The Rub Out – Tales of the Texas Rangers (02-03-52)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast Summary

Episode Title: The Rub Out – Tales of the Texas Rangers
Original Air Date: February 3, 1952
Release Date: May 28, 2025
Host: Andrew Rines
Starring: Joel McCrae as Ranger Jace Pearson
Transcript Duration: 30:17 minutes

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of the Old Time Radio Westerns podcast, host Andrew Rines presents a digitally restored reenactment of a classic Texas Rangers case titled "The Rub Out." Starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jace Pearson, the story delves into the mysterious death of a promising boxer, Johnny Buck, unraveling a tale of jealousy, betrayal, and meticulous investigation.

The Crime: A Deadly Fight Night [02:28 - 06:31]

The episode opens on a humid July night in 1936 at a border town's dimly lit fight arena. Johnny Buck, an ex-cowpoke turned boxer, is preparing for his match with the help of his handler, Slim Corey.

Gordon MacRae (as Slim Corey): "Hold still, cowboy. What are you talking about? You know I'm talking about Mike Morales kid sister, Nina. And don't go calling her no Philly."
[03:21]

As the fight progresses, tensions rise. Midway through, Johnny Buck collapses in the ring, bleeding from a cut over his eye. The crowd's concern escalates as medical help rushes him to the hospital, where Sheriff Haynes suspects foul play.

Initial Investigation: Suspicions Arise [06:31 - 14:05]

Ranger Jace Pearson teams up with Sheriff Haynes to investigate Johnny's sudden collapse. The absence of Buck's manager, Mike Morales, raises immediate red flags.

Gordon MacRae (as Sheriff Haynes): "What's wrong, cowboy? Johnny Buck to a neutral corner. He collapsed to the canvas."
[05:04]

Interviews reveal that Morales had a motive rooted in his disapproval of his sister, Nina Morales, and Johnny Buck's intentions to elope with her. Nina's emotional testimony hints at domestic strife and impending betrayal.

Nina Morales: "When I told him Johnny and I were going to get married, he went wild. He slapped me. And then he and Johnny headed out."
[09:14]

Forensic Breakthrough: The Nitroglycerin Clue [15:18 - 21:44]

The autopsy report unveils that Johnny Buck was not poisoned by traditional means but succumbed to nitroglycerin poisoning. This discovery shifts the investigation towards a more calculated method of foul play.

Mike Morales: "Nitroglycerin is an odorless liquid, dissolves in alcohol. Johnny could have had a rub down before he entered the ring. If the rubbing liniment had been spiked, his skin would absorb enough of it in the heat of action to kill him."
[14:49]

Ranger Pearson and Sheriff Haynes deduce that the poison was likely introduced through Johnny's liniment, narrowing down the suspects further.

Unraveling Motives: Chico Valdez in Focus [23:35 - 26:44]

Investigation leads to Chico Valdez, a rival handler with a history of animosity towards Johnny Buck. Through interviews and evidence collection, Chico's jealousy and past confrontations surface as significant motives.

Mike Morales: "Taste everything points to him like a signpost. Strong jealousy motive. Deliberate lies about his friendship for Johnny Buck."
[23:37]

A dramatic confrontation at Chico's residence culminates in his arrest, solidifying the case against him.

Conclusion: Justice Served [27:56 - 28:21]

The episode concludes with Chico Valdez's confession and subsequent sentencing. Ranger Pearson's unwavering dedication to justice ensures that the truth prevails, delivering closure to the affected parties.

Gordon MacRae (as Ranger Pearson): "Chico confessed to the premeditated murder of Johnny Buck."
[27:59]

Epilogue and Teasers

The host, Andrew Rines, wraps up the episode by highlighting the successful resolution of the case and teasing future installments, maintaining the listener's anticipation for more riveting Texas Rangers tales.

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Key Takeaways

• Meticulous Investigation: The Texas Rangers showcased exemplary investigative skills, combining forensic evidence with keen interrogation to unravel the mystery.

• Complex Motives: The episode highlights how personal vendettas and emotional turmoil can lead to tragic outcomes.

• Forensic Science in Storytelling: The use of nitroglycerin poisoning as a plot device underscores the importance of scientific analysis in solving crimes.

