The Big Story: Three Gold Coins Spell Death (EP4947)

Summary

Podcast Summary:

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio | EP4947
The Big Story: Three Gold Coins Spell Death
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Host: Adam Graham

---

Episode Overview

This episode features an authentic radio dramatization from The Big Story, originally aired December 14, 1949: "Three Gold Coins Spell Death." The main narrative follows Tulsa Tribune reporter Nolan Bullock as he becomes embroiled in an undercover bootlegging operation that quickly pivots to solving a murder mystery involving three Mexican gold coins. After the drama, host Adam Graham provides cast details, historical notes, and insightful commentary about the story’s real-life basis and journalistic practices of the era.

---

Key Segments, Discussion Points, & Quotes

1. Introduction to the Case

[02:44–03:53]

• Setting: A rural stretch of U.S. Highway 66, Oklahoma.
• Inciting Incident: Mother and son discover a man's body on a roadside cot.
  • “He’s sleeping, Ma. He’s sleeping. But he ain’t never going to wake up.” — Nick Oliver ([03:38])

2. Reporter Nolan Bullock Goes Undercover

[04:06–07:20]

• Nolan Bullock (played by Bob Redick) is both a reporter and undercover agent, infiltrating a local bootlegging ring under the alias “Mr. Norton.”
• Scene at Will Rogers Hotel — Bullock negotiates with syndicate accountant Mr. Richie, awaiting kingpin Tom Breeden's return:
  • “You got to prepare for eventualities like this. But he didn't listen to me. Nobody listens to an accountant.” — Mr. Richie ([05:22])
• Transition to murder investigation when Nick Oliver calls Bullock to report a slain man.

3. The Murder Scene and Early Clues

[07:41–10:22]

• At the scene: No identification on the victim.
• Clues: Three Mexican gold coins found in the grass; a preacher reports hearing a violent quarrel involving a man called “Ace” and a station wagon.
  • “There were three men, sir. And they were having, I must say, a most profane fight…” — Evangelist Mr. Burns ([09:39])

4. Connecting the Murder to the Bootlegging Operation

[10:42–13:58]

• Breakthrough: Police teletype links a stranded truck in California (license 71391) to Tom Breeden.
  • “The owner of that car in California was named Thomas Breeden.” — Nick Oliver ([11:49])
• Information from California: Breeden arrested with $17,000 in Mexican coins, traveling with men named Bronson and Stiles (aka "Ace").
  • “Breeden is wanted by the federal authorities at El Paso for entering the country illegally with close to $17,000 in Mexican coins.” — Nick Oliver ([13:26])

5. Tracing the Suspects through Coin Evidence

[14:47–16:21]

• Hotel cashier scene: Nolan discovers more Mexican coins being circulated by two suspicious men driving a station wagon — the same vehicle reported at the murder.
  • “That’s a Mexican coin. Where did you get it?” — Nolan Bullock ([15:39])
  • “Someone’s been passing them. The girl at the cigar counter got one and I got this.” — Mrs. Penn ([15:43])

6. The Trap: Confrontation with Bronson and Stiles

[16:46–24:14]

• Richie tips Nolan off about a meet with Bronson, the new boss, at a remote house.
• Road confrontation with suspects; tense encounter hints at danger:
  • “Say, is your name Ace?” — Nolan ([18:14])
• At the house:
  • Inside, Nolan fast-talks his way, trying to get suspects to incriminate each other.
  • Finds blood stains and the suspected murder weapon in their car.
  • “You see, I happen to know that you and Bronson and my friend Breeden were driving in from California...17,000 in coins…and there are stains in the car right out in the back. And a wrench with stains on it.” — Nolan ([22:13])
• Stiles cracks and blames Bronson; tensions rise with threats of violence.

7. Resolution and Arrests

[24:15–25:25]

• Nick Oliver arrives with police, arrests Bronson and Stiles.
• Both men confess to second-degree manslaughter; sentenced to 10 years of hard labor.
• Closing narration asserts names have been changed except for Nolan Bullock.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Cutting something three ways is less than cutting something in two. Yeah, that's just how it happened. He did it. Bronson. I didn't want to kill him. I just wanted to make a deal. But that Bronson, he's got a temper like a wild man.” — Stiles ([22:49])
• “Corpses, two corpses, knocking people through the floor. All I want is the best possible deal I can get.” — Nolan Bullock ([23:36])
• “Don’t try to move into bootlegging. Not in your line, not your style. You stick with the papers.” — Nick Oliver ([24:44])

---

Host Adam Graham’s Post-Episode Commentary

Cast & Production Notes

• Nolan Bullock: Bob Redick
• Other cast: Abby Lewis, Grant Richards, Mandel Kramer, Bill Smith
• Fun fact: Two future Johnny Dollars appear in the episode. ([28:30])

Reflections on the Case and Journalism Then vs. Now

• The story is based on an actual 1947 Oklahoma case; details sparse but real-life Bullock risked injury posing undercover.
  • “It would be exceedingly rare for a reporter to actually directly work for the police department... But Nolan Bullock was the type of man who was not afraid to take very serious risk in order to get a story.” — Adam Graham ([29:10])
• Discusses differences in journalistic and law enforcement practices in the era, noting fiction often takes liberties.

