Jayhawkers | Gunsmoke (04-04-53)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns: Gunsmoke – “Jayhawkers” (Original Air Date: April 4, 1953)

Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Release: July 14, 2026
Restoration & Release by: Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast

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Episode Overview

This episode presents the Gunsmoke classic “Jayhawkers,” immersing modern listeners in a compelling tale from the tumultuous days when Texas cattle drives met the troubles of post-war Kansas. Digitally restored for clarity, the drama explores themes of frontier justice, mistrust between Texans and Kansans, and the persistent shadow of outlaw violence.

Host Andrew Rhynes opens with a quick history lesson, clarifying for listeners that “Jayhawkers” refers to pre-Civil War guerrilla fighters from Kansas. The episode then transitions into the restored radio performance, where Marshal Matt Dillon is drawn into the dangerous intersection of Texan trail herds and Kansas banditry.

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Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

1. Introduction & Historical Context (01:13–02:11)

• Host Andrew Rhynes defines “Jayhawkers” as militant free-state guerrillas in pre-Civil War Kansas, who often clashed violently with pro-slavery “Border Ruffians” from Missouri.

  "Jayhawkers is a term used just before the American Civil War in bleeding Kansas… guerrilla fighters who often clashed with pro slavery groups from Missouri.” – Andrew Rhynes (01:13)

• Sets the stage for a story about tensions on the Kansas frontier.

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2. Arrival of the Texans: Conflict Brews (03:53–08:41)

• Marshal Matt Dillon and his deputy, Chester, discuss the arrival of Texan cowboys in Dodge City and the tension they bring.
• Chester expresses deep-seated prejudice against Texans, despite being from Texas himself:

  “Yes, and there are darn few Texans who ain’t bad.” – Chester (05:40)

• Phil Jax, a Texan, seeks out Marshal Dillon to bring him to his trail boss, Dolph Quince—hinting at trouble on the cattle trail.

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3. On the Trail: Rising Suspicion and Jayhawker Threats (09:06–16:46)

• Dillon joins the San Saba herd, meeting trail boss Dolph Quince.
• Discussion of the recent Jayhawker ambushes: Jayhawkers have been harassing Texan herds, stripping and flogging a guard, then stampeding cattle.

  “Two nights ago, some MJ hawkers managed to sneak up on Snider … They stripped him and flogged him and then stampeded the cattle.” – Quince (12:18)

• Quince and his men distrust Kansans and are reluctant to cooperate or pay off bandits.

  "I ain’t paying nobody nothing… I’ll kill the first one I see anyway. Maybe they won’t bother you again, huh, Marshal?" – Quince (13:26)

• Tensions rise further when a stranger named Studer seeks work; Dillon is wary and urges caution, suspecting ulterior motives:

  “Just an old habit of mine, Dolph. I wouldn’t still be alive if I trusted everybody on first sight.” – Dillon (16:32)

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4. Cattle Drive: Routine and Rupture (18:28–21:39)

• Marshal Dillon attempts to smooth relations by integrating into trail life.
• Conversation on the hardships driving cattle north and the economic desperation of post-war Texas:

  “Texas is bankrupt, Marshal. The war broke us. All we got is these wild longhorn cattle.” – Dolph Quince (20:36)

• Discussion of Dodge City's rapid growth and temptations, setting up the stakes for the Texans’ arrival.

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5. Violence & Showdown: Jayhawker Attack (21:39–28:25)

• The Jayhawkers strike: Jack’s, a cowboy, is killed; a stampede is narrowly avoided.
• Dillon pursues Studer (the suspicious hired hand), confirms his guilt as a Jayhawker, and guns him down after he kills Jacks.

  “He threw up his hands and pitched forward out of the saddle. I glanced at him as I rode past and crossed him off as one Jayhawker less.” – Dillon (22:48)

• A final standoff with another Jayhawker culminates in gunfire:

  “Now listen to me. I’m a United States Marshal. You give up and I promise there’ll be no lynching. You’ll get a fair trial.” – Dillon (24:00) “No. … I’m warning you. … I’m coming after you. You just had to try it, didn’t you?” – Dillon (24:09–24:27)

• The violence leaves Jacks dead, Studer slain by Dillon, and the Jayhawker band broken.

