Narrator (0:00)

Foreign.

Andrew Rines (0:13)

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 Lightning Gem Original air date sometime in 1952 and the title is the Pony Express.

Narrator (0:53)

SA and now for the Thrilling Adventures of Lightning Jim. It was a dark, moonless night on the plains as two masked riders rode past along a lonely trail. Well, this is the trail snag. Yeah. Reckon we ought to be showing up pretty soon too, Shorty. Yeah, he was due to leave the last station about an hour ago. Yeah, hold on. Here he comes now. Yeah, he's still traveling fast. We'll keep back to these rocks and he won't be seeing us till he gets on top of it. He's carrying the rifle too. Well, they won't get a chance to use it. Hold up there. All right, let him have it. There's the talk, Wedding. You're like just to pull. You laying underground. This is bad, Wedding. Yeah. Bullet right through his head. Yeah. This is the shooting we heard coming down the trail. He like him. The bag that was laying on the ground, let me look at it. Sure. What is this is a male part, immediate pouch. Yeah, this young Jasper the pony. A rider. Back in 1860, the United States government established the famous Pony Express to carry mail swiftly on horseback from St. Joseph, Missouri, over the plains and mountains to the Pacific coast. That was before the railroads and telegraph lines spanned the great American plains. The impending crisis of the Civil War made swift communication between the older states and California a necessity. The Pony Express service was maintained for only 16 months before it was supplanted by a telegraph line. The animals used were, of course, not ponies, but fleet American horses. United States Marshal Lightning Jim Whipple and his deputy, Whitey Larson were on the trail of outlaws when they heard shots down the trail. They spurred on their horses and found a young Pony Express rider who had been shot and killed. They picked up the body and started for the nearest town. They, like me, leak for my care to find some brandy. And by the looks. You think I don't think they are wary for you. We got our work cut out for us, all right. Killing a Pony Express rider is bad business. Your exporting just a testimony. Reckon so. Anyhow, they cleaned out the mail pouch. Your young fellas rifle was fired off. He must twist up a fight. Yeah, he was carrying out his orders to protect the mail. Well, I tell you, these Pony Express riders, they don't get much protection. That's right, Weddy. They travel fast and Take their chances on outrunning the road agents and pasal. How do you like to be a Pony Express rider, Whiting? Well, I think there will be lots of excitement. But tell you though, I really think you're being a deputy morsel in it. All right, Deputy Larson. Look up ahead there. You coming into some pond? Yeah. Wait. I'm a steady boy. What you stopping for, whitey? We ain't been out in this section before. Sure, that's so. Well, you better let me do the talk. Oh, sure, bringing in this dead rider is going to cause some excitement. You don't know what we'll have to run into. Oh, what's he driving at like? Take off your bag and put in your pocket. You heard me. I'm doing the same thing. Oh, I get it. You don't want them to know that you are a morsel, huh? Yeah. Leastways not right away. Until we get the lay of the land, remember my name will be Jennings. Your Mr. Jennings. Your name is swimming. Oh, but here, you know something? Oh, what? I bet that you forget when you call me writer. I just take that bet. How about a steak dinner right now? You talk in my language. All right, but remember, if you forget and call me Lightning, I get the steak dinner from you. Or at Mr. Y. Let's go, Thunder. Very hot now. He's here. Snag. Yeah, there's his horse, Cody. Well, come in, boy. I've been waiting for you. Howdy, Colonel. Did you meet the express rider? Yeah, we met him all right. And here's what we got. Ah, the letters. Good. Now we had a hard time. Well, sit down boys, sit down. I went. Let's see. St. Joseph, Williams Center, Abilene. Ah, here's one. Cash Mapping what I said, is there cash in that one? No, no, it's from Washington. Too bad. Lots of trouble, Colonel. Yeah, it's not the one I was expecting, but it'll do. You mean there ain't no cash into them letters? I'm not after Cage. What's the good of robbing these express riders? Yeah, we got hard money when we hold up the stage soldiers. I'm paying you men good money to get this mail. What I want it for is none of your business, you understand? Oh, sure, sure. No need to get head up, Colonel. As long as you keep paying the price, we'll get the mail for you. Yeah, it's gonna cost him more if we got a dill. Another rider. What, did you all kill that rider? Sure. He wouldn't stop. Took a shot at us. With his rifle. We drilled him. Any objection? You fool. When they find that rider, they'll be getting up a posse to cover the