Stampede at Semple’s Crossing | Hopalong Cassidy (03-01-52)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns – Episode Summary

Episode Title

Stampede at Semple’s Crossing | Hopalong Cassidy (03-01-52)

Podcast & Host

Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes

Original Air Date

March 1, 1952
Podcast Release Date: September 18, 2025

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Overview

This episode revives the classic radio drama Hopalong Cassidy in a digitally restored format, capturing the drama, tension, and camaraderie of the Old West. The core of the story is a dramatic confrontation between rival cattle drives at Semple’s Crossing, complicated by personal rivalries, a murder, and the threat of a massive stampede. Hopalong Cassidy must not only protect his herd but also unravel a scheme that could cost an innocent man his life.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. The Standoff at Semple’s Crossing (04:29–10:43)

• Two rival cattle drives, Bar 20 and Lazy J, arrive at Semple’s Crossing simultaneously. Both need to cross the river, but only one herd can go first.
• Tensions quickly escalate between Hopalong Cassidy (Bar 20) and Reb Moran (Lazy J’s new trail boss).
• Reb Moran, feeling challenged, tries to force the issue by demanding a fight to decide who gets the right to cross first. He threatens to stampede Bar 20's herd if Hoppy refuses.
  • Quote: “Either you fight me to see who crosses the river first or you'll get them bar 20 steers scattered clear from here to the Continental Divide.” – Reb Moran (07:38)
• Under pressure, Hopalong relents, agreeing to a fair fist fight, with the river crossing at stake.

2. Barroom Brawl and Complications (10:43–15:07)

• The fight is hard-fought but Hopalong wins. This secures Bar 20’s right to cross first.
• Tensions remain high among the hands, with threats of more fighting.
• Suddenly, gunshots ring out as Hopalong, a deputy, and others exit the saloon. Hopalong takes a bullet in the arm, but Marshal Silent Jim Reed is fatally shot.
  • Quote: “The town marshal wasn’t so lucky. Looks as though he’s dying.” – Hopalong Cassidy (13:07)
• Suspicion quickly falls on Reb Moran, who had old grudges and was seen as hot-tempered, but there are doubts about his guilt.

3. Stampede and Rescue (16:02–19:33)

• The next morning, while still wounded, Hopalong learns that yet another fight and a murder happened overnight. The marshal's death has left the town lawless.
• Suddenly, chaos erupts: the Bar 20 herd is stampeded through the town, placing children and townsfolk at risk. Hopalong and California (his sidekick) rush to save kids from the rampaging cattle.
  • Quote: “Them kids, Hoppy. They’re too scared to get out of the way.” – California (18:37)

4. The Investigation and Framing of Reb Moran (20:00–23:52)

• Reb Moran is found drunk and easily apprehended. Suspicion of murder and cattle stampede continues to dog him.
  • Quote: “You said you were going to [stampede my cattle] if I wouldn’t fight. Anyway, a man says lots of things when he’s lickered up. Don’t mean he’s gonna do them.” – Reb Moran (22:00)
• Hopalong isn’t convinced of Moran’s guilt, despite the town’s thirst for quick justice. The evidence is circumstantial; the plot thickens when a new cattle brand (“Lazy B”) is found on stolen steers.

5. Tippy Clark’s “Deathbed” Statement (23:33–28:09)

• Tippy Clark, a local, is found wounded and supposedly dying. He gives a statement, under duress, implicating Reb Moran as the murderer.
• Hopalong grows suspicious, noticing inconsistencies in Tippy’s supposed “deathbed” state and the handling of evidence by Doc Bradhurst and Pharaoh Gillis (Lazy J foreman).
  • Quote: “According to the doctor, Tippy was supposed to be making a deathbed statement. But the minute I saw Tippy on that couch, I knew he couldn’t be dying. … Tippy was wearing his boots.” – Hopalong Cassidy (29:12)

6. The Truth Unveiled and Final Showdown (28:01–29:41)

• Hopalong exposes the villainous scheme:
  • Doc Bradhurst and Pharaoh Gillis concocted the whole plot, planning to steal most of the Bar 20 herd under a new brand, using the chaos to cover their tracks. Framing Reb Moran provided a scapegoat.
  • Tippy Clark confesses: “They wanted to be sure Reb Moran would be convicted. … Pharaoh kept holding a knife against my back all the time.” (28:05)
  • Doc and Pharaoh are caught, thanks to Hoppy’s intuition and observation (about the boots).
  • Quote: “If Tippy had known he was going to die, he certainly would have asked one of us to take his boots off. Because Tippy has more fear of dying with his boots on than any man I ever met.” – Hopalong Cassidy (29:12)

