Marryin’ Bertha | Gunsmoke (05-22-60)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast Summary

Episode: Marryin’ Bertha | Gunsmoke (05-22-60)
Host: Andrew Rines
Release Date: May 24, 2025

---

Introduction

In this episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast, host Andrew Rines presents a digitally restored classic episode of Gunsmoke, titled "Marryin’ Bertha." This restoration enhances the original audio quality, immersing listeners in the rich sounds and engaging storytelling that defined the Golden Age of Radio Westerns.

---

Plot Overview

The episode revolves around Chester Proudfoot, a well-meaning but somewhat bumbling character who finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and unintended consequences. Matt Dillon, the steadfast U.S. Marshal of Dodge City, becomes involved when Chester's fabricated romantic endeavors lead to complications that threaten both Chester and the community.

---

Key Characters

• Matt Dillon (William Conrad): The resolute U.S. Marshal dedicated to maintaining law and order in Dodge City.
• Chester Proudfoot (Howard McNear): A likable but irresponsible townsman whose actions inadvertently stir trouble.
• Kitty (Georgia Ellis): Matt Dillon's trusted companion, offering wisdom and support.
• Mrs. Corinne Gatesley (George Walsh): A mysterious woman from St. Louis with a dubious past.

---

Detailed Summary

[00:00 - 02:50]
The episode opens with Matt Dillon, voiced by William Conrad, introducing himself as the first man sought and the last one wanted to meet, emphasizing the dangers and loneliness of his role. Dillon interacts with Kitty, who brings up Chester Proudfoot's recent negligence at work.

"Matt, try not to be hard on Chester, huh?" - Kitty [00:57]
"I'm not going to be hard on him, Kitty, but if a man isn't doing his job, I'm a great match." - Matt Dillon [01:00]

[02:50 - 06:00]
Chester Proudfoot arrives unexpectedly, revealing that he has been writing letters to women in St. Louis under false pretenses. He confesses to Matt that he needs to marry a woman named Corinne Gatesley, to whom he never actually met. This confession sets the stage for the central conflict of the episode.

"Well, I've been writing letters to some ladies out of town." - Chester Proudfoot [05:04]
"What you're trying to tell me, Chester, is that you wrote a bunch of lies and now one of these women is here to call your hand, is that it?" - Matt Dillon [05:45]

[06:00 - 11:00]
Matt Dillon decides to intervene by informing Kitty about Corinne Gatesley’s suspicious background. Kitty reveals that she once knew a woman named Bertha Hoskovitz, associated with multiple disappearances, raising suspicion about Corinne's true intentions.

"There's a woman I saw a few times in St. Louis, worked in the saloon. Then a year or so later, the sheriff was looking for her. They found the bodies of several men she'd married. They'd all been shot and robbed." - Kitty [11:08]

[11:00 - 15:00]
Matt Dillon connects the dots, suspecting that Corinne Gatesley might be the elusive Bertha Hoskovitz targeting Chester. He plans to monitor the situation, anticipating that Chester’s unwitting involvement could lead to dire consequences.

"She's planning Chester for her next victim." - Matt Dillon [12:14]

[15:00 - 19:00]
Chester Proudfoot attempts to secure his safety by locking himself up, but Matt manages to persuade him to face the situation. As the tension builds, Chester prepares for the impending encounter with Corinne, unaware of her true intentions.

"I figured I ought to be locked up." - Chester Proudfoot [15:35]
"I want Chester to think that he really does have to marry this woman." - Matt Dillon [06:24]

[19:00 - 22:00]
The climax unfolds as Corinne Gatesley arrives, and Matt Dillon confronts both her and Chester. A gunfight ensues, revealing Corinne’s murderous intent. With Chester’s inadvertent help, Matt captures Corinne, ensuring the safety of the town and resolving the chaos Chester had caused.

