The Witness | The Lone Ranger (05-05-52)

Summary

---

Podcast Summary:

Old Time Radio Westerns - “The Witness” | The Lone Ranger (05-05-52)
October 21, 2025
Host: Andrew Rhynes

---

Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns features a suspenseful Lone Ranger story titled "The Witness," originally aired May 5, 1952. The digitally restored episode plunges listeners into a tale of bank robbery, betrayal, and justice on the Western frontier. The Lone Ranger and his trusted companion, Tonto, unravel the mystery of a violent crime and ensure justice is served. Realistic atmosphere and sharp dialogue bring the wild, lawless West to life.

---

Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. Robbery Plans in the Hills (04:36–05:36)

• Pete Stanton meets his brother Jay and an accomplice, Larry Daggett, to plan a bank robbery in Lebanon.
• Tension arises between the trio over how they'll split the stolen money.
  • Pete’s logic: “Jay and I get two shares of the money and you get one. After all, Larry, you only acted as lookout.” (11:22)

2. Bank Robbery and Aftermath (05:43–06:50)

• The bank robbery goes smoothly; the loot is hidden under a remote cabin.
• The group returns to Rondo, keeping up appearances and waiting for suspicions to die down.

3. Will Gorman’s Hardship (07:47–09:16)

• Prospector Will Gorman is introduced as a down-on-his-luck man struggling to care for his sick wife, Ann, and their son.
  • Will’s plight: “I can’t even afford to give her or Denny the right kind of food... No wonder I hate to go back and face ’em tonight.” (08:02)

4. The Witness to Murder (10:00–12:18)

• Will Gorman stumbles on the outlaws at their hideout and witnesses a heated argument turn into murder, as Jay kills Larry during an altercation over their shares.
  • Jay: “I didn’t murder him. It was self-defense.” (27:30)

5. Confrontation and Kidnapping (13:11–18:10)

• Fearing Will can identify him, Jay follows Will to his home, threatens his family, and abducts Will to prevent him from going to the sheriff.
• Ann and Dennis Gorman are left terrified; Dennis is tied and gagged in the cabin.

6. The Lone Ranger and Tonto’s Investigation (18:19–21:05)

• Arriving at the Gormans’ cabin, the Lone Ranger and Tonto find Dennis tied up and free him.
• Ann and Dennis share key details, including a telling tattoo on the killer’s arm—a black snake around a red rose.

7. Infiltration of Rondo, Discovering the Truth (21:05–23:21)

• Disguised, the Lone Ranger and Tonto gather intel in town.
• The Lone Ranger confronts Jay Stanton at the Red Dog Cafe, exposes his tattoo, and engages in a dramatic showdown.
  • Lone Ranger: “Tattoo black snake around a red rose. This is the man, all right.” (23:00)
  • Lone Ranger (to the crowd): “The first man who comes through that door into the street will get a dose of lead.” (23:17)

8. The Trap (24:02–26:02)

• The Lone Ranger tricks the Stantons and their bartender with a fake note, engineered to confirm their guilt.
• He and Tonto subdue them and prepare for the sheriff’s arrival.

9. Justice Served (26:29–28:13)

• Sheriff Fleming is summoned, arrests the criminals, and recovers the stolen money.
• The Lone Ranger declines the $5,000 reward, insisting it go to Will Gorman so he can care for his wife:
  • Lone Ranger: “Use it to get a specialist for your wife. She needs one, help your boy too.” (27:56)

10. Closing and Lone Ranger’s Departure (28:13–29:33)

• Will Gorman tries to thank the Lone Ranger, who rides off into the distance.
  • Pete Stanton (about the Lone Ranger): “He doesn’t want thanks. His reward comes from helping others... he could be off helping somebody else somewhere. And he will be... because, you see, Will, he’s the Lone Ranger.”

