Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Lucky Four Matter (EP4850)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Lucky Four Matter (EP4850)

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Episode: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Lucky Four Matter
Release Date: November 21, 2025

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Overview

In this classic episode of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is called to Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, to investigate the suspicious death of Old Bill Cherry, who perished when a dam on his property broke. What initially appears to be an accident soon unravels into a web of sabotage, motive, and attempted murder, with Johnny Dollar following a series of clues to solve the case.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Call to Action [02:47 – 04:28]

• Earl Pullman, an insurance man, contacts Johnny Dollar about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Old Bill Cherry.
• The dam on Old Bill’s property broke during a storm, sending his house crashing down and leading to his death.
• Earl notes that Ray Smishney (a local ranch owner and friend) called with concerns that the dam’s failure was "no accident."

Notable Quote:
"Said he's found a couple of things that make him think the breaching of that dam was no accident."
— Earl Pullman to Johnny Dollar [03:45]

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2. Arriving in Colorado and First Suspicions [05:00 – 07:15]

• Johnny meets up with Ray Smishney, who recounts the history of the dam and their suspicion of foul play.
• Ray says he found some strange things at the dam site, including a cigarette pack in Old Bill’s hand—despite Bill never smoking.

Notable Moment:
Ray discovers suspicious wiring in his car, realizing someone tampered with it, just before an explosion—a murder attempt.
[08:04]

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3. Explosion! [08:00 – 08:38]

• Johnny Dollar suspects a bomb; he and Ray narrowly escape before the car explodes.
• They realize someone wants to eliminate them, possibly the same person who tampered with the dam.

Notable Quote:
"That was some kind of a bomb wired up in… by somebody who meant business, Johnny. By somebody who must have seen you poking around up near old Bill's dam."
— Johnny Dollar [08:44]

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4. Investigation of the Dam Site [12:16 – 15:20]

• Johnny and Ray examine the dam’s ruins and find physical evidence:
  • A label from "Titan Super IXL Dynamite" (a unique brand only available in Denver),
  • Drill holes indicating the use of dynamite,
  • The aforementioned Cuban cigarette package.
• Motive begins to shift as they realize several neighbors, not just the nephew, could have wanted Cherry out of the way due to disputes over water rights.

Notable Quote:
"Well, what I figured, Johnny… is that he caught somebody prowling around his dam, maybe struggled with him. And that's how come the cigarette package."
— Ray Smishney [13:51]

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5. Tracking Down Tommy Walker, the Nephew [15:24 – 17:29]

• Tommy, the apparent benefactor of Cherry’s insurance, is revealed as a lazy, incompetent worker with no actual skills in electronics—making him an unlikely suspect for setting a bomb or rigging dynamite.

Vendor at radio shop:
"That boy was so dumb, he couldn't even attach the wires to a plug properly… All he wanted was a place where he could sit around smoking those smelly Cuban cigarettes."
[16:51]

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6. Returning to the Lucky Four and Changing Suspicions [20:28 – 21:59]

• Ray and his wife, Glee, discuss suspicion shifting away from Tommy to their neighbor, Ralph Kimball—a reclusive former physics professor whose water supply was affected by the dam.
• Discussion on who had access to the unique dynamite and the expertise to use it.

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7. Key Evidence at Kimball’s House [22:36 – 24:50]

• In Kimball’s workshop, Johnny and Ray find:
  • The exact brand of dynamite,
  • A drill matching the dam's holes,
  • Matching wire,
  • The same brand of cigarettes.
• Circumstantial, but very compelling, evidence mounts against Kimball.

Notable Quote:
"Pretty good evidence, if you ask me. And here, El Pero. The same brand as a cigarette package you found clutched in old Bill's hand."
— Johnny Dollar [23:27]

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8. Confrontation and Attempted Escape [25:07 – 25:47]

• As the evidence is weighed, Kimball appears, brandishing a weapon and intent on violence.
• Glee (Ray’s wife) enters with a shotgun, foiling Kimball’s attack.

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9. Case Conclusion [25:51 – 26:19]

• Johnny concludes the string of circumstantial evidence, combined with Kimball's attempted murder, is legally sufficient.
• Tommy Walker, the nephew, will receive the modest $1,000 insurance payment.
• Johnny files his expense account and closes the case.

