Old Time Radio Westerns – The Fugitive | The Lone Ranger (09-08-52)

Host: Andrew Rynes
Original Air Date: September 8, 1952
Podcast Release: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Lone Ranger, titled "The Fugitive," transports listeners to the lawless island of Risco—a no man’s land claimed by both the United States and Mexico. Clay Trowbridge, an innocent blacksmith accused of murder, finds himself in a desperate situation, sought by both lawmen and outlaws. The Lone Ranger, with his companion Tonto, rides to clear Trowbridge’s name. The drama unfolds with intrigue, double-crosses, and a tense stagecoach robbery that draws together heroes, fugitives, and bandits on the Western frontier.

Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. The Governor’s Plea & The Lone Ranger’s Mission

(05:25 – 07:44)

• Governor’s Request: The Lone Ranger and Tonto stop a governor’s stagecoach. The governor seeks their help—Clay Trowbridge was accused of murder, but the real killer’s been caught and Trowbridge is now innocent. Unfortunately, many wanted posters remain, and Trowbridge is still at risk.
  • Governor (06:15): “A few weeks ago, Sheriff Hawks...found the real murderer, a notorious cattle rustler...Trowbridge has been cleared.”
• Mission Laid Out: The Lone Ranger is given an official letter clearing Trowbridge and pledges to find and help the fugitive.

2. Life in Risco – Clay Trowbridge’s Desperation

(07:59 – 13:28)

• Risco’s Lawlessness: On Risco Island, outlaws reign and Trowbridge, unable to find honest work, is cornered by Stack and Blaze, two dangerous criminals who recognize him from bounty notices.
  • Stack/Blaze (08:53): “Here it is, Trowbridge. There's no mistaking that description.”
• Coerced Into Crime: The villains demand Trowbridge use his blacksmith skills to help them rob a stagecoach strongbox, threatening to turn him in if he refuses.
• Rosita’s Counsel: Rosita, a singer and fellow fugitive, pleads with Clay not to help the outlaws and shares her own tale of exile from Mexico.
  • Rosita (11:31): “Clay, you are the only honest man in Risco.”
  • Stack/Blaze (11:29): “If I refuse, they'll turn me over to the law.”
• Secret Plan: Trowbridge and Rosita devise a plan—he’ll pretend to join the outlaws and she’ll warn the authorities via a coded message.
  • Rosita (12:50): “My scarf. It is bright red and yellow. Put it around your neck.”
  • Stack/Blaze (13:03): “He knows I'm the only one who could make keys for those boxes. Don’t lose that note, Rosita.”

3. The Lone Ranger and Tonto’s Pursuit

(13:39 – 16:15)

• Strategy: Unsure about entering Risco, the Lone Ranger and Tonto lie in wait for a border runner.
• Rosita’s Escape & Ambush: Rosita attempts to deliver Trowbridge’s message but is pursued and ambushed by Stack and Blaze, who suspect betrayal.
  • Stack/Blaze (14:46): “Maybe she and Trowbridge are trying to…pull a double cross.”

4. Rosita’s Plight and the Lone Ranger’s Intervention

(17:58 – 22:54)

• Gunfight & Injury: Rosita is wounded while the Lone Ranger protects her. Tonto chases the outlaws away, but she is left badly hurt.
  • Rosita (19:19): “Senora. I think I die.”
• Critical Message: While tending her wound, Rosita desperately tries to warn the Lone Ranger about the impending robbery.
• To the Doctor: The masked man and Tonto race Rosita to Dr. Herman in Puente, where her life hangs in the balance.
  • The Lone Ranger (21:18): “She was shot by Risco outlaws...she was trying to tell me something those crooks planned to do today.”

5. The Outlaws’ Betrayal and Robbery Plans

(21:32 – 22:39)

• Double-cross Unfolding: Stack and Blaze decide they’ll kill Trowbridge after he helps, not bothering to split the loot:
  • Stack/Blaze (21:58): “But there’ll be one less around tomorrow, huh?...Clay Trowbridge...he’s worth a thousand dollars dead or alive.”
• Preparations for Ambush: The villains set out to rob the westbound stage at Pear Thicket, coercing Trowbridge to ride with them.