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jay Stanton (on division of loot):
  “Two for Jay, two for me, one for Larry… The idea, Larry, what it always was. Jay and I get two shares of the money and you get one.” (11:15)

• Will Gorman (describing his desperation):
  “She needs a good doctor, Sadie Boy, more than anything in the world. Poor Anne.” (08:02)

• Ann Gorman (encouraging Will to do the right thing):
  “You must go and tell the sheriff about it.” (15:14)

• Lone Ranger (unveiling the killer):
  “Tattoo black snake around a red rose. This is the man, all right.” (23:00)

• Lone Ranger (refusing reward):
  “No, I don’t, Sheriff. Will Gorman found the hideout and found them with the money just before they killed Daggett. What I did was merely follow up. Will. The reward is yours.” (27:46)

---

Important Timestamps & Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 04:36–05:36 | Robbery plot and internal dispute | | 10:00–12:18 | Will Gorman witnesses murder | | 13:11–18:10 | Jay Stanton threatens Gorman family, kidnaps Will | | 19:00–21:05 | Lone Ranger and Tonto discover the attack, clues given | | 23:00–23:21 | Lone Ranger exposes Jay’s tattoo, showdown | | 24:02–26:02 | Lone Ranger’s ruse, criminals apprehended | | 27:46–28:13 | Lone Ranger awards reward money to Will Gorman | | 28:13–29:33 | Lone Ranger departs, legend reinforced |

---

Tone & Original Spirit

The episode captures the classic Lone Ranger atmosphere: suspenseful, rich in character-driven dialogue, and imbued with reverence for justice. A mixture of Western stoicism, family desperation, conniving outlaw scheming, and the Lone Ranger’s calm moral clarity weaves throughout.

---

Summary

This restored old-time radio episode delivers the charm and tension of golden-age Western storytelling. At its heart, "The Witness" is a tale of crime and consequence, of how courage and integrity—even from a humble prospector—can help bring outlaws to justice. The Lone Ranger emerges as ever: a watchful, altruistic hero, dispensing justice and declining reward, so that another family may heal and hope once more.

---

Transcript

[Indeed Advertiser]

Hiring isn't just about finding someone willing to take the job. You need the right person with the right background who can move your business forward. If you want candidates who truly match what you're looking for, trust Indeed Sponsored Jobs With Indeed Sponsored Jobs, your post stands out to quality candidates who actually fit the role. According To Indeed data, 90% are more likely to be hired and trusted by 1.6 million companies. Spend more time interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Less stress, less time, more results. Now with Indeed Sponsored Jobs and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help your job get the premium status it deserves@ Indeed.com kidsandfamily just go to Indeed.com kidsandfamily right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com kidsandfamily Terms and conditions apply. Hiring do it the Right Way with Indeed.

[Narrator]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator]

A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty Hio. Silver the Lone Ranger, 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.

[Pete Stanton]

Come on, Silver.

[The Lone Ranger]

Go, big fellow.

[Ann Gorman]

Are you still there?

[Narrator]

Away. Pete Stanton, owner of the Red Dog Cafe in the town of Rondo, rode at dawn to a cabin in the wild hills eight miles to the east of the town. There, far from the known trails, he met with his brother Jay Stanton, and a man named Larry Daggett. They had been waiting for him since the previous night. Pete Stanton, inside the shack, looked at the men.

[Pete Stanton]

Are you fellas ready to set out for Lebanon? Say, what's the matter? What's up between you two?

[Jay Stanton]

Pete, I'm ready to go, but Larry has other ideas.

[Pete Stanton]

Oh, he has, has he? What kind of ideas, Larry?

[Jay Stanton]

Well, it's about the money we'll get when we rob that bank in Lebanon this morning. Why don't we just split it after we get back here instead of burying it in the ground under the cabin? I'd like to head back for Texas again?

[Pete Stanton]

Pete, are you crazy? We hightailed out of Texas because the law was starting to get wise to us down there.

[Jay Stanton]

Yeah.

[Pete Stanton]

Now, let me finish. Jay and I have been doing mighty well with that cafe in Rondo. We aim to stay there after we rob this bank. We. And this includes you, Larry. We are going back to Rondo and act like nothing's happened. That's why I planned the job. This way, we bury the loot here for maybe a month and go about our business in Rondo like we always do. That way, no one will get suspicious. But we're going to Lebanon now. You coming with us? Yes or no?

[Jay Stanton]

All right, Peter, I'm coming. Let's start.

[Narrator]

The bank robbery proceeded smoothly as planned.

[Will Gorman]

Get up.

[Jay Stanton]

Get up. Get up.

[Will Gorman]

Come on.

[Narrator]

The three crooks, masked, rode away from Lebanon before anyone in that sleepy cowt was aware that a robbery had been committed. They buried the money in the dirt under the floor of their cabin in the hills and sped back to Rondo with no one aware that they had been away. Sheriff Fleming, after searching and asking questions in Lebanon and Rondo, both in his vast county, learned nothing later. A reward of $5,000 was offered for the capture of the bank robbers and the return of the stolen money, but no one claimed the reward. At the end of a month, Larry Daggett, who according to plan, had remained aloof from Pete and Jay Stanton, cornered the brothers in their Red Dog Cafe.

