
Original Air Date: September 28, 1958Host: Andrew RhynesShow: Frontier GentlemanPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• John Dehner (J.B. Kendall)Special Guests:• Joseph Kearns• Harry Bartell• Virginia Gregg• Jack Moyles• Jack KruschenWriter:• Antony El...
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Unknown Speaker
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
Welcome.
Unknown Speaker
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 Frontier Gentleman Original air date is September 28, 1958 and the title is Gold Digger. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.
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Unknown Speaker
Perdio Sutra bajo redujeron sus ores presente su sol instititut Oy mismo con el Departamento de Emplo de Oregon Es gratis facil y servicios de ponibles. Lliame al uno ocho. Siete, siete, tres. Cuatro, cinco, tres.
J.B. Kendall
In the Black Hills of Dakota Territory, I met a lovesick miner and got bitten by the gold bug.
John D.
Frontier gentlemen here with an Englishman's account of life and death in the West. As a reporter for the London Times, he writes his colorful and unusual stories. But as a man with a gun, he lives and becomes a part of the violent years in the new Territories. In just a moment, we will bring you this latest report from the frontier, gentlemen. Seven nights a week on CBS Radio, most of these stations present the World Tonight. On the World Tonight, ACBS newsmen broadcast direct from where the news is developing. Along with well detailed eyewitness reports on current events, the World Tonight brings you lively interviews with people in the news. When big things are happening in London, Moscow, Paris, Tokyo or Romeo, they're all within speaking distance on the World Tonight. Now starring John D. This is the story of J.B. kendall, Frontier Gentleman.
J.B. Kendall
The town of Deadwood is built between a canyon wall and a river. As with so many other products of a gold rush, it has attracted the best and the worst of humanity. The enticements being many and varied from opium dens to gambling halls and saloons. Morning and night, the long main street fairly roars. The sound carries many a mile into the Black Hills to be heard by some half starved, grizzled prospector down on his luck. I had gone into the same hills in order to write my impressions of gold mining in this area. It was the evening of my second day when I wandered into the camp of two men. Their diggings were in a hillside a few yards from their fire.
Frank Twist
Evening, mister.
J.B. Kendall
Good evening.
Frank Twist
Any luck?
J.B. Kendall
Ah, no.
Andrew Rines
Had you grub?
J.B. Kendall
Not yet.
Andrew Rines
Well, shake yourself. Ain't no fancy fictions. Got us some dough, meat and splatter dabs. That'll do you.
J.B. Kendall
Very kind of you, but I don't want.
Frank Twist
Heck, ain't no trouble. Rest your saddle, mister.
J.B. Kendall
Thank you.
Frank Twist
This here gut robber, he's Frank Twist. I'm Charlie Longball.
J.B. Kendall
J.B. kendall. May I contribute to the meal? Sure.
Andrew Rines
Oh, ain't Got any sweetening, have you?
J.B. Kendall
Yes. Jam, Sugar?
Andrew Rines
Jam. Oh, jam. That'll go just fine on them splattered habit.
Frank Twist
See we run out of sugar. Three weeks back into the belly wash this old woman makes. I've been putting raisins in it to get some taste out.
J.B. Kendall
Well, here.
Andrew Rines
Oh, now that's mighty friendly, mister. Sure you can spare it?
J.B. Kendall
Oh, yes.
Frank Twist
Say, where you been prospecting, J.B. i'll.
J.B. Kendall
Tell you the truth, I haven't. I'm a writer. Just moving around, looking for something to write about.
Frank Twist
That's so. You hear that, Frank?
Andrew Rines
Yeah. Ain't that something?
Frank Twist
You ain't looking for gold at all?
J.B. Kendall
If I found some, I wouldn't mind in the least. No, I'm not particularly searching for it.
Frank Twist
I admire that. I surely do.
J.B. Kendall
What about you fellows?
Andrew Rines
Ain't running more than $10 a ton right now. We figured give it a couple more days and then move on.
