The Lynching | Gunsmoke (08-16-52)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "The Lynching" | Gunsmoke (08-16-52)

Old Time Radio Westerns — Hosted by Andrew Rhynes
Release Date: March 19, 2026
Original Airdate: August 16, 1952

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns presents a digitally restored version of “The Lynching,” a powerful installment of the iconic Gunsmoke radio series. The story centers on U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon’s pursuit of justice following a lynching in Dodge City, delving into mob mentality, the dangers of vigilante justice, and the tension between personal vengeance and the rule of law. As Dillon investigates, he faces a wall of silence, intimidation, and moral compromise, ultimately determined to ensure accountability even when the community would rather forget.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Opening Tension: The Lynching (02:43–06:16)

• The episode opens with a mob preparing to lynch a young man, Billy Saxton, accused of killing Job Powell.
• Cam Powell, Job’s brother, is leading the mob, driven by personal vengeance.
• Rice Stewart objects to the way the lynching is being carried out, protesting the lack of due process.
• Billy’s identity and guilt are unclear, but the mob is determined to execute him without trial.
• Notable Exchange:
  • Cam: “Let me get this noose around your dirty neck and you’ll be swinging in no time.”
  • Rice: “How can you hang a man you don’t even know his name?” (04:23)

2. Aftermath and Community Reaction (06:16–08:17)

• The townspeople somberly bury Job Powell.
• Marshal Dillon arrives, learning about both the murder and the lynching.
• Dillon distinguishes between lawful hanging and murder, emphasizing the importance of due process.
  • Dillon: “Only the law can hang a man without it being murder, Cam.” (07:34)
• Cam tries to justify the lynching: “He got what was coming to him.”

3. Marshal Dillon’s Investigation (08:45–13:59)

• Dillon and Chester discuss the challenges of investigating the lynching—social pressure, shame, and fear of crossing Cam.
• Chester relates his own childhood memories of a lynching, highlighting lingering guilt and community silence.
• Dillon visits Kitty at the saloon; Kitty expresses disgust at the men and sorrow for Billy, doubting his guilt.
  • Kitty: “I hate men. I think they’re awful savage beasts.” (11:29)
• Kitty reveals Cam warned her not to speak about Billy and points out Rice Stewart’s guilty behavior after the lynching.

4. The Stewart Ranch Confession (15:42–20:05)

• Dillon confronts Rice at his ranch, finding him wracked by guilt and fear, having turned to drinking.
• After initial resistance, Rice admits to witnessing the lynching and promises to testify.
  • Rice: “I should have stopped it then. I don’t know what was wrong with me, but I’ll face up to it now.” (18:32)
• Critical detail emerges: the accusation that Billy killed Job was based solely on the cook’s (Hank) word—no one checked if Billy’s gun was fired.

5. Subterfuge and Setting the Trap (20:35–22:10)

• Dillon enlists Chester in a ruse to startle Hank—the cook—into making a mistake.
• Dillon deduces Hank is an impostor: too skilled with a gun for a simple cook and quick to leave town.

6. The Truth Comes Out: Barroom Confrontation (26:16–29:48)

• Dillon orchestrates a bar confrontation between Cam and Hank, creating tension and sowing distrust.
• The pressure causes Hank and Cam to turn on each other.
  • Hank (to Cam): “You didn’t have the guts to shoot your brother yourself. Who you gonna hire, shut me up?” (28:19)
• A standoff ends with Hank’s arrest and Cam exposed for his role in the lynching.

7. Resolution and Reflection (29:17–30:24)

• Cam is placed under arrest, and Rice’s testimony ensures there is finally an eyewitness willing to speak up.
• Dillon reflects grimly: “Nobody wins this time, Cam… Maybe the next time anybody gets an idea about lynching a man around here, they’ll think twice.” (29:51)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Vigilante Justice:
  • Dillon: "Only the law can hang a man without it being murder, Cam." (07:34)
• Kitty’s Despair:
  • “I hate men. I think they’re awful savage beasts.” (11:29)
• Chester’s Childhood Trauma:
  • “I saw lynching once, and not a man there could look in the eye for a long time afterwards.” (09:11)
• Guilt and Responsibility:
  • Rice: “I should have stopped it then. I don’t know what was wrong with me, but I’ll face up to it now.” (18:32)
• Dillon’s Resolution:
  • “Nobody’s gonna get by with lynching around Dodge if I have anything to do with it.” (10:11)
• On Mob Mentality:
  • Dillon: "We just can't forget our lynching, Rice. That'd make it too easy for the next one to happen." (18:21)
• Bar Confrontation:
  • Hank (to Cam): "You didn't have the guts to shoot your brother yourself. Who you gonna hire, shut me up?" (28:24)
• Closing Reflection:
  • Dillon: “Nobody wins this time, Cam. Maybe the next time anybody gets an idea about lynching a man around here, they'll think twice.” (29:51)