"She's gonna get Chester killed." - Chester Proudfoot [20:19]
"Yeah, I had to have both of them. Chester, he's a killer. She may be too." - Matt Dillon [24:00]

[22:00 - 24:00]
In the aftermath, Chester realizes the gravity of his actions and the importance of honesty. Matt Dillon reassures him, highlighting the impact of community trust and responsibility. The episode concludes with the restoration of peace in Dodge City, thanks to Dillon's unwavering dedication.

"Chester, you can't toy with a woman's heart that way." - Matt Dillon [16:55]
"I reckon I did at that. Mr. Dillon." - Chester Proudfoot [24:12]

---

Notable Quotes

• "Gun smoke." - Matt Dillon [00:10]
• "I was just having a little fun." - Chester Proudfoot [16:55]
• "Love conquers all." - Kitty [22:37]

---

Themes and Insights

This episode delves into themes of honesty, responsibility, and the unintended consequences of one's actions. Chester Proudfoot's initial deceit, though well-intentioned, serves as a catalyst for the ensuing conflict, highlighting the importance of integrity. Matt Dillon embodies the moral compass of the town, balancing firmness with compassion as he navigates the challenges posed by Chester's antics.

---

Conclusion

"Marryin’ Bertha" is a quintessential Gunsmoke episode that masterfully intertwines humor, drama, and suspense. Through the complex interactions between Matt Dillon, Chester Proudfoot, and Corinne Gatesley, listeners are treated to a narrative that underscores the timeless values of truth and duty. The episode stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic Western radio dramas, skillfully restored to captivate both long-time fans and new audiences alike.

---

Enjoyed this summary?
Be sure to subscribe to the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast for more restored episodes and dive deeper into the stories that shaped the Wild West on radio.

Transcript

[Matt Dillon]

Foreign.

[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.

[Matt Dillon]

Gun smoke.

[William Conrad]

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 lonely.

[Kitty]

Matt, try not to be hard on Chester, huh?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm not going to be hard on him, Kitty, but if a man isn't doing his job, I'm a great match.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Right, Kitty? Why, the other day I was riding through Cottonwood Grove and there was Chester, big as life, lying under a tree with a straw stuck in his mouth.

[Matt Dillon]

What day was that, Doc?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, Davidson, let me see. I was on my way to Reb Morgan's place. That youngest kid of Rebs got himself wrapped up in a roll of bo. I thought I would never get him out.

[Matt Dillon]

What day, Doc?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, what day? Thursday.

[Matt Dillon]

It was Thursday. Yeah, that's the day he was supposed to clean the rifles, get a new stirrup leather for my saddle, and do a half a dozen other things he hasn't been doing for the last 10 days.

[Kitty]

Well, what did he say, Doc?

[Chester Proudfoot]

He didn't even see me. He just lay there staring up at the sky.

[Kitty]

Matt, I think I know what it is.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Kitty]

Chester's got spring fever.

[Matt Dillon]

Spring fever?

[Chester Proudfoot]

She might be right. Sure been having the weather for it.

[Kitty]

Yeah, I gotta touch up it myself.

[Matt Dillon]

Ah, Chester's gonna have to straighten out. This has been going on for weeks. I'll see you two later, huh?

[Kitty]

Now you be easy on him, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Kitty. Well, Chester, I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you'd be lying out under a tree somewhere about now.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Under a tree?

[Matt Dillon]

Uh huh? What?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, sir. I've been waiting around for you, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, good, because I want to talk to you.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mr. Dunn, did you ever sit and watch a beaver build a dam?

[Matt Dillon]

Did I ever what?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Watch a beaver build a dam.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, this is exactly what I want to talk to you about. There's a lot of work to be done around here and you're not Getting a dam done.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir, I know, but I was just starting to explain about that.

[Matt Dillon]

You were?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir. See, for most of the year, a stream runs in one direction, don't it? And along comes the beaver, and he builds his dam. And the water kind of starts to go in the other direction. At least for a while it does.

