King Spots Murder | Challenge of the Yukon (11-25-43)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns: "King Spots Murder" | Challenge of the Yukon (11-25-43)

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
In this classic radio drama, Sergeant Preston and his loyal dog King tackle a murder mystery during the gold rush days in the Yukon. Mired in the challenges of the northern wilderness, Sergeant Preston must unravel the murder of a prospector named Mike—relying on King's instincts and his own methodical investigation to distinguish friend from foe and to bring justice to the Wild North.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Unseen Threat (03:26–05:44)

• Scene Setting:
  Sergeant Preston and King break campsite in the frigid Yukon morning. King becomes alert, noticing someone watching them from the woods.
• Rising Suspicion:
  King's reaction leads Preston to investigate, but the stranger escapes. Preston muses:
  • "Why would anyone come up here, Stand and watch us? ...maybe we'll just keep to those tracks." (04:44–05:44)
• Investigation Begins:
  Tracking the stranger's footprints toward Fort Munn becomes impossible due to overlapping tracks in the snow, underscoring the difficulty of law enforcement in the wilderness.

2. Mike's Murder and Missing Gold (06:09–08:49)

• Emotional Reactions:
  Oliver, a prospector and friend of Mike, is distraught upon seeing Preston, saying:
  • "Be truer if you'd say I look like I lost my best friend." (06:43)
• Discovery:
  Oliver details finding Mike shot in the back with no sign of gold dust or the poke (gold pouch)—a suspicious sign of robbery-murder.
• Bank Connection:
  Fred Johnson, the banker, claims that Mike withdrew all his gold dust just before the murder.
  • "You can't argue with a banker." (07:46)

3. An Uneasy Café Gathering (08:49–11:14)

• Tension Introduced:
  King reacts strongly to Fred Johnson and his companion (Slim West), signaling something amiss.
• Subtle Interrogation:
  Preston observes the pair, noting King’s sixth sense:
  • "He's just given me an idea, Oliver. How can a dog...King and I work together. He's been right every time he's ever started after something." (11:30–11:42)
• Plot Unfolds:
  Slim and Fred discuss almost being discovered by King and Preston that morning, hinting at their involvement in the crime.
  • "I ain't running from any dogs. But Preston's one mountie I don't even want to cross." (11:01)

4. The Confrontation & Revelation (12:24–15:38)

• Evidence Mounts:
  Preston requests to see Fred's poke, suspecting it to be Mike's. Fred behaves nervously.
• Fred Tries to Turn Violent:
  Realizing he's caught, Fred attempts to draw a gun but is foiled by King:
  • (Action sequence at 14:39–14:48).
• Notable Quote:
  • Preston: "Well, I'll put these handcuffs on you, Fred, just so you won't reach for a gun again." (14:48)
• King’s Heroics:
  King’s instincts and courage provide the breakthrough in the case.

5. Case Closed: Motive and Deceit (15:00–15:52)

• Explaining the Motive:
  Preston pieces together that Fred, the banker, staged Mike's supposed withdrawal of his gold, planning to steal it with Slim’s help. The attempted deception with the poke (initialed gold bag) backfires.
• Memorable Insight:
  • Preston: "Talk about sixth sense. King's responsible for catching these murderers, Oliver." (15:00)
  • Preston: "He just knew he was carrying around Mike's poker gold and his conscience did the rest." (15:46)

6. Justice Is Served (15:52–16:04)

• Resolution:
  With Fred and Slim apprehended, Preston and King once again fulfill the mounties' famous motto—upholding "the right and [getting] their man."
  • Preston to King: "Yes, King, the case is closed." (15:52)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Oliver, on Mike’s death:
  • "I prayed that you'd come to Fort Munn." (06:50)
• Preston, acknowledging King:
  • "King, old fella, I don't know what I'd do without you." (04:35)
• Slim West’s arrogance:
  • "It's an easier way to get gold than digging for it." (11:16)
• Action highlight:
  • "All right, King, get him!"—as King's intervention brings the villain down. (14:39)