7. Resolution and Reflection (29:31–30:00)

• The villains are arrested, Reb Moran vindicated, and order restored to Semple’s Crossing. The enduring theme: in the West, justice isn't always what it appears, and clever observation saves the day.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Stampede that herd of yours.” – Reb Moran’s threat sets the whole conflict into motion (07:29)
• “You can’t prove any of this, Cassidy.” – Doc Bradhurst, unmasked as the true villain (27:32)
• “The boot was on the other foot.” – California delivers a comedic Western pun after the case is solved (29:31)
• Tippy’s boots as a clue: The “boots” motif becomes both a plot device and a bit of gallows humor, underlining the folklore of the Old West.

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Important Timestamps

• 04:29 – Introduction of the Bar 20 and Lazy J herds, and rising tensions
• 07:38 – Reb Moran’s ultimatum: fight or stampede
• 10:43 – Hopalong wins the fistfight
• 13:07 – Gun battle; marshal is fatally wounded
• 18:05 – Stampede charges through town; heroics to save children
• 21:02 – Discovery of new cattle brands (Lazy B), hinting at rustling plot
• 22:49 – Hopalong vows to help Reb Moran
• 26:06 – Tippy’s coerced deathbed confession
• 27:12 – Hopalong exposes Doc Bradhurst and Gillis
• 29:12 – The truth about Tippy’s boots and false deathbed statement

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode brims with fast-talking, quick-witted dialogue, classic Western threats, and the dry humor typical of Hopalong Cassidy and his sidekick California. The digitally restored soundscape heightens immersion, bringing the lively saloon and chaotic stampede right to the listener’s ear.

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Conclusion

A classic Western tale of rivalry, deceit, and justice, this episode typifies the charm and suspense of Hopalong Cassidy. Smart deduction, sharp banter, and the straightforward morality of the frontier are on full display—reminding audiences why these stories remain timeless.

Transcript

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[Andrew Rines (Podcast Host)]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and before we get into this episode, I wanted to remind you to check out our other Western podcasts released daily by going to otrwesterns.com or searching OTR Westerns in your podcast app of choice. I also wanted to invite you to check out our other podcast channel releasing non Western shows by going to otnetcast.com or by searching otnetcast in your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Hopalong Cassidy Original air date is March 1, 1952 and the title is Stampede at Simples Crossing. Let's Get into it and I hope you enjoy.

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[Narrator]

With action and suspense, out of the Old west comes the most famous hero of them all. Hopalong Cassidy. Starring William Boyd. The ring of the Silver spurs heralds the most amazing man ever to ride the prairies of the early West. Hop along, Cassidy. The same hoppy you cheer in motion pictures and the same California you've laughed.

[Reb Moran]

At a million times.

[Narrator]

Raw courage and quick shooting have built a legend around this famous hero. Hop along is a name to be feared, respected and admired for this great cowboy rides the trails of adventure and excitement. William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy and Andy Clyde as California. What's our story this time, Hoffy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

This one we call Stampede at Semples Crossing. And it started during a cattle drive with the Bar 20 pushing 2000. Head north for railroad shipment. We've been on the trail 15 days and had just reached Semples Crossing, where you always hold up overnight before fording the river. At the same time, another herd pulled in from the West, a herd much bigger than ours. We had both arrived at practically the same time, which meant trouble. And that night in the Silver Spur Saloon, trouble Started.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Here we go, Hoppy. Here comes Reb Moran breathing fire out of both ears.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, sure enough. Hi. Rebuild here. You're the new trail boss for the Lazy J.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

That's right, Cassidy.

[Reb Moran]

I'm the new trail boss. And I figure you and me ought to settle this thing about crossing the ford tomorrow.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You mean about who goes first? No question about that, is there? Bar 20 arrived first.

[Reb Moran]

Yeah, not so as anybody would notice it. I had a man waiting there an hour before your beef pulled in.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

A man doesn't count, Reb. It's who gets cattle there first.

[Reb Moran]

Not the way I figured.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

KE and you and I don't figure it alike.

[Reb Moran]

I never expected we would. But I expect to put Lazy J Beef into that river first thing tomorrow morning.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You've had a few drinks too many, Reb. Sleep them off and we'll talk about it tomorrow.