Frank Twist
Course, 10 ain't bad, but there's fellas clean up better than 50 a ton hereabouts. Don't don't pay to waste time on hungry Oregon.
J.B. Kendall
You both miners?
Frank Twist
Well, Frank is real old gristle heel. Ain't that right, Frank?
Andrew Rines
I allows it so.
Frank Twist
Me, I was a cow puncher driving cows up to Cheyenne from Fort Worth. Heard about the gold, come on over. Well, I see that was a couple years back. Met up with Frank, we got to be partners. Ain't that so, Frank?
Andrew Rines
Yeah. And mister, you ain't never seen such a greener in all your born days. First time he went to panning, I liked him die. The young fool finds himself a piece of pyrite as big as your fist and thinks it's real gold. Gold? Oh, well, he darn near drowned himself. You know I pumped a gallon of water out of him.
Frank Twist
That's a fact.
Andrew Rines
Oh, he learned better than after that, I tell you.
Frank Twist
Oh, I did, sure as your foot.
Andrew Rines
Hey, how long since you was down to Deadwood, mister?
J.B. Kendall
Two days ago.
Andrew Rines
Two days. Hey, you ever go to the green front down there?
J.B. Kendall
The green front? I don't think so, no.
Frank Twist
Frankie's got a girl at the green front. Him and a hundred other of the boys.
Andrew Rines
You hobble that lip of yourn. Charlie. When I say I got a girl, that's what I say. Mary's the sweetest little long haired partner a man could ever hope to have and don't you forget it. Now you're getting my backup, Charlie Longball.
Frank Twist
Meaningful, Frank.
Andrew Rines
Nothing funny about me and Mary. I ain't to get hitched up with her one of these days. Soon as I make a strike.
Frank Twist
All right, Frank. Ain't nobody saying otherwise.
Andrew Rines
Yeah, well, he better be. I'm gonna take some water in the creek. You watch that meat, Charlie, so she won't burn.
Frank Twist
Sure, Frank.
Andrew Rines
Sure.
Frank Twist
Yeah, I. I should ought to know better by now.
J.B. Kendall
I gather that Mary is rather a touchy subject.
Frank Twist
JB if you never seen a man with a love colic, you have now. That Frank, I swear, when he gets into Deadwood, he's courting that gal like she was the finest lady in the whole territory. Buying her candies, all kind of fripperies. I swear it ain't. I got nothing against a gal. She ain't no worse than most. But I sure do hate to see a man old enough to be her father, which, if you ask me, she never even knew. I sure do hate to see it.
J.B. Kendall
Hate to see him.
Frank Twist
Yeah. Him making cow eyes and playing the fool over that painted cat. She don't give no more spit for him. It hires me good, I tell you.
J.B. Kendall
Well, it's hard to tell a man in love that he is making a fool of himself.
Frank Twist
That's a mouthful of truth, JB you know all she wants out of old Charlie. You know, it's his money. If he ever gets any, she'll turn him. Hindsight, too, foreshadows through. With him, he won't have a tail feather left.
J.B. Kendall
How old is he, Frank?
Frank Twist
60, maybe. He never said. That's the trouble. Old wrinklehorn thinks he's still a yearling.
J.B. Kendall
Doesn't he know that she doesn't care about him?
Frank Twist
Sure. He don't see nothing. She gives him one of them big eyed skid grease smiles, he's a goner.
J.B. Kendall
Well, I'm afraid there's not much you can do about it. You take my advice, Charlie, you'll just. What?
Frank Twist
What?
Andrew Rines
What's the matter, Ty? Here, you boy, take a look. Take a look. Take a look at this oil up them eyeballs of your name. Look.
Frank Twist
Holy suffering, mister.
Andrew Rines
You ever see anything like that?
Frank Twist
Where'd you find it, Frank?
J.B. Kendall
Where?
Andrew Rines
Oh, it's pure. It's like I never seen in my old days. Pure gold, Charlie boy. It's pure gold, like. Yeah. Frank. Yo, Hooters. Slow down for you.
