Old Time Radio Westerns: "No Visitors" | Have Gun Will Travel (12-28-58)

Host: Andrew Rhynes

Date: January 5, 2026

Classic Drama Air Date: December 28, 1958

Episode Overview

In this episode of Have Gun Will Travel titled "No Visitors," Paladin, a traveling gun-for-hire, stumbles upon a desperate woman and her ailing child in the Nevada desert—both stranded and shunned due to fears of typhoid fever. The story explores themes of frontier justice, prejudice, mob hysteria, and compassion, as Paladin fights not only for their survival but for the town’s decency. With standout performances, crackling sound design, and a progressive female doctor at the heart of the action, this restored audio drama highlights both the hardship and heroism of the West.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

Paladin’s Unintended Detour (03:16–07:00)

• Paladin finishes a job reuniting a woman, Cleo, with her alcoholic husband, only to find himself stranded in the Nevada desert.
• While riding, he hears the cry of a baby from an apparently abandoned wagon—a harbinger of trouble and compassion to come.

The Desperate Mother, Clara Benson (07:06–08:59)

• Paladin’s approach is met with a gun; Clara, the exhausted mother, is digging a grave.
• She confesses her child might have typhoid, and both have been abandoned by the wagon master, Mulroney, to avoid risk of contagion.
• Quote:
  Clara: “It don’t concern you.”
  Paladin: “Is it a grave? Who’s it for?”
  Clara: “The baby and me.” [07:37–07:45]

Quest for Help—Meeting Dr. Phyllis Thackeray (09:16–10:16)

• Paladin rides to the nearest town in search of medical help, only to find the town uneasy with outsiders and especially with a woman doctor.
• Dr. Thackeray—educated, determined, and the second woman to graduate her medical school—agrees to venture into the desert.
• Quote:
  Dr. Thackeray: “I’m a doctor, Mr. Paladin.” [10:13]

Town Prejudice & Mob Mentality (10:18–11:13)

• Paladin and Thackeray encounter fierce resistance: the townsfolk, led by Davis and the self-righteous Mulroney, refuse to let anyone exposed to the fever return.
• The threat is explicit—those seen as contaminated will be shot to protect the town.
• Quote:
  Davis: “Once you mix with a fever, you’re not welcome back here. And don’t try bringing those fever patients back here either.” [11:23]

The Medical Emergency (13:20–15:46)

• After a hard overnight ride, Thackeray examines the patients:
  • The mother suffers from exhaustion and exposure.
  • The baby's symptoms could indicate typhoid but are ambiguous.
• Despite resistance, Thackeray insists the only chance is proper medical treatment back in town.

Defiance at Gunpoint (16:19–18:04)

• Paladin and Thackeray face the armed townsfolk, who bar their way.
• Paladin defends the right to care for the sick, confronting the mob’s fear and hypocrisy.
• Quote:
  Paladin:
  “They’re not as sick as you people. Now, you may be able to keep them out of this settlement, but you’ll carry your own sickness with you wherever you go. You’ll die again every time you see a baby smile.” [16:41–16:56]

A Night Under Siege (18:04–19:43)

• Paladin keeps watch as the mob, incited by Mulroney, threatens violence, but there’s no attack that night.
• Inside, Dr. Thackeray works to save the mother and child.

Relief and Revelation—It’s Not Typhoid (19:44–20:24)

• At dawn, Dr. Thackeray brings news: the fever broke overnight; it was not typhoid, but three-day measles.
• Paladin’s lingering doubts prompt a thoughtful response on the ambiguity of medical symptoms.

Unmasking Mulroney’s True Motives (20:50–21:21)

• Clara reveals that Mulroney, the wagon master, desired her after her husband’s death. When she resisted, he used the child's illness to exile her, cloaking personal vengeance as community protection.

Mob Showdown—Truth and Tragedy (21:22–23:37)

• Mulroney, wielding a torch and religious rhetoric, incites violence.
• Dr. Thackeray and Paladin publicly reveal the misdiagnosis—exposing Mulroney’s malice.
• A standoff ensues; Paladin is forced to shoot Mulroney after he attacks, ending the mob’s hysteria.
• Quote:
  Paladin: “You can kill people with hate, but not with three-day measles, Mulroney.” [22:48–23:05]

Aftermath & Moral Reckoning (23:37–24:48)

• The townsfolk express shame and regret, offering apologies to Dr. Thackeray and requesting she remain as their physician.
• Paladin invites Dr. Thackeray to San Francisco, but she chooses to stay and serve the frontier, where she’s needed most.
• Quote:
  Dr. Thackeray: “There are too many of those velvet settees in San Francisco. I’ll stay here where I’m needed.” [24:27–24:48]

Closing Banter and Return to San Francisco (24:48+)

• Paladin returns, sharing with “Hey Boy” about his adventure and the admirable woman doctor.
• Playful closure as Paladin jokes about contracting three-day measles on the trail.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clara Benson, on abandonment:
  “The baby and me.” [07:45]

• Dr. Phyllis Thackeray, on being a woman doctor:
  “I was the second woman to graduate from my medical school. Others came after me. It was difficult for all of us, but gradually we’re becoming accepted as something better than freaks.” [13:51–14:04]

• Paladin, on confronting hypocrisy:
  “They’re not as sick as you people...You’ll die again every time you see a baby smile.” [16:41–16:56]

• Clara reveals Mulroney’s motives:
  “Mulroney wanted me to marry him...I wouldn’t let him near me. Then the baby got sick.” [20:50–21:10]

• Dr. Thackeray stands her ground:
  “That rash was measled. Three day measles.” [22:20–22:27]

• Paladin on hate and disease:
  “You can kill people with hate, but not with three day measles, Mulroney.” [22:48–23:05]

• Dr. Thackeray on her calling:
  “There are too many of those velvet settees in San Francisco. I’ll stay here where I’m needed.” [24:27–24:48]

Important Timestamps

• [03:16] Paladin encounters the stranded wagon.
• [07:45] Clara admits she’s digging her and her baby’s grave.
• [09:16] Paladin seeks medical help in town.
• [10:13] Dr. Thackeray resolves to help.
• [11:23] The town threatens to shoot anyone who returns exposed.
• [13:51–14:04] Dr. Thackeray discusses her experiences as a woman doctor.
• [16:41–16:56] Paladin challenges the mob.
• [19:44–20:24] Dr. Thackeray diagnoses three-day measles, not typhoid.
• [22:20–22:27] Public revelation of the true illness.
• [22:48–23:05] Mulroney’s threat ends in tragedy.
• [24:27–24:48] Dr. Thackeray chooses to stay on the frontier.

Summary & Takeaway

A classic western parable of fear versus compassion, "No Visitors" uses taut drama and a pioneering woman doctor to challenge superstitions and mob justice. With its thoughtful writing and nuanced performances, this episode remains a relevant tale about suspicion, courage, and the pioneering spirit—both medical and moral—at the heart of the American West.