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Important Timestamps

• [02:43] — Mob prepares to lynch Billy Saxton
• [06:16] — Burial of Job Powell & Marshal Dillon’s arrival
• [08:45] — Dillon and Chester discuss the town’s complicity
• [11:29] — Kitty expresses disgust at the lynchers
• [15:42] — Dillon visits Rice Stewart’s ranch
• [18:32] — Rice confesses and pledges to testify
• [20:35] — Dillon and Chester set up the ruse for Hank
• [26:16] — Bar confrontation: Hank and Cam turn on each other
• [29:51] — Dillon’s final reflection on the tragedy

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Tone and Language

• The dialogue highlights western bluntness, moral conflict, and the grim consequences of frontier justice.
• Much of the tension is sustained through terse exchanges, guilt-laden confessions, and evocative moments of silence or regret.

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Summary Takeaway

“The Lynching” epitomizes Gunsmoke’s sober, nuanced approach to Western storytelling. Its deeper point: the danger of mobs, the heavy weight of guilt, and the necessity of the rule of law even—especially—when it’s most inconvenient for those wielding power. Marshal Dillon’s unwavering commitment to justice and due process stands in stark contrast to the easy slide into violence. The episode serves as a stark warning against taking justice into one’s own hands, showing that in such matters, “nobody wins.”

Transcript

[Narrator/Advertiser]

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[Andrew Rines (Host)]

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 Gunsmoke Original air date is August 16, 1952 and the title is the Lynching. Hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.

[Matt Dillon]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. marshal. And the smell of gun smoke. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marsh.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

This dog salon operational excellence thanks to genius from Global Payments Scheduling personalized checkouts. Instant absolutely genius Big league reliability for any business. That's genius.

[Matt Dillon]

There. Rope's ready. One of you men leave that horse over here. All right, let me get this noose around your dirty neck and you'll be swinging in no time.

[Marshal]

There.

[Matt Dillon]

Not too tight, is it? I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable.

[Marshal]

That's enough of that, camp. But

[Matt Dillon]

who said that? I did.

[Marshal]

I said it.

[Matt Dillon]

Rice Stewart. It's the matter? You turning yellow? And get this over with, Cam? Why devil him? That's what he is.

[Marshal]

That's why.

[Matt Dillon]

Shut up. I'll take care of you in a minute. Christ. You got anything against my hanging this murderer? Just don't double him, that's all. Get it over with. I'll do it my way. It's my brother he shot, isn't it? And in the back, too. Rice, maybe you'd like me to turn this bushwhacker loose, is that it? Or ask him his name. Nobody's even asked him his name.

[Marshal]

You'll hate this, knife.

[Matt Dillon]

All of you. I was in on a lynching once and I swore I'd never be in on another. Well, I guess the joke's on you, isn't it, feller? Look, I hear you laugh again, Cam. So help me, I'll shoot you. Maybe you shouldn't be here, Rice.

[Marshal]

How can you hang A man? You don't even know his name.

[Matt Dillon]

What do I care what his name is so long as he pays for murdering Job? What's your name, fella? What do you care? You don't want to stop him. You just want it off your conscience, that's all. Tell me your name. It's Billy Saxton. That's my name. Billy Saxton. How's it sound, Billy? Why'd you kill Job Powell? That's enough talk. What difference it make? He killed him, and that's all I need to know. Yeah, what do you care? Gonna hang me anyway? I sure am. Right now, Billy, I. I got a rifle. I'll end it for you when we ride off. You won't have to strangle for long.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Thanks, mister. Thanks.

[Matt Dillon]

Get back, Rice. I'm gonna slap that horse out from under him. You ready? Not for you. Let's go, men. It.

