Loading summary
LegalShield Advertiser
There's nothing certain except death and taxes. With the right estate planning, you can prepare for both. Create or update a will start a trust set, clear health directives and secure peace of mind today with LegalShield. With LegalShield you can connect with a designated law firm who can review, update or create important documents. Starting at around a dollar a day, you get affordable help from real lawyers who know your state laws to help you keep your legacy and your family's future secure. Legalshield Real Lawyers really affordable sign up@legalshield.com that's legalshield.com LegalShield does not provide legal representation or advice. See a plan for complete they call.
LegalShield User
It the sandwich generation. So I guess I'm the pickle squeeze between kids, aging parents and all the legal stuff no one prepares you for. And even though I can handle a lot, sometimes I just need a little help. That's why having Legalshield matters. Starting at around a dollar a day, you're connected with a designated law firm that actually knows your state laws for estate planning and health directives to contract reviews and billing disputes. Legalshield Real Lawyers really affordable sign up@legalshield.com that's legalshield.com LegalShield does not provide legal representation or advice. See a plan for complete terms.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. You can find more Western shows at our website by going to otrwesterns.com now let's get into this episode by special.
Narrator
Recording General Mills, makers of Wheaties Breakfast of Champions and Cheerios the Oat cereal.
Lone Ranger
Ready to Eat Presents the Lone Ranger.
LegalShield Promoter
Sold Here are the keys to your new home. New beginnings Sound exciting? From a new marriage to a new home, having access to legal help comes in handy. With Legalshield, you can connect with a designated law firm that knows your state laws, helping with prenups, real estate contracts and even wills and estate planning. Starting around a dollar a day. Legal Shield real lawyers really affordable for 10 off your annual subscription, sign up@legalshield.com today. That's LegalShield.com LegalShield does not provide legal representation or advice. See a for complete terms.
Narrator
A fiery horse with the speed of.
Lone Ranger
Light, a cloud of dust and the haughty Higho Silver. The Lone Ranger.
Narrator
With his faithful Indian companion Toto, the daring and resourceful mask rider of the plains and led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver.
Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger rides again.
Tonto
Come on, Silver. Let go, big fellow.
Lone Ranger
Hello, Silver. Away.
Narrator
And here's the Lone Ranger.
Tonto
A long time ago, a man fought an enormous animal, bigger than an elephant. When I found the bones of that animal in the desert, I realized that size alone doesn't always win. That little man must have prepared himself to conquer the monster. He must have known even in those days that champions are made, not born. And that's still true today. Anyone hoping to become a champion needs lots of energy to sharpen his skills and to back those skills with power.
Narrator
Right, Lone Ranger? One of the big reasons champions choose Wheaties is for energy to help them get on their way. It's easy to see where that energy comes from when you know there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties flake. Friends, keep in mind this advice from the Lone Ranger. Champions are made, not born. Get on your way with Wheaties. Breakfast of champions. The Lone Ranger and his Indian companion, Tonto, rode the trail through the hills near the town of Ledgerock. The sun was setting and they hoped to find a suitable campsite before it became too dark. As they rounded a bend, they heard the distant clanging of a farm bell.
Tonto
Otto, that doesn't sound like the usual signal to the farmhands to come to supper. Something must be wrong.
Lone Ranger
Look.
Narrator
Kimasabi. They're red. Glow to left. Look like glow.
Lone Ranger
Fire.
Tonto
Maybe we can help. Come on, Silver.
Narrator
At the farmhouse, men were frantically fighting the fire.
Lone Ranger
Warm another bucket. Pray up in the water. Ho.
Tonto
Ho.
Lone Ranger
Ch. Ch. Engine. Here I am, Sam.
Narrator
What's up?
Lone Ranger
While you and your hands are over here helping fight the fire, outlaws are running off with some of your cattle.
Tonto
What?
Lone Ranger
It's true, John. I saw them. About five of them. They were masked and they were driving several head from your north range. They started shooting at me, so I left in a hurry. When I stopped at your ranch house, your wife told me you were all over here. They sent them.