Notable Quotes

• Slim Corey on Nina Morales:
  "You know I'm talking about Mike Morales kid sister, Nina. And don't go calling her no Philly."
  [03:21]

• Ranger Pearson on Investigation:
  "Nitroglycerin is an odorless liquid, dissolves in alcohol... If the rubbing liniment had been spiked, his skin would absorb enough of it..."
  [14:49]

• Mike Morales on Motive:
  "Taste everything points to him like a signpost. Strong jealousy motive."
  [23:37]

Conclusion

The Rub Out – Tales of the Texas Rangers masterfully blends suspense, character development, and investigative prowess, offering listeners an immersive experience into the golden age of radio Westerns. Through enhanced audio restoration, the episode brings to life a timeless story of justice and retribution on the Wild West frontier.

Transcript

[Nina Morales]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines and this episode of OTRWesterns.com is brought to you by. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Tales of the Texas Rangers. Original Air Dates February 3, 1952 and the title is the Rub Out. Hope you enjoy and again, thanks for listening.

[Joel McCrae]

Tales of the Texas Rangers. Starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jace Pearson. Another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files of the Texas Rangers. Name, states and places in the following story are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of record.

[Gordon MacRae]

Hello, dear friends, this is Gordon MacRae. If I may, I'd like to take a minute of your time to tell you about tomorrow's Monday night of music on NBC. We all have fine programs planned for you tomorrow and I know that you'll find listening enjoyment when you tune to this NBC station. Begin your listening with the voice of Firestone and its guest soloist, soprano Bidou Sayao. And then it's time for the Railroad Hour. And tomorrow night I'll have petite and lovely Mimi Benzel as my guest as we present the Sigmund Romberg Oscar Hammerstein success East Wind. I know you'll enjoy the romance filled songs in the Railroad Hour production of East Wind. So be our guests tomorrow right here on good old NBC. And to top off your Monday night of music tomorrow, the Telephone Hour will present an all operatic program featuring Ezio Pinza. So remember, for your Monday night of music on NBC, tune to this station tomorrow for the voice of Firestone, the Railroad Hour and the Telephone Hour. But now let's hear today's adventure with the Texas Rangers.

[Joel McCrae]

And now from the files of the Texas Rangers, the case called the rubout.

[Gordon MacRae]

It is 9:30pm July 23, 1936. The night is sticky hot in the dimly lit dressing room of a border town fight arena. Young good looking ex cowpoke Johnny Buck is getting a last minute rub down from one of his handlers, Slim Corey. Hold still, cowboy.

[Mike Morales]

Man, you keep scrounging around like a frog in a frying pan.

[Gordon MacRae]

Plumb beat, Cory, just plumb beat. You did a weak shut eye last night. What time's it, Corey? Reckon Sammy Windup's just about over. Where's Mike Morales?

[Mike Morales]

Mike ain't coming, cowboy.

[Gordon MacRae]

What do you mean he ain't coming? Mike's my manager, ain't he? He's got to be in my corner tonight.

[Mike Morales]

But you know Ian Summer.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah, he'll show. He likes that De Niro too much to stay away. All right. It's wonder I got any hide left. All I get is a bad time. I wonder this guy can't sleep nights. Well, that's your own fault, Cowboy. You was warned to keep away from that young filly. What are you talking about? You know I'm talking about Mike Morales kid sister, Nina. And don't go calling her no Philly. What about Nina? Oh, way I see it, Mike ain't kept her in a convent just so she can get mixed up with no leather pushing. Yeah, Mike should talk.

[Mike Morales]

He'd starve.

[Gordon MacRae]

It weren't for me eating leather every week. Where's Chico? Gotta have somebody in my corner size of lousy rubber. Ah, you gotta relax. Relax? How's a guy gonna relax when my manager takes a powder? My second takes the walk and gets to come back. You go out and find it. Wind up. It's almost over. Get ready, Cowboy. Chico, where's Mike? For what you need, Mike. You doing the fighting? Yeah, I have a mind to get dressed and high tail the heck out of here. What's the matter, cowboy? You getting chicken? Why, you cry me a little? Get your hands on me. That's for us, cowboy. We're on now. Let go. Chico. Turn them loose. You never be no looser. Okay, let's go. What you so excited about? I didn't mean nothing. Trouble. Let's go. What's around seven? Coming up.