[Chester]

Lord, who hath doomed all men to

[Marshal]

die, but has concealed the hour of

[Chester]

their death, grant that we may pass our days in the practice of holiness and justice, and that we may be able to quit this world in the peace of a good conscience.

[Matt Dillon]

Amen. Amen.

[Chester]

May Job Powell rest in peace. Amen.

[Matt Dillon]

Amen. Go ahead, boys. Thank you.

[Marshal]

Good morning, camp. I'm sorry to be here about Job.

[Matt Dillon]

You're late for the burial, Marshal.

[Marshal]

Well, I was out at Fort Dodge last night. Just heard about it this morning, preacher.

[Matt Dillon]

We are in the valley of the shadow of death, Marshal Dillon.

[Marshal]

Well, if you're all through here now, I wonder if you'd read a few prayers over another man. We got him in a grave just over the hill.

[Matt Dillon]

Another man?

[Chester]

Man is born into trouble as the sparks fly upward.

[Matt Dillon]

Job.

[Chester]

5, 7. Who was this man, Marshal? How'd he die?

[Marshal]

He was murdered last night.

[Matt Dillon]

I didn't hear about any murder outside of Job here. Where was this shooting, Marshal?

[Marshal]

It wasn't the shooting. It was a lynching.

[Matt Dillon]

I just buried my brother Marshall. Billy Saxton shot him in the back. Aren't you using the word murder? A little loose around here.

[Marshal]

Only the law can hang a man without it being murder, Cam.

[Matt Dillon]

The law's too slow sometimes.

[Marshal]

You know something about Fitch?

[Matt Dillon]

All I say is that he shot my brother and he deserved hanging.

[Marshal]

Hanging, maybe. Lynching's a different matter.

[Matt Dillon]

What difference it make? He got what was coming to him.

[Marshal]

He had a fair trial coming to him, like any man. For example, Cam. I'll try to see that you get one. What if you're guilty of leading that lynch party?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, say it odd, Marshal, you accusing me?

[Marshal]

I Got no evidence and you won't get any.

[Matt Dillon]

There isn't a man in the country who'll stand still for bushwhacking. Saxton. Got his due and that's that. Maybe. All right.

[Marshal]

Come on, preacher. Let's bury him.

[Matt Dillon]

Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall

[Marshal]

his blood be shed.

[Chester]

Genesis 96. Show me the grave, Marsh. Why don't you just arrest Cam Powell, Mr. Dillon? Yeah.

[Marshal]

He won't admit anything, Chester, and I can't find a witness.

[Chester]

Must be somebody who'll talk.

[Marshal]

Cam's a bigger man than ever now with Job, that the others don't want to cross him.

[Chester]

He owns a lot of land, all right.

[Marshal]

And Job also owned a piece of the bank. Cam will get that.

[Matt Dillon]

Now.

[Marshal]

Ranchers always need money, so they won't talk.

[Chester]

Yes, and maybe they're ashamed, too, Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal]

Yeah, maybe.

[Chester]

I saw lynching once, and not a man there could look in the eye for a long time afterwards.

[Marshal]

You weren't in on it, were you, Chester?

[Chester]

Oh, my gracious, no, Mr. Dillon. I was just a small boy that was back in Waco. They hung a cousin of mine there.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh? Why?

[Chester]

Well, sir, it's kind of hard to explain. He was about as honest a fellow as I ever knew, outside of some loose notions about other people's cattle. But, Mr. Dillon, I just don't believe that struck him as stealing.

[Marshal]

Why not?

[Chester]

Well, because there wasn't anything personal about it, if you know what I mean.

[Marshal]

Well, I don't, but maybe you can explain it to me.

[Chester]

Well, sir, just that there was all those cattle running loose on the plains, and I guess they seem like a natural part of the landscape to him. He figured anybody could own him.

[Marshal]

Your cousin wasn't very bright, was he, Chester?

[Chester]

I didn't know him well enough to say, Mr. Dillon. But anyway, they shouldn't have lynched him.

[Marshal]

No. No, they shouldn't have. And nobody's gonna get by with lynching around Dodge if I have anything to do with it.

[Chester]

No, sir.

[Marshal]

I heard Billy Saxton was at the Texas Trail last night. Maybe I can start there.

[Chester]

He sure must have hated Job to kill him like that. Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal]

Yeah. I'll be back later, Chester.

