Little Sister | Tales of the Texas Rangers (05-04-52)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns – “Little Sister” | Tales of the Texas Rangers (05-04-52)

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: August 20, 2025
Episode Title: Little Sister | Tales of the Texas Rangers (Originally aired May 4, 1952)

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Tales of the Texas Rangers, titled “Little Sister,” the story pivots around a case of youthful crime and family trouble in late 1940s Texas. Ranger Jace Pearson and his partner Clay Morgan investigate a series of movie theater robberies linked to two young sisters. The episode weaves together themes of poverty, manipulation, youthful rebellion, and the consequences of crime, with the Texas Rangers relentlessly pursuing justice for the community.

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Key Discussion Points & Storyline Breakdown

Setting the Scene – Arrival and Reunion (03:00–06:30)

• A 17-year-old girl, Billy Sue (now preferring to be called “Billy”), returns home wearing a flashy red dress. She surprises her younger sister, Buna, and hatches a plan to commit robberies together.
• The family’s background is quickly established: an absent, alcoholic father, poverty, and an air of neglect and desperation.

Notable Dialogue:

“You changed your hair. Used to be brown.”
“I fixed it up a little. You like it, baby?”
— Billy Sue and Buna (03:41)

The Robbery – The Crime Unfolds (06:30–08:15)

• Billy Sue’s plan quickly comes into action as she and Buna rob a local movie theater. Billy Sue is the instigator, encouraging a nervous Buna.
• Their method: the younger girl distracts the cashier with a large bill, paving the way for Billy Sue to threaten the manager, take the money, and use violence to ensure their escape.

Notable Quote:

“Leave that safe open and put your hands up. This is a stick up, buster.”
— Billy Sue, showing her hardened edge (07:22)

The Investigation Begins – Rangers on the Case (08:15–11:26)

• Rangers Jace Pearson and Clay Morgan arrive at the theater soon after the crime. They gather witness statements and physical evidence, quickly identifying the suspects as two young girls.
• The recovery of a stolen blue sedan connects the dots in the girls’ escape.
• Clues such as a blonde hair and a lipstick-stained cigarette butt link the car to the suspects.

Notable Moment:

“Blonde hair stuck in this upholstery… Enough lipstick on it to start a cosmetic factory.”
— Clay Morgan, demonstrating both detective work and dry humor (11:48)

Tracking the Trail – Motel and Store Leads (12:32–20:28)

• The Rangers follow leads to a Half Moon Motel. Helpful motel owner Jensen provides the girls’ pseudonyms and recalls specific details, highlighting their naivety and the elder sister’s worldliness.
• In the motel trash, the Rangers find a dress box and old clothes, connecting the girls to Winston’s Morrison’s Department Store.
• At the store, Miss Daisy identifies the sisters and confirms recent purchases, helping the Rangers close in.

Memorable Quote:

“That little one, Buna. She was in here yesterday… So they must still be around.”
— Miss Daisy, uniting clues with small-town familiarity (20:08)

Confrontation at the Homestead (20:47–22:39)

• The Rangers arrive at the Simpson family’s remote, dilapidated home. Buna is caught hiding, lashing out with a pitchfork but is quickly subdued.
• The confrontation underscores her fear, confusion, and resentment toward Billy Sue.

Notable Moment:

“Little devil, stab me with a pitch—”
— Clay Morgan, interrupted as Buna strikes at him (21:35)

Interrogation and Betrayal (22:39–24:33)

• In custody, Buna turns on Billy Sue, providing the Rangers with vital information. Motivated by betrayal and crushed hopes of a better life with her sister, Buna reveals details about their plans.
• She speaks bitterly about Billy Sue’s manipulations and the role of “Dirty Tim,” a male accomplice.

Revealing Quote:

“That dirty Billy Sue, she got me into this.”
— Buna, venting her anger and sense of abandonment (22:59)

Setting the Trap – Final Showdown (25:02–27:34)

• With Buna’s tip, the Rangers set an ambush at a movie theater in Ogden, where Billy Sue and her boyfriend plan their next heist.
• The plan works: Billy Sue’s attempt is foiled, and she is arrested—bitter and blaming her sister for the betrayal.