Tonto
Maybe they're the ones.
Lone Ranger
You started this fire just to get us away from the ranch. As soon as we get the fire under control, we'll form a posy and.
Narrator
Go hunting for those wrestlers.
Lone Ranger
Get busy, man. Come on.
Narrator
A short time later, one of the men excitedly called to Judd as he pointed toward the top of a ridge behind the farmhouse.
Lone Ranger
A Mass planning an Indian. They're heading this way. Some of you, Martin, come with me. We'll gun those two before they get away. Likely came back to see what was going on.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger and Toto rode over the top of the ridge and started toward the burning farmhouse. He was hubby. Men, mount.
Lone Ranger
Horses ride.
Tonto
This way. I see them. But the fire still isn't under control. I wonder. Hello.
Narrator
They're firing at us.
Tonto
Return back in a hurry. Montoy.
Narrator
The last man and Indian soon outdistanced their followers. They covered their tracks. And those darkness had fallen. Finally stopped in a grove of cottonwoods to make camp.
Tonto
Those men meant business. Toddle. They must have noticed my mask and decided we were outlaws. After we pitch camp, I'll disguise my features and we'll ride to town. We may get news of Frank Drew and his gang.
Narrator
Later that night. The Lone Ranger, disguised as a ranch hand, sat in the cafe with Tato. They listened to the conversation around them.
Tonto
Well, place is the second one to be set on fire this week.
Lone Ranger
Yeah. Something happened each time. That's right. First time, a house on the edge of town while we were helping fight the fire. The bank was robbed. Sure. This time a gang of outlaws ran off some of Judd Jenkins cattle while you were all at the wells fire. And two of the gang had the nerve to come snooping around the scene of the fire. Yeah, I saw them. One was masked and the other was a redskin. We chased them, but they gave us the slip. Everybody in the territory is up in arms about what's going on. Nobody knows where the gang will strike me. We've got to do something for them.
Tonto
There's the answer to what happened.
Narrator
Maybe at outlaw gang we come to capture Kimasabi.
Tonto
I thought of that too. We're right over near the Jenkins place. We've got to find the gang's trail. All right, let's go.
Narrator
Frank Drew, outlaw leader. Talked to his men in a vacant farmhouse not far from Judd Jenkins place. Well, starting fires to attract attention has.
Tonto
Worked out so far. Amen.
Narrator
As soon as the excitement dies down, I have an even bigger deal in mind.
Lone Ranger
Yeah?
Tonto
Why?
Narrator
We'll start a fire on the ridge near the north range. That'll bring everybody from town and for miles around to fight it. We'll move in and clean out the town. We'll hit the express office, the hotel and the cafe. That'll be risky.
Lone Ranger
Might finally trail us here.
Narrator
We won't come back here tonight. We'll use a running iron to change the brand on the Jenkins cattle. We stole and we'll drive them over to Hillcrest and sell them. Tomorrow we'll head north with plenty of cash if everything works out right. The Lone Ranger and Toto rode toward the north range hoping to find the trail of the gang. But the moon went behind the clouds. It was too dark for them to see, so they returned to their camp. For several days they searched but were unable to trail the outlaws who had cleverly covered their tracks. On the third day, as the Lone Ranger and Toto rounded a bend in the trail they saw a group of horsemen approaching. You must hurry. Men look like men who chase us other evenings.
Tonto
Turn into the woods. T Quick.
Lone Ranger
Jimmy. Those were the same two. Gave us a slip when we chased them from Wells play. We better get after them. Yeah, but I want one of you men to ride to town and get the sheriff. Tell them we spotted those owl hoots again and asked him to come with a posse. We'll search the hills for those crooks till we find them. I'll go for the sheriff. Get up there. Well, let's trail the Marshman and the Indian. Come on.
Narrator
Once more, the Lone Ranger and Toto out distanced their followers and covered their trail. They finally stopped on a bluff overlooking the north range. From their position, they could see the ridge beyond Kimur Sabi. We see heavy smoke along ridge.