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6. Aftermath: Mourning, Reflection, and Brotherhood (26:28–29:40)

• The cowboys solemnly bury Jacks, led by Matt in an improvised prayer, underscoring the camaraderie and rough code of the trail:

  “We brought nothing into this world. Neither may we carry anything out of this world. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away…” – Marshal Dillon (27:50)

• Marshal’s act of sharing whiskey cuts the tension and fosters a sense of respect between lawman and herders.
• Quince voices a grudging newfound respect for “law” in Dodge:

  “Maybe they think a little more highly of the law around here. Of the kind of gunfighter hired by the law, anyway.” – Dolph Quince (29:09)

• Bittersweet ending: though tensions remain, violence is averted for now.

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7. Resolution: Herds Safe, Relationships Mended (Somewhat) (29:53–30:50)

• The San Saba herd successfully reaches Dodge; sales are made.
• Dillon parts from the Texans on good terms—they’ll “hurrah Dodge” when they arrive but no blood will be spilled.

  “That particular bunch of Texas cowboys were gonna be allowed to hurrah Dodge unmolested.” – Dillon (30:50)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chester’s Texan Self-Deprecation:
  “Most everybody I knew in Texas has been hung by now.” (06:16)
• On Kansas-Texas Tensions:
  "The ordinary Kansen hates jayhawkers as much as you do. They're nothing but shifty, murderous criminals." – Dillon (12:41)
• Cattleman’s Desperation:
  “Every dollar I got’s in these cattle. And all the money my relatives and friends could raise, too… I’d hate to lose now." – Dolph Quince (13:38)
• Death and Burial:
  “We brought nothing into this world. Neither may we carry anything out of this world. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” – Dillon (27:50)
• Bitterness with a Hint of Respect:
  “It don’t mean they won’t hurrah Dodge a little when we get there.” – Dolph Quince (29:32)

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Episode Structure (Timestamps)

• [01:13–02:11] – Host’s Introduction & “Jayhawker” Context
• [03:53–08:41] – Marshal Dillon & Chester: Texan Tensions & Trail Herds Arrive
• [09:06–16:46] – On the Prairie; Meeting with Quince; Jayhawker Threats
• [18:28–21:39] – Trail Routine; Banter and Hardships of Cattle Drives
• [21:39–25:04] – Jayhawker Attack; Jacks Gunned Down; Chase and Shootout
• [26:28–29:40] – Burial and Reflection; Camaraderie Resurfaces
• [29:53–30:50] – Conclusion: Herds Safe; Newfound Respect

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Themes & Tone

The script is brimful of sharp, wry exchanges and hard-edged prairie realism—the tone is somber yet laced with the dry humor and stoic fatalism characteristic of classic Westerns. The performances anchor themes of trust, justice, regional mistrust, brotherhood forged by hardship, and the cost of survival in a rough land.

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Final Note

This restored episode is both a gripping Western drama and a window into the complex, violent transformations of the postwar frontier—where gunsmoke and justice still rode side by side.

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Transcript

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[Andrew Rines (Host)]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines. And let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke. Original air date is April 4, 1953 and the title is Jayhawkers. Now you might be going, what is a Jayhawker? I know I've heard that before. It sounds familiar. Well, real quick, Wikipedia's got it pretty summed up well, and that is Jayhawkers is a term used just before the American Civil War in bleeding Kansas. We won't go into what bleeding Kansas is, but we'll just continue. It was adopted by a militant band of free staters. These bands, known as Jayhawkers, were guerrilla fighters who often clashed with pro slavery groups from Missouri, known at the time as the Border Ruffians. So quick, history lesson. Gunsmoke does it again to us. And let's get into it. I hope you guys enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.

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[Gunsmoke Narrator/Announcer]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal. And the smell of gun smoke. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marsh.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Mind if I sit here and watch the plaza with you, Mr. Dillon?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Oh, sure, sure. Sit down, Chester. Sit up.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I got spring fever. I guess.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I guess everybody has it.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

That'll change soon enough.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

It will?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Sure. The first trail herd hits, nodding. Yeah, I suppose them Texas cowboys, Mr. Dillon, they all are to be hobbled and have one arm tied behind their back all the time they're here. No.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I don't know, Chester.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

They're just troublemakers, sir. They're bad enough at home, but they're worse away from it.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