whole country. That don't scare us, Colonel. We've had posses out there before. Sure. Besides, there ain't nothing for you to worry about, Colonel. Ever since you come out here, you've been staying at Sam Porter's ranch. And he's the sheriff, ain't he? Yes, I know all that. Robbing the riders is one thing, but robbing and killing an express rider is likely to interfere with my plans. Did you leave his body on the trail? Sure. You didn't expect us to bring it back here, did you? No. But if you all left track, they can trail you up here. Nah, nah. We took the long trail over the ridge and doubled back kick. They won't be following our trail. Listen, Colonel, you talk like we don't know nothing. You take care of your side of the business, we'll be taking care of ours. Are you telling me what to do? Yeah, right. You have it. What's that? Gun back, Colonel. Same goes for you. Snag one move and I'll let you both have it. Oh, now really. What the. Funny one. Pavlosaurus nagger. I reckon it got a little two sided and lost my temper. Yeah, campers ain't healthy in this country, Colonel. How about the rest of the cash we got coming for this job? Yeah, I was just coming to that. Here for tonight's work and a little advance on the next job. All right, Colonel. When's the next job coming up? I'm going back to Midville now before the sheriff gets suspicious of my being away. I want to be there when they find that rider. Yeah, what about us? There's another rider due to come through Midville tonight. And I think you'll be carrying the message I've been waiting for. Ah. So you want me and Snag to take another mail party? Yes, that's right, Jordy. I'll go back to town and meet one of you in the cafe tonight. Is that clear? Yeah. Then until tonight. Good day, gentlemen. Good day, Rat. What's the matter with you, Smag? Oh, he smells bad to me. Wouldn't cuss him no harm. Well, he tastes good. Wonder what he's looking for in that mail. I don't know. Seems funny all right. Except he ain't looking for cash. He's got the cash. And if we're smart, we'll get it all. Well, it looks like the stage station will arrive at King Horses. Howdy, Mister, is this the Pony Express stage? No. It is. What can I do? Here, come over here. Want to show you something. Sure. Found this young chap out on the trail a little while ago. He's killed. Yeah. Me and my partner found him on the trail and tied him to his horse and brought him in. Figured you'd know who he is. Good fisher, huh? Where'd he live? Willow Banks. Yeah, Just got the job. Oh, that's too bad. Here comes Sam Porter. Sam. Yeah. Oh, hurry up. Quick. What's the trouble? What? Suffering snake drilled through the head. This is awful. What's all excitement, sir? Look for yourself, Colonel. Good Lord. When did this happen? Oh, about an hour ago, I'd say. Yeah, we brought him in, sir. No. Who are you, mister? Yes. My name is Jennings, and this is my partner, Swens. Oh, that's mister. Where'd you find him? On the trail west of town. Me and my partner heard some shots, and when we got to the spot, we found this young chap on the ground. You all see anyone else? No, we haven't done the shooting. Made a pass getaway. Did you try to follow him? No, Sheriff. Naturally, we figured we ought to bring in the body and hand it over to you. Hey, the mail parts are not hard. Yeah, but it's empty now. It's cleaned out. Hmm. Strangers. Where'd you gents come from? Well, we've been up in Nebraska. We're heading down to Kansas, punch cattle. What are you gonna do, Sheriff? What do you suppose? I'm going after the critters that done this killing. I'm getting up a posse right now. We'll be glad to help you, Sheriff. Misty, I ain't saying you and your partner had anything to do with this killing. But you're strangers around here, and I gotta be sure. You stay till we get this business cleared up. Sure, we'll stay, Chef. Well, I ain't taking chances. One of you is coming with a party, and Tutter is going to the jail. I see. All right, Sheriff. I'll go with you. And my partner will wait in jail. That suits you, Swenson. Oh, you're like Mr. Yen. This is a spot, Jeff, Right there for them locks. Well, I'm going to have a look. I hear from Flat chap they could have went south. Gentlemen, my name is Banks. Colonel Banks. I'm glad to know you, Colonel. You and your partner are looking for jobs. Reckon so, Colonel. Man's got to live, you know. Of course. Yes, that's a mighty handsome piece of horse like you got there. Sir? Yeah? Would. Would you sell him? I reckon not, Colonel. But you were speaking about a job. All right, boys, let's get moving. Oh, I'll talk to you later, Jennings. And think over what I said about that horse you got. I'll give you a good price. Come on. And you too, Kenny. Come on, boy. Will Lightning Jim and Whitey capture the men who killed the Pony Express rider? Who is Colonel Banks? And what about the sheriff and Cal Drake? Are they mixed up in this plot to