Tonto
Yes, and I see flames leaping up. The timber is dry and that fire will spread.
Lone Ranger
Let's come.
Narrator
Others had seen the fire on the ridge too. Judd Jenkins and his men were searching for the trail of a masked man and Indian when one of the men.
Lone Ranger
Called out, judge, over at the ridge there's a forest fire. Hey, Cindy. If the wind turns, that fire will burn out my place and threaten the whole town. What's more, it'll spread to the range grass and stampede my cattle.
Tonto
That's right, it will.
Lone Ranger
We'll get as many others as we can. Then we'll head over there and try to stop that fire before it's too late. Get up there. Get it.
Narrator
Judd sent men in every direction to warn the ranchers in the territory and sent one man to town to get help. Soon every available man in Ledge Rock was heading for the burning ridge. They went by buckboard wagon and on horseback.
Tonto
It'll take every man around here to stop that fire.
Lone Ranger
Yes, but it has to be stopped.
Narrator
From a wooded grove at the edge of town Frank Drew and his poor followers watch the exodus of the townsman.
Tonto
Our plan is sure working, fellas.
Narrator
Looks like everybody in town is heading to the ridge. I Saw the sheriff and the posse.
Tonto
Riots in town just a while ago too.
Narrator
This is going to be easy. We'll get plenty of loot this time.
Tonto
All right, hit leather. Let's go.
Narrator
Get back.
Tonto
Come.
Narrator
The crooks rode into town and first stopped to rob the express office. Next, the crooks entered the hotel and held up a desk clerk taking the contents of the safe there. Then they went to the cafe and successfully carried through another robbery. As they rode from town, the barkeep ran to the hitch rack in front of the cafe, mounted a horse and rode hurriedly toward the ridge to report. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger and Toto reach the blazing area on the ridge.
Tonto
Easy T. Fire is great headway, Toto. It's plenty bad. The wind is blowing it toward the Jenkins ranch.
Lone Ranger
That's right.
Tonto
We're right back that way. And we'll start a backfire.
Narrator
That's the only way to stop it.
Tonto
Let's go.
Narrator
The mass man in Indian rode down along the ridge at a fast forward pace. Near the end of the ridge, they came face to face with Jud Jenkins and his men.
Tonto
We came to help fight the fire.
Lone Ranger
That's a lie. You most likely started him. We can't waste time arguing.
Tonto
Oh, wait. We're not outlaws.
Lone Ranger
We say you are. Don't try to choke your way out of it. Eat in trouble, men. We'll take your gun. I say gun shot. We haven't time to fool.
Narrator
Winger and Cuto tensed. They were ready to fight for their lives. But they knew they'd have little chance against so many.
Lone Ranger
Watch them close, men. I'll take their guns.
Narrator
The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments.
Tonto
Sold.
LegalShield Promoter
Here are the keys to your new home. New beginnings Sound exciting? From a new marriage to a new home, having access to legal help comes in handy. With Legalshield, you can connect with a designated law firm that knows your state laws, helping with prenups, real estate contracts and even wills and estate planning. Starting around a dollar a day. Legalshield Real lawyers. Really affordable. For 10% off your annual subscription. Sign up@legalshield.com today. That's LegalShield.com LegalShield does not provide legal representation or advice. See a plan for complete terms.
LegalShield User
Your software needs to be compliant to win deals. But you also need your engineers focused on building your product, not pulling SOC2 evidence. Enter a third option. Make Vanta your first security hire. Vanta uses AI and automation to get you compliant fast. Simplify your audit process and unblock deals so you can prove to your customers that you take security seriously. Plus, Vanta scales right along with you, backed by support that's there when you need it, every step of the way. That's why top startups like Cursor, Linear and Replit use Vanta to get and stay secure. Don't sock block your best engineer, set them free and get compliant fast with vanta. Get started. Advanta.com I'm calling about a bill that seems to be incorrect.
Lone Ranger
Let me transfer you to someone who might care.
