Quarter Horse – Gunsmoke (03-28-53)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns: Gunsmoke – Quarter Horse (03-28-53)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: July 9, 2026 (original airdate: March 28, 1953)

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Overview

In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, listeners are transported to the rough-and-tumble streets of Dodge City in the classic “Gunsmoke” story, Quarter Horse. Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself witnessing a culture clash over a new breed of horse: the stocky, lightning-fast quarter horse. When an old man, Mr. Thatcher, and his proud grandson stake their future against the harsh arrogance of Ed Butler, emotions—and ultimately, gunfire—run high. The episode explores themes of pride, tradition versus innovation, and the sometimes-tragic cost of standing by one's beliefs.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Conflict & Mockery

• [01:42-03:27] Mr. Thatcher, a new arrival in Dodge, faces ridicule in a saloon over his “funny-looking” quarter horse. Ed Butler and his cronies mock both the horse and Thatcher’s pride.
  • Quote — Ed Butler: “Quarter horse, you call it, huh?”
  • Mr. Thatcher responds with quiet dignity, refusing to be bullied: “I'll drink when I want and with who I want.” (03:15)

2. Marshal Dillon Steps In

• [03:27-04:15] Marshal Dillon defuses the tension and warns Butler: “When you torment an old man like that, it makes you cheap. Real cheap.” (04:12)
• Miss Kitty and Dillon discuss the recurring harassment Thatcher faces due to his differences and the town’s tendency to prey upon the vulnerable.

3. The Challenge: A High-Stakes Horse Race

• [06:30-10:03] Motivated by pride and a need to prove his colt—and perhaps himself—Mr. Thatcher asks Dillon to help arrange a challenge: his quarter horse versus Butler's best, with Thatcher’s entire ranch as the stakes.
  • Quote — Mr. Thatcher: “When a man gets to be my age… he's got to stand behind what he believes. And I believe in this little horse.” (09:34)
• Dillon worries about the risk: “You're putting up everything you got on this race. Now, what makes you so sure you can win?” (08:46)

4. The Wager and Community Excitement

• [10:18-12:11] Butler agrees to the race. Both sides post $4,000, drawing excitement and side bets across Dodge.
• The whole town gets swept up, betting on outcome and anticipating the spectacle; the atmosphere is electrified.

5. Rising Tensions: A Thoroughbred Twist

• [13:27-13:52] Chester discovers Butler plans to run a thoroughbred, not a cow pony, stacking the race against the stocky quarter colt.
  • Dillon and Doc Adams realize the risk for Thatcher is now even greater.

6. Festival Feeling—And Underlying Nerves

• [15:10-16:57] Townsfolk gather to watch the race, turning it into a local holiday.
• Doc Adams observes, “I don't get much call to check horses anymore. Mostly as babies these days. Or maybe gunshot wounds.” (15:51)
• Spectators are nervous; Thatcher is drinking heavily, intensifying the sense of impending disaster.

7. The Confrontation and Tragedy

• [17:02-18:19] Tensions flare again; Butler and Thatcher argue bitterly over what’s included in the bet—Thatcher’s horse as well as the ranch.
• [19:23-20:11] Disaster strikes: in a drunken, agitated state, Thatcher draws on Butler and is swiftly shot.
  • Quote — Doc Adams: “He's bad, Matt.” (19:45)
  • Before dying, Thatcher mourns: “I'll never know for sure if my colt could…” (19:58)

8. Aftermath: The Race Must Go On

• [21:05-21:41] Despite grief, Lonnie Thatcher insists on running the race in his grandfather’s memory.
  • Lonnie: “Granddaddy was queer, kind of, but what he said about this colt is right, and I'm riding him in the race.” (21:23)

9. The Historic Race

• [22:45-23:30] With the lane cleared and community silent, the quarter colt faces Butler’s thoroughbred in a dramatic sprint.
  • Quote — Chester: “A quarter horse beat a thoroughbred. Now, that is something to see.” (23:33)
• The colt wins by half a length, to the astonishment of all.