Notable Quote:
"Seven points of similarity, Ray. That'll stand up in any court in the land."
— Johnny Dollar [24:52]
"As any mathematician can tell you, will occur only once in 38 billion times."
— Johnny Dollar [25:07]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Evidence and Motive:
  "But if there's enough of it… seven points of similarity, Ray. That'll stand up in any court in the land."
  — Johnny Dollar [24:52]
• On Misplaced Suspicion:
  "It's as if Johnny's reputation for getting on the wrong track and making completely wild accusations had started to get around and racist like oh no, not again."
  — Adam Graham (host commentary) [28:18]
• On Tommy Walker:
  "He didn't do anything. He didn't know the difference between a fuse and a vacuum tube. Never even heard of a transistor, much less know what a circuit was."
  — Radio Shop Owner [16:44]

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Adam Graham’s Commentary (Post-Episode Discussion) [28:18 – 32:51]

• Graham breaks down the "seven points of similarity" reference—originally a fingerprint comparison guideline, not a general forensic principle.
• He emphasizes that circumstantial evidence, often wrongly discounted, can be more reliable than eyewitness testimony.
• Graham lightly pokes fun at Johnny Dollar’s tendency to land on red herrings before getting the real culprit.
• Listener comments are addressed, adding levity to the wrap-up.

Notable Quote:
"The idea that some evidence is totally irrelevant or inadmissible because it can be called circumstantial is also a bit of a fallacy… Well-collected physical evidence can be powerful and more credible."
— Adam Graham [29:28]

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Key Timestamps

• [02:47] – Johnny is briefed on the case by Earl Pullman.
• [05:00] – Arrival and initial suspicions with Ray Smishney.
• [08:04] – Discovery and explosion of the car bomb.
• [12:16] – Dam site investigation and discovery of evidence.
• [15:24] – Meet with radio shop owner about Tommy Walker.
• [20:28] – Return to the Lucky Four; suspicions shift to Kimball.
• [22:36] – Discovery of incriminating evidence in Kimball's workshop.
• [25:07] – Johnny discusses the legal sufficiency of evidence.
• [25:51] – Resolution and case closure.
• [28:18] – Adam Graham’s post-episode forensic commentary.

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Conclusion

This episode is a classic "Johnny Dollar" procedural, featuring sabotage, danger, neighborhood intrigue, and a tightly woven set of clues. The drama is punctuated by action (the car bombing), clever deduction, and a satisfying confrontation with the true culprit. Adam Graham’s post-show commentary adds historical and procedural context, giving listeners insight into both 1950s forensic concepts and the show’s storytelling style.

Fans of old-school mysteries, radio drama, and classic detective work will find this episode a rich, captivating listen.

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For more episodes, visit greatdetectives.net.

Transcript

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Ray Smishney]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us. Cut the camera.

[Commercial Narrator]

They see us.

[Grainger Announcer]

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[Ray Smishney]

Liberty, Liberty, Liberty Savings.

[Grainger Announcer]

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[Ray Smishney]

Sam.

[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 Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. But I do want to remind you that you can follow us using your favorite podcast software. And I also want to encourage you to check out our T [e-mail] There we have four different designs available in a wide variety of different styles. Again, t shirts.greatdetectives.net now from August 3, 1958, here is the Lucky Formatter.

[Johnny Dollar]

How are you?

[Earl Pullman]

Great, Great. Johnny, do you remember the Lucky 4 wrench?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, if you're talking about the one out in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, that's.

[Earl Pullman]

The one I'm talking about.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, sure. That's where you and I and Ray. Ray, what's his name?

[Earl Pullman]

Ray Smishney.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, Ray Smishney, who owns the Lucky Four. You and he and I investigated the death of that concert pianist.

[Earl Pullman]

That's right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Also, we had some real fine trout fishing up in eleven Mile Canyon.

[Earl Pullman]

Do you remember the little private lake.

[Johnny Dollar]

Up on the mountain back of Ray's ranch? Cherry Lake.

[Earl Pullman]

Yes, Old Bill Cherry's Lake. Only it isn't there anymore.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, that's too bad.

[Earl Pullman]

Old Bill isn't around anymore either.

[Johnny Dollar]

What's happened to him?

