
Original Air Date: March 16, 1951Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto) Writer:• Fran Striker Producer:• George W. Trendle Music:• Ben Bonnell Exit music from: Roundu...
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Andrew Rines
Foreign welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now, let's get into this episode. A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Hio. Silver the Lone Ranger, with his faithful Indian companion, Toto the daring and resourceful masked rider of the Plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides. Let's go, big fellow. The Lone Ranger and Toto were on their way to the Masked Man Silver mine. Their route took them close to the mission of a good friend, the padre. So they stopped to pay their respects. Will your trip take you near the town of Box Creek? It'll not be much out of our way to visit Box Creek, Padre. Even if it were, it wouldn't matter. If there were something Tom and I could do for you. What you do to help others, my son, you do for me. Have I ever spoken to you of an Indian boy called Little Wolf? Little Wolf. The name isn't familiar to me. Or perhaps his newer name given him by his foster father, Charlie Judd? No, Padre. We never hear names. Charlie is now 19 years old. He was brought up and educated in a mission like this one by a good friend of mine. His education is better than that of many white men. He speaks many Indian dialects as well as English and Spanish. When he was 15, he was adopted by David Judd who lives at Box Creek. I see. Many of us who knew Charlie hoped he would become a great leader of both white men and Indians. One who could do much to bring about peaceful settlements of many controversies. An educated man who knows and understands both white men and Indians could accomplish much for the West. Charlie can accomplish much. He's brave and strong and fearless. He's brilliant and ambitious. But perhaps too ambitious. What do you mean, Padre? I've had word from Box Creek. That saddens me. I pray that what I hear may not be true. And what is that? That Charlie has become associated with bad companions. With older men. Men suspected of several crimes. Do you want Toto and me to learn the truth about Charlie? More than that, my son. If Charlie is on the wrong path, try to put him straight. He is one on whom I Have counted for great things. That night, while the Lone Ranger and Toto were on their way to Box Creek, Charlie Judd and three men were working by the dim light of a carefully shaded lantern on a big iron safe. The safe was in the Box Creek bank. I'm ready for the blasting powder. Here it is, Bart. Fuse is all fixed. How's the Indian doing? Speak up. Charlie. How you doing? Are you nervous on your first bank job? No, Steve, I'm not nervous. This is the night you prove yourself, kid. After this job, you travel with me and Bart and Steve. Shelley, you light the fuse. Right. You two get over behind the desk and crouch down. Be sure you leave room enough for me and Charlie as soon as the door's blown off. Work fast. Slided. All right, grab the lantern. Come on now. Move fast. Step lively. Fuse is plenty short. Keep your head down. Yeah, this ought to be a good haul. She's due to go. That did it. All right. Come on. Let's clean out the safe. It's smoking. Never mind the smoke. Hold that sack open, Charlie. Right. We'll toss in the money. Steve, you and Wendy watch the door. That explosion will bring people on the run, Charlie. The Indian worked with the cool efficiency of a seasoned outlaw. He held the sack while Bart filled it with bundled money from the safe. The robbery was conducted on a schedule of split second timing. By the time the first of those who heard the explosion reached the vicinity of the bank, the four robbers were through a rear window where horses were waiting. There they are. They got horses. Open fire. Let them have it. Ah, they got away. Anyone see them close? Not me. I didn't. I couldn't see what they looked like. It was too dark. Well, no use trying to chase them on foot. But we gotta do something, sheriff. We can't let him get away with all the money in town. I'll swear in a posse and we'll do what we can. After their successful getaway, the four thieves split up to more easily evade pursuit. Each went in a different direction with plans to meet the next day and divide the loop. Charlie the Indian returned to the home of his foster parents, David and Mary Judd. The Lone Ranger and Tottle reached the vicinity of Box Creek on the day after the bank robbery. Totto went into town, made inquiry and learned the location