Tense Exchange:

“Put your hands up. B—Don’t touch.”
— Billy Sue, caught in the act, her bravado failing in the face of the law (26:29)

Epilogue – Justice Served (28:48–29:16)

• The case concludes with sentences for all involved:
  • Billy Sue sent to State School for Girls, then transferred to women’s prison.
  • Tim, the accomplice, receives jail time.
  • The father is convicted of child abandonment and negligence.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A dress? Can’t you make me tear my party dress?” — Buna, in tears over her only good dress (22:07)
• “You’re going to be sent someplace you should have been a long time ago. To school.” — Jace Pearson to Buna, suggesting a lost childhood (23:53)
• “You ain’t got me yet…” — Billy Sue, defiant but defeated at the arrest (27:00)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Billy Sue’s Return Home and Reunion: 03:25–06:00
• Robbery at Movie House: 06:30–08:14
• Rangers’ Arrival and Crime Scene Investigation: 08:30–11:45
• Evidence Gathering at Motel: 12:32–16:07
• Dress Store Inquiry and Identifying the Sisters: 17:37–20:28
• Simpson Homestead Confrontation: 20:47–22:39
• Interrogation of Buna: 22:39–24:33
• Ogden Theater Stakeout and Arrest: 25:02–27:34
• Case Resolution and Sentencing: 28:48–29:16

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains a gritty, authentic Western tone, full of regional accents, period details, and sharp one-liners. The Rangers display a mix of patience, methodical reasoning, and sympathy, especially in their dealings with the young, misguided Buna. There’s a sense of tragedy underlying the fast-paced detective story—a portrait of rural poverty and broken families fueling desperate actions.

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Summary

“Little Sister” is a classic Texas Rangers episode, blending suspenseful detective work with emotional undercurrents of family, deception, and the consequences of criminal life. The restored audio adds texture and atmosphere to the vividly acted story, making it not just a hunt for outlaws, but a somber meditation on the lives caught in the undertow of the American frontier.

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Transcript

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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 at Absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator]

Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCray as Ranger Jace Pearson. Another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files of the Texas Rangers. Names, dates and places in the following story are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of record.

[Announcer]

Every day, Monday through Friday, there's top entertainment. All day long. When you set your radio dial to NBC, listen for Double or Nothing and you'll hear one of radio's funniest quiz shows. Yes, Walter o' Keefe consistently comes up with great comedy entertainment Monday through Friday on Double or Nothing. Listen and you'll agree. And then there's the program with a heart. Strike It Rich. The grand entertainment that Warren Hull brings you every day on Strike It Rich is just what the doctor ordered. If you suffer from the housework blues from Chicago, Tommy Bartlett brings you welcome travelers and interviews with the many interesting guests who each day pass through the Windy City. And for more fun, listen for Bob and Ray, those two zany comics. Then there's Music and Charm with Dave Garraway. So remember, every day, Monday through Friday, chase your blues away with the wonderful daytime programs on this station of the NBC Radio Network. And now, here's today's adventure with the tales of the Texas Rangers.

[Narrator]

And now, from the files of the Texas Rangers, the case called Little Sister. It is a Thursday afternoon in September 1947. Four miles east of Winston, Texas. A 17 year old girl gets off a bus. She wears a cheap red satin dress, spike heel, patent leather shoes, and carries.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

An imitation alligator suitcase.

[Narrator]

He trudges up a dirt road to a ramshackle house. In the yard a younger girl is pouring slops from a bucket into a pig trough.