[Earl Pullman]

According to all the information, he was killed when the dam broke and sent his farmhouse crashing down into the valley below.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, gee, that's too bad.

[Earl Pullman]

I have the claim for his insurance right here on my desk. I'll send a copy of the policy to you there at the Lucky Four.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, wait a minute. Is something wrong, Earl?

[Earl Pullman]

That's what I want you to find out.

[Johnny Dollar]

What makes you think something's wrong?

[Earl Pullman]

A phone call I just got from Ray Smishney. Said he's found a couple of things that make him think the breaching of that dam was no accident.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, Earl, I'll grab the first plane I can.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Bob Bailey and the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account submitted by Special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Tri State Life and Casualty Insurance Company. Attention, Earl Pullman. Following as an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Lucky Four matter. Expense account item one, three dollars and a quarter. Phone call to Ray Schmishney to tell him I was on my way. Item 28170, air transportation to Colorado Springs. Ray met me at Peterson Field, the municipal airport.

[Ray Smishney]

Well, glad you could make it, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, it's good to see you again, Ray. How are things at the Lucky Four?

[Ray Smishney]

Oh, just fine. Our best season ever. Here, we'll shove your bags in the back seat.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, Good.

[Ray Smishney]

Go ahead now. Hop in.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, sure. All right, now, what's this about? Your thinking Old Bill Cherry's death was no accident.

[Ray Smishney]

Johnny, I'd better give you the whole story. You remember Cherry Lake, don't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure, I remember taking a couple of nice trout out of it on a silver doctor. Or was it a royal coach?

[Ray Smishney]

Well, you didn't meet Old Bill because he was away at the time. Actually, we were kind of poaching when we fished up there. Aw, if he'd suddenly come back and caught us, he'd probably have filled our hides with birdshot.

[Johnny Dollar]

And here I always thought you were on the side of law and order.

[Ray Smishney]

He was a kind of ornery old cuss, but in spite of it, we got along pretty well. Even after he put in that dam.

[Johnny Dollar]

How'd the dam affect you?

[Ray Smishney]

Three Mile Creek used to water some of my property before he put it in some of the others down below, too.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I see. But now what happened, Johnny?

[Ray Smishney]

Old Bill's little plot of farmland is up around the 9,000 foot level, you know. Yeah, I know. So the snowpack melts down pretty late. That meant a big summer flow of water into his lake.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, and what about when some of your big summer rains come pouring down?

[Ray Smishney]

It was during one of the big rains a couple of weeks ago. One night it was that the dam gave way, Johnny. That thing busted loose like an explosion. What was left of Old Bill's house came tumbling down on the Lucky Four property. And old Bill, oh, we found his body in the wreckage. Oh, hold on. I'm going to take my favorite shortcut and get away from the highway traffic.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. But now, Earl Poorman told me you seem to think that dam didn't give way by itself.

[Ray Smishney]

Well, I did in the beginning. Everybody did. And why not? Homemade dam. More water in the lake than ever before. More water pouring down out of the sky to fill it up. Big storm. Maybe it was even hit by lightning. But now, Johnny, I went up there and poked around a couple of days ago. First chance I've had since the rains quit.

[Johnny Dollar]

And what did you find?

[Ray Smishney]

A couple of things I want you to look at.

[Johnny Dollar]

What kind of things, Ray?

[Ray Smishney]

Now, they may not mean a thing, Johnny, any more than who's the beneficiary of Old Bill's insurance.

[Johnny Dollar]

Which reminds me, did Earl send me something in the mail?

[Ray Smishney]

Oh, yeah, A big envelope, Johnny, and I opened it by mistake.

[Johnny Dollar]

It was supposed to contain a copy of Bill Cherry's policy.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It was did.

[Ray Smishney]

And when I looked at it and saw who the beneficiary is.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, sounds to me like you need a tune up, brother.

[Ray Smishney]

That's funny. Let's stop and take a look, huh?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, why not? You say that when you saw who the beneficiary is.

[Ray Smishney]

A worthless nephew of Bill's who hangs around the pool rooms in Colorado Springs. He's been in a couple of scrapes with the law.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah? Let me see if I can open this hood there.

[Ray Smishney]

Maybe the catch is stuck.

