Mystery Hotel | The Lone Ranger (05-14-51)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns – "Mystery Hotel | The Lone Ranger" (05-14-51)

Release Date: July 2, 2025
Host: Andrew Rines

---

Introduction

In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rines presents a digitally restored version of the classic radio drama, "The Lone Ranger: Mystery Hotel" originally aired on May 14, 1951. Despite being a partial episode, Rines ensures listeners receive a captivating narrative that breathes new life into this timeless Western adventure.

Setting the Scene

The story unfolds in the serene yet rugged landscapes of the early western United States. The Lone Ranger, accompanied by his loyal companion Tonto, rides along the banks of a clear stream in a vast valley. As dusk settles, they decide to camp near the Hillside Hotel, a once-thriving establishment now in ruins, spared only by the hotel itself from a destructive fire that consumed the surrounding town.

Notable Quote:

• Narrator [03:28]: "At sunset, the Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding along the bank of a wide stream of clear water that ran through the valley."

Discovery of the Distress Signal

While setting up camp, the Lone Ranger spots a floating bottle carrying a torn piece of paper. Recognizing the urgency, he retrieves the bottle and discovers a distress message from John Herkimer, a prominent engineer whose son, Jack Herkimer, is also mentioned as a brilliant mind in railroad tunnel construction.

Notable Quote:

• The Lone Ranger [07:04]: "I'm looking for a gent named John Herkimer."

Investigation at the Hotel

The Lone Ranger and Tonto disguise themselves to investigate the Hillside Hotel covertly. As they approach, they encounter Kate Sloane, a heavily built woman who initially resists their inquiries about Herkimer. Her behavior raises suspicions, especially when she dismisses their presence and cites her husband's mental instability as a reason for their isolated living.

Notable Quote:

• Kate Sloane [07:17]: "I reckon I'd better explain. You see, most of the time, Joe's all right, but every so often he has a spell when he thinks everyone's trying to kill him."

Confrontation and Capture

Inside the hotel, Kate and her husband Joe Sloane reveal their true intentions. They have been holding John Herkimer and his son captive, forcing them to work under duress. As tensions escalate, the Lone Ranger decides to take decisive action. With strategic precision, he and Tonto incapacitate the guards, freeing Herkimer and preparing to confront the outlaws.

Notable Quote:

• The Lone Ranger [09:19]: "And take the wine away from them."

Rescuing John Herkimer

John Herkimer provides crucial information about his and his son's captivity. He explains that they were coerced by Sloan and his gang to assist in dubious projects threatening the safety of the community. Herkimer's ingenuity allowed him to send out a plea for help, leading the Lone Ranger to their location.

Notable Quote:

• John Herkimer [15:10]: "My son Jack received a letter from a man named Sloan asking him to call at the Hillside Hotel to discuss rebuilding the town."

Climactic Showdown

As the Lone Ranger orchestrates the rescue, a fierce battle ensues. Utilizing his mastery of combat and strategy, the Lone Ranger neutralizes the threat posed by the outlaws. The climax sees him ensuring the safety of Herkimer and his son, restoring peace to the troubled valley.

Notable Quote:

• The Lone Ranger [13:39]: "Shoot for the door, boy."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with the Lone Ranger and Tonto successfully rescuing John Herkimer and his son from the clutches of the Sloan gang. Their unwavering commitment to justice reaffirms their roles as the protectors of the frontier, upholding law and order where it's most needed.

Notable Quote:

• The Lone Ranger [14:03]: "My son."

Final Thoughts

Andrew Rines masterfully delivers this restored episode, highlighting the nuanced performances and rich soundscapes that defined the golden age of radio Westerns. Despite being a shortened version, "Mystery Hotel" offers an engaging narrative filled with suspense, heroism, and the enduring spirit of the Wild West.

---

For More Episodes and Content:

• Visit otrwesterns.com
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube

Join the community of ranch hands to access exclusive content and support the preservation of classic Western radio dramas.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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. And before we get into this episode, let's go ahead and do a quick programming note. This is only a partial episode, all that exists. If we ever do find the original with the beginning or ending correctly done, we will definitely bring it to you. Sorry again, this will be a shorter episode than usual. Hope you enjoy.

