Scared Kid | Gunsmoke (12-18-55)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: "Scared Kid" | Gunsmoke (12-18-55)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: January 31, 2026 (podcast) / December 18, 1955 (broadcast)

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Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns re-presents the classic "Gunsmoke" episode titled "Scared Kid," originally aired on December 18, 1955. The story revolves around Gil Varden, a young man in Dodge City whose brush with violence and fear sets off a tragic series of events involving a local bully, Henry Gant, and the lawman Marshal Matt Dillon. The episode explores themes of fear, innocence lost, and the harsh moral complexities of frontier justice.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Setting the Stage: Tensions in Dodge

• Introduction of Characters in the Saloon
  • Matt Dillon, Marshal of Dodge, is introduced as a man accustomed to violence and loneliness.
  • Gil Varden, a 20-year-old considered "just a kid" by some, is innocently involved with a newcomer, Ida Stewart.
  • Henry Gant, a known bully, starts trouble by insulting Ida, escalating tensions.

“Gil's 20, Kitty.”
“To me, that's a kid.”
— Matt Dillon & Kitty, (04:12–04:16)

The Incident That Sets It All Off (03:18–06:04)

• Fight Breaks Out
  • Gant provokes Gil, leading to a showdown prevented by Dillon.
  • Gil makes a fateful threat to kill Gant.
  • Dillon warns Gil against the path of violence.

“You want to hang for killing a man like Henry Gant?”
— Matt Dillon (05:58)

• Moment of Character Insight
  • Dillon reflects on Gil’s immaturity and impulsiveness.

“Then maybe Kitty was right. Maybe you are only a kid after all.”
— Matt Dillon (06:04)

Murders and the Chase (09:12–14:54)

• Discovery of Henry Gant’s Death (09:12–09:27)

  • News arrives that Gant has been shot in the back, and suspicion immediately falls on Gil Varden, who flees on horseback.

• On the Trail: More Violence

  • Dillon and Chester pursue Gil, discovering more victims along his path.
  • Gil, scared and desperate, kills a man to steal his horses and shoots a woman’s husband in the process.

“He's plumb scared, Marshall. Scared of you?”
— Country woman whose husband was killed (11:25)

• Dillon’s Assessment
  • The Marshal recognizes that Gil’s spree is driven not by malice but by blind fear.

“Like she said, he's scared blind. Crazy scared. No telling what he'll do next.”
— Matt Dillon (12:41)

The Tragic Confrontation (14:54–17:42)

• Gil’s Last Stand
  • Tracked to a sod hut, Gil is wounded by Dillon. On his deathbed, he confesses he never meant to hurt anyone; he was running scared, convinced the law was after him for a crime he didn’t commit.

“I didn’t want to. I didn’t know what I was doing except running... I heard about Gant. I knew it was me you'd be after.”
— Gil Varden (17:07–17:18)

• Lingering Mystery
  • Gil’s final words sow doubt about his guilt in Gant’s murder, suggesting he may not have been the true killer.

The Truth Comes Out (19:58–22:11)

• Ida Stewart’s Confession
  • In a wrenching turn, Ida admits she killed Henry Gant in self-defense when he tried to abduct her.
  • Ida’s delay in confessing stems from her fear, paralleling Gil’s panic-fueled escape.

“It's all my fault... Ida did it, Matt... Gantt tried to run off with her, but she got her gun away from him and she killed him with it.”
— Ida Stewart's friend (20:38–20:59)

• Tragedy of Misunderstanding and Fear
  • Marshals realize that had Ida or Gil not let their fears rule them, the deaths could have been avoided.
  • Gil dies from his wounds before learning the truth will clear his name.

“That poor scared kid. You killed him, Marshall. Why? Why'd you have to kill him? He was only a boy. That isn't fair. What chance did he have against you? He shot him down easy. Why'd you have to do it?”
— Ida Stewart (21:55–22:11)

• Dillon’s Heavy Responsibility
  • Marshal Dillon expresses regret at the tragedy but insists he had no choice.

