The Dead Give Away – Tales of the Texas Rangers (12-02-51)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast Summary

Episode: The Dead Give Away – Tales of the Texas Rangers (12-02-51)
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: March 26, 2025

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rhynes transports listeners back to December 2, 1951, with the classic radio drama The Dead Give Away from the series Tales of the Texas Rangers. Narrated by Joel McCrea, the story delves into a harrowing case involving Sheriff Ross and Ranger Jace Pearson as they unravel a mysterious and tragic event in West Texas.

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The Crime Scene

The episode opens at 1:30 AM on December 4, 1945, at the farmhouse of Mrs. Mary Lou Simmons, located four miles from Ashton, West Texas. Mrs. Simmons frantically attempts to contact the sheriff, desperately reporting a suspicious presence outside her home and the impending danger to her family.

[02:02] Mary Lou Simmons: "Operator. Operator. Oh, please. Operator. Thank you. Operator, get me the sheriff, quickly."

Upon Sheriff Ross's arrival, he discovers the grim scene: Mrs. Deneen and her four-month-old baby have been brutally murdered. Shocked by the lack of forced entry or a clear motive, Sheriff Ross calls in the Texas Rangers for assistance, assigning Ranger Jace Pearson to the case.

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Initial Investigation

Ranger Pearson arrives swiftly, and together with Sheriff Ross, they begin scrutinizing the crime scene. Their initial assessment rules out robbery, as no significant valuables were taken, and Mr. Deneen's purse remained untouched on the kitchen table.

[04:55] Ranger Jace Pearson: "Well, it wasn't robbery then, Sheriff."

The duo examines the side door, noting an open lock, which leads them to discover a piece of baling wire shaped like a key.

[06:02] Ranger Jace Pearson: "Piece of baling wire bent in the shape of a key."

Suspecting foul play beyond a mere prowler, Pearson hypothesizes that the wire might have been deliberately planted to mislead the investigation.

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Piecing Together Clues

As night progresses, Ross and Pearson follow faint traces outside, hoping to track the perpetrator. The frozen ground offers little in the way of clues, but incremental evidence begins to surface, including a cigarette butt and distinct tire treads that hint at the killer's identity.

Ranger Pearson's expertise leads them to question the integrity of the initial evidence, suspecting that the wire was a red herring designed to throw them off the trail.

[06:15] Ranger Jace Pearson: "This wire isn't strong enough to turn the tumbler in the lock."

Their investigation points towards Walter Deneen, Mrs. Deneen's husband, who reportedly was out on business in Abilene. However, inconsistencies in his alibi and unusual behavior raise suspicions.

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The Trail to Abilene

Determined to verify Mr. Deneen's whereabouts, Ranger Pearson and Sheriff Ross delve deeper into his activities. Their journey takes them to the Harris Hotel in Abilene, where they uncover that Mr. Deneen's car was carefully monitored, and his movements meticulously recorded. However, discrepancies arise when examining the temperature gauge and mileage in his vehicle, suggesting that Mr. Deneen could not have traveled as claimed.

[13:24] Ranger Jace Pearson: "Yeah. Only it should be pretty warm if he finished the drive a couple of hundred miles. Just ten minutes ago."

Further interrogation of Mary Lou Simmons reveals that she overheard all of Mrs. Deneen's final moments but only heard her plead, with no additional voices detected.

[14:19] Mary Lou Simmons: "Oh, cross my heart. I heard it is plain."

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The Breakthrough

The pivotal moment arrives when lab reports identify fingerprints on Mr. Deneen's car belonging to Joe Crofton, a parolee with a violent history. Recognizing Crofton's involvement in a previous murder, Ranger Pearson realizes the threat he poses.

[22:28] Ranger Jace Pearson: "Crofton must be the killer. Then chase."

Sheriff Ross and Ranger Pearson mount a pursuit, tracing Crofton's path to Casket Mountain. Their relentless tracking leads them to Crofton's secluded cabin, where they anticipate a confrontation.