[Mike Morales]

How you feeling?

[Gordon MacRae]

What's wrong, cowboy? Checker feels like a hot rod. Lippity cutting through corn for you? Should have punched with the redhead from the Star instead of boxing him. Okay, cowboy, you've been boxing long enough. Go out and slug with people.

[Mike Morales]

Him?

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah, might as well go out. Punch him. Adios, amigo. This is Kevin Brown, cousin. As usual, Red Seals out of his corner like a Texas wildcat putting out at some poor little old Easter. Rabbit on the phone. Johnny Bucks just got off his cow pony. He's trading for his smack dab over a microphone. Something got to give. It's Johnny Buck, the poke on the rope. He's bleeding from the cut over his right eye. Buck just to heal with the right hand. Healers down, let Keelers down. Referee is wa Johnny Buck to a neutral corner. The day's c don't seem to understand. Now he turns to go, he's staggering. Johnny Buck has just collapsed to the canvas. Oh, this arena is turned into an insane asylum. Steping for the rope, he's climbing to his seat. Fel managers in the ring sweeping at the referee to turn over Johnny Buck. The referee is starting to turn over. Listen. That's power that Johnny Buck was rushed to the hospital. Sheriff Haynes, present at the fight, went along to investigate. While at the hospital, he was told the fighter might have been poisoned. This prompted the sheriff to call the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jace Pearson was assigned and joined Sheriff Haynes in a hospital corridor. Sure glad you got here, Jay. The whole ruckus smells higher than a polkat sitting on a hot stove.

[Mike Morales]

How bad off is the kid, Sheriff?

[Gordon MacRae]

Pretty bad. Jace Buck's in there with him now.

[Mike Morales]

Poisoned and identified?

[Gordon MacRae]

Not yet.

[Mike Morales]

Should like to talk to Johnny Buck's manager. Is he around anywhere? Nope.

[Gordon MacRae]

What's more, he never even showed for the fight.

[Mike Morales]

What? You mean he wasn't in Buck's corner?

[Gordon MacRae]

No, he wasn't. Then when I learned Buck had been poisoned.

[Mike Morales]

This really reads. Seems like Morales stayed away because he knew what was going to happen.

[Gordon MacRae]

Of course. Oh, I did see him outside the arena about 8 tonight. Brushed up all in the sweat because his kid sister Nina was gonna elope Johnny Buck right after the fight. Said she was underage. Wanted me to take her into custody if she showed up.

[Mike Morales]

That doesn't make sense. All Morales had to do was stick close to Johnny Buck. The girl that have to show sometime.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah, getting some story like if I stayed on the lookout at the arena, he'd be able to search for her among her friends. So far I never seen hiding her hair of her.

[Mike Morales]

Where'd he go after he talked to you?

[Gordon MacRae]

Inside the arena. Said he had to see Chico Valdez. That's Johnny Stringer. Then I saw him drive off, oh, maybe 15 minutes later.

[Mike Morales]

I want Morales picked up, Sheriff. Right now he stacks up a pretty fair suspect.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yep, he sure had the motive. Could have done plenty in 15 minutes. Oh, gee, that's Doc Signalman. We can go in now.

[Mike Morales]

We weren't in there very long. John Buck died mumbling Mike Morales name. We checked the time for autopsy and sent out a pickup call for Morales. As we started out down the corridor, a pretty young Mexican girl came toward us excitedly, almost in tears.

[Nina Morales]

You please tell me which way I can find Johnny Buck.

[Gordon MacRae]

Are you Nina Morales?

[Nina Morales]

Yes, I am.

[Gordon MacRae]

Nina, this is Ranger Pearson. He'd like to ask you a few questions.

[Nina Morales]

I got say Johnny. I know he's expecting me.

[Mike Morales]

Let's. Let's go into the waiting room. Nina. Sit down, Nina.

[Nina Morales]

Can I see Johnny first? I'd come right back here, honest.