“I don't like it any better than you do. I don't. But Gil just killed three men. I don't think they wanted to die any more than he did.”
— Matt Dillon (22:11)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Growing Up on the Frontier

  • “Yeah, maybe it’s good to take your time growing up, huh?”
    — Matt Dillon (04:22–04:25)

• On the Cost of Violence

  • “It’s a chancy job and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.”
    — Matt Dillon, opening narration (02:38)

• The Spiral of Fear

  • “He just stopped thinking.”
    — Matt Dillon on Gil’s panic (21:29)

• Compassion Amid Law

  • “You shoot a man, then you try to save him.”
    — Gil Varden to Matt Dillon (16:45)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Saloon Confrontation & Threat – 03:18–06:04
• News of Gant’s Death – 09:12–09:27
• Trail of Violence – 10:28–14:54
• Final Showdown at the Sod Hut – 14:54–17:42
• Ida Stewart’s Confession – 19:58–22:11
• Concluding Reflections – 22:11–22:42

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Tone and Style

• The episode combines a somber, serious tone with the rich, authentic dialogue characteristic of Gunsmoke.
• Performances are marked by emotional realism—listeners feel the tension, fear, and sorrow of characters caught in circumstances spiraling out of control.

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Conclusion

"Scared Kid" is a poignant exploration of how fear and impulsive actions can lead to tragic consequences. The story serves as a powerful character study through the eyes of both the law and those swept up by events beyond their control. Marshal Dillon’s regretful pragmatism, Gil Varden’s doomed innocence, and Ida Stewart’s desperate confession create a compelling, cautionary tale from the golden age of radio westerns.

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Transcript

[Andrew Hines]

Hello.

[Gil Varden]

I'm here during the lunch rush with Janice, who owns her own food truck.

[Ida Stewart]

Best cheesesteaks in town.

[Gil Varden]

Janice traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance for her food truck business. We're here where she needs us most.

[Ida Stewart]

They sure are.

[Gil Varden]

We make it so easy for her to save with customised coverage that grows with her business. Sorry, I just get so emotional talking about saving folks money.

[Ida Stewart]

Not this onion I'm chopping.

[Gil Varden]

It's just so beautiful.

[Ida Stewart]

Oh, yeah, Nice. The onion.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail] and see how much you could save. It feels good to Geico.

[Andrew Hines]

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 and more. Again, otrwesterns.com herbs. Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Hines, and let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Gunsmoke Original air date is December 18, 1955 and the title is Scared Kid. Hope you enjoy.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Gun smoke brought to you by Chesterfield to put a smile in your smoking always by Chesterfield. Made the modern way with accuray. 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. Gunsmoke starring William Conrad. The transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America and the story of a man who moved with it.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancy job and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.

[Ida Stewart]

Matt.

[Gil Varden]

Yeah? What?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Kidding.

[Ida Stewart]

Come on over that table in the back. I want you to meet Ida Stewart.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All.

[Matt Dillon]

All right.

[Ida Stewart]

Ida's only been working here about a week.

[Matt Dillon]

Isn't that Gil Varden sitting with her?

[Ida Stewart]

Yeah.

[Gil Varden]

Hello, Miss Kitty. Marshall Dillon.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hello, Gil.

[Ida Stewart]

Ida. I brought the marshal over so she could meet him. How do you do, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

Pleasure, Ida.

[Ida Stewart]

Gil's been telling me a lot about you. He's quite an admirer of yours.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, it's good to know. I Got some friends.

[Gil Varden]

You always did right by me, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

You never caused anybody any trouble, Gil.

[Gil Varden]

And I don't aim to.

[Ida Stewart]

Well, if you'll excuse us now, I promise I try to bring Gil a little luck at Pharaoh. See you again, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

Sure.

[Gil Varden]

Come on, Anna. And you'd better bring me luck too.

[Ida Stewart]

She sure has a way with kids.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Kids?

[Matt Dillon]

Gil's 20, kiddy.

[Ida Stewart]

To me that's a kid.

[Matt Dillon]

And I've known kids who were men at 16.

[Ida Stewart]

Oh, sure, but there aren't many of them.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, maybe it's good to take your time growing up, huh?