[Chester]

Yes, sir, Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal]

Hello, Kitty.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Hello.

[Marshal]

Well, I can remember when you'd give me a smile. What's the matter?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Nothing, Matt.

[Marshal]

Someone been bothering you?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

You might put it that way. Where were you last night, Matt? Why weren't you around?

[Marshal]

Chester and I rode out to Fort Dodge on business. It was late, so we slept there. I thought this Town could go one night without trouble.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

You sure thought wrong, didn't you?

[Marshal]

You're upset about the lynchings.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

That's it, aren't you?

[Marshal]

I heard Billy Saxton spent some time in here yesterday.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I hate men. I think they're awful savage beasts.

[Marshal]

It'd be worse if it weren't for the law, Kitty. Now tell me about Saxton.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

He could tell you himself. Mad if you hadn't picked last night to wander out of town.

[Marshal]

Now, Kitty, this isn't like you.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I'm sorry. Man, he seemed like such a nice kid.

[Marshal]

Where was he from? I never heard of him around here before.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

There's a code. Is somewhere. It was just a cow puncher looking for a job. No more a gunman than I am.

[Marshal]

No, you can't be sure.

[Chester]

Kidding.

[Marshal]

He say he'd ever been in Texas?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

McDowell's came from Texas, didn't they?

[Marshal]

Amarillo.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Billy never mentions Texas one way or the other.

[Marshal]

What'd he talk about?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Horses, mostly. How he'd like to have a little spread of his own someday. And a woman.

[Marshal]

I see.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

And he'd talk nice about it. He wasn't like these hard cases around here.

[Marshal]

Anything else?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Cam Powell was in this morning. Told me not to talk about Billy, especially to you.

[Marshal]

Now, what you say?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I told him I'm not afraid of him, but maybe you are. So why didn't he warn you against talking to me?

[Matt Dillon]

That pleasing.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I also told him if I was a man, I'd kill him.

[Marshal]

Who else was in on it, Kitty?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I don't know. One thing, though. Rice Stewart came in here last night. Must have been afterwards. He sat over there in that corner and got drunk all by himself. Real drunk.

[Marshal]

It's not like, right?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

No, but maybe he was in on it and couldn't stand himself afterwards. Maybe that's why he had to get drunk.

[Marshal]

Well, I'll go see him.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Anyone who was there would be in trouble, too. Wouldn't they, Matt?

[Marshal]

Yeah. I have a feeling Cam really headed this thing. And if I can prove it, I'll have him up for murder.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I'll keep my ears open, Matt.

[Marshal]

Thank you. Think I'll ride out to the Stewart ranch. Rice isn't a man who can lie with much conviction.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Good luck, Matt.

[Marshal]

Yeah. I'll see you later.

[Matt Dillon]

We'll return for the second act of Gunsmoke in just a moment.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

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[Matt Dillon]

Do you know how old the school building in your community is? If it's over 25 years old, the chances are that it's woefully inadequate to the present demands on it. Join with the groups in your community working for better school conditions. Remember, better schools. Build a stronger America. Now, the second act of gun smoke. Hello? Anybody around?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Get down, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm coming out of the sun. Well, thank you, Ms. Stewart.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Ah, got a pot of coffee in the stove, Marshall.

[Marshal]

Oh, thank you, ma', am, But I'd like to find Rice first.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Anything wrong, Marshall?

[Marshal]

No, I just like to talk to him.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Rice come home real late last night. He was awful drunk. First time in years.

[Marshal]

If you'll forgive me, Ms. Stewart, I better find him.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

All right. Guess I'd rather Rice told me about it himself. Must be something up. Campo was by earlier. Been around in months.

[Marshal]

What'd you say Rice was, ma'?

[Chester]

Am?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Hasn't strayed far from the house today. Keeps coming in for coffee. Think he's drunk a gallon already.

[Marshal]

Well, I'll be back for some myself in a little while. Sure, sure, Marco. Rice? Rice, you in here?

[Matt Dillon]

I'm here. Who is it?

[Marshal]

Matt Dillon.

[Chester]

Oh,

[Matt Dillon]

hello, Marshall.

[Marshal]

Hello, Rice. Can I take a little of your time?

[Matt Dillon]

I'd ask you up to the house, Marshall, but I think I'd rather talk here.