[Reb Moran]

We'll talk about it right now.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I'll tell you what I'll do, Cassidy.

[Reb Moran]

I'll fight you for it. Best man gets to take his herd across first. But we fight with our hands, not with our irons.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Look, Moran, tomorrow's gonna be a big day for both of us. Why don't you head for your blanket roll and turn in.

[Reb Moran]

Oh, what's the matter, Cassidy?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

You scared?

[Reb Moran]

I always heard you was a fancy man with your fist.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

But with me, you gotta prove it.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Sorry, Moran, but I'm not gonna take you on for a stupid reason like this.

[Reb Moran]

But you gotta take me on, Cassidy. You can't help yourself.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No? And why not?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

You left just a couple of riders.

[Reb Moran]

With your hurt, didn't you?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right.

[Reb Moran]

Well, I had some of my boys rope and hog tie up.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You what?

[Reb Moran]

Yeah, and my boys are caring for that Bar 20 beef right now.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

And if they hear three quick shots.

[Reb Moran]

From out of this place, they know just what to do.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Just what would they do, Reb?

[Reb Moran]

Stampede that herd of yours.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

So it's up to you, Cassidy. Either you fight me to see who.

[Reb Moran]

Crosses the river first or you'll get them bar 20 steers scattered clear from here to the Continental Divide.

[Narrator]

Now back to Hopalong Cassidy and our story. Stampede at Central's Crossing with a Bar 20 trail herd reaching an important river crossing almost at the same time as another herd. Trouble has developed. Rev. Moran, hard drinking trail boss of the Lazy J, has just challenged Hoppy to a fist fight to decide which outfit will board the stream first. Hoppy is trying to avoid the fight, but Moran has set things up so that Hoppy must fight or have his herd stampeded all over the countryside.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Ah, this is kid stuff, Reb. You've just been promoted and it's gone to your head. You figure I've got a little reputation and you'd like to get fat off of it by knocking me around. Just kid stuff, Reb. Yeah.

[Reb Moran]

Come on, Cassidy. Do you fight it or them steers or yours? Start running.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

All right. That's the way you have to play. But it's got to be just between you and me.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

What's the matter, Cassidy? Your rider's all yellow too?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Who are you?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I'm Gillis Rebs foreman. And I'm willing to stack the Lazy J against your outfit all the way.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'm sure you would, considering you outnumber us at least 2 to 1. I'll say this again, Reb. The fight has to be just between you and me, or I'm not taking off these guns.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I don't think your guns are so tough either, Cassidy. That'll make something out of it. Rebuild with his guns if he wants.

[Reb Moran]

Now, hold it, hold it. Let's just keep it a fist fight, all right, Cassidy? It's just between me and you. So take off your guns.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And whoever wins has the undisputed right to take his herd across the river first. That's also a green, Reb.

[Reb Moran]

That's the whole idea, Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

All right, I'll take off the gun.

[Reb Moran]

Hello. Eh, wouldn't want to make any bets on this, would you, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

No bets, Reb. You're forcing the fight on me and that's enough.

[Reb Moran]

Anybody else want to bet?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Put your money where your mouth is, moran. I got 50 bucks to back hoppy. I got $50 to bet on, Hopper. On Cassidy too. I'll cover that. That's right, boys. Get your bets down. It's gonna be a big evening for the Lazy J. Come on, Cassidy. Get your hands up. Crowd em, Reb. Get em fast.

[Reb Moran]

Just what I aim to do.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Try this one, Cassidy. Ought to be just your sight.

[Reb Moran]

Oh, fuck.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Not bad, Reb. But a little high. I felt it, though.

[Reb Moran]

And you're gonna feel this one.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I felt that one too, Reb. Right up to my wrist. Care to get up and we can both try again?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I'm getting up and you're going down. It'll always be the same, Moran, even if you used an axe. Hey, can you hear me, Moran? Dog gone. He's colder than a panhandle winter.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Give me a hand, California. We'll get him up.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I don't need any help.

[Narrator]

I'll be all right.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I guess this Settles things, doesn't it, Rem?

