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Lone Ranger
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Narrator
Mommy's walking.
Lone Ranger
I think kid is walking up the slide.
Narrator
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Tonto
Paid for by Electronic Payments Coalition.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. You can find more Western shows at our website by going to otrwesterns.com now let's get into this episode.
Lone Ranger
I am Silver.
Old Time Radio Announcer
A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty hi O Silver the Lone Ranger.
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Lone Ranger
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Toto
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Tonto
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Tonto
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Lone Ranger
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Old Time Radio Announcer
With his faithful Indian companion, Toto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the Plains led the fight for law and order in the early Western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling Days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again.
Narrator
Bonita was a sleepy cattle town on the Santa Fe Trail until the announcement that the expanding railroad was to pass through the community. This news brought a sudden burst of activity. Each day brought newcomers to Bonita. Men came with money to invest and crooks came to take advantage of boomtown conditions. There was neither law nor order in Bon. The Lone Ranger and Toto made camp in a woods near Bonita and Toto went into town for supplies. He returned with news of recently organized vigilantes.
Toto
Vigilantes led by Big Bill Thomas.
Tonto
I remember him, Toto. He's a good man. He's the one who made peace with the Indians who live in La Plata Valley. Oh. Did you hear anything about Spike Lorenzo?
Toto
A him run cafe?
Tonto
Yes.
Toto
Me not hear about him.
Tonto
He's a friend of every crook in this part of the country. I'm wondering if he'll take action against the vigilantes.
Toto
He go back to town, learn more?
Tonto
No, not today. We have some work to do on our gear. After that, I want a ride to the ridge that overlooks La Plata Valley and see how things are in the Indian vill.
Narrator
It was mid afternoon before the masked man and his Indian friend left their camp. And at just about that same time, Spike Lorenzo met two hard faced men in his office in the back of the cafe.
Spike Lorenzo
The cafe owner said, I'll get right to the point. Bill Thomas and his vigilantes are getting troublesome. They're writing letters to lawmen all over the southwest. They're asking for handbills on men who are wanted by the law.
Lone Ranger
And I don't like that. You Lefty?
Tonto
Nope.
Spike Lorenzo
Sooner or later they'll learn that you two are wanted for murder in San Antonio. And they'll learn things about me.
Narrator
We don't want that to happen.
Tonto
Neither do I.
Spike Lorenzo
So I worked out a plan to make the Indians in the valley massacre the vigilantes.
Tonto
But they're peaceful Injuns.
Spike Lorenzo
They didn't use to be. They've been quiet since Big Bill Thomas made a treaty with them. What do you think they'll do if they were attacked by the vigilantes? Why, they'd fight, right. They'd outnumber the vigilantes three or four to one.
Tonto
They'd massacre every one of the vigilantes. But how do you figure on getting Thomas and his men to attack the Indians?
Spike Lorenzo
My plan is involved, but every detail is worked out. I Have some bows and arrows in.
Narrator
This cupboard.
Tonto
Here they are.
Spike Lorenzo
Also some Indian clothing. These are unmistakably the type of arrows used by the La Plata Valley Indians.
Tonto
I understood they had rifles.
Spike Lorenzo
They have, but many still use their arrows.
Lone Ranger
Yeah.
Tonto
Take these. Yeah. What are we to do with them? Mr. Lorenzo, you and Brush are to.
Spike Lorenzo
Play the part of Indians.
Narrator
What are we supposed to do?
Spike Lorenzo
Attack the two men who are surveying for the railroad.
Tonto
You mean Brent and Stacy? Yes.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger and Tonto spent a long time on the ridge that overlooked the Indian village. While remaining out of sight. They used binoculars to study the Indians and were gratified to see that all activities were peaceful and domestic. At sunset, the masked man said, I've seen enough, Tonto.
Tonto
There should be no further trouble from those Indians.
Toto
They're no trouble. Less white men start it.
Tonto
That's unlikely. Steady, Silver.
Toto
Now we go back to camp.
Tonto
Yes, Toto. Easy. Steady. Easy, Tudor. Come on, Tudor.