Frank Twist
Bust a gut. Where'd you find it?
Andrew Rines
I'll show you. Down the side of the creek. I'll show you.
J.B. Kendall
Come on.
Andrew Rines
It's worth millions, Charlie boy. Million.
John D.
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J.B. Kendall
In the gathering twilight, we stumbled, raced down the slope toward the creek. Then a few yards from the bottom of the hill, Frank Twist stopped, put a shaking hand on an outcropping of rock, and we saw a newly hacked scar.
Andrew Rines
You ain't gonna believe neither one. You ain't gonna.
Frank Twist
Frank.
Andrew Rines
Frank, we've struck it. Looky there, Mr. J.B. kendall. You brung us luck. Big luck. Do you know what happened? You know. Oh, I was mad at you. Real mad, Charlie boy. I was passing by this here ledge and I give the bucket a good swing to help get rid of my froth. Bucket got caught on a crack and pulled loose. A piece of rock come out. But there weren't no rock, Charlie. It was gold. That piece of gold.
J.B. Kendall
It's fabulous. I'd never have believed it if I hadn't seen.
Andrew Rines
Boys, boys, we got to celebrate, that's what. Let's get on back.
Frank Twist
Wait, wait, wait a minute, Frank. I want to hack me off another piece.
Andrew Rines
Go ahead, you two. Kendall, go on now.
J.B. Kendall
Now, wait one moment. There's one thing. Is this yours? I mean, is it part of your claim?
Frank Twist
Well, sure it is, ain't it, Frank?
Andrew Rines
Well, I reckon it is.
Frank Twist
You reckon? We paste it off, Frank, up the Diggins. Don't it come down this far?
Andrew Rines
I don't rightly remember, Charlie, but Let's see now. 200 yards south, 300 north. That's on Packsadder Jackson, 44 east, 44 west.
Frank Twist
Frank, we paying downstream? We never made no claim here.
Andrew Rines
Well, we got to do it right now. Right away, Charlie, quick.
Frank Twist
Yes, sure, Frank.
Andrew Rines
Kendall, you give us a hand. We'll cut you in for a share.
J.B. Kendall
Oh, I'd be very happy to.
Andrew Rines
As soon as we get it staked out, me and Kendall go back to dead register. Now, you stay here to keep an eye out, Charlie.
Frank Twist
Like you say, Frank.
Andrew Rines
But.
Frank Twist
But suppose somebody else has already staked it.
J.B. Kendall
We searched for some mark of ownership, a cairn of rocks, an old tin can. But in the darkness we could find nothing. The three of us staked out the area and then started for Deadwood, leaving Charlie seated at the campfire, a look of grim determination on his face, a shotgun across his knee. It was well past midnight when we arrived in Deadwood to register the claim. But the office was closed and wouldn't open until 6 in the morning.
Andrew Rines
Well, I sure do hate to let that claim sit like that with only the young feller up there.
J.B. Kendall
There's no use worrying about it, Frank. You can't do anything until morning anyway.
Andrew Rines
You're right, J.B. you're darn right. Tell you what, let you be celebrating. Drinks are on me. Bella Union's just down the way.
J.B. Kendall
All right.
Andrew Rines
Oh, it's going to be a long night. But worth it, because in the morning we're going to be millionaires.
J.B. Kendall
The Bella Union was probably the most disreputable, lowest den of iniquity in all of Deadwood. Its whiskey was foul and the beer served I have heard best described by cowpunchers when speaking of shallow pools of water in which cattle had been standing. Green, stagnant. The whiskey being the lesser of the evils. I nursed mine along, which is more than I can say for Frank Twist.
Andrew Rines
You need another shot of that fine red disturbance, partner? I got it settled just in my belly.
J.B. Kendall
He had consumed three quarters of a bottle and seemed none the worse for it. At about 3 o'clock, my companion turned a somewhat reddened eye on me. Kitoff put his arm on my shoulder.
