Old Time Radio Westerns: "Stray Bullet" | The Lone Ranger (10-24-52)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Date: December 8, 2025
Original Air Date: October 24, 1952
Featured Characters: The Lone Ranger, Tonto, Big Bill Farnsworth, Bevan, Miller, Collins, Jane Farnsworth

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns presents a digitally restored edition of "Stray Bullet" from The Lone Ranger series. It plunges listeners into a classic Western standoff between newly settled homesteaders and established cattle ranchers on the frontier. As brewing tensions threaten to erupt into violence, a stray bullet wounds the Lone Ranger, leaving Tonto and the homesteaders to prevent a range war without their most stalwart ally.

Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

1. The Homesteaders Arrive and Tensions Mount

• [04:50] — [06:46]:
  A group of eastern homesteaders, led by Big Bill Farnsworth, settle and begin to fence their land, angering local rancher Bevan and his men, who insist they have always used the land for grazing.
  • Key confrontation:
    • Bevan warns, “Cattlemen run cattle country. We make our own laws, Farnsworth. You come here, you abide by them, or else.” (06:07, Bevan)
    • Jim Larkin, a homesteader, stands up to Bevan, leading to a gun being pulled and a shot fired as a warning—but the bullet travels further than intended.

2. The Stray Bullet and the Wounded Lone Ranger

• [06:57] — [09:56]:
  • The shot inadvertently strikes the masked Lone Ranger, who is riding nearby. Injured and weakening, he manages to reach Clarabelle Hornblow’s ranch, where Tonto tends to his wound.
  • Dramatic moment:
    • The Lone Ranger, barely conscious, urges, “Must prevent range war... Must not have range war.” (09:42, Lone Ranger)

3. Tonto Investigates & Ranchers Plot Their Move

• [10:36] — [13:29]:
  • Tonto, keeping vigil, promises to carry on for his ailing friend and discovers the ranchers (Bevan, Miller, Collins) planning to confront the homesteaders and destroy their fences “prepared for gunplay.”
    • “If the three of us stick together, we can lick the homesteaders... We’d come prepared for gunplay.” (13:15, Bevan)

4. The Lone Ranger’s Counterplan

• [14:23] — [15:48]:
  • Farnsworth agonizes over the coming conflict. Tonto arrives with a plan from the Lone Ranger: “If there’s any way to save our fences without bloodshed, I’d sure like to hear it.” (15:03, Farnsworth)
  • Jane Farnsworth, Bill’s daughter, and Tonto enact this plan, setting the stage for a clever scheme.

5. A Web of Double-Crosses

• [15:49] — [23:00]:
  • Jane, accompanied by Tonto, visits each rancher separately (Miller, Bevan, Collins), impersonates knowledge of a secret deal, and convinces each that the others intend to double-cross them. Each man prepares a written agreement, falling for the ruse.
    • “I suppose you expected my father, Farnsworth. Yes, of course. Dad couldn’t get here, so he sent me in his place. He wants to see the agreement.” (15:39, Jane to Miller)
    • The ranchers, suspicious of each other but motivated by greed and rivalry, all agree to ambush the others—unaware they’re all being manipulated.

6. Showdown and Reconciliation

• [23:17] — [28:22]:
  • The ranchers arrive one by one at the Farnsworth home, each believing they are closing a secret deal. Tonto, with homesteaders, safely disarms each on arrival.
  • A chaotic confrontation devolves into a brawl between the three ranchers, each accusing the others of betrayal.
    • “Each of you seized the opportunity. Each of you wrote an agreement, then came here hoping to close a deal with me. You three men are angry... at each other.” (26:30, Farnsworth)
  • Farnsworth offers a handshake agreement: homesteaders will not fence vital water, ranchers will respect homestead rights, and all pledge friendship.
    • “Your word of honor that you'll not molest us, you'll not tear down our fences...” (27:09, Farnsworth)
    • Bevan concedes: “I’d a darn sight rather be on your side than to be fighting you with these two sidewinders behind my back with guns.” (27:50, Bevan)
    • All agree with a handshake and the feud is resolved in the spirit of Western camaraderie.

7. Celebration and Somber Finale

• [28:22] — [29:31]:
  • The Farnsworths host a celebration banquet, rich with the fruits of peaceful cooperation. The ranchers revel in a spread reminiscent of home, highlighting the rewards of unity.
    • “Chicken and dumplings like my mom made back in memory.” (28:43, Miller)
• Meanwhile, Tonto slips away to care for the Lone Ranger, his heart heavy with worry for his stricken friend, underscoring the deep bond between the two.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bevan lays down the law:
  “Cattlemen run cattle country. We make our own laws, Farnsworth. You come here, you abide by them, or else.” (06:07, Bevan)

• A plea for peace as the Lone Ranger fades:
  “Must prevent range war... Must not have range war.” (09:42, The Lone Ranger)

• Farnsworth's wisdom on unity:
  “You three men are angry... at each other. Each of you has made two enemies in frontier country where survival depends on friends.” (26:30, Farnsworth)

• Resolution and humor at the banquet:
  “As for me, I've had beef three times a day for 20 years. But vegetables and chicken? Shades of my boyhood.” (29:00, Bevan)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Initial conflict over fencing: 04:50 – 06:46
• Stray bullet wounds the Lone Ranger: 06:57 – 09:56
• Ranchers conspire to destroy fences: 10:36 – 13:29
• Tonto and Jane’s double-cross plot: 15:49 – 23:00
• Showdown and fistfight among ranchers: 23:17 – 26:21
• Handshake agreement and party: 26:21 – 29:31
• Somber ending with Tonto and the Lone Ranger: 29:31 – 31:28

Tone & Style

The episode captures the suspense, drama, and dry humor of a classic radio Western, complete with evocative sound effects and character banter. Dialogue is brisk, straightforward, and rich with the language of the frontier.

Final Thoughts

“Stray Bullet” showcases The Lone Ranger’s legacy as a champion of justice and negotiation over violence in a landscape shaped by lawlessness and tradition. The deft manipulation of rivalries by Jane and Tonto cleverly prevents bloodshed, upholds the Lone Ranger’s ideals, and reminds listeners that true Western strength lies in unity and honor, not in six-shooters.