There are plenty of bad men who never saw Texans.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yes, and there are darn few Texans who ain't bad.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Uh, where'd you say you're from, Chester?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Well, Waco. But that don't change my opinion One bit, Mr. Dillon. In fact, it just proves I know what I'm talking about.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Here comes a Texan now, Chester, look at his rig. Yes, sir, it sure is.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Now, what's he doing here?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Looking for somebody to shoot, according to you. Do you know him?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

No, sir, I don't. But then, most everybody I knew in Texas has been hung by now. I'm looking for a U.S. marshal.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

You were in the Star, so maybe you're him. Sit down, stranger.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

You Matt Dillon?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

That's my name, all right. I'm Phil Jackson with a herd of 3,000 San Saba cattle about five days drive from here.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Name of the trail boss is Dolph Quence.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Dolph Quence? He was up here last year. Give him my regards, will you? You give him to him, Marshall. Well, I'll be glad to. He'll be here in about five days, you say?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

He will if we don't run into any more trouble.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

He said for you to ride back with me, Marshall. No. But did he say why? Well, didn't say nothing except for me to ride into Dodge and find you. Can you tell me what this is all about? It's about Kansas, Marshall. Kansas.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

We don't like it. Well, for heaven's sake, if you don't like it, why don't you stay in Texas instead of coming up here raising all kinds of trouble, getting people's backs up, drinking, shooting crabs.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I haven't even said hello to you, mister.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Oh, I know it. Let's leave it that way, Chester.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

What's got into you, anyway?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

It's been mighty peaceful around here lately, sir. Now, the first Texas herd ain't even over the horizon and already there's trouble. Why don't you people drive your old mossy horn steers to California anyway? Why'd you leave Texas, mister? What?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I know a Texan when I see one.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

You all riled up cause you don't like Kansas any better than anybody else does. Yes, and I don't like Texas neither.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Texas is sure rough on women and dogs, ain't it?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

My gracious. I ain't heard that since I was a boy. All right, you got me pegged.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I'll shut up now. We're getting someplace. You were ready to go, Marshall. Dolph Quince is a good man. He wouldn't have sent you here without a reason.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yeah, but, Mr. Dillon, you.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Chester, suppose you take Jax over to the Dodge house for a good feed, huh? Looks like he could use it. I'll get ready and I'll meet you there in about an hour, huh?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yes, sir. But what about me?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Like you say, there won't be any trouble till the Texans arrive. I'd like for you to stay here anyway.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yes, Mr. Dillon. Come on, Jackson. It's just down the street.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Oh, don't shoot him, Chester. I'll never find that herd alone.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I ain't to buy him a drink first, Marshall, and just temper him down a little. Now. Say, that's not a bad idea at all. Take your pick, Mr. Jacks. We have a goodly number of very choice saloon. Dear Dog,

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I hadn't been out on the prairie for some weeks and I found its usual monotony broken a little by the freshness of spring. With great patches of green standing out against the natural sunburnt color of last year's grass. We rode over about 30 miles of it before dark. And Jax figured we'd find the San Saba herd by evening the next day. And sure enough, an hour or two after we'd crossed the Cimarron. Next afternoon we spotted the herd's dust ahead of us. We rode up to the chuck wagon just as the cook was hollering for the men to come and get it.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Just drop your saddle anyways, Marshall. I'll turn your horse in with a remuda.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah, all right. Thanks, Jack. No.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Plants will be over there by the fire, Somers.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah, I'll find him all right.

[Gunsmoke Narrator/Announcer]

Well, come on.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Come on, come on. What's he doing? I don't know. I can't understand it.

[Gunsmoke Narrator/Announcer]

Hello, Dolph.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

How are you, Marshall? Is fresh meat in camp? Ask the cook for a plate.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Ah, thank you.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yeah, I'll go with you. I need some more coffee. You like buffalo? Veal. One of the boys roped and shot a calf this morning.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Sure, I like it. Fun.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Guess it was buffalo that scared our horses last night. Old Remuda broke loose. Hey, Cook, give this man a plate of meat. Sure thing, Doc.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

That looks mighty good. You know, Jackson and I haven't eaten since morning.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Give me some coffee, will you? Yep. Thanks, Guy. Nesta woman came to the bed ground before daylight this morning.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Oh, yeah?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Had a boy with her driving a wagon. Asked if we hadn't little calves that been dropped during the night.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Well, she probably picks up calves from all the herds that pass this way, huh?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yeah. We'd have to get rid of them anyway, so I'll let her have them, even if she was a Kansan.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Oh, where was her husband?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Dead, according to the boy.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I see.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

