Trail City Murder | All Star Western Theatre (01-19-47)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns: Trail City Murder | All Star Western Theatre (01-19-47)

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: October 27, 2025 (Original Air Date: January 19, 1947)
Episode Theme: Digitally restored broadcast of the "All Star Western Theatre" with the musical talents of Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage, featuring the dramatic story "Trail City Murder." A classic Western adventure blending music, humor, and a whodunit on the frontier.

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode transports listeners back to the 1880s for a tale of hospitality, betrayal, and murder on the frontier. The Riders of the Purple Sage, famed Western musicians, star in both musical interludes and the central drama. The story revolves around a murder at Trail City and the ensuing investigation by the humble yet sharp-witted cowboys who stumble into the intrigue.

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Key Segments and Insights

1. Opening and Musical Performances

• [01:48–04:44]
  The show opens with a lively introduction and the Riders of the Purple Sage performing Western favorites. Songs include “Symphony of the Sage” and “Wait For Me, Mary,” setting a nostalgic and lighthearted tone.

"Yippee yay. At the break of the day I ride along with a song in my heart..."
([02:31] Narrator, Symphony of the Sage)

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2. Arrival at the Ranch & Introduction to Characters

• [06:34–07:55]
  Foy, Al, and Jimmy, tired from their travels, seek lodging at a ranch owned by Bob and his sister Jane. The siblings display notable Western hospitality, welcoming the strangers in despite the late hour.

"We'd be mighty much obliged if you could feed us and give us a bunk for the night, friend. We're willing to pay you."
([07:19] Foy)

• The warmth and trust offered contrasts the underlying tension of the times, foreshadowing events to come.

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3. Gold Rush and Its Impact

• [10:40–11:18]
  The conversation reveals a regional labor shortage due to a gold strike at Ore City, explaining the Fletcher family’s eagerness for help.

"A couple of weeks ago, some prospector supposedly struck gold up at Ore City near the state line... Everybody and their dog headed in that direction to get rich quick."
([11:22] Bob / Scott C. Clark)

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4. The Murder and Initial Investigation

• [12:16–14:41]
  Jake, the foreman, and the late Mr. Fletcher are ambushed on their way home. News breaks that Mr. Fletcher has been killed, plunging the household into grief and uncertainty.

"Bob, your dad is dead... Who would have wanted to kill your father?"
( [12:25] Foy, Bob / Scott C. Clark)

• Foy quickly grows suspicious, noting inconsistencies in Jake’s story and physical evidence from the scene.
• Memorable moment: Foy deduces something is off due to the horses' lack of sweat and the trajectory of a bullet hole.

"If you remember when we went out to bring in Fletcher's body, those horses were as cool as a cucumber. They had either been walked from Sunset Path or carried. So what does that prove? It proves that somebody’s been lying."
( [14:44] Foy)

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5. The Mysterious Letter and Will

• [16:12–18:14]
  Jake produces a letter claimed to be from Mr. Fletcher, dictating the division of property between his children and Jake himself. There’s confusion among the heirs regarding the letter's authenticity and intentions.

"I have a letter here... given to me by your father a couple of months before he was killed. He asked me not to open it until the proper time after his death..."
( [16:12] Jake / Scott C. Clark)

• The contents of the letter leave both Bob and Jane bewildered but accepting.

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6. The Real Will and the Showdown

• [19:05–23:18]
  Lawyer Simpson arrives and, at Foy’s urging, reveals the existence of an official will, contradicting the earlier letter and awarding a greater share to Jake.

"I, James Fletcher, being of sound mind, do hereby bequeath one half of all my earthly holdings and possessions to my daughter Jane and my son Robert... Therefore, I bequeath to him [Jake Ballard] one half of said property."
( [21:28] Lawyer Simpson)

• Foy confronts Jake, accusing him of murder and forcing the late Fletcher to write the letter at gunpoint.

"Let Jake tell you he killed your father."
( [22:31] Foy)

• When pressed, Jake attempts violence but is subdued, confirming his guilt.

"All right, Jake. Now take it easy. If you try anything else, you're going to get more than just a slug in your hand."
( [22:35] Foy)

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7. Resolution and Epilogue

• [23:18–24:05]
  With the crime solved and the estate secured, the cowboys decide not to settle down.