[Matt Dillon]

What's this got to do with your not doing your work, Chester?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, that's the way my blood is. Every year about this time, my blood kindly dams up and starts to go the other way and. And I feel different.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, come here. Now, sit down. Go on. All right, out with it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mr. Dawn, there's a lady at that Dodge has wait and see me.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, what's so terrible about that?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, nothing, I guess, except she come here from St. Louis expecting me to marry her.

[Matt Dillon]

Say what, Chester? What have you been doing?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, I've been writing letters to some ladies out of town.

[Matt Dillon]

What ladies?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, some ladies, Mr. Dimmer. See, I run across a bunch of St. Louis newspapers and there was all these ads and feeling like a doing all, I just kindly wrote to several of them.

[Matt Dillon]

And you've never even seen this woman then, huh?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, strange.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, what did you say in the letters?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, I just told her about myself.

[Matt Dillon]

The truth?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, here and there I might have stretched things in mind.

[Matt Dillon]

What you're trying to tell me, Chester, is that you wrote a bunch of lies and now one of these women is here to call your hand, is that it?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Would you go Talk to her, Mr. Doom, please?

[Matt Dillon]

You mean you want me to get.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You out of it? Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, Chester, I. All right, what's her name?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mrs. Corinne Gatesley.

[Matt Dillon]

Mrs. She's a widow lady. Oh, fine. You. You want me to tell her that you've left town, we don't know where you are, or something like that, Is that it?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, sir, not exactly.

[Matt Dillon]

Then what?

[Chester Proudfoot]

If you don't mind Too awful much, Mr. Dillon, would you tell her you're Chester Proudfoot?

[Matt Dillon]

That I.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, see, then you could go on about how you ain't gonna marry her and all that.

[Matt Dillon]

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Don't understand.

[Matt Dillon]

Wait a minute.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Sent her your picture.

[Matt Dillon]

Did what?

[Chester Proudfoot]

It was awful good likeness. Remember that? One of you standing in Mr. Titus's studio holding that bowler hat in your hand. Where are you going, Mr. D?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm going to tell her the truth right now. And you'll see the truth are here.

[Chester Proudfoot]

When I get back. Yes, sir. Oh, dear. I wish I hadn't never Learned to write.

[Matt Dillon]

Ms. Gatesley?

[Kitty]

Yes? Who's There. Chester, is that you?

[Matt Dillon]

It's Matt Dillon.

[Kitty]

Yeah. What are you. Oh, Chester, darling, you tried to fool Corinne, didn't you? You're a naughty boy, Ms. Gatesley.

[Matt Dillon]

Ma' am, I came here to.

[Kitty]

Chester, you needn't call me that.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Just call me Corinne.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, no. Look, ma' am, there been a little mix up. Mr. Proudfoot has been kind of playing a game with you.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Game? I don't understand.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'm Matt Dillon, and Chester Proudfoot, well, he's another man. He. He sent you my picture by mistake.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Dylan. Seems I've heard that name before.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, yeah, you. Possibly you have, ma' am. I'm the Marshall here in Dodge.

[Chester Proudfoot]

The Marshal?

[Kitty]

That's very interesting, Marshall. The way things have worked out, I.

[Chester Proudfoot]

May have need of you. Marshal Dillon, I want to show you something.

[Kitty]

These letters, you see, these were written by this Proud Foot person. Would you please read a few passages?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I. Yes, I see.

[Kitty]

What would you conclude from that, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, he's expecting some money to come his way soon.

[Kitty]

What else?

[Matt Dillon]

And he's not above marrying the right woman.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Marshal, would you please tell Mr. Proudfoot.

[Kitty]

That I am waiting for him to call on me.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma' am, I'll tell him.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Good day, Marshal.

[Matt Dillon]

Good day, Ms. Gasly.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, it serves him right. And anyway, Chester should get married.

[Matt Dillon]

That may be, Doc, but I don't think this is the woman for him.

