a beautiful little girl of Molly's.
Kitty
Oh, I can't take much credit for that Kitty.
Doc Adams
No, but you didn't hurt her any, bringing her into the world.
Kitty
And I tell you, Kitty, if every woman was as sensible about having children as Molly is, a lot of doctors would be out of work.
Doc Adams
Yeah, well, she's had a lot of practice. What say that for her.
Kitty
With that brood of kids running around, she doesn't have much time to fuss about having another one, I guess.
Doc Adams
Well, anyway, it was good to see her again. She never has time to come into town anymore.
Kitty
I should think not.
Doc Adams
I don't have much time to get out of town. Even the dry prairie looks good to me. Look there, lying in the road.
Kitty
Oh, yeah, I see it. Kitty.
Matt Dillon
Oh.
Doc Adams
What? It's a woman.
Dory
How is she, Doc? Is she alive? Great Scott.
Matt Dillon
Doc.
Doc Adams
What is it?
Kitty
Well, she's got a baby. Kitty. She was almost lying on top of a baby.
Matt Dillon
A baby?
Kitty
That's what I said, a baby. Here.
Doc Adams
Here, Kitty.
Kitty
Hold it.
Dory
Sure. Doc.
Kitty
Yeah, I want to get that woman into town just as fast as I can.
Doc Adams
Can I help you move her? I'll make it.
Kitty
Poor thing, she's just skin and bones. Hey, now, Kitty, you see if you can support her head a little bit. Will you hold the baby in your other arm?
Dory
Yeah.
Doc Adams
All right, Doc. There.
Dory
This all right?
Kitty
Oh, that's fine. Yeah. All right. Now we'll go.
Doc Adams
Doc.
Kitty
Yes, Kitty?
Doc Adams
Did you call this her baby?
Kitty
Sure I did. She was holding it so close she was nearly smothering it.
Doc Adams
I. I don't think the baby is hers.
Kitty
Oh, what kind of foolishness is that?
Doc Adams
She's a white woman, isn't she?
Kitty
Well, you can see for yourself. She's a white woman.
Doc Adams
Well, I just got a good look at the baby's face. It's an Indian baby, doc.
Kitty
Indian. Here, let me have a look at it, please.
Matt Dillon
By George.
Kitty
Kidding. I believe you're right.
Doc Adams
Sure, I'm right.
Kitty
Well, no matter. We'd best get the both of them back to town.
Matt Dillon
So come on.
Kitty
Come on. Oh, there you are, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Where did you expect me to be?
Kitty
Well, I never expect to find you in your office, I'll tell you that.
Matt Dillon
That nice buggy ride out in the country with Kitty didn't improve your disposition much, did it?
Kitty
Nice buggy rudder. I made three calls, chopped a load of wood for old lady Thomas and brought her up a patient in the town.
Matt Dillon
All right, Doc, all right. I didn't mean to insult you with the idea of having a good time.
Kitty
As a matter of fact, Matt, it might be a good idea for you to talk to the patient I brought in.
Matt Dillon
Why? Has he been shot?
Kitty
It's a woman.
Matt Dillon
All right, then. Has she Been shot?
Kitty
No, but she's in bad shape from exhaustion and exposure. And she has a baby with her.
Matt Dillon
What? That sounds more on your line than mine.
Kitty
I'm not so sure, Matt. You see, she's a white woman, but the baby is Indian.
Matt Dillon
Those things happen sometimes, don't they?
Kitty
Of course they happen. You just listen to me. I tell you why I think this is different.
Matt Dillon
All right, Doug.
Kitty
I don't think the baby's hers. I think she kidnapped it.
Matt Dillon
Kidnapped? Maybe I better have a talk with her.
Kitty
But please, go easy with the matter. Whatever she's been through has been very hard on her.
Matt Dillon
Whether you want me to see her or not.
Kitty
I want you to see her.
Matt Dillon
All right. Come on.
Kitty
All right, Matthew, you can talk to her.
