Todd Ford | Frontier Town (1949)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns: "Todd Ford" | Frontier Town (1949)

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: "Todd Ford" – Frontier Town, 1949
Date: October 18, 2025

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Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns revisits the classic radio drama "Frontier Town," specifically the episode titled "Todd Ford." The story plunges listeners into the rough-and-tumble world of Dos Rios, a lawless frontier town, where mining claims can make or break a man’s fortune—and survival often hinges on cleverness, grit, and a little luck. Central to the tale is Chad Remington, the local lawyer and rancher, who aids the wounded and embattled prospector, Todd Ford, in his desperate struggle against the nefarious claim-jumper Rocky Carew and his henchman, Big Jake.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage: Dos Rios and Characters Introduced

• [05:29] Chad Remington introduces himself and the town of Dos Rios—a haven of both opportunity and danger:
  "Dos Rios means Two Rivers. And if Dos Rios sounds peaceful, well, it's no more peaceful than any other frontier town. Good folks and bad, God fearing and evil. I know, because not only am I a rancher, but I'm also the town's only lawyer."
• Cherokee O'Bannon, a livery owner with a dubious medical past and comic timing, is Chad’s companion.

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2. Todd Arrives Injured: The Mystery Unfolds

• [06:43] Todd Ford arrives, slumped in the saddle, obviously shot.
• [07:08]
  Todd Ford: "Guess this was my lucky day."
  The trio quickly deduces Todd has been a victim of foul play, likely at the hands of claim-jumpers.
• [08:12] Todd formally introduces himself: "My name is Ford, Todd Ford. And if you can help me straighten this out and get my claim filed, I'll pay you any fee you want."

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3. The Enemy: Rocky Carew and Big Jake Appear

• [08:29] Todd explains the threat: Rocky Carew, "a black hearted buzzard" notorious for acquiring claims through disappearance or murder of their original prospectors.
• [10:29] As the group heads to file Todd's claim, they encounter Big Jake, Carew’s thug, outside the land office. The tension escalates.

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4. A Race for Legal Rights: Obstacles at the Land Office

• [11:50] Chad attempts to smooth things over with Jake:

  Chad Remington: "You mind if I look at that gun you're wearing?" [11:45]

• Jake responds with violence, knocking Chad out and rushing to file the claim under his own name before Todd can.

• [13:17] The claim is filed under "Jake Hunbright"—a legal but dirty move facilitated by violence and speed.

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5. Suspicions of Betrayal: The Role of Althea

• [15:28] Todd suggests a woman—Althea—may have tipped Carew off about his strike:
  Todd Ford: "Her name's Althea. Thea's what I call her. And she works over in Big Strike. Oh, I guess you'd call her an entertainer. It works in the Bonanza Bar, place where Karoo hangs out."
• Cherokee offers cynical wisdom:
  Cherokee O'Bannon: "The 97th [kind of poison] is the one poison that no one has ever found a cure for. And that's female women." [15:40]

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6. Confrontation at the Saloon: Carew’s Threat

• [17:32] Todd, Chad, and Cherokee confront Carew and Althea at the Bonanza Bar.
• [18:16] Carew delivers an ominous warning: Rocky Carew: "If I were in your boots, I'd turn them around toward the door and I'd walk out. I wouldn't stop until I was back..."
• Gunmen take positions, threatening the trio's lives, but Carew offers a reprieve until sundown.

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7. Aftermath and Attack: Violence & Evidence

• [23:09] The group regroups at Todd’s diggings. At dawn, Althea pleads with Todd to leave before Carew’s gang kills him.
• [24:53] Todd resolves not to run but to expose Jake and Carew.
• [25:02] They discover Big Jake shot dead—eliminating a key witness to the foul play but find a clue:
  Chad Remington: "In Big Jake's inside shirt pocket was a map and description of Todd's claim in handwriting which Todd admitted was undoubtedly Carew's." [26:26]

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8. The Legal Trap: Outsmarting Carew

• [27:56] Chad proposes a ruse: having Todd sign over the claim to Carew for $100 in a quit claim contract in Carew’s own handwriting.
• [28:30] The trap is sprung—Carew’s signature matches handwriting on the paper found with Jake, directly implicating him in the fraud and likely murder.

