← The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Mohave Red Matter (EP4835)
00:30:25
Today's Mystery: Johnny goes out to Lake Mohave on a tip from a guide that an apparent accidental death might not have been so accidental. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 13, 1958 Originating from Hollywood Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny...
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Johnny Dollar
This is the story of the One as head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H.
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Adam Graham
Vac is humming, and his facility shines.
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Johnny Dollar
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Adam Graham
Plus 24.
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Johnny Dollar
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Adam Graham
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Johnny Dollar
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Adam Graham
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Johnny Dollar
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Adam Graham
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Johnny Dollar
Need a new daily driver? Grab a smooth glass bong or a classic smoking pipe.
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Adam Graham
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Johnny Dollar
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Adam Graham
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Johnny Dollar
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Adam Graham
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Johnny Dollar
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Adam Graham
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Johnny Dollar
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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 Bill. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. I also want to encourage you if you're making travel plans to remember johnnydolleraire.com johnnydoller air.com is a Priceline affiliate link. So part of the purchase price supports the great detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember, when making your travel plans, check johnnydollerair.com for first. But now, from July 13, 1958, here is the Mojave Red Matter.
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Johnny Dollar
From Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Dollar. Will you accept a collect call, Mr. Dollar? It's from Lake Mojave Resort. Oh, say no more, operator. Just put them on. Well, yes sir. Go ahead please. Hi, who Is it this time, buster? Favor Hemp rat. Johnny, this is Red. Yeah, well, how's the fishing? Time for me to make another trek westward and find out, huh, Red? That's right, Johnny. Red who? Well, you know the guy down here, Red Barrett, the fishing guy. Oh, yes, sir. Who claims to know Lake Mojave like the back of his hand and every good spot there is in it. And I do, Johnny. That's a fact. Then I repeat my question. How's the fishing? Just as fine as ever. If you know where the good holes are, that is. And you do? Yes, I do. So you think it's high time I fly on out there and wet a line, is that it? No, sir, that's not what I'm calling you about, Johnny. Well, what is it? I don't rightly think I ought to tell you over the phone, Johnny, but I think you better come here just about as quick as you can. But unless I know why. I'll tell you when you get here. Well, look, I usually do my traveling on expense account for an insurance company. And you can this time, huh? What company? The one that insured him. The Greater Southwest Insurance. Insured who? Red. Johnny, I'll tell you all that when you get here. Now, now look, they tell me there's a plane lives New York right at high noon. Listen, Red, that'll get you into Las Vegas about 9:45 tonight. Okay? Okay. Listen, goodbye, Johnny. Red. Crazy old coots. He thinks for one minute that I'm going to get on a. And yet. On second thought, Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Doll. And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Greater Southwest Insurance and Liability Company, Kingman, Arizona office. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Mojave Red Matter expense account. Item 1 4:20 phone call to the Kingman, Arizona office of Greater Southwest Insurance and Liability on the theory it might be well to check with their agent Jake Kessler before going off half cocked. Hi, Johnny. Haven't seen or heard from you since two years ago when you came out here to investigate the murder at the old Midas Touch Mine. Yeah, I remember, Jake. Now listen. Yeah? Is. Is everything going along okay these days? What? Well, I mean, no trouble with any of your clients, that sort of thing, huh? Why not a bit, Johnny. Why do you ask? Just wondered. Well, if I did have, you know who I'd call. No problems at all, huh? I told you, not a. Hey, just what have you got stuck in your craw, Johnny? Nothing, nothing. I just. Well, I just. Well, well, tell me this. Any of your clients, policyholders, have any kind of trouble, accidents, anything like that over at Lake Mojave Resort lately? Ah, so that's what's eaten yet. Well, Johnny, that claim was legitimate. It's in the home office for settlement. The company will pay it and