Murders Landowner For Watering Hole | Dr. Sixgun (Unknown) - Old Time Radio Westerns

Summary

Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns – "Murders Landowner For Watering Hole" | Dr. Sixgun (Unknown Air Date) Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: February 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns immerses listeners in a dramatic Dr. Sixgun adventure centered on frontier justice, land disputes, and the consequences of violence in the rugged Old West. The story explores the conflict over a crucial watering hole, the lawlessness of the territory, and the meaning of true justice, all told through the eyes of Doc Sixgun, Pablo the gypsy peddler, and the townsfolk caught in the middle. The narrative is rich with moral ambiguity and emotional depth, probing the price of vengeance and the elusiveness of genuine justice.

Key Discussion Points and Narrative Highlights

1. Law, Justice, and Frontier Survival

Opening Reflection:
Pablo, the philosophical gypsy peddler, sets the stage with musings about the rarity of justice in the territory:

"In the Territory there is a great deal of law. There is the law of the angry mob with gun and rope, and even the law of the learned judges with book and gavel. But justice there is a horse of an entirely different color." (03:14)
Introduction of the Central Conflict:
Matt Wilder, a small landowner, has legally acquired land and the vital Rimrock Waterhole, but Howard Fearing, a powerful rancher, seeks to maintain his traditional use of the water through intimidation and force.

2. Violence at the Waterhole

Threats and Hostility:
Matt, his daughter Mary, and their friends face intimidation when a young gunman, Eddie Baker, delivers a chilling warning on behalf of Fearing:

"'I'm giving you a nice, friendly warning like I'm supposed to. Get out of here, Wilder. Get out fast. Get those fences down and get out.'" (04:59)
Escalation and Kidnapping:
Eddie briefly kidnaps Mary to ensure submission, leading to violence and fear. Doc intervenes, and though Mary is physically unharmed, the threat profoundly shakes the family:

"Did he hurt you?"
"No. Nobody held me, so he just dropped me off his horse. I’m so scared I can’t stop shaking." (07:38)

3. Failure of Legal Protection

Sheriff's Reluctance:
Sheriff Hargrove refuses to take decisive action against Fearing and his men, citing the futility and danger:

"Look, Matt. I can swear out a warrant again, Eddie, for shooting you in the arm. But you know as well as I do I can't ride on to Fearing's place to serve it." (10:11)
Rising Tension:
Further threats from Eddie in the saloon stoke anger and helplessness, as Eddie arrogantly provokes Matt and Doc. Only Doc’s intervention prevents more bloodshed.

4. Tragedy Strikes: Murder and Assault

The Aftermath:
Matt Wilder is found shot dead; Mary suffers a severe trauma. The town mobilizes to bring Eddie Baker to justice, assuming his guilt due to his threats and reputation:

"'You ain't gonna be able to help her none, Doc; she's out back.' ... 'Is she alive?' ... 'Can't hear. Mary. Mary. She don't know nobody. Alfie brought her in. Give me my bag.'" (16:46)

5. Mob Justice and the Limits of the Law

Eddie Baker’s Capture and Brutality:
Baker is violently apprehended, beaten before his trial. Doc Sixgun insists on due process, resisting the urge for extrajudicial vengeance:

"If this man is tortured anymore, I'll swear out a complaint against you and file it with a territorial attorney general. ... I want him tried and found guilty and hanged according to the law." (20:21)

6. Doubt and Regret in the Face of Death

Trial and Execution:
Despite a quick trial and conviction, doubts remain about Baker’s actual guilt. Eddie pleads his innocence to Doc Sixgun:

"I never hurt nobody in my life. I mean, not on purpose. This hurting... I mean, I ain’t never had nobody, no mother or nothing. They gotta feel sorry for an orphan, don’t they?" (23:46)
Doc’s Inner Conflict:
The execution brings Doc face to face with the emptiness of vengeance and the tragedy of a potentially innocent man’s death:

“Any life. What do you mean, Doc? ... I do not rejoice in murder.” (26:57)

7. The Truth Emerges and Emotional Fallout

Real Killer Identified:
Days after the hanging, the army apprehends a band of Mescalero Apaches who confess to Mary and Matt’s murders, exonerating Baker posthumously:

"Marshal Darrow out of Fort Dale picked him up... One of them had Mary Wilder's ring. ... Funny, ain't it? I mean, Eddie Baker, he killed maybe a dozen men. Gets his neck stretched for something he didn't do." (29:00)
Doc’s Guilt and Resolution:
Doc is wracked by guilt for participating in a flawed system. Pablo gently reminds him of the weight of blood on one’s hands:

"A man needs to be alone when he first finds blood on his hands." (30:12)
Cycle of Life:
Seeking solace, Doc delivers a baby for a local family, symbolizing hope and the ongoing nature of life despite tragedy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Justice (Pablo, 03:17):

"Justice there is a horse of an entirely different color. In my travels through the territory, I have seen law of one sort or another many times, but justice very seldom. It is as the diamond, priceless because it is so rare."
On Vengeance and Violence (Doc, 27:13):

"Any life. I do not rejoice in murder... I wanted him dead. I didn't want justice. I... I wanted him dead."
Pivotal Discovery (Sheriff Hargrove, 29:04):

"There were scouts with the army and deserted about a month ago. One of them had Mary Wilder's ring. Marshal Darrow got a confession. Funny, ain't it? Eddie Baker... gets his neck stretched for something he didn't do."
On Living with Guilt (Pablo, 30:12):

"A man needs to be alone when he first finds blood on his hands."

Timestamps for Key Segments

[03:14] – Pablo’s reflection on law vs. justice
[04:59] – Eddie Baker’s threat at the waterhole
[07:38] – Aftermath of Mary’s abduction
[10:11] – Sheriff Hargrove’s reluctance to serve justice
[16:46] – Discovery of Matt’s murder and Mary’s condition
[20:21] – Doc’s stand for due process
[23:46] – Eddie Baker’s desperate plea in jail
[26:57] – Doc’s philosophical reckoning before the hanging
[29:00] – Revelation of the true killers and Doc’s grief
[30:12] – Pablo’s words about guilt and blood
[31:28] – Doc restores life delivering a baby, symbolizing renewal

Conclusion

This episode of Dr. Sixgun delivers a powerful meditation on justice, retribution, and the flaws of human judgment on the frontier. The dramatic story arc, poignant performances, and thoughtful narration make it a standout example of classic radio drama suitable for both Western enthusiasts and fans of morally complex storytelling.

Transcript

A (0:01)

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C (1:15)

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

B (1:35)

Across the rugged Indian territory rides a tall young man on a mission of mercy, his medical bag strapped on one hip, his six shooter on the other. This is Dr. Six Guns. The National Broadcasting Company brings you another transcribed episode in the exciting adventure series Dr. Six Gun. Ray Matson, M.D. was the gun toting frontier doctor who roamed the length and breadth of the old Indian territory. Friend and physician to white man and Indian alike, a symbol of justice and mercy. In the lawless west of the 1870s, this legendary figure was known to all as Dr. Six Guns.

A (2:35)

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B (3:14)