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:38 – Discovery of the body
• 04:59–07:20 – Undercover negotiation & transition to murder case
• 08:03 – Identification challenges at murder scene
• 11:36 – Teletype clue linking case to California
• 13:26 – Explanation of Breeden’s criminal connections
• 15:39–16:21 – New clues from coin evidence at hotel
• 18:14–19:03 – Tense roadside confrontation with suspects
• 22:13 – Nolan confronts suspects with evidence
• 24:44 – Nick Oliver’s advice: “You stick with the papers.”
• 25:05–25:25 – Sentencing and closing statement

---

Episode Takeaways

• Blend of Fact and Drama: Old-time detective radio drew from real cases, sometimes fictionalizing details for drama.
• Investigative Risks: Real-life reporter Nolan Bullock risked personal safety for investigative journalism.
• Bootlegging and Murder Tied by Coin Evidence: Small clues (Mexican coins) led to unraveling both a bootlegging case and a murder.
• Dynamic Characters: The episode highlights the interplay between “the smart one” and “the hothead” in crime partnerships.

---

For Listeners: Next Up

• The next “Big Story” episode will air next Tuesday.
• Adam Graham encourages feedback and engagement via email and social media.

---

Transcript

[Julian Edelman]

This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names. I want to take a second to talk about something that's personal to me. I've had the privilege of working closely with Robert Kraft for a long time, and one thing I've always respected is how seriously he takes up standing up to hate. As a Jewish athlete, my identity is something I am proud of, but I also know what it feels like to be singled out for it. That's why this new commercial for the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate that aired during the Big Game really hit home. It's about showing up for someone when they're targeted, even if you don't have the perfect words. And sometimes standing next to someone is enough. And you can show support by sharing the Blue Square

[Lowe's Home Care Plus Announcer]

Introducing Home Care Plus, a new subscription service from Lowe's that helps make life easier by giving members a hand with home maintenance. Let Lowe's tackle the tasks you keep meaning to do, like electric dryer, vent cleaning, replacing hard to reach light bulbs, and more. Subscribe to Home Care plus for just $99 a year and consider your to do list done. Members get more at Lowe's. Available in select zip codes only. Cancel anytime. Non refundable fee. Product purchase required terms and service restrictions apply. Details@lowe's.com Terms subject to change.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of the Big Story. But first I want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And I want to highlight a another podcast we do that you might enjoy. Want to encourage you to check out the Amazing World of Radio at amazing great detectives.net we had a spring special and we also had two special episodes for Easter recently posted. You can check those [e-mail] and when you follow the podcast, you can also catch whatever summer series our Patreon supporters [e-mail] but now, from December 14, not 1949, here is three gold coins spelled death.

[Narrator]

The Big Story.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

It was Sunday morning along U.S. highway 66, heading west from Tulsa toward Clinton, Oklahoma. Mrs. Rose Penn and her son were driving the Cherokee.

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

Jim. Jim, stop the car.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

What's the matter, Ma?

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

I told you, stop the car. Don't you see it over there on the side of the road? A cart. There's a man sleeping on that cot.

[Nick Oliver]

That's no business of ours, is it, Ma? The fella's got a Right to sleep.

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

You get on out of this car and find out why he's sleeping there on the cot beside the road, weather like this. Now, go on. Well, well, what are you standing there for? Is he all right? Is he sleeping?

[Nick Oliver]

He's sleeping, Ma. He's sleeping. But he ain't never going to wake up.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Tulsa, Oklahoma.

[Narrator]

The story of a reporter who found

[Narrator/Storyteller]

three golden coins that spelled death.

[Narrator]

Tulsa, Oklahoma. The story as it actually happened. Reporter Nolan Bullock's story as he lived it.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

You, Nolan Bullock of the Tulsa Tribune, are a reporter with a flattened nose. And you got it by sticking it consistently into other people's business. Like now, you sit in the fashionable Will Rogers Hotel in Claremore near Tulsa, and take part in a business conference. The business being, since Oklahoma is a dry state, bootlegging. And your job, that of undercover agent for the State Crime Bureau. Your name for today, Nolan Bullock, is Mr. Norton.