LegalShield Promoter
A charge you don't recognize, a service you didn't agree to, a contract you barely remember signing. Issues related to your home money, taxes these are not do it yourself projects. Starting around a dollar a day, LegalShield connects you with a designated law firm that knows your state laws to help resolve billing disputes, navigate debt, and guide your next steps. LegalShield Real lawyers really affordable for 10% off your annual subscription. Sign up@legalshield.com today. That's LegalShield.com Legal Shield does not provide legal representation or advice. They plan for complete terms.
Narrator
This is Mel Allen, sports announcer, and I've been in this business long enough to know that champions are made, not born. Isn't that the way it should be? Gives every youngster a chance. Take Betty Shallow, figure skating beauty with the famous Ship Stads and Johnson Ice Follies. Why she was learning to cut figure eight years ago. Been eating Wheaties since she was only chin high to her breakfast bowl. Twenty years ago, that was. Or Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns, who can thread a needle with a forward pass. Otto made himself a champion. Practiced hours every chance he had and been really going for that wheaties breakfast for 23 seasons. There's so doggone much honest energy packed into Wheaties. Nothing you pick at and push aside for Wheaties are downright goblin good. Let me say again what champions know. There's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties plate. And don't you lose track of this fact for a minute. Champions are made, not born. Get on your way with Wheaties. Breakfast of champions. Now to continue, the Lone Ranger and Tato faced a hostile and determined group of men. They knew that as soon as Sam took their guns, the others would open fire. As Sam started toward them, the arrival of a new group of horsemen interrupted the proceedings.
Lone Ranger
What's going on here? Why aren't you all fighting the fire? Sheriff, you arrived here just in time. We caught the two outlaws who started that fire. They were seen near The Wells place the other night. Yeah, the two of the gangs.
Tonto
They're wrong, Sheriff. These men wouldn't give me a chance to explain.
Lone Ranger
Them and the others were going to drill them. None of that while I'm sheriff. Now, mister, you said something about a chance to explain. If you can, go ahead. We have little time.
Tonto
This letter from the governor will explain enough.
Lone Ranger
By golly, you men almost made a mighty bad mistake. This masked man, an Indian, helped the law. This letter, signed by the governor. Voucher for him. I've heard of him before, too. How do you know he can be trusted? Yeah, he might have stole that letter. Now, wait a minute. This letter describes him and his horse and says he carries silver bullets.
Tonto
Here, Sheriff, look at this bullet.
Lone Ranger
By thunder, it's silver, all right. What's that I tell you there, friends, you can take my word for it. Then what are they doing here? Yeah, what about this?
Tonto
We came here to start a backfire. That's the only way to stop that ridge fire.
Lone Ranger
Say, that's right. Yeah, it is the only way, Rick. And the sheriff's right, buddy.
Tonto
There's no time to lose. We better start it right away. Easy.
Lone Ranger
Steady, Big P. Hurry, man. Follow the Mashman. Get to work on that backfire.
Narrator
Soon the backfire had been started and roared to meet the oncoming flames.
Lone Ranger
That'll do it. Lucky I came along when I did. You might have kept the mash man from helping you. If that's Red.
Tonto
By the way, Sheriff, did it occur to you that this fire may have been set for the outlaw gang as a cover up for another robbery?
Lone Ranger
By thunder, you may be right. During the last two fires, something happened and this ridge was. Fire will bring most every man from town.
Tonto
There are many of them crossing the range down there right now. I suggest we take some men and go back to town in case the gang does strike.
Lone Ranger
It's a good idea. The rest of them can keep tabs on the ridge fire. Let's mount and head for town, man.
Tonto
We'll ride with you.
Narrator
On the way back to town, a group of horsemen saw a rider approaching at top speed.
Lone Ranger
Someone coming this way. The outlaw gang. Five of them robbed the cafe in.
Tonto
Town and they headed out the north trail.
Lone Ranger
I shut it all. That's not all. I heard one of them say they'd robbed the express office and the hotel, too. Doggone it. They started that fire so they could clean out the town as soon as everybody headed for the ridge. Let's hurry, man.
