Tacetta | Gunsmoke (05-02-53)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns – "Tacetta" | Gunsmoke (05-02-53)

Podcast Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode Release: July 28, 2026
Original Air Date: May 2, 1953
Main Cast: William Conrad as Matt Dillon
Restoration: Digitally enhanced classic radio drama

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Episode Overview

In this classic Gunsmoke episode, "Tacetta," Marshal Matt Dillon faces a complicated situation involving a shy new dancer, Tesita, and a dangerous love triangle in Dodge City. What seems a simple matter of rivalry over a woman soon escalates into abduction, murder, and a final deadly showdown. The episode explores themes of justice, intimidation, and the ever-present threat of violence on the frontier.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introduction to Dodge's Troubles

[03:40–06:37]

• Chester and Matt Dillon discuss Dodge City’s perpetual dust and hardships.
• Chester relays Kitty’s concern about trouble brewing at the Texas Trail saloon—over a "new girl," Tesita.
• Kitty identifies tensions: two men, Horn and Watson, are trying to provoke a fight with Dorgan, who’s monopolizing Tesita.

Notable Quote:
"I'm tired of people fighting. I wish they'd all just go away somewheres and kill each other off and have done with it." — Chester ([06:09])

2. Tensions Escalate at the Texas Trail

[06:37–10:46]

• Matt tries to de-escalate the saloon dispute. Horn and Watson are clearly angling for a gunfight with Dorgan.
• Matt removes their guns, ordering them out of town:
  "Your guns will be at the jail. You can pick them up in the morning when you leave town." — Matt Dillon ([10:00])
• Sense of foreboding as Matt notes removing a gunman’s weapon only pushes him into the shadows.

3. Tesita Disappears

[10:46–12:32]

• Early the next day, Kitty is frantic: Tesita is missing.
• Chester notes that Dorgan hurried out of Dodge after reclaiming his gun.
• Matt suspects Tesita may have left willingly with Dorgan, but Kitty fears for her.

Notable Quote:
"What if she didn't want to go, Matt? What if he forced her to?" — Kitty ([12:11])

4. The Posse Pursuit

[12:32–13:54]

• Matt organizes a posse to safely intercept the stagecoach.
• Instructions: no one is to shoot as long as Tesita could be harmed.

5. Stagecoach Showdown

[14:55–17:16]

• Matt calmly bluffs Dorgan into surrender without gunfire, emphasizing Tesita’s freedom of choice:
  "Just tell me the truth, Tesita. If you want to go with him, you may. But if he's forcing you to go, we're here to take you back to Dodge." — Matt Dillon ([15:49])
• Chester arranges for Tesita’s safe return by buckboard.

6. Jailhouse Murder

[17:45–19:12]

• The next morning, Matt and Chester find Dorgan dead in his cell—hanged, apparently by Horn and Watson, to silence him.
• Matt determines it was murder, not suicide: "He didn't, Chester. There's no rope in his cell. Somebody called him over here to the window, knocked him in the head and slipped the rope around his neck..." — Matt Dillon ([18:52])

7. Tensions & Confessions at the Texas Trail

[20:53–25:43]

• Matt quietly watches Horn and Watson, not tipping his hand, hoping they’ll incriminate themselves.
• Watson, drunk and belligerent, provokes Chester until Chester is forced to shoot in self-defense.
• As Watson lies dying, Matt elicits a confession to Dorgan’s murder: "Did you strangle Dorgan?...We killed him. Me and Horn. Right in jail..." — Watson ([24:44])

8. The Final Showdown with Horn

[26:40–29:59]

• Chester warns Matt that Horn has armed himself with a shotgun—suggesting he’s lost his nerve.
• Matt confronts Horn in the deserted plaza, using psychological tactics: "But you're through now. You've lost your nerve. You're not a gunman anymore. You're just ordinary dirt common." — Matt Dillon ([27:41])
• Horn, goaded by Matt’s words, throws away the shotgun and goes for his six-gun—Matt outdraws him.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kitty on Tesita’s Fear:
  "I told you, I think she's afraid of him, Matt. But even if she did want to go, well, she isn't his kind, that's all." ([11:07])
• Matt Assembling the Posse:
  "Now, I've picked you men because I know that you're steady, every one of you. Now, there's a girl on that stage, and whatever happens, we can't return fire. Is that clear?" ([13:20])
• Chester’s Self-Doubt After Killing Watson:
  "If he hadn't have been drunk, I couldn't have shot him." — Chester ([25:23])
• Matt’s Closure:
  "Chester, it's been a long day. Let's go somewhere and try and forget it." — Matt Dillon ([30:04])