In the Territory there is a great deal of law. There is the law of the angry mob with gun and rope, and even the law of the learned judges with book and gavel. But justice there is a horse of an entirely different color. In my travels through the territory, I have seen law of one sort or another many times, but justice very seldom. It is as the diamond, priceless because it Is so rare. Who am I to be a philosopher like this? Well, I am Pablo, the gypsy peddler. And I am twice a philosopher. Once because I am a gypsy and once because I am a coward. And this is my friend Midnight. Midnight. He is a raven, but he too is a philosopher. Shoot first, no questions. A philosopher of violence, but also a coward under the feathers. I have, of course, known many brave men. And among these is my friend Ditzko. I remember a time when we rode together along the trail out past the Mesa Verde. We're sopping water over the ride. Someone is camped at the water hole. Smoke. You're behind the time. That's Matt Wilder's cabin in the dream of that water hole. When did this happen? About a month ago. Matt bought the land from the deblanco estate. The old Spanish land grant. I didn't know the title was bought. Isn't except for about a thousand acres around Rimrod. The decision was handed down by the circuit court back in St. Louis. But no one in the territory has paid any attention to the DeBlanco claims for years. It's clear title, though. Matt showed me the court order. Doc, does not Howard Keeling use Rimrock to water his stock? I suppose so. Flying Bees. A very big outfit. Yeah. They are also traditionalists. You think Fearing will make trouble for Matt? Well, there was a man over to the Rio Verde who fenced off a few hundred acres of grain. He had a notion to grow wheat. I heard about that. They never proved that Fearing's man did it when he was found hanged with a strand of wire from his own fence. And you think it was Bearing's hired gun? Doc, it has been a very bad year for small men. Between the drought and the big outfits, there are a lot of men with no jobs and the six gone and an empty belly. Well, looks quiet enough now. Come on. We can probably strike man for a good cup of coffee. Come on, Pablo. Hello, Matt. All right, Mr. Lee. What? Get in the door. Get behind you. Get inside. I'm coming, I'm coming. Now shut the door behind you. Go on. Matt, what's going on here? This no good kid busted in on me. Oh, I'll do the talking. Use a big one. Drop your gun. All right, all right. Take it easy, kid. Watch your mouth. Drop it. Now get over there with the girl. What do you want from us? Shut up, kid. Listen, fellow, what's this all about? I've got a message to deliver to old man Wilder here. What do you want? I just want to let you know this Here is a very unhealthy place to homestead, see? Yeah? Who say so? I do. Look, I'm giving you a nice, friendly warning like I'm supposed to. Get out of here, Wilder. Get out fast. Get those fences down and get out. Listen, you tell Howard Fearing, if he wants to talk to me, to come himself. Not to send some sniveling baby toting a six gun where his diapers ought to be. Cut that out. Listen, mister, you want to argue with me? That's a pretty big offer for you to make, Sonny, with that gun in your hand. Yeah, and that's just where it's going to stay. I guess I'll move on. Remember, Wilder, pack up and get. Don't move, mister. All right. Just to make sure somebody don't take pot shots at me from the window. You come here. The girl. You let my daughter alone. I ain't gonna hurt her. Pretty girl like her. Now, come on, honey. No. No. Let me go. Come on. Why, you dirty. Get back. Oh. Oh. All right, keep back there, the rest of you. We're going for a little ride, honey. Let go of me. Let go. You ain't such a little girl after all. I'm warning you. One shot out these windows and just don't try it. Come on. Go up to me. Gun. Rifle in the closet. No. No, it's not. He's got your daughter. Matt. Easy. Hurt the bad doctor. My arm. Glad to see it, Matt. No. No. Mary. I gotta go after her. Pablo, take care of him. All right. After him, Matt. Gun. Mar. She'll be all right, I swear. Doc. Is he here? She's all right, Matt. I can see her. She's coming back over the ride. I'll kill him, Doc. Just lie back, Matt. I'll go get her. Mary. Mary, you all right? Doug. Doug. All right. All right, now. Did he hurt you? No. Nobody held me, so he just dropped me off this horse. Anything hurt your ankle? Oh, no. I'm so scared I can't stop shaking. Sit down right here on the ground. Go ahead. My dad. What happened? I think I'm gonna be sick. Just put your head down between the knees. Go ahead. The way he held me, I mean. It's all right, Ma. I hope you're worried about it. You're all right. Your father isn't hurt. Best. Why did he do this, Doc? Why? I don't know exactly. Can you stand up now? Here. Here, I'll carry it. Now, just hang on. It's all right now, Mary. It's all over. Sure, she's all Right, Doc. She's sleeping with Wilder. I put a measure of laudanum