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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 Dates May 12, 1957 and the title is Sheepdog.
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This week with digital coupons at Safeway and Albertsons get beef rib roast for $7.97 per pound member price with minimum purchase of $50 or more in a single transaction. Exclusions apply. See STORE for details and Broccoli, cauliflower or Russet potatoes are $0.97 per pound Member price limit £6 plus. Selected sizes and varieties of Lucerne Butter Cheese or Philadelphia cream cheese are $1.97 each member price. Visit safewayralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save with VRBoCare.
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Help is always ready before, during and after your stay. We've planned for the plot twists, so support is always available because a great trip starts with peace of mind.
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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. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad. The 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 lone.
Jeb Barkus
I don't think that's Orland barkus over there, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
No, that's his paw now. He probably knows where the boy is, though. Let's wait here till he gets those sheep clear of the brush and out onto the grass.
Jeb Barkus
Look at that blamed dog go, Mr. Dillon. Why, he's doing more handling to them sheep than old Jeb is.
Matt Dillon
He's taking good care of him, all right. Now let's go talk to Jeb, huh?
Jeb Barkus
Sure do wish we didn't have to, Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Ah, so do I, but we don't have much choice.
Jeb Barkus
No, sir, you sure don't. But ain't it too bad, though? He's such a nice old fella.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, Jeb's all right.
Jeb Barkus
Ms. Barkis is a fine lady, too, Chester.
Matt Dillon
I like the family, too. And I'm just as sorry about this as you are.
Jeb Barkus
Yes, sir, Mr. John. Howdy there, Marshall. Kind of far piece off the beaten path now, ain't you?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I guess so. Jeb.
Jeb Barkus
How are you? Pit hail and ready for any plague that heaven wants to send. Morning, Chester. Morning, Mr. Bacchus. How do you like that flock of sheep, Marshal?
Matt Dillon
That looks like they wondered all right, doesn't it?
Jeb Barkus
Yeah, wintered fine. Mighty hungry right now, though. I reckon they'll be eating the heads off the next few days. If you ask me, they've already started to. Well, I've been holding them back there in the brush for a week and a half till this grass dried off. Put them on when it's muddy and they just tromp it down without eating more than half of it. Sheep's got no sense at all.
Matt Dillon
I guess not.
Jeb Barkus
Well, that dog of yours has sure got plenty of sense. He's about as close to humans I ever seen. Maybe better than some jester that dog had fight a cougar or a wolf. Practically killed him before he'd let him cut a single sheep out of the flock. He always takes care of his own barn in him. Sheep dogs like that. Well,
Matt Dillon
Jeb Is your boy old enough here with you?
Jeb Barkus
He might be down around the house.
Matt Dillon
And always stop by there.
Jeb Barkus
Well, I don't know. I left before sunup this morning.
Matt Dillon
Your wife said Arlen didn't come home last night.
Jeb Barkus
Marshall, you know how young folks are.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, sure, I know.
Jeb Barkus
Arlen's been kind of restless lately. Growing pains, I reckon. Wants to stay around Dodge and work cattle this summer instead of going along when we take the sheep out onto the prairie. Yeah, he'll settle down after a while.
Matt Dillon
You know where I might find him, Jim?
Jeb Barkus
Well, he ought to be home anytime now. Ordinarily, he ain't wounded. Well, you don't want to stay out all night. Tell me, Marshall, is this something official? Yeah.
Matt Dillon
I'm sorry, Jeb. It's trouble with the law.
Jeb Barkus
Harland ain't never been in no trouble. Not real trouble.
Matt Dillon
Well, he is now. He was in town last night, Jeb, till near morning. There was an argument over a poker game. And he shot Will Peterson.
Jeb Barkus
No.
Matt Dillon
Did he.
Jeb Barkus
Did he kill him? Marshall?
Matt Dillon
Will was still alive when we left, a ride out here.
Jeb Barkus
Well, I don't hold none with gun fighting, but if Will Peterson drawed on my boy, he had a right to defend himself.
Matt Dillon
Will wasn't wearing a gun.
Jeb Barkus
I don't believe it. Somebody's lying.
Matt Dillon
That may be, but that's something a jury's gonna have to decide.
Jeb Barkus
If thine own offend, deliver them not unto Canaan, but judge ye the false thereof in thine own tents.
Matt Dillon
The law doesn't look at it that way, Jeff.