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Confrontation and Resolution

Upon reaching Crofton's cabin, the Rangers find no immediate sign of life. Their suspicions are confirmed when they locate a misleading suicide note, which Ranger Pearson deduces was fabricated by Walter Deneen to implicate Crofton falsely.

As they navigate the rugged terrain, Crofton attempts to evade capture but is ultimately cornered. A tense standoff ensues, culminating in Crofton being subdued and arrested.

[25:32] Ranger Jace Pearson: "But Walter Deneen wrote that. And that note's gonna hang him."

In the aftermath, it's revealed that Walter Deneen orchestrated the entire scheme, employing Crofton to eliminate his family and secure his financial standing. This revelation not only resolves the case but also underscores the depths of human deceit and the unwavering pursuit of justice by the Texas Rangers.

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Conclusion

The Dead Give Away masterfully weaves a tale of mystery, betrayal, and law enforcement prowess. Through meticulous investigation and steadfast determination, Ranger Jace Pearson and Sheriff Ross bring a heinous crime to light, ensuring that justice prevails despite the elaborate attempts to conceal the truth.

[28:19] Ranger Jace Pearson: "So no matter what happens, we got to take him."

This episode stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Texas Rangers and their commitment to safeguarding justice in the untamed frontier.

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Notable Quotes:

• Mary Lou Simmons at [02:02]: "Operator. Operator. Oh, please. Operator. Thank you. Operator, get me the sheriff, quickly."
• Ranger Jace Pearson at [06:02]: "Piece of baling wire bent in the shape of a key."
• Ranger Jace Pearson at [22:28]: "Crofton must be the killer. Then chase."
• Ranger Jace Pearson at [28:19]: "So no matter what happens, we got to take him."

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Final Remarks: Andrew Rhynes expertly curates this episode, enhancing the original 1951 radio drama with digitally restored audio that enriches every nuance of the Wild West atmosphere. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, rate, and engage with the podcast community through various platforms to continue enjoying these timeless tales.

Transcript

[Sheriff Ross]

Foreign.

[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 Tales of the Texas Rangers. Original air date is December 2, 1951 and the title is the Dead Giveaway. Hope you enjoy and again, thanks for listening.

[Joel McCrea]

The National Broadcasting company presents Joel McCray in Tales of the Texas Rangers from Hollywood. Another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files of the Texas Rangers. Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jace Pearson. Texas. More than 260,000 square miles and 50 men who make up the most famous and oldest law enforcement body in North America. Now, from the files of the Texas Rangers come these stories based on fact Only. Names, dates and places are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of record. Case for tonight. Dead giveaway.

[Sheriff Ross]

It is 1:30am Dec. 4, 1945. A single light glows in the living room of a farmhouse four miles from the town of Ashton in West Texas. Inside the house, a frantic young woman tries to place a telephone call.

[Mary Lou Simmons]

Operator. Operator. Oh, please. Operator. Thank you. Operator, get me the sheriff, quickly. Is that you, Mrs. Deneen?

[Sheriff Ross]

Yes, yes.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Hi.

[Mary Lou Simmons]

Oh, this is Mary Lou, Mrs. Deneen. I'm working nightstaff. Yes, I'm Mary Lou. Stop talking and get me the sheriff.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Oh, all right. Oh, dear.

[Sheriff Ross]

Sheriff Ross speaking.

[Mary Lou Simmons]

Sheriff, this is Mrs. Deneen. You've got to come out to my house right away. Right away.

[Sheriff Ross]

Take it easy. Mrs. Deneen seems to be wrong.

[Mary Lou Simmons]

Somebody's prowling around outside trying to get into the house.

[Sheriff Ross]

Isn't your husband there?

[Mary Lou Simmons]

No, he went to Abilene on business. Something woke me up and I thought at first it was a baby. And then I heard a noise outside. What is it? Somebody came in.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I'll be right there.

[Mary Lou Simmons]

Who are you? What do you want?

[Sheriff Ross]

It took Sheriff ross less than 15 minutes to get to the Deneen farm. But Mrs. Deneen and a four month old baby were dead when he arrived. The sheriff called for the assistance of the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jace Pearson was assigned. Jace Pearson?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Ross]

He got here right quick.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, I was over the next county when your call came through.