Narrator
As the Lone Ranger and Toto started down the slope to return to their camp near town, the railroad surveyors finished their day's work a couple of miles nearer to Bonita. They guided their rented horses along the stage trail without the slightest suspicion that two men disguised as Indians and armed with short powerful bows and iron tipped arrows were waiting in ambush. Lefty and Brush, both of whom knew how to use the Indian weapons, waited behind a boulder until the railroad men were close. Then they stepped into view.
Lone Ranger
Now.
Tonto
Hey, watch this. Got him.
Narrator
The surveyors riderless horses followed the familiar route to Bonita and delivery stable that they knew was home. Their arrival caused something of a stir. These are the horses I ran into the railroad men.
Lone Ranger
Yeah, but where are the men? I don't know.
Tonto
Their gears tied behind the saddles.
Lone Ranger
You think they fell?
Narrator
Both of them?
Lone Ranger
Hardly. Hey, look here on the saddle horn. Great Scott, is that blood still moist? Say, there's Big Bill. Better show that to him.
Tonto
Hey, Bill.
Narrator
Bill.
Lone Ranger
Thomas, come here. I got something to show you.
Narrator
Big Bill, the leader of the vigilantes, was quick to grasp the situation. When he saw the red stain on the saddle, he turned to a group of men who had gathered.
Lone Ranger
You take three or four men to ride along the trail. You find the surveyors, take extra horses in case you're able to ride right.
Narrator
What if they're hurt too bad to ride?
Lone Ranger
I'll be along as soon as I hit your team to my buckboard. Pete, you find the doctor.
Toto
All right.
Lone Ranger
Tell him to meet me at my house with his kit. Yep, I'll take him with me.
Narrator
Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger and Toto were riding along the stagecoach trail. As they rounded a bend, they saw the two men lying face up in the twilight.
Tonto
Otto, the railroad surveyors we met on our way to the ridge.
Toto
Isn't that right?
Tonto
See about that man. I'll look after this one.
Toto
Indian arrow.
Tonto
This man's alive.
Toto
So this one got him plenty wounded.
Tonto
These arrows were made by the Indians in the valley.
Toto
Me no but them Indian peaceful kimasabe. Me think someone else shoot arrows.
Tonto
Footprints may prove that. After we have treated these wounds, we look around.
Narrator
Soon after caring for the wounded men, the masked man and his Indian companion found tracks of the outlaws.
Tonto
They waited behind this rock and stepped.
Toto
Out into the road and wear boots with heels. White men there where them leave road?
Narrator
Come on.
Tonto
We'll see where they went. Notice the way these men walk.
Toto
Turn toes out. Indian never walk like that. Indian toe in.
Tonto
Further evidence that white men wounded the surveyors.
Toto
Why them use error?
Tonto
Probably so Indians would be blamed. Otto, the footprints lead into that gully.
Toto
And hoof marks there.
Tonto
That's where the killers left their horses.
Toto
Maybe we follow tracks, huh, Otto?
Tonto
I'll follow those tracks. You stay here with the wounded men. Here's Silver.
Toto
Hey boy, meet savvy.
Tonto
Move them off the road. When the stagecoach comes, you can get them into town.
Lone Ranger
Easy.
Tonto
Silly big fellow. Monsieur.
Old Time Radio Announcer
The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger adventure. Before the next exciting scenes. Please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Now to continue.
Narrator
Knowing that darkness would soon close in, the Lone Ranger traveled as fast as possible. As he followed the clearly defined tracks, he observed that the killers traveled due north from the stagecoach trail, then rode in a wide semicircle to approach Bonita from the south.
Tonto
Hoser Hose.
Narrator
It was dark when the Lone Ranger halted in a cottonwood grove about a hundred yards behind Lorenzo's cafe.
Tonto
Easy for the big fellow. That's the logical place for killers to go. Might be able to learn something.
Narrator
Leaving Silver at ground hitch, the masked man walked softly toward the lighted windows of the back room of the cafe. Suddenly there was a clatter of hooves and a number of horsemen drew rein in the street in front of the building. In two strides, the Lone Ranger reached a corner of the building and peered through the two foot gap between the cafe and the building next door. He could see nothing, but the voices of the men in the street came to him clearly.