Jeb Barkus
Harlan's one of my flock.
Matt Dillon
Marshal, I'm sorry, but I gotta take Harlan in for trial. The best advice you can tell him is to give himself up.
Jeb Barkus
Marshall. I'll have to think about that. Talk to him before I decide.
Matt Dillon
All right, you do that, Jeb. But before you make any move you'll regret, just remember one thing. You're not a sheepdog, Jeb. And the law's not a wolf pack. Orland is charged with attempted murder and he's gonna stand trial.
Jeb Barkus
Another visit with Joe and Daphne Forsyth. Joe.
Joe Forsyth
Joe. Joe, stop reading that paper and talk to me.
Jeb Barkus
I'm listening.
Matt Dillon
Go ahead.
Joe Forsyth
Well, I was talking to Mrs. Snider today. You know, she's the one whose boy had 31% less cavities.
Jeb Barkus
Uh huh.
Joe Forsyth
Well, she thinks that we should buy bigger savings bonds.
Matt Dillon
Uh huh.
Joe Forsyth
She says that when people can afford it, it makes more sense. Oh, she says there are a lot of different denominations. They start at $25, but then there are 50, 100200 and even $500 bonds.
Jeb Barkus
Is that so?
Joe Forsyth
And then with the ones we've already bought through the payroll savings Plan, we'd have quite a nest egg, huh? Are you listening to me?
Matt Dillon
Huh?
Joe Forsyth
Did you know that the total accumulated compounded semi annual interest of the Series E Savings Bond will amount to 93 and a third percent of the original purchasing price?
Jeb Barkus
Huh?
Joe Forsyth
I thought so. Joe. What did I say?
Jeb Barkus
You said that United States Savings Bonds are a safe, easy way of investing.
Joe Forsyth
I did.
Jeb Barkus
That they help guard our country's freedom and they're the best investment in America's future.
Joe Forsyth
I said something else too.
Jeb Barkus
Oh yeah, you said that the total accumulated compounded semiannual interest of the Series E Savings bond will amount to 93,1 3% of of the original purchase price.
Joe Forsyth
Well, now, how did you do that?
Jeb Barkus
Husband's trade secret. Matthew.
Matt Dillon
What?
Jeb Barkus
It's me. Matthew.
Matt Dillon
Oh, how are you, Miles?
Jeb Barkus
Have you been up to Doc's office?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I was just coming from.
Jeb Barkus
There is a Will Peterson.
Matt Dillon
He's still alive, Miles. Doc's doing all they can for him.
Jeb Barkus
It's a terrible thing. Matthew was a fine man. Hard working wife and family.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know. That's pretty tough on Jeb Barkus too. He just couldn't believe a son of his would shoot a man down the way Orland did. Miles, you were there last night, I mean, at the poker game, weren't you?
Jeb Barkus
Oh, I was.
Matt Dillon
Tell me, was there any excuse at all for what the boy did?
Jeb Barkus
Will accused Orland of cheating with the cowards, which he was doing as well as all of us with a liquor sense knew he was. And the lad knew that we knew. Perhaps that's what made him so mad.
Matt Dillon
He's always been pretty touchy.
Jeb Barkus
Well, before one of us knew what he was up to, he hauled out his gun and shot Will twice. And then he ran out of the place hollering. He'd kill any one of us that came after him. If Will dies, that's cold blooded murder, Matthew. Nothing else.
Matt Dillon
But it sure sounds like it. Well, I'll.
Jeb Barkus
Matthew, I think there's something that you ought to know.
Matt Dillon
What?
Jeb Barkus
There's talk around town that's been getting louder all day.
Matt Dillon
What kind of talk?
Jeb Barkus
Well, some of them are saying that you're not making any effort to find that boy and bring him in.
Matt Dillon
And do any of them think they could do a better job?
Jeb Barkus
Might be their aiming to try.
Matt Dillon
Matthew. I see who's talking the loudest, Miles?
Jeb Barkus
Well, Rick Kelso mostly, I reckon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, sure. Riff always gets Real law abiding when he thinks there's a chance of making it. Mob law.
Jeb Barkus
Well, I. I thought maybe you ought to know about it.
Matt Dillon
And I'm much obliged to you, Miles. Riff gets a bunch of drunken loafers around him, there's no telling what he might do.
Jeb Barkus
Mr. Dillon.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, what is it, Chester?