in that tea. You're right. No good baby face killer. I. You better get some rest, too. I'm telling you, Doc, I can take care of myself. If Howard Fearing sends his hired guns out after me, I'll fight back. But my girl. I know. I want to scare you away from the water hole, Doc. It's mine. I paid for it. I got the legal title. Just because they've been using this water hole don't mean it's theirs. I told Fearing I'd let him water his stock. It would guarantee me against loss from broken fences and my own critters. He wants to be king of the open range like he always been. That's why he sent that miserable coyote after me. I never saw that before, but I knew most of Pering's gun by sight. That was Eddie Baker. He's new, you see. He's so young for a hired gun. I was Fearing I. I would not trust my business to a child. He ain't no child. Not Eddie. He's killed as many men as any of Fearing's gunslinger. He's mean clear through that. So help me for what he did to Mary. Next time I see him, I've kill him like I would a rattlesnake. We all rode into Frenchman's Ford. Matt Wilder left Mary at Doc's place and we all went together to find the sheriff to swear out a complaint. The sheriff at this time was George Hargrove. And a man who looked for him at his office was wasting time. So we went straight to the Bull Run saloon. Now, look, Matt. I can swear out a warrant again, Eddie, for shooting you an arm. But you know as well as I do I can't ride on to Fearing's place to serve it. What's the matter, Sheriff? Are you afraid to do your duty? That ain't the point. Before I got near the home ranch, Eddie'd be up on the hill, snug as a bug in a rug. That's right, Matt. Sheriff's been trying to serve warrants on Fearing's top hand for a year now. You think I'm gonna let that little skunk get away with. Don't get head up, man. Matt, but my daughter. Now, the girl wasn't hurt. Doc here says she's all right. Now get off the stove and quit boiling. I'll go down, make out the complaint. Keep it on the books anyway. Just take it easy, Matt. Needs no better than fearance. Delivers no good. Ah, he's just being practical, Matt. Long as the big stockman keep a private army. Army? I fit in the army. I got respect for any man that did. North or South, I don't care. But that weasel looked that baby face. He wouldn't have the guts to fight in no real war. I could just get a hold of him. You talking about anybody I know, mister? Doc like to hold my arm? Don't be a fool. Got eight guns behind me. Funny how some fellas would shoot their mouths off if they think nobody's listening. He's just waiting for you to go look at Matt. He'll gun you down. What's the matter, Wilder? Can't you talk anymore? Won't do Mary any good for you to get killed. Well, Mr. Wilder, your long drink of water. France. Why don't you go away? Eddie? I just wanted to say hello to my good friend Wilder. Listen, Baker. Well, what? Nothing. That's what I figured. I just wanted to tell you thanks for your hospitality and that girl of yours. I called it. It's a real cute little armful on a horse, you know, Kind of let that know. Let go of him. Let go of him. Go ahead, let him draw. I got something for him. Well, I've got something for you. Nobody draw you, man. You're covered. O'. Shea. Send somebody for the sheriff. I wouldn't do that, Doc. You can't hold off eight guns. I'm gonna walk right out of that door. You start shooting and a lot of men are gonna get hurt. And get out of here. Get out in a hurry. All right there, Doc. We'll figure it's a Mexican standoff this time. Doc, let me. No, no, no. He's right. Let him go. I'll be back to see you again, Wilder, and that girl of yours. Come on. You should have shot him down, Doc. There would have been an awful lot of people hurt. Maybe it's all over, man. Come on, you better get back to Mary. We thought maybe it would blow over the range war. Eddie Baker wasn't seen for several weeks. There was a rumor that he shot a barkeep in Chisholm City, but no one was really quite sure. And then on a Saturday afternoon, Sheriff Hargrove called Doc over to his office. What is it, George? Mad Wilder. What happened? Alfie Pierce brought him in on his buckboard. Shot dead? Yeah. He took one in the hip and one in the back when he fell. Alfie says the fences was down, stock was gone. Hearing guns, I figured. Doc, that ain't it. I mean, all of it. A girl. What's her name? Mary. Pretty little kid. What happened? Well, Doc, she's. Alvy was kind of broken up. He. He's got kids. Is she alive? What are you waiting for? You ain't gonna be able to help her none. Doc, she's out back. What are you wasting time for? Wait a minute here, Doc. She's kind of broken. You shut up. Can't hear. Mary. Mary. She don't know nobody. Alfie brought her in. Give me my bag. She was mine. I don't know as I'd want her to live. There ain't nothing you can do, is there, Doc? No Dr. Die. I sent Milt Evers to round up enough writers to go after Eddie Baker. You want to go along, Say he was married. Go on. Go after him.