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Major Timestamps

• 03:26 – Start of the case: King alerts Preston to a stranger lurking nearby
• 06:43 – Oliver recounts discovering Mike’s murder
• 08:49 – King senses something is off with Fred and Slim in the café
• 11:14 – Fred and Slim discuss their crime in whispers
• 12:24 – The poke exchange, rising tension, and Fred reveals his guilt
• 14:39–14:48 – King disarms and subdues Fred; the case unravels
• 15:52 – Preston proclaims the case is closed

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Style and Tone

Maintaining the show’s signature earnestness and old West formality, the episode features the classic soundscape of wind, dogs, saloon doors, and snow—aided by the podcast's digital restoration. The dialogue is tight and purposeful, with familiar tropes of loyalty, intuition, and justice.

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Final Thoughts

"King Spots Murder" is a quintessential Yukon Western episode: a blend of suspense, frontier justice, and clever animal heroics. The faithful Mountie-dog partnership and the twists of human greed and deception capture the enduring charm of Old Time Radio.

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For more classic Western stories, visit otrwesterns.com.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

The Challenge of the Yukon Hunting Hunter King, the swiftest, strongest of Eskimo lead dogs, blazes the trail through storm and snow for Sergeant Preston as he meets the Challenge of the Yukon. Sergeant Preston was typical of the small band of Northwest Mounted Police who preserved law and order in the Yukon during the gold rush of 98. That was the year that brought over 50,000 men swarming into the Klondike region and the greed for gold led to frequent violence and bloodshed. But in spite of the odds against them, the Force preserved a splendid record in preserving the right. The Challenge of the north was answered and justice ruled triumphant.

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[Narrator]

was breaking camp early one morning. The icy cold of the North Chilling his face. Suddenly, as he turned from the fire, he noticed King. The dog seemed to be listening intently, his nose in the air, every muscle momentarily tense. In spite of himself, the mount. He stood still, but the quiet of the Yukon seemed to him unbroken. It was then that King, a strange savage growl in his throat, ran from the mountie toward a line of pine trees.

[Sergeant Preston]

King. Well, he heard something, I'm sure of it. But what? Well, there's only one way to find out. Go after him. He stopped ahead.

[Narrator]

There. What is it, fella?

[Sergeant Preston]

What's wrong? I don't see. Well, so that's it. Looks like you chased someone out of here, King. Yes. Whoever it was, he's almost out of sight. But why? Why would King. Standing over by the campfire.

[Oliver]

But

[Sergeant Preston]

that man's retracing his tracks. He came up to here, then stopped.

[Oliver]

Mm hmm.

[Sergeant Preston]

Then walked over and stood here. Well, he could see perfectly from here. And he must have been watching us when King sensed something wrong. King, old fella, I don't know what I'd do without you. But this is one time I. Well, I'm stopped. He got away without me hearing him. I guess your barks covered any noises he made. I couldn't even get a look at him. Why would anyone come up here, Stand and watch us? Was he intending to head back for fort munn, or did you make up his mind for him? Well, since we're heading in his direction, maybe we'll just keep to those tracks.

[Narrator]

Returning to his campsite, Sergeant Preston scattered the fire, preparing to follow the mysterious traveler who had aroused King. Once on the trail, the great dog covered distance quickly, keeping to the tracks cut clearly in the snow. But as they approached Fort Munn, the mountie found that other tracks obscured those made by the stranger. And it was more and more difficult to separate one from another. Till he was forced to admit the hopelessness of pursuing the man further.

[Sergeant Preston]

It's not wrong for anyone to ride so far on a trail and then change his mind. Certainly there's no ground for suspicion there. Oh, King. All you huskies. Well, there's one thing you're sure of in Fort Mon. This cafe opens the first thing in the morning, and it's the last building to be darkened at night. Well, King, we're bound to find some news in here. Sergeant Preston. Oliver.