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, I hope he got a little sleep because you won't get much now. Better come in out of this cold.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

How long ago did it happen?

[Sheriff Ross]

About a half hour ago, 1:30. Mr. Deneen called me, woke me up at home. Said somebody was trying to bust in. Right in here, Jace.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Shot right through the chest, huh? Yeah. She leave the phone hanging off the hook like that Reckon so.

[Sheriff Ross]

Whoever broke in, they broke in just before I hung up. Nothing's been touched, Chase.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I know. I had a time getting past your deputies down the main road.

[Sheriff Ross]

Phone operator's been buzzing everybody. We don't want half the county barging in here messing things up. So I blocked them all good.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Where's the baby?

[Sheriff Ross]

In there. The front bedroom. You can look if you want to, Jace. It's a little more than I can take twice.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

How old?

[Sheriff Ross]

Only four months.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Jace?

[Sheriff Ross]

Little girl.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Where'd he break in?

[Sheriff Ross]

Side door. I'll show you.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Where's the husband?

[Sheriff Ross]

Abilene. On business. I call the chief of police there. He's gonna check the hotels and notify her. Here's the door was wide open. That's how I got in to open the front door.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Lock doesn't seem to be broken. Must have been picked. The Neens keep much money around the house?

[Sheriff Ross]

There's little or as much as most folks, I guess. But I don't think any's missing. There's Mr. Neen's purse on the kitchen table.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Killer couldn't have missed that. You check it?

[Sheriff Ross]

Yeah, about $40, and it hasn't been touched.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Well, it wasn't robbery then, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Ross]

No. There's no sign of any other motive. But there's got to be one, J.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, the toughest motive of all, because it's the easiest hidden hate. The kind of hate the devil wouldn't hold. We went through the rest of the house, but we didn't find anything that would help us until we got outside.

[Sheriff Ross]

It's cold tonight, Jace. Ground's frozen hard.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah. We find a trace, it won't be much. Keep your flash close to the ground. All right.

[Sheriff Ross]

Why are you working back of the house here, away from the driveway?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Because I think the killer came in from this direction, probably on foot. Why? Why? You said Mrs. Deneen told you she woke up when she heard somebody prowling around outside. Yeah, a horse or a car coming up the gravel road around front would have made even more noise. Woke her up sooner, say.

[Sheriff Ross]

That's right. I heard your car coming from quite a ways off. That's why I was standing out in front to meet you when you drove.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Wait a minute.

[Sheriff Ross]

What is it, Jace?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Piece of bailing wire bent in the shape of a key.

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, that must about be what he used to get in.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Maybe. Or maybe that's what somebody wants us to think. Let's take another look at that door. Yeah.

[Sheriff Ross]

What makes you think the wire was planted there, Jason?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I'll tell you better when we try it in the lock.

[Sheriff Ross]

Beats me why a killer leaves something deliberately.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

That's what makes me think something's wrong. This wouldn't have been dropped so close to the house. And grab the door and hold it up high. I don't want to mess up any prints around the lock. You got it. Now let's see how this wire fits. Yeah.

[Sheriff Ross]

Goes in perfect. Jace?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah? Watch when I turn it. There.

[Sheriff Ross]

He wire's just twisting.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

It'll keep on twisting. This wire isn't strong enough to turn the tumbler in the lock.

[Sheriff Ross]

Then how did the killer get in, Jace?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

If you ask me, Sheriff, I think.

[Sheriff Ross]

He had a regular key.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I put in a call for a fingerprint crew, and the sheriff called to have the bodies picked up for autopsy. Then we went outside and started trailing again. We found a few directional traces, but they out in the darkness.

[Sheriff Ross]

Can't see anything at night on this ground.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Jace, try cutting back and forth a little further.

[Sheriff Ross]

Yeah.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Man we're following. Was weaving, trying to throw us off.

[Sheriff Ross]

It just makes it tougher to track.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

He's got to be headed for someplace. Some definite direction. You might as well establish which direction.