[Kitty]

Well, why not, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, for one thing, she's sure nothing to look at. She's taller than Chester and she weighs as much as I do.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Oh, man, this is wonderful. I can hardly wait for the wedding.

[Matt Dillon]

Don't count on it, Doc.

[Kitty]

Oh, where is Chester?

[Matt Dillon]

Not he's hiding out down at the office.

[Kitty]

Yeah, well, let's get him up here, huh?

[Chester Proudfoot]

And drink a toast of this just in case.

[Kitty]

Oh, Doc, stop.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Now, Kitty, I've known Chester a long time and I want him to know how happy I am for him.

[Kitty]

Doc, you're just making fun of him.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, I'm not. I may even deliver their first child free.

[Kitty]

Matt, what are you going to do about this?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I let Chester worry for a few days just to teach him a little. Listen, I'll try to get her to leave town.

[Kitty]

How does he explain all this?

[Matt Dillon]

He'll never believe me, Kevin. But the trouble is that he told her he had money coming in.

[Kitty]

I've known a few women like that.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You know, Matt, there is such a thing as breach of promise.

[Matt Dillon]

If he only hadn't mentioned the money.

[Kitty]

Matt, wait a minute.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Kitty]

This woman and you say she's big. Does she have red hair?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I think she does.

[Kitty]

She say where she was from?

[Matt Dillon]

Chester said she's from St. Louis. Why?

[Kitty]

There's a woman I saw a few times in St. Louis, worked in the saloon. Then a year or so later, the sheriff was looking for her. They found the bodies of several men she'd married. They'd all been shot and robbed.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, did they ever find her?

[Kitty]

Yeah, but they couldn't prove anything on her and had to let it go. Her name then was Bertha Hoskovitz.

[Matt Dillon]

Would she know you?

[Kitty]

No, I'd sure remember her good.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, she's staying at the Dodge House. You see if you can get a look at her, huh?

[Kitty]

You gonna take her in, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

There's no way I can yet, but I'll wire St. Louis and see what they say about her. And in the meantime, there's one thing. Pretty sure. What if she is Britta Hoskovitz? She's planning Chester for her next victim.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mind. Doggone thing, if he do want me to read him, he just don't need to send me after him. But let on the Mr. Hightower that I read his telegraph, well, it come In all right, Mr. Dillon. Here, and it ain't been opened.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, thanks, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I'll be sitting way over here, Mr. Dillon, where I can't read it.

[Matt Dillon]

Just like Kitty said.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No need to fear on me reading your telegraphs anymore, Mr. John. Mr. Hightower made that real claim.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, Chester, will you quit your grumbling? When there's something I want you to know, I'll tell you it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

You probably think I mind some, Mr. Dylan, but I don't. It don't bother me at all, not one bit.

[Matt Dillon]

I know, I know.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Where you going now, Mr. Dillon? Or ain't I supposed to know about that neither?

[Matt Dillon]

Have you seen your lady friend yet?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, and I don't intend to. I hope she's on the first train out of here today.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, you're going to find her a lot harder to get rid of than you think, Chester. I'll see you later, Mr. Bodkin. Oh, well, good morning, Marshall. What brings you into the bank so early? Look, Mr. Bodkin, there's something I'd like to ask you to do for me. Anything. Anything you say, Marshall. This is going to involve the use of some of your money. Well, now, Marshall, that doesn't really belong to me. I know that, Mr. Bin. Well, just how much money, Marshall Dylan? $5,000. 5,000? Well, Marshall Dylan, people leave their money here on trust. And it's up to me. Peter Botin, let's go into your office and I'll tell you what this is all about, huh?

[Chester Proudfoot]

All right.

[Matt Dillon]

But $5,000 is a lot of money, Marshall. I know that, mister.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Hello, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, yeah, Doc.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Matt, I've been looking all over you. Kitty and I saw that Huskovitz woman going into your office a few minutes ago.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, yeah?

[Chester Proudfoot]

You better keep her away from Chesty. She's liable to convince him he has to marry her.