of the small Judd ranch not far away. Fifteen minutes later, the masked man and Totto approached a neat white house. They saw a saddled horse at ground hitch near the front porch. They drew rein beside the house and dismounted. As they walked toward the rear they heard voices coming through the open kitchen door. They paused. Charlie, please don't go away. Don't leave home with those. Those men. Hear that, Totto? Mother, I know what I'm doing. We have moved near here, Totto. Bart Walton is a crook. Everyone says so. No man can be made crooked by what people say. Bart Walton is headed for big money and I'm going with him. But I'm not going to do anything crooked. So please trust me, Mother. But your father needs your Charlie. He needs your help on the ranch. I'm old enough to know my own mind now. Please, Mother, try to understand and try to trust me. Goodbye. Sounds as if Charlie's leaving home. That horse we saw in front must belong to him. That right? You went out the front door. Come along, Toto. We'll call on Mrs. Judd. Wait here, Totto. I'll go in. Mrs. Judd. A mess. Please listen to me. I suppose you're another one of Bart Walton's crooked pals. No, Mrs. Judd. A padre told me about your son. As for Walton, I think most men know his reputation. How long has Charlie known him? I don't know how long it's been going on. For some time, Charlie's been talking about outlaws. He's been reading all the old newspapers in the Beacon office. Accounts of the crimes in this part of the country. Men who were arrested and released for lack of evidence. He's been seeing more and more of no account men in the cafe. Talking a lot about how many robberies are committed and how few thieves are the caught. Talking about the failure as a law. I don't know what made Charlie change. He was always such a fine boy as he left home for good. I don't know what to think. But why am I talking to you like this? I don't know you. You're wearing a mask. A mask like an outlaw. I'm going to try very hard to see that you don't regret Talking to me, Mrs. Judd. And as for Charlie. Did say you talked to the Padre, didn't you? Yes. And the Padre asked me to help your son get back on the right road. If you could do that, stranger, if you could get Charlie back like he used to be, I'd remember you in my prayers for the rest of my life. The Lone Ranger and Tonto rode away from the Judd ranch to the shelter of a nearby woods. When they dismounted, Toto looked at his masked friend and said. What we do now, Kimasabe Toddo? I want to find out if Charlie's really involved with Bart Walton. I'm going to follow his trail and start from house and ride south track. Show him pretty clear. Maybe later. Not so clear. You have some extra clothing in your saddlebags, Toto. That's right. I want to borrow a suit of your buckskins while you're getting it out. I'll darken my face with stain. You, you fix up like Indian. Yes. I tried a long time ago to get evidence to jail Bart Walton. I failed. If he sees me in my own gear, he'll shoot on sight. Oh, maybe. Good idea. You ride scout instead of silver. That's a good suggestion, Totto. I'll do it. Me help fix up like Indian. At first, the Lone Ranger and Tonto had little difficulty in following Charlie's trail. But it soon became obvious that the Indian intended to avoid pursuit if possible. He traveled in a roundabout route and rode over ground unsuited for tracking. The masked man and Tottle met with increasingly frequent delays and lost a great deal of time. Finally, the tracks led into a stream. Who, Scout? He probably traveled in the water from here on, Totto. Ah, we not know which way. They'll have to separate. You go downstream. I'll go in the opposite direction. Come on, scout. No one suspected that Charlie was in a secret alliance with the sheriff. The sheriff was reasonably sure that Bart Walton had led a number of robberies, that his hideout was in the vicinity of a tree covered valley. But he had been unable to get evidence against the crooks, so he had enlisted the aid of the young Indian. Charlie was to join the gang if possible, if he learned anything. His instructions were to leave a message in a huge hollow tree, a landmark in the area where the sheriff would find it. Charlie was somewhat dismayed when he learned that the camp of the outlaws was dangerously close to the hollow tree. But he had to obey the sheriff's orders. In camp, he talked to Bart, Windy and Steve for a time, then feigned an excuse and moved away on foot. He sat down beside the hollow tree a couple of hundred yards from the camp. He wrote a note, was about to shove it inside