6. Discovery of the Note and Mobilization

(22:54 – 24:07)

• Rosita’s Message Found: While tending Rosita, the Lone Ranger finds her hidden note, uncovering the gang’s exact plot.
  • The Lone Ranger (23:20): “This is a message, doctor. It's addressed to the station agent...five Risco outlaws led by two men named Stack and Blaze plan to rob the stage today.”
• Organizing Defense: Realizing the urgency, the Lone Ranger and Tonto rush to intercept the stage, while Dr. Herman alerts the marshal.

7. The Stagecoach Robbery Showdown

(24:18 – 28:01)

• Robbery in Progress: As the outlaws stop the stage and force Trowbridge to open the strongbox, he stalls, claiming the lock has changed.
  • Stack/Blaze (25:42): “It's no use, Stack. They must have changed the lock.”
• Violent Confrontation: Stack assaults Trowbridge, but the brawl is interrupted:
  • The Lone Ranger (26:03): “Drop your gun.”
• Gunfight Ensues: The Lone Ranger and Tonto outmaneuver the outlaws, capturing them in a dramatic shootout.

8. Redemption and Resolution

(28:01 – 30:00)

• Clay’s Freedom: The Lone Ranger reveals to Trowbridge he’s been cleared of all charges and hands over the governor’s letter.

  • The Lone Ranger (27:37): “Trowbridge, Tonto and I have been looking for you to tell you you've been cleared of the murder charge against you.”
  • Trowbridge (28:01): “I can't believe it. If what you've said is true...”

• Rosita’s Safety: Reassured that Rosita will recover, Clay is finally free.

• Justice for Risco: The marshal notes that Risco is now under Mexican army control; lawlessness is ending.

  • Marshal (29:12): “The United States waived claim to that sandbar this morning. The Mexican army moved in. They'll clean the place up in a hurry.”

• Final Praise & Reward: The Lone Ranger credits Clay for the tip that stopped the robbery, suggesting he deserves the reward—and a new life with Rosita.

  • The Lone Ranger (29:39): “If it hadn’t been for Clay’s note, we wouldn’t have captured those crooks. He's really entitled to the reward, Clay. You'll find good use for the money when you and Rosita are married. Easy, fella.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Justice and Mercy:
  • The Lone Ranger (07:44): “Good luck to you, sir.”
  • Governor (06:58): “The prospect of ruining an innocent man’s life...Well, I hate to think of it.”
• Frontier Wit:
  • Stack to Trowbridge (09:54): “Why didn’t you take stage and all?”
  • Jake’s reply: “Don’t try to be funny.”
• Loyalty and Friendship:
  • Rosita (11:31): “Clay, you are the only honest man in Risco.”
  • Trowbridge (13:05): “He knows I’m the only one who could make keys for those boxes. Don’t lose that note, Rosita.”
• Heroic Closure:
  • Trowbridge (28:01): “I can’t believe it. If what you’ve said is true…”
  • The Lone Ranger (29:53): “Adios, amigos. Montuli.”
• Character Assessment:
  • Doctor (30:00): “There goes a man who’d make a great doctor, Doc. He'd make a better federal marshal…”
  • Final Reflection: “To be better than either, he has only to be himself.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|-------------| | Governor requests Lone Ranger’s help | 05:25–07:44 | | Outlaws coerce Trowbridge | 07:59–11:07 | | Clay and Rosita’s plan | 11:07–13:28 | | Lone Ranger and Tonto’s border stakeout | 13:39–14:20 | | Rosita injured, brought to doctor | 17:58–22:54 | | Stack & Blaze plot double-cross | 21:32–22:39 | | Lone Ranger discovers warning note | 22:54–24:07 | | Showdown at the Pear Thicket | 24:18–28:01 | | Trowbridge cleared; Risco cleaned up | 28:01–30:00 |

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode blends tense action with poignant moments of hope and redemption. Dialogue is brisk and direct, with flashes of dry humor, highlighting the stoic code of the Western hero. The digital restoration emphasizes every sound—the rush of hooves, the crack of gunfire, the tension in voice performances—bringing this classic story vividly to life for a new generation.

For listeners new and old, “The Fugitive” is a dramatic tale of justice, mercy, and the courage to do what’s right—even in the heart of outlaw country.