[Mike Morales]

I will in a few minutes. Nina, perhaps you can tell us why your brother wasn't in Johnny's corner tonight.

[Nina Morales]

I think because he's no longer Johnny's manager.

[Mike Morales]

Why did he break up with Johnny?

[Nina Morales]

Any kind of me. It's silly, Mike. He didn't want me running around with Fry Spider. That Johnny wasn't good enough for me. How would he know Johnny's good kind.

[Mike Morales]

When did Mike find out about you and Johnny?

[Nina Morales]

I don't know for sure. He warned Johnny, but we still kept seeing each other. And last night I know Chico saw some. Well, when Johnny brought me home, there was Big Mike waiting for us.

[Mike Morales]

What happened?

[Nina Morales]

Well, when I told him Johnny and I were going to get married, he went wild. He slapped me. And then he and Johnny headed out. Hey, Pa. Johnny gave him a beating.

[Mike Morales]

What happened after that?

[Nina Morales]

He told Johnny they were through. He said before we could ever get married, he killed Johnny first.

[Mike Morales]

I probably said that out of anger.

[Nina Morales]

He has a terrible temper. But I think he's going to feel differently after we're married.

[Mike Morales]

Thanks, Nina. That's all.

[Nina Morales]

I can go now. I can see Johnny.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yes.

[Mike Morales]

Nina.

[Nina Morales]

Yeah.

[Mike Morales]

Nina. You don't want to see him. Not now.

[Nina Morales]

I do. That's why I came. What's wrong? You see?

[Gordon MacRae]

He's dead, Nina.

[Nina Morales]

You knew it. You could feel it all the way down here. I knew it. Yesterday, Johnny promised me we'd quit the fight game. You're going to be fired.

[Mike Morales]

While we were trying to calm grief stricken girl, a phone call came through from hay neighboring deputy who picked up Mike Morales. I instructed him to meet us at the sheriff's office with Morales and we left taking Nina with us in protective custody. It was almost 2:30am When Hapey reported to the sheriff in the outer office. Wanna see Morales now?

[Gordon MacRae]

Jace?

[Mike Morales]

Yeah, Nina? Why don't you go with the sheriff and wait in the other office while we talk to your brother. You mind?

[Nina Morales]

No, I don't mind.

[Gordon MacRae]

This way. Nina. Nina. What are you doing here?

[Nina Morales]

Don't talk to me.

[Gordon MacRae]

No, baby, honest, I. I was only thinking of you. I wanted you to go back to the convent to study. No, no.

[Mike Morales]

Bring him in. Sheriff.

[Gordon MacRae]

Inside. What'd she just say to you? She complained about a headache.

[Mike Morales]

Your sister speaks Spanish better than you understand it, Morales. Sit down.

[Gordon MacRae]

She's upset. She. She don't know what she is saying.

[Mike Morales]

You know about Johnny Buck? Yes.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yes, I know. Terrible King.

[Mike Morales]

When did you last see him?

[Gordon MacRae]

I. I didn't see Johnny since night before the fight. That's not true, Mike. I saw you into the arena myself last night. Yes, but I only went to take Chico to see the promoter. To turn over the purse to Chico. I didn't want Johnny to have money so he could run away with Nina. I'll check that. Okay, Check. Go ahead.

[Mike Morales]

Didn't you go to Johnny's dressing room?

[Gordon MacRae]

Whoever said I did is a pack of lies.

[Mike Morales]

Didn't you have to go to the dressing room to get Chico?

[Gordon MacRae]

I did not. I met him outside the promoter's office.

[Mike Morales]

Where you been all night?

[Gordon MacRae]

All over. Looking for Nina when you should have.

[Mike Morales]

Been in your fighter's corner.

[Gordon MacRae]

My sister, she is more important to me.

[Mike Morales]

You knew something was going to happen to Johnny. Isn't that why he stayed away from the fight?

[Gordon MacRae]

No. I didn't know he was going to get killed.

[Mike Morales]

Who said he was killed?

[Gordon MacRae]

I. I don't know. I thought somebody.

[Mike Morales]

Somebody said you told Johnny you'd kill him if he eloped with your sister. What were you gonna do, Morales? Shoot him or strangle him?