"A job? Who wants a job? I’d been satisfied just hanging around Jane Fletcher myself."
( [23:32] Foy)

• Light-hearted banter ends the drama as the group discusses their next adventure.

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8. Musical Closings and Farewell

• [24:05–30:53] The Riders perform “The Leaf of Love,” “Train Whistle Blues,” and “Cowboy’s Heaven,” interspersed with gentle ribbing and final reflections.

"Here's one cotton we hope will please the folk. It's an old timer called the Train Whistle Blues."
( [26:20] Foy)

"I've been in the battle all day, searching the hills and the valley..."
( [28:57] Narrator, Cowboy's Heaven)

• A warm closing from the band invites listeners to return next week.

“So long and good luck to you all.”
( [30:53] Foy)

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Notable Quotes & Highlights

• On hospitality:
  “These folks are full of nothing but hospitality. Yeah, from all the hospitality they're showing us, you'd think we were long lost cousins or something.” ([08:36] Foy)

• On suspicion:
  “I'm telling you, there's something powerful wrong about the whole thing. Especially this Jake Ballard. It don't make sense to me.” ([17:55] Foy)

• On greed and justice:
  “It's too bad, Jake, that you didn't wait because Jim Fletcher was even more liberal than you forced him to be.” ([23:10] Foy)

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Important Timestamps

• [01:48] – Show opens, musical performance begins
• [06:34] – Cowboys arrive at the ranch, character introductions
• [12:16] – News of murder, start of the mystery
• [14:41] – Foy voices suspicion, investigates evidence
• [16:12] – The mysterious letter is read
• [19:05] – Lawyer Simpson’s entrance, legal drama intensifies
• [21:00] – The official will is revealed
• [22:25] – Foy confronts and exposes Jake
• [24:05] – Musical postscript: “The Leaf of Love,” “Train Whistle Blues,” “Cowboy’s Heaven”
• [30:53] – Farewell and invitation for next week’s episode

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Tone and Style

The episode balances warmth, humor, and sharp wit emblematic of old-time Western radio, mixing light banter (“Now, wait a minute. Don't go trying to flirt with the man's wife!” [09:02] Foy) with genuine suspense and moral clarity. The musical interludes are woven seamlessly, providing a nostalgic backdrop to the unfolding whodunit.

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In Summary

"Trail City Murder" offers all the hallmarks of classic radio Western drama: songs, saddle camaraderie, swift justice, and Western hospitality—all rendered with charm, suspense, and a generous helping of cowboy wisdom. The digital restoration delivers the experience with renewed clarity, making this episode a treat for both longtime fans and newcomers to the genre.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Foreign.

[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 do a little PSA and remind you that I put out multiple shows a week of Old Time Radio Westerns. You can check them out by going to otrwesterns.com or looking up OTR Westerns on your podcast application of choice. We're releasing over 10 episodes a week so far, about a hundred a month. So definitely want you to check that out again otrwesterns.com and check it out. I also wanted to invite you to check out my sister podcast site otnetcast and that's n e t c a s t so ot n e t c a s t netcast otnetcast.com we're currently releasing mystery genre shows and this is shows like the Shadow Escape, Suspense and the Whistler and we have plans on bringing other shows to the network for you guys to listen to. So it's my non western old Time radio channel that I can kind of do other genres that not only I like but hopefully you would like too. You can check us out by going to otnetcast.com or searching on your podcast app of choice. Now let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be All Star Western Theater. Original air date is January 19, 1947 and the title is Trail City Murder.

[Scott C. Clark]

The Bakers of Weber's Bread present your All Star Western Theater. From Hollywood comes your allstar Western Theater starring America's great western singers, Boy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage in Music, Song and A Story of the Wide Open Spaces. My name is Scott and C. Clark and here are the writers of the Purple Sage.