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Key Timestamps

• [03:40] – Gunsmoke intro narration
• [06:37] – Kitty introduces Tesita and the trouble in the saloon
• [10:00] – Matt seizes the troublemakers’ guns
• [10:46] – Discovery that Tesita has gone missing
• [14:55] – Posse sets up for the stagecoach interception
• [15:49] – Matt offers Tesita a choice
• [18:22] – Discovery of Dorgan’s murder in the jail
• [24:44] – Watson’s dying confession
• [27:41] – Matt's psychological face-off with Horn
• [30:04] – Aftermath and reflection

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Tone & Style

The episode expertly balances tension, psychological gamesmanship, and human vulnerability, typical for the golden age of radio Westerns. Matt Dillon’s cool rationality contrasts with the raw violence and emotional volatility of Dodge City’s denizens. Dialogue is rich with period idioms and frontier fatalism, delivered with the pace and gravitas characteristic of classic radio drama.

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Final Thoughts

"Gunsmoke: Tacetta" exemplifies the nuanced morality and frontier justice at the heart of the Western genre. Through Matt Dillon’s calm authority, the show examines questions of autonomy, courage, intimidation, and the thin line between justice and vengeance.

Listeners are left reflecting on the ever-present darkness—and occasional mercy—cutting through the dust-laden streets of Dodge.

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Transcript

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[Andrew Hines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Hines, and let's get into this episode. This episode's going to be Gunsmoke Original air date is May 2, 1953 and the title is to Sayda. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.

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[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

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 the U.S. marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marsh.

[Chester]

Mr. Dylan. I never saw a street like that.

[Matt Dillon]

Huh? What do you mean? Justice Dusty, sir.

[Chester]

Just plain dusting. It's only spring and already the Plaza is just vulgar with dust.

[Matt Dillon]

Streets in Texas are all grass, Chester.

[Chester]

No, sir, but they're better than this. You'd think there'd be some way of fixing it.

[Matt Dillon]

Dodger's growing, Chester. Maybe someday it won't look so bad to you.

[Chester]

I don't mean to live that long, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'm glad you got that much figured out anyway.

[Chester]

I surely have. Oh, now, wait. That's not what I meant either.

[Matt Dillon]

Don't let it worry you. Chester, how'd you get those posters down to Mr. Hightower?

[Chester]

Yes, sir. He said they'll be ready about noon tomorrow.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, pick them up then, will you?

[Chester]

Yes, sir. Oh, my goodness, Mr. Dillon, I nearly forgot.

[Matt Dillon]

No. Well.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Forgot what?

[Chester]

After I left Mr. Hightowers, I thought I'd just take a glass of beer. I had to get all that dust out of my throat. You know how bad it is walking around knee deep in that stuff. And I was.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Yeah, yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chest. Well, what is it you forgot?

[Chester]

Well, sir, I dropped into the Texas Trail and Miss Kitty was there, and she said she thinks there might be trouble over there before long. And she said to tell you.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, what kind of trouble?

[Chester]

Oh, the usual thing. Some man fighting over a girl.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, you don't seem to be very worried about it.

[Chester]

I'm tired of people fighting. I wish they'd all just go away somewheres and kill each other off and have done with it.

[Matt Dillon]

That'd be fine, as long as they don't do it in dodge. Well, come on, Justin. Let's go over and see what it's all about.

[Kitty]

Terseita's a new girl, Matt. She's shy as a flower. I don't know what she's doing here anyway.

[Matt Dillon]

How do you know the name of the man?

[Kitty]

He says I tried to get her away from him, but I think she's too scared.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe she likes him. Did you ever think of that?

[Kitty]

I hope not. Anyway, he won't let anyone else dance with her. Those two over at the bar, New Chester there, they tried twice.

[Matt Dillon]

I know one of those men, the tall one. His name's Horn.

[Kitty]

Who is he?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, he's a gunman. Pretty fast, too. So I've heard.

[Kitty]

Well, I was over there with to say to last time they came up. And somehow from the way they talked, I got the feeling they're more interested in Dorgan than her.