[Gordon MacRae]

No. No, I wouldn't do these things.

[Mike Morales]

What would you do? Maybe poison him?

[Gordon MacRae]

Nothing. I wouldn't do nothing.

[Mike Morales]

You've been drinking, Morales.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yes. I had a few on the counterpart. Poor Johnny. I. I've been trying to forget.

[Mike Morales]

Yeah, well, I want you to remember when I talk to you again in the morning. In the meantime, maybe you better spend the night here.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah, in jail. I got to go home. I got to take care of Nina.

[Mike Morales]

You need sleep, Mike. If you go home, you'll be up all night arguing with Nina.

[Gordon MacRae]

Ranger's right.

[Mike Morales]

You know the mood she's in. Yeah, I don't.

[Gordon MacRae]

Watch no turbulence. All right, Mike, let's go. Oh, hey, Pete, put Mike in the overnight tank and then drive Nina home. Actually, Jace, you don't have enough to hold Morales. Except maybe a drunk charge.

[Mike Morales]

Sure, drunk charge. Maybe a knight in the bullpen will loosen his tongue in the morning.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah. Jace, what did Nina yell at Mike in Spanish.

[Mike Morales]

She said you killed my Johnny. Words to that effect.

[Gordon MacRae]

Think she'll tell that to a jury?

[Mike Morales]

I doubt it. Nothing more we can do now until we get the autopsy report.

[Gordon MacRae]

Sheriff.

[Mike Morales]

Let's get some sleep. I left the sheriff's office and checked in at a local hotel. Seemed like I'd hardly fallen asleep when the phone began to ring. My watch said it was 6:30am Hello?

[Gordon MacRae]

Jace?

[Mike Morales]

Yeah, who is this? Sheriff Haynes. Oh, I'm sorry, Sheriff.

[Gordon MacRae]

Are you sure you're awake?

[Mike Morales]

I am now.

[Gordon MacRae]

What's up? The doc just phoned. He's completed the autopsy report.

[Mike Morales]

Good. What does it show?

[Gordon MacRae]

Wasn't even a trace of poison found in the stomach.

[Mike Morales]

It wasn't what did kill Johnny Buck?

[Gordon MacRae]

Nitroglycerine.

[Mike Morales]

Nitroglycerin?

[Gordon MacRae]

That's right. Showed up in the bloodstream.

[Mike Morales]

Hmm.

[Gordon MacRae]

Jace, don't they use nitroglycerine for certain heart conditions?

[Mike Morales]

To pick up the heart, not explode it. Wait a minute. Seems to me there are several cases on record where poison nitrates were absorbed through the skin.

[Gordon MacRae]

What you getting at, Jake?

[Mike Morales]

Nitroglycerin is an odorless liquid, dissolves in alcohol. Johnny could have had a rub down before he entered the ring. If the rubbing liniment had been spiked, his skin would absorb enough of it in the heat of action to kill him.

[Gordon MacRae]

Think you got something?

[Mike Morales]

How soon can we get into the arena?

[Gordon MacRae]

Anytime you say.

[Mike Morales]

Why? If I'm right about the liniment, Sheriff, we should find signs of it in the dressing room. Meet you there in 10 minutes.

[Joel McCrae]

In just a moment, we will continue with Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jace Pearson.

[Jack Parr]

For almost two centuries, Americans have enjoyed the valuable privileges of freedom. Now freedom needs each American to dedicate himself to its preservation. We must not allow our liberties to be endangered by a neglect of our duties as citizens. During this year of rededication, join with your fellow Americans in reaffirming the principles on which this country is founded and the safeguarding of those principles. Make it your business to see that federal, state and local governments are conducted honestly. Help to maintain the good morale of your sons and daughters in the armed forces. Learn the facts about all candidates and issues, then vote for the one you believe in. Make the most of every minute of your job. Produce as much as you can and thus increase our military and economic strength. Work for better schools and a better community. Guard your American heritage of freedom. It needs you.

[Joel McCrae]

We continue now with Tales of the Texas Rangers and our authentic story, the Rub Out.