[Narrator]

And let's get into it by special recording. General Mills, makers of Wheaties, Breakfast of Champions and Cheerios. The Oat Cereal Ready to eat presents.

[The Lone Ranger]

The Lone Ranger.

[Narrator]

A fiery horse with a speed of.

[The Lone Ranger]

Light, a cloud of dots and a haughty hio. Silver. The Lone Ranger.

[Narrator]

With his faithful Indian companion, Tato, the daring and resourceful mask rider of the plains, 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 beaks of the great horse Silver.

[The Lone Ranger]

The Lone Ranger rides again.

[Narrator]

That's your big fellow.

[The Lone Ranger]

Cause champions are made, not fought.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get on your way.

[Narrator]

Get on your way?

[The Lone Ranger]

Get on your way with Weedy.

[Narrator]

It's encouraging for all of us to know that champions are made, not born. We can get ahead like Ted Klosewski, power hitter for the Cincinnati Red Legs. Here's the story of little Ted and how he worked to get ahead by playing ball each chance he got and doing what the champs all taught. A bowl of Wheaties helped a lot. Now Ted slams him off the wall. Still likes Wheaties best of all. Why, big Ted Kloszewski was raised on Wheaties, and you bet he still eats them. Ted knows there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheatie slate.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, Ted, break up the game. Hey, hey, hey. He's on his way, on his way? He's on his way, on his way. Get on your way with sweeties. Cause champions of eight, not sports.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get on your way?

[Narrator]

Get on your way?

[The Lone Ranger]

Get on your way with sweeties. Breakfast of champions.

[Narrator]

At sunset, the Lone Ranger and Tottle were riding along the bank of a wide stream of clear water that ran through the valley. When they reached a stand of timber, the masked man signaled a halt. Easy. Steady, big fellow. Steady, fellow. We'll camp here. Toto. Kimasabi. This good place. Plenty firewood, plenty water and grass for Scouting silver. Kimasabe. Yes. Look. Kimasabe. Upstream. Bottle float on water. A bottle. Both men stood beside their horses and watched the floating bottle carried toward them by the stream. Presently, the masked man said, otto, there seems to be a piece of paper inside that bottle. Ah, that. Right. I'll get it. Balloon rings are weighted into the water knee deep. Secured the bottle and returned to Toto's side. They're writing on paper. Yes, Toto. I'll break the bottle and see what's written there. Throw some dirt over the broken glass, will you? This looks like a page torn from a notebook. What it say? I'm a prisoner in the Hillside Hotel. Bring law. Save me before it is too late. Son. John Herkimer. Room 200. John Herkimer? You who know him? Yes, Tutto. He's a fine old gentleman. His son is one of the most brilliant engineers in the country. He's built several railroad tunnels. Me here. Jack Kirkmer. I met Jack and his father during the building of a tunnel for the Union Pacific. Where? Hotel must be in the town of Hillside. See, that's in this valley a few miles upstream. We go there? Yes. Untie the blankets and cooking gear, Tomo. We leave them here so the horses will carry no extra weight. While you're doing that, I'll rig a disguise. In his saddlebags, the Lone Ranger carried extra clothing as well as materials to change his complexion and the general appearance of his face. After a few minutes of work, he looked like an aged prospector as he stood unmasked beside his horse. Ready, Toto. Following the bank of the stream, the Lone Ranger and Tottle rode upstream for about an hour. It was dusk when they reached the edge of the woods and halted their horses. Charred wood and stone foundations were all that remained of the buildings that had once made up the settlement. Only the two story hotel had escaped the fire that destroyed the town. The hotel, which stood close to the steep hill at one side of the valley, was badly in need of repair. Look like no one lived there now. I'll soon find that easy. Steady, big fellow. Stay here with the horses. Toddle. Will you go to hotel alone? Yes. I'll try to learn something about John Herkimer. During the walk of about 200 yards from the woods to the hotel, the Lone Ranger moved with a shuffling gait in keeping with his disguise as an aged prospect. As he neared the building, he noticed that only traces of paint remained on the split and broken clapboards. And there were many broken windows. As he crossed the covered porch, the door was opened Suddenly, by a heavily built woman who held a gun in one hand.