Matt Dillon
Looks like she's asleep, Doc.
Kitty
I don't think so. Go ahead and try.
Matt Dillon
All right. Ma'am. Ma'am, I'd like to talk to you, ma'am, and the marshal. It's about the baby.
Dory
My baby. My baby.
Matt Dillon
That's what I'd like to know about, ma'am. The baby.
Dory
Where is he? Give him to me.
Matt Dillon
It's all right. It's all right. He's right here. No.
Dory
No. They took him. They killed my baby.
Matt Dillon
Who killed him, ma'am?
Dory
The savage. The savage Indian. Joe. Joe.
Matt Dillon
Joe.
Dory
Joe.
Matt Dillon
Doc, you know who Joe is?
Kitty
I think he must be her husband, the way she keeps calling his name.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Ma'am, where is your husband?
Dory
Joe? Joe.
Matt Dillon
Where is he? Joe.
Dory
Run off. Joe. Run off. Maybe My baby. Give him to me.
Matt Dillon
This isn't your baby, is it, ma'am?
Dory
They kill my baby.
Matt Dillon
I know, but this baby. Where did you get this baby?
Dory
A woman needs a baby. Give him to me.
Kitty
I'm going to give him to Her Majesty and make quieter and bring her out of this.
Matt Dillon
All right, Doc.
Kitty
There you are. You just hold him there, quiet and gentle.
Dory
Baby. Baby.
Matt Dillon
Ma'am, he's an Indian. Baby.
Dory
They took my baby.
Matt Dillon
So you took this one baby.
Dory
Baby. Joe. Joe.
Kitty
I guess there's no use talking to her anymore, Matt.
Dory
Joe.
Kitty
Maybe later.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, all right, Doc. Maybe I'll know more about it later myself.
Chester
It's all right with me, Mr. Dillon, riding way out here and all that.
Matt Dillon
I'm glad to hear that, Chester.
Chester
But it don't seem to me that you can be sure of getting anywhere just picking out any little old bunch of Indians and asking about one little old baby. It's like that needle in a haystack the fellow was telling me about.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm not sure.
Chester
No, sir. It just don't figure the proof out.
Matt Dillon
It won't prove out if we don't start somewhere, either.
Chester
Well, yes. Guess you're right. But I.
Matt Dillon
Do me a favor, will you, Chester?
Chester
Why, sure I will, Mr. Dillon. I'd be proud to.
Matt Dillon
Just keep your doubts to yourself until I get through here.
Hawkwing
Will you?
Chester
Sure. I sure will.
Matt Dillon
All right, now, we'll leave the horses here.
Chester
Don't look like there's nobody here but just the squaws and kids.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Men are probably off hunting.
Chester
Reckon so. Oh, there's one, Mr. Dung. There's brave.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, it's old Hawkwing. You stay here, Chester. I'll go talk to him.
Chester
Thank you.
Matt Dillon
I've come to talk. Hawkwing it is. Well, sounds like you want to talk to me, too.
Kitty
It is.
Hawkwing
Well, the marshal comes before the young men return from hunting.
Matt Dillon
All right, Hawkwing, you tell me what's on your mind first.
Hawkwing
The marshal knows it's a baby.
Matt Dillon
Mm. But there are two babies, Hawkwing.
Hawkwing
The baby is missing from the lodgers. When the young men come back, there will be trouble.
Matt Dillon
I want to talk about a white baby.
Hawkwing
The white baby is dead.
Matt Dillon
It is said that your people took the white baby. Your people killed it.
Hawkwing
That's not true.
Matt Dillon
But you know the white baby is dead.
Hawkwing
My people buried white baby.
Matt Dillon
Tell me what happened, Hartwig.
Hawkwing
Baby lay dead of fever in arms of mother. My people bury Baby. The women brought the mother to the lodgers.
Matt Dillon
What happened to the mother?
Hawkwing
The marshal asked that question.
Matt Dillon
You tell me, Hawkwind.
