
Original Air Date: June 26, 1960Host: Andrew RhynesShow: GunsmokePhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• William Conrad (Matt Dillion)• Parley Baer (Chester)• Georgia Ellis (Kitty)• Howard McNear (Doc) Editorial Supervisor:• John Meston Writer:• Marian ...
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Campaign Representative
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Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.
William Conrad
Around Dodge City and in the territory on west. There'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 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 lone.
Campaign Representative
Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it.
Teen Advocate
A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, if I try this once, it won't be that much of a problem. But then eventually it becomes a problem.
Campaign Representative
It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids from Nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoregon kids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund.
Mr. Foss
Barkeep. Barkeep.
Matt Dillon
What do you have?
Mr. Foss
I was told I'd find the marshal in this place.
Matt Dillon
Well, I. I don't rightly see him.
Mr. Foss
Here now at his office. They said he'd be here.
Matt Dillon
Well, he ain't.
Mr. Foss
A man should be able to find the marshal.
Matt Dillon
Now, listen, mister, it ain't up to me.
Mr. Foss
Miss Kitty.
Matt Dillon
Yes, Sam? This man's uncommon anxious to see the marshal.
Mr. Foss
You know where he is?
Miss Kitty
Well, no, Sam, I don't. Have you tried his office, mister?
Mr. Foss
Of course I've tried his office. They told me he was headed here.
Miss Kitty
Well, he may be, but I haven't seen him until now. Hey, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Ah, hello, Kitty. I'm Marshall.
Miss Kitty
Matt. This man's waiting to see you.
Matt Dillon
Is that so?
Mr. Foss
Are you the marshal?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm the marshal. Matt Dillon.
Mr. Foss
My name is Foss. Marshal Jasper Foss.
Matt Dillon
All right, Mr. Foss, what can I do for you?
Mr. Foss
I figured you'd ought to know about the telegraph line.
Matt Dillon
What telegraph line?
Mr. Foss
Why, the one just strung out west of town.
Matt Dillon
What about it?
Mr. Foss
Somebody's cut it, that's what about it.
Matt Dillon
Well, how do you know?
Mr. Foss
I was riding past, that's all I know. About a mile or a mile half out.
Matt Dillon
Did you see anybody?
Mr. Foss
Oh, nobody I could recognize. I seen a horse hightailing in the distance. I couldn't tell no more than that.
Matt Dillon
When was this?
Mr. Foss
Oh, hour ago, maybe. I figured you'd want to take a look around.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, thanks, Mr. Potts. I guess I better.
Mr. Foss
Mr. Jones, you reckon that fellow knows what he was talking about?
Matt Dillon
Well, I don't know yet, Chester.
Mr. Foss
I swear we rode most a mile already. There ain't been no break.
Matt Dillon
I guess we can make it a little farther.
Mr. Foss
Sure, we can make it. We can make it all right.
Matt Dillon
But I was just wondering if it.
Mr. Foss
Was worth all this cracking around in the hot sun. You know, a man's brain can go get addled by too much, huh?
Matt Dillon
Sometimes it doesn't take too much, son.
Mr. Foss
How's that?
Matt Dillon
Never mind. Justin, look up there ahead.
Mr. Foss
Well, I do declare. Looks like them army fellas is out riding theirselves.
Matt Dillon
Uhhuh. So, working on the line? All right. Morning. You tell me where the lieutenant is. Oh, I see. Ah, Lieutenant, are you having trouble with the line?
Mr. Foss
I've been cut, Mr. Dillon?
Matt Dillon
Yes, Mr. Gallander. Yeah, I see him. You holding that man for it, Lieutenant? He's under guard. I see. He is. You mind if I talk to him? He's my prisoner. Well, I'm the U.S. marshal from Dodge. Oh.
Mr. Foss
Well, in that case, I suppose it.
Matt Dillon
Wouldn'T do any harm. No, I guess not. All right, Chester, you hold my horse.
Mr. Foss
Yes, sir. Put your back to us.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Small Hawk.
Small Hawk
Small Hawk is dishonored before his old friend.
Matt Dillon
Sorry to see you like this.