[The Lone Ranger]

I saw you coming, mister. Ain't your business, and be quick about it.

[Narrator]

Well, this being a hotel.

[The Lone Ranger]

Not anymore. It's a private home, and it's mine.

[Narrator]

Oh. Last time I came here, there was quite a town and the hotel was running.

[The Lone Ranger]

That's when a lot of galoots like you were searching for gold in the hills.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma' am, and a number of men found gold.

[The Lone Ranger]

When the claims petered out, a lot of people moved away. The rest of them left after the town burned down. Now, there's no one here but my husband and me, and we're not running a hotel. So if you'll.

[Narrator]

Ma' am, I. I'm looking for a gent named John Herkimer.

[The Lone Ranger]

John Herkimer?

[Narrator]

Yes.

[The Lone Ranger]

I. I never heard the name. Now, shut on, mister. I'm busy. That's my husband.

[Narrator]

He.

[The Lone Ranger]

He's a bit local.

[Narrator]

Oh, you don't say.

[The Lone Ranger]

I reckon I'd better explain. You see, most of the time, Joe's all right, but every so often he has a spell when he thinks everyone's trying to kill him. During those spells, I have to keep him locked in his room.

[Narrator]

Oh, do the two of you live here alone?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah. Joe's spells are worse when others are around. That's why we live in a deserted place like this. We bought the hotel for practically nothing after the town burned down. Now, mister, will you clear out?

[Narrator]

Yes, ma' am. Sorry I bothered you. Good day, ma' Kate Sloane watched the visitor leave the porch and walk slowly toward the woods. Then she went inside and closed the door. Her husband appeared from a side room.

[The Lone Ranger]

Joe. That man was asking about Herkimer.

[Narrator]

I heard the talk.

[The Lone Ranger]

Why do you suppose he thought Herkimer would be here?

[Narrator]

I don't know.

[The Lone Ranger]

Herkimer yelled for help.

[Narrator]

I heard him. I'm going upstairs right now and find out about him.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll go with you.

[Narrator]

I sent Lefty to keep an eye on Herkimer. When you saw the stranger approaching the front door.

[The Lone Ranger]

When he yelled, I didn't know what to say.

[Narrator]

You thought fast, Kate. There was a good story told about me having spells and having to be locked in a room. Joe Sloane and his wife walked along the second floor corridor to a room in the front of the hotel. They saw John Herkimer senior, father of the young engineer, unconscious on the bed. Lefty stood at his side and explained. I hit him with my gun barrel, Joe. I came here to watch him like you said, but he cried out real stubborn. He took me by surprise. How bad's he hurt? Oh, he's not hurt much. I just tapped him.

[The Lone Ranger]

He's coming too.

[Narrator]

My head. Herkimer. We've been giving you and your son mighty fine treatment, but it seems you don't appreciate it. You tried to make trouble for us by yelling for help. Do you think I like being held prisoner? You like it even less. From now on, I'm cutting out all the fancy trimmings you've been getting. No more books to read, or wine to drink, or swimming in the river. Take those books, Luffy. Yeah, right.

[The Lone Ranger]

And take the wine away from them.

[Narrator]

Where is it? I finished it here. Where's the empty bottle? It is carried out a couple of days ago with a food tray.

[The Lone Ranger]

Red picks up the dirty dishes. He must have thrown it out.

[Narrator]