[Matt Dillon]

That's what I want her to do. I want Chester to think that he really does have to marry this woman. Look, Doc, I tell you what. You go find Kitty and tell her about this and see that she helps out, huh?

[Chester Proudfoot]

A Chester might get killed.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'll see that he does. Now, you go tell Kitty, and then both of you come right back to the office as soon as you can.

[Chester Proudfoot]

J But you come out of that cell. No, ma' am, I ain't. But not that. Ms. Jason, ma' am.

[Kitty]

Oh, good morning, Marshall.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Dylan.

[Kitty]

I've come to get my loved one.

[Matt Dillon]

Tester, what are you doing in that cell?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, after What I done, Mr. Dillon, I. I figured I ought to be locked up.

[Matt Dillon]

Where are the keys?

[Chester Proudfoot]

I got them right here in my pocket.

[Matt Dillon]

Hand them over.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, sir. Here you are. Look, I would like to get married to you, man, but you see how things are. There ain't nothing I can do about. I just can't, you know.

[Matt Dillon]

Would you like to come out, Manchester?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Sure.

[Kitty]

Oh, thank you, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, let's go on out to the front office, huh?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ah, there he is. Kenny in the happy bridegroom. Hello, sister.

[Kitty]

Is this the big day?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, no.

[Kitty]

Say, don't I know you, dearie? Oh, not that I know, huh? Oh, I guess not. Oh, look at this poor boy.

[Chester Proudfoot]

He's scared to death. Chester, darlin, see how your little Corinne's trembling all over, mind you.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, just look at that.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Don't. Do I have to go through with this? I never really meant nothing by writing all them letters. I was just having a little fun.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, you can't toy with a woman's heart that way.

[Kitty]

You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I am Miss Kitty. Honest I am Miss G. Ma' am. Yes, love? You don't want me now, do you? I don't look like much. I ain't had hardly no school in the Toll. All I know is helping Mr. Dillon, and that's all I really want to do. Every year at this time, I get these crazy ideas about women and maybe Having a home of my own and.

[Kitty]

Spending your money on someone you love.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Money? Say, that's. Oh, I told you an awful lie about that. Why, I ain't got no money at all. That was all part of the. Well, that was just talk like the rest of it.

[Kitty]

What are you saying?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No money? No, ma' am. No, ma' am. Oh, Matt, is Chester in here?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he's here, Mr. Bodkin. Oh, there you are, Chester. Well, my boy, have I got good news for you.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, Mr. Bodkin, I sure could use some good news.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, then, look in this bag. There's $5,000 in it, and it's all yours.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Don't fool with me, Mr. Botkin. I got no. That's colorless. Te.

[Matt Dillon]

I am not fooling.

[Chester Proudfoot]

It's yours. 5,000 kesters.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma' am. He inherited it.

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, I didn't. No, I did. From an old man down in Texas. He. He. He. He. What old man?

[Matt Dillon]

Grandpa Drum. Remember him?

[Chester Proudfoot]

Grandpa. Grandpa. Now, why did he have to go and do that?

[Kitty]

Isn't that wonderful, Chester? Now you can get married just the way you always wanted to.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mr. Joan, I don't want to leave here making coffee for you, holding your horse. And then. And.

[Matt Dillon]

And.

[Chester Proudfoot]

And I'll get that saddle fixed right away. I promise.

[Matt Dillon]

You don't have any choice. You've asked for this woman's hand.

[Chester Proudfoot]

He sure has. No.

[Kitty]

Chester, dear, do you want me to read these letters out loud?

[Chester Proudfoot]

No, no, no. I'll. I'll marry you. Now you're talking, Chester.

[Kitty]

Well, let's all go over to my place and celebrate.

[Matt Dillon]

That's a good idea, Kitty.

[Kitty]

And Chester, it's on me. Every last drink.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Thank you, Miss Kitty. You always was nice to me. Oh, there you are, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, here I am. And I want.

[Chester Proudfoot]

What are you so grumpy about?