Lone Ranger
Yeah, we found the surveyors. Both hit by inch and arrows.
Narrator
Big Phil here on his wagon. He wants a meet and run away.
Lone Ranger
Excellent.
Narrator
As the crowd in front dispersed The Lone Ranger heard other voices. They came from inside the building, from the back room of the cafe. They became clearer when the masked man moved closer to a window and pressed close to the thin wall.
Tonto
Well, we're all here.
Spike Lorenzo
Close the door, Moose.
Tonto
Hey, Mr. Lorenzo. What's a commotion in the street? Couldn't you hear the talk, Lefty?
Narrator
No.
Tonto
Russia and I have been here in the back room ever since we got back from that job. Took off the Injun outfits, put them in a closet.
Spike Lorenzo
Men returned after finding the surveyors.
Tonto
Was Big Bill Thomas with him?
Spike Lorenzo
No, he's following this wagon with Doc.
Tonto
And the wounded men. Wounded?
Spike Lorenzo
Yeah, they're alive, thanks to your blundering. Also, Bill's bringing a prisoner, an Indian he found near the surveyors.
Narrator
Is he one of the La Plata Valley engines?
Spike Lorenzo
I don't know. I understand he refused to talk. That doesn't matter. Everyone thinks the valley Indians attacked the surveyors.
Narrator
Well, that's what you wanted them to think.
Spike Lorenzo
Yeah. As soon as Big Bill Thomas gets to town, the vigilantes will meet. Then they'll ride to the valley for a powwow with the chief. Meanwhile, we'll sneak out of town and ride to the ridge overlooking the valley. We'll wait there in the dark until the vigilantes start up this side of the hill on the way to talk to the Indians.
Lone Ranger
Yeah, then what?
Spike Lorenzo
We ride down the other side of the hill.
Tonto
Well, that's where the Indians live.
Spike Lorenzo
Right. We ride with guns blazing at em.
Lone Ranger
Hey, man, those redskins have guns. They'll blaze right back at us.
Narrator
Why, they'll be shooting before we reach the foot of the hill.
Spike Lorenzo
That's right, boys. So at the foot of the hill, we turn tail and retreat up the hill.
Lone Ranger
The Indians will come after us.
Spike Lorenzo
Sure they will. It'll be dark and they won't be able to see us. We'll fan out and lose ourselves in the underbrush on the hillside. But the Indians will run smack into the vigilantes. They'll think the Indians are attacking them. You know what the result will be? Every one of the vigilantes will be killed. Now look to your guns.
Narrator
From his vantage point near the window, the Lone Ranger heard the plan. Then he heard the clatter of an approaching buckboard and knew that Big Bill Thomas was arriving. Big Bill halted his team behind the doctor's office. The doctor was with him and so was Toto, whose hands were tied behind his back. Toto's horse was tied behind the wagon.
Spike Lorenzo
All right.
Lone Ranger
Engine step down. I noticed a lot of horses down the road in front of your house. Bell. Looks like your vigilantes are there waiting for your meeting. Yeah. We'll get there with this engine as soon as possible. We'll question them before we start for the valley. Can you manage injured men if I leave a wagon here? Yes. Take your prisoner and go ahead. Good engine. You walk ahead of me. And remember, I'm holding a gun on you.
Tonto
Just a minute. Steady, Bill. Don't swing that gun toward me.
Toto
He's mad, Kimasabi.
Tonto
Just drop it.
Lone Ranger
A new crook in town?
Tonto
Yes, Hip.
Lone Ranger
I've dropped my gut, thanks.
Tonto
You needn't raise your hands, Bill. I'm no crook. I'm on your side. And so is Toto. Toto? The man you captured. Otto. Turn so your wrists are near my left hand. I have a knife. Bill, you and Doc stand still and listen to me. I have a lot to tell about the attack on the men in your wagon.
Lone Ranger
What do you know about it?