[Johnny Dollar]

I get it.

[Adam Graham]

You know.

[Ray Smishney]

Anyhow, I've always felt this Tommy Walker wouldn't stop short of murder if he thought it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Oh, good and holy, Ray.

[Ray Smishney]

Hey, look at all those crazy wires. No wonder she was missing.

[Johnny Dollar]

You didn't put that wiring in there?

[Ray Smishney]

Are you kidding, Ray?

[Johnny Dollar]

Come on, hit the deck, huh? Come on. The side of the road, back of this rock.

[Ray Smishney]

What's the matter? All right, get down fast. What's got into you, Johnny. And look.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, you look, Johnny. Holy smoke.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, you look.

[Ray Smishney]

Well, that was some kind of a bomb wired up in.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, by somebody who meant business, Johnny. By somebody who must have seen you poking around up near old Bill's dam.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You.

[Johnny Dollar]

You mean who must have found out you'd sent for me. What'd you say the name of old Bill's nephew is?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. Many of us on the job are clock watchers and time clock punchers just waiting for time to quit. When is it really time to quit? The man with a set day of work has a schedule to adhere to. But the fighting men quits only when the job is done. And to him, capture by the enemy does not mean the end, but perhaps only the beginning of the most important part of his job. One of the points of the code of conduct for the American fighting man says, quote, if I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. Unquote. The strong ideals set forth there are the same ideals that gave great determination to one young officer of the United States Navy. Half an hour after Lieutenant Edward V.M. isaac's ship was sunk by three torpedoes in the Atlantic Ocean in May 1918, at the height of World War I, he was taken prisoner by the commander of the German submarine U90. During the U boats trip back to Germany, Lieutenant Isaac learned a great deal of vital secret information about U boat movements. Determined to make this information available to the United States and Allied naval authorities, Lieutenant Isaac, while on his way to a prisoner of war camp, risked his life by jumping through the window of a rapidly moving train. Severely injured by his fall, he was again captured. Months later, aided by several American army officers who short circuited the prison lighting system, Lieutenant Isaac escaped through barbed wire fences and amid heavy rifle fire from the guards. After seven days and nights of rugged travel over the mountains and with only raw vegetables for food, he swam the swift current of the Rhine river right under the noses of the enemy sentries. Evading many enemy soldiers, he reached the American Legation in Bern, Switzerland and completed his self assigned mission. For risking his life many times above and beyond the call of duty, Lieutenant Edward Isaac was awarded the Medal of Honor. His personal code of conduct had made him realize that war doesn't end with confinement. As a prisoner of war, that is when the real responsibility may begin. And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Lucky Four Matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

It was the driver of a big interstate moving van that came to our rescue after Ray's car blew up. He'd seen the explosion from the highway, seen one of the fenders flying through the air. Yeah, somehow those big truckers are always around to give you a hand. He drove us into Colorado Springs. Item 3. 50 bucks deposit on a rental car. And we headed east on Highway 24 to Green Mountain Fall. The Lucky Four is on a level spot on the side of a mountain about half a mile up from the highway. Six or eight nice modern cottages share a beautiful view of pikes and several other high peaks that surround colorful Ute Pass. I dump my luggage, said hello to Ray's pretty wife, Glee, and we headed up a narrow wagon trail up the side of the mountain in Ray's Jeep.

[Ray Smishney]

Here, Johnny, that truck driver gave me this. The song Souvenir. Hey.

[Johnny Dollar]

Looks like a piece of the wiring we found under the hood before your car blew up.

[Ray Smishney]

That's what it is now, look. You see there where Three Mile Creek bounces down over the rocks? Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's quite a flow there, Ray. And I see that it goes on down through your property again, just like.

[Ray Smishney]

It did before old Bill put it in his dam. Of course, I don't really need the water. Not as much as Ralph Kimble, at least. Host Kimball, a property next to mine. Retired man, used to be a math or physics Prof. Or something.

[Johnny Dollar]

Nice neighbor he keeps to himself.

[Ray Smishney]

He and his wife, ornery old cuss like Old Bill. They had no use for each other. Didn't like interference. Now, you see that clearing up ahead?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's where old Bill's home used to be, huh?

[Ray Smishney]

Yeah, before the water dumped it down on my place. Kindling. That's about all that was left of it.