[Jay Stanton]

Pete, you said we'd split the money in a month. It's over a month now.

[Pete Stanton]

We were just talking about that, Larry. What do you say if we wait three days more and if things are still quiet, we'll sneak out to the shack for the payoff. I promise you that.

[Narrator]

Two nights later, the Lone Ranger and Tottle camped in the hills outside Lebanon. The following morning, Tottle rode into the town to learn, if possible, what progress the sheriff had made in tracking down the bank robbers. Tottle returned that afternoon and reported everything he had heard. Sheriff Fleming had made an intensive search around Lebanon with no results. His investigation in Rondo had been equally futile. But from the conclusions Tonto reached, the lawmen still suspected the crooks had used that town as headquarters.

[Pete Stanton]

Sheriff, go back to Rondo this morning. Take posse with them.

[The Lone Ranger]

Going to look around there again, huh? I'd say that's a good idea, Potto. I think we'll go to Rondo. Maybe we'll be able to help the sheriff. We should make it by early evening. Easy, fellow. Montau.

[Narrator]

At that moment, in the mountains eight miles east of Rondo prospector Will Gorman prepared to call it a day. His search for gold had been fruitless, as usual. As he packed his digging tools, he talked to his mule, Sadie Boy, as if the animal were human.

[Will Gorman]

It's no use, Sadie boy. We're wasting our time. Go ahead and laugh, but it's no laughing matter. No laughing matter at all. I hate to go back to my cabin. I hate to look into the eyes of my wife and see the sickness and fear that's in them. She needs a good doctor, Sadie Boy, more than anything in the world. Poor Anne. I can't even afford to give her or Denny the right kind of food. When I do find a small nugget or a few grains of gold, I use most of it to drown my sorrows down at the Red Doll Cafe. No wonder I hate to go back and face him tonight and every night. But come on. Let's start moving, Sadie boy.

[Narrator]

A short time later, Will Gorman, leading his mule, headed through a clump of underbrush and started along a trail which was, he thought, known only to him.

[Jay Stanton]

Come on.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on.

[Narrator]

Then, as the trail came into the open and curved along the top of a wooded hollow, he saw a horseman ride down into the depression from the other side and disappear among the trees. Will Gorman stopped short.

[Will Gorman]

Whoa, Shady boy, whoa. Go. Did you see that? First time I ever saw anybody but us up around these parts. That man who rode down there was Sadie Boy. He didn't see us. I couldn't make out his face too good, but I could have sworn that was Pete Stanton. Hush your fool mouth, will ya? I'm gonna tie you up here a while. I'm gonna circle around to that place where he rode down. Then I'm gonna do some nosium. I'd like to find out what it is that brings Pete Stanton up here. If it is Pete Stanton, maybe he's found gold. Never mind the comment. Now just shut your trap while I find out things.

[Narrator]

Will Gorman circled around the hollow to the spot where he had seen seen the rider descend. Walking cautiously down through the brush, he came to a spot he had never known existed. An open area with a shack in the center of it. There were three horses in front of the place.

[Will Gorman]

Dog gone. I'm gonna sneak down to that window and find out what's going on in there. Dog gone.

[Narrator]

Inside the cabin, Pete Stanton found his brother Jay waiting with Larry Daggett.

[Pete Stanton]

Did I have a hard time sneaking out of town to get here.

[Jay Stanton]

I don't know what happened.

[Pete Stanton]

Sheriff Fleming and a posse rode in from Lebanon. Just as I was about to leave, I had to ride out of town in the other direction. Circle around this way.

[Jay Stanton]

Pete, I'm not interested in that part. All I'm interested in is my share of the money we took from the Lebanon bank. Jay and I dug up the bag. It's here on the table. Let's divide it so I can start back for Texas.

[Pete Stanton]

All right, Larry, I made you a promise, so I'll keep it. I'll do the dividing. Let me have that first stack of bills, Jay. Here, I'll start with you. Jay. These are hundreds. Ready? All right. Two for Jay. Two for me. One for Larry. Two for Jay. Two for me, one for Larry. Stop right there. Let go of my wrist, Larry.

[Jay Stanton]

Let go and you tell me what kind of game you're playing. What's this? Two for Jay, two for me and one for Larry. Stuff. One for Larry. What's the idea?

