Old Time Radio Westerns: The Lone Ranger - "Orders for the East" (01-04-52)

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: Orders for the East | The Lone Ranger (01-04-52)
Air Date: September 1, 2025
Digitally Restored Classic Radio

Episode Overview

This thrilling episode of "The Lone Ranger" centers around a dangerous threat to the Pony Express, as saboteurs attempt to stop critical British Admiralty dispatches from reaching the East. The masked hero, The Lone Ranger, teams with his steadfast companion, Tonto, to ensure law, order, and justice prevail on the perilous overland trail. Deception, espionage, and courage abound, highlighting the drama of America's wild frontier and the heroic spirit that protected it.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

1. Dramatic Encounter on the Trail [04:45–07:33]

• Incident with the Pony Express Rider:
  The Lone Ranger and Tonto discover Johnny Lane, a Pony Express courier, injured on the trail with his mustang lamed.
  • Medical Aid: The Lone Ranger and Tonto set Johnny's broken arm and help with his sprained ankle.
  • Sabotage Revealed: They find a horsehair braid tied around the mustang’s leg, causing the lameness—described as “an Injun trick,” though The Lone Ranger suspects others may be to blame.
  • Suspicion: The pair suspect foul play, possibly from the new relay station manager, Hank Meredith.

2. Tense Exchange at Bar W Ranch [07:49–09:20]

• Transfer of the Mail:
  Johnny is delivered to the Bar W Ranch, where the mail pouch is transferred for continued delivery.

  • Bert Wilson, the ranch owner, expresses concern about Johnny's unusual lateness and the presence of a masked man (the Lone Ranger).
  • Upon realizing the masked stranger's identity, Wilson trusts The Lone Ranger’s judgment and leadership.

• Key Quote:
  “Now I understand why he's going to investigate what happened.” – Bert Wilson, [08:59]

3. Wider Conspiracy Uncovered [09:29–12:35]

• British Dispatches at Stake:
  The Lone Ranger reveals that England and Russia are at war, and the British will be using the Pony Express to send critical dispatches east.

  • The U.S. Army is to quietly assist by securing the route, without slowing mail service.
  • The true villain is revealed: Roger Kane, aka Baron Orloff—a Russian spy intent on intercepting the dispatches. The Ranger’s mission is to stop him.

• Key Quote:
  “His real name is Baron Orloff. He's a Russian spy.” – The Lone Ranger, [10:51]

4. Sabotage and Deceit at Mountain City [12:35–15:16]

• Relay Station Destroyed:
  The Lone Ranger and Tonto find Meredith’s relay station burned down. Tonto notes that the evidence points to horses with shoes, implying white men, not Indians, are responsible.

  • Suspecting that Meredith himself set the fire to cover his sabotage, the Lone Ranger theorizes Hank is in league with Orloff.

• Key Quote:
  “Suppose Hank Meredith is working with him [Orloff]… If I'm right at all, I'm right all the way.” – The Lone Ranger, [14:13]

5. Double-Crosses and Eavesdropping [16:54–20:03]

• Suspicion Grows in Town:
  In Mountain City, Hank Meredith lies about an Indian attack, then resigns abruptly, fueling suspicions.

  • The Lone Ranger meets secretly with Jeff Harding (Pony Express district manager), but Bob Turner, the backup rider, eavesdrops, revealing his own duplicity.

• Key Quote:
  “I bet he's been sent here to get Orloff. Hank and the Russian must be warned.” – Bob Turner’s internal monologue, [20:03]

6. Villainous Plot Revealed [20:58–23:17]

• Turner Joins the Villains:
  Bob Turner meets Meredith and Orloff, confirming their alliance to ambush the mail.

  • Turner proposes ambushing the dispatch at the halfway point, increasing the payment offer for the stolen pouch.
  • Tension grows as it's clear a major betrayal by Turner is imminent.

• Key Quote:
  “Those dispatches mean a great deal to me. I shall be there with you.” – Orloff, [22:47]

7. Ambush and the Lone Ranger’s Countermove [23:17–27:16]

• Thwarted Attack:
  The Lone Ranger intercepts Larry Keane before he enters an ambush, sending him on a safe, alternate route to the Bar W Ranch.

  • At the ranch, Bob Turner’s true colors are revealed as he holds up Bert, Johnny, and Larry, shooting Bert and Larry in the leg to prevent pursuit.
  • Turner absconds with the valuable mail pouch.

• Key Quote:
  “I'm gonna anchor you to the ground… Let's see how you two can manage with a bullet in your leg.” – Bob Turner, [25:23]

8. Pursuit and Capture [27:28–28:35]

• The Chase:
  The Lone Ranger and Tonto track down Turner, cutting across steep terrain to head him off.

  • In a dramatic exchange of gunfire and a clever use of a lasso, the Lone Ranger captures Turner before he can escape with the dispatch.

• Key Quote:
  “You live, Turner. You live to go to jail.” – The Lone Ranger, [28:36]

9. Justice Restored and The End of an Era [29:02–30:26]

• Aftermath:
  With the villains apprehended, the dispatch safely continues its journey east. The future of the Pony Express is discussed, hinted to be ending soon with the coming of the telegraph.

  • The Lone Ranger’s legend is cemented among the riders and townsfolk.

• Key Quote:
  “Still, there’s one of our riders who’ll always be remembered… I’m talking about the man who’s carrying the mail right now. The Lone Ranger!” – Johnny Lane, [29:44]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "His real name is Baron Orloff. He's a Russian spy."
  — The Lone Ranger [10:51]

• "Suppose Hank Meredith is working with him… If I'm right at all, I'm right all the way."
  — The Lone Ranger [14:13]

• "Those dispatches mean a great deal to me. I shall be there with you."
  — Orloff [22:47]

• "I'm gonna anchor you to the ground... Let's see how you two can manage with a bullet in your leg."
  — Bob Turner [25:23]

• "You live, Turner. You live to go to jail."
  — The Lone Ranger [28:36]

• "Still, there’s one of our riders who’ll always be remembered… I’m talking about the man who’s carrying the mail right now. The Lone Ranger!" — Johnny Lane [29:44]

Memorable Moments

• The Lone Ranger's medical skills, applied on the moonlit trail, underscoring the hero’s compassion as well as strength. [05:15–06:03]
• The discovery of clear sabotage—horsehair braid on the mustang’s leg—sparking the mystery. [06:34–06:48]
• Turner’s betrayal and cold-blooded efficiency in shooting his friends, then attempting escape with the mail. [25:23–25:38]
• The moonlit pursuit down the pass, with The Lone Ranger’s quick thinking and lariat roping Turner to safety and justice. [27:42–28:35]
• Discussion of technological change—the telegraph encroaching on the Pony Express—signaling the end of an era. [29:02–29:44]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:45] – Lone Ranger and Tonto aid Johnny Lane, learn of sabotage
• [09:29] – Secret discussion about British dispatches and Baron Orloff
• [12:35] – Burned relay station found; suspicions mount against Meredith
• [16:54] – Bob Turner eavesdrops, plot thickens
• [20:58] – Turner joins with villains, scheme finalized
• [24:31] – Turner hijacks mail at Bar W, shoots Bert and Larry
• [27:42] – Lone Ranger and Tonto pursue and capture Turner
• [29:02] – Villains defeated; Pony Express future discussed

Final Thoughts

This episode is a classic Lone Ranger adventure, blending suspense and moral clarity with the fast-paced action of Western radio drama. It highlights not only the perils of the Pony Express era but also themes of loyalty, courage, and the relentless pursuit of justice in a rapidly changing world.

"Hi-yo Silver, away!"