Old Time Radio Westerns: "The Haunted Bunkhouse"

The Lone Ranger (01-15-41) | Released November 16, 2025
Host: Andrew Rhynes

Episode Overview

This episode features the classic Lone Ranger radio drama, "The Haunted Bunkhouse," digitally restored for the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast. Host Andrew Rhynes brings listeners into a suspenseful tale of mystery and justice on the untamed frontier, where ghostly rumors and real danger haunt a once-thriving ranch. The Lone Ranger and his faithful companion Tonto arrive to investigate the source of the strange happenings, uncovering greed, betrayal, and a cunning crime hidden beneath the ranch’s dilapidated exterior.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Arrival at the Abandoned Collins Ranch

[06:01–09:08]

• Lone Ranger and Tonto notice signs of neglect at the Collins sisters’ ranch (broken fences, overgrown trails, and broken windows), yet chimney smoke signals someone is still home.
• Sidney Fairchild, a chatty traveling salesman (pots, pans, hardware, and more), arrives and introduces himself, explaining he knows the Collins sisters well and has lodged there before.
• Agatha Collins welcomes the visitors, but the mood is tense as she alludes to "the haunt" that has driven ranch hands away and left her and her sister, Bess, in distress.

"It's only a couple of years since this was one of the best ranches in the state, Tonto. I can't imagine what's happened to it."
— The Lone Ranger [06:30]

2. Tales of Curses, Hauntings, and Old Crimes

[09:08–13:07]

• The sisters describe mysterious happenings at the ranch, especially at the bunkhouse—noises, deaths, and an overwhelming sense of dread.
• The origin: their former foreman, Lyman Durek, was caught stealing family jewelry but escaped, allegedly cursing the ranch as he fled.
• Sidney Fairchild recounts that he was the one who apprehended Durek, leading to the old man's curse and subsequent decline of the property.

"He swore he'd been framed and he didn't have any part in stealing them jewels. The man was crazy. I caught him with the goods and..."
— Sidney Fairchild [12:46]

3. The Death in the Bunkhouse

[13:08–17:00]

• The sisters' fears are realized when a ranch guest, John Barton, is found dead in the bunkhouse after spending the night investigating the noises.
• Fairchild, shaken and panicked, becomes convinced that supernatural forces are to blame and prepares to flee.

"It's the ghost that done it. John Barton is dead."
— Sidney Fairchild [17:02]

4. The Lone Ranger Investigates

[19:20–23:17]

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto investigate the bunkhouse, discovering physical evidence—a blow to the head and signs outside the window—indicating a real, tangible killer rather than a ghost.
• The Lone Ranger sends the frightened sisters into town with Tonto and requests the sheriff join them for the evening.

"This ranch has been run down because of something very definite and real. Something that can and will be corrected. I hope it'll be corrected tonight."
— The Lone Ranger [22:43]

5. The Trap Is Set

[23:30–25:59]

• With the sheriff, Fairchild, and Tonto, the Lone Ranger prepares the bunkhouse for a stakeout, altering doors and windows to observe any nighttime visitors.
• Tensions run high as night falls and everyone anxiously awaits the return of the "ghost."

6. Truth Revealed: The “Ghost” and the Hidden Crime

[26:02–30:18]

• They soon discover the haunting is caused by a loyal gray horse, Durek's old steed, which tries desperately to re-enter the bunkhouse.
• The Lone Ranger connects the dots: Durek was not the real thief, but was murdered and hidden beneath the bunkhouse floor by Sidney Fairchild—who had framed Durek to cover his crime and return for the loot when suspicion died down.
• Fairchild, panicked, pulls a gun only to discover the Lone Ranger had slyly returned it to him unloaded, forcing him to confess.

"When Derek left here, he left this horse his own faithful animal."
— The Lone Ranger [27:50]

"Derek didn’t escape at all. When you and he were in this bunkhouse after you’d captured him, you killed him. You hid his body with the jewelry."
— The Lone Ranger [29:18]

• Fairchild’s confession and the recovery of the jewels bring the story to a conclusion, with the sheriff arresting Fairchild for murder.

7. Resolution

[30:18–31:28]

• The Lone Ranger promises to inform Agatha and Bess that their ordeal is over and the ranch can recover.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the ranch’s decline due to fear:
  "Poorly, Mr. Fairchild. Trouble?" — Agatha Collins [08:16]

• On the nature of haunting:
  "You can hear almost every night around the bunkhouse." — Agatha Collins [10:06]

• On supernatural explanations:
  "There ain’t never yet been a ghost that couldn’t be stopped by a bullet." — Sidney Fairchild [09:36]

• On suspicion and accusation:
  "Maybe you’re Lyman Durek." — Sidney Fairchild to the Lone Ranger [11:07]

• The Lone Ranger’s logical approach:
  "There might be something strange going around here, but it certainly isn’t anything supernatural. We’ll wait till daylight and then have a look. Probably find some perfectly logical explanation for the sounds."
  — The Lone Ranger [14:02]

• Confrontation and confession:
  "You forget one thing...That gun is unloaded."
  — The Lone Ranger to Fairchild [30:08]

• Sheriff’s arrest:
  "You're under arrest, Fairchild. The charge is murder."
  — Sheriff [30:18]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [06:01] – Arrival at the Collins ranch; meeting Fairchild and Agatha.
• [09:08] – Discussion of hauntings and the curse.
• [13:08] – Mysterious death of John Barton discovered.
• [19:20] – Lone Ranger and Tonto’s investigation; Tonto sent to bring sheriff.
• [23:30] – Tonto and sheriff return; preparations for the nighttime stakeout.
• [25:11] – Modifying the bunkhouse in anticipation of the “ghost.”
• [26:30] – The ghostly horse appears; Lone Ranger captures the animal.
• [27:39] – Lone Ranger reconstructs the crime.
• [28:45] – Discovery of body and jewels under the floor.
• [29:18] – Fairchild confesses; sheriff arrests Fairchild.

Tone and Style of the Episode

True to the golden age of radio drama, the episode is atmospheric, blending suspenseful music, evocative sound effects, and linguistic flourishes characteristic of 1940s Western storytelling ("my sakes," "poorly," "don't be alarmed by my mask"). The Lone Ranger is steadfast, rational, and sympathetic, in contrast to Fairchild’s duplicity and Agatha’s jittery fear. The narrative unfolds like a classic mystery, balancing ghostly atmosphere with logical deduction and ultimate justice.

Summary

This classic Lone Ranger episode delivers a tightly woven Western mystery with ghostly overtones, ultimately grounded in human greed and the search for truth. Through immersive dialogue, period characterizations, and a twist ending, “The Haunted Bunkhouse” stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of old-time radio and the Lone Ranger’s unwavering commitment to justice.