[Ida Stewart]

Oh, maybe. As long as you don't take forever. Like Henry Gant over there. He must be 40 and all he's ever learned to be is a loudmouth bully. I don't call him grown up.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I don't care much for Gant myself.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Kidding.

[Ida Stewart]

Look at him right now, Matt. He's trying to horn in on Gill and Ida. Yeah, that Gantt's mean. It's gonna be trouble, Matt. Look, he and Gil are going outside.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I better go throw some water on that.

[Ida Stewart]

Shoot him for me, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, everybody stay inside.

[Ida Stewart]

Stop it, Marshall. He'll shoot him.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll stop it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I do.

[Gil Varden]

Okay, Gil. You're wearing a gun.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Use it.

[Matt Dillon]

Hold it. You member now, how did he get here? I won't have any gun play, you know that.

[Gil Varden]

He's gonna shoot me cause I call his girl a bad name. Marshall. Ain't that something?

[Matt Dillon]

If there's any shooting, I'll do it. Gant.

[Gil Varden]

All right, I'll fight him barehanded. You little scut.

[Matt Dillon]

That's enough, Gant. Say you leave him alone and get out of here.

[Gil Varden]

I'll kill you, Gant. One way or another, I'll kill you. You hear that, Marshal? He means he's gonna shoot me in the back. He wouldn't dare. Try it no other way.

[Matt Dillon]

I've heard all I want to hear. I told you to leave, Ganth.

[Gil Varden]

He's a coward.

[Matt Dillon]

Is a dirty little coward.

[Gil Varden]

You know what he called Ida, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

Forget it, Gil. And you forget about killing him too.

[Gil Varden]

No, I won't. I'll get him.

[Matt Dillon]

You want a hang for killing a man like Henry Gant?

[Gil Varden]

I don't care.

[Matt Dillon]

You don't?

[Gil Varden]

No.

[Matt Dillon]

Then maybe Kitty was right. Maybe you are only a kid after all.

[Gil Varden]

Stop shop for all your friends this year this easy way Give Chesterfields this year so bright, gay wrapped and ready they're the best to buy Cartons of.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Chesterfields they satisfy this Christmas Give everyone Chesterfields Chesterfields Are easy to give because they come ready to give In a bright red special holiday carton that's wrapped in its own colorful Christmas ribbon Everyone enjoys Chesterfield's smoother cooler smoking pleasure. So to all your friends this year say Merry Christmas with cartons of Chesterfields no wrapping, no tying they're easy to give because they come ready to give Chesterfields in the bright red special holiday.

[Gil Varden]

Carton Wrapped and ready they're the best to buy Cartons of Chesterfields they satisfy.

[Ida Stewart]

Sam.

[Matt Dillon]

Morning, Doc.

[Gil Varden]

Oh, well, well, good morning, Mac.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Good morning.

[Matt Dillon]

You've been sleeping in that chair all night.

[Gil Varden]

I wasn't asleep.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, your eyes were closed.

[Gil Varden]

You ever hear of a man doing a little thinking?

[Matt Dillon]

What were you thinking about, Doc?

[Gil Varden]

Oh, about sitting out here in the morning sun, settling my breakfast and breathing fresh air, wishing good for my friends and evil for my enemies.

[Matt Dillon]

That's pretty stout thinking, Doc.

[Gil Varden]

Well, I was doing fine till you came along, spoiled it. Might as well go up to my office and back to the sordid trade.

[Ida Stewart]

I mean.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, what's his hurry?

[Gil Varden]

Who is it?

[Matt Dillon]

Gil Varden.

[Gil Varden]

Maybe he's being chased by Indian.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he sure acts like it.

[Gil Varden]

Or maybe he's just exercising his horse.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll stick with the Indian theory.

[Ida Stewart]

Yeah.

[Gil Varden]

Oh, my. When I was a young man, I used to ride like that. Oh, I was fearless as an eagle. No wonder the women loved me.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, you better get up to your office, Doc. You don't handle this fresh air too well.

[Gil Varden]

Oh, you think I'm lying? You never heard about the time the preacher's daughter and I were about to elope, huh?

