Letter of the Law | Gunsmoke (07-15-56)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns – "Letter of the Law" | Gunsmoke (07-15-56)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date Released: August 22, 2025
Original Air Date: July 15, 1956
Episode Title: "Letter of the Law"

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Episode Overview

This episode of Gunsmoke centers on Marshal Matt Dillon’s moral struggle when the strict enforcement of law comes into conflict with compassion and fairness. When an eviction order threatens a reformed man and his pregnant wife, Matt must decide where his loyalty and duty truly lie: to the letter of the law, or the spirit of justice. The story reflects on redemption, the rigidity of legal systems, and the human costs of “doing your duty,” capturing the emotional heartache and tough ethical choices of the American frontier.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Court Order and Brandon Teague's Predicament

• [05:15–09:07]
• Marshal Matt Dillon receives a court order for the immediate eviction of Brandon Teague, a man who failed to register his land deed.
• Teague, now married and expecting a child, is heartbroken and angry, insisting he won’t leave. His wife, Sarah, is equally distressed but pleads for peace.
• Quote:
  • Brandon Teague: “I ain't wore a gun since I got married, Marshal, but I can sure go put one on.” (09:08)

2. Matt Confronts Judge Rambo

• [12:14–14:13]
• Dillon travels to Wichita to discuss the eviction with Judge Rambo, trying to plead for sympathy.
• Judge Rambo justifies the eviction strictly by law, citing the Homestead Act and showing little room for compassion.
• Quote:
  • Judge Rambo: “There's no room for sentiment in the law, Marshal Dillon. What's right is right, and what's legal is legal.” (13:03)

3. Lee Sprague and the Sharp Practices of Power

• [14:38–16:06]
• Dillon confronts Lee Sprague, the local land baron who tipped off the judge. Sprague confesses to exploiting legal loopholes but denies illegality.
• Quote:
  • Sprague: “No man can accuse me of ever doing anything illegal or dishonest. Everybody knows I practice sharp. And I'll go on practicing sharp, too.” (15:11)
• Matt refuses to forcibly evict Teague:
  • “I'm not gonna do it. I couldn't hold my head up if I had any part of the kind of law you and Judge Rambo want.” (15:59–16:04)

4. Escalation and Tragedy

• [16:32–19:23]
• Deputy Jim Haley arrives from Wichita to execute the order. A struggle ensues; Sarah tries to defend her husband and is injured, leading to the loss of their child.
• The emotional weight of the law’s consequences is painfully clear as Doc confirms the baby’s death.
• Quote:
  • Doc: “The baby's dead, man... It's her I've been working on, and she's gonna be all right now, ma'.” (19:02–19:23)

5. Justice Tempered by Mercy

• [19:41–20:12]
• Teague restrains himself from retribution, honoring a promise to his wife, while Matt arrests Haley out of disgust for his actions as a lawman.
• Notable Exchange:
  • Teague: “I just now promised my wife I wouldn't kill you. Don't make me break it." (19:41)
  • Matt: “I'm taking you to Dodge with me... It doesn't make me very proud of being [a lawman].” (19:53–19:57)

6. Resolution: Compassion Wins Out

• [22:22–25:23]
• A week later, Teague, still grieving, comes to Dodge at Matt’s request.
• Sprague, moved by Matt’s appeals and his own experience with loss, deeds the land to Teague legally.
• Quotes:
  • Sprague: “I'm a greedy man, Teak, and I'll take anything I can get legally. But Marshal Dillon here has been talking pretty hard to me lately. I guess I'd have gone right on. And I could have if I heard about your baby.” (24:05)
• Matt assures Teague there may yet be trouble, but intends to see justice done, come what may.
• The episode closes with Marshall Dillon’s reflection:
  • “On the frontier, a horse thief was often caught and hung because someone else's brand was on the animal he'd stolen. But next week, a man is hung because his horse has no brand at all. But that was the West.” (26:28)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Kitty’s Pragmatic Wisdom:
  • “Be sure your gun's loaded, Matt... Wanna bet?” (07:19–07:22)
• Matt’s Defiance of Authority:
  • “You got a lot of power, Judge. There's only one thing wrong. You never learned how to use it.” (14:04–14:15)
• Sarah's Plea for Peace:
  • “I'd rather die than see you go to fighting again, Brandon. Now, you think on it.” (09:20)
• Sprague’s Change of Heart:
  • “I lost my son, Teek. But I lost my wife, too. Taking my land... gonna help you.” (24:05–24:39)

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Important Timestamps

• [05:15] – Marshal Dillon receives the eviction order.
• [09:07] – Teague’s emotional declaration of defiance.
• [13:03] – Judge Rambo’s refusal of leniency.
• [15:59] – Matt’s refusal to enforce the order.
• [17:09] – Deputy Haley arrives, triggering the tragedy.
• [19:02] – Doc confirms the baby’s death.
• [22:22] – The final resolution at the land office.
• [24:39] – Sprague’s admission of empathy and deed transfer.