[Narrator]

A yippee yay. Yippee yay. At the break of the day I ride along with a song in my heart. On the way I find that all sun angel and that is free. I swear the skies of blue keeps falling down on me. When the sun goes to rest on the rim of the west, the moon above will return and the chapter will burn to the stars above I'll sing them my love with a space black symphony. You'll hear the sweet melodies in the sigh of the breeze and all day long there's a song from the birds in the trees. When the stars come creeping into the sky a lonely prairie lomo sings a lullaby. You hear the call of the wild in the quality guile. You hear them blend at the end in melodious sound. When the edge holds pages we serenade It's A Sage by symphony.

[Scott C. Clark]

Back in the days of the early west, when the wild frontier had still to be settled, the pioneers had few of the niceties of life that we enjoy today. But one thing they shared in common with modern Westerners was love of good food. That's one reason why Weber's bread is so popular with Southern California families. Weber's bread is good food, well mixed and well baked. Weber's bread has a firm, even texture, a golden brown crust and a distinctive flavor enjoyed by young and old at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Weber's bread appeals to the eye and satisfies the appetite. Next time you go shopping, fry Weber's bread and try it. Your entire family will enjoy Weber's. The Good Red in the Blue Gingham.

[Narrator]

Rapper.

[Scott C. Clark]

Let'S ride back through the years with the writers of the Purple Sage as they sing another of those grand memory songs. From their saddlebag, a familiar old western ballad comes Wait For Me, Mary.

[Narrator]

With thoughts that were far away he took a pen and he started to write Just what his heart had to say Wait for me, Mary Till the world will smile again Till a smile can smile again and a dream's worthwhile again Wait for me, Mary by the moonlit garden gate where my heart and I would wait for you There are certain things I want to show you Little words that I never seen before and I hope that it won't be hard to tell you all the dreams I have in store Wait for me, Mary Till the world will sing again Till I bring my love again to you.

[Scott C. Clark]

And now let's join our men of the west, the riders of the purple stage, as they go drifting along toward another of their weekly adventures. Suppose we take them back to the old days, say the 1880s, and see what happens when free easygoing fellows become involved in a murder. We find Foy, Al and Jimmy riding toward Frail City. It's rather late at night and they're tired, saddle shore and hungry. And not knowing exactly how much further their destination, they ride up to a lamp lighted ranch house from the hope that they may get food and lodging for the night. Al, who is always elected to do the dirty work, is voted to knock on the door and make the necessary speech.

[Jane]

Yes.

[Foy]

Well, howdy, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am. I wonder if.

[Foy]

Well, hello.

[Jane]

Yes, it was that you wanted.

[Foy]

Well, ma', am, me and my two buddies were looking to get something to eat and to be put up for the night. That is, if he'd let us pay for it.

[Jane]

Well, I. I suppose so. Just a moment.

[Narrator]

Bob.

[Scott C. Clark]

Yeah, Jane, What Is it?

[Jane]

This gentleman and his two friends would like to put up for the night.

[Foy]

We'd be mighty much obliged if you could feed us and give us a bunk for the night, friend. We're willing to pay you.

[Narrator]

Well.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, I reckon it'd be all right. Never mind about the pay, though. Be glad to accommodate you.

[Foy]

We'd sure appreciate it. It's been eight or 10 hours since we've eaten and our horses are mighty tired, too.

[Scott C. Clark]

We're glad to help. Glad to help. Have your friends come in and we'll stir up some food first.

[Foy]

Well, thank you. All right, boys, come on in.

[Narrator]

Good. Right with you.

[Jane]

I'll get something ready to eat. It won't take me long.

[Foy]

My name is Slowly and this is Floyd Willing and Jimmy Dean.

[Scott C. Clark]

Glad to know you boys. My name is Bob Fletcher.

[Foy]

Good to know you, Bob.

[Narrator]

Bob.

[Foy]

Reckon we're lucky to find you folks still up.

[Scott C. Clark]

As a rule, we don't sit up this late, but my dad is riding in from Trail City and we're waiting up for him. We hate to bother you people like this. Think nothing of it. Now, you must be mighty tired if you've been riding all day. There's a bucket of water and a pan there on the washstand if you want to wash up a bit. I'll put your horses up for you and see if I can pick you up a bunk for the night.

[Foy]

That's mighty nice of you.

[Narrator]

Pleasure.