Small Hawk
The marshal will have them set Small Hawk free.
Matt Dillon
I don't know if I can do that. Did you cut the wire?
Small Hawk
It was cut by my knife.
Matt Dillon
And they have a right to hold you?
Small Hawk
They have no right to send the wire across the land.
Matt Dillon
Why not? Wire doesn't hurt you.
Small Hawk
It is bad. Magic carries bad sounds across the land of my people.
Matt Dillon
It can be good magic, too, Small Hawk.
Small Hawk
A white man makes no good magic for my people.
Matt Dillon
I wouldn't be too sure white soldiers.
Small Hawk
Will shoot Small Hawk.
Matt Dillon
I don't think you need worry about that.
Small Hawk
Small Hawk not afraid.
Matt Dillon
No, I know that. But just the same, I think I'll ride along when they take you to the fort.
Campaign Representative
Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it.
Teen Advocate
A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, if I try this once, it won't be that much of a problem. But then, eventually it becomes a problem.
Campaign Representative
It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids from nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoregonkids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action.
Expedia Advertiser
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Matt Dillon
Now, this is an unusual request, Marshall Dillon. Yes, Colonel, I know it is. But I think it might do some good in our dealings with the Indians. I don't know. The army hasn't found it wise to be too lenient. You're not telling me that the army believes the only good Indian is a dead Indian? No. No, Marshall, certainly not. But I know this man, Colonel. Small Hawk is not a troublemaker. He cut the wire. He cut it out of fear. It's been cut several times. Small Hawk says he cut it only once, and I believe him. What do you want me to do? I'd like you to release Small Hawk to me, Colonel Hooper. How can I be sure he won't go right out and cut the wire again because I'll be responsible for it. You have a lot of confidence in this Indian, Marshal. Yes, I have. Well, what do you base it on? Taking away his fear. How do you propose to do that? I think I can show him that the wire isn't bad magic. Then he'll leave it alone. All right, Marshal Dillon, I'll release him to you. Thank you. But remember this. We're all in for serious trouble if he touches that wire again. Yeah, so is Small Hawk. It's right down at the end of the block. Small Hawk?
Small Hawk
Marshall is Small Hawk's friend.
Matt Dillon
Sure I am.
Small Hawk
If it were not so, I would not walk with him. I know that Small Hawk would no go to house of White Man's magic.
Matt Dillon
I want to show you it can be good magic. Small Hawk. Now, here we are. Let's go in, Hank.
Mr. Foss
Howdy, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Hank, you got a man out at the Western station to take messages off a new line?
Mr. Foss
Yeah, Marshall, sure.
Matt Dillon
We have any way of getting a message to the Indian encampment on the river?
Mr. Foss
Well, our man out there says there's usually a couple of braves standing around watching him. He could tell it to them, I guess.
Matt Dillon
Why? Because my friend wants to send a telegram.
Small Hawk
Small Hawk does not trust bad magic.
Matt Dillon
You trust me, don't you?
Small Hawk
Yeah.
Matt Dillon
All right, then listen to me. Now, they took your horse at the fort, didn't they?
Small Hawk
Soldiers took horse. Yeah.
Matt Dillon
So you got a long walk home.
Small Hawk
Small Hawk will walk with his head.
Matt Dillon
High, but it would be even higher if you were on horseback. Now, what if the wire carried word to your son to bring you a horse?
Small Hawk
There is that magic in the wire.
Matt Dillon
There's that magic.
Small Hawk
Small Hawk will see if horse comes.
Matt Dillon
That's fair enough. You tell me your son's name.
Small Hawk
Brown Wing.
Matt Dillon
All right, Hank, you tell your man to get a message to Brown Wing to bring a horse to the roadport just outside Dodge. Tell him his father will be waiting. All right.
Mr. Foss
Marshall, there's just one thing.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, what's that?
Mr. Foss
Who's going to pay for it, you or the Indian?
Matt Dillon
The government ought to pay for it.
Mr. Foss
Now, Marshall, that kind of money ain't easy to collect.
Matt Dillon
I know that better than you. All right, I'll pay for it, Hank. Come on, Small Hawk. We better get you started out to meet your horse.