[Buna Simpson]

Who are you? How come you know my name? How do you like that? The kid don't even know her own sister, huh? Billy Sue. Yeah. Only it ain't Billy Sue. Now that's a hick name. You just call me Billy. You changed your hair. Used to Be brown. I fixed it up a little. You like it, baby? Yeah, it's real purty. I ain't the only one that's changed. When I left here three years ago, you was a scrawny little kid. You sure filled out. I'm 15 now. You could pass for 18. Yeah. Bet they'd even think he was 19. Where's Pa? I drunk somewhere. I reckon. He ain't been home in near a week. Yeah, he's one. Ain't changed none. Where you get them pigs? Pa steal them. Stole us out. She had a litter. Billy's suit. Billy. Billy. That dress you got on. Nice, ain't it? Sure looks pretty. You reckon I could touch it just once? Sure, baby. You touch it all you want. Feels so smooth. I bought it in Oklahoma City. You been all the way up there? I've been lots of places since I left here. I got myself married, too. Married? Where's your husband? Him. I walked out on him. He was a no good bum, just like Paul. Oh, sure is a pretty dress you got. Yeah. Dumb. Gives me the creeps. It's just like it did three years ago. Even smells the same. What'd you come back for? Look at you. Me? What for? You're gonna help me. We're gonna make a lot of money, you and me. I'll tell you all about it later. First we going in town and get you a new dress. You gonna buy me a dress like the one you got? That'll be just the beginning, baby. You're gonna have 10 dresses as soon as we knock over a few movie houses. Movie houses? What you talking about? You'll see what I mean. Come on, baby. We got a lot of things to do for tonight. How you feeling, Buna? Sick in the stomach. Reckon I'm scared some. Sure, I was scared, too, first time I pulled a job. You'll get over it. Don't go so fat. I can't walk good in these high heels. You get used to them, baby. And that dress sure makes you look great. You fast for 19, easy. You remember everything I told you? Reckon so. Billy sue told you to quit calling me Billy Sue. Billy. So somebody sees me that knows me, forget it. You're 40 miles away from Winston anyhow. Nobody'd know you in that dress. Okay. There's the movie house. You go on up to the ticket window. You gonna be right behind me. Now where you sit? Yeah. Don't you look back at me or nothing. Don't even let her. You know me. I won't. I'll keep Going, Billy, S' pose they catch you, you ain't gonna get close to us. I've done this so many times I could work it in my sleep. But suppose when I ask her for change, she's got it. How many times I gotta tell ya she ain't gonna have change. Manager comes out every half hour or so and gets the money and puts it in her safe. Now start moving. Okay, Billy, one ticket. That's the snack, please. Oh, don't you have nothing smaller than that? That's all I got. I ain't got change for a $20 bill. I have to call the manager. Ms. Bob, I need change for a $20 bill. You bring it right down. You want to step aside and let the lady behind you get her ticket. One, please. Thanks. Here you are. Fine. Okay. Gonna need it to the money. I don't want to talk about it.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

I'm sorry. Oh, something I'll do for you, man?

[Buna Simpson]

Yeah. Leave that safe open and put your hands up. This is a stick up, buster.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Look, you can't get away with it.

[Buna Simpson]

Now give me the money out of that safe and don't try nothing funny or I'll blow your head off. Now look, get moving.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

All right, all right. Yeah.

[Buna Simpson]

You get over in that corner and turn your back.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

What are you gonna do?

[Buna Simpson]

Just get over there and turn around. That's right. This is what I'm gonna do. And one more. That'll keep your mouth shut for a while. Main feet, you'll be up and about 10 minutes. Plenty of room in the lobby. Come on, baby, let's go. Hey, ain't you going away? No, I changed my mind.

[Narrator]

The robbery was discovered a few minutes after the departure of the two girls. The deputy sheriff of that area was summoned and assistance was requested from the Texas Rangers. Forty minutes after the crime was reported, Rangers Jace Pearson and Clay Morgan reached the theater.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Report said the cashier could tell us about it.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Jason, that's probably her talking to those people just inside the door. Let us through here.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Let us through, please.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Evening, ma'.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Am. Are you the cashier here?

[Buna Simpson]

Well, yes, I am, Ranger, and I can tell you everything that happened. It was terrible. It was just terrible.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Is the deputy around, ma'?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Am?

[Buna Simpson]

Well, no. He and he took pull Mr. Bob down to the hospital. But I can tell you all about it just the way it happened. I was the only one seen him both. And I was just telling these people here I was in the ticket booth.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

If you don't mind, maybe we'd better go someplace a little more private.