[Matt Dillon]

You mean they're trying to draw him into a fight?

[Kitty]

That's my guess, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Kenny. I'll see what I can do. Mr. Seder?

[Kitty]

Yes?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm Matt Dillon. I'd be proud if you'd dance with me.

[Kitty]

Well, I. I don't think I'd better.

[Horn]

Now. Go ahead to say it. It's all right. You can dance with him.

[Kitty]

Mr. Dorgan. You told those others that I could.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Marshall. Hello, Horn. This here is Watson. Howdy, Marshall.

[Horn]

How are you?

[Matt Dillon]

What's on your mind, Horn? He just wanted to let you know, Marshall, if there's any trouble here, we ain't responsible.

[Horn]

Leave me alone. There won't be any trouble.

[Matt Dillon]

All we want, Marshall, is our turn with the girl here. And Dorgan's had her hog the whole evening, and that ain't fair, and that's all. What's funny, Marshall? You sound like a man of the church social. I'm trying to be peaceable about it, it's all. I've seen you when you didn't try, Horn. What are you looking for an excuse to work this man into a gunfight?

[Horn]

He sure is, Marshall. I ain't gonna take much more from him or Watson either.

[Matt Dillon]

What's the real trouble between you? There's no trouble, Marshall. We just want to dance with that girl, that's all.

[Kitty]

Mm.

[Matt Dillon]

You want to tell me, Dorgan?

[Horn]

Nothing, Marshall.

[Chester]

Nothing.

[Matt Dillon]

All right. To say to. Go over there and sit with Kitty, will you?

[Horn]

Now, Wait a minute, Marshall. Tesita's my girl. I've been buying her drinks.

[Matt Dillon]

She's staying right here. Go ahead, Tesita. Let's go on over with Kitty.

[Kitty]

I. I don't know which one.

[Matt Dillon]

You just go to say to Nobody will stop you.

[Chester]

All right, then.

[Kitty]

Thank you for the drinks, Mr. Dorgan.

[Chester]

Well, I.

[Matt Dillon]

Beat it, Chester.

[Horn]

You got a great way of handling things is all I can say.

[Chester]

What is it, Mr. Dillon?

[Matt Dillon]

Take their guns, Chester. Oh, no, you don't. Shut up, Watson.

[Horn]

Were you gonna let him do that?

[Matt Dillon]

We ain't looking for trouble. You're smarter than I figured, Horn. Am I, Marshall? Get him, Chester.

[Chester]

Yes.

[Matt Dillon]

Your guns will be at the jail. You can pick them up in the morning when you leave town.

[Horn]

Leave town?

[Matt Dillon]

All three of you? Good night, gentlemen. Taking his from a man like Horn was the fastest way in the world to get him out of the saloons and off the streets and behind cover. Somewhere. There were too many men who might show up out of his past and suddenly make their claim on him. And Horn was the one that really mattered. Neither Dorgan or Watson looked like real gunmen, so I thought I'd been pretty smart till the next morning. I was just crossing the plaza when I. I ran into Kitty and Chester.

[Kitty]

Matt. Matt, we've been trying to find you.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh. What's the matter? Kitty.

[Kitty]

Mr. SATA. I don't know where she is.

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Kitty]

I looked in her room this morning and she'd gone. Nobody's seen her anywhere.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, maybe she went out to buy some clothes or something.

[Kitty]

Oh, she was afraid to go out alone. I always had to go with her. I just know something's happened to her.

[Matt Dillon]

Like what?

[Kitty]

Dorgan. He was real sweet on her, Matt, and I don't trust him at all.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, Dorgan.

[Chester]

Come by the office real early, Mr. Dillon. I gave him his gun and he vamoosed. He was in a big hurry to

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

go someplace, and I told him to

[Matt Dillon]

leave town this morning.

[Kitty]

Well, you didn't tell him to take to SATA with him.

[Matt Dillon]

Did they get back together last night?

[Kitty]

Sure. Just as soon as Horn and Watson left. I couldn't stop it.

[Matt Dillon]

I see. Tell me, Kitty, can she ride?

[Kitty]

No. I asked her to go out with me once. All right.

[Matt Dillon]

There was a stage west this morning. Go see if they got on it, will you, Chester?

[Chester]

All right,

[Matt Dillon]

Kitty. If she did leave with Dorgan, maybe it's because she wanted to.