[Narrator]

Hello there.

[Sergeant Preston]

How are you?

[Oliver]

Mighty glad to see you, that's what I am.

[Sergeant Preston]

Now that's what I call a real welcome. What? What's wrong? You look like you've lost your claim or something.

[Oliver]

Be truer if you'd say I look like I. I lost my best friend.

[Sergeant Preston]

Her best friend.

[Oliver]

Sergeant, when I found Mike dead yesterday, I. I prayed that you'd come to Fort Munn.

[Sergeant Preston]

Mike?

[Oliver]

They shot him in the back. Dirty yellow skunks. He didn't have a chance. It was snowing when I found him. No tracks that I could make out.

[Sergeant Preston]

He was murdered.

[Oliver]

Yeah, if I knew who did it, I. Well, back where I come from, we have a name for men that shoot from ambush.

[Sergeant Preston]

Where'd you find him?

[Oliver]

Out near those two big rocks west of here.

[Sergeant Preston]

Oh, yes, yes, I know the place.

[Oliver]

He never did anybody any harm, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

Oh, no, Oliver. Wait a minute. Let's go over this slowly. Now, you say you found him?

[Oliver]

Yes. Yes, I found him.

[Sergeant Preston]

What reason would anyone have for killing Mike?

[Oliver]

Unless somebody could have killed him for his gold? That's what everybody here in town thinks.

[Sergeant Preston]

And you?

[Oliver]

Well, I guess that must be it. Fred Johnson said Mike drew out every bit of the dust he had in the bank. Hmm. You can't argue with a banker.

[Sergeant Preston]

You mean you'd have an argument to give Fred about that?

[Oliver]

Oh, it's not that. But you see, Mike never came to town without stopping to see me.

[Sergeant Preston]

Yes, yes, I know.

[Oliver]

According to Fred, Mike drew out his dust and then headed back toward his claim. If I didn't know he went to the bank, I'd say he was shot on his way into town.

[Sergeant Preston]

I see. But I don't know.

[Oliver]

I'm just glad you're here, Sergeant, because I want to see the man that murdered Mike hang. The sooner he does, the easier I'll rest.

[Sergeant Preston]

I can't promise you how soon he'll be brought to justice. But he will be. You. You didn't find any of the dust on him?

[Oliver]

Not a trace of it. Even the poke he carried with him was gone. Here. I'm keeping you out in the cold. I guess you're going into the cafe.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, I thought I'd find some news by going in talking to the boys, but we've had enough news for a while. King.

[Oliver]

That's funny. Look at King. He's watching Fred and that man with him.

[Sergeant Preston]

I don't know who he is.

[Oliver]

Well, Sergeant Preston, what's that monkey happen for?

[Sergeant Preston]

Quiet, King. Quiet, boy. That's better, boy. How are you, Fred?

[Oliver]

Fine.

[Sergeant Preston]

Hello, Oliver.

[Oliver]

Fred going inside?

[Sergeant Preston]

Why, yes. Yes, we're going in. How about it, Oliver?

[Oliver]

I'm sure not going in to celebrate anything. Yeah. Still feel pretty bad about Mike, Oliver, huh? I don't blame you. We all do. Excuse me. A minute. I see Joe Higgins over there. I want to talk to him. Yeah, go ahead, Fred.

[Sergeant Preston]

I wondered if he'd introduce his friend. Friend?

[Oliver]

Maybe he thought you knew him.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, hardly. If I did, I'd have spoken to him. No, no, I don't know him. But King here does.

[Narrator]

Sergeant Press. And watched the two men make their way through the room. His face was thoughtful as he noticed the banker speak for a moment to Joe Higgins at the far end of the bar. Then the two walked to a table in the corner. The man looked over his shoulder quickly, as if to make sure no one was listening before he spoke.