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9. Dramatic Climax: Shootout and Sacrifice

• [28:37–29:06] As Carew reaches for his gun, violence erupts. Althea throws herself in front of a bullet intended for Todd, saving him.
  Cherokee O'Bannon: "Why, that fool female. She stepped right into that shot." [28:41]

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10. Resolution and Reflection

• [29:44] Althea survives, and she reconciles with Todd—promising her future will be spent with him at his claim.
• [30:14] Chad offers a final reflection: Chad Remington: "Let this be a lesson to you, Todd. The most important thing that glitters doesn't have to be a nugget. It's usually a woman with a heart of gold." [30:23]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Comic Relief:
  Cherokee O'Bannon: "My rattlesnake oil was an absolute and positive cure for 376 diseases of men and bees." [06:22]
• Cynicism about Women:
  Cherokee O'Bannon: "The one poison that no one has ever found a cure for. And that's female women." [15:40]
• Poignant Reflection:
  Chad Remington: "The most important thing that glitters doesn't have to be a nugget. It's usually a woman with a heart of gold." [30:23]
• Dramatic Turning Point:
  Cherokee O'Bannon: "Why, that fool female. She stepped right into that shot." [28:41]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Event | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:29 | Introduction of Chad Remington and Cherokee O'Bannon | | 06:43 | Todd Ford arrives, wounded | | 10:29 | Encounter with Big Jake near the land office | | 13:17 | Jake files disputed claim | | 15:28 | Todd accuses Althea of betrayal | | 17:32 | Confrontation with Carew at the Bonanza Bar | | 23:09 | Retreat to Todd's claim; Althea’s plea | | 25:02 | Discovery of Jake Hunbright's body and evidence | | 27:56 | Setup of the quit claim ruse | | 28:37 | Althea throws herself in front of bullet | | 29:44 | Todd and Althea reunited; Life lessons | | 30:14 | Chad’s closing reflection |

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Tone and Language

Rich in western vernacular and color, the narrative blends legal parlance (Chad) with witty folksiness (Cherokee) and raw frontier vulnerability (Todd and Althea). The tone vacillates between gritty suspense, humor, and sentimentality, capturing the essence of classic Western radio drama.

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Conclusion

The "Todd Ford" episode of Frontier Town encapsulates the high-stakes drama and rough justice of the Old West—where wit and loyalty are often a man’s best protection. With a script colored by humor, danger, and heart, the story highlights both the best and worst of frontier society. Listeners experience a satisfying blend of adventure, romance, and clever legal maneuvering, all delivered with freshly restored audio that revives every gunshot and galloping hoofbeat for a new generation.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Limu Emu and Doug.

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[Todd Ford]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Liberty Mutual Disclaimer]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and before we get into this episode, I wanted to remind you to check out our other western podcasts released daily by going to otrwesterns.com or searching OTR Westerns in your podcast app of choice. I also wanted to invite you to check out our other podcast channel releasing non western shows by going to otnetcast.com or by searching otnetcast in your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is Frontier Town. Original air date is sometime in 1949. The title of this episode is Todd Ford. Hope you enjoy.

[Narrator]

And Doug.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Todd Ford]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Cut the camera.

[Todd Ford]

They see us.

[Liberty Mutual Disclaimer]

Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Ferry Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates Excludes Massachusetts.

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[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

And Doug, here we have the limu emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Todd Ford]

Uh, limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Liberty Mutual Disclaimer]

Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Liberty.

[Chad Remington]

Liberty. Liberty.

[Liberty Mutual Disclaimer]

Liberty Savings vary. Underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Frontier Town the saga of the Roaring West. Frontier Town. El Paso, Cheyenne. Powder River, Tombstone. Frontier town. Here is the adventurous story of the early west, the tamed and the untamed. From the Pecos to Powder River, Dodge City to Poker Flat, these are the towns they fought to live in and lived to fight for. Teeming crucibles of pioneer freedom. Frontier town.