[Marshal]

Ms. Stewart already asked me in. She. She hasn't heard about what happened in Dodge last night, has she?

[Matt Dillon]

Right now, Marshall, she hasn't.

[Marshal]

How come you. How come you didn't mention it to her?

[Matt Dillon]

What I tell my wife is my business, Marshall.

[Marshal]

Yeah, sure, but you know she's bound to hear about it later. Maybe she'll wonder why you didn't tell her right off.

[Matt Dillon]

That's still my business.

[Marshal]

She said Camp Fowl was here this morning.

[Matt Dillon]

Anything wrong in that?

[Marshal]

You don't feel very good today, do you, Rice?

[Matt Dillon]

I got drunk yesterday. Last night I got drunker.

[Marshal]

Is that what's bothering you?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I'm not as young as I used to be, that's all.

[Marshal]

You're a poor liar, Rice. I figured you would be.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I suppose I am.

[Marshal]

Look, Rice, I've known you for four years and I've never heard a bad word against you. But yesterday you were a little drunk and got mixed up in something you're ashamed of. Now, Camp Howell's threatened you. If you talk about it. Isn't that right?

[Matt Dillon]

That's right, Marshall.

[Marshal]

Well, have you decided what you're gonna do about it?

[Matt Dillon]

I. I don't know, Marshall. I just don't know.

[Marshal]

Well, then maybe I'm wrong about you. Maybe you know better than Cam and the rest of us.

[Matt Dillon]

If he's done with now, Marshall, why

[Marshal]

can't we just forget about it? We just can't forget our lynch and Rice. That'd make it too easy for the next one to happen. I'll kill the man that starts another. Then why are you gonna let Cam get by with this one?

[Matt Dillon]

By heaven, I'm not.

[Marshal]

I should have stopped it then. I don't know what was wrong with

[Matt Dillon]

me, but I'll face up to it now. What do you want to know, Marshall?

[Marshal]

Where were you when Job got shot at the Longhorn? About six of us were having supper.

[Matt Dillon]

Job went down the street for some cigars. And then we heard a shot out back. And we run through the kitchen and

[Marshal]

found the cook outside.

[Matt Dillon]

Old Billy Saxton. He'd shot Job when he passed the street end of the alley.

[Marshal]

Did the cook see it? Well, she said he did. Then what happened?

[Matt Dillon]

Cam went crazy when he found Job was dead. I don't know, Marshall. But before I knew it, we'd slipped out of town with that boy. Cam hung him on that little tree about a half mile down the road.

[Marshal]

Yeah, I know. I cut him down. That cook.

[Matt Dillon]

Hank something or other. I remember he grabbed Saxon's gun when we run out back.

[Marshal]

Can't get it off my mind.

[Matt Dillon]

Nobody ever even looked at the boy's gun to see if it had been fired. Cam just hung him on the cook's word for it.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Mm.

[Marshal]

All right, Rice.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank you.

[Marshal]

Will you be a witness if I need you?

[Matt Dillon]

I'll see you through now, Marshall. All the way. Oh, I feel better already.

[Marshal]

All right, let's go get some of your wife's coffee, Rice. Then I got to get back to Dodge.

[Matt Dillon]

It's good coffee, Marshall. Chester. Chester. Chester, where are you?

[Chester]

I'm out back, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

I'll be right in.

[Marshal]

What.

[Chester]

What's that you've got all over you? Paint, Mr. Dylan. White paint. Paint?

[Marshal]

Where'd you get it? Now, what are you up to now, chester?

[Chester]

I sent St. Louis for you. I thought it'd be a good idea to make the hitching rail out back all white.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, what for?

[Chester]

Well, sir, we might be in an awful big hurry some night in that field, Chester.

[Marshal]

All right, all right. Look, I want you to go get cleaned up. I want you to have supper at the Longhorn tonight.

[Chester]

Well, I sure do thank you, mister.

[Marshal]

No, no, no, Chester, I. I want you to go there alone.

[Chester]

Oh, yes, sir.

[Marshal]

It's for a reason. Do you know the cook over there, Hank something or other?

[Chester]

That's Hank Ashford. He's not a very good cook, Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal]

How long has he been around?

[Chester]

Oh, about a week. I don't think he likes cooking much. He don't seem to be very willing either.