[Buna Simpson]

Oh, well, we could go up to Mr. Bob's office. I don't reckon he'd mind.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

That'll be fine.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We'd like to see the office anyhow.

[Buna Simpson]

It was just awful, Ranger. The nerve of them two little old hussies.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

How'd you know it was two of them?

[Buna Simpson]

Well, I seen them. The one went in and when she come out, the two of them went off together. Well, I might have been killed.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yes, ma'.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Am.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Everything in this office been left just as it was.

[Buna Simpson]

Well, there was a few people in here before the deputy come. We had to get poor Mr. Bob out here, you know.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Take a look around, Clay, see if you can find anything.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Okay.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You get a good look at both these girls, ma'?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Am?

[Buna Simpson]

I sure did, Ranger. I'd know them any place.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Suppose you tell me what they looked like.

[Buna Simpson]

Well, the little one, she was the one come up to the window first and give me the 20 bill. She had on a loud green dress and she's all painted up like a. Well, you know what I mean.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yeah.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

How old would you say she was?

[Buna Simpson]

Well, not very old. 16, 17 at the most. I remember wondering how she come to have a twenty dollar bill.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

The other one was older?

[Buna Simpson]

Yeah, I reckon she was. She was real hard looking. And she had blonde hair. Course it wasn't natural blonde. I could tell that right away.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Anything else you could remember about them?

[Buna Simpson]

Well, no, except they looked a little bit alike. Not counting the older ones. Dyed hair, of course.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Not much around, Jay. Some blood stains over in the corner. Manager must have taken quite a rap on the head.

[Buna Simpson]

Oh, he did. Poor Mr. Bob. When he come to, he looked so awful. Like a walk in ghost. Of course it wasn't walk in, but that's the way he looked.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Do you remember which direction the girls took when they left the theater?

[Buna Simpson]

Indeed I do. They went down to a Grossman's drugstore.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Thanks.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You have a key to this office, ma'?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Am?

[Buna Simpson]

Why yes. Downstairs in the first.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You mind getting it? We'd like to lock the room up.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Till we get a lab crew here.

[Buna Simpson]

All right, Ranger. You sure there ain't nothing else you want to ask me?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Not right now, ma'. Am.

[Buna Simpson]

Oh, well, I'll be right back in just a minute.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

She'll sure have something to talk about for a while. Yeah. What do you want to do after we close off the room? Jace, check the area around the theater. Uh huh.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Somebody might have seen the girls when they left here. Maybe they haven't had a chance to get too far away yet. We didn't have to check. Far news the robbery had gotten around. A witness who'd been standing outside the drugstore was positive he'd seen the girls drive away in a blue four door sedan. The record showed that a car that description had been reported stolen from a service station in Winston at 5 that afternoon. We were fairly sure this was the getaway car and alerted all units. Following morning we took statements from witnesses including the injured theater manager. At 2pm we received word that the car had been found parked on a side street in Farrell, Texas, 60 miles away. We went there and began looking over the car. Clay, come here and take a look.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

What'd you find, Jason?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Lubrication sticker on the door frame. Car was greased yesterday in Winston. Speedometer read 3250. Then they only put 102 miles on the car after they stole it.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

It's just 100 miles back to Winston. Didn't make any side trips?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I reckon not. See what you can find here in front, Clay. I'll go over the back seat.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Right. Blonde hair stuck in this upholstery. Here's cigarette butt on the floor. Enough lipstick on it to start a cosmetic factory.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

No doubt about it. Now this was their getaway car all right.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Young punks. That cashier at the theater was right. They did have a lot of nerve. Probably more nerve than brains. I don't know.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Took pretty slick timing to catch the manager while he had the safe open. Well, there's not much back here. You nearly finished?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yeah, just about. Soon as I check this. Hey, Jase. Here's some string.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Let's see it. Way it's not. It looks like it was around a box.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yeah. Could have been something these kids were carrying when they got into the car.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, well, let's get over to the hotel and start asking questions.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

You figure they might have stayed here in town last night?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I don't know. But that's something we're gonna find out. We went to the hotel. Nobody answering the girl's description had registered there. We drove back toward Winston, checking motels along the way. Five miles from the place where the car was abandoned. We got our break. The owner of the Half Moon Motel, a man named Jensen, told us the girls had been there the night before.