[Scott C. Clark]

Jenny's getting some grub ready. I'll be back in a few minutes.

[Narrator]

Man, these.

[Foy]

These folks are full of nothing but hospitality. Yeah, from all the hospitality they're showing us, you'd think we were long lost cousins or something. I don't get it myself.

[Narrator]

Gosh. Wanted cold.

[Foy]

Yeah, especially since we're total strangers. Hand me that towel.

[Narrator]

Story.

[Foy]

Yeah, well, you know, as long as we eat and sleep, I'm satisfied though, you know?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Foy]

Boy, I hope whoever's taking that grub don't keep us waiting. Hey, you ought to see what's getting the grub ready.

[Narrator]

Man, she's as pretty as a spotted pup under a red wagon.

[Foy]

Now, wait a minute. Don't go trying to flirt with the man's wife. Oh, I ain't, but that don't keep her from being pretty.

[Jane]

Boy, get suppers on the table.

[Narrator]

Wow.

[Foy]

You just ain't a whooping about her.

[Narrator]

What was that?

[Foy]

Oh, nothing, ma'.

[Lawyer Simpson]

Am.

[Narrator]

I was.

[Foy]

I was talking about.

[Scott C. Clark]

About a spotted pup.

[Narrator]

I know. Oh.

[Jane]

Well, I hope you boys don't mind things being cold, but it would take quite A while to make a fire in the cook stove. And I'm sure you're hungry.

[Lawyer Simpson]

We sure are, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Jane]

By the way, where did Bob go?

[Foy]

Oh, your husband is putting up our horses hay.

[Jane]

You mean my brother?

[Scott C. Clark]

Your brother?

[Narrator]

Why, yes.

[Jane]

I have no husband.

[Foy]

That's wonderful. I mean, that's too bad. Better tighten up your sense there, Willen.

[Lawyer Simpson]

You're slip a little.

[Jane]

Well, right now you better eat.

[Foy]

Yeah, that's the most intelligent thing that's been said yet.

[Jane]

Then come right into the kitchen.

[Foy]

Oh, Miss Jane, this grub is nothing short of the best in the West.

[Jane]

I'm glad you like it. Here, have some more turnip greens.

[Foy]

Don't mind if I do. You might pass me some more of that there sorghum molasses.

[Jane]

Yes, here you are. And what can I pass you, Mr. Dean?

[Foy]

A couple more biscuits already, Dean, you know better than that. Well, I guess you might have. Make it just one more biscuit.

[Jane]

Now, you eat all of them you want. I wish they were hot.

[Narrator]

Boy, this here sausage is modifying.

[Scott C. Clark]

Your horses are cared for and your bunks are ready.

[Foy]

We don't know how to thank you folk for all of this kindness.

[Scott C. Clark]

I think nothing of it.

[Jane]

We're happy to be of help.

[Foy]

Well, we're going to pay you, of course.

[Jane]

You do no such thing.

[Scott C. Clark]

Wouldn't hear to it.

[Foy]

We sure do appreciate it.

[Scott C. Clark]

Yes, sir. Also. You boys planning on going to work in this part of the country?

[Foy]

Oh, well, we hadn't thought much about it. We generally stop off somewhere for a few weeks work. That is, when our money runs low and we ain't too rich right now.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, I don't wish you any financial hard luck, but I hope you need work now.

[Foy]

What do you mean?

[Scott C. Clark]

I might as well come on, out with it. Guess you men wonder why we gave such a big welcome to three strange men till late at night.

[Foy]

Yeah, we thought of that.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, we need help here on the ranch mighty bad.

[Foy]

Our hand scarce in this part of the country.

[Scott C. Clark]

Mighty scarce. I just got back from Granite City a few minutes before you fellas showed up. And dad and Jake Ballard, our foreman, are due in from Trail City most any minute. We've been scouting around for hands all day.

[Jane]

We have no one but our foreman and Bob left.

[Foy]

What brought on all of this, Shorty Kelp?

[Scott C. Clark]

A couple of weeks ago, some prospector supposedly struck gold up at Ore City near the state line, not a couple of hundred miles from here. Everybody and their dogs headed in that direction to get rich quick. A serious problem not only for Us, but for the other ranchers in this section.