Hawkwing
Mother walked out into the night. She took Baby of my people.
Matt Dillon
You know this to be true.
Hawkwing
I know this to be true.
Matt Dillon
All right, Hawkwing. I was afraid it might be.
Hawkwing
It would be well if Baby come back before young men return.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I think you may be right about that. Well, sure. She's better, Matt.
Kitty
I had her moved here to M. Smally's so she could be quiet for a while. I found out her name's Dory, that's all.
Matt Dillon
Maybe she'll talk to me this time.
Kitty
She's able to. That's all I can say. Whether she will or not is another matter.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Well, let's go in and see.
Kitty
Ma. Put her in a room on the first floor. Here it is. It's me, Dory. Doc Adams. I brought the marshal. He'd like to talk to you.
Dory
I. I don't want to see him.
Matt Dillon
It won't take long. Dory. It's important.
Doc Adams
Please go away.
Matt Dillon
I can't. Dory. I've got to talk to you about the baby.
Dory
My baby?
Matt Dillon
Well, that's just it. I'm afraid he isn't yours.
Dory
I'll care for him, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Well, I'm sure you would, Dory. But he still isn't yours, is he?
Dory
Mother has a right to a baby.
Matt Dillon
An Indian mother has a right to a baby, too.
Dory
But they took my baby, Marshall. They killed my baby.
Matt Dillon
Your baby was sick, Tori. Isn't that so? Your baby died.
Dory
They buried my baby. The savages buried my baby.
Matt Dillon
The Indian women were trying to help you.
Dory
They took my baby right out of my arm.
Matt Dillon
Because he was dead, Tori. Now, you really know that, don't you? Don't you, Dorie?
Dory
Doc.
Kitty
Go ahead, Dory. It'll be better if you face up to it.
Dory
I. I guess I know it, Marshall. But the fever and all.
Matt Dillon
Yes, I know you've been sick. And that may save your life.
Dory
What do you mean?
Matt Dillon
The Indians may be willing to let it go. It said when they get their baby back.
Dory
A baby.
Matt Dillon
You'll have to give him back, Dory.
Dory
Maybe they won't know, Marshall. They got lots of babies. Maybe they won't care. They know.
Matt Dillon
They care. We'll have to give him back. But, Marshall, Listen to me, Dori. I'm sorry for you. But I'm not so sorry for you that I'll risk an Indian uprising. The baby has to go back, or your life won't be safe. Lots of lives won't be safe, Doc.
Kitty
He's right, Dori. Do what he says.
Dory
Can I have him just tonight, Marshall. And you take him in the morning?
Matt Dillon
I guess that's all right, Dory. It's too late to get out there tonight anyway. But I'll have to take him the first thing in the morning.
Dory
All right, Marshall. First thing in the morning.
Chester
Here's your coffee.
Matt Dillon
Those seem none too hot.
Chester
You're about as ungrateful of a prisoner as I've ever fed. Of course, Jizz might early. But the marshal me, has to ride out the Indian camp.
Matt Dillon
He gonna let me out?
Chester
Maybe he will at that. He's got awful lot on his mind over that woman and her baby. I've been locked up long enough.
Matt Dillon
What woman you talking about?
Chester
Why, that woman that took a baby from the Indians. Walked right out of their camp with it, nice as you please.
Matt Dillon
Who is she?
Chester
I don't know. Some woman the Indians found way out west of town somewhere. Seems her baby got killed or something. And she went and kidnapped herself. The Indian baby.
Matt Dillon
What's her name?
Chester
I ain't never heard her name. Look, you better turn me loose right now, you isn't here. I have authority, Marshall. Lay out of here.
Matt Dillon
What's the trouble?
Chester
I don't know, Mr. Dillon. This fellow suddenly started going crazy. Marshall, the woman and the baby.
Matt Dillon
What's her name? Well, they know her first name is Dory. That's my wife.
Chester
Now let me out. Let me out.