[Reb Moran]

Yeah. Yeah, it settles things. Your outfit crosses the river first. Now I'm getting out of here. Mm.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Mm. Nobody'd ever know you'd been in a scuffle, Hoppy. You don't show a mark. It's a great fight, Mr. Cassidy. Me. $50. My name is Clark, Mr. Cassidy. Tippy Clark. And I sure am proud to know you.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Wait a minute. If this is the first you've known me, how did you happen to bet on me?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Because he's a white livered stable tramp and we ought to hang him upside down the doorway. Now, wait a minute, Pharaoh. I didn't do anything to you. You better get this and I'm gonna. Oh, no, no, no.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Don't follow him, Pharaoh. Let him alone.

[Reb Moran]

You don't think you're gonna walk out.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Of here, top dog, do you, Cassidy? Nobody ever beat the Lazy J for keeps. And there's 12 of us here to prove it. 12 of them? Five of us from the bar. 20. That calls for more than a rabbit's poop. Move in, boys. We're gonna clean out this place. Hold it, you man, hold it.

[Reb Moran]

Hold it, I said. This is a.45 I'm holding, and I'm pretty good with it. And the man alongside me is a lot better with his. Maybe all you gents don't know him. His name is Silent Jim Reed. And he happens to be marshal of this town. And I happen to be his deputy. You ought to know better than to make trouble, Pharaoh. You used to live here.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I figure this to be our own fight, Gleason.

[Reb Moran]

That's all right, so long as it's just a couple of you. But when it comes to wrecking buildings with one of your Range bros, well, that's where we take over. We taking you in, Pharaoh. Oh, you are? Yeah. You and this Cassidy. And maybe we'll have peace in town tonight.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's all right with me, Deputy.

[Reb Moran]

Head for the door, Pharaoh.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

My outfit ain't gonna take this, Gleeson.

[Reb Moran]

Your outfit will take it and like it.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I won't like it.

[Reb Moran]

I'm gonna have this town turned upside down just because you fellas lost a fight in a few bits.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

That's what you think.

[Reb Moran]

Where's that door open, Cassidy? After you, Marshall. All right, now you, Pharaoh. And don't try.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

They come from across the street. Poppy, you hate.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I got a slug through the arm. Outside of that, I'm all right. The town marshal wasn't so lucky. Looks as though he's dying. Got it out Yet, Doc.

[Reb Moran]

Oh, yeah, yeah, it's out. You sure can take it, Cassidy.38 slug could be mighty painful.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'm much obliged to you. Doctor. Would be all right if I get down off this bar now?

[Reb Moran]

Oh, you better lie still few more minutes, Cassidy. You're gonna be a lot weaker than you think. Oh. Oh, yes, Tippy, what is it?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

The marshal. Silent Jimmy. He used to lie out there.

[Reb Moran]

Yeah, when he's dead. Tippy flying out there isn't gonna hurt him now.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

He didn't die right away, though.

[Reb Moran]

No, it took him about 20 minutes.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Sure tough way to go if a man can't die in bed.

[Reb Moran]

It.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

It seems like somebody ought to get his boots off for him. Why didn't somebody get the marshal's boots off? Why don't you go get him off, Tippy? Stuff that's holes good and they just about be your size.

[Reb Moran]

Did you see anyone fire those shots as you stepped outside, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Sorry, Gleason. It was pretty dark out there.

[Reb Moran]

Yeah, but don't take a mind reader to figure who was on the other end of that gun.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What are you thinking, Gleason?

[Reb Moran]

Well, Cassidy, you whip that far eaten trail boss of the Lazy J here tonight, Rev. Moran. Moran was out of this place when the shooting happened.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

So that's who you think it was.

[Reb Moran]

Yep. I figured he couldn't take the weapon. Stood out there waiting for you to show. Probably so riled up. And he just let fire at everybody who stepped through the doorway. All right, Gleason. Well, what are you going to do about it? Well, Doc, I guess we'll have to try to bring Moran in. That might be quite a job. With Silent Jim gone, things around Semple's Crossing allow to get pretty rough.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Nothing like sleeping in a hotel for a good night's rest. How's the arm feel this morning, Hoppy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

It's kind of stiff. I guess I'll be able to get around all right.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

We gonna swim them steers across that stream this morning or this afternoon? I'll get it. Oh, it's you, Doc. Eh, come on in.

[Reb Moran]

Yeah, feller. Better stop by and have another look at that arm of yours, Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Doesn't feel too bad, Doc.

[Reb Moran]

Just say my better dress it for you. At least I take them cattle yours away from here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, maybe not for several days. I've been thinking about Reb Moran. He's a fire eater and he likes nothing better than a brawl. I find it hard to believe he'd bushwhack anybody from a dark doorway. After what happened last night, I'D sort of feel responsible if he had to hang for a killing he didn't do.