[Chad Remington]

Howdy. I'm Chad Remington. Never heard of me. Well, a lot of folks have never even heard of the town I come from. Dos Rios means Two Rivers. And if Dos Rios sounds peaceful, well, it's no more peaceful than any other frontier town. Good folks and bad, God fearing and evil. I know, because not only am I a rancher, but I'm also the town's only lawyer. Take the other day. I was perched on a keg of horseshoe nails, swapping yarns with Cherokee o' Bannon out in front of his livery stable and ragging him about the time he used to be in medicine.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Doggone it, Chad. No good lawyer to say a thing like that? No, sir. That there is slander and libel and mayhem.

[Chad Remington]

Oh, go on. That. That genuine Cherokee Indian rattlesnake oil you used to peddle couldn't cure a hop.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Toad of warts, my friend. And I've given you the best of it. My rattlesnake oil was an absolute and positive cure for 376 diseases of men and bees. And guaranteed.

[Chad Remington]

Guaranteed, he says. If my father hadn't saved you from that necktie party.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

What's wrong, Chad?

[Narrator]

What are you staring at?

[Chad Remington]

That Rider heading this way. You notice how he slumped over in the saddle?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Hand my hide and call me Buckskin. What do you think's wrong with him?

[Chad Remington]

If I'm any good at guessing, he's been shot. Come on. Six inches lower, mister, and that lead would have gone through your heart.

[Todd Ford]

Guess this was my lucky day.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Yes siree Bob. You were playing in real life. Not only that, Chad spotted you, but that I just happened to have a bottle of my genuine Cherokee rattlesnake oil.

[Narrator]

Here.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Take another little swallow.

[Chad Remington]

Now wait a minute, Cherokee. He's all right. Pouring it down his mouth when he fainted. But no conscious man's gonna drink that stuff.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

I'll have you know it's very tasty stuff. Besides, I wasn't gonna charge him for it, Chad.

[Chad Remington]

I'll say you were. Not with me here. Oh, what was that you were saying outside about filing for a piece of land?

[Todd Ford]

Yeah, that's where I rode over here to the county seat. You see, I've been prospecting over at Big Strike. Struck a fine rich claim. But I guess Rocky Carew found out about my strike too.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Rocky Crew. Now who would all get out as Rocky Carew?

[Chad Remington]

Not only don't we know who this Mr. Carew is, but we don't even know your name. Maybe we better start from the beginning. This is Cherokee o'. Bannon. And my handle is Chad Remington. I'm supposed to be sort of a lawyer.

[Narrator]

A lawyer?

[Todd Ford]

Garson? Maybe I am lucky. My name is Ford, Todd Ford. And if you can help me straighten this out and get my claim filed, I'll pay you any fee you want.

[Chad Remington]

I'd be more than glad to help you, Todd, but I'm not that hard up for fees. Who's this fellow Carew you mentioned?

[Todd Ford]

A black hearted buzzard who moved into Big Strike about a month after they struck.

[Narrator]

Go see.

[Todd Ford]

He claims to be a miner. The only thing I've ever seen him do is hang around the town saloon, the Bonanza bar, spending money and living like a lord.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

You can't knock that to me. That Crew character sounds like he's plenty smart.

[Todd Ford]

I'll say he's smart. Never working, never prospecting, but he owns six or seven of the richest claims over there. It's mighty funny the way certain prospectors have either vanished or been found with their toes pointing up in the air.

[Chad Remington]

I thought we'd seen the last acclaim jumpers. You think Carew's responsible for that bandage we just put on your shoulder?

[Narrator]

Of course.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

It's as plain as the nose on My face and just about as red. It's an open and shut case, Cherokee.

[Chad Remington]

You stick to your doctor and leave the law business to me. Well, how about it, Todd? Do you think Carew tried to bushwhack you?

[Todd Ford]

Carew or one of his gunslingers?

