Old Time Radio Westerns

The Stray Wagon | The Lone Ranger (09-28-51)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Podcast Date: August 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns delivers a digitally restored classic Lone Ranger drama, immersing listeners in the rich soundscape and timeless storytelling of the golden age. "The Stray Wagon" features suspense, frontier justice, a vulnerable settler family, and the legendary masked rider's pursuit of truth and law. The episode revolves around a pair of settlers who, against better advice, travel alone across dangerous territory—only to fall victim to an ambush, a frame-up, and the ingenious intervention of the Lone Ranger and his loyal companion, Tonto.

Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: The Adams’ Journey West

[04:39–07:25]

• Joe and Mary Adams, a middle-aged couple, travel alone by covered wagon toward Eagle Pass, despite Mary’s apprehensions:
  • Mary Adams (concerned): “Joe, I don't know why you have to be so stubborn. We should have stayed with the other wagons and gone on to Laredo. It's awfully risky crossing the plains alone like this.” (04:53)
• They are ambushed by four "Indians," and Joe is wounded.
• The Lone Ranger and Tonto rush in, driving off the attackers and tending to Joe’s injury.
  • Lone Ranger (reassuring): “Don't worry about the mask. We came to help you. I'll see if your husband's badly wounded.” (06:20)
• The Lone Ranger warns about the dangers of traveling alone and offers reassurance about settling in the West.

2. Trouble Brewing: The Outlaws' Plot

[08:30–12:20]

• In Laredo, two outlaws, Russ and Mickey, overhear the Adams discussing their savings and the role the Lone Ranger played in their rescue.
• The outlaws decide to rob the Adams and frame the Lone Ranger and Tonto.
  • Mickey (scheming): “What I overheard might give you a good idea for getting back at that masked hunter in a big way... We can come through with some extra money for ourselves.” (11:38)
  • Plan: Rob the Adams, blame the Lone Ranger and Tonto, and tip off the sheriff.

3. Good Deeds and Foul Play

[13:30–17:29]

• Tonto visits the Adams to check on them and is warmly received.
• The outlaws eavesdrop and confirm the Adams are keeping their money in the wagon.
• At night, Russ and Mickey break into the Adams’ wagon, steal their savings, and bind and gag the couple.
• As the Lone Ranger and Tonto approach to warn the Adams about their vulnerable cash, Russ shoots and wounds the Lone Ranger, then flees.
• The Lone Ranger, only slightly grazed, plans to get to the bottom of the robbery.

4. The Frame-Up

[18:42–22:00]

• Russ and Mickey report to Sheriff Vernon, claiming they shot at the masked man and Tonto as they were "fleeing" the Adams’ wagon.
• The sheriff and posse race to the crime scene, finding the wounded Joe, bound Mary, and the robbery evident.
  • Sheriff (concerned): “Why, it's the Easterners who came here yesterday — the Adams? ... We've been robbed. All our money.” (20:30–21:00)
• Russ and Mickey falsely identify the Lone Ranger and Tonto as the culprits and offer to lead the sheriff to their camp.

5. Detective Work and the Clever Clue

[22:01–28:00]

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto reassure the released Adams of their innocence and deduce the real robbers’ involvement.
• Joe Adams recalls a critical detail: the cash box is covered in green paint he applied that day.
  • Joe Adams (realization): “The man who took that box probably has paint on his hands, too.” (25:40)
  • Lone Ranger (determined): “I'm convinced the men who stole your money are with the sheriff and his men. Oh, we'll follow them.” (26:08)
• The Adams insist on joining the Lone Ranger to confront the posse and support his innocence.

6. Justice and Resolution

[28:01–31:43]

• At the Lone Ranger’s camp, the sheriff and posse try to arrest the masked man.

• The Lone Ranger asks the sheriff to check the outlaws’ hands for green paint; the evidence implicates Russ and Mickey.

  • Lone Ranger (proving guilt): “Let me see yours, mister. ... The green paint on them. You see? It's fresh.” (29:20)

• The Lone Ranger subdues Mickey as he attempts to escape.

  • Narrator: “The Lone Ranger grabbed his lariat and whirling it over his head, sent it unerringly toward the fleeing outlaw.” (30:11)

• Cash is recovered; the sheriff finally recognizes the Lone Ranger’s true role and clears him and Tonto.

  • Sheriff (grateful): “I reckon I owe you an apology, mister. ... He's a fine friend to have, isn't he, Joe?” (31:12–31:35)

• The Lone Ranger rides off, leaving the Adams grateful and the sheriff with a prized silver bullet as a token of friendship.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Folksy Wisdom:

  • Tonto (reassuring Mary Adams): “West plenty good place to live.” (07:07)
  • Lone Ranger: “In time, you'll come to love the west as we do.” (07:15)

• Detection & Justice:

  • Joe Adams (idea): “I used green paint this afternoon to touch up a few spots on the wagon. ... The cash box— that was it ... The man who took that box probably has paint on his hands, too.” (25:49)
  • Sheriff, realizing: “That's it! ... The green paint on them. You see? It's fresh paint from the box we had under the wagon seat.” (29:23)

• Classic Heroism:

  • Narration: “From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again!” (04:45)
  • Sheriff (respectful): “That silver bullet is a sort of pledge of friendship to you from the Lone Ranger.” (31:38)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------|--------------| | Host intro & episode launch | [01:24–03:27]| | Adams’ ambush and rescue | [04:39–07:25]| | Outlaws plan to rob and frame | [08:30–12:20]| | Robbery, frame-up, and Lone Ranger shot | [13:30–17:29]| | Outlaws frame Lone Ranger to sheriff | [18:42–22:00]| | The “green paint” clue | [25:40–26:15]| | Final confrontation | [28:01–31:43]| | Sheriff recognizes the Lone Ranger | [31:12–31:43]|

Conclusion

“The Stray Wagon” is a stellar Lone Ranger adventure packed with suspense, clever plotting, and satisfying justice. The episode offers a classic Western blend of peril for innocent settlers, villainous scheming, and heroic intervention—highlighted by the use of a vivid, well-placed clue that brings the truth to light. The immersive sound restoration and faithful performances ensure the drama brims with nostalgia and high adventure.

Final Reflection (Sheriff):
“He's a fine friend to have, isn't he, Joe?” (31:35)
Joe Adams: “That's right, he is. ... That silver bullet is a sort of pledge of friendship from the Lone Ranger.” (31:40)

This episode of “Old Time Radio Westerns” beautifully preserves and animates the spirit and excitement of classic radio drama for modern listeners.