You know, if it had been a Kansas man as for calves, I don't think I could have talked these boys into allowing it.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Is that so?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

It sure is, Marshall. Say, you got any tobacco? Mine's a mite dry.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Oh, yeah, sure. There you are. Here, fix yourself a smoke.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Thanks, Marshall.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Tell me, John, have you seen any Kansas Jayhawkers on the way up?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

How do you know, Marshall?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Well, just a guess.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Two nights ago, some MJ hawkers managed to sneak up on Snider over there. When he was out on guard. They stripped him and flogged him and then stampeded the cattle. We had our hands full for the next few hours, or we might have caught up with him.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I see. Any trouble since?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Not yet, Duff.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

The ordinary Kansen hates jayhawkers as much as you do. They're nothing but shifty, murderous criminals. They got started on the Missouri border during the war, and they got the taste of blood in their mouths. And, well, now it's like they got no place to go.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

We can show them a place.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

They're bandits. That's all you got? Bandits in Texas? That doesn't make every Texan one, does it?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

It's kind of hard to make the men see that, Marshall.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah, I know. I'll join you, if you don't mind.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Sit down. Jack. Yeah? I've been complaining to the marshal about our welcome here. I hear the trail drivers buying off Jayhawkers.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Two or three dollars a head.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Let's see, 3,000 head that cost us. I ain't paying nobody nothing.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Well, they ain't asked us yet, but I'll kill the first one I see anyway. Maybe they won't bother you again, huh, Marshal?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Every dollar I gots in these cattle. And all the money my relatives and friends could raise, too. We've come a long way from San Saba, and we're almost to Dodge. I'd hate to lose now.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Well, Dove, I don't know quite what I can do.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Raise a posse.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Well, not for this sort of work. There'll be herds coming up from now into September. What about the army? They're out chasing Indians, as usual.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Figured I'd have to ask. Anyways, one reason I wanted you to come down here was to ride with us a few days, get to know the boys a little. They're in a bad temper, and when they hit Dodge, you're gonna be looking for Kansas scalps.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

All right, William.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I figured you would. You see, Marshall, the way we look at it, the good citizens of Dodge are out to fleece us anyway. And on top of that, they hire gunfighters to shoot us as soon as we kick up our heels a little. All in all, it makes for bad feeling.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Well, there's some misunderstanding on both sides, I guess.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yeah, you and I know that, but they don't.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Oh.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Say, Dolph, nearly forgot. What stranger rode up the Remuda over there and asked for a job. I told him to eat first. Must be crazy. Where is he?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Go get it,

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Dolph.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I'd like to stand guard tonight, huh?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

No need for that.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Well, if I'm riding with you, I'll do my share of the work.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

All right. You go out with a second watch. The wrangler will give you a Night Horse.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Thanks.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Here he is. Dolph. This is Dolph.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Coins.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Trail boss. Mr. Quince. Quince will do. Well, my name's Studer. Carl Studer. You lost? I don't know what you mean. Well, do you know we're only four days drive out of Dodge? I was wondering if you could use a hand for four days. That'd help. You must be awful hungry. I thought maybe you'd be driving past Dodge. Well, I'm not. We'll feed you from here to Dodge if you work. I won't pay you anything, though. I haven't got the money. And I don't need a hand anyway. Thank you. Hey, by the way, where are you from? Colorado. Then you ain't a Kansas? No. Good. Maybe the boys won't tear you apart. You'll be on the third watch tonight. Student. All right. There's the sort of man spends his whole miserable life just looking for salt pork and sundown.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah, if that's all he's looking for.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

What do you mean?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Just an old habit of mine, Dolph. I wouldn't still be alive if I trusted everybody on first sight.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

You don't trust this fella?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

No. He's probably all right. But still, I'd keep him in camp unless it's daylight.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

How come?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I wouldn't put him on night guard.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Dolphins. All right, Marshall. I always thought I led a hard life till now. I think you beat me.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I got shot at more than you, that's all.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Maybe that's it. You better stretch out somewhere. You'll be out singing to those cow brutes in two hours. Yeah,

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

well, I'll see you later, Dolph.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Breakfast at four. You'll find it don't take long to stay all night at this ranch.