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Conclusion

"Letter of the Law" is a potent episode highlighting the moral conflicts faced on the frontier. Marshal Matt Dillon walks a tightrope between enforcing the letter of the law and embodying the spirit of justice. The episode’s emotional climax—the loss of a child—underscores the human consequences of inflexible legalism, while its resolution offers a rare moment of hope, where even hardened hearts can find room for compassion. The show's dialogue is direct, sometimes biting, yet always grounded in the gritty realities of the Old West.

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Transcript

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[Matt Dillon]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and before we get into this episode I wanted to do a little PSA and remind you that I put out multiple shows a week of Old Time Radio Westerns. You can check them out by going to otrwesterns.com or looking up OTR Westerns on your podcast application of choice. We are releasing over 10 episodes a week so far, about 100amonth, so definitely want you to check that out again otrwesterns.com and check it out. I also wanted to invite you to check out my sister podcast site otnetcast and that's N E T C A s t so ot n e t c a s tnetcast otnetcast.com we're currently releasing mystery genre shows and this is shows like the Shadow Escape, Suspense and the Whistler and we have plans on bringing other shows to the network for you guys to listen to. So it's my non western old time radio channel that I can kind of do other genres that not only I like but hopefully you would like too. You can check us out by going to otnetcast.com or searching otnet C A S T on your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke. Original air date is July 15, 1956 and the title is Letters of the Law.

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[Chesterfield Cigarettes Announcer]

Gunsmoke brought to you by Chesterfield. Chesterfield packs more pleasure because it's more perfectly packed. Thanks to Accuray, they satisfy the most 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. Gun Smoke Starring William Conrad. The transcribed 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. Oh, morning, Kitty.

[Indeed Announcer]

Well, you're out early today.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm a working man. I have to keep regular hours.

[Indeed Announcer]

Then what were you doing at the long branch at 2:00 clock this morning?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, sometimes it's a regular 24 hours, just like you.

[Indeed Announcer]

At least I make good money at it.

[Matt Dillon]

Kitty, would you really like to see me settle down and run a saloon?

[Indeed Announcer]

You might get to like it.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, I'll do it.

[Brandon Teague]

When?

[Matt Dillon]

When I'm about 50. I thought so.

[Judge Rambo]

Good morning, Miss Kitty.

[Indeed Announcer]

Oh, hello, Chester.

[Brandon Teague]

Here's a letter for you, Mr. Jones.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, thanks, Chester.

[Judge Rambo]

The invoke says it's from Judge Rambo over in Wichita. Anything important?

[Matt Dillon]

It's a court order for eviction. Seems Brandon Teague didn't file legally on his land over by Wagon Mountain.

[Indeed Announcer]

Did you say Brandon Teak?

[Matt Dillon]

How do you know him, Kitty?

[Indeed Announcer]

Everybody knew him. Ron Dabbleing?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he had a pretty bad reputation then, I guess.

[Indeed Announcer]

Doesn't he still?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I haven't seen him for some time, but he's married now and he's trying to prove up some land.

[Indeed Announcer]

Well, I don't envy you trying to put him off it. Brandon Teak never shove very easy. That I recall.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, we're right out there this afternoon, Chester.

[Indeed Announcer]

Be sure your gun's loaded, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Hell, maybe I won't need it, Kitty.

[Indeed Announcer]

Wanna bet?

[Matt Dillon]

No, I guess.

[Brandon Teague]

You ask me.

[Judge Rambo]

Teek's gone build himself a mighty nice place out here, Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he's doing fun. Hello, Tea.

[Brandon Teague]

Hello, Marshall. Chester. How are you? Teek? What brings you out this way?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, here, you might as well read it yourself.

[Brandon Teague]

What's this? Court order. Immediate eviction. What's this all about, Marshal? I got my deed to this place.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, but you failed to register it at the land office.

[Brandon Teague]

Nobody told me about that.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm sorry.

[Brandon Teague]

You'll be a whole lot sorry. You try to put me off this land, Marshal.