Jeb Barkus
Old Jeb Bark is over at Long Branch. He slipped in the back way. Says he wants to see you.
Matt Dillon
Ah, good, Miles. Let me know if anything serious gets started, will you?
Jeb Barkus
Oh, I surely will, Matthew.
Matt Dillon
Is he by himself, Chester?
Jeb Barkus
I don't know for sure. He won't say nothing that'll seize you.
Matt Dillon
I hope he's brought the boy in. It'd be better all the way around if he has.
Jeb Barkus
Well, how do you know Orland even went home, Mr. John? Maybe he just hit the trail out of town.
Matt Dillon
No, I'm betting different, Chester. Orland's not trail wise. He's never been away from home in his life. He'd need a bedroll and grub and money. He ran out on that poker game without even picking up his winnings.
Jeb Barkus
Hello, Matt. Chester.
Matt Dillon
Kitty.
Jeb Barkus
Kitty.
Matt Dillon
Kitty. Is Jeb Barkis still here?
Jeb Barkus
Yeah, back there in the corner below the stairway.
Matt Dillon
Oh, good.
Jeb Barkus
Matt, have you caught the boy yet?
Matt Dillon
No, not yet.
Jeb Barkus
What's it all about?
Matt Dillon
I'm not sure, Kitty, till I talk to Jeb.
Jeb Barkus
Is Will Peterson still alive?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, so far he is.
Jeb Barkus
You know, there's a lot of talk around.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I know. Miles McTagger's just telling me, but talk never moved any mountains. Kidding.
Jeb Barkus
Yeah, it's moved mobs though. Suppose Will dies, Matt?
Matt Dillon
Kitty, a man would go crazy on this job if he went around supposing
Jeb Barkus
things just the same. It could mean trouble.
Matt Dillon
Forget it. Well, I'm going over there and talk to Jeb.
Jeb Barkus
All right, Matt.
Matt Dillon
Evening, Jeb.
Jeb Barkus
I figured I ought to come and tell you. Marshall. It was only just thing to do.
Matt Dillon
Have you seen or of.
Jeb Barkus
Yeah, have seen him.
Matt Dillon
Where is he?
Jeb Barkus
Marshall, we've been friends for a long time, you and me. I got all the respect in the world for you. But I reckon this time we're on opposite sides of the fence. Or the name Guilty. He told me all about it. There was three of them jumped him just because he was winning. And all three of them was armed. He had to kill in self defense.
Matt Dillon
The others tell it in a different way, Jeff.
Jeb Barkus
It's lies they made up among themselves. Execute justice and righteousness in the land, the book says. But they won't. They're out to hang him. I Heard the talk around town tonight.
Matt Dillon
Judge Bent's an honest man, Jeb, and you know that Orland will get a fair trial.
Jeb Barkus
I'm sorry, Marshall. He ain't going to trial.
Matt Dillon
All right, Jeb. I've been laying back giving you a chance because I figured it'd be better that way. But I can't do it any longer. You're making the biggest mistake of your life, Jeb. Now, you just think about it. Is Will any better alone?
Jeb Barkus
No. It's a thankless job, Matt. Doctrine, no matter what you do, people are gonna die anyway, sooner or later.
Matt Dillon
But a lot of times you can try to make it later.
Jeb Barkus
Yeah. Want some coffee, Matt?
Matt Dillon
Yeah, I guess so. You know, it'd be a lucky thing for old Jeb and the boy if Will does manage to pull through.
Jeb Barkus
Founded, Matt. Part of it's old Jeb's fork. He's real too close. Heard on that young unfax. You never give him a chance to grow up.
Matt Dillon
Yeah, maybe you're right,
Jeb Barkus
Matt. People are gonna go right on committing crimes and dying no matter what you and I try to do about it. So why don't we just give up?
Matt Dillon
I don't know, doc. Why don't we?
Jeb Barkus
Maybe I should just stick to my coroner's job and forget the rest.
Matt Dillon
Yeah.
Jeb Barkus
Then all I have to do is tell if somebody's dead or not. Mr. John? Yeah, Chester Riff Kelso's coming down the street. Got a mob of drunks with him.
Matt Dillon
He has, huh? Doc, I'll see you later. I'm gonna arrest Arlen and jail him on an assault charge before they really start something.
Jeb Barkus
Oh, Matt. Huh? Wait. Yeah? Will is dead,
Matt Dillon
I'll bring Arlen in for murder.