10. Reflections & Emotional Resolution

• [23:58-24:35] Butler tries to excuse himself for the tragedy, but Dillon rebukes him: “You’re small inside. The only feeling I got for you is contempt. You’re responsible for the death of that man today…” (24:21)
• [25:03-26:32] Lonnie, bereft but resolute, takes up his grandfather’s dream: “I'm gonna raise horses like this stud colt. I'm gonna breed them. … When men in these parts get sense enough to be interested in new stock and want good mounts with a fine way of going, they can come and buy them from me. Lonnie Thatcher.” (26:32)
• Dillon admires the boy’s spirit as he walks away, foreshadowing a legacy born of hardship and hope.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When you torment an old man like that, it makes you cheap. Real cheap.” — Marshal Dillon (04:12)
• “When a man gets to be my age… he's got to stand behind what he believes. And I believe in this little horse.” — Mr. Thatcher (09:34)
• “A quarter horse beat a thoroughbred. Now, that is something to see.” — Chester (23:33)
• “You’re responsible for the death of that man today, and yet there’s nothing I can do about it.” — Marshal Dillon to Ed Butler (24:21)
• “I'm gonna do what my granddaddy always wanted to do. I'm gonna raise horses like this stud colt.” — Lonnie Thatcher (26:06)

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Significant Timestamps

• 01:42 – Thatcher is mocked over his new horse in the saloon
• 03:27 – Marshal Dillon intervenes; subtle rebuke of town cruelty
• 06:30 – Thatcher asks Dillon to hold the stakes, proposes the race
• 10:18 – The bet is formalized and townspeople grow excited
• 13:40 – Discovery that Butler will run a thoroughbred
• 15:10 – Town gathers; festival-like atmosphere
• 19:23 – Thatcher is shot before the race begins
• 21:05 – Lonnie Thatcher insists the race continue
• 22:45 – The race is run; quarter colt triumphs
• 23:58 – Post-race reckoning; Dillon’s condemnation of Butler
• 25:03 – Lonnie resolves to carry on his grandfather’s legacy

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Tone & Style

The episode unfolds with a mixture of tension, homespun humor, and poignant tragedy, captured by the lived-in warmth and rugged stoicism of the “Gunsmoke” cast. Themes of loss, resilience, and the inevitable rise of new traditions beneath the surface of old rivalries underpin the dialogue and drama.

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Takeaway

Gunsmoke – Quarter Horse dramatizes the pain and perseverance required to pioneer new ways in an old world. Through the defeat and ultimately the vindication of the humble quarter horse—and the steadfast Thatcher family—the episode reminds us that, even in the harshest terrain, hope and progress survive.

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Transcript

[Chester]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke. Original Air date is March 28, 1953 and the title is Quarter Horse. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.

[Narrator]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Gun Smoke. Starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marsh.

[Ed Butler]

Bartender, Bartender, shut out another bottle of that rye Whiskey. Now look, Mr. Thatcher, you just tell us once more about this stud colt you got, huh?

[Mr. Thatcher]

He's a good colt, Mr. Butler, and a running colt.

[Ed Butler]

You tell me.

[Mr. Thatcher]

He can run some.

[Ed Butler]

Some. About the fastest thing in these parts I hit.

[Mr. Thatcher]

You're making fun of me, Mr. Butler. You and your friend.

[Ed Butler]

Oh, I don't know why you should think that. Out here in Dodge we're all interested in good horse flesh. Especially when it's some sort of a fancy new breed. Quarter horse, you call it, huh?

[Mr. Thatcher]

If you don't mind, I'll be going now.

[Ed Butler]

Oh, no, not yet, Mr. Thatcher. We'd all like to hear some more about your stock, wouldn't we, boy?

[Mr. Thatcher]

Mr. Butler, my grandson's waiting for me outside. Hey, Patch it. Just get about this little old sawed

[Ed Butler]

off colt of yours.

[Doc Adams]

I understand these new type horses you

[Mr. Thatcher]

raise have rumped so high they look like they're going downhill.