[Johnny Dollar]

You still haven't told me what you found up here.

[Ray Smishney]

One thing I found down below on his body, gripped tight in his hand, sort of a death grip, I guess it was.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Ray Smishney]

A cigarette package. El Pero cigarettes.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's a Cuban brand. That what he smokes?

[Ray Smishney]

No, sir. He never smoked in his life. Wouldn't even have the things on his place. So you see what I mean?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I don't think that's much of a clue.

[Ray Smishney]

Well, what I figured, Johnny, that is, after what else I found, is that he caught somebody prowling around his dam, maybe struggled with him. And that's how come the cigarette package.

[Johnny Dollar]

Whoa, hold on, Ray. Back off. Whatever else you found up here, it better be more conclusive than that.

[Ray Smishney]

All right, look. Here. Here's where the dam was between these big rocks.

[Johnny Dollar]

What kind of a dam?

[Ray Smishney]

Concrete, with planks across the.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yeah. I can see where cement is still stuck to them.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hmm.

[Johnny Dollar]

Use some dynamite, too. You can see the mark where he drilled to pack in the stuff.

[Ray Smishney]

That's my clue number one, Johnny, he didn't use any dynamite. He was afraid of it also. I'd have known. I'd have heard it go off while he was building his dam.

[Johnny Dollar]

But somebody.

[Ray Smishney]

Yeah, somebody, all right. Look at this. Plastered on this rack. A piece of label plastered on the rock by the force of that explosion.

[Johnny Dollar]

Says Titan Super IXL Dynamite.

[Ray Smishney]

Johnny, he wouldn't even have the stuff around. Another thing, it's a brand you can only get in one little store in Denver. And he'd never go there. He hated the place.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

You said the dam went like an explosion?

[Ray Smishney]

Yes, sir. Of course, with all the thunder and lightning that night, who could be sure which was which?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, well, chances are lightning wouldn't reach the down here, Ray, with all the high peaks around.

[Ray Smishney]

That's what first hit me, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Come on, let's go into Colorado Springs and find this nephew of old Bill's, Tommy Walker.

[Ray Smishney]

Yes, sir. Johnny, being the beneficiary and all, who else could it be?

[Johnny Dollar]

Ray, I'm with you. It doesn't look to me like there'd be any cheap pool halls in this part of town.

[Ray Smishney]

No. But up ahead's the Ace High radio shop. That's where Tommy was working last I heard.

[Tanya]

Ah.

[Johnny Dollar]

Can you think of anything better to tie in with the way that infernal machine was wired under the hood of your car?

[Ray Smishney]

Holy smoke, Johnny, you're right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

But.

[Ray Smishney]

Well, what I don't understand is, is how come it didn't go off the second I turned on the ignition?

[Narrator/Announcer]

May I help you, gentlemen?

[Johnny Dollar]

Some kind of timing device, I think whoever said it wanted to get me, too.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, sir, gentlemen.

[Ray Smishney]

That means he knew you'd be in the car with me on the way back from the airport.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right, gentlemen. Oh, we're looking for Tommy Walker.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, don't mention that. No good.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then I take it he isn't here.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, two days he lasted. If you ask me, it was two days too long.

[Ray Smishney]

Well, you had trouble with him, mister?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, no, no. No trouble. No nothing. That was the trouble answered my ad in the paper. Said he knew all about radios and electronics. He could fix anything. Dumb, lazy lout. He didn't know anything. He didn't do anything. He didn't know the difference between a fuse and a Vacuum tube. Never even heard of a transistor, much less know what a circuit was.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, all he knew about a radio.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Was how to turn the knobs. Oh, and the music. That guy would, too.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, now, me, I like the. Well, now, look.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And that boy was so dumb, he couldn't even attach the wires to a plug properly. You sure that all he wanted was a place where he could sit around smoking those smelly Cuban cigarettes and listening to trashy music.

[Ray Smishney]

Cuban cigarettes? Johnny, that pack I found?

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. My life. As long as I'm here, I wonder if you could sell me a hog of wire like. Like this piece.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Certainly. Oh, this? No, I have nothing like that.

[Johnny Dollar]

I see. And you're sure Tommy didn't know anything about electricity?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, of course I'm sure. Look at when I told him once.