the tree trunk when a voice spoke sharply. Hold it. Huh? Oh, it's you, Steve. Yeah. Horse is always curious when one of the gang slips away by himself. Especially when he gets to write notes. Oh, I'll take it, Charlie. Now wait, Steve. I said I'll take it. And likewise, your gun. But this isn't. Give me that. Now. Again. All right, you win. Draw slow and drop it to the ground. That's it. Back off a few steps. Have a look. At what you've been writing, you may be surprised. So now you know. Yeah, now I know. And Charlie? Bart won't like this. Windy had moved away from camp to watch the trail that led into the clearing. Bart, seated near a lean to, looked up curiously when he saw Charlie Judd approach followed by Steve holding a gun and a note. Steve explained how he had caught Charlie about to put the note inside the hollow tree. Here's the note he was writing, Bart. It'll open your eyes. Read it, please. You better keep them covered while I'm doing it. This is addressed to Sheriff Parkinson. Yeah, yeah. Listen, plans have worked out first rate. I've been accepted as a member of the gang and have learned where the loot of the Wells Fargo robbery Sagebrush Stage hold up and the Parker City bank robbery is hidden. Wait a minute. There's more. Finish it. Yeah. The hideout is not far from this tree. So you've been working for the law. Now look, there's more. Boys, I've heard enough. You double crosser. Make out like you want to join us, huh? Help us with a bank job to win our confidence. Well, we know how to deal with double crossers. Time to that tree, Steve. I'll give him a bullet where it'll hurt the most. The curtain falls on the first act of our Loom Ranger adventure before the next exciting scenes. Please permit us to pause for just a few moments, Sam. Now to continue. The Lone Ranger, dressed in Tonto's buckskins had darkened his complexion to pose as an Indian while he followed the trail of Charlie Judd. He found the place where Charlie's horse had left a creek and followed the tracks a short distance into a woods. He was about to turn back and get Toto when he heard a sharp command. Get him up, redskin. You're covered. Rein in and raise your hands. What matter? What are you doing in these parts? Maybe me ask you same question. The difference being I'm the one holding the gun. So you're the one who has to answer questions. But save the explanation for a few minutes. Unbuckle your guns and drop them to the ground. You hold up, Indian. Do not get rich that way. I said drop the guns. Yeah, that's better. I'll take them. Mighty fancy hardware for a redskin. Now get off the horse. You take orders, I'll say that for you. Walk straight ahead of me into the camp. My horse. I'll lead him. Get going. The Lone Ranger, disguised as an Indian, held his hands at shoulder level while he walked ahead of Windy through the woods. When he came to the clearing. He was surprised to see Charlie tied to a tree. Windy was equally surprised. Hey, Bart, what's Charlie tied up for? It's a double cross. Hey, who's that redskin? He was coming this way, so I disarmed him and brought him here. Couldn't risk having a snooper find our camp. Was he heading toward the hollow pine tree? I know why. Thought he might be a messenger from the sheriff. Working with Charlie, huh? Charlie was working for the sheriff? He was? How do you mean? Did that bank job with us last night just to win our confidence. Soon as he learned where we hid our stuff, he wrote a note to the sheriff. And I caught him trying to hide it in the hollow pine tree. So you're a double crosser, huh, Charlie? Yeah. Here's the note he wrote. Of all the ornery pulk cats. Double cross us. Why, you. Hold it, Wendy. I was just about to shoot him myself when we heard that horse approaching. Figured you'd wait and see who it was coming. I'm wondering if that redskin came here to get any message Charlie might have left. Well, did ye? Me not know about message. What's your name? Indian name plenty long. Not mean anything to you? Answer my question. The Lone Ranger looked directly into Charlie's eyes before he replied to Bart. Then he spoke slowly and pointedly and hoped the outlaws didn't know the Indian dialect he used. Who? Layla togemga lo te sabe. He was gratified to see the faintest change in expression cross the face of the bound captive. That's your name, huh? What are you doing around here? Me not do anything, not hurt anyone. I'd like to know where you got a pair of guns like these. Man give guns to me. Likely you took them from him after you killed him. I think he's working with Charlie. No, that's not true. Actually, you'd