rob the males? The answers to these questions will come in part two of this thrilling story which follows immediately. And now for part two of the thrilling adventures of Lightning Jim. In the Pony Express, United States Marshal Lightning Jim Whipple and his deputy Whitey Larson found the bullet riddled body of a Pony Express rider. The murderers had robbed the mail pouch and left the rider's body on the trail near the town of Midville. Lightning Jim and Whitey took the body to the sheriff. They met Colonel Banks and the stage tender, Cal Drake. The marshal and his deputy decided to go under the assumed names of Jennings and Swenson. But since there were strangers in town, a sheriff insisted that Whitey stay in jail while Jim went out with a posse to find the murderers. When the posse got back to town. That's all for now, boys. I'll call you again if I need you. Well, sir, I reckon I'll be going back to your land. All right, Colonel. And Jennings, you come along with me. Sure. I reckon you can let my partner go now. Not too fast, mister. I ain't through with this business by a long shot. Just because we didn't find them critters ain't no reason to give up. That's right. So I reckon you better join up with your partner in the jail for a few days more. But Sheriff, you don't think Jennings and his partner had anything to do with the killing, do you? Well, I ain't saying yes and I ain't saying no. If they're innocent, they head and daughter. Mind seeing us Bell with free room and board? Jeff's right, Colonel. I'm willing to do anything to help catch the jaspers are done to kill him. Let's go, Sheriff. Your worm. I'll see you later, Colonel. Yes. Now take care of your horse, Shannon. Hey. Hey, wait a second. Colonel. Where's the trouble? Did you find him? The fellow that took you killed Fred. No. No, it didn't, Cal. Whoever it was covered up the track. What makes you think that, Gal? Most anybody could have done it. Gal might have been Me or the sheriff or even you. Sure. No, no, no, no, no, it wasn't me. I, I, I didn't do it. Do what? Gail wanted to know who might have done the killing. I said maybe it was him. It per se. Maybe it was. No, no, no, no, sir. No, no, no. Hey, I got to get back to the station and sending out another rider take it myself. When are you leaving? About. About an hour. Poor J had a hard time with his talk. Yes, sir. Hey, Jeff, while you was inside, I had an idea and that's why I waited for you to come out. Yeah. Now what's your idea, Colonel? Well, I was thinking. If you want to find out if those two strangers is guilty, why don't you let them out of jail and keep an eye on them and see where they go and what they do. But they might try to get away. Then you'll know they're guilty. You can go after them. Yeah. Men be your rank. You won't find out anything keeping them in jail. Turn them loose, Mr. Gilder. You ought to soon find out. Well, let him. Let you think of this whole business. You got any ideas? Yes. Why didn't it? Looks like we're going to have to tell the sheriff who we are. No, he can't take the murder a sick and Harry made say. By the way, who is this colonel? Well, from what I can gather, came to Midland a few weeks ago. He'd been staying at the sheriff's ranch. He told the sheriff he was aiming to buy land for a ranch of his own. You think he and any sheriff the idea of working together who know Eddie? Well, what about the Uyghur that takes care of the horses for a rider in the chap that scatters. Yeah, Poor son, he's got a hard time seeing where he's king. Yeah. Well, why? Why would he want to kill one of his own riders? Rob the mail? Well, that's what I'm asking you. Well, there's plenty of questions to be answered in this case. But first we got to get out of here. Here comes somebody. No. All right. If it's a sheriff, I'm going to tell them who we are. Howdy, boys. Glad you came in, Sheriff. Wanted to have a little talk with you. Plenty of time for talking. I've been thinking things over. Yeah, of course. There strangers in these parts and we got to be careful. Especially when there's been a murder. That's all right, Jeff. We understand. Well, what I'm leading to is this. If you promise to stay around town A few days, I'll let you out of this jail. Well, that's mighty decent of you, sheriff. You'll stay around as long as you stay good. You'll find a good board in the house across from the cafe. Thanks, Jeff. We'll be around if you need it. Well, Colonel? Yes, mister? It's the rich bankers in the east that keep this country poor. Ride at least in an hour. Ah, you're right, Colonel. Okay. Gotta be moving. Well, good day, sir. I'm glad they've talked to you. Why do you think the sheriff feels his mind? He let us all. Well, that's what we aiming to find out. Weddy. We are being watched. You can bet on that. You got to be careful what you do. That Jasper seems to be in an awful hurry. Oh, I saw him come out the eddie across the