[Sheriff Ross]

Yeah. Guess there's nothing much we can do except this until we have some daylight.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Save us an hour in the morning. Then we can track on horses without wasting time finding out which way to go. By sunup, we knew the killer's general direction had been west. Sheriff got his horse from town. I unloaded charcoal from the trailer and we rode.

[Sheriff Ross]

He kept heading west all right, but there's nothing out this way for miles once he got into those hills up ahead.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Any kind of a road between here and the hills?

[Sheriff Ross]

Yeah. Old wagon road just beyond the scrub on the rise we're coming to.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Does it connect with a state road?

[Sheriff Ross]

It does, but nobody uses it.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Maybe somebody dead. Is it in good enough condition for a car to run through?

[Sheriff Ross]

Reckon it is. You figure he had a car waiting for him?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Had to have a car or a horse staked out someplace. Come on. Let's make right for the road. Wagon road lead to any other farm in the area.

[Sheriff Ross]

Used to lead to the old Mullen place that's burned out.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Nobody living there anymore.

[Sheriff Ross]

No old folks. Dads. Young Ted Mullet moved away a couple of years ago. Oh, here's the road.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Charcoal headed pretty straight. Last tracks we saw must have reached the road right near here.

[Sheriff Ross]

Yeah, we'll find some mark if he crossed it and kept going.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

He didn't keep going. Look. Fire track.

[Sheriff Ross]

Had a car staked out all right.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Turned the car around here to head back for the highway.

[Sheriff Ross]

Could have been somebody else waiting in the car for him.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Maybe, but I don't think so. Look at the heel marks. Walked around to the driver's side of the car to get in. Yeah. Something else here, too. Dropped this cigarette butt and stepped on it. Yeah.

[Sheriff Ross]

Sure didn't smoke much of it.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Didn't even burn down to the brand mark. At least we know what brand he smokes.

[Sheriff Ross]

About all we do know, Jace won't be anything to follow at the main road. He sure won't leave a trail there.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

No. Mount up. Let's get back to the house. We rode back to Deneen. We came to the farm. We saw a couple of cars that hadn't been there when we left. Looks like company, Sheriff. Car next to mine belongs to our lab. The others must be the coroner.

[Sheriff Ross]

Our coroner oughta been and gone by now.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Nope.

[Sheriff Ross]

No, that isn't the coroner's car. J Blue sedan. That belongs to Walter Deneen.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

The husband. Yeah.

[Sheriff Ross]

Must have got back from Abilene. Yes. Deneen. All right. There he is. Sitting on the side porch.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Walter Deneen sat with his face buried in his hands until we dismounted and walked up to him. The lab crew was in the house looking for latent prints.

[Sheriff Ross]

Howdy, Walter. Oh, howdy, sir. Walter, I can't tell you how. Don't say anything, please. Ask me anything you like. But I don't want anybody else telling me how sorry they are.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Better let me talk to him, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Ross]

Sure, James.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Mr. Deneen, it'd help us a lot to know one thing. You or your family have any enemies? Enemies?

[Sheriff Ross]

Could there be an enemy as bad as this?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We know the house wasn't robbed. Have you ever had any trouble with anybody? No matter how small it seemed? Now's the time to remember.

[Sheriff Ross]

If there was anybody, I wouldn't tell you. I'd take care of it myself. That's no way to be, Walter. Don't go telling me how to act. Sheriff, you didn't come home to your house 10 minutes ago. You didn't find your wife and kids?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We had found my Mr. Deneen. Why don't you try to get a little rest? We'll talk to you later. Yeah, okay.

[Sheriff Ross]

Anything I can do, Walter, just holler.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah. You been able to think of anybody who might have had it in for him?

[Sheriff Ross]

Not a soul, Jace. Unless it was Ted Mullen, the one.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You told me about. Family that was burned out.

[Sheriff Ross]

Yeah. But, Jace, that was five years ago.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Sometimes hate doesn't die with Age. What happened?

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, old folks just got to brooding and died off. After the house burned, Young Ted blamed Walter.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Why?