Tonto
We know a shortcut to the north trail, Sheriff. We take it we should be able to pick up their tracks without going through town.
Lone Ranger
That's what we'll do. You lead the way.
Tonto
Right.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger and Totto, with the sheriff and his men took the shortcut to the north trail. There they followed the tracks of the five horses ridden by the outlaws. Finally, they came to the point where the hoof marks entered the shallow water along the shore of the river.
Lone Ranger
I knew it. They've always been smart enough to cover their trail and throw us off.
Tonto
I suggest we divide our forces. Sheriff, half ride with me along this shore. The rest go with tunnel to the other side. That way we may be able to pick up the trail again.
Lone Ranger
Mister, that's a good idea. But if they doubled back, we'd be wasting our time.
Tonto
It seems logical to me that they'd go on to the New Mexico border. Sheriff, if they double back now, they'd reach Ledge Rock about the time every man in town is out searching for them.
Lone Ranger
That makes sense. We'll follow your plan, mister. Now split up, boys. After you go with Tonto and the rest, come with me and the mast man. Yeah.
Narrator
All right. The posse divided and followed each bank of the river northward. Finally, the Lone Ranger called a halt.
Lone Ranger
What are we stopping for, mister? I don't see anything here to indicate.
Narrator
They left the river.
Tonto
Look closely. See those marks on the rocky surface? I believe they were recently made by horseshoes.
Lone Ranger
Yeah, Now I see them. I wouldn't have figured what they are. So you think they left the river at this point?
Tonto
Yes, Sheriff. If we look around, I'm certain we'll find their tracks on the soft ground beyond this rocky surface. Come on, Silver.
Narrator
A short time later, the tracks were found. The others were signaled to rejoin the sheriff and the masked man. Then the entire posse set out to follow the newly found tracks of the gang.
Tonto
Come on.
Narrator
Later, in a deserted prospector's cabin, Frank and his gun slick settled down for a few hours rest.
Lone Ranger
Hey, Frank, think we ought to have someone go out and scan guy?
Narrator
Yeah, no reason for that. We're safe enough. I figure it's taking them until about now to get that fire under control. Nobody will learn of the robberies till the townsmen go home.
Tonto
That's right. Yeah, that sheriff and Ledge Rock is.
Narrator
Too dumb to outsmart me. He's been running in circles for weeks.
Tonto
Yeah, Frank, you sure know how to cover tracks.
Narrator
Oh, say, how about getting the loot.
Tonto
From the saddlebags and divvying up now, huh? That's what I'm looking forward to. All right, get it and put it on the table. All right.
Narrator
We'll each get enough to put us.
Tonto
On easy street for a while.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger tosses Toto and the posse had no further trouble following the gang's trail. Finally, they saw the shack.
Tonto
Look. Horses tied behind that shack. It may mean the men we're following are there.
Lone Ranger
What do you figure is the best thing to do, mister?
Tonto
Leave our horses among the trees and go forward on foot. We'll have our guns ready and keep close watch in case they have a lookout. Good idea. Todd and I will go on ahead to make sure the gang's in the shack. You and the men follow Sheriff and circle the building when you get there. Right. All right. Come on, T.
Narrator
The crooks were gathered around the table where Frank was piling the cash in separate bundles. Suddenly, reason.
Tonto
Don't move. You're all covered.
Lone Ranger
Hey, look a mess, man. Indians with him.
Tonto
Oh, you two.
Narrator
Owl hoots. Think you're gonna grab our caches, is that it? Well, nobody outsmarts Frank Drew, mister.
Tonto
Just remember that. Frank Drew, huh? We've been looking for you and your gang.
Narrator
Well, you found us. Now, you better ease on out of here while you're still in one piece. I draw, man.
Tonto
Give him leads.
Lone Ranger
Don't draw. Oh, I'm hip.
Tonto
Got him.