Tonto
I know who shot them and why. Otto and I found them on the trail and dressed their wounds. I left Tono with him. There. Your hands are free. Tono, where's your gun?
Toto
In wagon.
Lone Ranger
Indians ambush those men?
Tonto
No, Bill. With the work of white men.
Toto
We tried to tunnel Kimothali, but then not. Listen, Bill.
Lone Ranger
Come to think of it, the Indian did try to explain something. Everyone started asking him questions, charging him with the shooting. So we shut up and refused to talk. Hey, Misty. Have we met before?
Tonto
Yes, Bill. Something familiar about you, maybe My voice. It was while you were worried about a peace pact with the Indians. I met you on the trail and made a few minor suggestions.
Lone Ranger
Say, that's it. And you gave me a silver bullet.
Tonto
I'm glad you remember.
Lone Ranger
I still have it. Say, Doc, this is a lone reindeer. Yeah, I guessed that when you mentioned the silver bullet. You have a lot to tell me.
Tonto
Yes, Bill. We found the tracks and two men.
Narrator
In the darkness behind the doctor's office. The Lone Ranger told what he knew about the ambush and about Lorenzo's plan. Then Big Bill said, get the vigilantes.
Lone Ranger
And we'll arrest Brush and lift in.
Tonto
I'd like to submit a suggestion for turning the tables on the whole gang.
Lone Ranger
Let's use those.
Tonto
Men will wait in hiding on the ridge. They'll not attack the Indians until they see you and your men right along the trail and start up the western slope. Well, don't let them see you. Stay off the trail and out of sight behind rocks and brushwood until you reach the foot of the slope. Wait there.
Lone Ranger
Then what?
Tonto
Meanwhile, Tuttle and I'll enter the valley from the north. We'll open fire to arouse the Indians. Then we'll ride up the hillside with the Indians in pursuit. Just as Lorenzo's men plan to do.
Lone Ranger
Well, we're waiting at the bottom of the hill. On the opposite side?
Tonto
Yes.
Lone Ranger
How are you and Toto escape?
Tonto
We'll take care of ourselves.
Lone Ranger
When the crooks on the ridge see the redskins coming, they'll have to fight a run.
Tonto
They can't fight such odds. They'll try to escape by riding down the hill. You and your men cut them off, capture them and hold them. Soon you'll have handbills showing that every one of those men is wanted for a major crime. Meanwhile, they'll be in jail.
Lone Ranger
All right, let's try your plan.
Narrator
A few minutes later, the Lone Ranger and Toto rode away from town and traveled fast until they entered one end of La Plato Valley. They slowed their horses and remained screened by underbrush as they rode along the base of the hill that rose on their left. On their right, about 100 yards away, the Indians were grouped around the council fire in a ceremonial chant.
Tonto
Stop here, Toto. Lorenzo's men should be straight up this hill. The ridge?
Toto
You think vigilantes have time to get in place on other side of hill?
Tonto
They've had plenty of time. You aim at the fire, the bullets will make sparks fly. I'll kick up Dustner.
Spike Lorenzo
The chief.
Narrator
Right.
Tonto
Let's go.
Narrator
During the wild confusion in the village, the Lone Ranger and Toto reloaded their guns. Indians shouted in rage and surprise. Some leap for weapons and horses. Others peered into the darkness, trying to learn the source of the shooting. Then the masked men and Toto reopened fire.
Toto
Now they got horses and guns.
Tonto
Yes, and they've seen the flashes of our guns. They know the shots came from this hill. Let's go, Monster.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger and Toto fired intermittently and zigzagged. Take advantage of COVID as they started up the hill. But halfway to the the ridge, they stopped shooting. With no more telltale gun flashes to betray their location, they were able to swing their horses quickly to one side and take cover behind a massive boulder. The Indians on their horses thundered past.
Tonto
Hello. I wonder what the men on the ridge will do.
Narrator
On the ridge, Lorenzo and his men were startled and confused. The dark hillside was studded with flashes of gunfire. And the air was filled with war cries. The sound of exploding powder and the thunder of horses hooves.