[Marshal]

Well, it doesn't matter. I doubt if he'll be around for long.

[Chester]

Why not, sir?

[Marshal]

I'm guessing that he'll be wanting to get out of Dodge fast after you let it drop, real casual like. Mind that I've ridden out to arrest Cam Powell.

[Chester]

Is that so? You gonna bring cam in tonight, Mr. Dillon?

[Marshal]

No, no. You're just gonna make Hank Ashford think I am. And don't let anyone else hear about it, though.

[Chester]

Oh, I've got at. You.

[Marshal]

You happen to know where Hank rooms?

[Chester]

The Dodge House, Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal]

That's pretty fancy for a cook, isn't it?

[Chester]

Yes, sir.

[Marshal]

All right. You go to supper about 6 o'.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Clock.

[Marshal]

And I'm gambling that Hank Ashford will be packing his things at the dodge house by seven.

[Chester]

All right, Mr. Dillon.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, evening, Marshall.

[Marshal]

Evening, John.

[Matt Dillon]

Hope you're not looking for a room. We're all filled up.

[Chester]

Texans mostly.

[Marshal]

Oh, that's fine. What room's Hank Ashford got?

[Matt Dillon]

3 10, Marshall. Top of the stairs, straight down the hall.

[Chester]

Hey, you been up to anything? Look to be in a might of

[Marshal]

a hurry when he come in. He's here now.

[Matt Dillon]

Went upstairs just a couple minutes ago.

[Marshal]

Yeah?

[Matt Dillon]

Sup him up, Marshall. What the. What do you want?

[Marshal]

Leave that gun lay where it is, mister. Here, I'll just put it in my belt. Less likely to get you in trouble that way.

[Matt Dillon]

You're the marshal, ain't you?

[Marshal]

You leaving town, Hank?

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I am.

[Marshal]

Why?

[Matt Dillon]

Tired of cooking, that's why.

[Marshal]

You got Billy Saxton's gun up here, Hank?

[Matt Dillon]

What?

[Marshal]

Or shall I tear your stuff apart and find it myself?

[Matt Dillon]

No, no, it's. It's in that drawer there. Yeah, but I wasn't with that lynching, Marshall. I can prove I wasn't.

[Marshal]

Yeah, I'm sure you weren't. All the shelves are here. Barrel's clean. I thought this gun killed Joe Powell.

[Matt Dillon]

It did. I cleaned it, that's all.

[Marshal]

You're pretty neat, Hank, for a hash house cook. Yeah. Catch this

[Matt Dillon]

now, Ward.

[Marshal]

And you handle that gun pretty well too, for a cook. Look at the way you're holding it.

[Matt Dillon]

Now, I don't want that gun. What are you trying to prove, Marshall?

[Marshal]

You're a gunfighter, not a cook. Hank.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Marshall, I used to handle a gun, but I'm looking for the peaceful life now. Any law against a man changing?

[Marshal]

No. But you're under arrest anyway.

[Matt Dillon]

What for?

[Marshal]

I'll think of something. Let's go.

[Chester]

Hank wouldn't eat any breakfast, Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal]

That's too bad.

[Chester]

He says he won't be here long anyway. They all say that, don't they?

[Marshal]

He may be right. I see Camp Powell coming across the street for him right now.

[Chester]

You gonna let him go, Mr. Dillon?

[Marshal]

Well, we'll see.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, Marshal. What's the bail on Hank Ashford?

[Marshal]

There's no bail at all, Cam.

[Matt Dillon]

What do you mean, no bail? You can't hold a man like that.

[Marshal]

I'm not holding him.

[Matt Dillon]

You mean he can leave?

[Marshal]

Any time.

[Matt Dillon]

Then what'd you arrest him for in the first place?

[Marshal]

Oh, let's say suspicion.

[Matt Dillon]

Suspicion of what?

[Marshal]

Well, drunkenness.

[Matt Dillon]

He wasn't drunk.

[Marshal]

No, but he might have got drunk.

[Matt Dillon]

You're pretty high handed with that badge, aren't you, Dillon?

[Marshal]

You tell me, Cam. You ought to know about being high handed.

[Matt Dillon]

We're wasting time. Turn him loose. I want to get out of here.

[Chester]

I'll get him, Mr. D.

[Marshal]

Hank's a right handy man to have around, huh, Cam?