[Ida Stewart]

You didn't hear that, didn't you?

[Matt Dillon]

I helped carry you home the night you invented that story.

[Gil Varden]

Don.

[Ida Stewart]

Mr. Dylan. Mr. Dylan.

[Gil Varden]

Seems like everybody's in a hurry this morning. Henry Gant's been killed, Mr. Dillon. What? A cowboy found him half mile north of town. He was shot in the back.

[Matt Dillon]

Gant was shot in the back?

[Gil Varden]

Yes, sir. Shot in the back. Must have happened last night sometime.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, we won't have much trouble catching this killer. He just rode by here. All right, let's go, Chester. By the time Chester and I picked up a couple of rifles at the office and got saddled, Gil Varden had a good start on us. So to make sure of catching him, we each took an extra horse along. We tracked him south and rode hard till noon without even seeing him. But then we found his horse. It had sold on him and was standing head down and feet apart near a wagon. And the wagon, it was sitting there with no team to pull it. But Harness threw it all over the ground. And on the seat, stony faced and unmoving, was a gray haired country woman. Howdy, ma'.

[Gil Varden]

Am.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm Marshal Dillon. I'm looking for the man who was riding that horse out there.

[Ida Stewart]

He's gone.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, what did he do, take your team?

[Ida Stewart]

He took them.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, man, you just can't sit out here.

[Ida Stewart]

Can't go no place without a team.

[Matt Dillon]

There's a ranch about a mile west of here. Give that horse a little more rest and he can carry you that far. We'll rig a blanket on him for you, huh?

[Ida Stewart]

Can't leave my man here.

[Gil Varden]

What?

[Ida Stewart]

My husband. He's in the back, Marshal, under them blankets. Oh.

[Matt Dillon]

What's the matter with him? Is he sick?

[Ida Stewart]

He's dead. Killed.

[Matt Dillon]

Dead man who stole your team.

[Ida Stewart]

He done it. He rode up and never said a word. A man reached in the back for his rifle and this fella shot him.

[Gil Varden]

I just can't believe Gil Varden had do a thing like that.

[Ida Stewart]

He was shaken like a leaf. He's plumb scared, Marshall. Scared of you?

[Matt Dillon]

I guess he's got a reason to be, ma', am, Especially now.

[Ida Stewart]

Go catch him before he hurts anybody else. I'll manage here as soon as I.

[Gil Varden]

Stop aching a little.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I don't like to leave you.

[Ida Stewart]

I'll be all right, but stop him. He's done enough.

[Matt Dillon]

Chester, bring a horse over, will you? We'll fix a rig for her.

[Ida Stewart]

My first husband was killed by Indians, Marshall. Bad as it was, I never hated them Indians. It's different now somehow.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, ma'.

[Ida Stewart]

Am.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll catch him, ma'.

[Ida Stewart]

Am.

[Matt Dillon]

I promise you.

[Gil Varden]

I sure do feel sorry for that poor lady, Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I guess Gil figures he can't hang but once.

[Gil Varden]

Justin, what got into him? He's the last man in the world I'd expect to run wild killing people.

[Matt Dillon]

Like she said, he's scared blind. Crazy scared. No telling what he'll do next.

[Ida Stewart]

My.

[Gil Varden]

Hey, look. There's a couple of buffalo out there.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I've been watching them, but they aren't buffalo.

[Gil Varden]

No, they're horses. Yeah, you're right. One of them just put his head up. Hey, it must be that team. They're big enough.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Gil Varden]

I don't see Gill.

[Matt Dillon]

No.

[Gil Varden]

Hey, maybe he's laying out in the grass there waiting for us. Yeah, maybe there's something on the ground there. Looks like a man.

[Matt Dillon]

It is a man, and he's lying face up.

[Gil Varden]

He must have got throwed and knocked out, huh?

[Matt Dillon]

I've won that team. Gilt's a better rider than that.

[Gil Varden]

Well, something's happened to him.

[Matt Dillon]

That isn't Gill, Chester.

[Gil Varden]

It's some cowboy, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Gil Varden]

He's been shot.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, it looks like Gil did a little horse trade in Chester.