[Ed Butler]

Hank, it ain't polite to call his colt that way. Besides, it ain't that he's sawed off, it's just that he's got no back. His withers run right into his groove.

[Mr. Thatcher]

He's quarter horse and three quarters.

[Ed Butler]

What else?

[Mr. Thatcher]

I guess this is all fun for you, but you got no call.

[Ed Butler]

Now, boys, I do believe Thatch is upset. Here, let me pour you another drink.

[Mr. Thatcher]

No, thanks, I'll be going.

[Ed Butler]

No, that just ain't sociable. Here, have a drink.

[Mr. Thatcher]

I said no, Mr. Butler.

[Ed Butler]

Drink it.

[Mr. Thatcher]

I'm old enough to be your father, Mr. Butler, and I'll drink when I want and with who I want.

[Ed Butler]

You ornery old goat. I'll pour this whole stinking bottle down your throat if you.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

That's enough.

[Ed Butler]

Evening, Marshal Dillon.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Mr. Thatcher. Your grandson's waiting outside in the buckboard. You better get along home, huh?

[Mr. Thatcher]

Yeah. Thank you, Marshal. Thank you very much.

[Ed Butler]

Old fool bragging in the quaticle. Is so proud of. Well, buy a drink, Marshall.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

No, thank you.

[Ed Butler]

You just missed the fun. We were having old Thatcher on about his stock.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

He's not young anymore, Mr. Butler. But let me warn you about something sometime. You may push him too far.

[Ed Butler]

Oh, we were just hurrahing him a bit. We didn't do any harm.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Thatcher and his grandson are new out here. You find your fun somewhere else. But why don't you leave him be mad? You know, when you torment an old man like that, it makes you cheap. Real cheap.

[Miss Kitty]

Matt. Sit down, Matt. You could buy me a drink if you wanted.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure. Sam, send over a drink for Miss Kitty, will you?

[Miss Kitty]

I have to drink a load. Usually my partner drinks with me.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Not tonight. Kidding.

[Miss Kitty]

You mad about something, Matt?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

No, no. Tired, maybe.

[Miss Kitty]

I saw you talking with Ed Butler over there. He say something that set you off?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, maybe that's it, Kitty. I don't know. Oh, thanks, Sam. There you are.

[Miss Kitty]

That was old man Thatcher over there, wasn't it?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Miss Kitty]

Whenever he comes in here, Butler gets him started on this new breed of horse Thatcher's got. Is that what it was tonight?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, that's what it was.

[Miss Kitty]

Happens every time he comes to town.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Matt, he's an old man. Kidding. There's no way he can fight back.

[Miss Kitty]

Well, Matt, it's not your worry. You can't keep Butler off his back any more than I can.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

They're like vultures circling a buffalo that's hurt. Just waiting for the time when he finally goes down so they can settle for a meal. Matt, I'm thirsty after all. I think I will have that drink, Kitty. Sam. Chester, if you'd run these papers over to Mr. Hightower.

[Chester]

Yes, sir. Mr. Dylan, another wanted poster on Johnny Ringo.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Mr. Hightower's waiting for him, Chester.

[Chester]

Yes, sir, but Johnny Ringo is out in Arizona. He never comes back this way.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Chester.

[Chester]

Yes, Mr. Dillon. I'll take him right over. Oh, is there anything for me to do while I'm down at the other end of the Plaza?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

No, nothing I know of.

[Chester]

Well, then I'll just wait around down at the depot then, Mr. Dillon. If it's all right, the morning train's due in from St. Louis in half hour.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Marshal Dillon.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Oh, good morning, Mr. Thatcher.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Got a minute to spare? I have a favor, Dash.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, certainly. Come on in. Mr. Hightower's waiting. Chester.

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Well, sit down, Mr. Thatcher.

[Mr. Thatcher]

First of all, Marshall, I want to thank you for what you did last night over at the Texas Trail.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Ah, Butler and his crowd just had too much to Drink. I saw.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Maybe I did, too, once. I started hard.

[Ed Butler]

Stop.