[Mr. Jensen]

You just stepped his way. Ranges. I got your card in the office. I wrote the license number down myself.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Time the girls checked in last night.

[Mr. Jensen]

Way it's long about midnight. They woke me up.

[Buna Simpson]

They did?

[Mr. Jensen]

Of course, in this business you get woke up pretty near every night.

[Buna Simpson]

Let me see.

[Mr. Jensen]

I got the Cards? Right here in this box here.

[Buna Simpson]

You know, I don't like to be.

[Mr. Jensen]

Nosy, but these gals done something wrong.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

They might be the ones who held up a movie theater last night.

[Buna Simpson]

Is that so?

[Mr. Jensen]

Well, you know, I kind of thought that brown gal was no good.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

What made you think that?

[Mr. Jensen]

The kind of talk she was using. And I could smell liquor on her ten foot away. Cheap stuff it was too.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You find their card yet, Mr. Jensen?

[Mr. Jensen]

Oh, yes, here it is. Helen and Agnes Wilson.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Probably using phony names, Jason.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, but the license number on this card is the same as the one on the stolen car. You show us the room where the girl slept last night, Mr. Jensen?

[Mr. Jensen]

Yeah, be glad to, Ranger. You're just coming along. They had cabin three. It's right across the way. You know that blonde, she talked like she's been around. But the little one, why, shoot, I wouldn't think she'd been nowhere.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Why do you say that?

[Mr. Jensen]

Well, the way she was gawking and fidgeting around in that flashy green dress she was wearing. And when I took him to the cabin, she run right to the mirror and started looking at herself just like she hadn't had the dress long.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Here we are. Uh oh.

[Mr. Jensen]

What's the matter, Angie?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

You clean the room up?

[Mr. Jensen]

Oh, gotta keep em clean. The fella had the business for me, wasn't so particular. Had to have the exterminators out here three times.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Where'd you put the trash you took out of this room, Mr. Jensen?

[Mr. Jensen]

Well, there's one box out here. It's down at the corner of the next cabin. The other one's back by the incinerator. My wife was fixin to burn it. I'll see if I can stop her.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Thanks.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Come on, Clay. We'll go through this box in the meantime.

[Mr. Jensen]

Won't be but a minute, Ranger.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

I'll empty it, Jason. Boy, the things people throw away. Toothbrushes, combs. Hey, look at this. Cardboard box with an old shirt and a pair of jeans inside.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Wait a minute, Let me see that. Remember the wrapping string you found in the car? It was knotted just about right to fit around this box.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yeah, and these old clothes. About the size a kid might wear.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Something else under this tissue paper. Price tag, size 12, 695. Might have been a dress.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Close the box a second, Jase. There's a name printed on the outside.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Morrison's Department Store. Winston.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Well, the car was stolen in Winston. If this box did belong to the girl, seems like they spent a little bit of time there.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, Reckon We've got to get over there ourselves.

[Mr. Jensen]

I'm sorry, Rangers. My wife's already burned that other box of trash.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

That's all right, Mr. Jensen. I think we found what we want. In fact, it might be just what we want.

[Narrator]

In a moment, we will continue with Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jace Pearson.

[Announcer]

In the armed forces of our country today, 40,000 women are working side by side with the young men of our country, filling important, highly specialized jobs of all kinds of. To complete the great defense structure we are building to guard our country's freedom. 72,000 more women are needed in all branches of the service by the middle of the year. Women play an important part in the work of all our American armed forces. The Air Force, for example, has discovered that nearly three quarters of its different jobs can be done by women. And the woman in uniform holds a proud position, absolutely equal with men in pay, benefits and opportunities for training and travel. The requirements? She must be between the ages of 18 and 34, in good health and without dependent children. Young women with college degrees or the equivalent may qualify for officers commissions. Registered nurses and medical specialists also receive commissions and are urgently needed. If you can qualify, you'll be doing a service to your country and yourself by enlisting now in the American armed forces. And now back to Tales of the Texas Rangers.