[Sheriff Ross]

Windmill at the Mullen place was busted. They tried to borrow from Walter to get it fixed, but he turned them down. Ted said if the middle's been working, it would have pumped enough water for.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Him to put the fire on young Mullen. The kind to hold a grudge after five years.

[Sheriff Ross]

Jace. And he moved out a long time ago.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Where?

[Sheriff Ross]

Who knows?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Come on. I'll call my headquarters by radio. Maybe they can get a line on Muller.

[Sheriff Ross]

All right.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

They find out where he is and won't do any harm to check on where he was.

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, right now it won't hurt any. But I can't believe that a man after volit, Sheriff. Well, that's only Walter's car. Jace. What are you looking at?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Design of the tire tread. Look at him. Well, that may be the same design we saw in the dirt road where the killer picked up a car to make his getaway.

[Sheriff Ross]

But, jeez, that was hard ground. Could barely see the tread. And tires like that are standard on lots of cars.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, I know. Just the same, I want to look this car over. Left his ignition keys in.

[Sheriff Ross]

You gonna start it?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

No. Just want to take a look at the dash. He said he got back from Abilene 10 minutes ago, didn't he?

[Sheriff Ross]

That's what he said.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Take a look at that temperature gauge.

[Sheriff Ross]

Let me see. Register's cold.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah. Only it should be pretty warm if he finished the drive a couple of hundred miles. Just ten minutes ago.

[Sheriff Ross]

Could have dropped back, Jace.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Not in ten minutes, Sheriff. It's a cold morning, but not that cold. I want to talk to Deneen again. He.

[Sheriff Ross]

You see something else?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I sure do. Look at this. On the frame of the door.

[Sheriff Ross]

Service station lubrication sticker.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah. Dated December 2nd, day before yesterday. 18,412 miles. The mileage on the dash shows he's driven less than 200 miles since then. He couldn't have been in Abilene.

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, wait a minute, Jace. I admit that looks funny, but the man we were chasing, he ground out a cigarette, remember?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

What about it?

[Sheriff Ross]

I've known Walter since he was a boy, Jace. He don't smoke. Mary Lou Simmons, phone operator. Who let you in, Mary Lou?

[Mary Lou Simmons]

I told the Deputy I put Mrs. Deneen's call through to you last night. He thought you might want to talk to me. Ain't it just awful I was still on the line after you hung up, Sheriff. I heard it all. The shots and everything.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You hear any voice beside Mrs. Denine?

[Mary Lou Simmons]

No, no. I just heard her say, who are you? What do you want? And then the shop. That was all.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You sure she said, who are you?

[Mary Lou Simmons]

Oh, cross my heart. I heard it is plain.

[Sheriff Ross]

Guess you don't want to talk to Walter now, do you, Jace?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

No, I guess.

[Joel McCrea]

In just a moment we will continue with Tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCray as Ranger Jace Pearson.

[Hal Gibney]

Today, the NBC Radio Network, now entering its second quarter century as the leader in radio entertainment, salutes five new NBC stations. A hearty welcome to these stations and their managers. WNHC, New Haven, Connecticut James Milne, WFMJ, Youngstown, Ohio. William F. Magg, Jr. Wira, Fort Pierce, Florida. Douglas Silver, WJBS, DeLand, Florida Clarence Almenzer and Station KCIL, Huma, Louisiana Frank Cornwell.

[Joel McCrea]

We continue now with Tales of the Texas Rangers and tonight's case. Dead giveaway, an authentic story from the files of the Texas Rangers.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I didn't want to question Walter Deneen until I had a chance to check on his movements. The sheriff and I drove into town and called the Abilene police. The answer didn't fit.

[Joel McCrea]

Don't think there's any doubt about who he was, Ranger.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Okay, thanks. Thanks very much. Well, guess that does it.

[Sheriff Ross]

Sheriff Deneen was Nathalien, huh?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Huh. Checked into the Harris Hotel yesterday about noon. Checked out again at 2:10 this morning. Right after the police notified him of the murder.