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Why, I'll mow him down. I'll drill him so full of holes that when he stoops over he'll wheeze like an accordion. I'll fill him.

[Chad Remington]

Just a minute.

[Narrator]

Cherokee.

[Chad Remington]

May get your chance later. Not till we first try to settle this under the few processes of law that we enjoy out here. First thing I suggest doing, if Todd's able to walk, is to escort him down the street to the recorder's office and doggone well file his claim. The land office is two dusty blocks down Dos Rios, only street from where Cherokee keeps his livery stable. With Todd forged shouldered bandage. We walked slowly past the familiar stores with the false fronts, a half dozen saloons which even in the early afternoon were going full blast. We just passed Ben Minton's Lucky Horseshoe Cafe when I felt Todd's arm stiffen under my hand that was holding me. The steps, which were slow to start with, suddenly folded to a halt.

[Todd Ford]

Hold it, Chad. Wait a minute now.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

If you get weak, son, it just happens that I brought along a bottle of my famous Cherokee rattlesnake oil.

[Todd Ford]

No, it ain't that. You see that big fella just tying off that black horse?

[Chad Remington]

Yeah.

[Todd Ford]

He's from over my way. Name's Big Jake. Hangs out with Rocky Carew.

[Chad Remington]

From the sweat on that horse, I'd.

[Narrator]

Say he'd been pounding leather to get over here.

[Chad Remington]

To get over here in a hurry.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Well, like you say, I'm not a barrister, but if there are only four shells left in that six gun he has, he's the vulture who plugged Todd Ford.

[Todd Ford]

I bet he is. I just know it.

[Chad Remington]

We're not getting any place standing there gawking at him. Let's walk. When Todd spotted Big Jake, we were about a hundred yards away from the land office. Walking slowly gave me time to size him up as he knotted his lines around the hitch rack. Big Jake was a big man, all right. Big and with a chest on him like a hogshead. Big and as mean looking a gentleman as any I'd ever seen. He spotted us coming and turned quickly and started for the land office. I let go of Todd's arm, trotted toward him, getting between him and the door before he could open it.

[Narrator]

You wanting something?

[Chad Remington]

Yeah, I was. You mind if I look at that gun you're wearing?

[Narrator]

I did. I sure do.

[Chad Remington]

It'll save some trouble.

[Narrator]

I ain't got no troubles. But I have.

[Chad Remington]

You see, I'm a lawyer here in Dos Rios. I was just retained by that young fellow with a bandage on his shoulder.

[Narrator]

Oh, well, Counselor, since I'm no man to argue with a lawyer, sure. Here. Here's my Gl. See? In court, Counselor, maybe.

[Chad Remington]

Like I said, Jake was a big man. I had a lump on the top of my head the size of a mallard's egg where he'd hit me with the butt of the gun. I'd been fool enough to ask to see. By the time Todd and Cherokee ran up and I came to, Mr. Carew's gun hand had had enough time to get into the land office, record his claim, and out the back door. The land office registrar was sympathetic enough.

[Narrator]

All the good it did.

[Chad Remington]

Well, I believe you're right enough, Chad.

[Narrator]

But as a lawyer, you ought to know that the first fellow to get in is a fellow whose claim we gotta recognize.

[Chad Remington]

Of course. But like all other rules, there are exceptions to that one, too.

[Todd Ford]

Exceptions, my eye. Where Rocky Carew is concerned, this way of getting claims is a rule.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

What's that name again, young fella?

[Chad Remington]

Karoo Rocky Carew.

[Narrator]

That ain't the name he filed in his name of. Wait a minute. Let me see here.

[Chad Remington]

Yeah, the claim is filed in the name Jake Hunbright.

[Todd Ford]

Sure, that's his name. Big Jake Hunbright.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

You'll have to excuse me batting my long eyelashes like this, but it sure seems like this Polecat Carew gets out of this as free as a lark on the wing.

[Chad Remington]

He might, but not if Jake sells Carew the claim later. That's legal. Good and legal.

[Todd Ford]

Well, if that's legal and Cherokee's right, Carew gets out scot free.