[Mr. Richie]

Mighty good meal they serve here, Mr. Norton.

[Nolan Bullock]

Mighty good cigar, Mr. Ritchie.

[Mr. Richie]

Okay, perfect. Thank you kindly.

[Nolan Bullock]

I have been sitting quiet all through the meal, Mr. Ritchie. Do we talk business now?

[Mr. Richie]

Yes, sure thing, Mr. Norton. But to tell you the truth, I don't think we can make a deal.

[Nolan Bullock]

You've had a week to check my credit.

[Mr. Richie]

No, no, it's not the credit.

[Nolan Bullock]

Well, what is it then? I've been merchandise three and a half weeks now.

[Mr. Richie]

Look, I explained to you last time. A change in a corporation as big as mine. That takes time, Mr. Norton. When Mr. Veazey was alive, the man in charge before, Mr. Breeden. I told him, you got to prepare for eventualities like this. But he didn't listen to me. Nobody listens to an accountant.

[Nolan Bullock]

Look, all I know is that I've got to have 21 cases of stock delivered. So loud?

[Mr. Richie]

Please, Mr. Norton.

[Nolan Bullock]

And I need two dozen barrels weekly, regularly. Now, when am I going to get a definite answer? You know there are other firms to deal with.

[Mr. Richie]

Oh, now, you wouldn't want to do that, Mr. Norton. When Mr. Breedon comes in and takes over, that's the man you want to deal with, and the only one in this state. I worked for Mr. Breton years ago, and I tell you frankly, I'm looking

[Nolan Bullock]

forward to his return.

[Mr. Richie]

Things never were the same in all the years he was away. He's a fine man, Mr. Breton. Strictly business, but the best terms you could get, believe me.

[Nolan Bullock]

Look, I know about Mr. Breedon. All I am asking you now is when does he get here? When can we make our final arrangements?

[Mr. Richie]

To tell you the truth, Mr. Norton, he ought to have been here Yesterday he left California. Must have been three days ago, I believe. I'll wire him and find out if there was any change in his plans.

[Nolan Bullock]

I've got 121 establishments waiting on Mr. Breton. Those customers want beer, they want wine, they want whiskey, and they want it now. They are not interested in any of my business difficulties.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And so you, Nolan Bullock, undercover agent and reporter, watch the pleasant accountant leave, and you make your call.

[Nolan Bullock]

Capital 2000.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

State Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

[Nolan Bullock]

Let me hear, Mr. Oliver, please.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Yes, this is Nolan Bullock.

[Nick Oliver]

Oh, I'm sorry. I can't talk to you, Nolan.

[Nolan Bullock]

Well, I have just left Richie. He expects breeding in a few days.

[Nick Oliver]

Pete's sake. I can't talk to you. I've got to run.

[Nolan Bullock]

Where have you got to run?

[Nick Oliver]

If you must know. Dead man reported out on Route 66. Look, I'm supposed to be out there. I can't sit here talking to you.

[Mr. Richie]

Murder?

[Nick Oliver]

Yeah, it looks like it.

[Nolan Bullock]

Well, you don't have to talk to

[Narrator/Storyteller]

me on the phone.

[Nolan Bullock]

I'll meet you there. Where is it?

[Nick Oliver]

Oh, no. I'm not ready to give anything out on this.

[Nolan Bullock]

Now, look, Nick, if you don't tell me where to meet you on that killing, I'll get off this breeding case fast.

[Nick Oliver]

That's blackmail. Call it what you like. Where is it? About two miles outside of Clinton on Route 66. Big gas station that side of the road.

[Nolan Bullock]

You can't miss it. I won't.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And so you, Nolan Bullock, drop the story about the bootleg syndicate and hop on the bigger story. The story of murder. And now you stand with Special Investigator Nick Oliver, Both of you shaking your head at the dead man lying on the cot. Just off Route 66 near Clinton.

[Nolan Bullock]

No possible way of identification, Nick?

[Nick Oliver]

Nothing. I'll get Haynes of the Fingerprint Bureau in, see if his prints tell us anything. I don't think even a mother would recognize his face. Hey, where you going?

[Nolan Bullock]

Looking around.

[Nick Oliver]

I wish that ambulance would get here.

[Nolan Bullock]

What are you looking for? Something in the grass, Nick. Hey, what do you know? It's a coin. Here's another one.

[Nick Oliver]

Let me see.

[Nolan Bullock]

Those are Mexican coins, right?