street. Yeah, and here comes our friend the colonel too. Well, good day to the gentlemen. Howdy. Hello there. I just heard the sheriff let you out of jail. Yeah. He hasn't got any evidence against you. There's no reason to keep you in jail. That's right, boys. I got a little business to talk over to you all. That's so. What kind of business? Well, you all interested in making some money? Yeah. What's on your mind, son? You move that bridge over Midville Creek when you go out the west trail. Yeah, that's. There we go. Come in on. Yeah, that's right. Well, I'll meet you up in about half an hour. And I can assure you all that what I have in mind will be worth your while. I see. You figure it's better talk out there, huh? Yes, yes, under the present circumstances, I think that'll be better, sir. Well, all right, Penny. We be there. Good. I'll expect you. Things are beginning to clear up. What do you mean? There goes Cal taking out the mail pouch. No, I know, but he had told me not to. See, right now we're getting our horses. Come on, buddy. Put on your mask. Snag. Yeah, here he comes. I'll shoot over his head. Pull up your hands. All right, now hand over that mailbag. Take his rifle. I got it. Now go on before we change our mind control. Come on, let's get up to the cabin. Yeah, more than likely. Yeah, but I thought he was going to meet the colonel near the bridge. Why do. This is a plan to put the blame on us. You mean that we walk into a trap? Well, we would have. We stayed back there at the bridge. Yeah. Stop. Put your hands down, pal. What happened to you? Who Got it right there. Which way them bandits go, pal? North. Let's go the get the meal. They're the dirty ones. All right. Come on, let's get. Yeah, you were lucky to pick up the trail. Lord. We heading for for a down in the G that will circle a bit and come down on them from the north. Let's go somewhere. Wonder why the Colonel ain't here. Hey, listen, Jody. When he comes and pays us off for this job, we're going to take all the cash he's got on him and then we're clearing out of here. I wonder if there's any cash in his mail bag. Open it up. Ah, nah, just a bunch of letters. But we gotta play safe, Cody. What do you mean? I don't trust that Colonel. Know how he might get the idea of double crossing us and cutting the law on our tails? We'll get his cash and grill him. Good day, gentlemen. I got the most of it. I Don't move or I'll let you have it. So what's the idea? Colonel, I left my horse down in the trees below the cabin. I just wanted to hear what you had to say. Oh, you were planning to take my cash and drill me. Too bad I boiled your plans. Well, now, now wait. Wait a minute, Colonel. Wait. What are you doing? Just kidding. Sitting there. Well, gentlemen, you'd better say your prayers. Fire, Freddy. Fire. Get in that cab. Yeah. Keep behind these trees and move up on them. Wait, somebody's coming. Reach for the sky, son. Where'd you come. Never mind that. Reach for the sky and be quick about it. No, no, you don't. Get his gun. I just blasted his arm. You're like in the exit. Where's his pocket? Oh, I do that. Oh, my arm. Don't touch me. Oh, well, I got to see that. You locked that? Yes, they have some lessons. Let me have him. Keep your gun on that. Yeah. This time we won't be running away from him. We got you covered. All right, Sheriff. Stop your gun. Thought you could get away? Arrest those men, Chef. Colonel. Thanks. What are you doing here? I followed these men and their two partners up here. Two partners? Yes, I got them in the cabin. Then these two come up. They shot my gun away. You two varmints are under arrest. Hold on, Jeff. You got the wrong men. The man who planned these hold up to the express riders is the Colonel himself. What are you talking about? That's a lie. Arrest him. Sir? Yeah. We just took these letters from the Colonel's pocket. Two of them are messages from the War Department in Washington addressed to Fort Edwards and Fort David. But what's that got to do with the case? The Colonel's a spy. What are you talking about? He worked on your friendship and hospitality to cover up his plans with the trouble brewing between the north and the South. These messages are valuable information to the side. But I still don't see where you come in when me and my partner come along. The Colonel got you to let us out of jail so we'd get blamed for the hold ups and murder. Now since this is a government crime, central banks. You're under arrest. Now wait a minute, wait a minute. I am the sheriff here. If there's any arrest, then I'll do it. Who do you think you are anyway? My sheriff. Jesus is the united morsel lightning limb. Too bad. What do you say? What you mean? Remember I bet about giving our real name. Well, you owe me a nice big steak dinner, you. And so ends another thrilling chapter in the lives of United States Marshall Lightning Jim Whipple and his deputy, Whitey Larson. Foreign.