[Narrator]

We continue now with Tales of the Texas Rangers and our authentic story. Little Sister.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

It was late in the evening when we arrived in Winston. We checked into the hotel, and at 9 the next morning, we headed for Morrison's Department Store. Inquiries proved that the price tag we had found in the motel trash box had come from a dress purchased in the store. The manager directed us to a Miss Daisy Riddell, who ran the dress department. We waited while she finished with a customer.

[Buna Simpson]

Here's your change, Mrs. Dorothy. I'm sure you like your dress. Goodbye. I'm sorry I kept you waiting, Rangers. But it's Saturday. You know we're always so busy on Saturday.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

It's all right, Miss Riddell.

[Buna Simpson]

You just call me Miss Daisy. Everybody in town does. What can I do for you?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

The manager said this price tag came from your department.

[Buna Simpson]

Well, Let me see. $6.95. Yes, that's ours. One of our less expensive numbers.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We think a young girl we're looking for bought it here. We thought you might be able to help us.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Oh.

[Buna Simpson]

Do you have any idea when she bought it?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

We're pretty sure it was Thursday, ma'. Am.

[Buna Simpson]

Thursday? Well, let me see. That was day before yesterday. You remember what color the dress was?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

It was probably green.

[Buna Simpson]

Green? Would you step over here with me? Rainbow. We don't sell many of these $6.95 model. In fact, we had a dreadful time selling them. Between you and me, I don't know whatever possessed Mr. Morrison to buy them. Was it a dress like this one?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We've never seen the dress, but I think it'd be a brighter green.

[Buna Simpson]

Well, I see. Now what about this one?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yeah, yeah, that looks more like our girl speed, doesn't it Jace? Uh huh.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Fits in pretty well with the descriptions we've heard.

[Buna Simpson]

Well, I think I could help you Rangers.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We Certainly appreciate it, Ms. Daisy.

[Buna Simpson]

She came in Thursday afternoon around 3:30. I think it was with her sister.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

You remember their names, ma'? Am?

[Buna Simpson]

Well yes I do. It's Simpson. The younger ones Buena. And the older one's? Oh now let me see. It's Billy Sue, I think.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Did the sister have blonde hair?

[Buna Simpson]

Bleached blonde. She was so particular about the dress she picked up for the younger girl. And you should have seen the thing she was wearing.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You know these girls pretty well?

[Buna Simpson]

Well, I knew their mother when she was alive. She'd come into the store once in a while.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Their father still alive?

[Buna Simpson]

Well, I wouldn't know. I would be surprised if he'd killed himself with drink.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You have any idea where their house is?

[Buna Simpson]

Well, the family used to live here in town, but it seems to me I've heard they live out on one of the hills near town. Now I don't know just where.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Would you know anybody who might be able to give us a lead on where the girls have gone?

[Buna Simpson]

Gone? Arrange. As far as I know they're still around.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

What makes you think that?

[Buna Simpson]

The little one, Buena. She was in here yesterday just before closing time. She bought?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yes ma'. Am.

[Buna Simpson]

Well, she bought an undergarment, so they must still be around.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Uh huh.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Well, thanks very much, Miss Daisy.

[Buna Simpson]

I hope I've been able to help you some rangers.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I think you have, ma'.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Am.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Let's go play. We checked with the sheriff's office and learned that the Simpsons lived on a hill overlooking the main highway four miles east of Winston. We drove there and went up to the door.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Must be somebody inside. Jay. Smokes coming out the chimney. Yeah.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Stand clear when I open the door. That blonde might get ideas about using her gun.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

That's empty. Huh. Somebody's been eating though. Looks like they left in the middle of a meal.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

One plate. Could have been the father.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Maybe. And I wonder where he could have. Hey, Chase out That window.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I don't see anything.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

She just stuck behind that shed. I think it was the little one.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Come on, let's go out the back.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Don't see her going up the hill. She must still be back at that shed.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Fiona, come on out here. All right, play. You start around that way. I'll take this side.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Okay.

[Narrator]

Little devil, stab me with a pitch.

[Buna Simpson]

Away from me. I'll take you too.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

She get your bed?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

No, just in the arm.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Going back to the car. I'll take care of her.