Matt Dillon
Just wait a minute. Will you wait a minute? You weren't doing her much good when she needed you before. I. I thought she was dead, Marshall.
Chester
I thought they was both dead. I rode off to get help. They was awful sick.
Matt Dillon
I know.
Chester
I got lost, Marshall. I. I didn't find nobody. And when I got back the wagon, I seen the grave. I thought they was dead. I ain't cared about nothing since.
Matt Dillon
I can believe that. All right, let him out, Chester.
Chester
Yes, sir.
Matt Dillon
Tell me your name. Joe Dance. Oh, Dance. Your wife needs you pretty bad right now. I think you better go to her.
Chester
Well, I sure want to do that, Marshall.
Kitty
Where is she?
Matt Dillon
Matt.
Kitty
Matt.
Matt Dillon
I'm in the back here. Doc. Yeah, what is it?
Kitty
The woman, Dory, she's taken the baby and gone.
Chester
She did what?
Matt Dillon
Dory's gone. Get the horses, Chester.
William Conrad
Sure.
Matt Dillon
Get one for dad, too. His wife's going to be needing him more than ever now.
Chester
I'll say this for her. That woman can sure drive a buggy at a good clip. Dory can drive, all right.
Matt Dillon
Let's just hope she can drive fast enough this time.
Chester
You think she might be able to get away?
Matt Dillon
If the braves haven't come back from hunting, she might have a chance. Marshall. Yeah? Dan, if they. If the engines get her with that.
Chester
Baby, what'll they do to her?
Matt Dillon
I don't know. They have their own laws. I don't know what they'll do.
Chester
Mr. Dillon, look yonder.
Kitty
The buggy.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Chester
He sure did wreck it.
Matt Dillon
There are quite a bunch of them. Look at those tracks. You think they got her? Yeah, I think they got her. Come on.
Chester
Braves is sure back all right. Mr. Dunman. Look at them horses. Must be a couple dozen.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, they're back, all right. Do we go in shooting? You were born with more sense than that. We go in shooting, we're dead as soon as we get there.
Chester
How do you figure it then, Marshal?
Matt Dillon
We walk in as quiet as we can. Hope we can get out the same way. Let's leave the horses here. Just walk slow and easy and let me do the talking.
Chester
She's my wife.
Matt Dillon
You better hope it'll stay that way. Just don't start anything. The quieter we are, the better our chances are.
Chester
Sure. Right there. Her lined up, waiting for her.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Just walk easy. All right, that's far enough. I've come to talk with Hawkwing. Send for him.
Chester
He's going after him.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Dory. I see Dory.
Kitty
She's there.
Matt Dillon
Take it easy.
Chester
Well, they got her tied up.
Matt Dillon
Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Chester
Get your hands off me. He unconscious, mister? No.
Matt Dillon
He's lucky he isn't dead.
Hawkwing
You are a brave man to come here now, Marshal.
Matt Dillon
I've come to ask that your people be merciful. I've come for the woman.
Hawkwing
It is not decided about the woman.
Matt Dillon
She has seen much trouble, Hawkling.
Hawkwing
She took baby from my people.
Matt Dillon
The woman was sick with fever, Hawkwing. There was an evil spirit with her.
Hawkwing
My people had not harmed her. Yet she took baby.
Matt Dillon
The baby's back. The baby's unharmed. Let her go, Hawkwing.
Hawkwing
I have told you it is not decided about the woman. Man you struck down. Who is he?
Matt Dillon
He is the white woman's husband.
Hawkwing
When she was found, the white woman and baby. There was no husband.
Matt Dillon
It is I said, Hawkwing. She was sick with fever. The husband had gone for help. She needs help now.
Hawkwing
Her husband cannot help her now.
Matt Dillon
No, Hawkwing. Your people are the only ones who can help her now.
Chester
Mr. Dillon. That Indian longer the baby. She's coming up here.
Matt Dillon
Just keep quiet, Chester.
Dory
I am the mother, Hawkwing. Let me speak.