[Gil Varden]

The rough way you left this fella, the team and a bullet in the chest. That boy's really gone crazy.

[Matt Dillon]

We'll catch him quick enough. Unless this man was riding an awful good horse.

[Gil Varden]

There's no way to tell him about that.

[Matt Dillon]

No. Well, let's get busy. We buried the stranger as best we could and then took up Gil Barton's trail again. By mid afternoon, his track showed we were closing on him. Still, it was almost dusk before we saw a sod hut up ahead and a saddle horse standing in front of it. At one side was a corral holding two other horses, but Gill and whoever owned the place were nowhere in sight. We made a circle, rode up behind the hut and dismounted.

[Gil Varden]

He ain't been here very long, Mr. Dillon. That horse of his is still windy.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I don't know whether to wait for him to come out or go in after him.

[Gil Varden]

It'd be a lot safer to wait.

[Matt Dillon]

If you ask me, there might be somebody in there with him.

[Gil Varden]

Either way, we've got him.

[Andrew Hines]

Now.

[Matt Dillon]

Look, Chester, you wait at the edge of the cabin there. If he runs out alone, take him, huh?

[Gil Varden]

Thank you.

[Matt Dillon]

We're too late.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right, drop your gun, gil.

[Ida Stewart]

No.

[Gil Varden]

You all right, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Come on in, Chester.

[Gil Varden]

Did he kill that fella?

[Matt Dillon]

Now, take a look. You get Gil's gun? He's still conscious.

[Gil Varden]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he killed him all right, Gil.

[Gil Varden]

Don't look hurt too bad.

[Matt Dillon]

I tried to shoot him in the shoulder, but I'm afraid one bullet went a little low.

[Gil Varden]

His eyes is open, Gil.

[Matt Dillon]

Can you talk?

[Gil Varden]

You busted my chest.

[Matt Dillon]

Let me open your shirt for you. Hell, I don't know. You might live at that.

[Gil Varden]

Not with two bullets in me.

[Matt Dillon]

You want to try it, Gil? Try what? There's a wagon outside. It'll be a rough trip, but we might get you into docks.

[Gil Varden]

You shoot a man, then you try to save him.

[Matt Dillon]

I've done it before.

[Gil Varden]

I asked this fellow to trade horses, but he figured I was running and he tried to jump me. I shot him.

[Matt Dillon]

You shot a lot of people today, Gil.

[Gil Varden]

I didn't want to. I didn't know what I was doing except running. I heard about Gant. I knew it was me you'd be after.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean, you heard about Gantt?

[Gil Varden]

I'M getting dizzy. I'm gonna fall. Hold me, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

You're lying on the floor. Gil.

[Ida Stewart]

I'm gonna fall.

[Gil Varden]

She did.

[Matt Dillon]

Now he's still breathing.

[Gil Varden]

What was that he said about Gantt?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't know what he meant, but he sure didn't admit killing him. Let's get him back to Dodge if we can. And maybe we can find out what this is all about.

[Gil Varden]

Stop shop for all your friends this year this easy way Give Chesterfield this year so bright and gay Wrapped and ready they're the best to buy Cartons.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Of Chesterfields they satisfy this Christmas Give everyone Chesterfields Chesterfields are easy to give because they come ready to give in a bright red special holiday carton that's wrapped in its own colorful Christmas ribbon. Everyone enjoys Chesterfield's smoother, cooler smoking pleasure. So to all your friends this year say Merry Christmas with cartons of Chesterfield no wrapping, no tying they're easy to give because they come ready to give Chesterfields in the bright red special holiday.

[Gil Varden]

Carton Wrapped and ready they're the best to buy Cartons of Chesterfields they satisfy.

[Matt Dillon]

You go back up to the doc's, Chester. I'll wait in the office. If guilt comes to you, let me know.

[Gil Varden]

All right, Mr. Dillon. He's an awful tough boy, ain't he?

[Matt Dillon]

You had to be to survive that trip.

[Gil Varden]

It wore me out, and I wasn't even shot. Oh, say, if you leave the office, you'd better let me know where at you be.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I will. Just.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Kelly.

