The Lone Ranger: "The Money Lender" (11-17-52)

Old Time Radio Westerns | Hosted by Andrew Rynes
Episode Date: December 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Lone Ranger, digitally restored for the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast, plunges listeners into a drama of greed, betrayal, and frontier justice in the Old West. The story centers on a gold mine swindle, a desperate family, and a cunning frame-up, as masked hero The Lone Ranger and his companion Tonto work to unravel a scheme threatening an innocent man’s life. The episode showcases classic radio drama suspense, vivid character dynamics, and a dramatic twist revealing the lengths to which wrongdoers will go—and the ways justice can prevail, often with cleverness rather than force.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. Background: The Swindle and Desperation

[04:55–07:24]

• Jim Murdoch, wealthy from a gold mine, owes his fortune to Barney Holden, who helped him manipulate a claim-splitting deal.

• Abe Jenkins, Murdoch’s former partner, is left destitute with a sick wife and starving children due to being given the barren half of the mine.

• Jenkins, portrayed as desperate but honest, contemplates forcefully seeking help for his family from Murdoch.

  “Hate to think of robbing a man, but I’d do more than that to see Martha and the kids warm and well fed for once.”
  — Abe Jenkins ([07:40])

2. Motives and Machinations

[05:15–07:04]

• Holden updates Murdoch about Jenkins’ intent to confront him—sparking worries about exposure.

• The two villains hatch plans to ensure Jenkins can never reveal the truth about the mine swindle.

  “It’d be worth a lot to me to have him out of the way.”
  — Murdoch ([06:33])

  “Suppose I sorta outline it and see how you like it.”
  — Holden ([07:01])

3. The Frame-Up

[10:27–15:46]

• After Jenkins visits Murdoch and receives food and blankets, Barney Holden bursts into town, reporting a supposed attack at Murdoch’s home. The sheriff and townspeople are quick to suspect Jenkins due to his recent hardship and public disputes with Murdoch.

  “There was furniture upset and things busted. And no sign of Jim Murdoch around anywhere.”
  — Barney Holden ([10:50])

• At Jenkins’ home, the sheriff discovers Murdoch’s distinctive watch and ring in the fireplace—planted there as false evidence.

• Jenkins maintains his innocence, but is arrested for murder.

  “You better come along with me, Abe... He’s to be held on a charge of murder.”
  — Sheriff ([15:36], [15:56])

4. The Lone Ranger Investigates

[19:04–21:21]

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto, convinced of Jenkins’ innocence, search Grant’s Canyon for Murdoch’s body but find nothing—raising suspicions of a deeper plot.

• They deduce that Holden orchestrated the false evidence and planted the watch and ring.

  “I know enough about [Barney Holden] to suspect that he might have framed Abe Jenkins.”
  — The Lone Ranger ([20:04])

5. Turning the Tables: The Truth Revealed

[22:05–29:41]

• The next morning, the sheriff, deputies, and Holden revisit Murdoch’s house; a burnt financial note implicating Holden is discovered in the fireplace.

• Murdoch’s body is found outside, apparently having fallen from a window during a struggle.

• Critical evidence: a fancy vest button found in Murdoch’s dead hand matches Holden’s vest, linking him directly to the scene.

  “You're wearing a fancy vest with buttons like this. Stand still... it's identical... here's threads still clinging to the button.”
  — Sheriff to Holden ([26:16–26:31])

• The sheriff confronts Holden, reconstructing the crime and revealing the motive: a $5,000 debt to Murdoch concealed in the note.

  “This note shows the motive for you wanting to kill Jim Murdoch.”
  — Sheriff ([27:35])

• Caught by evidence and the Lone Ranger’s clever intervention, Holden breaks down and confesses that he and Murdoch had planned to frame Jenkins by faking Murdoch's death, planting evidence, and using the sheriff to pursue Jenkins.

6. Justice and Resolution

[29:41–31:06]

• The Lone Ranger and the sheriff reveal the full extent of Holden’s and Murdoch’s plot.

• In a twist, it's disclosed that Murdoch is not dead—his death staged as part of the scheme.

• The sheriff turns the tables, exposing the fraud and urging restitution:

  “The best way to catch a couple of rats that try to frame an innocent man... is to pull the same sort of tricks on them.”
  — Sheriff ([30:11])

• The episode ends with Jenkins exonerated, and Holden and Murdoch facing the legal and moral consequences of their actions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Abe’s Dilemma:
  “Maybe you never faced a man that was driven to thieving by the sight of his wife and kids being cold and sick and hungry. Well, you’re facing one now.” ([08:19])

• Holden’s Greed:
  “Suppose I sorta outline it and see how you like it.” ([07:01])

• Sheriff’s Trap:
  “You're wearing a fancy vest with buttons like this. Stand still there. Let me take a look.” ([26:16])

• Twist Revelation:
  “That masked man come to me last night and told how he'd seen Murdoch fixed on the ledge…” ([29:49])

• On True Justice:
  “The best way to catch a couple of rats that try to frame an innocent man for murder is to pull the same sort of tricks on them.”
  — Sheriff ([30:11])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Setup and Gold Mine Swindle: [04:55–07:24]
• Jenkins’ Confrontation of Murdoch: [07:40–10:27]
• Holden's Accusations and Evidence Planting: [10:27–15:46]
• The Lone Ranger’s Investigation: [19:04–21:21]
• Discovery of Real Evidence: [22:05–26:31]
• Confession and Justice: [29:41–31:06]
• Classic "Hi-yo Silver" Finale: [31:06]

Tone and Language

The episode maintains the brisk, suspenseful tone of classic radio westerns, with characters speaking in forthright, often colloquial frontier style. Dialogues emphasize honor and resourcefulness, with the Lone Ranger’s stoicism and integrity shining amid the tense intrigue and emotional stakes.

This summary captures the key narrative, themes, and highlights of "The Money Lender," offering a clear guide for listeners who haven’t heard the episode and fans eager to revisit its classic Western morality and radio drama twists.