Old Time Radio Westerns – The Lone Ranger: “The Third Robbery” (Aired: April 28, 1952)

Podcast Release Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Andrew Rhynes

Episode Overview

In this digitally restored Western radio classic, The Lone Ranger and his loyal companion Tonto are called to action when a third daring gold shipment robbery hits near Medicine Springs. As suspicion falls upon innocent men and a conspiracy emerges right in the heart of the town, the dynamic duo must untangle a web of lies and deceit to restore justice. This episode is a classic “whodunit” with tense showdowns, clever plotting, and the signature sense of adventure that defined The Lone Ranger’s run on radio.

Key Discussion Points, Plot Developments, & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Anticipating the Third Robbery

• [03:13] Jackknife Hill: Notorious for train robberies; two previous gold shipments have been stolen.
• The Lone Ranger and Tonto stake out the area, expecting the thieves to strike again, but the train passes without incident.
• Insight: The Lone Ranger deduces that the thieves must have an inside source informing them about gold shipments (“I’m sure of one thing...the thieves have some way of knowing when gold is being sent to Medicine Springs.” — The Lone Ranger, [03:56]).

2. Sheriff Bell, the Newspaper, and the Town’s Tensions

• [05:21] Sheriff Edward Bell manages both the local newspaper and the sheriff’s office.
• His daughter, Julie, expresses concerns that if there’s a third robbery, he’ll face harsh criticism from Barney Pitt, the station agent.
• The Lone Ranger’s involvement is confirmed, symbolized by his iconic silver bullet sent by mail.
• Quote:
  “How did you get the help of the Lone Ranger?”
  “He helped me once before, Julie. And he said to let him know if I ever needed him again.”
  – Julie Bell & Sheriff Bell ([06:56])

3. The Robbery Hits the Station

• [07:20] During the midnight arrival of the third gold shipment, masked men rob the express car at the station instead of on the tracks.
• Johnny Coates, the young assistant station agent, and Al Summers, the wounded express guard, give accounts of the well-planned heist.
• Barney Pitt accuses Johnny of possibly being an inside informant due to the repeated unlucky timing during railroad shipments (never when Johnny’s uncle, Ben Coates, is shipping by wagon).
• Notable Exchange:
  "It strikes me as mighty strange that the gold is always stolen while the railroad is responsible. Never when your uncle is freighting it."
  – Barney Pitt to Johnny Coates ([09:40])
• Johnny is fired by Pitt after a heated exchange.

4. The Real Conspirators Revealed

• [11:30] Late-night secret meeting: Pitt is revealed to be the criminal mastermind, “the boss.” His henchmen, Cherokee and Brush, report back after the heist.
• Pitt instructs them to frame Ben Coates by planting stolen gold and canvas bags at his place.
• Memorable Conspiratorial Moment:
  "We’ll have to work fast. The law will not rest until someone is jailed. The sooner we hand the sheriff a prisoner, the better off we’ll be."
  – Barney Pitt ([12:48])

5. Johnny and Ben Coates—Setup and Kidnapping

• [16:03] Johnny recognizes Cherokee’s voice in the stable and correctly identifies him as one of the robbers.
• Both Johnny and Ben are captured, gagged, and bound, then hidden in Ben’s freight wagon, which is driven away to an isolated spot.
• The gang plans to spread rumors in town to further frame the Coates.

6. The Lone Ranger’s Investigation and Rescue

• [18:27] The Lone Ranger, Sheriff Bell, and Tonto cross paths during their respective investigations.
• Tonto assists the sheriff tracking the crooks' trail, while The Lone Ranger discovers the abandoned Coates team, tracks them to the wagon, and rescues the captives.
• Quote:
  "You needn’t worry about my mask. I’ll cut those ropes."
  – The Lone Ranger, reassuring Johnny and Ben ([21:26])
• The Lone Ranger learns that Pitt’s men have gone to report back at the railroad station.

7. Showdown at the Station – Justice Served

• [23:08] Julie Bell visits the station, overhears incriminating talk among Pitt, Brush, and Cherokee, and is caught and threatened.
• The Lone Ranger arrives just in time, subduing the villains with a display of expert marksmanship ("The Lone Ranger’s twin Colts were already in action. Silver bullets wing Barney and Brush." [25:12]).
• Sheriff Bell, Tonto, and Johnny arrive for the denouement—Cherokee's confession and evidence seal Pitt's fate.
• Justice Restored:
  "You and your pals will be out of circulation for a long time. I’ll see that the railroad hears the true facts of what happened. Johnny Coates will probably get his job back and a promotion."
  – Sheriff Bell ([26:49])

8. Final Revelations and The Lone Ranger Rides Again

• Pitt laments underestimating the outside help, not knowing the 'masked man and the Indian’ were the Lone Ranger and Tonto ([27:21]-[27:32]).
• Justice is restored, innocence is vindicated, and The Lone Ranger once more fades into legend.

Memorable Quotes and Moments with Timestamps

• “That the thieves have some way of knowing when gold is being sent to Medicine Springs.”
  – The Lone Ranger ([03:56])

• “A silver bullet, Julie. It came by mail yesterday. There was a note with it.”
  – Sheriff Bell ([06:39])

• “It strikes me as mighty strange that the gold is always stolen while the railroad is responsible. Never when your uncle is freighting it.”
  – Barney Pitt ([09:40])

• “I’ll bandage your wounds until the doctor arrives. Johnny, this is the third time we’ve lost a gold shipment.”
  – Barney Pitt ([09:27])

• “I told you I think the sheriff has some outside help on these robberies. Federal men or railroad detectives might find clues that would lead to us.”
  – Barney Pitt ([12:13])

• “You’re the one who made the mistake, mister. I’d recognize your voice anywhere.”
  – Johnny Coates, confronting Cherokee ([16:15])

• “You needn’t worry about my mask. I’ll cut those ropes.”
  – The Lone Ranger, to Johnny and Ben ([21:26])

• “They were going to kill me.”
  – Julie Bell, after her rescue ([25:30])

• “We got him when he stepped outside to bolt the door. He’s on the station platform right now telling the masked man’s friend Tonto all he knows.”
  – Sheriff Bell ([25:33])

• “They’re not disguised, Barney. This Indian is Tonto. And the masked man you tangled with is The Lone Ranger.”
  – Sheriff Bell ([27:32])

Major Turning Points & Timestamps

• [05:12]– Sheriff Bell receives the iconic silver bullet from The Lone Ranger, indicating help is on the way.
• [07:20]– Third robbery executed at the train station under everyone’s nose.
• [09:38]– Barney Pitt casts suspicion on Johnny, revealing his manipulative nature.
• [11:30]– Pitt revealed as the criminal mastermind.
• [16:03]– Johnny Coates confronts Cherokee, confirming the rogues’ identities.
• [21:11]– The Lone Ranger rescues Johnny and Ben Coates, flipping the investigation.
• [23:08]– Climactic confrontation in the station; Julie Bell is endangered.
• [25:12]– The Lone Ranger intervenes, justice is served.
• [27:32]– True identities and intentions revealed; town order restored.

Tone and Style

True to its Golden Age legacy, this episode brims with rapid-fire exchanges, moral clarity, and moments of suspense, all delivered in the classic, earnest tones synonymous with radio’s frontier dramas. The Lone Ranger’s iconic stoicism and Julie Bell’s courage accentuate the high-stakes, yet righteous, mood throughout.

Summary Provided by Old Time Radio Westerns / OTRWesterns.com
(Restoration by Andrew Rhynes – bringing classic radio to modern ears)