[Ray Smishney]

To open up the back of a telephone. The darn fool.

[Johnny Dollar]

He would have electrocuted himself if I hadn't been there.

[Earl Pullman]

Gentlemen.

[Ray Smishney]

Johnny, if he's telling the truth.

[Johnny Dollar]

He is. Ray, come on. We're going back to the ranch.

[Ray Smishney]

Well, but why, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

It's worked before, and I hope and pray it'll work again. Ray, I'm going to play a hunch.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar in a moment.

[Reba]

And now for another episode in the life of Sergeant Donald Bellwether, my husband.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Donald.

[Reba]

It's your pouring, isn't it? Can you see all right?

[Ray Smishney]

Oh, yeah. I can see Those windshield wipers are operating with mechanical perfection. You notice there are no more streaks either, since I put on the new rubber blade.

[Reba]

You know, I think every driver should have his windshield wipers in good order. It's much safer. It would be much safer if everyone would slow down during wet weather. Like my husband is doing right now.

[Ray Smishney]

Just being cautious, Reba. We don't want an accident in this downpour.

[Reba]

We don't want an accident anytime.

[Ray Smishney]

Yeah, that's for sure.

[Reba]

Well, the experts say that accidents just don't happen. Something causes accidents, and that cause can be prevented. By the way, dear, in what kind of weather do you think most accidents occur?

[Ray Smishney]

Oh, I'd say in rain or snowy weather and slippery weather when visibility isn't impaired.

[Reba]

That's the wrong answer, dear.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Wrong? Are you.

[Ray Smishney]

Are you serious?

[Reba]

Statistics show that 8 out of 1010 accidents occur when the weather is clear or with a cloudy overcast.

[Ray Smishney]

H. Are you positive? I wonder why.

[Narrator/Announcer]

But.

[Reba]

Oh, here's our house here.

[Ray Smishney]

Oh, yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Okay.

[Ray Smishney]

Now, you sit right here, Reba. I'll get out with the umbrella, and then I'll come around and open Your door.

[Reba]

All right, honey.

[Ray Smishney]

I wonder why.

[Reba]

Wonder why what?

[Ray Smishney]

Why 8 out of 10 accidents happen in clear weather.

[Reba]

Oh, well. Well, I don't know for sure, Sergeant, but I do know that you drove very carefully tonight in the rain.

[Ray Smishney]

Thank you.

[Reba]

Now, if everyone drove as carefully during clear, dry weather, there'd be less accidents.

[Ray Smishney]

I'm sure that must be it. People automatically get cautious in the rain and snow. Too bad they don't stay that way in good weather.

[Reba]

You will, won't you? I mean, drive safely in good weather too.

[Ray Smishney]

I promise. Aha.

[Reba]

That's my Donald. That's my doll.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And now, act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Lucky Four matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Back at the Lucky Four, Ray's wife Glee made us a couple of sandwiches and some coffee. We'd kind of forgotten about lunch while I looked over the insurance policy that Earl Poorman had sent on to me. Yeah, Tommy Walker was the only beneficiary. But, and this was the important part, he was due to receive the munificent sum of $1,000. And that's all?

[Reba]

That's all. You mean he'd kill his uncle for a thousand dollars?

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't think so, Glee.

[Ray Smishney]

And yet if Tommy is the only one to benefit.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, listen, Ray. You told me right off the bat you hadn't liked the idea of old Bill putting that dam up there. Johnny.

[Reba]

Johnny, no. That is, none of us liked it.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean by us?

[Ray Smishney]

Well, none of us. The Kimballs and us.

[Reba]

Only because it kept the creek from coming down here. He made a diversion when he put in that dam.

[Ray Smishney]

But after I put in the pumps, we've had plenty of water. And I'd have had to put in the pumps anyway.

[Johnny Dollar]

Do you ever use dynamite around here, Ray?

[Ray Smishney]

Sure. Most everybody does one time or another in this whole section. Use it to clear the land.

[Reba]

Johnny, that.

[Ray Smishney]

Listen, Johnny, I don't know what you're driving at.

[Johnny Dollar]

Most everybody does, huh?

[Reba]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you ever used that particular brand, Titan Super Ixl?