[Pete Stanton]

The idea, Larry. What it always was. Jay and I get two shares of the money and you get one.

[Jay Stanton]

After all, Larry, you only acted as lookout. Pete and I took the chances. We did the work. Who are you? A dirty, double crossing coyotes.

[Pete Stanton]

Larry.

[Jay Stanton]

I'm gonna kill you. Pete. I'm gonna kill both of you. Larry, let go of his throat. If you don't. You what.

[Pete Stanton]

My throat?

[Jay Stanton]

I'm gonna kill both of you. I said right now.

[Pete Stanton]

Larry, don't. Don't you.

[Jay Stanton]

I'm gonna get you.

[Narrator]

Right.

[Jay Stanton]

I beat him to the draw.

[The Lone Ranger]

Pete.

[Pete Stanton]

Hey. He's dead, Jay. You killed him.

[Narrator]

Outside the cabin, Will Gorman, witness to the killing, turned from the window in sheer panic and ran with shaking legs back through the trees, circling back to the spot where he had left his mule. Inside the cabin, Pete and Jay Stanton, both tents, gazed at the body of Larry Daggett.

[Jay Stanton]

I had to kill him, Pete. He asked for it.

[Pete Stanton]

He almost choked me to. Jay, did you hear that?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah.

[Jay Stanton]

It came from outside that window. Sounded like somebody running.

[Pete Stanton]

Well, don't stand there. Let's see. Come on.

[Narrator]

Minutes later, Pete and Jay Stanton emerged from the brush.

[Pete Stanton]

There was no sign of anyone up there. It was so dark among those trees, you couldn't see anyway.

[Jay Stanton]

I tell you, we're just an animal, Pete.

[Pete Stanton]

Well, I hope it was Jay. Let's get out of here at once. Go inside and get the money. Bring it right out and we'll ride back to town.

[Narrator]

An hour later, as they rode to town, the Stanton brothers saw a man riding on the road in front of them. He was on a mule, and he turned off the trail, riding Towards a cabin high on an incline. They reined their horses. Pete, look.

[Jay Stanton]

That fella came from the same direction we did. He was on the road ahead of us.

[Pete Stanton]

Can't you tell who that is? That's that old galoot, Will Gorman. You're thinking that maybe he was the one we heard outside the cabin.

[Jay Stanton]

Well, why not? He's always prospecting up around Nob Peak. And that's not too far from where the shack is.

[Pete Stanton]

You're getting nervous, Jay. That's bad.

[Jay Stanton]

I'm getting nervous because maybe somebody saw what happened with Larry. Suppose it was Gorman.

[Pete Stanton]

Do all the supposing you want. I don't think it was. If you do right after him, find out I'm taking this money and getting it back to the cafe. You want a question, Gorman?

[The Lone Ranger]

I. I don't know.

[Jay Stanton]

He's a harmless fella. But Pete, I admit it. I am nervous. I don't want to take any chances. I'm riding up to Will Gorman's place. He's almost there now, you see. I'm gonna talk to him.

[Pete Stanton]

Go ahead, if it makes you feel better. I'll get back to town and see what the sheriff's been up to. But Jay, be careful. You'll be making a mistake if you ask questions that aren't necessary.

[Jay Stanton]

I'll be careful, all right. He saw us. He'll give himself away. I know how to handle this. I'm going, Pete. See you later. Get up there.

[Narrator]

Jay Stanton dismounted away from the cabin where Will Gorman had entered. When he arrived at the door of the house, he stopped to listen to the voices inside. Ann Gorman, Will's wife, was crippled. She and their 10 year old son Dennis, who stood beside her chair, watched anxiously as Will Gorman paced the floor.

[Ann Gorman]

Will, what's the matter with you? You came in here like the devil himself was after you. You didn't even say hello to Danny. What's wrong? Yes, Pop, what's wrong?

[Pete Stanton]

Anne.

[Will Gorman]

Anne, I just saw a murder.

[Ann Gorman]

A murder? Will, you. You don't mean it?

[Will Gorman]

I do mean it, Ann. I saw Larry Daggett get killed in a place up in the hills.

[Jay Stanton]

I saw it happen.

[Will Gorman]

And I know who it was that killed him.

[Ann Gorman]

Oh, Will, how terrible. Why, you must go and tell the sheriff about it.