Jeb Barkus
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Matt Dillon
They're bar flies mostly and drifters going along for this show. Keep your Eye on Mike Ellery and Red Stoddard. I'll handle Riff. Kelso and the rest of them don't count. All right. You boys got something in mind?
Jeb Barkus
More than you got, Marshall. The way things look, I suppose you
Matt Dillon
tell me about it, Riff.
Jeb Barkus
You dang right we'll tell you about it. We're old friends of Will Peterson's, Marshall. We aim to see justice done.
Matt Dillon
That's fine. So do I.
Jeb Barkus
Well, then why ain't you done nothing about it? You had since last night to find that kid and bring him in. What are you trying to do, let him get clear out of the country?
Matt Dillon
He hasn't gone anyplace.
Jeb Barkus
How do you know where he's gone? You sure he ain't spent no time out looking for him? And all the while Will laying up there dying.
Matt Dillon
You're wrong, Riff. Will's already dead. Yes.
Jeb Barkus
You hear that, boy? Will's already dead. That murdering little rat shot Will down in cold blood. And the marshal ain't even bothered to go after him. At least not till now. Now that he's given that murderer plenty of time to get away.
Matt Dillon
You got any reason figured out why I'd do that?
Jeb Barkus
You're dang right. I got a reason. Everybody in town knows you and Jeb's been friends for years. What I say is, if there's gonna be law, there's gonna be law for everybody. And that's good. Goes for the Marshall's friends, too.
Matt Dillon
Well, I'm glad to see you've changed your way of thinking, Riff. So you and your boys are out to enforce the law tonight, is that it?
Jeb Barkus
You're dang right that we got the rope along to enforce it with. If you ain't man enough to do your duty, then we're going to do it for you.
Matt Dillon
All right, Rev, shut up and listen. The rest of you two shut up because this is the last one and you're gonna get. While I've been marshal here, nobody's ever been strung up by a mob. And as long as I go on being marshal, nobody's ever gonna be. Now, is that clear?
Jeb Barkus
You're bucking a pretty good sized crowd here, ain't you?
Matt Dillon
Not as big as the law, Riff.
Jeb Barkus
Might be we're aiming to change the law. Some marshal, and the law man right along with it.
Matt Dillon
Anybody who wants to apply for the job is welcome to put in his bid anytime.
Jeb Barkus
How about right now?
Matt Dillon
That's not the way to apply, Riff. Not with a gun. Are there any other candidates? All right, then, a couple of you carry him upstairs and get Doc to patch him up. He's not hurt bad. And the rest of you, get on about your business. Now, go on, move. All right, Chester, let's go.
Jeb Barkus
Bring in Orlando. Ain't much sign of life around, Mr. Dylan.
Matt Dillon
There must be somebody here.
Jeb Barkus
House is all dark.
Matt Dillon
Yeah. Oh, watch yourself, Joseph. No telling what that crazy kid will do.
Jeb Barkus
Maybe old Jeb took the whole family and run for it.
Matt Dillon
Now, there's a horse and wagon tied by the barn there.
Jeb Barkus
Well, I don't reckon they'd go off and leave a horse standing hitched, would they? Who is it? Who's there?
Matt Dillon
It's Matt Dillon, Jed. Are you alone?
Jeb Barkus
I'm alone, Marshall. Come on up,
Matt Dillon
Jeb. I can't make it easy on you any longer. Will Peterson died a little while ago.
Jeb Barkus
I reckon I already knowed it, Marshall. Somehow I just kind of felt it.
Matt Dillon
The charge is murder now, Jeb.
Jeb Barkus
I've come for Arlen. Yeah, I know. Arlan come running home. Marshall, scared half to death, just like he'd always done when he was a little shaver, begged me to help him. And I listened to him and believed him.
Matt Dillon
He was lying, Jim.
Jeb Barkus
I was gonna hide him, help him get away. I know places to hide, Jeb.
Matt Dillon
Where is he?
Jeb Barkus
Marshall, you told me that it was a lot more than just a wolf pack after the flock. You told me I was making the biggest mistake of my life, Jeb. Now, wait a minute. When I come back out from town tonight, Arlen was fixing to leave on his own. He broke into the box where we keep our savings, pretty near $300. And he hit his maw when she tried to stop him. Hurt her pretty bad.
Matt Dillon
Where'd he go, Chip?