[Ray Smishney]

No, sir. Never in my life.

[Johnny Dollar]

But you knew where to get it, John.

[Reba]

Everybody does. Johnny. Johnny, please.

[Johnny Dollar]

Everybody, huh?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Including Ralph Kimball next door.

[Reba]

Miss. Mr. Kimball?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Maybe I'd better go over and talk to him, huh?

[Narrator/Announcer]

They.

[Reba]

They're. They're not at home. Went to Denver this morning early. But, Johnny, how do you know? She told me they were going. She dropped in last night and she told me. And I said Ray was going too, to meet.

[Ray Smishney]

Johnny. Johnny, look.

[Johnny Dollar]

She drop in here very often?

[Reba]

Well, only since the dam broke and, well, they weren't Too friendly before, but now.

[Johnny Dollar]

Physics professor, huh? Electronics.

[Ray Smishney]

Good Lord, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm going over and take a look around, dear.

[Ray Smishney]

I'll go with you, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ray had minimized the problem he'd had when the dam was put in. Maybe his next door neighbor hadn't Kibble had kept to himself. Was very much like old Bill Cherry. An ornery sort of cuss who didn't like interference. And old Bill's dam had certainly interfered with Kimball's water supply. We started our search in the workshop back at Kimball's house.

[Ray Smishney]

Here it is, Johnny. Take a look.

[Johnny Dollar]

Titan super ixl. Look here, Ray. This rock drill the same size as the one used up on the dam?

[Ray Smishney]

Sure is, Johnny. And if we can find some of that. Yeah, yeah, this is it all right. Same kind of wire that was on the bomb under the hood of my car.

[Johnny Dollar]

Pretty good evidence, if you ask me. And here, El pero. The same brand as a cigarette package you found clutched in old Bill's hand.

[Ray Smishney]

But listen, Johnny.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Ray Smishney]

This is only what you'd call circumstantial evidence.

[Johnny Dollar]

But if there's enough of it, it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Listen.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, maybe you underplayed it. Maybe you were pretty sore about that.

[Earl Pullman]

Damn.

[Ray Smishney]

Well, of course I was.

[Johnny Dollar]

And so was Kimball.

[Ray Smishney]

He threatened to sue, Johnny.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He.

[Ray Smishney]

He threatened a lot of things, but that doesn't.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, all right. Call that the motive. Now, this evidence, this rock drill.

[Ray Smishney]

But a lot of people use them. Maybe even the same size.

[Johnny Dollar]

And this wire, the same kind used to hook up that bomb.

[Ray Smishney]

But almost anybody could get wire like that.

[Johnny Dollar]

I think the point is he has it and the right brand of dynamite.

[Ray Smishney]

Anybody who knows that store up in Denver.

[Johnny Dollar]

As for hooking up that infernal machine. Kimball was a physics professor. Electronics.

[Ray Smishney]

Yeah, that's true.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did he know about your private shortcut to Denver?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes.

[Ray Smishney]

Yes, Johnny. I told him one time.

[Johnny Dollar]

He also knew when you and I would be on that road. Glee had told his wife. She probably told her why I was coming here.

[Ray Smishney]

Yes, that's true.

[Johnny Dollar]

Kimball and his wife left for Denver early this morning.

[Ray Smishney]

And look, Johnny, the mud on these boots here in the corner. The same gray silt you find only up around Cherry Lake. Yeah, and if that doesn't prove it. But, Johnny, it's all circumstantial.

[Johnny Dollar]

But it'll hold up in court.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

Seven points of similarity, Ray. That'll stand up in any court in the land.

[Ray Smishney]

But even if.

[Johnny Dollar]

Even if. Because what the law calls seven points of similarity, as any mathematician can tell you, will occur only once in 38 billion times.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's true.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's true. And that's what's going to hang Mr. Kimball.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That, Mr. Dollar, is not true.

[Ray Smishney]

Kimball.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, surely you're not going to be foolish enough to use that thing.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Kimball, you've left me no alternative now that you found out.

[Ray Smishney]

Now, now, look, Mr. Kimball.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right, Spisney Dollar, if you want to do any praying, do it fast. Ralph.

[Earl Pullman]

Ralph.

[Ray Smishney]

What?