Hawkwing
Little bird has suffered.
Matt Dillon
I know, and I'm sorry.
Dory
But white mother has suffered more. My baby is back with me. He shows good care. Her baby will never come back.
Hawkwing
What are you saying, little bird?
Dory
I wish white mother go free.
Hawkwing
You do not wish that she be punished?
Dory
She has been punished enough.
Hawkwing
Come then. We will tell the council.
Chester
You think they will set her free, Mr. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
I think they will, Chester. Indians think pretty straight. I have an idea that Dori and Joe will be able to start all over again.
William Conrad
Gun Smoke, produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Messon. Featured in the cast were Gene Bates, Ralph Moody and Vic Paris. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on gun Smoke. Latest news follows.
Matt Dillon
Then Mitch Miller with tonight's guest stars on the CBS Radio Network. Foreign.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of OTRWesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com Become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank the following ranch hand, Steve who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast Summary
Episode: Indian Baby | Gunsmoke (03-27-60)
Host: Andrew Rines
Release Date: April 26, 2025
In this gripping episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rines resurrects the classic Gunsmoke narrative through a digitally restored experience that breathes new life into the timeless tales of the Wild West. Titled "Indian Baby," this episode delves into the complexities of frontier justice, cultural tensions, and personal tragedy, embodying the essence of the Golden Age of Radio Westerns.
The story unfolds in Dodge City and its surrounding territories, painting a vivid picture of the lawless and rugged landscape of the American West. The U.S. Marshal, Matt Dillon, portrayed by William Conrad, stands as the epitome of justice in this untamed frontier.
The episode begins with Matt Dillon dealing with a mysterious case involving a white woman, Dory, who arrives in town with a baby. Initially assumed to be her own, Dr. Adams and Kitty quickly discern that the baby may not be hers.
Matt Dillon (03:25): "No, I don't think I've ever seen him before. He wasn't in any shape to tell me his name."
This revelation sets the stage for a deeper investigation into the baby's true origins.
As Matt converses with Dory, the layers of the mystery begin to unfold. Dory claims that her baby was taken by "savages," sparking suspicion and concern.
Dory (10:08): "The savage Indian. Joe. Joe."
Matt's skepticism grows as he confronts the possibility that the baby is an Indian child:
Matt Dillon (11:34): "Ma'am, he's an Indian baby."
The tension escalates when Hawkwing, an Indian leader, arrives to shed light on the situation. He reveals that the white baby was actually dead and that Dory may have taken an Indian child, thereby igniting potential conflict between the settlers and the indigenous population.
Hawkwing (14:05): "The white baby is dead."
Matt navigates the delicate balance between enforcing the law and understanding the cultural complexities at play.
As Dory absconds with the baby, Matt and Chester, his trusted deputy, track her down amidst rising tensions. The return of the Indian braves heightens the stakes, threatening an imminent clash.
Matt Dillon (22:53): "We walk in as quiet as we can. Hope we can get out the same way."
The confrontation culminates in a poignant dialogue where Dory admits the truth, and Hawkwing seeks mercy for her actions.
Dory (25:17): "I wish white mother go free."
This episode masterfully explores themes of justice, cultural misunderstandings, and the struggle for survival in a harsh environment. It underscores the importance of empathy and communication in resolving conflicts, transcending cultural barriers to find common ground.
"Indian Baby" serves as a compelling narrative that encapsulates the essence of Gunsmoke. Through Matt Dillon's unwavering dedication and the intricate interplay between characters, the episode delivers a nuanced portrayal of the complexities inherent in frontier justice. The resolution, emphasizing understanding and mercy, leaves listeners reflecting on the delicate balance between law enforcement and cultural sensitivity.
Andrew Rines wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to engage with Old Time Radio Westerns through various platforms, encouraging ratings, likes, and subscriptions. The meticulous digital restoration ensures that both longtime fans and new listeners can experience the rich audio landscape of classic Western radio dramas in unprecedented clarity.
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