Jeb Barkus
I found him out in the barn. Marshall Saddlin, his horse. He had some food and my rifle that he was aiming to take along. I argued with him, and he laughed and he said, sure. Will Peterson wasn't wearing no gun. I grabbed the rifle away from him, and he knocked me down. Then he drawed his gun and aimed it at me. Aimed his gun at his own father.
Matt Dillon
Jeb, you're gonna have to tell me. Where is he?
Jeb Barkus
I was just fixing to drive into town. Marshall Harland's there in the back of the wagon. I shot him dead, Sam.
Narrator
Gun Smoke Produced and Directed by Norman McDonnell Stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U. S. Marshal the script was specially written for Gunsmoke by Les Crutchfield with editorial supervision by John Meston.
Jeb Barkus
The music was composed.
Narrator
Composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Sound patterns were by Ray Kemper and Bill James. Featured in the cast were Parley Bear as Chester, Howard McNear as Doc, and Georgia Ellis as Kidding George Walsh speaking. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on gun smoke. This is the United States Armed for Forces radio and television service.
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This week with digital coupons at Safeway and Albertsons. Get beef rib Roast for $7.97 per pound member price with minimum purchase of $50 or more in a single transaction. Exclusions apply. CC Store for details and broccoli, cauliflower or russet potatoes are $0.97 per pound member price limit £6 plus selected sizes and varieties of Lucerne Butter Cheese or Philadelphia cream cheese are 197 each member price. Visit safewayralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save
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Matt Dillon
Foreign.
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.
Jeb Barkus
From Geico Subconscious News, I'm Tammy.
Commercial Announcer
Racing thoughts tonight. You just left for work and had
Jeb Barkus
a non specific feeling that something was happening to your place and it wasn't good. Dan. Exactly, Tammy. It could be smoke damage, theft or just too much caffeine, but you can't stop thinking about it. But with renters insurance through geico, your
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Jeb Barkus
And that's great because the weekend is
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coming up and it's chock full of social obligations that are ready to fill that void.
Jeb Barkus
Oh boy, will they, dad? It feels good to worry less, it feels good to Geico.
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Air Date: May 12, 1957 (original), April 5, 2026 (podcast release)
Summary by Podcast Summarizer
This episode of Gunsmoke, "Sheep Dog," draws listeners into a tense moral drama on the wild frontier. Marshal Matt Dillon must track down the son of an old and respected family after a fatal shooting in Dodge City. The episode investigates themes of justice versus loyalty, the pressures of the law, family bonds, and the dangers of mob rule.
"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 lone."
(William Conrad as Matt Dillon)
"[07:47] ...you’re not a sheepdog, Jeb. And the law’s not a wolf pack. Orland is charged with attempted murder and he’s gonna stand trial." (Matt Dillon)
"[11:43] ...some of them are saying that you're not making any effort to find that boy and bring him in." (Miles)
"[19:33] ...that murdering little rat shot Will down in cold blood. And the marshal ain't even bothered to go after him..." (Riff Kelso)
"[20:26] ...While I've been marshal here, nobody's ever been strung up by a mob. And as long as I go on being marshal, nobody's ever gonna be. Now, is that clear?" (Matt Dillon)
"[24:28] I was just fixing to drive into town. Marshall, Arlen's there in the back of the wagon. I shot him dead, Sam." (Jeb Barkus)
[07:47] Matt Dillon to Jeb Barkus:
“You’re not a sheepdog, Jeb. And the law’s not a wolf pack. Orland is charged with attempted murder and he’s gonna stand trial.”
[11:27] Miles on the shooting:
“If Will dies, that's cold-blooded murder, Matthew. Nothing else.”
[20:26] Matt Dillon to the mob:
“While I've been marshal here, nobody's ever been strung up by a mob. And as long as I go on being marshal, nobody's ever gonna be. Now, is that clear?"
[24:28] Jeb Barkus’s confession:
“I was just fixing to drive into town. Marshall, Arlen's there in the back of the wagon. I shot him dead, Sam.”
“Sheep Dog” is a powerful morality tale about the collision of personal loyalty and the impartial requirements of justice. It explores the danger of mob justice, the burdens of the lawman, and the heartbreak implicit in doing “the right thing” when family is at stake. Through nuanced character drama and vivid sound, the episode stands as a classic Western meditation on what it means to seek justice in a lawless land.