[Chad Remington]

Carew gets out scot free. If, and providing we're unable to prove that, he hired Jake to dry gulch you on the way over from Big Strike and instructed him to file on a claim you discovered. And that, believe me, ain't gonna prove easy.

[Narrator]

No, sir. It ain't gonna prove easy at all. You're right about that.

[Chad Remington]

Since we can't prove anything here in Dos Rios, I think we better be.

[Todd Ford]

Can't I? I sure appreciate you wanting to help, but I reckon it's just a waste of time. I guess mine is just another clean Peru and his gang got to jump on.

[Chad Remington]

No, my interest in this isn't entirely unselfish. Now, Big J clubbed me with his gun, he didn't raise. Just a bump on my head. It brought out my bump of curiosity. Come on. We're going back over to the delivery stable and pounding up dust on the trail to Big Strike. Now, with that bad shoulder. Todd, if we're going too fast for you, just sing out.

[Todd Ford]

No, I'm all right. And the way I feel, I don't feel like singing out or otherwise.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

My little songbird. You listen to Dr. O'.

[Narrator]

Bannon.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

You found one gold claim, you'll probably find another. Where there's one, there's got to be more.

[Todd Ford]

That's not what I mean about the gold. As we were riding along, it suddenly dawned on me how Carew happened to find out about that claim.

[Chad Remington]

What do you mean?

[Todd Ford]

I'll give you three guesses. A woman.

[Narrator]

A woman?

[Todd Ford]

Yeah. And I thought she was on the square with me.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Yeah. Live and learn. Live and learn, I always say.

[Chad Remington]

You always say something, Cherokee. Who is she, Todd? Only reason I ask is it just might help in cleaning this up.

[Todd Ford]

Her name's Althea.

[Narrator]

Uh huh.

[Todd Ford]

Thea's what I call her. And she works over in Big Strike. Oh, I guess you'd call her an entertainer. It works in the Bonanza Bar, place where Karoo hangs out.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

When the good Lord made this world, he made 97 kinds of poison. 96 of them can absolutely be cured by my genuine Cherokee Indian rattlesnake oil. But the 97th is the one poison that no one has ever found a cure for. And that's female women.

[Todd Ford]

I'll grub. Stake you on that one, Cherokee.

[Chad Remington]

Were you. Were you in love with this Alfea?

[Todd Ford]

If I was, it's over. But I'll bet what poke I've got left. The only reason she played up to me at all was to tip off Carew.

[Chad Remington]

One of the things a lawyer is forced to handle from time to time is misunderstandings between men and women. Good lawyer tries to prevent divorce.

[Todd Ford]

Suppose we just let the whole thing drop.

[Chad Remington]

Fair enough. Suppose we rattle up these ponies, huh? The sun's starting to set. It's gonna be dark by the time we get the big strike. It was dark all right by the time we got the big strike. The lights from the Bonanza Bar slanted out over the batwing doors and stabbed through the gloom like smoky yellow sabers. Inside, we stood by the doors, blinking in the unaccustomed light while Todd Ford tried to pick out Carew for me. But before he was able, a small figure in a stiff, spangled skirt pushed through the crowd and ran up to Todd.

[Narrator]

Oh, Todd. Todd.

[Althea]

Oh, Todd. Todd, I'm so glad you. What's the matter? What happened? Todd, your shoulder's bandaged.

[Todd Ford]

Don't look so surprised. Or maybe you are surprised because he missed.

[Althea]

Because he missed.

[Chad Remington]

I'm not aiming to intrude, but Todd's had a couple of shocks today.

[Todd Ford]

I'll say I have. And one I'm not forgetting either.

[Narrator]

But.

[Althea]

Todd, what's the matter? You're looking at me as if you never saw me before.

[Todd Ford]

I don't know about that. But I never want to see you again. That much I'm sure of.

[Chad Remington]

Miss, if you leave Todd alone right now. I think that's him.

[Todd Ford]

That's Carew walking this way now.

[Chad Remington]

So that's looks more like a rattlesnake on legs.