that'll be that. What claim? So just you stop worrying about it and forget. What claim, Jake? No, sir, Johnny. There's not a single solitary thing for you to investigate out here. So just you. You forget it. Hey, you know something, Jake? You've just convinced me there is something to investigate. So I'm grabbing the first plane I can. Well, Johnny, I'd love to see you, but I swear, what's more, I'm charging my expense account to your company. Oh. And if you find out that I'm right and you're wrong. Okay, Jake, then you can shoot the crow and I'll eat it. Expense account Adam 21 5. $3 plane fare. Hartford to New York and New York to Las Vegas, Nevad. It was 9:45 on the dot as the big mainliners slowly circled down out of the clear starlit sky. Unless you've seen the millions of stars that twinkle brightly through the clean, dry air over the Mojave Desert, you really missed something. And as we glided down toward the landing strip on the south edge of Las Vegas, the multicolored lights of the fabulous resort town made it sparkle like a vast field of jewels. Beautiful. Yeah, and expensive. That is, if you insist on trying your hand at the gaming tables and the casinos that line the main drag. Believe me, brother, I know. But that's neither here nor there. As I grabbed my luggage and started for the car rental office, a tall, angular man, well tanned and dressed in blue jeans, high heeled boots and 10 gallon hats sauntered over to me. So you wouldn't take my word for it. Oh, Jake. That's right. Jake Kessler in person. And Johnny, if you're here to investigate the claim on the Hobbs policy, well, there just isn't anything, huh? Well, now I know that much. And suppose you tell me who Hobbs is. Or was. I'll tell you all about it. And when I have, you can hop on another plane and go right on back to Hartford. And all at your own expense. I still don't see whatever made you come out here, Johnny. Apparently, the Hobbs matter. So start telling me. Well, come on, Jake. Come on. All right. Johnny. All right. Elmer P. Hobbs, Real Estate in Los Angeles. Came over to the Lake Mohave Resort about two weeks ago. Spent a few days fishing with his old pal, the guide they have there. You mean Red? Red Vera.
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Adam Graham
Yeah.
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Johnny Dollar
Well, okay. Go on. And on Tuesday, a week ago, he rented one of the boats and went out by himself. Apparently, he went up to a place called the Big Basin. Yeah, I know it well. The lake's three or four miles wide up there. Yeah. Well, that afternoon a big wind came up. Regular screamer. All the other boats came back to the landing. All but Mr. Hogg. The next morning, when the wind died down, they found his body washed up on the shore on the Nevada side. That's all. That's all. You say a claim has been filed? That's right. By one of his two beneficiaries. Who? His business partner back in LA, Mr. Stuart Manley. I've passed the claim and the company will pay it. No investigation of any kind. Course there was, Johnny. The Kingman police, the sheriff's office and the county coroner. Accidental death due to drowning. So that's it, Johnny. Now, you just make your reservation back to Hartford at that window right over there. And you are paying the freight. Oh, not so fast, Jake. I'm sticking around. Well, now, you. You can see for yourself. There's no reason for you to be here, much less at company expense. Well, after all, now that I am here, it'd be kind of silly not to run down to the lake. Well, you mean just to do some fishing on your own? You want to drive me down there, Johnny? Yeah. Johnny, do you know something about the Hobbs case that I don't? And the police and the sheriff, Jake, I don't know a thing about it. Okay, Johnny. How do you want me to fix that crow you're going to eat? Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. And now for another episode in the life of Sergeant Donald Bellwether. My husband, Reba. Reba. What is it? Donald? Confounded Reba. I can't find the fountain pen. I've looked all through this desk. Here it is, dear.
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Adam Graham
Here it is.
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Johnny Dollar
You must have used it as a marker when you were reading this book. Let's see. This great literary classic. Six Gun Showdown at Powder River Gulch. All right, never mind about my reading habits. Just look at the coverage we're gonna get with this new auto accident policy. Let's see, we have collision, $50 deductible, fire, theft, public liability, property damage, medical benefits. Other words, we have complete coverage. That's Right. Of course it's gonna cost us money. I'm sending the company a check right now. Gee, it's too bad we don't live in Rhode Island. Rhode Island? Why? Oh, because then our rates would be lower. Rhode island has less accidents per capita than any other state. Oh. Which state has the highest? Let me see here. Here it is. Nevada. No, by golly, Nevada's second highest. Alaska has the most. Really? I didn't know that. You know, it's just too bad we can't eliminate traffic accidents completely. Not only would it save life and limb, but it'd be a lot less strain on the pocketbook. Yeah, that's for sure. These automobile accident policies get more expensive every year just because there's so many