[Foy]

Yeah, I see what you mean.

[Scott C. Clark]

Maybe I shouldn't have told you boys about it since I want to hire you so bad. But you'd find it out anyway.

[Narrator]

How come?

[Foy]

Ballard, your foreman stays?

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, Jake's been with us since he was a kid almost. You see, Jake's father and our dad were partners in a lot of business deals. And Dad's kept him through loyalty, even made him foreman of the ranch. Which is all right with me because after all, Dad's interests are my interests.

[Foy]

That's a mighty big ranch, isn't it?

[Scott C. Clark]

One of the biggest least parts. And being without health presents a mighty serious problem.

[Foy]

All right, Fletcher, you can count on us. That is for a while.

[Scott C. Clark]

Oh, that's fine, boys. The pay is 40 and teeth.

[Jane]

Hey, that must be Jake and Daddy coming now.

[Narrator]

Bob.

[Scott C. Clark]

James, something terrible's happened. What's wrong, Jake?

[Jane]

Where's Dan?

[Scott C. Clark]

He's in the wagon outside. Well, what's happened? Somebody ambushed us on the way in.

[Foy]

Bob, your dad is dead. Well, Bob, I know how upset you and Ms. Janie are and we want to let you know that we're going to help you in every way that we can.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, thank you, boys. Mighty nice of you. And I reckon there's no need to tell you how badly we really need you.

[Foy]

Now, Bob, who would have wanted to kill your father?

[Scott C. Clark]

That's hard to say, Foy. In this country every man is after all he can get. Dad could drive a hard bargain. And to be honest about it, he was cold blooded when it came to business. But I can't think he'd do anything that had warrant a man's killing him.

[Foy]

Well, just exactly how did Jake Ballard describe the killing?

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, they were driving along and had just reached Sunset Pass when somebody opened fire and emptied their gun at Jake and Dad. Two of the slugs found their mark.

[Foy]

It's about all there was to it. Then I believe Jake said he whipped the horses into a fast run toward home.

[Scott C. Clark]

Yeah, that's right. Trying to figure out the killer is going to be a tough job.

[Foy]

Well, I hope some will turn up. Let us know if we can be of any help.

[Scott C. Clark]

No, thank you a lot, boys.

[Foy]

You know, there's something mighty strange about old man Fletcher's death. Now don't tell us you got it all figured out. Yes, I have. Now ain't that nice? Now you're going to get us mixed up in something that's none of our business. Well, who do you think done it? Jake Ballard either killed him or was in cahoots with the man that did.

[Narrator]

Are you crazy?

[Foy]

Ballard was just like a thorn to the old man. Never mind what he was like. Remember when Jake came riding in with the old man's body?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Foy]

He told Bob and Jane that he drove home, like all get out from Sunset Path.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Foy]

So what? It's two miles to Sunset Pass, according to Bob. And when a man runs a team of horses two miles, they're going to be sweating like rain and panting like a pump. I think I'm beginning to get you. If you remember when we went out to bring in Fletcher's body, those horses were as cool as a cucumber. They had either been walked from Sunset Path or carried. So what does that prove? It proves that somebody's been lying. The next morning I went out and examined the wagon. There was a bullet hole in a sack of feed and there wasn't any powder burns on it. Nobody shooting from ambush from the side of the road. Could Potter burn that sack?

[Scott C. Clark]

Right.

[Foy]

Suppose we just keep quiet on the subject for a few days and keep our eyes and ears open to every move that Jake Dollard makes. But why would Jake kill him? And where would he profit by it? That's what we've got to find.

[Scott C. Clark]

I got word from lawyer Simpson today, Jane. He's back from the Capitol.

[Jane]

I suppose he's heard about Dad's death.

[Scott C. Clark]

Yeah. Yeah. Said he was going to drop out to see us day after tomorrow on some business.

[Jane]

Maybe he can throw some light on who might have had reason to kill Daddy.

[Scott C. Clark]

I hope so. Didn't give me a lot of worry.

[Jane]

The table is ready. You can call the boy.

[Scott C. Clark]

Okay, Janie.