[Nick Oliver]

That's what they are.

[Nolan Bullock]

Well, what are they doing here?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

How do I know?

[Nick Oliver]

Well, we've got something anyhow. It's not much more than nothing, but it's something.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Finally. The ambulance. Yes.

[Nick Oliver]

There. Okay, send him in. Somebody thinks he's got something on the murder, Nolan.

[Nolan Bullock]

And somebody's got something more than we have, Nick.

[Nick Oliver]

Reverend Burns.

[Narrator]

Not reverend, sir. Mr. Burns. You see, Lieutenant, I'm not an Ordained minister? Merely an evangelical preacher who tries to bring a little understanding.

[Nick Oliver]

Now, Lieutenant, it's not Lieutenant, just mister.

[Narrator]

I beg your pardon, sir?

[Nick Oliver]

Like you said, not Lieutenant, just mister, right?

[Narrator]

Right, sir. Now, last Saturday, sir, I was holding my regular campfire meeting. We hold campfire meetings every Saturday evening. All the way up and down Highway 6 to 6 that night, sir, I was preaching on the 7th.

[Nick Oliver]

I thought you said you knew something about the murder.

[Narrator]

I was coming to that directly, sir. It was toward the end of my sermon. The disturbance came from a campfire not too far distant. But you see, sir, the men were shouting. And the wind, you see, was blowing.

[Nick Oliver]

Please, Mr. Burns.

[Narrator]

So you see, their voices were waft in my direction. There were three men, sir. And they were having, I must say, a most profane fight. You can imagine the language.

[Nolan Bullock]

And that's all, sir.

[Narrator]

I knew something dreadful was going to happen. And I thought for a moment I would intervene. But then I thought better of it and I didn't. And that's all that happened.

[Nolan Bullock]

Did you see any of them? Their faces?

[Narrator]

It was rather a dark night, if it's of any value. Though I don't see how it possibly can be. They had a station wagon parked next to the fire. And I think one of the men, amidst the profanity, called the other Ace.

[Nick Oliver]

Thank you very much, Mr. Burns.

[Narrator]

Not at all, sir. I shall be holding a meeting on Saturday as usual. Just two miles out of Tulsa on Route 66. If you should want me.

[Nick Oliver]

Thank you. Mind closing the door?

[Nolan Bullock]

That's a great help. Somebody name of Ace. And there was a station wagon, maybe.

[Nick Oliver]

Don't forget.

[Nolan Bullock]

It was a dark night, but the wind was blowing.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

A week goes by. A week of feverish activity. By Nick Oliver on the murder story. And by you, Nolan Bullock, on the murder case. And on the bootleg syndicate. And when you add it all up, it's less than the faint sound of the name Ace on the night air. You keep spending time at headquarters waiting,

[Nick Oliver]

hoping, and mostly dozing.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And then a routine message comes through on the police teletype.

[Nick Oliver]

Request. Owner, Oklahoma license 71391. Truck stranded here. Answer soonest. Police chief, Indio, California.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And Nick Oliver put through the routine request in the routine way.

[Nick Oliver]

License 71391.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Hey, Nolan, wake up.

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

Huh?

[Nick Oliver]

What? What's the matter? Wake up.

[Nolan Bullock]

What did you say?

[Nick Oliver]

Guess whose truck is stranded out in California.

[Nolan Bullock]

What are you talking about?

[Nick Oliver]

That request we got from Indio.

[Nolan Bullock]

Oh, yeah, sure. What about it?

[Nick Oliver]

The owner of that car in California was named Thomas Breeden.

[Nolan Bullock]

Breeden well, that's my man. Get California on the phone.

[Nick Oliver]

Vinnie, you put me through to the police chief in Indio. Who'd you think I was calling, Nolan? My bootlegger. Yes, that's right, Chief. Fella's name was Thomas Breeden. And we're interested in him too. Tell me everything you've got. Oh, you jailed him?

[Nolan Bullock]

That's why he didn't meet me in the coup in California. Uh huh.

[Nick Oliver]

El Paso, huh? What do you know?

[Nolan Bullock]

What about El Paso? Hey, Nick, what about El Paso?

[Nick Oliver]

You check with the FBI, huh? Fine, fine.

[Nolan Bullock]

What is this FBI? El Paso, Nick.

[Nick Oliver]

Chief, you've been very helpful. Is there any time you're in Tulsa? Yes, Chief, I'll do that. Say, how's the weather out there, Nick? 92 degrees, huh? Well, you don't say. We got blizzard weather here. It's so long, Chief.

[Nolan Bullock]

Well, you want me to strangle you?