Elkimer, we're nearly through with our job. If you want to go free with your son, you'd better not make another play to cause trouble. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger rejoined Toto in the during the gathering darkness, he removed his disguise and put on his own clothes and mask while he told of his visit. And when that woman said she and her husband lived there alone, I knew she was lying. I can see through the hall into the dining room, and the table was set for at least six people, maybe more. Maybe also Liebherr's husband. Heaven. Sixpence, probably. The cry I heard was cut off sharply, as if someone had throttled a man or knocked him out. Maybe you tricked him. That's possible, yes. What we do now? We'll wait until it's dark, then leave the horses here at ground Hitch and go together to the hotel, and we'll go quietly. A short time later, the masked man and Totto moved silently and kept concealed as well as possible in underbrush that grew along the bank of the stream. There was no moon but the fence. Starlight revealed a man sitting on the ground near the water's edge. He seemed to be watching a lighted front window on the hotel second floor. It might be a guard. We capture him. Yes. The guard was wholly unaware that anyone was near until strong arms gripped him from behind. Before he could cry out, a hand was clamped across his mouth. A gun jabbed him in the back, and a low voice said, keep quiet if you want to stay alive. The guard knew better than to struggle threatened by a gun. He remained quiet while Toto gagged him as tied his hands and feet. Stay here and watch him, cattle. I'll climb to the porch roof and see who's in that Lighted room. We'll continue our Lone Ranger adventure in just a moment. This is Mel Allen, sports announcer, coming at you again and hammering away with those five big words. Champions are made, not born. Let me tell you about the kangaroo kid, Jim Pollard of the world champion Minneapolis Lakers. Jumping Jim wasn't born to dunk those layups. He practiced hard when he was a youngster and just as hard today. And is it any surprise that Jim Pollard's been eating Wheaties since he was 11? Take another pro basketball champ, Bob Davies of the Rochester Royals. Ever watch Bob bring that ball down the floor? Well, he started working on that dribble way back in grammar school. And eating Wheaties even then. It's more than practice, more than hard work, more than the will to win. It's also a matter of eating right. Sure, it's Wheaties. I'm talking about Wheaties, bowl after bowl. Why, there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties plate. Yes, sir, you bet your last bowl of Wheaties. Champions are made, not born. Get on your way with Wheaties. Breakfast of champions now to continue. A short time later, the masked man was on the hotel porch. By standing on the porch railing, he gripped the edge of the veranda roof and drew himself up. He made his way to the lighted window, peered cautiously into the room and saw John Herkimer, tied hand and foot, lying on the bed. There was no lock on the window. The Lone Ranger opened it and stepped into the room. He drew a knife as he stepped to the bedside. I'll have you free in a few seconds. I remember you. The Union Pacific. Yes, there. Your hands are free. Now the feet. A gang of crooks live here. They captured my son in the door. Be quiet. Hey, Joe, that'll hold you. I'll drag this man into the room. The others downstairs, they heard him. They're coming now. Close the door. Here, take this man's gun. Here's my knife through your feet. I'll try to hold the others back tonight. While Herkimer worked desperately to cut the heavy rope around his ankles, the Lone Ranger drew his guns. When he heard the voices of the outlaws in the hall, he fired through the door. More bullets are waiting for anyone who opens that door.

[The Lone Ranger]

Shoot for the door, boy.

[Narrator]

The masked man stood to one side away from the bullets that splintered through the door. He saw that Lefty was still unconscious, then glanced at Herkimer. Go out the window. What I said still goes, and this proves it. Get out while those crooks are deciding on their next move. But you I'll follow you. Drop from the porch roof and go directly to the stream tunnels there.

[The Lone Ranger]

My son.

[Narrator]

We can't help him unless we escape. Now. Hurry. Despite his age, Herkimer moved with speed and agility. He went through the window, down the sloping roof, and dropped to the ground. The Lone Ranger followed, and the two ran toward the stream, joined Toto, and hurried to the woods. In the woods, where they had left Scout and Silver, the Lone Ranger listened to John Herkimer. As you know, the old hotel was built against the foot of a mountain. Yes. My son Jack received a letter from a man named Sloan asking him to call at the Hillside Hotel to discuss rebuilding the town. Well, I went to the hotel with him and we were both captured by Sloan? Sloan and six other crooks. Sloane's wife was there, too. They wanted my son to do a job for them and threatened to kill me if he refused. How long ago? Several weeks. They treated me very well, but they made it clear that my son would be killed if I tried to escape. They allowed me to go to the river under guard to bathe and gave me anything I wanted to eat and drink. I asked for wine so I'd have an empty bottle. Yes, we found the bottle in your note. That's what brought us to Hillside. I managed to get it into the stream without being noticed by the guy.

[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.

[Narrator]

Sam.