Miss Kitty
Thanks for the beer, Ma.
Matt Dillon
That's all right, Kitty. I think you're worth buying a beer for once in a while.
Miss Kitty
I'm surprised you have to order it like us ordinary people.
Matt Dillon
Oh, just what does that mean why.
Miss Kitty
From what Chester's been telling me, you've been working magic tricks with a telegraph line.
Matt Dillon
Chester thinks that's pretty funny, does he?
Miss Kitty
No, not exactly funny, Matt. He was really pretty impressed.
Matt Dillon
Well, I hope it worked, that's all.
Miss Kitty
I'm surprised you could talk that starchy colonel into letting Small Hawk go.
Matt Dillon
Oh, you know the colonel.
Miss Kitty
I met him once. I never figured him to give anybody any kind of chance, much less an Indian.
Matt Dillon
Maybe he wants to be able to say I told you so.
Miss Kitty
He'd enjoy that. I know that much.
Mr. Foss
Oh, hello, Marshall.
Matt Dillon
How are you folks?
Mr. Foss
Found I was right about that wire, didn't you?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you were right.
Mr. Foss
I been wanting to talk to you about that.
Indeed Advertiser
I'll see you later.
Matt Dillon
No, there's no need for you to leave, Kitty.
Miss Kitty
I want to see Sam.
Matt Dillon
No. All right. Well, what's on your mind today, Mr. Foss?
Mr. Foss
Well, I just wanted to tell you you'd ought to be keeping an eye on things.
Matt Dillon
Oh, that happens to be my job.
Mr. Foss
Well, sometimes doing a good job ain't enough, Marshall. Sometimes a man can get fooled. Even so.
Matt Dillon
That so?
Mr. Foss
Yes, sir. Now, I done a good job. All my life, I done a good job. But it weren't enough. You got to remember that now. It weren't enough.
Matt Dillon
What happened to you?
Mr. Foss
Why, they let me go. Marshal Dillon said I wasn't good enough no more. Said I was too old. Put in some young greenhorn that won't even know as much as I've already forgot. They just turned me out overnight like I was a old, broke down horse.
Matt Dillon
I'm Sorry about that, Mr. Foss.
Mr. Foss
Well, they had no right to do a thing like that. I'm a better man than that young feller, Marshal Dillon. And I'm going to show him about 2.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you do that, Mr. Foss. Well, I gotta be getting back to the office. Oh, yeah.
Mr. Foss
You go tend to your job, Marshall. And watch out for that Indian.
Matt Dillon
Or do you leave that to me, huh? Don't you worry about him.
Mr. Foss
Oh. Oh, I ain't worrying about him, Marshall Dillon. No, not at all. A seven or a three? Three. Matt, you got to come up with a seven or three. Yeah.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Well, let me see here, man. Good.
Mr. Foss
You have to go at the boneyard?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Mr. Foss
Go ahead, draw.
Matt Dillon
All right. I'm drawing, Doc.
Mr. Foss
Go right ahead. Take another. Oh, I must say, Matthew, you don't play dominoes any better than you play checkers.
Matt Dillon
You're talking pretty big for a man who just won his first game this week.
Mr. Foss
Well, it's not whether I win or not, Madison, that I make the moves better.
Matt Dillon
I hope you don't figure like that about your patience.
Mr. Foss
About my patience?
Matt Dillon
Well, it doesn't matter whether you cure them or not. So you make a few moves.
Mr. Foss
Oh, don't you worry about my patience. I'll take it. Oh, how's your Indian getting along?
Matt Dillon
Oh, fine, I guess. I think I finally got it through his head that the telegraph wire wasn't strung up there just to work some black magic.
Mr. Foss
You were lucky.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Doc, I guess I was. But Small Hawk is mighty pleased.
Mr. Foss
Oh, you've seen him?
Matt Dillon
No, but he had the agent out at the other end send me a message back.
Mr. Foss
Oh, is that so? What did he say?
Matt Dillon
Just one word. Good.
Mr. Foss
Well, the telegraph company isn't going to make much money out of him at that rate.
Matt Dillon
Maybe not, but it'll save him money having him leave their lines alone.