Narrator
The other four men went for their guns. The Lone Ranger and Cotto fired simultaneously. At the same time, the sheriff and his men appeared at the windows.
Lone Ranger
He got you covered from the window, too.
Narrator
You two might as well forget your guns. Masked man and Indian brought a gang with them. Toto quickly took the crook's guns. Then the sheriff and his men came inside the shack.
Tonto
Hey, Frank, look.
Lone Ranger
That's no outlaw gang. It's a sheriff and his men.
Narrator
Hey, what are they doing with a.
Tonto
Masked man and an Indian?
Lone Ranger
You'll soon learn the answer to that one, Drew. Here's the loot from the three robberies.
Narrator
Here on the table.
Tonto
That's right, Sheriff. And I'm sure they'll admit they set those fires.
Lone Ranger
They'll do plenty of talking. Don't worry, mister. We'll bandage their wounds and take them back to Ledgerock. They'll have a lot of time to think in jail.
Tonto
Those are the men we were hunting, sheriff. Now that you have them in custody, Tuttle and I will continue on to Pecos. Unless you need our help.
Lone Ranger
Mister, without the help you already gave, we wouldn't have caught him. We can handle them from now on.
Tonto
In that case, we'll say adios, everybody.
Lone Ranger
Adios.
Tonto
We'll see you again, Sheriff? Come on, Dodo.
Lone Ranger
Hey, Frank, I don't get this.
Tonto
How come that masked man rode with.
Lone Ranger
A posse then walks out as calm as you please?
Tonto
Oh, God, if I know.
Narrator
He even said he and the Indian were looking for me and my gang.
Lone Ranger
Maybe it's about time you found out, Drew, that you aren't as smart as you thought. That masked man and his Indian friend work with the law to capture low down crooks like you and your gunman.
Tonto
Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Narrator
Does he ride a big white stallion? Does the Indian ride a paint?
Lone Ranger
Yep.
Tonto
I should have known when I first saw him. You should have known what, Frank?
Lone Ranger
Who is he?
Tonto
Why, you fool.
Narrator
You must have heard of him. That hombre is none other than the Lone Ranger.
Andrew Rines
Back in the Old west, folks didn't run to the pharmacy every time trouble hit. They relied on the know how and natural remedies. Kind of like how Tonto always seems to have a special mixture ready for whatever came next. If you want to learn how to do that today, check out the Beginner's Guide to Herbal Remedies. Easy Steps for teas, tinctures and Salves. Even if you've never tried herbs before, visit otrwesterns.com herbs to learn more again otrwesterns.com herbs when Bill's at Bath, the kids all shout.
Lone Ranger
You can't strike that slugger out. He gets a hippie cubby nose. He's got gold power from Cheerios. Yes, he's got gold power. There he goes. He's feeling his Cheerios. Cheerios. Cheerios.
Tonto
Everybody loves Cheerios. So delicious.
Narrator
Cause it's made from toasted oats all ready to eat with milk and the.
Tonto
Go power it gives you.
Narrator
You see, each spoonful of Cheerios and milk is packed with vitamins, proteins and minerals. The very things your body needs for healthy nerves. Good red blood, strong bones and muscles. Yes, Cheerios is real muscle building food. Have Cheerios every morning.
Lone Ranger
Then you'll hear people say he's feeling his Cheerios.
Narrator
The lone ranger, a copyrighted feature of the lone ranger, incorporated, is created by george w. Trendle. Produced by trendle campbell muir incorporated, directed by charles d. Livingston and edited by fran stryker. The pond of the lord. The lone ranger is played by brace beamer, your announcer, fred foy. The Lone Ranger is brought to you by General Mills every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this same time. Be sure to listen. This recorded program has come to you from Detroit. This is ABC Radio Network.
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 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.
LegalShield Advertiser
It.