[Ida Stewart]

Hello, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Ida. Well, what are you girls doing here?

[Ida Stewart]

We've been waiting for you, Matt. We heard you brought Gill in this morning.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he's up at Dogs.

[Ida Stewart]

How easy, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

But he's got two bullets in him. It's. He survived that wagon trip, but Doc can't tell much yet.

[Ida Stewart]

What do you think?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, he's still alive. And I've seen men pull through. Shot up a lot worse than he is.

[Ida Stewart]

Even if he does leave, he'll hang, won't he?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he'll hang. I'm sorry, Ida.

[Ida Stewart]

It's all my fault.

[Matt Dillon]

Your fault?

[Ida Stewart]

Ida did it, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Did what?

[Ida Stewart]

Killed Henry Gant.

[Matt Dillon]

Ida.

[Gil Varden]

Killed?

[Ida Stewart]

Yeah, she came and told me about it after he had left. Gantt tried to run off with her, but she got her gun away from him and she killed him with it.

[Matt Dillon]

Is this true, Ida? Are you trying to cover for Gil?

[Ida Stewart]

Gil's gonna hang anyway.

[Matt Dillon]

It's true that it was self defense. Why didn't you come tell me about it?

[Ida Stewart]

I was scared, Dewa. I didn't think about it being self defense. I was too scared to think. Yeah. Yeah, she was. Matt had a terrible time calming her down. She's telling the truth all right.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I believe her.

[Ida Stewart]

If Gil hadn't run everything, it'd be fine.

[Matt Dillon]

He got scared too, Aydin. Real scared.

[Ida Stewart]

But why? He didn't do anything.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, he'd threatened to shoot Gant when he heard about it. I guess he was like you. He just stopped thinking.

[Gil Varden]

Oh, Miss Kitty. Miss Ivy.

[Ida Stewart]

Hello, Chester.

[Gil Varden]

I didn't expect to find you here.

[Matt Dillon]

Is Gil conscious, Chester?

[Gil Varden]

No, sir, he ain't.

[Ida Stewart]

How is he?

[Gil Varden]

He's dead. He died just a couple minutes ago. Doc done all he could for him.

[Ida Stewart]

That poor scared kid. You killed him, Marshall. Why? Why'd you have to kill him? He was only a boy. That isn't fair. What chance did he have against you? He shot him down easy. Why'd you have to do it?

[Matt Dillon]

I don't like it any better than you do. I don't. But Gil just killed three men. I don't think they wanted to die any more than he did.

[Narrator/Announcer]

In a moment, our star, William Conrad. Remember, friends, this Christmas give everyone Chesterfields. Say, if you remember the milkman, the postman and the others who make life easier for you during the year, well, there's still plenty of time to get them Chesterfields. Just drop by your neighborhood cigarette dealers anytime this coming week. You'll find Christmas cartons of Chesterfields are easy to give because they come ready to give in a bright red special holiday carton with its own colorful Christmas ribbon. So to all your friends this year, say Merry Christmas with cartons of milder, better tasting Chesterfields.

[Matt Dillon]

You know, Dodge City was the end of the railroad and the beginning of the frontier. And it was filled to overflowing with people from all walks of life. Well, next week during the Christmas season, two real mountain men come to Dodge to win their three generation feud. Just in time for Twelfth Night. And that was the West. Good night.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Gun Smoke, produced and Directed by Norman McDonald. Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Our story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Mess, with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Sam Edwards, Eleanor Tannen, John Dana and Anne Morrison. Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Make Christmas their red letter day Their L and M red letter day Give them the Christmas carton full of America's best Yes, Give L&MS. On Christmas Day to friends who Smoke the Builder wave L&M's got everything the.

[Matt Dillon]

Gift for Christmas Day.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This is it for Christmas L and M filters and the handsome Christmas carton. No fuss with ribbons or paper. It's all wrapped and ready to give this Christmas Give L and M Christmas Cartons. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the west in Gun Smoke.

[Ida Stewart]

Foreign.

[Andrew Hines]

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.

[Ida Stewart]

Sam.