[Nick Oliver]

It seems your friend Tom Breeden was picked up about a week ago by the police chief in Indio. He was driving a truck, went through a red light and hit somebody. Wasn't serious. They put him in the coup for five days. Took his prints and all that. Chief said he acted like a man going to be sentenced to the chair. Nervous. So he checked on him in Washington?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Oh, I don't know.

[Nick Oliver]

There was some delay, I guess, on the chief's end in checking the prince with Washington. And he didn't get the answer on Breeding until after he was let out.

[Narrator]

Look, Nick, get to the point.

[Nolan Bullock]

Okay.

[Nick Oliver]

When the report came through, it seems Breeding is wanted by the federal authorities at El Paso for entering the country illegally with close to $17,000 in Mexican coins.

[Nolan Bullock]

Mexican coins?

[Nick Oliver]

That's what the man said when he last left California. He was seen driving in a station wagon with two men, one named Bronson, one named Stiles. The first name of the fellow called Stiles was Ace.

[Nolan Bullock]

What about Breedon?

[Nick Oliver]

Well, you see, Nolan, the reason you never met Breeden is because his prints are the same as those of the man we saw on the cut off US 66.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Awful.

[Nick Oliver]

Dead.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

What started out for you, Nolan Bullock, reporter for the Tulsa Tribune as an undercover job as a bootlegger is now a murder story involving the FBI. Two indistinct figures named Acquisition Styles and Somebody Bronson. And $17,000 in Mexican coins. You and Nick Oliver know you aren't much nearer a solution than you are the time you stood and looked at the battered head of Thomas Breeden. And so you decide to go back to the Will Rogers Hotel in Claremore. Maybe the contact man of the syndicate. The accountant knows something.

[Nolan Bullock]

Look, Mr. Richie, you said in a few days I'd get an answer.

[Mr. Richie]

Yes, I know, I know. But something has happened to Mr. Breton. Could you use a good man in your organization? I'm a fine accountant. I'm honest and I am accurate. I was with Mr. Breton for 13 years. I tell you, I know the bootleg business.

[Nolan Bullock]

I'd like to help you, Mr. Ritchie, and maybe I can if you put me in touch with whoever is taking

[Mr. Richie]

over now that Mr.

[Nolan Bullock]

Breeding is. I beg you have to.

[Mr. Richie]

As soon as I know anything. And you can use a good man in your organization.

[Nolan Bullock]

Well, we'll see. Right now I'd better pay the check and get going.

[Mr. Richie]

Yes, well, I'll run on ahead and see what I can find out for you.

[Nolan Bullock]

You've no idea how upset I am. Is this where I pay the check?

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

That's right. Just a moment. I'm sorry I nearly gave you that phony coin. I've been meaning to put the side.

[Narrator]

Wait a minute.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Wait a minute.

[Nolan Bullock]

Let me see that. Lady, That's a Mexican coin. Where did you get it?

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

Someone's been passing them. The girl at the cigar counter got one and I got this.

[Nolan Bullock]

When was this?

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

This morning sometime.

[Nolan Bullock]

Who gave it to you?

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

I didn't really notice. Some man, by the time I saw it wasn't a real coin, had already gone out. Ran out to the front steps and I saw him drive off. He and another man was with him.

[Nolan Bullock]

Did you happen to know what they drove off in?

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

No, just a car.

[Nolan Bullock]

Was it a station wagon?

[Mrs. Rose Penn]

You mean one of those? Say, now that you mention it, it's just what it was. You know, I have to make that up out of my own pocket.

[Nolan Bullock]

No, you don't, sister. Here's a dollar to take its place. Let me have that little Mexican phony. Nick, guess what happened.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Come on.

[Nick Oliver]

If you've got something, give.

[Nolan Bullock]

Remember that Mexican who showed up? Those three Mexicans?

[Nick Oliver]

The blondes? Mm.

[Nolan Bullock]

The golden blondes. Well, I found a friend of theirs at the Cashiers and the restaurant in the Will Rogers Hotel.

[Nick Oliver]

Meet you there in an hour. Make it half an hour.

[Nolan Bullock]

907 is my room, Nick. 907.

[Mr. Richie]

Hello, Mr. Norton? This is Mr. Richie. I've got something you'll find very exciting. You can meet the new boss.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

How?

[Mr. Richie]

You know the road off U.S. 66?

[Nolan Bullock]

Yes.

[Mr. Richie]

Well, go past the gas station at Ember Street. It's a little dirt road. A little left off 66. A left turn. You can't miss it. It runs down third through the Verdigris Valley. There's a big white house, green shutters. That's two and a half miles down the road.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

All right.