[Narrator]

Althea, come on over to my table and I'll buy you. What happened to you, Ford? Get mixed up in a gun scrape?

[Chad Remington]

If it did, it was a little one sided.

[Narrator]

I beg your pardon, I don't believe we've met.

[Chad Remington]

We have now. I'm Chad Remington, lawyer from Dos Rios. I rode all the way over here just to talk to you.

[Narrator]

Mr. Carew, I don't need a lawyer.

[Chad Remington]

That, my friend, is a matter of opinion. However, as far as you're concerned, in this particular action, my services have already been spoken for by Mr. Ford.

[Narrator]

From the way he looks, he don't need a lawyer. He needs a bodyguard.

[Chad Remington]

Now you probably know more about that than I do. All I can tell you is we got a few laws in this state to protect honest men from claim jumpers.

[Narrator]

Remington, if I were in your boots, I'd turn them around toward the door and I'd walk out. I wouldn't stop until I was back.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

In Dos Rios by that loud mouth, hypocritical Cherokee.

[Chad Remington]

Todd. No, in this case, I think his advice is pretty good.

[Althea]

Come on, Todd. Todd, please. You can't go without explaining what's happened.

[Todd Ford]

Get your dirty little hands off of me. Okay, Chad, let's go.

[Andrew Rines]

God.

[Narrator]

Wait a second.

[Chad Remington]

Back against the wall.

[Narrator]

Chad.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Who flanked that shot?

[Narrator]

Lawyer. Call him a couple of death warrants.

[Chad Remington]

Two men see him.

[Narrator]

One's in the shadows between the alley and the saloon, other one's in that doorway across the street.

[Todd Ford]

Chad, what are we gonna do?

[Narrator]

What can we do? We'll try shooting it out. But my best guess is we've all got a pretty good chance of spending.

[Chad Remington]

The rest of our lives right here.

[Narrator]

In Big Strike up on the shady side of Boot Hill.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

We'll return to the stirring climax of Frontier Town.

[Chad Remington]

In just about 1 minute.

[Narrator]

Sat Frontier Town.

[Chad Remington]

Well, the night wasn't cold. With those gunmen blocking our paths, I don't mind admitting I was frozen.

[Narrator]

Frozen stiff.

[Chad Remington]

We moved a scant few inches. The lights from the Bonanza bar behind us would make us perfect targets. I could almost hear Cherokee's knuckles as.

[Narrator]

His fingers closed open was gun.

[Chad Remington]

But Todd Ford drew his. Finally, I drew mine.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Can you move a few inches there, Chan? This hog lade of mine kicks like an overgrown Missouri mule.

[Narrator]

First one of us who moves gets killed.

[Todd Ford]

We just can't stand here.

[Narrator]

Longer. We make them wait more nervous.

[Todd Ford]

What's the matter?

[Narrator]

It's coming. I told you what I'd do, Remington, if I were in your boots. I figured maybe you needed a little lesson.

[Todd Ford]

Rocky, what are you doing here?

[Narrator]

I didn't think I'd have to tell you again, but I just came out to make sure you knew what would happen to the three of you if you thought you might want to hang around Big Strike talking about claim jumpers.

[Chad Remington]

Carew, your demonstration's even more convincing than my friend here used to give selling his rattlesnake oil.

[Narrator]

Thanks.

[Chad Remington]

But on the other hand, I never bought any of your Cherokee's rattlesnake oil.

[Narrator]

That's for you to decide. All I have to do now is walk back inside the saloon. A couple of seconds later, you'll be dead. Awful dead.

[Todd Ford]

Go on then. Go on back to Thea.

[Chad Remington]

Let's leave Thea out of this time.

[Narrator]

No, no, let's talk about her. She's pretty well put together. And I imagine she's got a very affectionate nature.

[Chad Remington]

Why you keep my gun down there?

[Narrator]

Yeah. So you're a gentleman and a lawyer. Well, I'll tell you what I'll do, Remington. Since you rode all the way over here from Dos Rios, your horses are properly beat, you're safe from Big Strike until tomorrow. But I don't expect to see you here after the sun sets.