[Indeed Announcer]

Brandon, who you talking to?

[Brandon Teague]

You stay inside, sir. It ain't nothing.

[Indeed Announcer]

Then it won't hurt if I come out.

[Brandon Teague]

This is my wife, Marshall Dillon and Chester Proudwood.

[Matt Dillon]

How do you do, miss?

[Indeed Announcer]

Is there trouble, Brandon?

[Brandon Teague]

They say we got no legal right to this place. Sarah. I didn't register the deed or some fool thing. Oh, no, don't you worry. Ain't nobody gonna move us off. Law or no law.

[Matt Dillon]

It's a court order, Teek.

[Brandon Teague]

I ain't wore a gun since I got married, Marshall, but I can sure go put one on.

[Indeed Announcer]

We're gonna have a child, Marshall, most any day now.

[Brandon Teague]

And we ain't moving. We ain't starting over again.

[Indeed Announcer]

Oh, if we have to, we can do it. I'd rather die and see you go to fighting again, Brandon. Now, you think on it.

[Brandon Teague]

It's a hard thing for a man to swallow, but I can't go get her. I ain't putting on my gun.

[Matt Dillon]

Why don't you go in and tell her that?

[Brandon Teague]

When will I tell her? We gotta get off the place.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, there's no hurry.

[Brandon Teague]

What about that immediate eviction?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'll be responsible for that.

[Brandon Teague]

I guess I ought to be be grateful to you.

[Matt Dillon]

No not Te. Not to me. Well, goodbye.

[Brandon Teague]

Bye, Marshall. Chester.

[Judge Rambo]

Bye, Te. When are you gonna put them off, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm going over to Wichita, Chester. I'll find out.

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[Matt Dillon]

Ah. Hello, Judge.

[Judge Rambo]

Marshall. Dylan. What are you doing in Witchita?

[Matt Dillon]

I came to see you, that's all. It's about that court order you sent me, Judge.

[Judge Rambo]

Which court order, Marshal?

[Matt Dillon]

I wanted to evict Brandon Teak off his land near Wagon Mountain.

[Judge Rambo]

Oh, that. Yes, yes, I remember. What's the trouble? Is he putting up a fight?

[Matt Dillon]

No, he isn't.

[Judge Rambo]

Well, he sure must have changed. I remember Teek around here. He was a wild one.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, he's married now, Judge. As a matter of fact, they're expecting a child any day.

[Judge Rambo]

A child?

[Matt Dillon]

Mm. So I told him that they could take their time about moving.

[Judge Rambo]

Take their time?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Judge Rambo]

That order was to evict them at once, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I know that, Judge.

[Judge Rambo]

There's no room for sentiment in the law, Marshall Dillon. What's right is right, and what's legal is legal.

[Matt Dillon]

Look, Judge, Teek's been on that land for over a year. How come this business about failing to register his deed just came up?

[Judge Rambo]

It was only recently brought to my attention.

[Matt Dillon]

And who brought it to your attention?

[Judge Rambo]

Lee Sprague. Not that it makes any difference.

[Matt Dillon]

Lee Sprague, huh? He owns a lot of land around Wagon Mound, doesn't he?

[Judge Rambo]

And he's filed on this. There's nothing irregular about it, Marshall, if that's what you're thinking.

[Matt Dillon]

Legally, I'm sure everything's correct, Judge.

[Judge Rambo]

You can't argue with facts, Marshall. Now stop being a sentimental fool and go do your duty.

[Matt Dillon]

Brandon Teak's a changed man, Judge. He's done more than prove up that land. He's proved himself up, too.

[Judge Rambo]

Homestead Act, 1862, paragraph 12. After one year, if the deed to such land is not duly recorded at the nearest Government?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, never mind, Judge. I know how it reads.

[Judge Rambo]

Then start acting like it. I can hold even the United States Marshal in contempt of court, you know.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, yeah, sure you can. You got a lot of power, Judge. There's only one thing wrong.

[Judge Rambo]

And what's that?

[Matt Dillon]

You never learned how to use it.

[Brandon Teague]

Oh. Marshall Dillon want to talk to you, Sprig. Come in.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank you.

[Brandon Teague]

How'd you know I was in Dodge today?

[Matt Dillon]

I found out. It's about Brandon Teague, Sprig.

[Brandon Teague]

Something wrong?

[Matt Dillon]

No, not legally. Judge Rambo made that pretty clear.

[Brandon Teague]

Want to tell me what's bothering you, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure. I think Brandon Teak deserves that land more than you do.