Andrew Rines
And said, you mean miserable looking sons. You're drunk.
J.B. Kendall
I am sorry.
Andrew Rines
What you need. What you need is a drink.
J.B. Kendall
I have one, thank you.
Andrew Rines
What I need is a drink in your hand, Frank. Mary.
J.B. Kendall
What?
Andrew Rines
Mary. Let's go see sweet Mary down to Green Front.
J.B. Kendall
Well, now, don't you think perhaps you better wait until the office opens? Remember.
Andrew Rines
Oh, you got to meet Mary. She. Me, me and she, we're going to do some rotten logging. Sweetest little gal in Deadwood. Marry her in the morning.
J.B. Kendall
Come on. We made our way down the street to the Green Front. The saloon was a good deal quieter than the Bella Union, but for an entirely different reason. Several ladies of assorted ages in varying degrees of decay were present. And with them seated, drinking at tables, their consorts. Frank Twist dragged me across the room.
Andrew Rines
There she is. Mary Mary. Come on, Mary. You're a sick kiss.
Unknown Speaker
You wicked mad.
Andrew Rines
Mister. Mister, you take your slimy hands off of next week.
J.B. Kendall
Come on, Frank. You don't want to.
Frank Twist
Hey, there.
Unknown Speaker
It's old man twins.
Andrew Rines
Yeah. Are you talking to me, you raunchy old son of a gun? You heard Mary. Hold my drink here, honey, and I'll.
J.B. Kendall
Now, now, forgive the intrusion, but my friend is rather drunk. He doesn't mean.
Andrew Rines
What do you mean? I don't mean.
J.B. Kendall
Frank, Frank, Frank.
Unknown Speaker
Mister, you got a mighty powerful whoop in that fist. Got a feeling you busted Porky Culligan's nose. He sure got a pretty color blood, ain't he? Frank gave his head a hit on the table when Porky hit him. He ain't gonna wake up for a while. You sit down and have a drink with me, stranger.
Andrew Rines
No, no, no. We don't want no trouble in here, mister.
Unknown Speaker
Oh, there ain't no trouble. Horace. You gonna take care of the Cusp. Bring the gentleman here a fresh glass. Wants to buy me a drink, don't you, honey?
J.B. Kendall
Hell, I hadn't thought of it.
Andrew Rines
Hey, who brought this?
J.B. Kendall
Now, if you don't mind, that belongs to my friend, Mr. Twiss.
Andrew Rines
Is that what I think it is?
J.B. Kendall
Gold.
Unknown Speaker
Where?
J.B. Kendall
In the hills?
Frank Twist
Sure, in the hills.
Andrew Rines
But where?
Unknown Speaker
Let me see.
Andrew Rines
Richest I seen since Darby Methwing.
Unknown Speaker
Strike, mister. You and him? You and him.
Andrew Rines
Partners?
J.B. Kendall
Yes.
Unknown Speaker
Oh, Horace, get the gentleman some champagne. You don't want to drink none of that snake poison of yours.
Andrew Rines
Sure. You're back.
Unknown Speaker
Sit down, Mr. Honey. Sit down. Let that dear old man lay me. We'll take care of him when he wakes up. Now, I want you to tell me all about yourself. Where'd you say you found the gold?
John D.
This fall we're conducting one of the biggest talent searches in our history. We're trying to find the most gifted men available to run the country for us. We're looking for candidates who can guide us through the perilous days ahead with wisdom and candor. How do we find these talented men who will be our next congressmen, judges, governors and mayors? Find out just what they believe in after the eliminations in the primaries. We hold the finals of this great talent search in November. We are the judges and our decision is final. But to vote, you must register first. Then, in the November elections, vote and pick a winner.
J.B. Kendall
Ms. Mary, I never did learn her surname draped herself around me like an anaconda. Every now and again, she patted my pocket to assure herself I have no doubt that the gold nugget Was still there. There was nothing subtle about her. She came to the point with a minimum of preliminaries. And was, I think, quite surprised when I declined.