[Mike Morales]

In the dressing room at the fight arena, we scraped up a dry residue from the floor and rubbing table and headed for flown to the lab at Austin for immediate analysis. We released Morales after another talk, assigned a deputy to tail him and then took off for a local gym where Chico and Corey with other boxers. It was 11:15 when we got there.

[Gordon MacRae]

Lots of early cauliflower here, Jace.

[Mike Morales]

Yeah, I'll stick to the garden variety. You see either of Johnny's handlers, Sheriff?

[Gordon MacRae]

Yep, that's Chico holding a sandbag with the big heavyweight.

[Mike Morales]

Let's get over there.

[Gordon MacRae]

Come on. Come on, buster. Get some lar behind that hook, will you? Zing into the bag. Make believe it's your brother in law, Chico. Yes. Can you come Here. Oh, hi, Sheriff. Sure, sure. Come on, snap into a little shadow. Boxing bus, huh? This is Ranger Pearson, Chico. Oh, yeah, yeah. Hi, Ranger.

[Mike Morales]

You know Johnny Buck died last night.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah, yeah, it was too bad. Too bad. Great kid. Johnny sure pop to the title in a couple of years. He couldn't miss.

[Mike Morales]

You were his rubber?

[Gordon MacRae]

No, I was his trainer a second. You know the brain trust. Robin, that's Cory.

[Mike Morales]

Yeah. Were you in the dressing room with Johnny Right up the ring time.

[Gordon MacRae]

Most of the time. I wouldn't leave that kid. He was like my own brother.

[Mike Morales]

Any outsiders in the dressing room?

[Gordon MacRae]

Maybe not while I was there.

[Mike Morales]

How about Morales?

[Gordon MacRae]

Mike? No, no, Mike was never in the dressing room. He was at the arena. I talked to him myself. All I know is I met him outside the promoter's office. We had to talk to him about Yanni's door.

[Mike Morales]

Well, that didn't take all night.

[Gordon MacRae]

No, no. Mike was there only a few minutes.

[Mike Morales]

I had to stick around if Mike left by himself. How do you know he didn't go to Johnny's dressing room?

[Gordon MacRae]

Gosh, I don't know. Maybe he did. I wouldn't swear.

[Mike Morales]

Is l Cory around here?

[Gordon MacRae]

Cory? No, no, no. He ain't here to. But he's supposed to work with a couple of fighters. But he sent the word that he's sick. I can't believe a word that he says. He have local? Most of the time. Hey, what's up, Ranger? Anything wrong about last night?

[Mike Morales]

Just the usual questions we ask when a fighter dies after a. That's a likely looking heavyweight you got there, Chico.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah, yeah, but nothing like Johnny Buck.

[Mike Morales]

You better get back to your boy. His shadow's going ahead on point.

[Gordon MacRae]

That's what happens when I leave the big bum. Well, so long, Ranger. Jerry. Anything else you want to know, you can always find me here.

[Mike Morales]

Okay, I'll remember that. You got Cory's address, Sheriff?

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah.

[Mike Morales]

Jace, let's go.

[Gordon MacRae]

Guess this cord's to ring the doorbell. Maybe Cory ain't home.

[Mike Morales]

That's right again.

[Gordon MacRae]

Sheriff Haynes. Corey. Good morning. The door is open. Sorry, I. I can't get out of bed, sir. What's wrong with you? I don't know for sure.

[Mike Morales]

Never felt like this before.

[Gordon MacRae]

Guess on account of last night. What happened to Johnny?

[Mike Morales]

Did you up and down before the fight?

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah, needed it real bad.

[Mike Morales]

Where'd you get the liniments? Chico. He brung it along the satchel. Chico's badly broken up about Johnny.

[Gordon MacRae]

Chico? Who you kidding, mister?

[Mike Morales]

Why, didn't they get along? Heck no.

[Gordon MacRae]

Not since Johnny started Beating his time with my skid sister.

[Mike Morales]

Oh, Chico didn't like that, huh?

[Gordon MacRae]

Shucks, he went plum local when he heard about Johnny and Nina fixing to get hitched.

[Mike Morales]

While the night of the fight, Chico.