[Brandon Teague]

Marshall, I'm in the land and cattle business, and I'm making out mighty well. No man can accuse me of ever doing anything illegal or dishonest. Everybody knows I practice sharp. And I'll go on practicing sharp, too.

[Matt Dillon]

Even against a man like Teek, who's hung up his gun and settled down and tried to make a life for him and his family.

[Brandon Teague]

What do you mean, his family?

[Matt Dillon]

There's a child coming any day now.

[Brandon Teague]

Then he's better off in town, Marshal.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Brandon Teague]

My wife stayed in the country. That's why I lost her. Looks to me I'm doing Teek a favor.

[Matt Dillon]

You got an awful easy conscience, Sprague.

[Brandon Teague]

No use arguing, Marshal. You got your order. Now go put him off.

[Matt Dillon]

No, Sprague. I'm not gonna do it.

[Brandon Teague]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

I couldn't hold my head up if I had any part of the kind of law you and Judge Rambo want.

[Brandon Teague]

You mean that?

[Matt Dillon]

I do.

[Brandon Teague]

I ain't gonna let you stand in my way, Marshall. You're in for trouble.

[Judge Rambo]

Here's Brandon teak and his Mrs. Bull talking. That fellow Mr. Jones.

[Matt Dillon]

You recognize him, Chessy?

[Judge Rambo]

No, sir, I don't.

[Brandon Teague]

He's a stranger to me.

[Judge Rambo]

Looks like they're all head up over something, don't it?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Judge Rambo]

Ms. Teake hadn't ought to be standing out in the heat of the day this morning.

[Brandon Teague]

We'll let Marshal Dillon settle this, Haley. He's got nothing to do with it no more, ma'.

[Matt Dillon]

Am.

[Indeed Announcer]

How to do.

[Brandon Teague]

Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

What's the trouble here, T?

[Brandon Teague]

You told me there was no hurry about our leaving, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Ah, wait a minute. Where'd you get that badge, mister? Who are you?

[Brandon Teague]

I'm Jim Haley, Marshal, Deputy sheriff from Wichita.

[Matt Dillon]

Wichita? How'd you get here?

[Brandon Teague]

I took the Santa Fe to Dodge. Then I rented me a horse.

[Matt Dillon]

Answer me, Haley.

[Brandon Teague]

Judge Rambo sent me. I guess he felt the law needed A little enforcing down this way. You got a court order, Marshal, just like the one you had. It's plum legal. And I want you people to pack up and be out of here by tomorrow.

[Matt Dillon]

Just a minute, Haley.

[Brandon Teague]

I can take care of him, Marshall.

[Indeed Announcer]

No, Brandon. There'll be no fighting now, sir.

[Brandon Teague]

You ain't gonna do nothing except move Teek, and right now, no woman. You let go my arm.

[Matt Dillon]

Sarah. Now.

[Brandon Teague]

Now, wait a minute, Marshall. She shouldn't have grabbed my arm like that. I was only trying to do.

[Matt Dillon]

Get his gun, Chester. Yes, she is. She hurt? Te.

[Brandon Teague]

You all right, Sarah?

[Matt Dillon]

I'll be all right.

[Brandon Teague]

She only grabbed his arm. He's gone and hurt her, Marshall, flinging her off like that. Jesse.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, sir. Jump on your horse and ride for Dodge. Tell Doc to get out here.

[Brandon Teague]

F.

[Judge Rambo]

Ain't Doc never coming out of that house?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, it's been a long time, hasn't it? She.

[Brandon Teague]

She shouldn't have grabbed me. I. I didn't mean to hurt her.

[Matt Dillon]

Ailey, why don't you keep quiet? Nobody wants to hear from you.

[Judge Rambo]

Look, Mr. Delaney.

[Matt Dillon]

Doc. Huh?

[Judge Rambo]

You don't look none too happy.

[Brandon Teague]

Well, Doc, the baby's dead, man.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, my, that's too bad.

[Brandon Teague]

Well, I didn't do it. I. I only pushed her a little.

[Matt Dillon]

I told you to shut up, Haley.

[Brandon Teague]

There wasn't a chance of saving the baby. It's her I've been working on, and she's gonna be all right now, ma'.

[Indeed Announcer]

Am.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, well, good for that anyway.

[Brandon Teague]

Doc tell you, Marshall, ya tick.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm sorry to hear it.

[Brandon Teague]

I'm sorry, too. But you can't blame me for it, Haley. I just now promised my wife I wouldn't kill you. Don't make me break it.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on, Haley. I'm taking you to Dodge with me.