lie about it. But it seems to me it'd be real logical for the sheriff to send a redskin like you to pick up any message that was left in the hollow tree. We'll soon find out if he's in cahoots with Charlie. Come over here, redskin, huh? I'll dump the cartridges out of my gun. Reload with a single shot. You know what you're gonna do? What me do? You're gonna shoot that critter tied to the tree. Me not like shoot helpless man. I don't care what you like. In the meantime, Charlie's foster father had returned to the house from an inspection of his line fence. His wife told him of the departure of the adopted son. The names. I'm sorry to hear that, Mary. Buddy. Sorry I didn't want to speak about it, Dave, but for some time past, I've been noticing a change in Charlie. He's been spending a lot of time studying crimes that were committed around Box Creek. He told you he was going away from here with Bart Walton and a couple of the others? Yes. You know they're no good. Then a couple of the boys at the cafe told me Charlie had been spending time with Walton. Maybe he's just got the wanderlust, Mary. Maybe being an Indian, he just can't stand being tied down in one place. I wish I could be sure that was it. Or maybe he just wants more excitement than range life can give him. You don't think so? I might think that, Dave, if Charlie hadn't told me he was meeting Bart Walton. I can't help remembering something he said a few weeks ago. What was it? He said there's a lot of men in the west who are bigger than the law. He said they'd proved it time and time again. And he mentioned several robberies in these parts where the crooks had gotten away with a lot of money. He showed me a copy of the newspaper and pointed out the account of the Wells Fargo robbery. He said that a man'd have to work a lifetime on a ranch to make the same amount of money as the crooks made in that robbery. Well, that's downright curious talk, Mary. Yes, I know it. I can't savvy Charlie, talking like that. You sit still, dear. I'll see who tis. Howdy, Mrs. Judd. Oh, Deputy Jackson. Mind if I step in? Come in, Jackson. I thought you were out with the sheriff's posse looking for last night's bank thief. No, Bond didn't ride with the posse. I spent the day studying the bank and the ground around it for clues. Where's Johnny Way he shit left town. You know where he went? No. Why? Is anything wrong, Deputy Jackson? The bank robbers scooped up some soft mud to pack their blasting powder up close to the lock on the bank vault. Yeah? Well, what about it? I found the place where that mud was scooped up. And I found something else. Here's a hunk of polished quartz. Looks like it'd been ground down to fit a ring. Oh, you recognize it, Mrs. Judd? Well, I. Several of the men around town remember seeing a ring on Charlie's finger. Well, it doesn't mean a thing. Charlie might have lost that stone without having a hand in the bank robbery. You're sure neither of you knows where he is? I wish I did. He. He didn't say where he was going. If I knew, Deputy, I'd tell you. I'd rather see Charlie do a jail term for robbery than follow the outlaw trail until it leads to a hangman. The Lone Ranger, disguised as an Indian, held Bart Walton's gun, which had been loaded with a single bullet. He was closely watched by Bart holding another gun and Steve, whose hand rested on his holster. Windy still held the Lone Ranger's gun belt with its twin holsters and Colts. Maybe shoot that boy, engine. Otherwise we'll be convinced you're lying to us. Kill him and we'll know you're not working with him. O taki la tome. What'd you say? Me shoot. But first cut feller loose from tree. Indian not shoot man whose hand's tied. All right. Cut the rope, Steve. Right, Mark. What's that engine talk between these two. I'm ready. Go ahead and shoot. Hands and feet are free. Me shoot. Good work, redskin. You got him. Always good. Make sure man dead. Now me put bullet through head. There was only one bullet in the gun I gave you. Me no. You give back Indian guns. Me fix feller on ground. The Lone Ranger tossed Bart Walton's pistol on the ground then turned toward Windy. He was so casual and assured in drawing his own guns from the holsters that neither Windy nor the other outlaws objected. When his guns were in his hands, his manner changed abruptly. Raise your hand. You think I. Bart, look out. Bart was about to fire, but the Lone Ranger shot. His bullet broke Bart's arm. Do either of you two want to try a shot? Don't shoot. Don't shoot. If you're going loco. What's the matter with you? Hey, that critter's no engine. My arm. My arm's