[Nolan Bullock]

Thanks, Ricky.

[Mr. Richie]

Now, please don't say I told you to go there, Mr. Norton. The boss might not like it. His name is Bronson.

[Nolan Bullock]

Okay, Rich, and I won't forget. When I get a set up, I'll find a place in it for you.

[Mr. Richie]

Oh, thank you, Mr. Norton. Thank you very much.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Now what to do? Nick Oliver is on his way be reached. And you know how to find a new boss. It takes only a moment to make up your mind. You turn left at the gas station off 66. Take the road toward Verdigris Valley. You keep her in second as you go down the incline. And the road is wide enough now for just one car. Now, coming at you is another dusty car. And there isn't room for both of you to pass. You stop and then you see a station wagon.

[Nick Oliver]

Not much room, huh? That's right, Bud.

[Narrator]

Looks like one of us is gonna have to back up.

[Nolan Bullock]

Say, is your name Ace?

[Narrator]

Which is it gonna be, Mac, you or us? Who backs up?

[Nolan Bullock]

Well, I was supposed to meet a fellow.

[Nick Oliver]

I think it better be you, bud. And we're in a hurry,

[Narrator/Storyteller]

so you back her up. Trying to get a look at the license plates at the man in the car. There's too much dust on the road. And then finally, when you reach a point where you can back up off the road and let them pass, something inside tells you, bullock, old fellow, you

[Nolan Bullock]

better keep your head down as they go by.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

You duck and wait for it. But it doesn't come. There's no shot. And then you see them hitting 40, 50, pulling away from you before you can swing your car back on the road and follow them. And it takes you an hour and a half, it seems, to reach the next gas station just a quarter of a mile away before you can call Nick Oliver.

[Nolan Bullock]

Nick? Well, I saw them. At least I think I saw them. I mean, Stiles and Bronson in a station wagon out on a dirt road off 66. No, no, no, I checked that. There's a little gas station. That's where I'm calling from. No station wagon came out from the canyon. It must have turned off one of the side roads. There aren't many of them, I'm sure. Yes, four or five men to do the job. All right, I'll wait here.

[Mr. Richie]

Shut it off, Nick.

[Nick Oliver]

Over there.

[Nolan Bullock]

You see it? That's the wagon.

[Nick Oliver]

Very convenient. Nice place for a headquarters. The House in the Valley. And the car.

[Nolan Bullock]

Only let's go slow. Sure this is the wagon? Sure I'm sure. Let's see what's in it. Put your light over here. What have you got? There's a gash in the back seat. It's a big bowl. You see it?

[Nick Oliver]

Yes, I see it.

[Nolan Bullock]

Mexican blondes. Quite a bunch of them.

[Nick Oliver]

Very nice.

[Nolan Bullock]

Look at this. What do you think this is here? Right here. Is it rust?

[Nick Oliver]

My guess is blood.

[Nolan Bullock]

And this is a wrench. Might be what they did it with.

[Nick Oliver]

It's heavy enough and it's got the same kind of rust on it.

[Nolan Bullock]

Well, let's take them.

[Danny]

Not so fast, Nolan.

[Nick Oliver]

Suppose they say they never met your friend Breeden.

[Nolan Bullock]

Know nothing about him. We need proof. Just what do you have in mind?

[Nick Oliver]

You know those guys pretty well. Know their business lingo, the way they operate. Can't you think of some way of going in there doing a little fast talking?

[Nolan Bullock]

Well, if I do, it's not a bad story. No, not bad at all. Good luck. Good evening, Mr. Stiles. It is Mr. Stiles.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Who are you?

[Nolan Bullock]

Where is Bronson? Downstairs. Who are you? Well, my name is Norton. Didn't you hear about me? I was supposed to make arrangements with Mr. Breeden from the delivery of 21 cases of stock a week and a half.

[Nick Oliver]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Nolan Bullock]

Little Richie told me about you.

[Narrator]

Hey, ain't you the fella?

[Nick Oliver]

Yeah.

[Nolan Bullock]

We met you on the road. Vertigree Valley. I was sorry about that. We had to change our headquarters. How'd you find us? Look, I've got a lot of money invested in my business. Little tracking down if somebody never bothered me. Okay, Sit down. What do you get for a case of domestic stock?

[Narrator]

Run you about $170.

[Nolan Bullock]

I'll take 12 cases a week. Give you $20 a case. All right. Who are you kidding? $20? No, no, I'm quite serious. You see, I happen to know that I can get it at $20 a case.

[Narrator]

Go on, pedal your papers somewhere else. The price is $170.