[Sheriff Ross]

Police could have spoken to anybody on the phone.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

They didn't tell him by phone. Police sergeant went up and told him direct description of Walter Talley's too. And if there's something that doesn't tally though mileage on that car could be.

[Sheriff Ross]

Something wrong with the speedometer cable happened in my car a few weeks back.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Maybe. I'll be back sometime tomorrow.

[Sheriff Ross]

Where you going? Chase.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Abilene. As soon as I hit the highway, I put in a short wave call to headquarters station KTXA. Unit 10 to KTXA. KTXA. Go ahead, unit 10. This unit en route to Abilene. Request Abilene police secure names of all contacts made by subject Walter Deneen. Registered Harris Hotel there yesterday.

[Sheriff Ross]

We'll do the unit test.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Unit 10 sent piece of wire back to lab for examination. Any report yet? Not yet.

[Sheriff Ross]

Wire and fingerprints both under study. We'll give you a call.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

10 4. Unit 10 clear. Exhale. When I reached Abilene, I got a complete rundown on Walter Deneen's activities. It was too complete. Like he was making sure his time in the city would be accounted for. One of the people who'd seen him, was his attorney. Why, yes.

[Sheriff Ross]

Yes, Ranger. Mr. Deneen spent several hours with me yesterday afternoon. We had dinner together last night, went to theater.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

What'd he come to see you about?

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, some investments he's been doing. A little speculating.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Cotton. Good or bad?

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, it's client business, and I don't think I have the right to discuss it.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I can find out by checking with the Exchange. I'm just asking you to save time. All right.

[Sheriff Ross]

His losses have been rather heavy.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

More than he could afford? Much more. He carry much insurance on his wife and child? Normal amount. Nothing large. All right. Thanks. One more thing. Are you sure Deneen doesn't benefit financially by his wife's death?

[Sheriff Ross]

Ranger, he couldn't have gotten back to Ashton by 1:30 last night after we'd been out.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

That isn't what I asked.

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, Mrs. Deneen had a good bit of money in her own right. Case of her dead, though, she had it tied up in trust for the child.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

But the child is dead too. What happens now?

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, in that case, the entire state.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Will probably go to Mr. Deneen. I made one more stop before I headed back to Ashton. I paid a visit to the garage, the Hotel Harris.

[Mary Lou Simmons]

I keep the location of all guest cars on this index rack. So we'll know which stores they're in when they want them.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Was Walter Deneen's car in here yesterday?

[Mary Lou Simmons]

Deneen. That's D I n, isn't it?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Huh?

[Mary Lou Simmons]

No, there's no record of it. Was he a guest at the hotel?

[Sheriff Ross]

Yes.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Is there any parking lot around here he might have used?

[Mary Lou Simmons]

Not convenient to the hotel. And parking is free here for guests, so I don't think he'd use a lot.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Neither do I. Thanks. Before I left Abilene, I called my headquarters. They had a report no strange prints had been found in the dean's house. The wire key looked like a plant. I hung up and made another call to Sheriff Ross.

[Sheriff Ross]

I'm beginning to wonder about Walter myself, Jace.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Why?

[Sheriff Ross]

He's been kind of curious about where you are.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I told him you went to Abilene. Just to see if it'd draw him out Good. How'd he react?

[Sheriff Ross]

Kind of nervous. Then he said something about flying up.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

To Abilene and back. Cause he never did say he drove it. No, but he gave the impression that he drove.

[Sheriff Ross]

Even so, he was there when the killing took place.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, but the killer had the use of Deneen's car. Can you get your hands on the car?

[Sheriff Ross]

It's over in back of the funeral parlor right now. That's where Deneen said he was going just a few minutes ago when he stopped by to ask about you.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Well, grab that car and check it for fingerprints. I'll be there as fast as I can roll.

[Sheriff Ross]

Oh, howdy, Jake.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Carl worked over sheriff?

[Sheriff Ross]

Yeah. Ought to have reports on the prints soon. Send them to Austin.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Find any strangers?

[Sheriff Ross]

Quite a few of one set that weren't Deneens.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

If they belong to a professional killer, there's a good chance he'll have a record. Where's Deneen?