[Will Gorman]

That's what I've been debating with myself about. But it's what I gotta do, I guess.

[Ann Gorman]

Well, sure you do, Pop. You gotta tell the sheriff. Who was it that killed the man, Pop?

[Will Gorman]

It was Jay.

[Jay Stanton]

I did it, that's who.

[Narrator]

Jay Stanton had covered his face with a Bandana and crashed into the cabin, gun drawn.

[Jay Stanton]

Wil Gor, if you don't want to die right here in front of your family, you'll not say another word. Now put up your hands and walk out of this cabin ahead of me.

[Narrator]

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. Ann Gorman, unable to move from her chair, watched in wild eyed horror as Jay Stanton, his face covered, pushed her husband toward the door. Dennis Gorman's son, after a moment of paralyzing fear, suddenly ran at the gun wielding crook.

[Ann Gorman]

Don't you shoot my pop. Give me that gun.

[Narrator]

The boy's grasp tore the shirt sleeve of the masked crook as Jay Stanton pulled away.

[Jay Stanton]

You little. Cat him out. I'll show you. Don't hit him. Don't you.

[Ann Gorman]

You hit him. You hit my pack. You're not will unconscious.

[Jay Stanton]

Yeah, and while he's out, I'll take care of the boy. Come on.

[Narrator]

Jay Stanton's tattooed arm tensed under his badly torn shirt sleeve as he pulled Dennis Gorman to the side of the cabin. He removed a rope which hung on the wall and despite the lad's struggles, managed to coil this around the boy's body. Then, using all his strength, he tied the hands and ankles of Dennis. Paying no attention to the mother's frenzied protests. He ended by placing a gag in the boy's mouth.

[Ann Gorman]

No, you don't.

[Jay Stanton]

There. That holds you. Youngin'. I didn't want to hurt you, but you made me so.

[The Lone Ranger]

Stay there, you.

[Ann Gorman]

You horrible beast to do that. Why, you're worse than a. Now what are you doing?

[Jay Stanton]

I'm carrying your husband away from here so's we can have a little talk. Oh, no. We're going to my hideout.

[Narrator]

At the hideout cabin, Jay Stanton placed the prospector's inert form on the floor away from the body of Larry Daggett. Then he used rope once more to bind the man who was still too weak to struggle. A few minutes later, he rode away. The Lone Ranger and Toto, nearing the town of Rondo, had passed no streams within the past few hours. Now, riding the main trail, they saw a small cabin away from the side of the road, on top of an incline. They slowed their horses.

[The Lone Ranger]

Easy, boys.

[Narrator]

Unaware that the cabin above was that of Will Gorman.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hello. Suppose we ride up to that house. Our horses need water badly. Sure we'll be able to get some up there. Come on.

[Narrator]

As they destroy dismounted near the cabin, they heard a woman scream.

[The Lone Ranger]

Otto. Something's wrong. Inside.

[Narrator]

Come on inside. Dennis Gorman lay on the floor, bound and gagged. Ann Gorman, who had tried to move from the chair to help him, explained her plight. Help him.

[Ann Gorman]

Please help him. I tried, but I just can't.

[The Lone Ranger]

I see why you can, ma'. Am. Sit back in your chair. Panama got the ropes off the boy.

[Pete Stanton]

Uh, me doing mask, too.

[Ann Gorman]

Who are you?

[The Lone Ranger]

A friend. Believe me. Sit back now and don't be frightened. I'll explain another time why I wear this mask. Right now. Please tell me what happened here.

[Narrator]

And Gorman, encouraged by the Lone Ranger's manner, told everything. Young Dennis, freed by totto and excited anew, waited as his mother finished talking.

[Ann Gorman]

Will said the name of the man who killed Larry Daggett was J. He never did get to say the killer's last name because that's when the man came in and took Will away and did this to Denny. Knocked out Pop first, but I grabbed him. I tore his sleeve.

[The Lone Ranger]

Tore his sleeve? Where's the material from it?

[Ann Gorman]

No, he didn't tear it that much. I tore it enough to see his arm, though. It was tattooed. Tattooed? Are you sure, Denny? I didn't notice. Well, I'm sure. He had a flower or something on his arm, and there was a rope or something around it. I didn't see what it was exactly, but it was like that.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll tell the sheriff as soon as we get to him.

[Ann Gorman]

But the sheriff's not in Rondo.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, you're right. I'd forgotten about that. His office is in Lebanon.