[Chad Remington]

It's a very gracious offer, Carew. I'm accepting it.

[Narrator]

Good. Okay, boys, let em through. Good night, gentlemen. Oh, and Todd, I'll be sure to tell Thea just how much you think of.

[Chad Remington]

Well, with the high court, the criminal court granting us a stay of execution, the three of us rode back up to Todd's Diggins. It was hard and cold on the ground. I slept like a baby. I slept until shortly after dawn.

[Narrator]

Then I heard voices.

[Chad Remington]

Rolled over a little on one elbow.

[Althea]

I know, I know. But, Todd, I didn't come here to argue. Believe me, I didn't.

[Todd Ford]

I'm not arguing, Thea. I'm just telling you to clear out of here. Clear out and stay out of my life. If your gentleman friend leaves me with a life.

[Althea]

He's not my gentleman friend. He's nothing to me. He's just a customer down at the bar.

[Todd Ford]

And a mighty good customer, I'll bet.

[Althea]

Oh, Todd, you can't stay here. Now, who will kill you? Or have you killed like he has everyone else who's gotten in his way? Let's go away. Let's go someplace else together.

[Todd Ford]

I told you to get out of here before. Now go on. You're not making a fool of me again.

[Althea]

Oh, God, please.

[Todd Ford]

I'm going over and wake up Chad and Jerokey. When I get back over here, you better be gone.

[Althea]

Don't be a fool. I don't care what you think of me, but just get out of Big Strike before they kill you.

[Todd Ford]

Yeah, maybe I will get out. But not before we found Jake Humbright and made him talk. And we'll find him if we have to ride around this country all week.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

How long are we going to ride around looking for Big G? I'm so sad and sore now. My legs feel like I've been playing a second hand cello.

[Chad Remington]

Cello or not, if we ever find Jake, what we've got to say to him isn't going to make music.

[Todd Ford]

Yeah, just riding through them quickies.

[Chad Remington]

That's Jake now, darting into that grove of trees. He must have spotted us here. We better knock on these.

[Todd Ford]

The shots came right from those Aspen.

[Chad Remington]

Yeah, right where Big Jake rode. Come on, easy enough. Yeah, Cherokee. Come on, help me turn him over.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

You Burns.

[Todd Ford]

That's Big Jake.

[Narrator]

I hate to correct you, Todd, but that was Big Jake.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Three of those four shots went plumb through him.

[Chad Remington]

The angles of the shots. He must have had him surrounded.

[Todd Ford]

Just like they did us last night.

[Narrator]

Well, Counselor, there goes your gaze.

[Todd Ford]

Iron.

[Narrator]

A K maybe, huh?

[Todd Ford]

What do you mean maybe? With Jake dead, you'll never prove nothing. And for my part, I think I'm taking Carew's advice and moving on.

[Chad Remington]

Wait. There's no doubt in my mind that Carew got Jake for fear that we might get to him first. How he knew what we were up to is beyond me.

[Todd Ford]

It ain't beyond me. His girlfriend wormed it out of me for him.

[Chad Remington]

You'd make a pretty poor judge, Todd. You'd have everyone convicted before they ever got into court.

[Todd Ford]

Well, how in tarnation would Carew found out that we were Looking for?

[Chad Remington]

Let's find that out when the time comes. Now let's find out what we can. Right here.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Billy Blue Blazes. You believe in ghosts or something? Chad? What are you going to find out from a dead man?

[Chad Remington]

I don't know yet. But we may find out enough not only to get back Todd's claim, but to have Carew swinging from a gallows for murder. Being a lawyer, I don't usually play hunches. But this time my hunch was right there. In Big Jake's inside shirt pocket was a map and description of Todd's claim in handwriting which Todd admitted was undoubtedly Carew's. He'd seen Carew's markers in a couple of Pharaoh games. It wasn't much to go on, but it was enough to send us back to the Bonanza Bar for a little further checking up.