[Sheriff Ross]

My deputies are out looking for him.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Why? I thought he was at the funeral parlor.

[Sheriff Ross]

So did I, until I went in to look for him after we finished on the car. Undertaker said he'd left more than an hour ago by the front door.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Must have spotted you working over the car. Come on, let's find him. Yeah.

[Sheriff Ross]

Not at the house. Not any place in town. Where could he be if he hasn't run out trying to cover up for.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

A couple of mistakes? He won't run. Not yet.

[Sheriff Ross]

Why?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Because his alibi is airtight. We can shake it. But unless we find the killer he hired, we can't shake it enough. He took a big gamble and he's got too much at stake to run.

[Sheriff Ross]

Off his wife's money.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

How'd you know about that?

[Sheriff Ross]

Just thinking back a little late. Folks knew Mrs. Deneen's family left her well off. Walter married and not long after they passed on, a lot of people thought the money had something to do with it.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I wish you'd remembered that sooner.

[Sheriff Ross]

Well, Jace, they seem close. And then there's the baby.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Baby was just something extra that got into Neen's way. Never gotten any of the money.

[Sheriff Ross]

KTXA to unit 10. Maybe a report on the Prince.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Unit 10, go ahead. KTXA.

[Sheriff Ross]

I've report on prints lifted from car in Ashton, Texas. One set identified as belonging to Joe Crofton.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Joe Crofton? Any line on his whereabouts?

[Sheriff Ross]

Finished serving parole four months ago. Last address known at the parole office was shack located western slope of Casket Mountain.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

10, 4. Unit 10. Clear.

[Sheriff Ross]

Crofton must be the killer. Then chase.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I'll bet on it. How far to Casket Mountain?

[Sheriff Ross]

About 20 miles, then turn south. Another five after that. Well, we'll need horses if he's far up.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Should have brought your horse along. The trailer with charcoal.

[Sheriff Ross]

I can borrow one.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Cropping's gonna be tough to take.

[Sheriff Ross]

You sound like you know him.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I wrote the ticket for his last trip to Huntsville six years ago. That was murder, too. But he Chopped out with a man's flutter. Please.

[Sheriff Ross]

Better not take any chances, Jason. He starts shooting, we'll have to toss it back dead center.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

No, we got to take him alive. He'll talk to keep from burning once we get him.

[Sheriff Ross]

Yeah, yeah, I see. If Walter Denneen paid him to do the job, he's the only one can break Den's alibi.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

That's right. So no matter what happens, we got to take him. Al Crofton's cabin was up, all right. Way up. Sheriff borrowed a horse from the man who directed it.

[Sheriff Ross]

Quite a climb, Jase.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Not so bad following this wash, though.

[Sheriff Ross]

Suppose he isn't there?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

I got a hunch he will be. I don't think Deneen had enough money to pay for this killing. He was almost broke.

[Sheriff Ross]

You mean he planned to pay off out of his wife's money when he got it?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah.

[Sheriff Ross]

I wonder how Walter arranged for him to get the car that night.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Not much to arrange. Left it near the airport with the keys in it. Crofton brought it back and left it in the same spot. Probably left the house key for him, too. Glove compartment, maybe? Yeah.

[Sheriff Ross]

With the airport 40 miles from Ashton, nobody recognized the car or a strange driver. Come in at night, use an abandoned road.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Look.

[Sheriff Ross]

Huh? Hey. Another horse left traction here, too.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, and they're fresh.

[Sheriff Ross]

It must be Crofton's horse.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

No, Ryder was taking the rough way. Just cut into the wash here to find a better trail. Crofton lives up here. He'd know the best trail.

[Sheriff Ross]

Who else would be coming up here?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Denine to shut him up. Come on. Give off.

[Sheriff Ross]

Not too fast, Jason. We'll spill.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We got to risk it. Too slow, we'll be too late. We reached the shack and crept up on it. There was no horse around and no sign of life. Tried to draw fire by showing ourselves, but none came. We had to go in. All right, hold your gun ready, Sheriff, and don't come in till I call you.