[Pete Stanton]

It take long time to ride there now.

[The Lone Ranger]

Much too long if we want to make sure that Will Gorman doesn't die. Toto.

[Ann Gorman]

But what can you do if you don't go to the sheriff right now?

[The Lone Ranger]

There's only one thing. Toto and I must go to Rondo and learn everything possible about Larry Daggett and any man whose first name is Jay. All right, Todd, let's start. We have no time to waste.

[Narrator]

On the outskirts of Rondo, the Lone Rangers stopped, removed his mask and quickly donned the disguise of a rancher.

[The Lone Ranger]

Toto, you go to the cafe. Mix in with the men around the place and learn what you can. I'll go to whatever stores are open and to the doctors. I meet you at the east end of the main street. An hour after we get to town.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger and Tonto entered Rondo and went about their investigation at once. The owner of the general store volunteered immediate information.

[The Lone Ranger]

Larry Daggett? Sure, I know him. Him and the rest of his kind.

[Jay Stanton]

Tarry around The Red Dog Cafe.

[The Lone Ranger]

The Red Dog Cafe. Perhaps I better inquire about him. Over there.

[Jay Stanton]

You probably find him there playing cards.

[Will Gorman]

With his pals, Pete and Jay Stanton. And Lefty.

[The Lone Ranger]

You said Jay Stanton. Who's he?

[Narrator]

His brother, Pete owns the Red Dog.

[Will Gorman]

Bad pair, those two.

[Jay Stanton]

Hey, hey, where you going? I thought you wanted to know something.

[The Lone Ranger]

You told me all I want to know. Thanks.

[Narrator]

Still in disguise, the Lone Ranger went to the Red Dog Cafe. After holding a drink untouched in his hands for a while, he questioned the barkeeper.

[The Lone Ranger]

I just arrived in town tonight. I'm looking for Larry Daggett. See Rand, Larry? Nope. Haven't seen him tonight. Is Jay Rand. Jay Stanton? Well, he was. Oh, here he is. I didn't see you, Jay.

[Jay Stanton]

This fellow was down the other end of the bar, Red.

[Narrator]

All right.

[Jay Stanton]

I heard you asking questions, mister.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh, hello, Jay. Looking for Larry Daggett.

[Jay Stanton]

How are you? Where do you know him from?

[The Lone Ranger]

Who are you? My name doesn't matter. I used to know Larry in the Indian Territory. Get out of here.

[Jay Stanton]

Nobody knows Larry Daggett around here. Never heard of him. Now, come on, get out.

[The Lone Ranger]

None of that, mister. Get your hands away.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger's blow sent Jay Stanton crashing to the floor. He ignored the shouts of dismay in the three men who were coming towards him, fists ready. Instead, he knelt beside Jay and pulled up Stanton's sleeve.

[The Lone Ranger]

Tattoo black snake around a red rose. This is the man, all right. Hey, what are you trying to do?

[Jay Stanton]

Stand up before me.

[The Lone Ranger]

Before you what? Move forward. Another step and I'll drill all of you. Look at that. Draw. He means it. Yes, I mean it. Now, stand right where you are until I get out of here. The first man who comes through that door into the street will get a dose of lead.

[Narrator]

Calling the surprised mob, the disguised Lone Ranger backed into the street. Then he turned and sprinted to the end of the street where Tonto was waiting. He gave the Indian no time to speak.

[The Lone Ranger]

Tato, get back to the Red Dog Cafe. There's a man on the floor there unconscious. Find out what he does or where he goes. I'm changing my clothes meanwhile, and I'll not be long.

[Narrator]

A short time later, the Lone Ranger, wearing his mask once more found Toto waiting in the shadows near the Red Dog. The Indian led him to the rear of the building and pointed to a window there.

[Pete Stanton]

Man, you want me watched in there? Him talk fast with other men.

[The Lone Ranger]

The man would be his brother. I think that must be the office. I thought I wrote a note after I changed my clothes. Take it into the cafe address to J. Stanton. Make sure it's delivered to him here.

[Pete Stanton]

Me take it, Kimasabi. And what you do?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll be at the window watching and listening.

[Narrator]

A few minutes later, in Pete Stanton's office, the bartender, Red, delivered a note to Jay Stanton.

[The Lone Ranger]

As for you, Jay, an Injun left it. Threw it on the bar and then run out, huh?

[Jay Stanton]

Let's see what this is.

[Will Gorman]

Why, that.