[Nolan Bullock]

See, I happen to know that you and Bronson and my friend Breeden were driving in from California. I happen to know that you got into a fight with him. And I happen to know that you stole $17,000 in coins from him. And there are stains in the car, right out in the back. And a wrench with stains on it, and I don't think there are stains. Now, take it easy, will you? Look, we can do business. Say, I've got another idea. Why does it have to Be Norton and Stiles and Bronson. Why can't it just be Norton and Stiles? What do you mean, just you and me? Come on, now, who did it? The breeding?

[Mr. Richie]

I mean, was it you?

[Nolan Bullock]

Or maybe your friend downstairs?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

You know what?

[Nolan Bullock]

We've come to a deal. Cutting something three ways is less than cutting something in two. Yeah, that's just how it happened. He did it. Bronson. I didn't want to kill him. I just wanted to make a deal. But that Bronson, he's got a temper like a wild man. You mean it? You and me? Why not? The cops are looking for a fall guy. You testify, I testify. And it's Norton and Stiles. I should have met you before Norton and Styles.

[Narrator]

Now, ain't that pretty? And the cops need a fall guy. Now, wait a second, Bronson.

[Nick Oliver]

I was just.

[Narrator]

Yeah. Maybe instead. Instead of a fall guy, the cops will get a corpse. Maybe two corpses.

[Nolan Bullock]

Mr. Bronson. Yeah, that's right.

[Narrator]

Mr. Bronson. Who do you think you are, coming in here making deals?

[Nolan Bullock]

Just a guy anxious like you are to make a buck.

[Narrator]

Now, look, you shut up. Two red cents, I'd knock you right through the floor where you're standing, Norton and styles.

[Nolan Bullock]

Now, look, Mr. Bronson, you can't do business that way. It can't be done.

[Nick Oliver]

Corpses.

[Nolan Bullock]

Two corpses, knocking people through the floor. All I want is the best possible deal I can get.

[Narrator]

Why did you dig this thing up from me? You think you can talk your way out of this? I heard what you said. It was standing behind the door. Now, I don't know who you think you are or what makes you so cocky.

[Nolan Bullock]

What makes me so cocky, as you put it, is what's out in the back.

[Narrator]

What's supposed to be out in the

[Nolan Bullock]

back in the car? 17,000 in Mexican coins like the ones found near breeding. Stains on the floor of the car. And a wrench out there. Stains on that, too.

[Narrator]

Nobody saw? No. $17,000. There's no stains, no wrench. All I see is a wise guy who takes talks too much for my money. I smell cop.

[Nolan Bullock]

Amateur cop.

[Narrator]

Now turn around.

[Nolan Bullock]

Bronson, I think maybe we ought to make a deal.

[Narrator]

You already done enough thinking. Maybe you ought to turn around, too. I said turn around. All right, all right.

[Mr. Richie]

I was only.

[Nick Oliver]

He was only looking for me. Let's stand where we are. Right where we are.

[Nolan Bullock]

Hello, Nick.

[Nick Oliver]

Oh, I knew it.

[Narrator]

Maybe we ought to make a deal. Bronson, shut up.

[Nick Oliver]

That's right, both of you.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Now, let's go.

[Nick Oliver]

Oh, Nolan give you a tip?

[Nolan Bullock]

Sure.

[Nick Oliver]

Don't try to move into bootlegging. Not in your line, not your style. You stick with the papers.

[Nolan Bullock]

Thanks, Nick. Don't think I won't.

[Narrator]

Now, we read you that telegram from

[Nolan Bullock]

Nolan Bullock of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Tribune. Both men in tonight's big story pleaded guilty to second degree manslaughter, admitted killing Breeden after he attacked them. Both were sentenced to 10 years of hard labor at the State Penitentiary MacAlister, Oklahoma.

[Narrator]

And so ends another big story. In order to protect the names of people actually involved in tonight's authentic big story, the names of all characters in the dramatization were changed with the exception of the newspaper reporter.

[Mr. Richie]

Sam.

[Narrator]

This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service, the voice of information and education.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Foreign.