Unknown Speaker
You married or something?
J.B. Kendall
No.
Unknown Speaker
Well, don't you want a wife? Don't you want a flock of kids?
J.B. Kendall
At the moment, the furthest thing from my mind.
Unknown Speaker
You like me.
J.B. Kendall
I find it devastating.
Unknown Speaker
You don't like me.
J.B. Kendall
You shatter me.
Unknown Speaker
Mr. Twist likes me. He loves me. He told me. Yes, I know he'd marry me.
J.B. Kendall
I suppose he would.
Unknown Speaker
I always thought he was a funny old nose painter. Imagine him wanting to marry me.
J.B. Kendall
It is hard to imagine.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, ain't it? May and December. Of course, the old goat's got a lot of life left in him. But I think you're much nicer.
J.B. Kendall
It's kind of you.
Unknown Speaker
You don't like me. Have some more champagne.
J.B. Kendall
Thank you.
Unknown Speaker
How much you figure that strike of yours is worth?
J.B. Kendall
According to Frank, millions.
Unknown Speaker
Would you like for me to sit in your lap?
J.B. Kendall
No, thank you.
Unknown Speaker
What's the matter? Don't you like women?
J.B. Kendall
On the contrary. I'm very fond of them.
Unknown Speaker
Notice me, then. I ain't your kind.
J.B. Kendall
Mary, why do you want to marry me?
Unknown Speaker
You got a gold mine, ain't you?
J.B. Kendall
Yes.
Andrew Rines
Well, simple as that.
Unknown Speaker
You got a better reason? I take care of you woman things, you know, like your socks. Yeah, I guess. Maybe cause I've been working in a place like this. I ain't the wife you'd be wanting. That it?
J.B. Kendall
If I were in love with you? Mary, it wouldn't matter where you worked.
Unknown Speaker
I'd like to find a man like you. Settle down. Wouldn't even have to have a million dollars. Just enough, you know.
J.B. Kendall
No, I think so. Oh, your erstwhile friend is coming, too. The gentleman with the wounded nose.
Unknown Speaker
Porky, you better get out of here for. What's your name, sweetheart?
J.B. Kendall
Kendall.
Unknown Speaker
Before my fiance, Mr. Kendall, lets some more air out of you.
Andrew Rines
How come you didn't tell me you had a fiance?
Unknown Speaker
Don't have to tell a hill rat like you nothing.
Andrew Rines
He ain't gonna talk like that if my claim turns out rich. Rich?
Unknown Speaker
Culligan, you couldn't find enough pay dirt in your whole life to beat what Mr. Kendall's got right there in his pocket.
Andrew Rines
Oh, say you. You hit it hard?
J.B. Kendall
I think so.
Andrew Rines
Well, I ain't a man to hold no grudge, pard. Just you put her there.
J.B. Kendall
As I reached out my hand, Porky Culligan hit me. A beauty. And that was that. But a half an hour later, I woke up my Head pillowed in Mary's lap, an anxious, frank twiss leaning over me. And behind him, the rodent like features of Stoat, the Green Front proprietor.
Andrew Rines
Kendra. You all right, Kendall?
J.B. Kendall
Oh.
Unknown Speaker
Oh, sweetheart. I thought you was dead.
J.B. Kendall
So did I.
Andrew Rines
What call you got calling him, sweetheart?
Unknown Speaker
I can call him anything I want.
Andrew Rines
Calligan got your gold, mister. Took off out of here like he had a burr under his saddle.
J.B. Kendall
Where the gold?
Andrew Rines
Yeah.
Indeed Advertiser
Stole a nugget right out of your pocket.
Andrew Rines
I tried to stop no matter none, Kendall. There's plenty more where that come from.
Unknown Speaker
Oh, well, maybe you better lie down for a while, honey, till you feel all right. You want to come to my room?
Andrew Rines
No, he don't want to come to your room. I'll take care of him. Come on, J.B. we better be getting along. We got business. What about the champagne? You ain't paid for that yet.