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: February 16, 2026
This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a digitally restored broadcast of The Lone Ranger, originally aired on February 27, 1953. In "Mystery Fires," the iconic masked hero and his companion Tonto uncover and thwart a cunning outlaw gang's plot to rob a town by using a series of diversionary fires. The story takes listeners deep into classic themes of justice, quick-thinking heroics, and the eternal fight between lawmen and outlaws on the frontier, all underscored by vivid soundscapes and energetic performances.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto (his “faithful Indian companion”) travel near the town of Ledgerock, searching for a campsite.
They hear a farm bell and see a red glow—discovering a fire has broken out at a nearby farmhouse.
“That doesn’t sound like the usual signal to the farmhands to come to supper. Something must be wrong.” — Tonto (05:06)
While the townspeople fight the fire, The Lone Ranger reports that five masked outlaws are stealing cattle from the north range.
The heroes and townsmen suspect the fire was started to divert attention for the crime.
“They started this fire just to get us away from the ranch. As soon as we get the fire under control, we'll form a posse and go hunting for those wrestlers.” — Lone Ranger (05:54)
Frank Drew, leader of the gang, outlines a plan for a larger heist: start a bigger fire to draw everyone from town, then rob the express office, hotel, and cafe.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto attempt to trail the gang but are outsmarted.
"We'll move in and clean out the town. We'll hit the express office, the hotel, and the cafe." — Frank Drew (08:50)
The outlaws execute their plan, setting a fire on the ridge and emptying the town of its defenders.
The gang commits multiple robberies while the townsfolk, sheriff, and posse fight the blaze.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto arrive at the fire's edge and begin to set a backfire to stop its spread.
“That fire will bring most every man from town.” — Lone Ranger (19:20)
The Lone Ranger proposes splitting up and tracking the gang along both riverbanks, confident they are heading for the New Mexico border.
Tonto and The Lone Ranger spot telltale marks and guide the posse along the outlaws’ concealed path.
“If we look around, I’m certain we’ll find their tracks on the soft ground beyond this rocky surface. Come on, Silver.” — Lone Ranger (21:51)
The posse locates the gang at a remote prospector’s cabin, catching them as they divide up their loot.
A brief standoff ensues before the sheriff’s men join the fray, and the outlaws surrender.
“You two owl hoots think you’re gonna grab our cash, is that it? Well, nobody outsmarts Frank Drew, mister.” — Frank Drew (24:09)
The sheriff recognizes the masked man’s contribution, and The Lone Ranger and Tonto ride off to their next adventure.
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:19 | Host introduction and welcome | | 03:45 | Lone Ranger & Tonto encounter the first fire | | 05:41 | Discovery of fire as a cover for cattle theft | | 08:34 | Outlaw leader Frank Drew reveals the next big plan | | 11:03 | The massive ridge fire threatens the town and ranches | | 12:53 | Town robberies during the fire | | 17:37 | Sheriff intervenes as townsfolk nearly turn on Lone Ranger | | 19:14 | Realization that fire enables the town-wide robbery | | 20:31 | The posse splits and tracks outlaws along riverbanks | | 22:24 | Outlaws found at the prospector’s cabin; confrontation begins | | 24:04 | The Lone Ranger and Tonto break in and disarm the outlaws | | 25:28 | Sheriff thanks the Lone Ranger, who rides on with Tonto | | 26:09 | Outlaw Frank Drew realizes the masked man’s identity |
The episode embodies the high-adventure, moralistic, and distinctly upright tone that defines The Lone Ranger series. Dialogues move briskly, with a sense of urgency and Old West justice. Classic sponsor messages (“Champions are made, not born!") mingle with gunfights, strategic outwitting, and robust Western camaraderie — all peppered with period-appropriate language and colorful characterization.
In "Mystery Fires," The Lone Ranger and Tonto unravel a clever criminal scheme involving diversionary arson and a string of robberies. Despite being mistaken for outlaws, the duo’s quick wits and ironclad integrity earn them the trust of the sheriff and the townsfolk. Together, they douse the fire, rescue the town from destruction, and round up the gang, demonstrating why legends of the masked man continue to echo across the American West.
For fans and newcomers alike, this episode is a stellar example of classic radio Western adventure — restored with modern clarity, and as thrilling as ever.