busted. Kill that. On your feet, Charlie. Right. Hey, look. Charlie's getting up. He ain't hurt. I'm with you, partner. I have the gun bar dropped. You double crossed us? You bet he did. I'll cover them, Charlie. You disarm them. Right. All right. Crooks understood the language of my father's people. You'd have known what to expect. He told me he was on my side, the side of the law. He said he'd shoot past me, but I was to fall as if I'd taken a bullet in the heart. Look, my arm's killing me. Can't someone help me? We'll patch it up when the hands of your friends are Tied. Find some rope, Charlie. Wait. Someone's coming. I hear a horse. Yeah, so do I. Maybe it's one of Walton's friends. No, Charlie. It's one of my friends. And he's riding my horse. You can see him now. Horse over. You hear gunshot come past, Otto. You must have followed the stream a long way. That right me pine waterfall. Me no crooks not go that way. Me come back, go upstream. You're just in time to help tie three outlaws. Tie their hands behind their backs and Charlie can take them into town. Your presence and their rewards for the capture with proof that they committed certain crimes. You're the one who has the proof, Charlie. You know where the stolen money is hidden. You can testify against them in court. Yes, but if it hadn't been for you. We'll follow you and the outlaws to make sure you get them to town without trouble. After that, we must return to the mission and tell the padre Charlie Judd is on the right side of the law. And Toto had gone to Silver Mine to see our old friend Jim get a supply of silver bullets. Hey, Sheriff, come here. Come here in a hurry. The sheriff's deputy was the first to see three outlaws riding into town in single file with their hands tied behind their backs. And Charlie following with a gun. His shot of surprise brought a number of people on the run, including the sheriff and Charlie's foster parents. Charlie, you're bringing these critters in. What about the evidence? You get all the evidence you want, sheriff. Evidence in the form of the cash and bonds these men stole from Wells Fargo from the Sagebrush Stage in the Parker City bank and the bank right here in town. Hey, Deputy, take over and get these zombies into jail. Charlie Judd was with us on that job last night. He's got to go to jail if we do. Save your breath, Steve. All right, Jackson, take him. Charlie came to me some time ago and said the law better find a way to jail crooks around this part of the country before young fellows got the wrong idea. Sheriff. Sheriff. Did Charlie say that? He sure did, Judd. He had a suggestion, too. He said he'd try to join up with Bart Walton's gang to get the evidence. You hear that, Mary? You hear that? Our boy has been all right from the start. Son. Why didn't you tell me what you were doing? Mother, the sheriff made me promise to tell. No one but you could have trusted your father. I promised the sheriff I'd keep it a secret. I couldn't break my words, Charlie. You'll have some reward money coming. No, Sheriff, I don't really deserve the rewards. These crooks found out about me. They'd have killed me if it hadn't been for a man who owns a big white horse he called Silver. That man came to the house, Charlie, just after you left. Was he dressed like an Indian? No, he wasn't. He wore a mask. But he had a horse called Silver, and there was an Indian with him. An Indian named Todo. The rewards are yours, Charlie. If that masked man rides a white horse called Silver, he wouldn't lay claim to any reward. He's the Lone Ranger. I this is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Enterprises and directed by Charles D. Livingston. Tonight's drama was written by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beame. Foreign 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 our most recent ranch hands, Steve Technogod and Craig who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcast trwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739. This episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening. Sam.
Podcast Episode Summary: "Indian Charlie | The Lone Ranger (03-16-51)"
Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: June 20, 2025
In the episode titled "Indian Charlie", Old Time Radio Westerns transports listeners to the rugged landscapes of the Wild West through a digitally restored version of the classic 1951 radio drama, "The Lone Ranger." Host Andrew Rhynes highlights the enhanced audio quality, allowing the rich sounds of the frontier—from birds chirping to the crack of gunfire—to vividly bring the story to life.