[Narrator]

All right, boy, supper's ready.

[Jane]

Jake said he had something he wanted to discuss with us at supper tonight.

[Scott C. Clark]

I wonder what's on his mind. Hope he's not wanting to quit.

[Jane]

Well, come on and sit right down, boys. Everything's ready.

[Foy]

Thank you, Ms. James.

[Scott C. Clark]

Hey, if you boys don't mind, right after supper, I have something I'd like to discuss and like to have all you fellas present.

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Foy]

We'll wait around, Jake.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, Jake, what's on your mind? Bob, I have a letter here and, well, I haven't any idea what its contents are. It was given to me by your father a couple of months before he was killed. He asked me not to open it until the proper time after his death, and then to do so in the presence of you and Jane in witnesses.

[Jane]

I can't imagine what it's all about.

[Scott C. Clark]

Neither can I.

[Foy]

Maybe it'll throw some light on who the killer is.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, let us Hope so, Ms. Jane. I'm going to suggest that you break the seal and read it to us.

[Jane]

I. I'd rather Bob would do it.

[Scott C. Clark]

All right, Janie. To my dear children, Bob and Jane. I am writing this so in case of my death, there will be no misunderstanding regarding my property. As you know, Jake Ballard's father and I were the closest of friends. After his death, I took his son to raise. I owe John Ballard the credit for all of my success. Therefore, I feel that I am only doing what is right when I ask my two children to share with Jake all of my properties, money and holdings. This is the way I want it to be, and I hope there will be no objection. With deep love and affection, your father, Jim Fletcher.

[Narrator]

Here.

[Scott C. Clark]

Bob, I. I don't know what to say to you and Ms. Jane. I. I had no idea that was what the letter was about. It's all right, Jake. That was the way dad wanted it. That's the way it'll be.

[Jane]

That's right, Jake. I'm sure dad knew what was best.

[Foy]

Folks, this is kind of a personal thing between the three of you, so I reckon we could be excused now. Sure.

[Scott C. Clark]

That's all right, boys, and thanks for.

[Narrator]

Now.

[Foy]

I'm telling you, there's something powerful wrong about the whole thing. Especially this Jake Ballard. I don't make sense to me. The old man must have written that note all right. Otherwise, Bob and Jane could have told. Well, if you ask me, that's a funny way to leave a will. Yeah, come to think of it, it is. Especially for a big layout like this. Oh, here comes Bob now.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, boys, how's things going?

[Foy]

Fine, Bob. I guess you, Ms. Jane and Ballard have come to an agreement on how you'll operate from here on.

[Scott C. Clark]

Yeah, that's right. We're going to have lawyer Simpson put everything in legal form.

[Foy]

This is going to mean quite a lot to Jake, isn't it?

[Scott C. Clark]

Third interest and a quarter of a million dollars worth of property and money and stock.

[Foy]

That was mighty nice of your dad.

[Scott C. Clark]

I can't quite understand it. And I reckon it's all right if he wanted it that way.

[Foy]

By the way, who is this lawyer Simpson?

[Scott C. Clark]

He handled all of Dad's business and legal affairs for him. He offices over at the county seat.

[Foy]

I was just wondering. Oh, by the way, do you mind if we go into town this afternoon? Thought we'd like to stretch our legs a bit.

[Scott C. Clark]

No, no, it's quite all right. You've gone through enough with us the past few days. Go out and have yourself a good time.

[Lawyer Simpson]

Mr. Willing. I'll expect you boys to keep this matter very confidential. It's highly irregular to show you such a document as this. But under the circumstances, I feel that I am doing the Fletcher heirs a mighty big favor.

[Foy]

You can trust us, Mr. Simpson.

[Lawyer Simpson]

Now, what do you suggest when you.

[Foy]

Call on Bob and Jane tomorrow? Insist that Jake Ballard be present. Also insist that we're present as witnesses. Leave the rest to us.

[Lawyer Simpson]

Well and good. I'll see you too, tomorrow afternoon.

[Narrator]

Right.

[Scott C. Clark]

I'm glad you came out, Mr. Simpson. There's some legal work we wanted you.

[Foy]

To prepare for us.