[Brandon Teague]

Now, look here. Ain't you forgetting I'm a lawman, too, Marshall, I'd like to forget it.

[Matt Dillon]

It doesn't make me very proud of being one.

[Brandon Teague]

I come here to do a job, and I'm gonna do it. I promised her I wouldn't kill you now, Haley. But you come back here, and I promise you I will. A man can only take so much. I'll be back.

[Matt Dillon]

No, you won't. I'm throwing you in jail for a while.

[Brandon Teague]

Jail?

[Matt Dillon]

Teek, as soon as your wife's better, you come see me, huh? I don't know what I can do. But things aren't going on this.

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[Brandon Teague]

Hello, Chester.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Doc.

[Brandon Teague]

Where's Matt Chester?

[Judge Rambo]

In the office talking to Lee Sprague.

[Brandon Teague]

Sprague? It's a little late to be talking to him, isn't it? I'd say so.

[Judge Rambo]

You sure Brandon? Teek's coming to Dodge today, Doc?

[Brandon Teague]

That's what he told me. There's a neighbor woman staying with his wife. Not that she really needs anybody now.

[Judge Rambo]

Well, I'm glad to hear that.

[Brandon Teague]

It's only been a week, but she's a strong woman. Here we are. Huh?

[Judge Rambo]

Oh, my God. He did come.

[Brandon Teague]

Hello, Doc. Chester. Hello, Teek. How's the patient? She's pretty good, Doc. Being awful brave about it, but I know how she feels. Only time will cure that.

[Matt Dillon]

I guess so.

[Judge Rambo]

Mr. Dillon's in the office. Tiki wanted you to go right on in when you got here.

[Brandon Teague]

Okay.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, hello, Teak. Come on in. You know Lee Sprague?

[Brandon Teague]

Yeah, I know him. Hello, Teak.

[Matt Dillon]

Sprague and I were over at the land office this morning. I think we got everything straightened out.

[Brandon Teague]

What do you mean? Here, take a look at this. What is it? It's a deed to the land you're on, Teak. And this time it's legally registered. Sure. In your name. That's right. You help him with this, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I wanted to be sure that there weren't any loopholes, Tik.

[Brandon Teague]

You know, if it wasn't for my wife, you people would have to shoot me off that place. Teague, I want to tell you something. Ain't you said.

[Matt Dillon]

No.

[Brandon Teague]

Now, listen, I'm a greedy man, Teak, and I'll take anything I can get legally. But Marshall Dillon here has been talking pretty hard to me lately. Sure, and I've been listening to him, too. I guess I'd have gone right on. And I could have if I heard about your baby. Why should that matter to you? I lost my son, Teek. But I lost my wife, too. Taken my land. Gonna help you. You tell him, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

He's not taking your land, Teague.

[Brandon Teague]

That deed's in his name, ain't it? Didn't you go along to be sure he didn't make any mistakes?

[Matt Dillon]

There aren't any mistakes this time. Sprague can deed that land to anybody he wants to. Now, all clear. And it's yours.

[Brandon Teague]

I'm not giving it to you. It's yours. Anyway.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll.

[Brandon Teague]

I'll tell Sarah. And I'll. I'll tell her she was right all along about. About not fighting. Yeah, well, what about you, Marshall? Ain't there going to be trouble? You jailing a deputy sheriff?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, as soon as he gets back to Wichita. I suppose there might be some trouble yet. But don't you worry about that, T. I've always wanted to see California anyway.

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[Matt Dillon]

You know, on the frontier, a horse thief was often caught and hung because someone else's brand was on the animal he'd stolen. But next week, a man is hung because his horse has no brand at all. But that was the West. Good night.

[Chesterfield Cigarettes Announcer]

Gunsmoke, produced and Directed by Norman MacDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Our story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Joseph Kearns, Vic Perrin, Helen Plebe, Paul Dubov and Will Wright. Marley Bear As Chester, Howard McNear as Doc and Georgia Ellis is kidding. Live modern smoke L, M Change to L and M. Only with L and M can you enjoy the full exciting flavor of today's finest tobaccos through the modern miracle of the pure white Miracle tip so light up, free up, let your taste come alive. Live modern smoke L and M. Live.

[Matt Dillon]

Modern change to L and M.

[Chesterfield Cigarettes Announcer]

Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on Gunsmoke.

[Brandon Teague]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

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.

[Matt Dillon]

SA.