[Gordon MacRae]

Was so crazy mad he wouldn't come near the dressing room. When he did, he and Johnny had a ruckus.

[Mike Morales]

Were you in the dressing room all the time? Johnny was there near most every minute at the time. Did Morales show up while you were there?

[Nina Morales]

No.

[Gordon MacRae]

Mike never showed at all. Only.

[Mike Morales]

Somebody got an aspirin. You don't need an aspirin, Corey. You need a doctor. We're going to get you to a hospital and fast. We took Corey to the hospital and waited for the diagnosis. Blood tests confirmed what we'd suspected. Corey was suffering from a trace of nitroglycerin poisoning. Immediate measures were taken to save him. When we went back to the sheriff's office, the lab report from Austin was waiting for me in the teletype room. What did Jace listen to this, Sheriff? Test completed. Scrapings from dressing room, floor and table. Definitely nitroglycerin. Impurities in residue is type of clay usually found in commercial dynamite.

[Gordon MacRae]

I don't get it. What does dynamite got to do with it?

[Mike Morales]

Simple enough. Dynamite contains nitroglycerin. The clay holds it together. The nitro could have been dissolved in alcohol and strained through a claw.

[Gordon MacRae]

Well, I'll be dying. But how did Corey get poisoned with the stuff?

[Mike Morales]

Most likely got into the pores of his hand while giving Johnny Buck his rub down. The reason Johnny went so fast was because his entire body was saturated with a poisoned liniment.

[Gordon MacRae]

Then our problem right now is to find the party who mixed the stuff. And Chico sure had a motive if.

[Mike Morales]

Corey was telling the truth. And I think we might get that answer at Mike Morales.

[Gordon MacRae]

Come in, Ranger. Sheriff.

[Mike Morales]

Mike. What do you know about Slim Cory? He said good boy.

[Gordon MacRae]

Cory worked with my fighters for years, even before I took on Johnny.

[Mike Morales]

How did Corey get along with Johnny Bug?

[Gordon MacRae]

Oh, he was a good friend. Always filling him up with advice.

[Mike Morales]

I see. Is Nina around?

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah, sure, Nina.

[Nina Morales]

What do you want?

[Gordon MacRae]

The arranger and the sheriff, I hear. Come down. Poor kid. We just got through making the arrangements for Johnny. How you feeling now, Nina?

[Nina Morales]

Should I see?

[Mike Morales]

I'd like to ask you something, Nina. I told you all I know about Chico.

[Nina Morales]

Chico? What do I have to do with Chico?

[Mike Morales]

Weren't you good friends at one time?

[Nina Morales]

Never. I couldn't stand him. He was sneak. He was always spying on me.

[Mike Morales]

He was jealous of Johnny.

[Nina Morales]

Crazy jealousy.

[Mike Morales]

Mike was It Chico who told you about Johnny and Nina?

[Gordon MacRae]

Yes, Chico told me. He was always telling me all kind of things. Things I couldn't believe.

[Mike Morales]

Did he tell you to get rid of Johnny?

[Gordon MacRae]

What do you mean? Get rid of Johnny?

[Mike Morales]

Break up with him. Split. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[Gordon MacRae]

He put that idea in my head.

[Mike Morales]

He was the one. I see. I'm sorry to have troubled you again. Mike, Nina, let's go. Sheriff.

[Gordon MacRae]

Looks like Chico's our boy.

[Mike Morales]

Taste everything points to him like a signpost. Strong jealousy motive. Deliberate lies about his friendship for Johnny Buck. A dressing room brawl with Johnny on the night of the fight. And he was the one who gave.

[Gordon MacRae]

Corey the rubbing minimum.

[Mike Morales]

Yeah. Now all we need is definite proof that he spiked it. To send Mr. Valdez to Big chair at Huntsville. We stopped to pick up a search warrant and then went on to Chico's home. It was exactly 3:47pm when we pulled up in front of a weather beaten two room adobe on the outskirts of town to see if we could find the final link of evidence that would help convict he go for the murder of Johnny Buck.

[Gordon MacRae]

No one here, Jace.

[Mike Morales]

Door might be unlocked. I'll try isn't.

[Gordon MacRae]

You want to pick the lock?