Mr. Foss
Mr. Dillon. Oh, hello, Doc. Hey, Chester.
Matt Dillon
Lots of trouble, Mr. Dillon.
Mr. Foss
You know that fella, Ted Creel?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know him. What a. What's he done?
Mr. Foss
Well, he ain't done nothing, Mr. Dunham. He just come in from out west of town.
Matt Dillon
I want no law against that.
Mr. Foss
Well, of course not, Mr. Dillon, but he told me he seen a troop of cavalry from the fort.
Matt Dillon
What about it?
Mr. Foss
They had an Indian with him, all tied up like he is a prisoner.
Matt Dillon
Oh, Did Creel know who he was?
Mr. Foss
He thought he was that fellow small hawk, Mr. Dunn.
Matt Dillon
I was afraid he might. All right, Chester, get the horses.
Mr. Foss
Sounds like your magic might not have.
Matt Dillon
Worked after all, man. Yeah, Doc, it does.
Teen Advocate
Use of flavored tobacco by teens is a crisis. Tobacco companies use flavors like cotton candy, watermelon ice and cool mint to hook kids like me. They seem harmless, but they aren't. Addiction to nicotine sets us up for a lifetime of health problems. Organ legislators can do something about it. Passing Senate Bill Seminos will keep flavored tobacco away from kids. But there are just a few short weeks left for lawmakers to act, take action to protect kids like me. @ flavorshookorgankids.org paid for by the Campaign.
Campaign Representative
For Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund.
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Matt Dillon
Now, this is very regrettable, Marshall. Yeah. My superiors will want a full explanation. I'd like one, too. Well, you might. You gave me a word you'd be responsible for that Indian. My word still goes, Colonel. A little late now. You're not sure. He cut your wire this time. My men picked him up right near the break. I'd still like to know what he has to say. He's right in here. Guard. Yes, sir. The marshal has permission to see the prisoner. Yes, sir. I'll be in my office when you finish. Thank you, colonel. Well, Small Hawk, it is, as I said, bad magic. Did you cut the wire?
Small Hawk
The marshal will believe We've never doubted each other, Smallhawk. The marshal speaks true.
Matt Dillon
All right. Now, how about the wire?
Small Hawk
Small Hawk did not cut it.
Matt Dillon
Did any of your tribesmen cut it?
Small Hawk
The braves of my tribe believe the good magic of the wire, as the marshal taught us.
Matt Dillon
Then you're telling me that no Indian had anything to do with this latest break?
Small Hawk
That is what Small Hawk says you believe? Yes, I believe the marshal will release me.
Matt Dillon
I can't do it this time, Small Hawk. At least not yet. But I'll tell you something. If there's any way of tracking down the man who did cut that wire, you'll be out of here soon.
Mr. Foss
I'll tell you something, Mr. Jones.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, what's that? Chester Fox.
Mr. Foss
Folks back in Dodge was wondering whether it was worth it stringing that line way out west here when it first went up. And I'm about to agree with it.
Matt Dillon
I don't know. Course, there's been a lot of trouble.
Mr. Foss
But they sure have. Now with all this cutting going on, looks like we've got Indian trouble all over again.
Matt Dillon
Oh, maybe not. Right over there. Looks like the place.
Mr. Foss
Sure has been a lot of horses around here.
Matt Dillon
I hope they haven't trampled all the tracks. Looks like they tried, huh?
Mr. Foss
You finding anything, Mr. Duncan?
Matt Dillon
I can't be sure yet. This might be a lead. Looks like this might be something, Chester.
Mr. Foss
There ain't much to choose from in all them tracks.
Matt Dillon
But these seem to lead out by themselves, though. Let's follow them for a while, huh?
Mr. Foss
Now, them tracks don't look like they was made by no Indian pony, Mr. Johnson.
Matt Dillon
No, Chester, they don't. All right, come on, Mr. Dillnut. Huh?
Mr. Foss
They just go and cross the country, Amos.
Matt Dillon
Like? Not quite. How's that? And if you see, we're a lot closer to Dodge than we were back there at the telegraph line.
Mr. Foss
Well, that's right. I guess you're right. Them tracks didn't start off the Dodge, though, did they?