[Mr. Thatcher]

And I get to argue. I'm too old to argue that way.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Maybe you shouldn't go to the Texas Trail. Seems every time you do, Butler takes his pleasure riding you.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Well, it's that I wanted to talk to you about.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

No. Go on.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Well, Ed Butler's always said he's got the best horses around Dodge or anywhere else.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Maybe he does, Mr. Thatcher.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Mine are better.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Well, I don't know anything about your stock, Marshal Dillon.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Ed Butler's having breakfast right down the street at the Dodge House. I want you to walk down there with me.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Now, look, Mr. Thatcher, I don't want to mix up any personal problems between you and Ed.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Well, this ain't completely personal, Marshall. We'll say maybe in a way, I come to you. Cause I figure you're the one man in Dodge with nothing to gain. And you'll be honest. I got something here. I want you to take it.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

No.

[Mr. Thatcher]

It's the deed to my ranch.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Why are you giving it to me?

[Mr. Thatcher]

I want you to hold that deed and come with me to meet Ed Butler. I'm gonna challenge him to a grudge race. My quarter code against the best horse he's got.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

You mean you're putting up your ranch on this race?

[Mr. Thatcher]

Yes, sir. And I want you to hold the stakes.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Look, it's. It's no business of mine. But you could lose, you know.

[Mr. Thatcher]

No, sir. I don't figure I can.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Mr. Thatcher, you and your grandson have been over here from Missouri better than a year now. Now, you know how these people are. Men such as Butler and the rest. There's nothing more fun than ragging somebody. Somebody who fights back but isn't too strong.

[Mr. Thatcher]

You're trying to lecture me, Marshall.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Well, it's because you're new here that they're making it rough for you. You just don't know the.

[Mr. Thatcher]

It's no good, Marshall.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Look, Mr. Thatcher, you're putting up everything you got on this race. Now, what makes you so sure you can win? What's so special about this stud colt that you've raised?

[Mr. Thatcher]

He's a little special in most every way, Marshall. His daddy was cold deck, and his mother was the best mare in Missouri. Oh, I know why Butler and the others laugh at him. Compared to some horses, he looks like a bulldog beside a greyhound. His head's short and he carries it too low. He's built too close to the ground with bulging muscles and short legs. But I'll tell you one thing, he's just gone Four. And as he stands now, he's the most horse west of St. Louis. And there are some like him in Texas now. And if I have any say, one day quarter horses will be all over the West. When a man gets to be my age, Marshal Dillon, he's got to stand behind what he believes. And I believe in this little horse. He's sleepy and he's quiet, but he can unwind like lightning.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

You've got a feel for horses, haven't you, Mr. Thatcher?

[Mr. Thatcher]

It ain't much of a man. Talks one way and thinks another. Will you walk with me down to the Dodge House?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Yeah, I'll walk with him.

[Chester]

I'm gonna have some more.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Well, Butler, that's it. And Mr. Thatcher here has asked that I hold the purse.

[Ed Butler]

Wouldn't ask for any more fair than that.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Then you race.

[Ed Butler]

Why, sure, I'll race. You name the day and the time.

[Mr. Thatcher]

I'll be there this afternoon, then across the river.

[Ed Butler]

Good enough for me.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, we'll make it at 2 o'. Clock. I'll have Doc Adams there to look over the horses. They'll both be sound or there'll be no race. Is that agreed?

[Ed Butler]

That's good.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

And they'll run the way they are, shot or not shot. Mr. Thatcher has suggested a distance of 400 yards.

[Mr. Thatcher]

That's right, 400 yards.

[Ed Butler]

Hardly worth running, but I'm willing.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right. Since you accept the match, Mr. Butler, you'd best to come to some agreement on the bet with Mr. Thatcher here.

[Ed Butler]

What do you figure? Your ranch with everything on its worth that you.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Oh, maybe $4,000.

[Ed Butler]

That's high for just 5, 600 acres, a few outbuildings and a couple of old milk cows. I'll put 4,000 against your deed, Marshall. I'll give it to Hank here. He'll bring it over to your office.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, if you'll have it there by noon.