[Scott C. Clark]

To carry out the wishes dad left in this letter to us.

[Lawyer Simpson]

Well, we'll get around to that after we discuss some other matters.

[Foy]

Here comes Floyd with Ballard now.

[Jane]

I'm glad you asked that Jake be present. After all, he is our partner in business now.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, howdy, Lawyer Simpson. How are you?

[Lawyer Simpson]

Oh, fine, Jake, fine. I'm glad you're present because there are a few things regarding Mr. Fletcher's estate that we should all understand. Oh, sure, certainly.

[Scott C. Clark]

Of course, you know how I. Well, I feel awful grateful for what dad Fletcher did for me, Lawyer Simpson.

[Lawyer Simpson]

Naturally.

[Foy]

Naturally.

[Lawyer Simpson]

Mr.

[Foy]

Willing.

[Scott C. Clark]

Yeah?

[Lawyer Simpson]

I'd like to ask you and Mr. Sloy and Mr. Dean to serve as witnesses to this meeting and the things that transpired.

[Foy]

Glad to be of help, Mr. Simpson.

[Narrator]

Jake. Jake.

[Lawyer Simpson]

I have examined the letter left in your care by the deceased and apparently it's genuine.

[Scott C. Clark]

You know, I can't help feeling, Mr. Simpson, that Deb Fletcher. Well, he was a little too liberal toward me. But, of course, if it was his wish, then makes me mighty happy.

[Lawyer Simpson]

Well, I have here the last will and testament of the deceased which I will read at this time.

[Scott C. Clark]

The will? I didn't even know dad made a will.

[Jane]

Neither did I. We had discussed it with him many times and, well, he always told us that such a thing was unnecessary since Bob and I were his only heirs.

[Scott C. Clark]

Just when. When was this will made, Mr. Simpson?

[Lawyer Simpson]

About six months ago, Jake. And on my insistence since he had decided to include you in the estate.

[Scott C. Clark]

But I don't understand why.

[Lawyer Simpson]

If you don't mind, Jake, we'll explain everything after I read the will. It shortens.

[Narrator]

As.

[Lawyer Simpson]

I, James Fletcher, being of sound mind, do hereby bequeath one half of all my earthly holdings and possessions to my daughter Jane and my son Robert. I hope my children will understand my liberal latitude as I provide for Jake Ballard, the son of my good friend and partner. John Ballard deceased. All my success and wealth I owe to the kindness of John Ballard. And I feel justified in having Jake Ballard share my earthly properties, holdings and money. Therefore, I bequeath to him one half of said property.

[Scott C. Clark]

One half? Hey, this doesn't make sense, Bob.

[Foy]

It makes mighty good sense.

[Lawyer Simpson]

I agree with Mr. Willing.

[Jane]

But why did he write that letter? Since the will was made out, leaving one half to Jake instead of one third?

[Foy]

Get Jake to tell you why he wrote the letter.

[Scott C. Clark]

Why are you driving out there?

[Foy]

You know, Jake, I'm in the dark.

[Scott C. Clark]

About this thing just as the rest of you are.

[Foy]

Tell him, Jake.

[Lawyer Simpson]

Now, look here.

[Foy]

Then I'll tell him the late Jim Fletcher trapped his own killer.

[Scott C. Clark]

I don't understand, Troy.

[Foy]

Let Jake tell you he killed your father.

[Scott C. Clark]

You're a liar.

[Narrator]

Don't reach for that gun.

[Foy]

All right, Jake. Now take it easy. If you try anything else, you're going to get more than just a slug in your hand.

[Scott C. Clark]

I'm afraid there's some explaining to do here.

[Foy]

All right, Bob. Jake forced your father to write that letter at the point of a gun. Your father made it look good, knowing that when the real will came to light, it would throw the blame on Jake. He then faked an ambush killing after having shot your father in the back. It's too bad, Jake, that you didn't wait because Jim Fletcher was even more liberal than you forced him to be. Well, I reckon you'll be bragging for the next six months how you track.

[Narrator]

Down old Jake Ballard.

[Foy]

Yeah, I reckon it will. Boy Willing, the great cowboy detective.