[The Lone Ranger]

Jay.

[Pete Stanton]

What's the matter? What does the note say?

[Jay Stanton]

He did? It's from Will Gorman.

[Pete Stanton]

Gorman? I thought you said you left him tied up at the hideout.

[The Lone Ranger]

I did.

[Jay Stanton]

Tight. I don't see how he could get away. But Pete, he says. Here, listen to this. He says he's riding to Lebanon for the sheriff. He says he's gonna tell the sheriff all about the murder of Larry Daggett and everything else. That means he'll tell him that you have the bank money. Here.

[Pete Stanton]

There's something strange about that note.

[Jay Stanton]

Hmm?

[Pete Stanton]

If Will Gorman escaped and wanted the sheriff to take us, why would he write a note to tell us? He'd try to surprise us. Another thing. Why would he come to Rondo and have an Indian deliver the note? Red.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah, boss?

[Pete Stanton]

You've listened to what we said. You're in on this now?

[The Lone Ranger]

I am. Is that right about Larry being killed?

[Pete Stanton]

Yeah. It happened up in the hideout. You know where it is?

[The Lone Ranger]

The hideout? Well, sure. I've been up there, remember?

[Pete Stanton]

Yeah, but can you find your way there alone?

[The Lone Ranger]

Well, yeah. Out east along the main trail, Turn off of the cut below Knob Peak and ride till you come to the two notched oak trees. Ride between them through the brush and down into the hollow. The cabin's there. I know where it is.

[Pete Stanton]

Sure you do. All right, then. Red Jay left Will Gorman tied up in the cabin there. You go there now.

[Jay Stanton]

Don't bother going, Rand. Eh? What?

[The Lone Ranger]

The sheriff will do that. Raise your hands, the three of you.

[Jay Stanton]

The masked man, he was outside listening.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, and I heard everything.

[Jay Stanton]

Hello.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come in. Tie these men up.

[Pete Stanton]

What's this all about?

[The Lone Ranger]

It's about murder and robbery. We're going to bind your wrist, gag you and march you into the stable at the rear of this place. Then we'll tie your ankles and leave you there until we locate the sheriff. Sheriff?

[Jay Stanton]

What are you getting him for?

[The Lone Ranger]

To arrest you for murder, Jay. And to take the Lebanon bank money.

[Narrator]

Tonto located the sheriff's camp, led the lawman and his posse to town, where the Lone Ranger told his story and handed over the prisoners. The sheriff searched Pete Stanton's office And found the Lebanon banked loot in a safe. Pete Stanton shrugged.

[Pete Stanton]

All right, Sheriff. Thanks to the fake note the masked man sent us. You know everything. I knew it couldn't be from Gorman. Yet I talked. So take us to the jailhouse, huh? Later. Stanton, you and your brother are coming along with us now. We'll need you to lead us to your hideout. The masked man will ride with us too. And he'll make sure you don't take us on any wild trails. Come on.

[Narrator]

The group of riders found the hideout cabin shortly after dawn. Will Gorman was freed and the body of Larry Daggett gave Sheriff Fleming his last bit of evidence.

[Pete Stanton]

We have a corpus delicti now disapproved murder.

[Jay Stanton]

I didn't murder him. It was self defense.

[Pete Stanton]

Tell that to the jury.

[Narrator]

Stand.

[Pete Stanton]

You think I almost let you fellas get away? After questioning you about that bank robbery.

[The Lone Ranger]

Sheriff, you'll not need toddling me any longer.

[Pete Stanton]

Oh, but you can't leave. You gotta collect the $5,000 for catching these crooks and for locating the money.

[The Lone Ranger]

No, I don't, Sheriff. Will Gorman found the hideout and found them with the money just before they killed Daggett. What I did was merely follow up. Will. The reward is yours.

[Will Gorman]

Why, but it isn't.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, it is. Use it to get a specialist for your wife. She needs one help your boy too.

[Will Gorman]

Sure, sure. I'll do everything you say. But first let me. Wait, stranger. I want to thank you.

[Pete Stanton]

It's no use, Will. Let him go. He doesn't want thanks. His reward comes from helping others. You and I and the bank people all have reason to thank him. But by the time we'd finished telling him how we felt, he could be off helping somebody else somewhere. And he will be. Because you see, Will, he's the Lone Ranger.

[Narrator]

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 Beame.

[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 and Ron W. 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.

[Narrator]

Sam.