[Gunsmoke Narrator/Announcer]

We will return for the second act of Gunsmoke in just a moment. But first, right now, our country is engaged in an all out effort to fight aggression and preserve our democratic freedom. The future of America concerns us all. That's why we should all help to make that future as bright as possible. By buying United States Savings Bonds, you can help make American freedom secure. And at the same time, you'll be automatically saving for your own financial security. Buy an extra bond for your future and Uncle Sam's. Now the second act of Gunsmoke.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I didn't have much chance that night to get to know the boys on guard. Two of us rode around the herd in opposite directions, singing or humming a little to let the cattle know where we were. After two hours, we were relieved by the Third watch. But at breakfast the next morning, the men treated me a little less like a gunfighter hired to shoot them when they got to Dodge. After the cattle had grazed for a few miles and we got them on the trail, I started to forget I was a lawman myself. Jax and I were right in the swing of the herd when Dolph Quince loped up behind.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Hey, how's it feel to be a trail hand, Marshal?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

There's nothing to it. I could sleep all winter like you do.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

When would you spend your money? I already offered to trade jobs with a marshal, Dolph.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

You know where I found him?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

In docks, hanging. A horse thief, I hope. Not likely. Setting idle in a chair, taking in the sun like an old man. Don't let it fool you, Jacks. I've seen him move. Hey, you two crossed the Cimarron yesterday. What's it like?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Oh, the water's gone down. You won't have any trouble.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I was also thinking about the sand.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

It was sound where we was dump

[SpinQuest Announcer]

then we'll cross right there. You go up ahead and ride point. Jacks, lead us to it now. Take that new fellow, Studer, with you. I don't need him. I want him up front where I can see him. Okay.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Here, boy.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

First crossing I tried last year had a quicksand bottom. It would bog a saddle block.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Ah. Did you lose many cattle, Dirty head?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Couldn't even dig your tails out.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

You know, Dolph, I sometimes wonder if it's worth it to you driving cattle up here.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Texas is bankrupt, Marshall. The war broke us. All we got is these wild longhorn cattle.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah, I know. But maybe there'll be an easier way someday.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

We'd starve waiting for the railroad.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I suppose so. Anyway, this Sun Saba herd of yours is the first to reach Dodge this year. The prices are high. You ought to profit $20 a head.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I hope so. What's Dodge like now? Been a year since I was there.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Well, it's. It's double its size. They got no restaurants. Place called Del Monaco's got about five new saloons. Well, a new barber shop.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

With money in your pocket, Dodge could offer high class entertainment.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Almost anything you want.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

The boys will be glad to know.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

It's up ahead.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Come on, hurry. Look. The guy the blanket is starting to stampede. Yeah.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Is that Jack's horse running loose?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yeah, it is. Jack's lying on the ground. They shot him, Marshall.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

The man with a blanket.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

That's Stoder. I'm going after him. Doc, you'll take care of Jack.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

There go the cattle head off. Get him, Marshall. Get him alive.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I'll get. As I followed Studer, a few shots whipped past my head. But they didn't come from him. They came from behind a small rise he was headed for. Whoever was shooting was still too far away from me to me to worry about. I wanted to take care of Studer first. Slowly, the distance between us closed. I pulled my rifle out of the boot and I snapped one off at him. He threw up his hands and pitched forward out of the saddle. I glanced at him as I rode past and crossed him off as one Jayhawker less. When I reached the rise, I jumped off my horse and ran up it on foot. Near the top, I got down and I crawled. When I poked my head over, there was only one man in sight. The other Jayhawkers, if there had been any, had disappeared. This one was afoot and he was running for his horse. I took my time and put a shot into the candle of his saddle and the horse bolted. The man dropped behind a rock and lay there. He was only half covered, so I stood up and a step at a time, started toward him down the hill.

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That's far enough, mister. Go on back. You're in pistol range now. Stand right there.

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You

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all right, fella?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Put down and come forward.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

All.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I want the horse. Now.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Get out of here. We won't bother you no more.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

You sure won't.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Just lay me on a horse.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Now listen to me. I'm a United States Marshal. You give up and I promise there'll be no lynching. You'll get a fair trial.