[Buna Simpson]

You stay away from me.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Sure you don't want me to stick around? No.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You better get something on that arm. I'm man.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

All right.

[Mr. Jensen]

Be careful, Jay.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

She's a mean one. Yeah.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Give me that pitchfork, Fiona.

[Buna Simpson]

You get. Don't you come no closer. You get.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Give it to me.

[Buna Simpson]

Yeah, you know it. Oh, you made me. Damn. My dress.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You shouldn't be so handy with pitchforks. Get rid of this right now.

[Buna Simpson]

A dress? Can't you make me tear my party dress?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Where's your sister, Buena?

[Narrator]

Where's Billy Sue?

[Buna Simpson]

Sheen here.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Come on, Buna.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You're going into town.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Come on.

[Buna Simpson]

I ain't going. I go nowhere.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yes, you are if I have to.

[Buna Simpson]

Put me down. Put me down.

[Narrator]

In a minute, Buena, as soon as I help you over to the car.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We drove Buna back to the town and sent a man to cover the Simpson house in case Billy sue showed up. As soon as Clay had his arm checked by a doctor, we took Buena to a quiet office in the county courthouse and began questioning her. We convinced her we knew she and her sister had held up the movie theater. When she realized that her sister was free and she alone would be punished, her resentment toward Billy sue began growing.

[Buna Simpson]

That dirty Billy sue, she got me into this.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Where is she, Buena?

[Buna Simpson]

I don't know. Dirty Billy sue ran out and left me.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

When she run out on you?

[Buna Simpson]

Morning after we stole the money from the movie house. Told me I was going to have 10 dresses just like this one, then run out on me.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Why'd she do that?

[Buna Simpson]

On account of that Dirty Tim had been for him, we'd still be together, not have my new dressing.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Who's Tim?

[Buna Simpson]

Some friend of Billy Sue's husband. We see him in Feral. Right after we got rid of the car we had.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

She planned to meet him there?

[Buna Simpson]

No, she just run into him. Went off a nut about him. We got half drunk and Billy sue told Tim she wanted him to work with us. He said he wasn't gonna work with no kid like me. He drove Me back to Winston and Billy sue made me get out.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Are they around Winston now?

[Buna Simpson]

I don't know. Reckon they took off someplace. They were still half drunk. What you gonna do with me? You gonna put me in jail?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

No.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You're gonna be sent someplace you should have been a long time ago. To school.

[Buna Simpson]

School? I don't wanna go to no school.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

All right.

[Buna Simpson]

Dirty Billy sue, she got me into this. She better not come around me again.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Before you ran into Tim, did Billy sue have any ideas about the next movie house you were going to hit?

[Buna Simpson]

Yeah. He's going to get a big one Sunday night. A real big one. Billy sue figured we'd get close to $300.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Where was this?

[Buna Simpson]

Over to Ogden. It's gonna be easy.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

There's a lot of movie houses in Oregon. Which one was she talking about?

[Buna Simpson]

She said it was the biggest one in town. That's all I know. You gonna catch Billy Sue?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I hope so, Buna.

[Buna Simpson]

I hope you do too. I hope you catch her and that dirty Tim both. Serve them good.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

All right. Buena.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Ranger Morgan will take you over to the sheriff's office. You'll be staying there till they come from the school to pick you up.

[Buna Simpson]

Hey, they gonna let me wear my dress at that school?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

They'll give you another dress.

[Buna Simpson]

Yeah, I know. Some kind of uniform. This year's. Only real dress I ever had. Sure was pretty before it got all tore up.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Put out an all points bulletin on Billy sue and her male companion. Then we drove to Ogden and checked the movie theaters. The largest was the Rio. The next day, Sunday, as soon as the theater opened at 1pm we began to set our trap. We stationed the deputy sheriff outside the theater and we instructed the cashier on what to do and asked the manager to stay away from the entrance and out of sight. Clay and I sat alone in the manager's office and waited. Nothing happened all afternoon. Few minutes before the last show started that evening, we were still waiting.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

It's 10:15, Jase. Gas is due to close the ticket booth in 20 minutes.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