[Reb Moran]

Yeah, well, it'd be a lot better for that arm if you could rest a few days. Mind if I throw up this window shade? We need more light to dress that.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Go ahead.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Look at that sun beating down out there. And it's six o' clock in the morning.

[Reb Moran]

Is that what time it is? I wouldn't know. But with another shooting and a knifing and breaking the news of Silent Jim Reed's death to his widow. I've been up all night.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Never can tell, can you, Doc? There probably wasn't a bad man in this territory who couldn't beat Silent Jim in a fair fight. And then Silent Jim has to get it by accident.

[Reb Moran]

Yeah, And I'm afraid that when Silent Jim was killed, there went the law and order in this town. Ben Gleason been a good deputy, but he's not the one for handling the.

[Narrator]

Trouble we get here.

[Reb Moran]

Well, that hurt, Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Ah, a little, but don't worry about it.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Sure is gonna be a hot day. You can see the heat coming up from the ground right now. There's a couple little kids playing out.

[Reb Moran]

In the street already, too, Doc.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

How about Red Moran? Anybody know where he is?

[Reb Moran]

No sign of him down. Gleason rounded up. Posse went out to find him, bring him in.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That might be a rough job against all those Lazy J Riders.

[Reb Moran]

That's what I told Gleason. So he rounded up his posse without too much fuss and got out of here in the dark just after 3 o'. Clock.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

He didn't lose much time.

[Reb Moran]

Figured most of the Lazy J hands might still be hanging around the saloon. I hope it works out that way. I feel I've had enough bloodshed run here for 124 hours. There now. How does that feel, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Ah, feels fine, Doc. Nice and snug. Hey, what's that noise?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Sounds like an earthquake. Wait a second. I'll get this window up. It's coming from the river crossing. Hoppy. It's them steers of ours, Stampedin. And they were coming this way, right through town with them little kids in the street.

[Narrator]

Now back to Hopalong Cassidy and our story. Stampede at Central's Crossing. Trouble has broken out at Central's Crossing. Poppy has won the fight, forced upon him by Reb Moran, trail boss of the Lazy J, to determine who should ford the river first. But as an aftermath, Silent Jim Reed, marshal of Central's Crossing, is killed by gunfire. With suspicion and tension riding the area. Someone has stampeded the bar 20 steers right into the main street of town.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Them kids hopping. They're too scared to get out of the way.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You grab one, I'll take the other.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Come on. That was a bug, there was. Hey, Toppy, where are you? Hey, you find one of them stairs. I can't see nothing. He's trying to pick up that kid. Here, take the gentleman. I gotta know what happened. Hey, doggone gesture, puppy. Poppy, where are you? Right here.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

California. You all right?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Yeah. Yeah, sure. How come? I. I'm kind of scared. Petrified him, all right, but you. You. You fell down.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah. This arm went back on me when I was lifting a youngster. If we got out of the way, both of us.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

What a scramble that was. And them steers of ours, Hobby, scattered all over the countryside. Take us a week to round them up.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Ah, never mind. Those two kids are all right anyway.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

But what about the herd? We ain't going to take it lying down, are we?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Not if we can find out who did it.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

That Lazy J outfit did it, H. Maybe.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

But that's something for us to find out for sure. Sounds like you're in a hurry, Gleason.

[Reb Moran]

What is that? Oh, it's you, Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah. Couldn't sleep, so I'm out here trying to catch a little breeze.

[Reb Moran]

How's the arm?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Doesn't like what happened. Keeps letting me know it.

[Reb Moran]

A lot of pain. The wound like that just brought Rev Moran in. In the posy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah. Where'd you find him?

[Reb Moran]

Oh, we looked all day for him and then found him on our way back to town. Still sleeping off his drunk under spring wagon. No trouble taking him. Didn't act like he knew what it was all about.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Do you think he's guilty, Gleason?

[Reb Moran]

Oh, who knows? I'm never sure when a man's guilty. Not unless I see him do something. There's a lot of other people around here think he's guilty, though. Want to give him a quick trial, a quick sentence. Where are all your boys, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Out rounding up cattle. We had a stampede yesterday.

[Reb Moran]

Yeah, heard. You think Moran might have caused that, too?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, I don't know.