[Julian Edelman]

This is Julian Edelman from Games with Names. I want to take a second to talk about something that's personal to me. I've had the privilege of working closely with Robert Kraft for a long time. And one thing I've always respected is how seriously he takes up standing up to hate. As a Jewish athlete, my identity is something I am proud of. But I also know what it feels like to be singled out for it. That's why this new commercial for the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate that aired during the big game really hit home. It's about showing up for someone when they're targeted, even if you don't have the perfect words. And sometimes standing next to someone is enough and you can show support by sharing the Blue Square.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, since we didn't get any discussion of the cast at all, let's go ahead and do that. First Nolan was played by Bob Redick and then also in the cast were Abby Lewis, Grant Richards, Mandel Kramer and Bill Smith. So we get two future Johnny Dollars for the price of one. Now, I think most criminal relationships are somewhat toxic, but I don't think anything quite beats the dynamic when the smart one and the hothead are the same person is what we saw here. I mean, that other guy was still trying to make a deal even as the police were breaking in. Now, in terms of the facts of the case, the story behind the big story or stories behind the big story states that this were about a mysterious slaying of a man near Clinton. That's what the basis of the story, Clinton, Oklahoma. They occurred in 1947. And a summary is to be available soon. But no real details on the real life, who's and what's, even though Dr. Joe Webb says the story has been found. And in this case I'm a little bit curious about whether the whole detail about Nolan actually being a government agent was invented because it sounds like the type of stuff you hear in fiction because it would be exceedingly rare for a reporter to actually directly work for the police department. But then again, there's not a whole lot of history on Oklahoma police practices that's readily available on the Internet. Now one thing they did find is that he actually walked with a limp as a result of getting beaten up while posing as a college student trying to obtain the story. And so while I can't get into details about the case, it is safe to say that Nolan Bullock was the type of man who was not afraid to take very serious risk in order to get a story. Well, listen our comments and feedback. And we have a comment on the post. Poison pen murders from Jeffrey, who writes pretty lax laws then how can a non policeman confiscate a pistol from a person's room? Well, legally you wouldn't think they would be able to. And generally when it comes to these sort of details from the Big Story, it comes down to one of two things. Number one, there were a lot of wild days of reporters doing things that they would not do and would not get away with today because of laxer enforcement and print journalism as this sort of frontier. And other details were just invented by the Big story writers. And unfortunately I can't say which with that particular incident. Well, now it is time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day. Thank you to Todd, patreon, Supporter since January 2022, currently supporting the PO at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support Todd. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel and mark the notification bell. All those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We will be back next Tuesday with another episode of the Big Story. But join us back here tomorrow for

[Nick Oliver]

Broadway's My Beat where alcohol poisoning.

[Danny]

Danny, they're a shift here from the emergency hospital for identification.

[Narrator]

You know who they are?

[Danny]

Yeah. This one. Joey Macklin, Bowery pickpocket, bum, panhandler, rummy.

[Narrator]

This one, you know him?

[Danny]

No. He's the reason why I called you down here. Notice anything? Danny looks pretty well fed. Fingernails looked like they'd been manicured not too long ago.

[Nolan Bullock]

Uh huh.

[Danny]

Couple other things. This. Found this crumpled mask in his pocket. Take a look at his clothes. Really raggy huh? Underneath, he's wearing silk underwear. You taking prints? Last night, soon as they came in. Code numbers sent to Washington right away. You say the emergency hospital sent him over?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Yeah.

[Danny]

They staggered in there practically blind from the bamboos, screaming. We couldn't help them, Danny. They were too far gone.

[Narrator]

They had the liquor on them.

[Danny]

No, there's liable to be a lot more of it someplace. Mugavan methyl alcohol and peach juice and beating oil. How could I seen them brought in after they've strained paint through a piece of bread? I've seen him. Yeah, you're right about this one Mugman. He looks too patently a bum. That's why he looks out of place.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, do send your comments to box13greatdetectives.net follow us on Twitter @radio detectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Take care of yourself this spring with great savings on all your favorite wellness brands. Now through April 28th. Save five doll when you buy three or more participating wellness items. Shop in store or online for products like centrum, silver nexium, 24 hour, Tums ultra strength or Smoothies tablets, and flonase spray. And save $5 when you buy three or more. Get these deals before they're gone. Offer ends April 28th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details. It's tax season, and by now we're all a bit tired of numbers. But here's an important one you need to $16 billion. That's how much money in refunds the IRS flagged for possible identity fraud. But it's not all grim news. LifeLock monitors millions of data points per second and alerts you to threats you could easily miss on your own. If your identity is stolen, they'll fix it, guaranteed. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit lifelock.com iheart Terms apply. Here's the truth. You could literally be adored by everyone and then come home and still get completely ignored by your own cat. It's classic cat behavior, but new Shiba Premium Puree is a lickable treat that changes all that. They're protein rich, made with bone broth, and have the smooth, creamy texture cats go crazy for, especially when it's hand fed. Yeah, it's more than a treat. It's a fast pass to favorite human status. So feed your cat Sheba and go from totally ignored to truly adored in just 12 days. Guaranteed or your money back. Learn more at shiba.

[Julian Edelman]

Com.