[Kitty]

Oh, maybe she wouldn't say anything about him last night, one way or the other. I told you, I think she's Afraid of him, Matt. But even if she did want to go, well, she isn't as kind, that's all.

[Matt Dillon]

That may be, Kitty, but it's not the law's job to chaperone every girl that hits dodge.

[Kitty]

What if she didn't want to go mad? What if he forced her to?

[Matt Dillon]

That'd be different. A whole lot different.

[Kitty]

You bet it would.

[Chester]

They was on it, Mr. Dillon. The agent described them exactly. Left an hour ago. Right on time.

[Kitty]

I knew it. I knew it.

[Chester]

Will I get our horses, sir?

[Matt Dillon]

No, no, wait a minute, Chester. Dorgan might put up a fight. And if he does, we can't shoot around that girl.

[Kitty]

Well, then how can you stop him, Matt?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, somehow I don't figure. Dargan is a really brave man. I think we can bluff him. He might try to fight two of us, but if there were more, say, maybe a dozen men.

[Chester]

You mean we'll take a posse?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, this time it might just work, Chester. But I'll pick him men I can trust not to do any hasty shooting. Chester, you go round up Arnold Winters and John Kemp, Marty, Walter and Bob Gast. And I'll get the rest of them and tell them we'll all meet at the jail in 20 minutes.

[Chester]

Everybody's here, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, I'm coming, Chester. All right, men. All right, listen to me now. Now, I've picked you men because I know that you're steady, every one of you. Now, there's a girl on that stage, and whatever happens, we can't return fire. Is that clear? Yep. All right. I'll figure out how we're gonna stop him when we get there.

[Horn]

Marshal.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, what are you doing here? Hold it, Marshal. Me and Watson heard you needed help. Thought I told you to get out of town, Horn. We just want to be sure you got Dorgan before we left. Marshall, I don't need your help. And don't you be here when I get back, either one of you. How do you like that one? All right, men. All right, let's go.

[Chester]

It's a coming, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Chester. Men, spread out in a half circle. When the stage comes out of those cottonwoods, Chester and I'll ride forward and stop her. And then you close in around us.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

All right, let's go.

[Matt Dillon]

What's the matter, Marshall? It's all right, Jim. I just want to talk to a couple of your passengers. You, Dogan, come on out.

[Horn]

You try anything to say to be right in front of me, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I figured that, Dorgan. Come on out anyway.

[Chester]

All right.

[Horn]

Just say to get out. You stand right here, Te. And don't move. What's on your mind, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

I want to know if Teda's here because she wants to be, that's all.

[Horn]

Tell him to say it. Right. Tell him.

[Matt Dillon]

Just tell me the truth. To say that if you want to go with him, you may. But if he's forcing you to go, then we're here to take you back to Dodge.

[Horn]

You wouldn't want her death on your conscience, would you, Marshall?

[Chester]

Oh, please don't kill me.

[Kitty]

Out. Honey, I. I came because I wanted to. There,

[Matt Dillon]

that's a good answer to say to.

[Horn]

Then go on back to Dodge and leave us alone.

[Matt Dillon]

I guess you didn't hear the same thing I did, Dorgan.

[Horn]

I'm warning you.

[Matt Dillon]

You haven't got a chance. How long do you think you can use her for cover? Now, I got 12 men here, Dorgan, and we'll follow you from here to California if necessary. Isn't that right, men? And if she should get killed, I'll just let you imagine what we'll do to you. Now, you drop your gun bell right where you are and step forward and do it now. All right. Get his gun. Just.

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, one of you men get rid of your guns and put Dorgan up behind you.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon, what are we going to do with this Ada? She can't ride anyway, especially in those clothes.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, the Bludso place is a couple of miles from here. Go over there and borrow their buckboard, Chester. And for your trouble, we'll let you drive her back to town.

[Chester]

Yes, sir. My. Well, you wait right here, Mr. Satan. I'll be back in no time at all. Morning, Mr. Dylan.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, Chester, what time did you get back with to say to last night? Chester?

[Chester]

Oh, now, buckboard ain't like a horse. You can't drive in a lope all the way.

[Matt Dillon]

That's all right, Jesse. Well, what have you got there?

[Chester]

Dorgan's breakfast.

[Matt Dillon]

You'll probably have to wake him up. He hasn't made a sound so far. Oh, there are the keys on the desk.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester]

Come here, quick.