[Mike Morales]

Let's go around the b. Hey, hold it a second, Sheriff.

[Gordon MacRae]

Why?

[Mike Morales]

I want to have a look at this trash box.

[Gordon MacRae]

Okay. Meantime, I'll see if the back door is unlocked. Back door's locked too. There's a window open on the side.

[Mike Morales]

Good.

[Gordon MacRae]

You find something, Chase?

[Mike Morales]

Yeah, a very interesting looking piece of cloth, Sheriff. This might be it.

[Gordon MacRae]

This rag?

[Mike Morales]

Yeah. Could have been used to strain the nitroglycerin.

[Gordon MacRae]

You really think so?

[Mike Morales]

Jake can almost tell that residue blindfolded. I might as well take the trash box and all as evidence.

[Gordon MacRae]

Want me to give you a hand with it?

[Mike Morales]

No, I can handle it. I'll park this stuff in the car. Meantime, you go inside through that window and open the door for me.

[Gordon MacRae]

Okay. Shut up.

[Mike Morales]

Shut.

[Gordon MacRae]

You crazy? Shut up. Now you better. You got a wife and kids. You better kids. Where you feel this gun in your throat? One more sound from you when I blow a hole. Now roll over your face. I dig into the floor and do more. Now I unlock the door for your ranger frame. Let's give him a little surprise. Don't you turn your head. Look out. Gay.

[Mike Morales]

You'Re bleeding shoulder. I'll be okay.

[Gordon MacRae]

Looks pretty bad.

[Mike Morales]

Yeah, you look kind of battered yourself, Sheriff.

[Gordon MacRae]

Yeah, I feel that way too. Chico. Dead?

[Mike Morales]

No.

[Gordon MacRae]

Chico. Oh, my legs. They hurt me. They hurt something off.

[Mike Morales]

Yeah, that's what you get Chico and you start messing around with dynamite.

[Joel McCrae]

In just a moment, we will tell you the results of the case you have just heard.

[G]

Hello, friends, this is Jack Parr. I'll be with you later this evening with a $64 question. Right now I'd like to remind you about some of the other great shows this evening on the NBC Radio Network. In just a few minutes, you'll hear the Big show with Tallulah Bankhead and a big array of guest stars. And of course, Meredith Wilson will be on hand to direct Big Show Orchestra and Chorus. You will hear 90 minutes of scintillating comedy and music today on the Big Show. And then right after the Big show, stick around for the Phil Harris Alice Fay show with Frankie Remley, Julius Abruzio, Brother William and the entire Harris household. It's a program that's sure to please you. Later today, Theater Guild on the Air will bring you stars from Hollywood and Broadway in an exciting Broadway play. And right after Theater Guild on the Air, I'll be back with a pocket full of money and $64 question. I'll be talking to a lot of contestants tonight and maybe you'll hear one of your neighbors. So why not stay tuned right now to the NBC for a whole evening of great entertainment. Entertainment. I'll be looking for you in our radio audience tonight.

[Mike Morales]

And now let's get back to the.

[G]

Tales of the Texas Rangers.

[Joel McCrae]

And now here are the results of the case you have just heard.

[Gordon MacRae]

Ranger Pearson recovered from his wounds and was present at chico Valdez's trial 10 weeks later when Chico confessed to the premeditated murder of Johnny Buck on January 13, 1938. Kiko paid the supreme penalty for his crime, the electric chair at the state penitentiary in Huntville.

[Joel McCrae]

Next week, Joel McCrae in another authentic reenactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers, Joel McCray will soon be seen in San Francisco Story, a Warner Brothers release. The cast included Tony Barrett, Herb Pigran, Herb Ellis, Nestor P. Bear and Peggy Weber. Technical advisor was Captain MT Lone Wolf Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers. This story was transcribed and adapted by Will Gould and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keach. Al Gibney speaking.

[Jack Parr]

Next, the Big show brings you 90 minutes of music and comedy on NBC.

[Gordon MacRae]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

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 join in the conversation by going to otrwesterns.Com Discord and don't forget to send us an email. Podcasttrwesterns.com 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 again, thanks for listening.

[Gordon MacRae]

It.