[Doc Adams]

Hey, how about a side bet for me, Mr. Thatcher?

[Mr. Thatcher]

Well, I don't know, Hank. Hey, Jim.

[Chester]

What? I seen a quarter mayor named Bell run down Galveston last July. And I seen Thatcher's colt run little.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

I'll take your side bet.

[Chester]

Name it.

[Doc Adams]

400.

[Chester]

Double that.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

It's a bet.

[Doc Adams]

Good enough.

[Chester]

Then it's 800, and I'll bet the quarter cold.

[Ed Butler]

Well, now, Mr. Thatcher, seems Jim Bales here don't have no more sense than you. Well, at least you're not alone.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, then, everything's settled. Just one last thing, gentlemen. This is going to be a fair race.

[Ed Butler]

Well, no need to worry, Marshall. Ain't no reason to press my luck. Not against a jugheaded cayuse like Thatcher.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Why, you know.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, that's enough now. Come on, Mr. Thatcher, let's get out of here. Now, why don't you go on home? I'm going back to the office.

[Doc Adams]

You.

[Mr. Thatcher]

You think I'm just an old fool, don't you?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yes, Mr. Thatcher, I do. You're headstrong and you're stubborn. But good luck to you this afternoon.

[Doc Adams]

You know, Matt, there have been horse races in Dodge before, lots of times. But I never seen one where so many people got concerned. But the whole town's in on it. Everybody's betting one way or another.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I know, and I don't like it, Doc.

[Doc Adams]

Well, there's nothing wrong with that, is it?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Ah, people like an excuse to celebrate. And this afternoon there'll be whiskey running to help them. Whiskey and horses don't mix when there's money changing hands.

[Doc Adams]

Matt, are you worried about Thatcher putting his ranch up on the race?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

He could lose his ranch, Duck.

[Doc Adams]

Oh, well, doesn't he have a chance?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

I don't know. I don't think so.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, what is it, Chester?

[Chester]

Oh, hello, Doc.

[Doc Adams]

Chester.

[Chester]

Say, I was down at the bridge a few minutes back watching for Butler to take his horse across. I wanted to know which one he was running. Well, and I didn't recognize a horse. I thought probably it'd be his sorrel, but it wasn't. It was a horse I ain't never seen before.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

What horse is it?

[Chester]

Just Ed Butler ain't putting in no cow pony, Mr. Dillon. He's running a thoroughbred.

[Doc Adams]

Well, he's got no chance at all now. Is that it?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Man, Mr. Thatcher's betting everything he has on this quarter horse of his to beat a cow pony. Now, Butler's running a pure racing horse, a thoroughbred. Well, it's past one. Let's get over to the other side of the river.

[Narrator]

We'll return for the second act of Gunsmoke in just a moment. But first, Tuesday nights you have two dates for thrilling mystery on CBS Radio. One's with Pam and Jerry North. The others with yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Remember, next Tuesday and every Tuesday on most of these same stations, enjoy John Lund as yours truly, Johnny Dollar, and Mr. And Mrs. North, both presented by CBS Radio. Now the second act of Gun Smoke.

[Chester]

My, looks like half a dodge is over here, Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, maybe more than that. Chester, see if you can find Ed Butler and old Man Thatcher and bring him over here, huh?

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Miss Kitty]

Hi, Matt.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Hi, Kitty.

[Miss Kitty]

I Haven't seen this many people in one spot since last year when Eddie Foy played the opera house. Kind of a fiesta, isn't it? Yeah, in a way nobody'd think it to look at you. Where's the finish line gonna be, Matt? I wanna see.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

Good.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Back up there about 50 yards.

[Miss Kitty]

Oh, well, I'll go up and find me place.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, okay. Yeah. Doc.

[Doc Adams]

Oh, here you are. Well, I've looked over both horses. They seem sound enough.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Good.

[Doc Adams]

I don't get much call to check horses anymore. Mostly as babies these days. Or maybe gunshot wounds.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Doc, who's gonna ride for Butler and Thatcher?

