Old Time Radio Westerns - Frontier Town (1949): "The Poisoned Waterhole"
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: November 1, 2025 (Podcast Release)
Episode Runtime: ~33 minutes (excluding ads and outro)
Episode Overview
In this episode, Andrew Rhynes presents a digitally restored broadcast of Frontier Town entitled "The Poisoned Waterhole," originally aired in 1949. The story plunges listeners into Dos Rios, a frontier cow town gripped by mystery and sabotage—a critical waterhole is poisoned, herds are threatened, and greed-fueled villainy emerges. Lawyer-cum-rancher Chad Remington, along with his comic sidekick Cherokee O’Bannon, must unmask the plot, protect his community, and bring justice to the untamed west.
The episode incapsulates classic western drama—land greed, hired guns, honest townsfolk, and a battle for survival on the range—delivered with the colorful wit and fast-talking banter emblematic of its era.
Key Plot Points & Discussion
1. Setting the Scene (03:15—05:29)
- The show opens with the narration of Chad Remington, who introduces Dos Rios as a “roistering and noisy” cattle town.
- Chad discusses the value of cattle and the perpetual dangers posed by men seeking easy profit—setting the stage for trouble.
Notable Quote:
"Just because these cattle are valuable, well, it gives some men ideas. That makes plenty of business and trouble for a saddle stop lawyer."
—Chad Remington (04:29)
2. The Poisoned Waterhole Discovered (06:29—07:39)
- Chad and Cherokee ride upon a waterhole where they discover an empty five-gallon can, suspecting someone poisoned the source to kill the cattle.
- Speculation begins about who would benefit from such dire acts—debts owed around town, suspicions cast, but Chad asserts it’s not likely Elisha Parker (the store owner).
Notable Quote:
“I got an awful feeling it did contain five gallons of enough stuff to poison every steer that drank out of that water hole.”
—Chad Remington (06:50)
3. Motives, Debts, and Greed (07:40—08:35)
- The financial landscape—ranchers owe money not to the bank anymore but to Elisha Parker, the store owner, who’s let credit run.
- If the herds die, Parker can legally seize the ranches, but Chad doesn’t suspect him.
4. The Conspirators Gather (09:27—10:12)
- In the Silver Boot Saloon, Lefty Slaughter, a menacing stranger, and his gang hatch a plot: instigate trouble, frame Elisha Parker, and ultimately grab control of the valuable stores and ranches.
Notable Quote:
"Because I'll get him just the way I'm gonna get Parker's store."
—Lefty Slaughter (10:03)
5. Murder in the Store (11:31—13:39)
- The plan unfolds—a fight is started with Elisha Parker, guns are drawn, Parker is killed “in self-defense.”
- Mrs. Parker and witnesses reluctantly confirm how the shooting happened, but Chad is determined to seek justice.
Dramatic Exchange:
“You bald-headed old goat, nobody's putting me out of no place. I'll show you!”
—Krug, Lefty’s henchman, provoking Parker (12:00)
“Just saying how sorry I am no isn't going to bring your husband back. But there's still an account to be squared up and I'm hoping you'll let me square it.”
—Chad Remington, to Mrs. Parker (13:14)
6. Chad Faces Lefty (13:48—15:15)
- Chad confronts Lefty in the saloon, warning him not to escalate further and vowing to get justice “legally or otherwise.”
Notable Quote:
“If you keep up like I think you’ve started, legally or otherwise, I’m going to help see that you enjoy the next 50 years of your life rotten away in jail.”
—Chad Remington (14:51)
7. The Sting: Forcing a Showdown (16:06—24:08)
- After days of surveillance and strategizing, Chad orchestrates a plan: he “buys” Mrs. Parker’s store and calls on all indebted ranchers to pay up or lose their ranches within five days—forcing a cattle drive before the usual shipping time.
- The criminals see this as playing into their hands, expecting to rustle the herds.
Comic Relief:
“Three picks, four shovels... From what I’ve heard, he’s fixing to dig his own grave.”
—Chad to Cherokee, dealing with Lefty (20:47)
8. The Ambush and Final Confrontation (25:06—27:33)
- As the ranchers drive their cattle, Lefty’s gang stages an ambush. Chad anticipated this, setting deputies and townsfolk in position.
- In a classic chase and shootout, Chad personally goes after Lefty Slaughter, bulldogs him off his horse, and brings him in.
Notable Exchange:
“Slaughter, further away you ride, the further you're going to pounce on the way back to town. I'm not warning you again…”
—Cherokee (26:54)
“Stop, Remington. You got me... I quit.”
—Lefty Slaughter, captured (27:29)
9. Resolution and Humor (27:53—29:38)
- Shaken townsfolk thank Chad; Cherokee provides comic commentary, celebrating Chad’s clever plan that “squeezed Slaughter into pulling one crime he hadn't figured on.”
- Chad and Cherokee banter about victory, justice, and the need for a strong drink.
Memorable Quotes:
"Here you had us thinking you were a bigger crook than Slaughter. And all the time you were doing it for our own good."
—Rancher, to Chad (27:53)
"Well, I guess you might say to spare the flask and spoil the dream."
—Cherokee O’Bannon (28:10)
Key Timestamps
- 03:15 - Beginning of the Frontier Town episode
- 06:29 - Discovery of the poisoned waterhole
- 11:31 - The murder of Elisha Parker
- 13:48 - Chad's confrontation with Lefty Slaughter
- 16:06 - Chad’s strategy to force Lefty’s hand
- 25:06 - The start of the cattle drive and impending ambush
- 26:54 - Chad's pursuit and capture of Lefty Slaughter
- 27:53 - Town reconciliation and humorous wrap-up
Episode Tone & Style
- Witty Banter: Chad and Cherokee’s exchanges offer comic relief in the midst of tragedy.
- High Western Drama: Colloquial dialogue, poetic justice, and frontier morality pervade the story.
- Classic Structure: Good versus evil plays out in betrayals, daring plans, shootouts, and justice.
Conclusion
“The Poisoned Waterhole” distills the essence of the golden age of radio westerns: clear-cut villains, resourceful heroes, and a blend of suspense, tragedy, and humor. With Chad Remington’s wily plan and Cherokee’s colorful observations, it’s a tale of frontier justice that keeps listeners engaged from the mysterious discovery at the waterhole to the final showdown.
For those new to classic western radio, this episode serves as a quintessential introduction—full of authentic speech, vibrant personalities, suspenseful action, and a resolution that affirms the spirit of the West.