[Scott C. Clark]

All right, all right.

[Foy]

You guys don't have to rub it in. Well, I don't understand why you wanted to leave the Fletcher place.

[Scott C. Clark]

We could have had a job there.

[Foy]

As long as we wanted it.

[Narrator]

A job? Who wants a job?

[Foy]

I'd been satisfied just hanging around Jane Fletcher myself. Oh, but that wouldn't have made her too happy, I'm afraid.

[Narrator]

Oh, I don't know about that.

[Foy]

Well, anyway, We've got over 100 bucks in our jeans. What do we head for? Well, I hear there's a big rodeo next month over at Carson City. Well, we're heading in that direction. Let's go.

[Narrator]

Let's go. Whing along Heard with the writers of.

[Scott C. Clark]

The Purple Stage in Today's story were Mr. Joe Granby as Lawyer Simpson, Ms. Helen Gerald as Janie Hard Culver as Bob. Your announcer was the killer, Jake Ballard. Now here is 4 willing and the boys to bring you another of their Western heart songs, the new and popular love ballad Entitled the leaf of Love.

[Narrator]

The leaf of love is loud Slowly falling like winter storm with rain and snow you grow the heart in one joyous moment believe my love is falling low. I'll never forget at our first meeting. Maybe it was meant to be. I didn't think you'd prove falsehearted and kill your soul Inside of me my story I'm traveling all now where I will let God only know a beam rock along the river it's quiet and deep for where it flow the leaf of love is low it fallen like winters charmed with rain and snow. You broke a heart and in one short moment the leaf of love is falling long.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, now, suppose we call on the great cowboy detective himself to tell you what the writers of the Purple Sage are going to sing next.

[Foy]

All right, you guys can stop that cowboy detective stuff. Okay, Sherlock. We won't say another word about it.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, I expect we'd better get back to western music and song.

[Foy]

Here's one cotton we hope will please the folk. It's an old timer called the Train Whistle Blues.

[Scott C. Clark]

Well, all aboard. We're listening.

[Narrator]

When a woman gets a blues she hangs her little head and she cries. When a woman gets a blue blues she hangs her little head and cries. When a man gets a blues he grabs the first train and fly. Every time I see that lonesome railroad train Every time I see that lonesome railroad train it makes me wish I was going home again Looky under, coming, coming down the railroad track Coming back Looky under coming, coming down the railroad track with the black smoke rolling, rolling from that old smokestack.

[Scott C. Clark]

It used to be that the great cattle kingdom covered vast areas of unfenced rangeland, and the cattleman's closest neighbor might be 50 miles away. Little wonder that strangers riding by were heartily welcomed and provided with food and shelter as a matter of course. That was the beginning of the traditional Western hospitality, for the hostess who serves Weber's bread is certain that her guests and family alike will enjoy its freshness and distinctive flavor. As toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, or in between snacks. And when served with more elaborate meals, Weber's bread is always an enjoyable, substantial item on the menu. Buy Weber's Bread when you go shopping. You'll find it on your grocer shelves. The really good bread in the Blue gingham Rapper. A Song of the west depicting a cowboy's religion comes your way now from the riders of the Purple sage as they blend their fine Western voices to sing Cowboys Heaven.

[Narrator]

I've been in the battle all day Searching the hills and the valley More cattle that graze away but someday our work will be over and the light on my other shore Laying after my blanket Looking straight up in the sky Watching a white away up there on.

[Foy]

High.

[Narrator]

The stars are shining in heaven it seems that they understand. They may be the souls of Galvan who have gone to that conversation Folks.

[Foy]

This is Boy Willing Again. It's been mighty nice keeping company with you today and we hope you'll all be on hand next week. Until then, from Al Sloy, Jimmy Dean, myself and all of the writers of the Purple Sage. So long and good luck to you all.

[Narrator]

From Hollywood.

[Scott C. Clark]

You have heard your All Star Western Theater a VM Bear production starring America's great Western singers, Boy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage. My name is Tartan C tw this program came to you from Columbia Square, K MX Los Angeles, the voice of Hollywood.

[Narrator]

Foreign.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com 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.

[Narrator]

SA.