[Doc Adams]

You know, Butler's got Hank Thomas and I think Thatcher's a grandson's gonna ride for him.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Well, I hope the boy knows what he's doing.

[Doc Adams]

I think he does, Matt. He's got spurs and a switch.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Now that'll help.

[Doc Adams]

See, man, Thatcher's getting all liquored up.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Well, that's his affair, isn't it, Doc?

[Doc Adams]

Yeah, but he's got a skin full. You know how edgy he gets when he's that way.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

I sent Jester for him. He should be along anyway.

[Doc Adams]

The whole crowd seems kind of excited and nervy. Maybe I'll pick up some business out there, huh?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

That's not funny, Doc.

[Doc Adams]

I'm sorry, man.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon, I found Mr. Butler.

[Ed Butler]

Good afternoon, Marshall.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Where's Thatcher?

[Ed Butler]

Oh, I wouldn't know. Last time I saw him, he was pouring down some red eye. Preparing for the loss, maybe.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Well, Mr. Hightower and Doc here are gonna act as judges along with me. Chester will fire the starting gun.

[Ed Butler]

It's all terrible fancy for just a whim of that old fashioned fool Thatchers, ain't it?

[Mr. Thatcher]

You may call me an old fool now, but. But it'll be different after the race.

[Ed Butler]

You're drunk, Thatcher.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Any law say man can't win a horse race if he's drunk.

[Ed Butler]

What's the matter? Need courage to bring your horse out here to the flesh?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, stay out of it, Butler. Mr. Thatcher, is your grandson all set?

[Mr. Thatcher]

Yes, sir, Marshal.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

How about you, Butler?

[Ed Butler]

We're ready.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, then. Tell your riders to take their horses down to those two buck boards down there. That'll be the starting line.

[Mr. Thatcher]

You thought you'd fool me, didn't you, Butler? Bringing out that thoroughbred to run. Well, I don't care. I could still beat you.

[Ed Butler]

You're talking an awful lot for a man. I ain't worried.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Don't write me, but I've had enough.

[Ed Butler]

Now listen to me, Thatcher. I put up with your Chatter long enough.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, that's enough.

[Ed Butler]

You just see to it you win, Thatcher, I'll have your ranch and that colt you think so much of.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Oh. Oh. What did you say?

[Ed Butler]

You heard me. Just make sure you win if you can.

[Mr. Thatcher]

What did you say about my colt? What did you mean?

[Ed Butler]

Well, if my bay mayor wins, I get your ranch and everything on it. That includes your colt.

[Mr. Thatcher]

No, no, that isn't right.

[Ed Butler]

Well, what about it, Marshall? You're holding the purse and drawing up all the rules, it seems. What about it?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Butler's right, Mr. Thatcher. That's the way you made the bet.

[Mr. Thatcher]

You're no good, Butler. No good at all.

[Ed Butler]

I didn't make the bet.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, both of you move your horses down to the starting line. It's 2:00'.

[Narrator]

Clock.

[Ed Butler]

Hank, move that bay down those markers.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Now, go on down, Mr. Thatcher.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Yes, sir.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yes, Chester, you walk with him. Give him five minutes and then you can start him off.

[Chester]

Five minutes. Yes, Mr. Dillon.

[Doc Adams]

Right. I was right, wasn't he, Mac? Thatcher's been drinking, son.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Come on, Doc. We'll look up Mr. Hytes.

[Doc Adams]

You know, Matt, this is like a holiday. It's like a fiesta.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, that's what Kitty said.

[Doc Adams]

Oh, she's out here, too.

[Chester]

Yeah.

[Doc Adams]

Well, I guess maybe outside of Mr. Thatcher, the only person not enjoying himself is you.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Do I have to enjoy it? Document. I'm sorry, Matt.

[Doc Adams]

What's up?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Come on, Doc.

[Ed Butler]

Run.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon. It's Mr. Thatcher. He's been shot.

[Doc Adams]

Shot? Where is he, Justin?