"Indian Charlie" centers around Charlie Judd, a 19-year-old Native American foster son raised by David and Mary Judd in the town of Box Creek. Charlie is depicted as an educated and promising young man, fluent in multiple Indian dialects, English, and Spanish. Despite his potential, rumors surface that Charlie has fallen in with a group of outlaws led by Bart Walton, casting doubt on his character and intentions.
At the heart of the episode is a meticulously planned bank robbery orchestrated by Charlie and his accomplices. Under the cover of darkness, they execute the heist at the Box Creek bank with precision:
Following the successful heist, the local sheriff forms a posse to hunt down the robbers. Concurrently, the Lone Ranger and his loyal companion, Tonto, embark on an investigation to uncover the truth behind Charlie's alleged involvement.
As the plot thickens, it becomes evident that Charlie is not the villain he appears to be. In reality, Charlie is clandestinely collaborating with Sheriff Parkinson to gather evidence against Bart Walton's gang.
The Lone Ranger (Silver): The masked hero dedicated to bringing justice to the Wild West. His strategic mind and combat prowess are pivotal in uncovering the truth behind the bank robbery.
Tonto (Todo): The Lone Ranger's steadfast companion, providing invaluable support in tracking and investigation efforts.
Charlie Judd: A young, educated Native American striving to bridge the gap between his heritage and the societal expectations of the frontier. His internal conflict and ultimate redemption form the emotional core of the episode.
Bart Walton: The cunning leader of the outlaw group implicated in the bank robbery. His interactions with Charlie reveal the latter's true allegiance to the law.
David and Mary Judd: Charlie's concerned foster parents, representing the emotional stakes of the narrative and the impact of Charlie's actions on his family.
Sheriff Parkinson: The local law enforcement official collaborating secretly with Charlie to dismantle the outlaw network from within.
Padre:
"[07:15] 'What you do to help others, my son, you do for me.'"
This quote underscores the thematic element of community and mutual support that permeates the episode.
Mary Judd:
"[50:20] 'He's been talking about outlaws... He said there's a lot of men in the west who are bigger than the law.'"
Reflects the growing tension and suspicion surrounding Charlie's actions.
Charlie Judd:
"[35:50] 'If Charlie is on the wrong path, try to put him straight. He is one on whom I have counted for great things.'"
Demonstrates Padre's unwavering faith in Charlie's inherent goodness and potential.
The Lone Ranger:
"[42:10] 'I want to find out if Charlie's really involved with Bart Walton.'"
Highlights the protagonist's determination to uncover the truth and protect the innocent.
Loyalty and Integrity: The episode delves deep into the complexities of loyalty—both to one's community and to personal morals. Charlie's double life as a law-abiding young man and an undercover operative reveals the sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice.
Cultural Identity: Through Charlie Judd's character, the narrative explores the intersection of Native American heritage and Western frontier society, highlighting the challenges of maintaining cultural identity amidst external pressures.
Justice vs. Perception: The storyline emphasizes that appearances can be deceiving. While Charlie appears to be fallen from grace, his true intentions align with the principles of justice upheld by the Lone Ranger.
Community and Trust: The interactions between Charlie, his foster parents, and the Sheriff illustrate the importance of trust within a community. The ultimate revelation of Charlie's true role fosters a sense of unity and relief.
"Indian Charlie" masterfully blends suspense, action, and emotional depth to present a compelling narrative that remains faithful to the classic Lone Ranger ethos. Through the enhanced digital restoration, listeners are treated to an immersive auditory experience that revives the essence of Old Time Radio Westerns. The episode not only entertains but also provokes thought on themes of loyalty, identity, and justice, making it a standout installment in the Old Time Radio Westerns series.
For those new to the podcast, "Indian Charlie" offers a rich and engaging introduction to the timeless tales of the Wild West, showcasing the enduring appeal of legendary characters and their heroic endeavors.