J.B. Kendall
Oh, oh, oh, yes.
Andrew Rines
Yeah. $100. What are you, a road agent? That's the price. Pay up.
J.B. Kendall
Yeah.
Unknown Speaker
Ain't I gonna see you again, Kendall?
J.B. Kendall
It's doubtful, Mary.
Unknown Speaker
How about you, Frank? You coming back when you're done with your business?
Andrew Rines
Well, I ain't so sure no more, Mary. Maybe you ain't exactly the kind of woman I'd want to be raising my kids.
Unknown Speaker
How come I thought you were sweet on me?
Andrew Rines
I was. But you're a fickle female woman. And I aim to do some better with my millions. Come on, let's go, Kendall.
J.B. Kendall
We left the forlorn miss of the Green Front and walked down the street to the land office. Frank Twist was remarkably sober. We had an hour to wait until 6, and then the office opened. The agent took our claim and began to go through his files.
Andrew Rines
You know, I'm mighty glad, mighty glad I found out about that woman. For it was too late, J.B. oh, yes, sir. I got you to thank for that. Why, sure. Only thing she was interested in was my money.
J.B. Kendall
Yes, I rather gathered that impression myself.
Andrew Rines
Yowlin and a screeching. Figured for a while you was dead right there with you. Ain't yet cold. She's asking me to marry her. And then you wake up and she starts calling you sweetheart.
J.B. Kendall
Well, we're both to be congratulated, Frank. I'm still alive, you're still single.
Andrew Rines
Gee, sure is taking that feller some time to check that claim. All right, boy? Oh, everything fine, huh? Sure.
Frank Twist
But not for you, it ain't.
Andrew Rines
Not for us.
Frank Twist
Unless you made a real big mistake when you staked it out. That claim's already spoke for.
Andrew Rines
It ain't. It can't be.
Frank Twist
I'm sorry. It sure enough is.
Andrew Rines
Yeah.
Frank Twist
Let's see the name of Culligan. Corky Culligan. He's league loner. What's the matter? You boys find some gold up there?
J.B. Kendall
I went back with Frank Twist to his camp, then with Charlie Longbaugh. We walked down to the creek and looked at the outcropping of gold. Two days later, Culligan found it, and the day after that he married Mary of the Green Front.
John D.
Frontier Gentlemen was written, produced and directed by Anthony Ellis and stars John Dana as JB Kendall. Featured in the cast were Joseph Kearns, Harry Bartel, Virginia Greg, Jack Moyles and Jack Cruchen. Join us again next week for another report from the Frontier Gentleman. Bud Sewell Speaking.
J.B. Kendall
Foreign.
Unknown Speaker
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 is 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 listening.
Podcast Summary: "The Golddigger – Frontier Gentleman (09-28-58)"
Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: March 28, 2025
In the "Old Time Radio Westerns" episode titled "The Golddigger – Frontier Gentleman," host Andrew Rhynes presents a captivating rendition of the classic Western radio drama initially aired on September 28, 1958. This episode, meticulously restored with enhanced audio quality, immerses listeners in the tumultuous and adventurous life of J.B. Kendall, a Frontier Gentleman whose pursuit of a compelling story intertwines with the unpredictable allure of the Wild West.
[05:18]
J.B. Kendall begins his narrative by painting a vivid picture of Deadwood, a bustling town nestled between canyon walls and a river in the Black Hills of Dakota Territory. The town is a magnet for both the virtuous and the nefarious, offering everything from opium dens to saloons bustling with activity. Kendall recounts his initial purpose in the region—to document the experiences of gold mining for the London Times.
J.B. Kendall: "The town of Deadwood is built between a canyon wall and a river. As with so many other products of a gold rush, it has attracted the best and the worst of humanity."
[05:59]
Kendall encounters two miners, Frank Twist and Charlie Longball, whose dialogue introduces the daily struggles and camaraderie found among prospectors. Their conversation reveals their limited success in gold mining, highlighting the harsh realities of their occupation.