Matt Dillon
No.
Mr. Foss
Like somebody was laying a false trail on purpose.
Matt Dillon
Now, that's the way it looks to me, Chester. Wait a minute. Look. They're heading off toward that shack over there.
Mr. Foss
Yeah, it don't look like much of a place to live. Half fallen down that way. Reckon Anybody's here, Mr. John?
Matt Dillon
I don't know, but we'll find out.
Mr. Foss
Well, there's no need for pounding. Marshall.
Matt Dillon
Hello, Mr. Foss. Didn't know you lived out here. Oh, it's Chester Proudfoot.
Mr. Foss
Glad to meet you, Mr. Foss. Proudfoot. What brings you out this way, Marshal?
Matt Dillon
That's that telegraph line you're so interested in.
Mr. Foss
I'm glad to see you're on the job. Oh, not that it'll do you any good. I was always on the job myself. I remember that.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you told me. I see you've been out looking it over out there.
Mr. Foss
Looking what over?
Matt Dillon
The line.
Mr. Foss
What makes you say that?
Matt Dillon
Well, we followed your tracks here.
Mr. Foss
My tracks?
Matt Dillon
You want to tell me how you happened to be out there?
Mr. Foss
I told you the other day. I was riding past.
Matt Dillon
You were talking about the other break in the line that day, Mr. Foss. This one was a mile or so.
Mr. Foss
You sure about that?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I'm sure.
Mr. Foss
Well, I'll tell you, Marshall, it's only right that I've been keeping track of that line.
Matt Dillon
Oh, how's that?
Mr. Foss
That I was near 25 years sending messages out over lines just like them. I got an interest in them, you might say.
Matt Dillon
That's what your job was, Sending messages.
Mr. Foss
I had a mighty nice touch on the key. Mighty nice touch. These green horns can come close to it.
Matt Dillon
The telegraph people were the ones who took away your job then.
Mr. Foss
And was the ones, all right. A man with a touch like mine.
Matt Dillon
I guess you would have an interest in the line, Mr. Force. You might even have an interest in seeing that it didn't go through.
Mr. Foss
Well, Marshall, I don't even know what you're talking about.
Matt Dillon
I think you've been cutting that wire right regular. I think you figured it was a way to get back at the people who cost you your job.
Mr. Foss
Now, you hold on a minute, Marshall. What about that Indian? He was the one who cut it. He said so.
Matt Dillon
He cut it once, Mr. Foss, and he admitted it. But you did it the other times, didn't you? I said, didn't you?
Mr. Foss
You know, don't you, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Yeah, I know.
Mr. Foss
I figured it'd be all right. We already had the Indian. It wouldn't matter anymore.
Matt Dillon
It mattered to the Indian.
Mr. Foss
I guess you're right. Will you be taking me in, Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Mr. Foss
Man has to do his job. Always believed in a man doing his job. But, Marshall, climbing around them lines and all.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Mr. Fuss.
Mr. Foss
I showed him I wasn't so old, didn't I?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, you showed him all right. Sam him up a horse. Chester, get back to town.
Campaign Representative
Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it.
Teen Advocate
A lot of of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, I tried this once. It won't be that much of a problem. But then eventually it becomes a problem.
Campaign Representative
It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids from nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoreegonkids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action.
Expedia Advertiser
Fund Packages by Expedia. You were made to be rechargeable. We were made to package flights, hotels and hammocks for less. Expedia Made to travel.
William Conrad
Gun Smoke produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon. U.S. marshal story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Marion Clark with editorial supervision by John Meston. Charlie Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is kidding. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on gun smoke.
Matt Dillon
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com.
Matt Dillon
Become one.
Andrew Rines
Of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Technogod 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.
Teen Advocate
Use of flavored tobacco by teens is a crisis. Tobacco companies use flavors like cotton candy, watermelon ice and cool mint to hook kids like me. They seem harmless, but they are. Addiction to nicotine sets us up for a lifetime of health problems. Oregon legislators can do something about it. Passing Senate Bill 702A will keep flavored tobacco away from kids, but there are just a few short weeks left for lawmakers to act. Take action to protect kids like me@.