[Matt Dillon]

Open the cell, Chester. Hurry. You might still be alive.

[Chester]

I got a knife.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, cut him free. I'll hold. No. He's been dead a long time now.

[Chester]

Who'd have thought he'd go hang himself?

[Matt Dillon]

He didn't. Chester.

[Chester]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

There's no rope in his cell. Somebody called him over here to the window, knocked him in the head and slipped the rope around his neck and tied him tight to the bars. This isn't suicide. It's murder.

[Chester]

Horn. Horn and that fella Watson, they did it.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, they're the only ones I know who've been wanting him dead.

[Chester]

Will we go arrest him?

[Matt Dillon]

They just go free again? I got no evidence the court would accept.

[Chester]

I bet those two don't think any more strangling a man. Than shooting a wolf and throwing his skin over a fan.

[Matt Dillon]

They're killers, Chester. But right now they got nobody to. Except maybe me.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

We will return for the second act of Gunsmoke in just a moment. But first, make sure you're by your radio this Monday evening. For CBS Radio's Monday evening dramatic shows. The Lux Radio Theater and Suspense Are putting on two of their top shows of the season. Suspense has a new writer, William Shakespeare by name. And they're staging his wonderful tale of love, vengeance and murder, Othello. With Richard Widmark as the star. And our Lux Radio Theater is bringing you the charming, nostalgic story. Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nelly. With David Wayne and Jean Peters in their original movie roles. It's a date Monday night. Suspense and the Lux Radio Theater on most of these same stations. Now the second act of Gun Smoke.

[Matt Dillon]

When I found out that Horn and Watson were still in Dodge. I figured that they were probably waiting for me to run them out. That they'd be glad for the excuse if I did. Leaving Dorgan's murder behind them. Instead, I did nothing and I said nothing. Hoping that it sand their nerves some, maybe drive them to a bottle. And some loose talk that night. Pretending there was nothing in the world on our minds. Chester and I walked into the Texas trail.

[Chester]

Sure is crowded tonight, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester]

Hey, there's Cesader. See ya.

[Matt Dillon]

You're like a fall hog after ripe acorns, Chester.

[Chester]

Well, now, my gracious. It wouldn't be polite for me not say hello.

[Matt Dillon]

Willie, I'll see you later. Yeah. That fella who just left, is he coming back?

[Chester]

Kitty.

[Kitty]

He went broke. Sit down, man. You drinking?

[Matt Dillon]

No, not tonight.

[Kitty]

Expecting trouble, huh?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, maybe.

[Kitty]

Look at Chester. And to say to there. I sure wish this place were quieter. I'd give anything to know what they're saying.

[Matt Dillon]

It may get noisier.

[Kitty]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

Look over there. Watson just came in.

[Kitty]

Say, he's drunk, Matt. He's real drunk. Yeah, he's just gonna start trouble again. Look, he spotted to say that.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't see Horn.

[Kitty]

Horn hasn't been in tonight.

[Matt Dillon]

I said I was gonna dance with her. You're a local drunk.

[Chester]

Watch him get out of here and Leave the lady alone.

[Horn]

What lady?

[Kitty]

You take that back, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Are you from Texas, mister?

[Chester]

Yeah. Yes, I am.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, now, if I was from Texas, I'd certainly keep it to myself.

[Chester]

You're wrong, Watson. There's a lot of good, decent people in Texas.

[Matt Dillon]

Maybe since you left. That's a wonder you can even get

[Horn]

a woman like this.

[Chester]

Don't you be judging the people of Texas, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, get out of the way. Let me through Here.

[Kitty]

Wait a minute. He.

[Chester]

He drew on me, Mr. Dylan. I was only going to fight him. I didn't think he'd draw.

[Matt Dillon]

Everybody saw it, Chester. He had his gun out first.

[Chester]

I shot him twice. He didn't even fire. How come he didn't kill me?

[Matt Dillon]

I'll take it easy. Just say to go get him a drink, will you?

[Kitty]

Yes, sir. Do right away.

[Matt Dillon]

Watson. Watson. Little Texas fella. He shot me. Watson. Watson, listen to me. Did you strangle Dorgan, Dargan? We killed him. Me and Horn. Right in jail there comes. If I take Horn alive, I'll call on some of you men as witnesses to Watson's confession.

[Chester]

Here.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, a couple of you take him out back. Chester, you all right? You look peeking.