[Sergeant Preston]

That's the one I told you I saw, Mountie.

[Oliver]

You told me you were ready to drop him when that dog started for you.

[Sergeant Preston]

Dog? I should have dropped him.

[Oliver]

Why didn't you?

[Sergeant Preston]

Because when that mutt started coming at me, that policeman was right behind him with a gun in his hand.

[Oliver]

You could have stopped them both.

[Sergeant Preston]

Not the way that dog was coming, I couldn't. I came back here to warn you.

[Oliver]

Warn me? Listen, we're in the clear. Yeah.

[Sergeant Preston]

That mount he was talking to, the friend of the prospectors.

[Oliver]

What difference does that make? Oliver doesn't suspect a thing. You're new here. You just came in from the state, see?

[Sergeant Preston]

Just so long as you don't say

[Oliver]

where in the states, you're safe here.

[Sergeant Preston]

I got my fellow looking out from behind bars. Johnson, you better handle this right.

[Oliver]

If you keep your mouth shut and don't run from every loose lead dog in the Yukon, we won't have anything to worry about.

[Sergeant Preston]

I ain't running from any dogs. But Preston's one mountie I don't even to cross.

[Oliver]

Preston's like all the rest of them. If you're smart, you'll stay with me and you'll clean up enough to leave this country a rich man.

[Sergeant Preston]

I always wondered how bankers got their money.

[Oliver]

It's an easier way to get gold than digging for it.

[Sergeant Preston]

Though.

[Narrator]

He talked to Oliver, Sergeant Preston watched the two men at the far end of the room closely.

[Oliver]

King here looks like he's waiting for something.

[Sergeant Preston]

He's just given me an idea. Oliver. How can a dog. King and I work together. He's been right every time he's ever started after something.

[Oliver]

Well, they do say a dog's got a sixth sense.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, I don't know whether it's a sixth sense or not, but if that's what they call it, I won't disagree.

[Oliver]

Where you going?

[Sergeant Preston]

I just want to talk to Fred. We thought we'd join you Fred? Sure.

[Oliver]

Pull up a chair. Yeah, I'll take that one, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Preston]

You're a stranger in Fort Mont, aren't you?

[Oliver]

Yeah. Oh, I forgot. You and the sergeant don't know each other, so. Sergeant, this is Slim West. Slim, Sergeant Preston.

[Sergeant Preston]

Hi. How do you do? Staying with Fred, Slim?

[Oliver]

Yes, he's staying with me for a while. That is, until he gets staked out on his own.

[Sergeant Preston]

It's mighty nice of you to help him out.

[Oliver]

Oh, it isn't as if we were strangers. Say, what do you two have? Forget about me, Fred. I'm not drinking.

[Sergeant Preston]

Nor am I. You go right ahead and order.

[Oliver]

Well, if you're sure you don't want anything. Two specials for him.

[Sergeant Preston]

Oliver told me about Mike.

[Oliver]

Yes, that was a shame. Mike was one of the. Well, I guess you could call him one of the finest men here in Fort Marm.

[Sergeant Preston]

I understand he drew his dust out of the bank a short time before he was murdered.

[Oliver]

Yes, sir, he did. And I told him it was very unwise. You know how Mike was headstrong. You couldn't tell him anything once he made up his mind. Do you think you'll catch the murderer, Sergeant? Everyone knows he was robbed. Killed for his gold.

[Sergeant Preston]

Sometimes takes quite a while to bring a killer to justice.

[Oliver]

You've got a sizable job on your hands. Count of the snowstorm. There are no tracks. Ah, here come the drink, Slim. There's a unit there. That's it, Clem. I'll take care of it, Slim. Let's see. Seems as if the cafe's nearly empty. You should be getting back the bank, Fred, now. Can't be away too long. There you are, Clem.

[Sergeant Preston]

Would you mind if I look at that poke, friend? Ms. Polk. Yes. I thought I saw some initials on it.