Frank Twist: "Evening, mister."
J.B. Kendall: "Good evening."
[08:33]
The miners discuss Mary, a woman at the Green Front saloon, characterizing her as a central figure whom Frank is infatuated with. This introduces a subplot involving romantic entanglements and the ulterior motives that come with them.
Frank Twist: "Frankie's got a girl at the green front. Him and a hundred other of the boys."
[12:33]
The tension escalates when Frank Twist discovers a significant amount of pure gold while swinging his bucket near a creek. This discovery sets the stage for potential fortune but also incites jealousy and conflict among the characters.
Andrew Rines (Frank Twist): "You brung us luck. Big luck. Do you know what happened?"
Frank Twist: "Was gold. That piece of gold."
[14:02]
Kendall, Twist, and Longball attempt to register their gold claim at the local land office. However, complications arise when the office is closed, forcing them to delay. This moment underscores the precarious nature of gold prospecting and the importance of timely action.
Andrew Rines (Frank Twist): "We got to do it right now. Right away, Charlie, quick."
[15:14]
The trio decides to celebrate their find at the disreputable Bella Union saloon. The environment reflects the rough and unrefined aspects of Deadwood, providing a stark contrast to the potential wealth they’ve uncovered.
J.B. Kendall: "The Bella Union was probably the most disreputable, lowest den of iniquity in all of Deadwood."
[16:19]
While celebrating, the men meet Mary at the Green Front, leading to a confrontation when Frank Twist’s advances result in Porky Culligan attacking Kendall. The altercation serves as a turning point, introducing deceit and betrayal into the narrative.
Andrew Rines (Frank Twist): "What's the matter? Don't you like women?"
Mary: "You got a gold mine, ain't you?"
[23:07]
The climax unfolds as Culligan, under the influence, violently confronts Kendall, stealing the gold nugget. This betrayal not only jeopardizes Kendall's story but also underscores the precarious alliances in the Wild West.
J.B. Kendall: "Where the gold?"
Andrew Rines (Frank Twist): "Yeah. It ain't a man to hold no grudge, pard. Just you put her there."
[26:36]
In the aftermath, Kendall and Twist return to the land office only to discover that Culligan has already staked a claim and married Mary, consolidating his ill-gotten gain. The episode concludes with Kendall reflecting on the events, emphasizing survival and the relentless pursuit of ambition in the frontier.
J.B. Kendall: "We walked down to the creek and looked at the outcropping of gold. Two days later, Culligan found it, and the day after that he married Mary of the Green Front."
"The Golddigger – Frontier Gentleman" masterfully captures the essence of Western radio dramas through its rich storytelling, dynamic character interactions, and the timeless themes of greed, betrayal, and the quest for fortune. Notable performances by John Dana as J.B. Kendall and the supporting cast bring depth and authenticity to the narrative, making this episode a quintessential experience for enthusiasts of the genre.
J.B. Kendall [05:18]:
"The town of Deadwood is built between a canyon wall and a river. As with so many other products of a gold rush, it has attracted the best and the worst of humanity."
Frank Twist [07:35]:
"You got to meet Mary. She. Me, me and she, we're going to do some rotten logging. Sweetest little gal in Deadwood. Marry her in the morning."
Mary [21:05]:
"You got a gold mine, ain't you?"
J.B. Kendall [25:42]:
"We walked down to the creek and looked at the outcropping of gold. Two days later, Culligan found it, and the day after that he married Mary of the Green Front."
This episode serves as a nostalgic journey into the golden age of Western radio dramas, showcasing themes that remain relevant—ambition, trust, and the human condition under pressure. The digital restoration not only preserves but enhances the original experience, allowing new audiences to appreciate the intricacies of classic storytelling and performance.
For listeners who have yet to experience "The Golddigger – Frontier Gentleman," this episode offers a compelling blend of suspense, character development, and the rugged allure of the Wild West, all brought to life through pristine audio quality and expert narration by Andrew Rhynes.
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