Lone Ranger
I see them. They're close enough.
Tonto
I see them. They're coming. Straight at us.
Lone Ranger
How can they know we're here?
Tonto
I don't know.
Old Time Radio Announcer
Someone fire from the foot of the hill. That's what started them.
Tonto
Well, they're sure to find us when they get close.
Lone Ranger
I'll show those. Why, you fool.
Tonto
Your shots gave us away.
Old Time Radio Announcer
Now we're in port.
Tonto
I'm getting out.
Lone Ranger
So am I. I'm heading west.
Narrator
Later that night, most of the vigilantes were in the home of Big Bill Thomas when the door was opened. The Lone Ranger was framed in the opening. He looked at Big Bill and the men in the room, then spoke.
Tonto
Bill, why didn't you keep your part of the bargain?
Lone Ranger
I'll explain that. You see, I told the boys your plan. The majority ruled against it.
Tonto
But why?
Lone Ranger
Bill said we were to capture those crooks, then explain things to the Injuns.
Tonto
Yes.
Lone Ranger
You see, the boys figured if we stayed here and didn't ride out, the Injuns would keep after Lorenzo and his men until they got him. Well, that'd take care of the crooks. So we stayed here.
Tonto
Figuring the Indians would massacre the outlaws? That's right.
Lone Ranger
Please don't be sore about it. Those crooks deserve killing. They plan to kill us. Did the redskins kill them all?
Tonto
No, none of them were killed. Those Indians are not savage murderers. They wanted to know why they were fired at. So they captured Lorenzo and his men. They were bandaging the wounded when Toddle and I caught up to them.
Lone Ranger
Captured them.
Tonto
The Indians are holding their prisoners. When you receive handbills showing where those crooks are wanted, call on the chief and he'll surrender them to you. Those Injuns copied our way of doing things. Yes. See that you set them a good example from now on.
Lone Ranger
Gosh, boys, I. I feel sort of mean. Yeah. Shouldn't have left Lorenzo's men to be massacred.
Tonto
I reckon the Indians have taught us a lesson. More or less.
Lone Ranger
Yep. The engines and the Lone Ranger. Sam.
Andrew Rines
Back in the Old west, folks didn't run to the pharmacy every time trouble hit. They relied on the know how and natural remedies. Kind of like how Tonto always seems to have a special mixture ready for whatever came next. If you want to learn how to do that today, check out the Beginner's Guide to Herbal Remedies. Easy steps for teas, tinctures and salves. Even if you've never tried herbs before, visit otrwesterns.com herbs to learn more. Again otrwesterns.com herbs.
Lone Ranger
Sam.
Old Time Radio Announcer
This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created by George W. Trendle. Produced by Trendle Campbell Muir Incorporated, Directed by Charles D. Livingston and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 this episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a digitally restored presentation of a classic Lone Ranger adventure, “The Vigilantes.” The story transports listeners to Bonita, a once-quiet cattle town suddenly thrust into turmoil by the arrival of the railroad and a wave of criminal activity. As lawlessness surges, a group of vigilantes seeks to enforce order—only to be targeted by a nefarious scheme aiming to incite violence between them and the local Native Americans. The Lone Ranger, with his companion Tonto, must unravel the plot and prevent a massacre, upholding justice and peace on the frontier.
The episode delivers its classic Western tale with a blend of suspense, action, and moral reckoning. Dialogue honors the stoic, justice-driven character of the Lone Ranger, the wisdom and loyalty of Tonto, and the precarious nature of frontier justice. The tension between law, vigilantism, and misunderstanding is handled with dramatic flair, culminating in a resolution that lauds peaceful solutions and cautions against prejudice and quick judgment.
In “The Vigilantes,” the Lone Ranger once again stands as a bulwark against chaos and injustice. By discerning truth from deception and harnessing both cunning and compassion, he prevents an engineered massacre, protects an innocent community, and reminds listeners of the American West’s enduring struggle between the rule of law and the temptation to take justice into one’s own hands. The episode is a lively, suspenseful tale with a timeless moral: true justice is rooted in understanding, not vengeance.