[Reb Moran]

I don't know either. I don't know anything about all this. But we came onto something funny out there today.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah? What was that?

[Reb Moran]

A couple of steers wearing new red hot brands. Yeah, a real new brand for these parts. A Lazy Bee.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Lazy Bee. Hey, you could dress up a Lazy J to look like that without any trouble at all.

[Reb Moran]

That's right. That's the way I figured without any trouble at all. You feel like talking to Reverend Moran, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I wouldn't mind.

[Reb Moran]

Come on, then. I got him where he's got more time for talk than anything else got. Hop along, Cassidy. Here. Moran says he'd like to talk to you. He thinks I tried to gun him down. We got nothing to talk about.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'm not passing judgment on you, Reb.

[Reb Moran]

I'd never gun a man down that way if I was drunk or sober. You whipped me fair and square, and that was enough for me.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

How about stampeding my cattle, Reb?

[Reb Moran]

Well, don't know nothing about that either.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You said you're going to.

[Reb Moran]

Said I was going to if you wouldn't fight. Anyway, a man says lots of things when he's lickered up. Don't mean he's gonna do him. Well, lots of folks around here think it's a gunned down Silent Jim Reed rip. I think you tried for Cassidy and got the marshal instead. Not me. I might have had a few drinks. I never pulled anything like that. Folks are gonna put you on trial for it just the same. Well, how can they prove it? Somebody have to see me do a thing like that to prove it. Well, you better pray that nobody says they did see you. Because if somebody does that, you're gonna hang. Hey, that's right. Me? Yep. Come on, Cassidy. Time to get out of here. No, wait. Wait a minute, Cassidy. Wait a minute. You ain't gonna let him do that to me, are you? You know me from way back in Laredo. You know I wouldn't dry gulch anybody.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

You know that, don't you, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah, Reb, I guess I do know it. And if I can, I'll help you.

[Reb Moran]

Cassidy, if I was you, I'd forget what you said about trying to help Moran. Why, there's some folks in this town that wouldn't like it. They're mighty tough folks. People that could cause you all kinds of trouble.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Gleason, I think you're being honest about this trouble. I think you're being honest because you told me that stuff about the brands. But when it comes to Reb Moran, I'm not taking your advice. See you later.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Mr. Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Who is it?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

It's me, Tippy Clark.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What do you want, Tippy?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I think there's going to be more trouble in this town, Mr. Cassidy. I get around and I hear things and I think there's going to be more trouble. Maybe with men lying in the street and dying with their bouton. I seen a lot of it here and I always get to thinking it could be me.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, you don't have to look at him, Tippy.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Well, I guess I can't help looking. And I guess I can't.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

What's the matter, Tippy?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I thought I saw something in the shadow there. Something, Mr. Cassidy? Yeah, that's better. How's your head feel?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, I don't know. Pick it up and hand it to me, will you?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Oh, no kidding, Noah. How do you feel?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, I'm all right. California.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Where did you come from? Got here just after them fellas jumped you. They vomoosed when I started a shooting at them.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Where's Tippy?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I don't know. If he was with you, he ain't around now. Now, listen, before we do any more, Gavin, we better get you over to the doc's place. That gash under your eye needs some help. Come on.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'll help you.

[Reb Moran]

Hello, Cassidy. What are you doing here?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, it's you, Gleason. I came over to have my face patched up.

[Reb Moran]

Yeah? Well, looks like you'll have to wait your turn, Tippy. Clocks in there, Tippy. Doc says he's dying of a slug through the chest. Sent to me to take a statement from him. Come on in. You two can be witnesses.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Yeah.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Tippy, Come to Cassidy. Better stay by the door, Cassidy. He needs air.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Pharaoh Gillis. How do you fit in this picture?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I'm the one who carried Tippy over here. That's how I fit in.

[Reb Moran]

Hold him up a little higher, Pharaoh, or he'll cough his life out before he can say two words. You better get your statement in a hurry. This man is dying. All right, Doc. What do you want to say to me?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I. I want to say I know who killed Silent Jim Reed. Shot Mr. Cassidy last night. I. I saw what happened. When I went outside was Reb Moran. He was standing in the doorway across the street. Lift me up a little higher, Pharaoh. One of my spurs is caught in the couch.

[Reb Moran]

That all you got to say, Tippy?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

That. And so, Mr. Gleason, I guess that.