Campaign Representative
Flavorshookorgonkids.Org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund Packages by Expedia.
Expedia Advertiser
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Title: Line Trouble – Gunsmoke (06-26-60)
Host: Andrew Rines
Release Date: June 8, 2025
In this episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast, host Andrew Rines presents a digitally restored version of the classic Gunsmoke episode titled "Line Trouble." Set against the rugged backdrop of Dodge City and its surrounding territories, the story delves into themes of trust, redemption, and the clash between traditional beliefs and modern advancements.
The narrative centers around the sudden disruption of a telegraph line west of Dodge City. U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon (portrayed by William Conrad) is tasked with investigating the cause behind the cuts. Suspicion initially falls on Small Hawk, a Native American whose actions seem enigmatic and tied to his cultural beliefs about magic and technology.
As Marshal Dillon navigates the complexities of the case, he grapples with his own prejudices and the evolving dynamics between settlers and the indigenous population. The investigation leads him to confrontations with Chester Foss, a former telegraph operator whose resentment over losing his job fuels his involvement in the sabotage.
Initial Investigation
Mr. Foss (00:55):
"I was told I'd find the marshal in this place."
[03:48]
Matt Dillon (02:45):
"I'm that man, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet."
[02:45]
Mr. Foss (08:03):
"Small Hawk is dishonored before his old friend."
[07:20]
Confrontation with Small Hawk
Small Hawk (07:20):
"Small Hawk is dishonored before his old friend."
[07:20]
Matt Dillon (07:35):
"And they have a right to hold you?"
[07:35]
Small Hawk (07:43):
"Why not? Wire doesn't hurt you."
[07:43]
Matt Dillon (11:04):
"They took your horse at the fort, didn't they?"
[11:04]
Revelation and Redemption
Matt Dillon (16:15):
"I think I finally got it through his head that the telegraph wire wasn't strung up there just to work some black magic."
[16:03]
Mr. Foss (20:01):
"I'll tell you something, Mr. Jones."
[20:01]
Matt Dillon (24:34):
"I think you've been cutting that wire right regular. I think you figured it was a way to get back at the people who cost you your job."
[24:34]
Mr. Foss (25:02):
"You know, don't you, Marshall?"
[25:02]
Matt Dillon (25:18):
"Yeah."
[25:18]
Marshal Matt Dillon: Portrayed as a principled and empathetic lawman, Matt navigates the investigation with a blend of skepticism and willingness to understand different perspectives. His interactions reveal his internal conflict between upholding the law and recognizing the underlying motives of those he pursues.
Chester Foss: A former telegraph operator displaced by modernization, Foss embodies the frustration and resentment felt by individuals sidelined by progress. His actions serve as a catalyst for the unfolding drama, highlighting the societal tensions of the era.
Small Hawk: Representing the indigenous viewpoint, Small Hawk's defiance against the telegraph line underscores the cultural clashes and the struggle to maintain traditional beliefs in the face of encroaching technology.
Conflict Between Tradition and Modernity: The telegraph line symbolizes the rapid technological advancements of the time, often at odds with traditional ways of life. The sabotage reflects deeper anxieties and resistance to change within communities.
Redemption and Understanding: Matt Dillon's journey portrays the possibility of reconciliation and mutual understanding. By the episode's end, Dillon seeks to bridge gaps, showing growth in his character from mere enforcer to a mediator.
Isolation and Resentment: Chester Foss's character illustrates how isolation and feelings of obsolescence can lead to destructive actions. His conflict with Dillon emphasizes the personal costs of societal progress.
"Line Trouble" weaves a compelling narrative that goes beyond a simple Western showdown. It delves into the nuanced tensions of its time, portraying characters who are emblematic of broader societal shifts. Through masterful dialogue and rich character development, the episode invites listeners to reflect on the costs of progress and the importance of empathy in resolving conflicts.
Andrew Rines successfully brings this classic episode to life with enhanced audio quality, allowing listeners to immerse themselves fully in the evocative sounds and nuanced performances. Whether you're a fan of Gunsmoke or new to old-time radio dramas, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of the Wild West.