[Sheriff Ross]

Right, Jace.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

All right, Sheriff. Come in.

[Sheriff Ross]

Nobody here, huh?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Wait.

[Sheriff Ross]

Oh, that Crawford?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, that's him. Deneen got here first.

[Sheriff Ross]

Jace, this fella looks like he shot himself. Guns in his own hand. Now, what's his paper beside him? Let's see. JC did kill himself. This note says so. Confesses the murders, too?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Sure it does. But Walter Deneen wrote that. And that note's gonna hang him.

[Sheriff Ross]

How do you know? You ever seen Deneen's writing?

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

No, but I've seen Crofton's before. He signed his name with an X. Prison records show he's illiterate. Never could Read or write. Come on. Sheriff.

[Sheriff Ross]

Gonna put out a pickup for Deneen.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

We'll pick him up ourselves. He can't be far off.

[Sheriff Ross]

But if he'd headed back down the wash, we'd have passed him on our way up.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

He must be going across the top of the mountain. Go down the other side. Come on. Horses as fast as they could move. We spotted the rider ahead of us as he topped the slope. He heard us because he looked back and whipped his mouth and disappeared.

[Sheriff Ross]

He knows we're on him. Got about 300 yards. We'll get him. He's pounding weather. We're coming to the top now.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Keep low in the saddle. Watch out for an ambush.

[Sheriff Ross]

There he is.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Don't go down too fast, sheriff. Your horse will come with a down blade.

[Sheriff Ross]

The knee was pressing too hard, J. He fell.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Look. He scrambled behind the rock.

[Sheriff Ross]

Whoa.

[Mary Lou Simmons]

Oh.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Charcoal.

[Sheriff Ross]

Hit the dirt.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Let you out. Come on. Come on.

[Sheriff Ross]

He's down under that rock shelf. Perfect cover.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Not too perfect. Bullets will ricochet back from that ledge behind him. See that dent in the ledge? Yeah. Draw your gun and we'll empty it on him. Get right below the dent. Hi. All right. Let's hope for a billiard shot. Start firing. I'm here. Stop it bleeding.

[Sheriff Ross]

Oh, you're done out, Denine.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

All right. Don't do it anymore. Here. Here it is. Okay, sheriff, let's take him.

[Sheriff Ross]

And I was sorry for you all up until a few hours ago. You got to get me to a doctor.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

You're not hurt. Hurt badly. We'll get you to a doctor. All I want to know is how you met Crofton.

[Sheriff Ross]

Come on, Walter, talk up. I saw his picture in the paper when he got out of jail. I made a deal with him a couple of months ago.

[Ranger Jace Pearson]

Yeah, a deal to wipe out your own wife and kid. Must be great to be as brave as you are. Get up, Deneen. You got a long way to go.

[Sheriff Ross]

Walter Deneen confessed and made a plea for clemency. It was not granted, and on the 11th day of October, 1947, he died in the electric chair at Huntsville.

[Joel McCrea]

Next week, Joel McCray and another authentic reenactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers. Joel McCray is currently seen starring in the Universal International Technicolor production Cattle Drive. The cast included Tony Barrett, Lorene Tuttle, Michael Ann Barrett, Hal March, and Paul Freeze. Technical advisor was Captain MT Lone Wolf Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers. This story was transcribed and adapted by Joel murcott and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keith Hal Gibney speaking.

[Hal Gibney]

It's the Silver Jubilee on NBC today. Enjoy the sparkling Big show with stars including Ginger Rogers, Fred Allen, Dolores Gray, George Sanders, Lawrence Melchior and your glamorous host, Tallulah Bankhead. Then Phil Harris and Alice fay bring you 30 minutes of comedy. Later, Theater Guild on the air stars Rosalind Russell and Walter Abel in Good Housekeeping by William McCleary. Yes, for great entertainment, stay tuned to NBC. The NBC Radio Network is now entering its second quarter century as the leader in radio programming. Next, it's the Big Show. All this and Tallulah too on NBC.

[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 join in the conversation by going to otrwesterns.Com Discord and don't forget to send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com this episode's copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and again, thanks for.