There's still time for Billy sue and her boyfriend to turn up. You sure you got that safe fixed so you can open it easy?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yeah. You know, Jace, I've been thinking. Maybe we shouldn't have let the cashier in on this deal. She might tip him off by acting kind of nervous.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Deputy will grab them before they get away. Kind of hope they go through with the job, though, and I get a good, clear case against this girl.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

We're still not sure she's going to show.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

No but that could be it.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

I'll get it. Yeah, hold on a second. His man at ticket window Chase gave the cashier a hundred dollar bill.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Tell her say the manager be down with a change.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Tell him the manager come right down. It looks like we might see Billy sue any second now, huh?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You ready with the safe?

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yeah. You better grab her quick when she comes in. I'm gonna feel like a shooting gallery with my back facing that gun of hers.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I'll give you the word when to open the safe. Be sure you make plenty of noise doing it.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Ready?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

She's coming. Open the safe.

[Buna Simpson]

Put your hands up. B. Don't touch. What?

[Narrator]

Give me that gun.

[Buna Simpson]

Give me.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Go give it to me.

[Buna Simpson]

Lousy.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

All right, Billy Sue. Now let's go downstairs. I want to meet your boyfriend.

[Buna Simpson]

My name ain't Billy Sue. It's Billy.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Well, whatever it is, let's get going.

[Buna Simpson]

How you knew I was going to hit this place?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We had an idea you would.

[Buna Simpson]

I know without no good sister of mine. Bua. She come and told you, didn't she?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Never mind who told us.

[Buna Simpson]

I shouldn't have fooled with her kid like that. I must have been creed.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

You were crazy all right. The day you started robbing movie houses.

[Buna Simpson]

Yeah, well, you ain't got me yet.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I think maybe you better put on these braces.

[Buna Simpson]

That no good little buna, she done this. I should have known better than taking a chance with her.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Yeah.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Next time you have a chance, let's hope you really know.

[Narrator]

In just a moment we will tell you the results of the case you have just heard.

[Announcer]

Later today you'll find more great entertainment all lined up for you on this NBC station. Be sure to hear the first nighter starring Barbara Luddy and Olin Soule in a light comedy drama. Then it stars in Khaki and blue featuring talented members of the armed forces with a well known guest emcee. And be sure to hear the hilarious Phil Harris and Alice Fay show featuring the comedy addicts of Frankie Remy, Julius Abruzio and Brother William. Remember too, that Theater Guild on the air will bring you Dear Brutus starring Madeleine Carroll, David Niven and Angela Lansbury. Today's Theater Guild on the air play is a delightful fantasy that's sure to please you. Yes, Sunday is fun day on NBC because of the many fine shows sent your way to add to your listening pleasure. Later tonight you'll want to hear Jack parr and the $64 question. As Jack asks the questions and gives away the money. So remember, for fine entertainment, all the rest of the day. Stay tuned to this station of the NBC Radio Network. And now back to the conclusion of today's Texas Rangers Adventure.

[Narrator]

And now, here are the results of the case you have just heard. UNAN Billy Sue Simpson was sent to the State School for Girls on Billy Sue's 18th birthday. She was transferred to Goree Women's Prison to begin a seven year term for armed robbery and assault.

[Ranger Clay Morgan]

Tim Walsh, the man who assisted in.

[Narrator]

The attempted holdup of the Rio Theater, received a prescribed jail term. The father of the two girls was located and received a sentence for child abandonment and negligence. Next week, Joel McRae in another authentic reenactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers, Joel McCray will soon be seen in San Francisco Story, a Warner Brothers release. Virginia Greg played the part of Billy Sue Simpson and Buna Simpson was Marion Richmond. Clay Morgan was played by Herb Ellis. Others in the cast were Betty Lou Gerson, Tony Barrett and Howard McNair. Technical advisor was Captain Mt Lone Wolf Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers. This story was transcribed and adapted by Charles E. Israel and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keach. Hal Gibney speaks.

[Announcer]

Next it's the Chase on NBC.

[Buna Simpson]

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

[Buna Simpson]

Sam.