[Matt Dillon]

I feel kind of bad about what I'm doing to Chester.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, then why don't you call it off?

[Matt Dillon]

I can't do that, Doc. I was hoping I was wrong, but here, look at this.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Huh? What do you mean? What is it on the telegram now.

[Matt Dillon]

This time from Wichita.

[Chester Proudfoot]

The woman you describe is Marion Bertha. She is responsible for two disappearances in this area. Found both bodies, but can prove nothing. Suspects she works with male accomplice. Science male accomplice. Oh, man, you're gonna get Chester killed.

[Matt Dillon]

I hope not, Doc.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, she's got tickets for both of them on this afternoon stage to lunch.

[Matt Dillon]

I know.

[Chester Proudfoot]

And say she won't be mad anywhere else.

[Matt Dillon]

She wants to get Chester and his money away. From Dodge, Doc.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, then what are you doing about it?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm gonna give her enough rope to hang herself.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I just hope Chester doesn't get caught in the same.

[Kitty]

Well, goodbye, Chester. Hurry back to Dodge.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Goodbye, Miss Kitty. Somehow this just don't seem real. It's real enough. Chester. Let's take a look at that lovely creature next to it. Hello, my dear.

[Kitty]

Goodbye, Doc.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Like you.

[Kitty]

Thank you for the party.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Ain't nobody seen Mr. Jones.

[Kitty]

No, I haven't. Where is Matt Do? Well, I don't know, but he better have.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, here he comes.

[Kitty]

Just look at him. He's wearing a tie.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Kitty and his Sunday suit. Mr. D. Mr. D, did you come to just insist that I get off his stage coach?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, Chester, I'm going to ride the lineage. You didn't think I'd miss that wedding of yours, did you? All right, Jack, let's get this stage going at two o' clock.

[Chester Proudfoot]

All right, Marshall. Everybody on the way.

[Kitty]

Well, hope everything works out all right, Doc.

[Chester Proudfoot]

So do I, kiddie. So do I.

[Kitty]

Professor Dylan, I don't understand why you're coming along.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester and I've been friends for a while. Long time, Miss Kately. There's the least I could do.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Flames. I thought we would spend. Mr. Dillon. Gl I seen you all dressed up for my wedding.

[Kitty]

Poor darling. Chester dear, you'll be happy. After all, love conquers all.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Love. I never knew a man could get.

[Matt Dillon]

Into such a mess.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Mr. Dylan, I was just punning. There's at least four or five other.

[Kitty]

Ladies and I wrote to that I've got you.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Yes, ma' am, I reckon you have. All right, stop them horses, Mister. What's this all about?

[Matt Dillon]

Grab Bera, Chester, and keep her quiet.

[Chester Proudfoot]

What is this, a hold up, Mr.

[Matt Dillon]

D. Just keep yourself and the woman out of it, sister.

[Kitty]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, driver, jump down. I said keep her quiet. Throw up your hand.

[Chester Proudfoot]

It's the marshal. You shot my husband. Why did you bring them myself? She called him her husband. And she was fixing to marry me.

[Matt Dillon]

No, she wasn't. Just him. She was gonna have him kill you.

[Chester Proudfoot]

She was. And you wasn't letting her take me off to get married at all. You was only trying to capture her.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I had to have both of them. Chester, he's a killer. She may be too.

[Chester Proudfoot]

Well, why didn't you tell me, Mr. Dunn? I could have helped.

[Matt Dillon]

You did, Chester. You helped a lot.

[Chester Proudfoot]

I did? I did? Well, say now, I reckon I did at that. Mr. Dillon.

[William Conrad]

Gun smoke Produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U S Marshal. The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by Tom Hanley with editorial supervision by John Meston. Featured in the cast were Virginia, Greg, Joseph Turns and Vic Karen Harley there is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week when CBS Radio presents another story on gun smoke.

[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 Technogod and Craig 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.

[Matt Dillon]

Sam.