[Chester]

Right over there, laying on the ground.

[Mr. Thatcher]

His boy's with you.

[Doc Adams]

All right, let me through.

[Chester]

Let me through.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Let me through here.

[Chester]

Oh, here.

[Doc Adams]

Now, just a minute.

[Mr. Thatcher]

It's not much use looking, Doc. I know where it is.

[Doc Adams]

He's bad, Matt.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

What happened, Mr. Thatcher.

[Mr. Thatcher]

And now I won't see him run.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Mr. Thatcher, listen to me.

[Chester]

No.

[Mr. Thatcher]

I'll never know for sure if my colt could.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

What happened, Chester? You were with him, Mr. Dillon.

[Chester]

I don't know. I was walking along, not thinking anything particular. Thatcher and Butler was up ahead. And then Thatcher drew on Butler, tried to shoot him.

[Ed Butler]

I shot him, if that's what you want to know, Marshall.

[Doc Adams]

It was self defense, Marshall.

[Chester]

That's what it was, Mr. Dillon. He was drunk.

[Ed Butler]

You saw that for yourself. Then he tried to kill me.

[Doc Adams]

That's right, Marshall. What Ed says is right.

[Chester]

That's the way it happened, Mr. Dillon.

[Ed Butler]

Suppose now that that forfeits the race, don't it, Marshall?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Doc, will you take care of get him into a wagon and back into town. I'll see you back there.

[Ed Butler]

Why, sure, Matt.

[Doc Adams]

You mean I will you give me a hand here now?

[Ed Butler]

But what about that forfeit, Marshall?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

You just can't wait till a man's cold before you want his property, can you?

[Ed Butler]

Oh, it ain't that, Dylan.

[Chester]

The race ain't forfeit.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

I'll run it.

[Chester]

That's a Thatcher boy. Mr. Dylan.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Come here, son. What's your name?

[Lonnie Thatcher]

I'm Lonnie Thatcher. I'm gonna ride Granddaddy's coat.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Well, now, look, maybe I'm kin.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

Granddaddy was queer, kind of, but what he said about this colt is right, and I'm riding him in the race.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, but with what's happened, Lonnie, maybe we should put the race off. We'll run it. Sure, but not today, not now.

[Ed Butler]

I'll agree to put it off.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

Granddaddy'd like it best this way. We'll race Gracious.

[Chester]

Ain't a tear in his eye, Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, if that's the way you want it.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

It's what I want.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, then. Get on down to the starting line, both of you. Go on, Chester.

[Chester]

I was looking for you, Marshall. We can have the race. Yeah, that's a good thing. You know, there'd be a lot of people disappointed if it didn't come off.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

And we wouldn't want that, would we, Mr. Hightower?

[Chester]

How's that?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

The killing's hardly enough to make the day complete, is it?

[Chester]

Nah, Marshall, I didn't mean anything wrong.

[Ed Butler]

It's just.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure, sure. Just forget it. Move on up to the finish line. I'll get a couple of these riders to clear the lane.

[Chester]

All right, Mr. Dillon.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

You.

[Ed Butler]

You there.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Would you ride down toward the start and make everybody move back and clear a lane, huh? All right, everybody, will you get back, please? Would you clear the lane, please?

[Chester]

Please, please.

[Doc Adams]

Move back.

[Chester]

All you people there, pull back. That's it. Well, it's time, Marshall.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester]

What's Chester waiting for?

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

It looks like the colt's acting up.

[Chester]

I've never seen two different breed of horses run against each other.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

And that colt's kicking up a storm.

[Chester]

Could make a good column for the paper. Maybe.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Come on. Come on. Get a hold of him, kid.

[Chester]

Don't you think it'd make a good column, Marshall? Nope. There it goes.

[Doc Adams]

There they go, Matt. Look at that boy.

[Chester]

Right.

[Mr. Thatcher]

Come on, kid. Come on, kid. Come on, kid.

[Doc Adams]

You see that, Matt?

[Mr. Thatcher]

Oh, that boy.

