Old Time Radio Westerns: The Two Shots | Challenge of the Yukon (04-17-52)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns transports listeners to the snowy wilds of the Yukon in a thrilling radio drama titled “The Two Shots,” originally broadcast as part of the Challenge of the Yukon series in 1952. The restored episode follows the adventures of Sergeant Preston and his dog King as they unravel the truth behind a shooting and robbery that threatens to send a young man to jail for a crime he didn’t commit. The episode is a classic morality tale about innocence, greed, and justice in the Klondike gold rush era.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction and Setting the Scene

• [04:10] Listeners are introduced to Ray Morgan, a “likable youth, but inclined to be lazy and at times headstrong,” living with his mother in Selkirk. The family is struggling financially, and Ray dreams of striking it rich as a prospector.
  • Mrs. Morgan: “It seems impossible to make ends meet these days. Ray, I wish you could find something to help out.” (04:17)

2. Ray’s Quest for Fortune

• [06:51] Ray visits Lottie Norton’s cafe, hoping to hear of a good opportunity, though his mother disapproves of the rough crowd there.
• There, a miner named Jake announces his plans to sell his gold claim after a modest strike.
  • Lottie (cafe owner) signals her men: "There's a sourdough in the cafe...he has plenty of gold...Get to the point, Lottie…Get a look at him before he leaves..." (08:55)

3. The Crime on the Trail

• [10:10] Ray heads to Beaver Point and stumbles onto a crime scene: Jake has been shot in the back. Two of Lottie’s men, Handy and Wes, frame Ray for the shooting by planting spent shells in his gun.
  • Ray: “You can see my gun is empty. I couldn’t have shot him!” (10:31)
  • Handy: “We caught him red handed. No doubt he shot this man.” (10:38)

4. Sergeant Preston’s Investigation

• [12:00] Sergeant Preston and Yukon King find Jake alive. Preston gives first aid, showing the heroics and thoroughness of Yukon justice.
• [12:33] Preston learns Handy and Wes accused Ray and presented his gun as evidence. The circumstantial evidence seems solid, but Preston is suspicious.

5. Uncovering the Truth

• [17:19] In jail, Ray pleads his innocence. Preston and the Constable begin to suspect a frame-up, especially since the gold Jake was carrying is missing and Ray’s saddlebags are empty.
  • Constable: “You really don’t think Ray did it, do you?” (18:52)
  • Preston: “I suspected Lottie Norton and her men of having something to do with the robberies…” (18:55)
• [19:21] Jake, regaining consciousness, confirms he was shot from behind and robbed of three small sacks of gold.

6. The Trap and Confession

• [21:00] Preston sets a trap by allowing word to spread that Jake reported “four pokes of gold” were stolen before dying.
• In the cafe, Handy and Wes fall into the trap:
  • Constable: “We’re still trying to get [Ray] to tell what he did with the four pokes of gold…” (24:16)
  • Handy, careless, exposes knowledge only the true robbers would have.

7. Justice Served

• [25:20] Lottie confronts Handy and Wes about the missing gold, with tensions high. Preston and the Constable, having overheard their argument, burst in and arrest them.
  • Preston: “We arrest you three crooks in the name of the Crown for robbery and attempted murder.” (27:20)

8. Resolution and Epilogue

• [28:16] Jake, grateful to Ray for unintentionally saving his life and seeing Ray’s reformed attitude, gifts him the gold claim.
  • Jake: “Maybe you might be a good man to try your luck at work in it... It’s yours if you want it and you’re willing to work.” (28:50)
  • Mrs. Morgan: “Thanks to Jake, we both have our chances.” (29:16)
  • Preston: “I’m happy to say this case is closed.” (29:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ray’s Frustration with His Situation and Dreams
  “I want to be a prospector. If I could get enough to buy a paying claim, maybe I’d strike it rich. Then we’d be on easy street.” (04:40)

• Lottie’s Ruthlessness and Manipulation of Her Henchmen
  “Remember, you two are working for me. It wouldn’t be healthy for you if you didn’t come back…” (09:08)

• Sergeant Preston’s Judgment
  “I suggest we let them think the victim is dead. Perhaps if he lives, he’ll be able to tell us who shot him.” (13:35)

• The Critical Mistake that Exposes the True Criminals
  Constable: “We’re still trying to get him to tell what he did with the four pokes of gold…”
  Handy (unaware): “Now hold on, I understand nobody knew how much Jake…” (24:16)

• The Moral Turning Point
  Jake: “Maybe I’ll come back someday and then we’ll work it together, huh? But don’t count on that. Once I get settled in the States, I’ll most likely stay put.” (29:03)

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:10–06:43 | Ray’s struggle at home and in the cafe | | 08:44–10:31 | Lottie’s henchmen plot, Ray discovers the crime | | 12:00–13:35 | Preston’s investigation begins | | 17:19–19:21 | Ray’s interrogation, Jake wakes up | | 21:00–22:31 | Preston’s plan; Lottie scolds her men | | 24:16–25:20 | Handy’s fatal slip with “four pokes of gold” | | 27:20–28:16 | Preston arrests Lottie, Wes, and Handy | | 28:16–29:25 | Jake grants Ray his claim; family looks ahead |

Tone and Style

The episode’s tone remains dramatic and suspenseful, with strong morality and a sense that justice will ultimately prevail. The dialogue is robust and colorful, matching the style of classic Western radio dramas—full of frontier grit, humor, and straightforward confrontations. The voice of Sergeant Preston is authoritative and fair, while Ray’s journey shows youthful naiveté maturing into responsibility.

Conclusion

This episode of Challenge of the Yukon, "The Two Shots," exemplifies the best of old-time radio drama: a crisp, suspenseful plot, colorful frontier characters, and a resolution that rewards honesty and hard work while delivering poetic justice. The restored audio brings new life to the vivid atmosphere of the Yukon and the iconic partnership of Sergeant Preston and his loyal dog King, ensuring these Golden Age tales continue to inspire and entertain a new generation of listeners.