[Reb Moran]

Settles our case, then. I'll get the judge to bring Moran to trial in the morning.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Before you go, Gleason, I'd like to ask a question.

[Reb Moran]

What?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I'd like to know how you'd go about rustling an entire herd of 5,000 cattle.

[Reb Moran]

How? I. What are you talking about, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I've decided that the surest way of doing it would be to wait until it was being moved to market, far away from its home ranch. Then it wouldn't be too hard if the trail Boss was moved out of the way. And if the foreman and maybe half the men were in cahoots.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Wait a minute, Cassidy. Now you're talking about me.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

That's right, Pharaoh. But I'm not talking about you alone, am I, Dr. Brad Hurst?

[Reb Moran]

What do you mean, Cassidy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I mean you're the brains behind all this. And that's why you wanted Silent Jim Reed out of the way. Because you knew he might be too smart for what you were trying to do. So you killed Silent Jim and tied at the Red Moran, Hoppy.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

And that's why they stampeded our beef. To keep you out of the picture, huh?

[Reb Moran]

You sure you ain't making a big mistake, Cassidy? Doc Bradhurst.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Doc Bradhurst and his Lazy B brand. His new and very personal brand.

[Reb Moran]

But Cassidy, 5,000 head.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Oh, they might not have taken all of them. They'd have left maybe 5 or 600. Blamed the big loss on trouble here and on the trail. Was quite a plan, Doctor. But you're not going to be able to make it stick.

[Reb Moran]

You can't prove any of this, Cassidy.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I can prove you said Tippy Clark was dying when he wasn't. And if we can find that branding iron of yours, maybe by searching this house.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

One more word in this. 45, put your lights out. You too, Gleason.

[Reb Moran]

Now make a move.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Afraid you made a mistake with that move, Pharaoh. Now Tippy's going to be able to talk. Aren't you, Tippy?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Yes. They wanted to be sure Reb Moran would be convicted.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Shut up, you don't mind him, Tippy. He has to keep the gun on us.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

So they made me say I saw Red Moran kill Son and Jim Pharaoh kept holding a knife against my back all the time. If I'd have said a wrong word, I was going to get it.

[Reb Moran]

Looks as though you're going to have to use that gun on him, Pharaoh.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Yeah, and I'm going to start in with this squawking little polecat.

[Narrator]

Now back to Hop Along, Cassidy.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

This town, if it ain't dust, it's gun smoke.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

You all right, California? You, Gleason?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Oh, we're all right. But Pharaoh's down and the doc's gonna handle. Never be the same.

[Reb Moran]

I'll never know how you beat Pharaoh's bullets, Cassidy. And I'll never know how you drew that fast banged up the way you are.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

I guess I got tired of being banged up. These two are all yours now, Gleason.

[Reb Moran]

And I'll let him change places with Reverend Moran. But first I'd like to know how you figured out this play that Doc was making?

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I'd like to know that myself. Hoppy, how are we so sure the Doc was lying about Tippy?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Well, according to the doctor, Tippy was supposed to be making a deathbed statement. But the minute I saw Tippy on that couch, I knew he couldn't be dying.

[Reb Moran]

No? Why not?

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Tippy was conscious and able to speak. And Tippy was wearing his boots. That was why I knew the Doc was lying. If Tippy had known he was going to die, he certainly would have asked one of us to take his boots off. Because Tippy has more fear of dying with these boots on than any man I ever met.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I'll be a low coat sidewinder. This is one story we can all.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Get a boot out of California.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

I mean it. The dog and pharaoh figured to make quite a killing, but they come to find out that the boot was on the other foot.

[Hopalong Cassidy]

And the boot hurt, didn't it?

[Reb Moran]

Yes sir.

[Narrator]

The old adage that he died with his boots on surely tripped up the guilty ones in this Hoppy adventure. There's one thing certain when you follow the adventures of Hoppy in his pal California. Plenty of action and excitement every time. So don't miss Hopalong Cassidy's next action packed story, Hoppy in California. Mix it up plenty and that's a promise. Offalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd is transcribed and produced in the west by Walter White, Jr. Sam Peted Semple's Crossing was written by Buckley angel with original music under the personal direction of Albert Glasser. All stories are based upon the characters created by Clarence C. Mulford. This is a Commodore production.

[GoFundMe/Granger Commercial Announcer]

This is the story of the One as head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support his venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Andrew Rines (Podcast Host)]

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 707-98-68739 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.

[Pharaoh Gillis]

Ra.