Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast: "Teller’s Gold | Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok" Summary

Episode Overview In the "Teller’s Gold | Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok" episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast, host Andrew Rhynes presents a digitally restored classic Western radio drama featuring the iconic characters Wild Bill Hickok, portrayed by Guy Madison, and his witty sidekick Jingles, voiced by Andy Devine. This episode, originally aired on September 16, 1953, takes listeners on a gripping journey through the untamed frontier, blending action, suspense, and humor in a tale of crime, pursuit, and redemption.

Plot Summary

Setting the Scene The adventure begins with Wild Bill Hickok and his trusty deputy, Jingles, tirelessly working to solve a perplexing case involving a stagecoach robbery. The robbers stole the deeds to valuable railroad lands from the Santa Fe mail sacks, leaving the local authorities baffled. For nearly six months, Bill and Jingles have been on the trail of these cunning outlaws, leading them to the rugged mesa where the robbers have taken refuge.

The Investigation At [02:46], Bill commands, "Head up this trail, Buckshot. Come on, Jingles," signaling their pursuit. Jingles expresses his frustration with the slow progress, remarking at [03:07], "Cause every time you get to the top of that rise, you look at that railroad land down in the valley. Then you get to be a sawhead for a whole week." Despite Jingles' desire to abandon the chase, Bill remains steadfast, confident that the outlaws will eventually slip up: "Someday the men that held up that stage are going to make a slip. And when they do, I want to be around" ([03:16]).

Encounter with the Prospector Their patience is tested when a prospector, Two Pick Teller, approaches them seeking a light for his pipe ([04:52]). Jingles dismissively refers to him as "the biggest deadbeat in seven counties" ([05:03]), but during their conversation, Two Pick reveals that he has discovered a promising vein of gold, potentially linked to the stolen deeds. This revelation reinvigorates their investigation, leading them to the saddle between two peaks marked by a distinctive elephant-shaped rock ([05:50]).

Ambush and Capture As Bill and Jingles follow the clues, they are ambushed by the villainous Baxson and his accomplice, Two Pick Teller. A dramatic shootout ensues, resulting in Bill being shot and seemingly killed by Baxson ([06:17]). However, in a twist of fate, Bill survives the attack and regains consciousness, much to Jingles' relief: "Well, Two Pick, you know, that's the way it is riding with Wild Bill Hickok" ([23:40]).

Escape from the Mine Trapped inside Two Pick’s mined tunnel ([18:34]), Bill, Jingles, and Two Pick must devise a plan to escape. Utilizing their resourcefulness, they employ blasting powder and a miner's lamp to create an improvised explosive device. Bill strategizes, "If I can force this pipe far enough, we can pour charges of powder through it, use a string for a fuse and blast our way out of here" ([19:38]). Their efforts pay off as they manage to break free from the tunnel just as daylight breaks ([19:59]).

Final Confrontation Reinvigorated by their escape, Bill and Jingles pursue Baxson and Two Pick once more. The climax unfolds at the head of a canyon, where Baxson attempts to resist arrest by hiding behind a large iron safe. Undeterred, Bill confronts him, declaring, "It took six months, but we finally found them" ([23:33]). The rightful deeds are recovered, and the culprits are apprehended, bringing justice to the Wild West once again.

Key Moments and Notable Quotes

• Persistence in the Chase

  • Jingles: "Cause every time you get to the top of that rise, you look at that railroad land down in the valley. Then you get to be a sawhead for a whole week." ([03:07])

• Jingles’ Skepticism

  • Jingles: "I'm good and ready to forget the whole thing." ([03:23])

• Introduction of Two Pick Teller

  • Two Pick Teller: "You got to be a sawhead for a whole week." ([03:23])

• Bill’s Determination

  • Wild Bill Hickok: "Someday the men that held up that stage are going to make a slip. And when they do, I want to be around." ([03:16])

• The Twist of Survival

  • Jingles: "I thought you was dead." ([11:37])
  • Wild Bill Hickok: "Yeah, yeah. That’s why you're trying to drown me?" ([11:34])

• Escape Plan Execution

  • Wild Bill Hickok: "If I can force this pipe far enough, we can pour charges of powder through it, use a string for a fuse and blast our way out of here." ([19:38])

• Final Confrontation and Justice

  • Wild Bill Hickok: "The deeds to the railroad land, partner. Oh yeah, you put the handcuffs on those two. Ah, loots. This proves they're the ones that robbed the stagecoach and killed that driver. And now they're gonna pay." ([23:38])

Conclusion

"Teller’s Gold | Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok" delivers a classic Western narrative filled with tension, clever strategies, and the unwavering partnership between Wild Bill Hickok and Jingles. Through relentless pursuit, unexpected twists, and heroic perseverance, the episode encapsulates the essence of Old West justice. The digitally enhanced audio brings to life the vivid sounds of the frontier, making the timeless tales even more engaging for modern listeners. This episode not only honors the legacy of legendary radio Westerns like Gunsmoke and The Lone Ranger but also invites new audiences to immerse themselves in the rich storytelling of the golden age of radio.

Speaker Credits:

• Wild Bill Hickok: Guy Madison
• Jingles (Andy Devine): Andy Devine
• Baxson: Clayton Post
• Two Pick Teller: Curly Bradley

Production Credits:

• Story by: Larry Hayes
• Director: Paul Pierce
• Music by: Dick Arant
• Producer: David Hire

For more adventures of Wild Bill Hickok and other classic Westerns, visit otrwesterns.com