[Oliver]

No, you imagine things, Sergeant. I've never had my initials on this.

[Sergeant Preston]

Don't put it away, Fred. I asked to see it.

[Oliver]

I'm not putting it away.

[Sergeant Preston]

Gun.

[Oliver]

I was reaching for Fred.

[Sergeant Preston]

If it's your Polk, let's see it.

[Oliver]

It's not my Polk.

[Sergeant Preston]

That's what I thought. You know, Fred, you can't hear that,

[Oliver]

so I'll hand it to you. You noticed something I overlooked. I forgot about initials on that Polk. What's this all about?

[Sergeant Preston]

It's all about how Mike was murdered, Oliver.

[Oliver]

What?

[Sergeant Preston]

Yeah, it's murdered. You were right. He probably didn't go to the bank. He didn't get that far.

[Oliver]

That's about as far as you'll get, Marty.

[Sergeant Preston]

He couldn't have drawn out dust that wasn't there.

[Oliver]

Go on. Let them hear how much you know about it. You won't live to tell anyone else. Please, I don't know nothing about this. You stay where you are. Maybe you'd like to hear the sergeant tell his story of how I killed Mike Gallagher. And when he finishes, I can tell you what will happen. I can't believe it. I'll put this gun in my pocket and you'll all walk in front of me, of me, out of here.

[Sergeant Preston]

Then you'll be found like Mike was found. You won't get away with it, Fred.

[Oliver]

That's what you think.

[Sergeant Preston]

We'll be seen leaving here with you.

[Oliver]

And by the time you're found, I'll be well on my way to Skagway and a boat out of here. No, Marty, it's no use. You're taking orders from me at Mutt.

[Sergeant Preston]

All right, King, get him.

[Oliver]

I'll get him myself.

[Sergeant Preston]

Out of the way.

[Narrator]

I got the gun.

[Oliver]

Knocked it right out of his hand. Get him away from me. All right, kid.

[Sergeant Preston]

All right, boy. Well, I'll put these handcuffs on you, Fred, just so you won't reach for a gun again.

[Oliver]

Clem, I guess you'll have to carry Slim. That was a real shot you gave him, Sergeant. But I never saw anything like King.

[Sergeant Preston]

Talk about sixth sense. King's responsible for catching these murderers, Oliver. Slim must have been leaving Fort Munn this morning when he saw me breaking camp, getting ready to come through. He wanted to warn Fred, so he came back here. How King knew he was watching or what his intentions were, I don't know. But when we met Fred and Slim outside the cafe, he started growling.

[Oliver]

Yeah, that's right.

[Sergeant Preston]

Well, that was when I began wondering. I wondered why Slim would warn Fred. A policeman was headed this way. Until I remembered Oliver saying he suspected Mike hadn't been to the bank. It'll be simple enough for Fred to make it seem that Mike had drawn out his dust when in reality, he'd been stealing it.

[Oliver]

And when you saw the initials on the poker?

[Sergeant Preston]

I said I thought I saw some initials on it.

[Narrator]

What?

[Sergeant Preston]

You mean there aren't any initials? Well, you'll have to look to see. Fred wasn't sure either. He just knew he was carrying around Mike's poker gold and his conscience did the rest.

[Oliver]

Now, I'll be doggone.

[Sergeant Preston]

Yes, King, the case is closed.

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[Oliver]

21 terms and conditions apply.

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[Narrator]

Mounted Police, Sergeant Preston and the Great Dog King maintain the right and get their man. Don't miss their next thrilling adventure when they meet the Challenge of the Yukon once again on Saturday at this same time. Challenge of the Yukon, a copyrighted feature of the Challenge of the Yukon Incorporated, brought to you every Saturday at this time, originated in the transcription studios of the WXYZ Detroit. The characters and events in tonight's drama were fictitious. Bill Morgan speaking. This is the Michigan Radio Network.

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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 YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Tom 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 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.

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