[Chester]

Did he. I guess there was no question about it, Matt.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, it was the coat by half a length.

[Chester]

A quarter horse beat a thoroughbred. Now, that is something to see. And it's a new kind of horse in these parts.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Well, Marshall, you should be happy because the boy won. And for that, I am happy.

[Ed Butler]

Yeah, well. Well, I got no complaint, Marshall. It was fair and square.

[Chester]

If you gentlemen will excuse me, I want to get back to the office.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Sure, Mr. Hightower.

[Ed Butler]

Marshall.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah?

[Ed Butler]

Look, Marshall, about what happened this afternoon, about Thatcher. I didn't really hold anything against the old man. I'm sorry it happened.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

I told you sometime you'd push him too far. Now he's dead.

[Ed Butler]

Well, after all, Marshall, he drew first.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

I'm not saying you're a murderer, Butler, but you're small inside. The only feeling I got for you is contempt. You're responsible for the death of that man today, and yet there's nothing I can do about it.

[Ed Butler]

You're blaming me for everything.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Ah, it's not you, I guess. It's just people. Good day, Mr. Butler.

[Miss Kitty]

Matt. I was looking for you.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Where's Lonnie Thatcher, Kitty?

[Miss Kitty]

Standing over there by his horse, crying. Maybe you ought to talk to him, Matt.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

I'm going to.

[Miss Kitty]

He doesn't want to see anybody. Some of us tried talking to him, and he. He just walked away.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

I'll see you later. Hey, boy, you better walk that horse. Any horseman who knows he shouldn't be standing around after running like that.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

Yes, sir.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right. I. I got $4,000 for you, Lonnie. Do you want to take it, or shall I give it to Banker Hodgson?

[Lonnie Thatcher]

I'll take.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Might be better to leave it in the bank.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

I said I'll take it.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

All right, son. Here.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

Thank you, Marshall Dillon.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Lonnie, you. You got any plans?

[Lonnie Thatcher]

Yes, sir.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

What?

[Lonnie Thatcher]

I'm gonna do what my granddaddy always wanted to do. I'm gonna raise horses like this stud colt. I'm gonna breed them.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Where are you gonna do this? At your granddaddy's place?

[Lonnie Thatcher]

Yes, sir.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

That's a big spread for a boy to handle alone.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

I'll manage.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

How old are you, lonnie?

[Lonnie Thatcher]

I got $4,000 to help me, and I'm old enough to know my mind.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I guess you are.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

You know something else, Marshall? I understand these quarter horses just like my granddaddy did. When men in these parts get sense enough to be interested in new stock and want good mounts with a fine way of going, they can come and buy them from me. Lonnie Thatcher.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

Yeah. And if I'm any judge, that may not take too long, Lonnie.

[Lonnie Thatcher]

Thanks, Marshall. Dawn.

[Marshal Matt Dillon]

The boy's eyes were glistening as he turned and walked away, leading his stud cold home. Most of the crowd had left. They'd gone back into Dodge to rerun the race over a drink or two and talk about this new kind of horse, this stocky, heavy, muscled, quick as lightning quarter horse that had come to Dodge. And now it was getting darker because of some clouds building up over in the northwest, and when I looked again, the boy and his horse had almost vanished from sight.

[Narrator]

Gunsmoke, under the direction of Norman MacDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. The special music is composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast were Lawrence Dobkin and Joe carnes with Johnny McGovern, Harry Bartel and Lou Krugman. Marley Bear As Chester, Howard McNear as Doc and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. Gun Smoke is heard by our troops overseas through the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the west in Gunsmoke. Tomorrow night, that great thespian Jack Benny attempts to show Tyrone Power how it should have been done, playing the Power role in his own version of the movie Mississippi Gambler. Also tomorrow night, don't miss the latest laughs with Eve Arden as our Miss Brooks of Merry Madcap Madison High on, George Walsh speaking. And remember Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy open fire on your funny bone Sunday nights on the CBS Radio Network.

[Chester]

Sam.

[Ed Butler]

Ram.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739. This episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Chester]

Ra.