[Narrator]

I'd invite you all to sit down, but I know you three gents are leaving town in a few minutes. Soon gonna be sunset it soon is.

[Chad Remington]

At that carouse, I made a suggestion to Todd that he wants to talk to you about.

[Narrator]

Yeah, well, I better be quick.

[Todd Ford]

It'll be quick, all right. You jumped my claim and we know it.

[Narrator]

The sun's setting right now. Maybe my eyes ain't so good, but two minutes from now, it's gonna look dark again, if you know what I mean.

[Todd Ford]

Your eyes were good enough to see Big Jake's back out in that groveyard.

[Chad Remington]

That'll be enough. Todd.

[Althea]

Todd. Todd, please, don't be crazy.

[Todd Ford]

Get out.

[Althea]

Get out while you have a chance.

[Todd Ford]

I'm keep out of this.

[Narrator]

Thea, there's less than two minutes left.

[Chad Remington]

Now, look, let me do the talking. Whatever money Todd had, he used up prospecting for the claim that Jake Hunbride filed on.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Chad Remington]

So I suggest to save further trouble and to get enough money to move on, Todd writes you out a quit claim contract, giving you all rights to the claim for which you give him $100. Yeah, I even drew up the papers. All you gotta do, Carew, is sign your name to it.

[Narrator]

Okay, that's a deal.

[Althea]

Oh, thank God.

[Chad Remington]

Just sign your name here. All right.

[Narrator]

There you are. Now I'll get you the hundred.

[Todd Ford]

Never mind 100. Now this paper's all we want.

[Narrator]

What?

[Todd Ford]

That signature is the same handwriting we got here on this paper we took off Big Jake's body.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Why, you blasted fool.

[Chad Remington]

Let that gun alone.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Why, that fool female. She stepped right into that shot.

[Chad Remington]

Cherokee, grab him quick.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Better drop that gun.

[Narrator]

Career.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

I'll drop it after.

[Chad Remington]

Lame Foley just about Committed suicide. Pull the trigger. Just as I pushed the gun barrel up by his neck. Todd is the.

[Todd Ford]

I'm afraid she.

[Narrator]

She.

[Chad Remington]

Come on, Cherokee, let's have a look at it while somebody goes out and finds a do. Well, Todd, not only have Cherokee and I got business back in Dos Rios, but I. Well, I guess we're a little awkward in a lady's bedroom.

[Althea]

Oh, this won't be a lady's bedroom.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

For long, my little pigeon. I'm afraid you're gonna have to explain that even to me.

[Althea]

I just mean that as soon as the doctor says I'm able, this lady's bedroom's gonna be out at Todd's diggings.

[Chad Remington]

Well, they say that marriages are made in heaven. Yours certainly comes as close to proving it as any Sawbones told me that if Carew's shot that Thea stopped, it'd been a half inch further to the.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Left that well, when even my Cherokee Indian rattlesnake oil couldn't have done any good for her.

[Chad Remington]

Now, don't forget, you two Cherokee and I are expecting a piece of the wedding cake to put under our pillars.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed. Ah, those pleasant dreams. Wedding cake, Father. Good old Kentucky bourbon under my pillow.

[Chad Remington]

And let this be a lesson to you, Todd. The most important thing that glitters doesn't have to be a nugget. It's usually a woman with a heart of gold.

[Narrator]

Sam.

[Cherokee O'Bannon]

Frontier Town, starring Tex Chandler is a Bruce Ells production. Story and supervision by Joel Murcott. Direction by Paul Franklin. Music written and played by Ivan Ditmars. Be sure to be with us again this time one week from today for another fine action adventure story with your favorite young western star, Tex Chandler. Frontier Town came to you from Hollywood SA.

[Narrator]

And Doug.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

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[Todd Ford]

Is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Liberty Mutual Disclaimer]

Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Savings very underwrite by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company affiliates excludes Massachusetts.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of OTR Western Stock and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube and send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug Limu.

[Todd Ford]

Is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Cut the camera.

[Todd Ford]

They see us.

[Liberty Mutual Disclaimer]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.