[Reba]

Yes, Mildred, Ray's wife.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ray's wife?

[Reba]

Yes. She's coming over here with a shotgun.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Shotgun, eh? Well, she's too late.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, no, she isn't.

[Reba]

Stay right where you are, Mrs. Kimball.

[Tanya]

Move it.

[Reba]

Will help me. I'll move it.

[Ray Smishney]

That was too close, Charlie.

[Earl Pullman]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

One hit.

[Johnny Dollar]

Shall we join the ladies? Well, it's up to the authorities now, the courts. And I don't think there's much doubt about the outcome. Kimball's attempt to kill us was the clincher. As for Tommy Walker, the heir, well, you'll have to pay him off on Old Bill's policy. Expense account total, including the trip Back to Hartford, 224.95.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Sam.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar has come to you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. So, let's talk about what Johnny mentioned. The seven points of similarity. What does that actually mean? Or what did that mean in 1938? Well, it was a reference to fingerprints and the rules for properly identifying them. Now, you might have recalled from some episodes of Dragnet, Joe Friday asking a fingerprint man how many points they were able to identify. Because not every criminal leaves behind a perfect print at the scene of the crime. But as long as law enforcement was able to match a certain number of characteristics between the prints found at the scene of the crime and the perpetrators, you were in business. Now, seven points of similarity was a standard used by some law enforcement agencies, but there were other standards as well, with some using 8, 12 or 16. But all of these basically have been found to have no scientific basis and matching today is based much more on the overall judgment of the print rather than an arbitrary number. Now, what does that have to do with this case? I'd sure like to know that myself. It seems like Johnstone heard the idea of seven points of similarity and took it as a general principle for forensic evidence, which it isn't. That said, the idea that some evidence is totally irrelevant or inadmissible because it can be called circumstantial is also a bit of a fallacy. We tend to think, or a lot of people tend to think, that direct eyewitness testimony is the best sort of evidence. But so many people have gone to jail on false or inaccurate eyewitness testimony, and it's not always a case of malice. Sometimes people misremember, particularly in the heat of the moment or when asked to recall facts later. In many cases, well collected physical evidence can be powerful and more credible, which I think is what Johnstone wanted to communicate but kind of got lost in the weeds, which is kind of odd because he usually did his research. Maybe it was a case of the increasing workload on Johnny Dollar catching up with him and him taking a shortcut, which led to an unfortunate result. I also had to chuckle at Ray and his wife trying to preemptively stop Johnny from accusing Ray, because obviously accusing Ray would make no sense, as it was his vehicle that got blown up. It's as if Johnny's reputation for getting on the wrong track and making completely wild accusations had started to get around and racist like oh no, not again. Listener comments and feedback and have a couple of comments regarding the Mojave red sequel matter mechanic 66 comments, something fishy and doctor whodunit replies. And again, this is on Spotify. I agree. Turns out red was a red herring, but when Johnny got the opportunity, he got the bad guy. Never let it be said that the art of bad puns died with the end of the Boston Blackie radio series. Thanks so much though. I appreciate the comments. Brought a smile to my face. Now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the day and I want to go ahead and thank Michael patreon Supporter since February 2023. Currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support Michael, 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'll be back next Friday with another episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. But join us back here tomorrow as we hand over to the great adventurers of Old Time Radio with cloak and dagger wear.

[Johnny Dollar]

I still say there's no reason for you to hate him. What do you care who's running Canton?

[Tanya]

I told him. Then I don't know why I did. I've never told anyone else how they'd murdered my family and Nun King six years before. My father, my mother, my two sisters. The Japs had killed them all. And if we hadn't got out of the city ahead of them, they'd have killed my brother Florian and myself.

[Johnny Dollar]

So. So you wasn't always a waitress in.

[Ray Smishney]

A waterfront dive, huh, Tanya?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No.

[Tanya]

And my brother didn't always prowl the streets looking for trouble. I got the jobs to thank for that.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13greatdetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.

[Grainger Announcer]

This is the story of the 1. As a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility, he knows keeping the line up and running is a top priority. That's why he chooses Grainger. Because when a drive belt gets damaged, Grainger makes it easy to find the exact specs for the replacement product he needs. And next day delivery helps ensure he'll have everything in place and running like clockwork. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

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