[Matt Dillon]

What does that mean? Well, he can cook.

[Marshal]

Probably turn his hand to most anything. Sort of a jack of all trades, isn't he?

[Matt Dillon]

I wouldn't know, Marshall. Thanks for bailing me out, Kim. I didn't have to bail you out. You're free. That right, Marshall?

[Marshal]

That's right, Hank. Go on, enjoy yourself.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, I sure will. And I'll start by having a drink. Come on, Cam. Let's see if the Al's open.

[Chester]

Mr. Dillon.

[Marshal]

Yeah?

[Chester]

You think Hank shot Job Powell, don't you?

[Marshal]

Well, that'd be my guess, Justin.

[Chester]

Then why'd you let him go?

[Marshal]

No evidence. They lynch the only witness. But I've made them a little nervous. Now they'll get real jumpy with the help of some liquor.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, what good'll that do, sir?

[Marshal]

They just might hang themselves, Chester, with a prod or two from me.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, come on. Yeah.

[Marshal]

Are you still here, gentlemen? May I buy you a drink?

[Matt Dillon]

What are you doing here, Marshall? Why do you want to buy us a drink? Bartender, give me that bottle there, will you? I don't like this. Let's get out of here. Wait a minute, Hank. I'm too big a man in Dodge to get Pushed around by any. Marshall.

[Marshal]

I just want you to have one drink before you leave, gentlemen.

[Matt Dillon]

Just warn.

[Marshal]

For you, Cam. And for you.

[Matt Dillon]

Thanks.

[Chester]

Yeah.

[Marshal]

Well, gentlemen, here's to. May he rest in peace. Billy Saxton.

[Matt Dillon]

You looking for trouble, Marshall?

[Marshal]

You're the one who's got trouble, Hank.

[Chester]

What do you mean?

[Matt Dillon]

You turned me loose yourself.

[Marshal]

Yeah, I know. But what about Cam here?

[Matt Dillon]

Who?

[Marshal]

You think Cam's gonna let you go after everything you've told me?

[Matt Dillon]

What'd you tell him, Hank?

[Chester]

Nothin'.

[Matt Dillon]

He's lying. I told him nothin'. Then what are you talking about, Marshall?

[Marshal]

Just that I've got about all the evidence I need, Cam. Won't you ask Hank? You can tell him.

[Chester]

Go on, Hank.

[Matt Dillon]

If you crush me, I'll see you die for it. You believe him, do you? Well, go ahead. You didn't have the guts to shoot your brother yourself. Who you gonna hire? Shut me up. Shut me up, man. Use your head. You got us in enough trouble already. I have. If you'd let me shoot that boy when he stumbled on me, would have been all righty, Rich Cam, but you sure ain't smart. I'm gonna kill you, Hank. Well, draw on me and I'll have two pals tomorrow.

[Marshal]

All right, hold it, both of you. We've heard enough.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, there you are, Hank. Marshall's heard all he needs. You're done for now. Yeah, well, I shot a marshal in Trinidad once. Don't see why I can't shoot one in Dodge.

[Marshal]

Don't try it, Hank.

[Matt Dillon]

Why not, Marshal? Good riddance.

[Marshal]

You're under arrest, Cam.

[Matt Dillon]

Hank. Shot job, Marshals. You heard him say so?

[Marshal]

I heard him. But I'm still interested in who murdered Billy Saxton.

[Matt Dillon]

And you're right back where you started, Marshall. Seems nobody knows about that lynching. I know about it. Christ stood. I'm not proud of it. But I was there. I witnessed the whole thing.

[Marshal]

Now take your gun. Now, Cam.

[Matt Dillon]

I guess you win, Marshall.

[Marshal]

Nobody wins this time, Cam. Now, maybe the next time anybody gets an idea about lynching a man around here, they'll think twice. Now, you lead the way.

[Matt Dillon]

Gunsmoke, under the direction of Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Tonight's story was especially written for Gunsmoke by John Mistin, with music composed and conducted by Rex Cory. Featured in tonight's cast were Paul Dubov, John Dana, and Tom Tully, with Joan Danton, Ralph Moody, and Lee Millar. Harley Bear is Chester, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the Wild Violence of the west in Gunsmoke. This is the CBS Radio Network.

[Andrew Rines (Host)]

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 subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 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 thanks for listening.