[Kitty]

I got him a whiskey, sir, just like you said.

[Matt Dillon]

Drink it down, Chester.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon. If he hadn't have been drunk, I couldn't have shot him.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, that may be, Chester, but don't forget one thing. Drunk as he was, he drew to kill you. If you'd given him another second, he would have. You had to shoot him. It was self defense, pure and simple.

[Chester]

Yes, that's sure true, but I.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, you stay here for a while. I'll be out in the plaza. Casita.

[Chester]

Get me one more drink.

[Matt Dillon]

Word of the gunfight would spread fast and dodge. And the word of the dying man's confession even faster. Wherever Horn was, I knew he'd hear about it. And since he was a gunman of an entirely different breed from men like Watson and Dorgan, it could be depended on that instead of running, he'd shoot it out with me. It was a simple matter of vanity and there was no way to stop him. Only thing I could do was wait expectantly. The plaza cleared, but before Horn showed up, Chester came out of the Texas trail and walked over to me.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Are you all right now, Chester?

[Chester]

I'm fine. But say, I just heard that Horn's gone and got himself a shotgun now.

[Matt Dillon]

Is that so?

[Chester]

You can't meet him like this. I'll go get you one out of the office now. But Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

A shotgun. But if Horn's done that, he's lost his nerve. It means he can't face me any other way.

[Chester]

Yeah, but you haven't got a chance against a shotgun.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, we'll soon find out. There he comes.

[Chester]

He does have a shotgun, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, get off the street, Chester. I don't like leaving. Go on.

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Evening, Marshal. You're well armed, Horn. Yeah, ain't I? This is the first time, isn't it? First time What? You had to get behind a shotgun. I ain't taking no chances, Marshal. Sure, but from what I've heard, that never bothered you before. Meaning? You're fast enough with a six gun to have lived this long, Horn. You must be pretty good. But you're through now. You've lost your nerve. You're not a gunman anymore. You're just ordinary dirt common. That's enough of that. I could find a dozen men like you in any saloon in town. It was different before, Horn. You kind of stood out a little. Nobody's gonna worry about you after this. You think not?

[Chester]

You think I need this shotgun?

[Matt Dillon]

Course you need it. Everybody can see that. I ain't scared of you, Marshal. I ain't scared of no man alive. Talk's cheap. Ain't talkin there now. Ain't got no shotgun. Now, don't you tell me I'm scared. You don't have to draw, Horn. You can still take your chances in court. You was right, Marshall. I was scared. I ain't no more. Look, I'm giving you a chance. Why don't you take it? Never mind.

[Chester]

You all right, Mr. Dillon?

[Horn]

Yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Chester, it's been a long day. Let's go somewhere and try and forget it.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

Gunsmoke, under the direction of Norman McDonnell, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Tonight's story was especially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston, with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast were Tom Tully, Lawrence Dobkin, Paul Dubov and Lillian Byatt. Marley Bear is Chester and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Gun smoke is heard by our troops overseas through the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West. In Gunsmok, You have to face facts when you talk about Korea. And the facts are that there are more than 35,000 war orphans in Korea. They not only have no parents, but they have no shelter, no warm clothing, no food. They are not responsible for their condition. And some of them can remember no other. Their government tries to help, but the best it can do is a cup or two of rice a day for each other. Korean War refugees cannot shelter them. Often they can hardly care for their own children because these orphans have not had food and have been exposed to all kinds of weather. Many of them have tuberculosis. They are all weak from hunger and an easy prey to disease. Yet people over there, like the representatives of care, the package sending relief agency, say many of these children can be saved if they get food and clothing. Now CARE has stockpiles over there. An order or contribution will send them to those most in need. Package delivery is guaranteed to save the kids of Korea. Send a contribution to your local CARE office or to CARE New York or CARE Los Angeles. Some people wake up like this and some people wake up like this.

[Kitty]

Come on, you lazy bum, get out of that sack.

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

But 9 million people prefer to wake

[Matt Dillon]

up to music, to a breakfast, symphony, a popular singer or news because 9

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

million people have clock radios that turn themselves on in the morning.

[Matt Dillon]

How do you like to wake up?

[Narrator (Gunsmoke)]

America now wakes up to 9 million clock radios and listens most to the CBS radio network.

[Chester]

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 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.

[Matt Dillon]

Sam.