[SpinQuest Advertiser]

No.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

If you don't give up, you're gonna die right where you are.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Then to go. I'm warning you.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I'm coming after you. You just had to try it, didn't you?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

You leave a bloody trail, Marshall.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I brought Snyder with me. After the whipping they gave him the other night I figured he deserved to be in on this. Guess I'm too late. Looks like the marshal's done taking care of everybody.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Be glad you don't have to kill a man, son.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I don't think I'd mind, marshal.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah, I know. Tell me, Duff, how's Jack's dead now.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Studer shot him in the back of the head.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

He was a good man.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

The boys have got the lead cattle turn. We'll let them mill around for an hour and then graze them out good.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I left my horse over the rise there. Snyder, would you get him for me, please?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yeah, sure. Looks like you walked right down Onto this man.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I tried to take him alive like you asked.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Guess I just wanted to hang him myself. Anyway, I'm glad he's dead. Yeah. Marshall, we'll be burying jacks out here. I'm wondering if you might know how to do it. Maybe a prayer or something.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Well, I. I'm not. I'll try it. I'll.

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Let's get back in.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

When we got back to where Jacks had fallen, the cook had driven the chuck wagon up and was busy fixing coffee for the men. Even though it was far from noon, the cattle were spread out and feeding. Now, one by one, the men rode up, sober and quiet, with just a glance at Jax where he lay covered by his saddle blanket. The grave was soon dug and with the end gate of the chuck wagon for a headstone, Phil Jacks was placed in the ground and covered with prairie earth, their hats in their hands. The Texas men watched and silence,

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If you will. Marshall, we're ready now.

[Gunsmoke Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

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We

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

brought nothing into this world. Neither may we carry anything out of this world. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.

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Even as it pleaseth the Lord.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah. Even as it pleaseth the Lord. So cometh things to pass. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.

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Amen. Amen.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Oh, Snyder.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yep?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I want you to do something for me, if you will. What? Well, I smuggled a quart of wagon yard whiskey out of Dodge when I came down here. The cook's got it hid in the chuck wagon. Well, now, Mark, it's not much, but it'll cut the alkali in your drinking water. Why don't you get it and pass it off to the men, huh?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Mighty decent of you, Marshal. All as wants a drink of the marshal's whiskey. Get on over to the chuck wagon. There's times when a drink's good for a man's soul, Marshall. I guess this is one of them.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I think Jax would approve.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

He sure would. By the way, Marshall, the boys all know how you handle them jayhawkers, huh? It ain't changed their mind about Kansans much, but maybe they think a little more highly of the law around here. Of the kind of gunfighter hired by the law, anyway.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

That's good.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Of course, it don't mean they won't hurrah Dodge Little when we get there.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

I expect that.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Sure. Come on. We got a drink coming out of that bottle, too.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Three days later, the San Saba herd reached Mulberry Creek, about 10 miles south of Dodge. Dolph Quince decided to hold it there and we got it sold. So I said goodbye to the men and rode on into Dodge, her head up. We'd meet again in the plaza at the Texas Trail at the Ala Fraganza, and I was sure of one thing short of gunplay. That particular bunch of Texas cowboys were gonna be allowed to hurrah Dodge unmolested.

[Gunsmoke Narrator/Announcer]

Gunsmoke, under the direction of Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Tonight's story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast were Lawrence Dobkin and Harry Bartel, with Sam Edwards, Jack Crucian and Jim Nusser. Harley Bear is Chester Gun Smoke is heard by our troops overseas through the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the west in Gun Smoke. Tomorrow evening, the Edgar Bergen show with Charlie McCarthy presents a drama titled the Blue Egg of Happiness has its own comical Easter observance. Edgar's daughter Candy Bergen, age 6, visits the show and we'll also hear from Jack Kirkwood who plays a bear, Arthur Q. Bryan, who plays the Easter bunny and band leader Ray Noble who plays a skunk. Remember, It's Bergen and McCarthy tomorrow night on most of these same stations, bringing you laughs along with Jack Benny, Amos and Andy and the rest of your Sunday nighters on CBS Radio. George Walsh speaking. America's 45 million radio families listens most to the CBS Radio Radio Network.

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Sam.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Foreign

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[Andrew Rines (Host)]

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 subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 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 thanks for listening.

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