costly accidents. Well, I'm glad we've got some good insurance coverage, Donald. But just remember one thing. Oh, what's that, honey? Well, some auto accidents ruin offender and some ruin a family. Yeah, that's true. Very true. Well, as far as I'm concerned, I don't want any of your old insurance money. I want you here at home, safe and sound. You always drive carefully, won't you? Yes, I will, dear. That's my Donald. That's my doll. And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Mojave. Elmer P. Hobbs of Los Angeles had died of drowning when a small boat capsized in a high wind on Lake Mojave. At least that's what Jake Kessler, his insurance agent, told me. Accident, pure and simple, he said, and I could hire myself back to Hartford and forget about it. But I didn't, simply because of the phone call I'd received from old Red Barrett, fishing guide at Lake Mojave Resort. I persuaded Jake to drive me over there on the excuse that as long as I was nearby, I might as well do some fishing. So he dropped me off and since it was after midnight, went on back to Kingman. I wandered on down to the dock and boat house. Hello. Who's that? Ham? Huh? Johnny. Johnny Dollar. Yeah. Johnny Dollar. What are you doing here? Hi, Ham. You know darn well what he's doing here, Ham. The fishing's never been better. Only how'd you get the word? And how are you, John? Oh, just great busting. Did you stop by the office, let Marilyn fix you up with a room? No, no, because as I recall, call old Red usually sleeps here on the dock. Oh, Red. Why do you say it that way, buster? Because Ham and I are wasting good sleeping time down here wondering why he hasn't come in Yet. You mean he's still out on the lake? Yeah, but it's as black as the ace of spades out there. And no moon tonight. Buster and I were about to take off and about to look for him, he pulled this very same stunt night before last. We finally found him drifting around about nine miles up. He said he'd run out of gas. Showed his empty tank to prove it. Yeah, but we knew better. What do you mean, Buster? I mean, when he saw us coming after him, he dumped out what gas he had. Oil slick all over the lake. If somebody'd struck a match. What? You know, Red's been doing a lot of crazy things this past week or so. Ever since his old friend Mr. Hobbs died. They were pretty close. And that is why he fought me. Red, phone here early this morning. And if you ask me, it's because he doesn't believe Mr. Hyde's death was accidental. Johnny, you know something? I didn't quite believe it myself. Well, sure, we have some pretty big winds on the lake now and then. And it was a big one that day. And then when the coroner and the other authorities. Well, who's to argue with them? Do you know if Red has found out anything? Anything at all? All we know is he's given up taking out fish and parties and spends all his time prowling around the lake every day and night. Says if he can find the boat Mr. Hobbs uses. What kind of a boat was it? One of our regular rentals. An aluminum Arkansas Traveler. Yeah, with a ten horse Johnson on it. Well, listen, those boats have flotation tanks. Why? Yeah, so even if it did capsize, it wouldn't sink. You're right, Johnny. And there's been no sign of it? None at all. Then let's go up to the lake and find Red. Except for the stars far overhead, the night was black as ink. The 50 horse outboard skimmed us along at better than 30 miles an hour. Believe me, it was a strange feeling. Almost like flying through space. How Buster found his way around the islands, rocky points and reefs. I'll never know what he did. Throw your flashlight over to the left, Ham. You ought to be about even with Sculpture Rock. Yeah, there it is. Then we're coming into the big basin. Will you please tell me how you ever expect to find Red in all this darkness? Oh, don't worry. He hears us calling a signal by striking a match or something. Sure. Johnny, no matter how crazy you are, you never let somebody wander around in the dark looking for you out here. Red knows that because he's had to come out and hunt for too many people at night himself. And look. Yeah, on the east shore. I'm swinging over there. You're right. There's a fire on the beach. Yeah, it must be Red. What's she doing out here? We'll soon find out. Hang. Well, all I have to say is you took long enough to bring Johnny up here. Red, you old reprobate. Wondering for the summer you up to this time? I just told you, I've been waiting for you to bring Johnny. Now you can leave us and go on back to the dock. And I thank you very much, Fred. We're not leaving until we find out what this is all about. And if I tell you, would you promise to leave us alone? Sure, sure, we'll promise anything. Oh, you see, I need Johnny's help. Yes, well, because with him to follow up what I found today. Well, Johnny, you and I are going to prove that my old friend Mr. Hobbs was murdered. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment, times have changed. And so has the man. The whistle of a long black bullwhip. The strange squeaking of wheels. The groan of wooden wagons. Bulging muscles in strong arms and gnarled calloused hands. A stream of cuss words. Then action. A long line of wagons starts forging ahead. The army is on the move. Its progress is the result of hardy, strong, long suffering, indispensable mules. This was the mule power of the old army. The new army of today depends on horsepower for its locomotion. No, not the four legged kind, but horsepower harnessed to the thundering engines of fleets of whirlybirds, choppers, or if you prefer, helicopters. Any man with transportation experience will tell you that the operation of these craft requires a combination of modern equipment plus skill, plenty of training and knowledge. The men who keep pace with the new army in transportation and in other military operations are not only good soldiers, but skilled technicians. They have the know how to do a specialized technical job and do it well. Yes, times have changed and so has the man. And now act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Mojave Red matter. I'll tell you this, Johnny Red here is one of the wildest, most irresponsible old characters I know. When he wants to be. But he's okay nonetheless. And if he thinks you and he can find proof that Mr. Hobbs was murdered, well, he must have a good reason for it. Well, Red? Oh, now, Ham. Do you think a man like Elmer Hobbs, knowing the lake the way he did, would ever let the big Wind catch him off guard up here in the basin. No, no, I don't, Red. I know that's the way Buster felt about it too. I said that to you myself, Red. But now, what's this proof you have of murder? Well, Ham and Buster, aren't you going on back? Now that I've told you why I wanted you to bring Johnny here? Was there any harm in our knowing what you found, Red? After all, we might be able to help you and Johnny. Yeah, I thought about that. But you see, I might just possibly be wrong about. Well, I might just be wrong. And I wouldn't want to be ashamed in front of a lot of people. By a lot, you mean three. Well, that's three times as many as just Johnny here. Oh, well, now, look, Johnny, he means it. So Ham and I'll go on back to the dock. But I still don't see what difference, Johnny, when you get to know Red as well as we do, you'll stop trying to figure out the whys and wherefores of some of the things he does and what makes him tick. But you'll also learn that in the long run, no matter how unorthodox some of those things are, well. Oh, come on, Buster. Right. See you when you get back to dock, Johnny. Oh, you got some food, Red? You know I always keep something in my boat, Buster. Okay. Well, far be it from me, Red, but all I have to say is that whatever you think you found proof of, it sure gotta be something. Oh, it is, Johnny. At least, I think it is not. You just scrunch yourself a place to sleep in the sand. It's pretty late, huh? Well, it took you so long to get here. And we can't see anything in the dark anyway. Oh, now, look, Red, for heaven's sake. Good night, Johnny. Sleep well. And that was the end of our conversation. And I began to wonder if Jake Kessler hadn't been right in the first place, if I hadn't come out here on a wild goose chase after all. But the more I wondered and thought about it with nothing but the warm desert night about us twinkling stars, the magic sound of fish jumping in the lake, the sleepier I got. So I slept. The smell of bacon frying over the campfire awakened me, although the sun still hadn't shone over the mountains that bordered the eastern side of the lake. Douse your face in the lake, Johnny, then grab yourself some of this bacon and egg. I did as I was told. Then, squatting in the sand in front of the fire, stuffed away A hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs and pancakes made from sourdough. You know, there's something about a meal cooked over a campfire that. Well, we had other things to do. So we climbed into Red's old aluminum boat and slowly drove up the lake, staying close to shore. Finally, we reached a small rocky cove. Right here is your spot, Johnny. This little cove? A spot for what, Red? You know, you still haven't told me. You see there? You see where somebody has climbed up the rocks? No. Well, I'll take your word for it. Well, he couldn't have climbed up off of the water. So he must have climbed out of a boat. So? And there's footprints leading the way across the desert. And, Johnny, they aren't Elmer Hobbs footprints. No, sir. So somebody climbed out of a boat here for one reason or another and took a walk into the desert. The man who killed Elmer Hobbs. What makes you think so? Look down over the side in the water. A boat sunk down there. That's the boat that Elmer had. Can you see it clear? Yes, very. Then you can see it wasn't damaged enough to sink it. Not that boat. You're right, Red. Particularly since it has flotation tanks. But it's down there. It's sunk. You better strip to your shorts, Johnny. Knock it down and take a look. Me? I already have. But I want you to look, Johnny. And remember I knew everything that Elmer had in his boat when he left the dock. Remember that. Okay. And you're sure the footprints leading into the desert couldn't possibly have been made by Mr. Hobbs? That I'll swear to you, Johnny, by all this good and whole. Now then, slip in easy. So you won't. You won't disturb the water too much. I took a deep breath, surface dived and swam down to the sunken boat. And the water was clear. And I could see plainly. And I saw that Red was right. I bobbed back to the surface. Did you see him? The cut? Yeah. Red, those flotation tanks were slashed open with an axe or a sharp, heavy tool of some kind. But Elmer had no axe on that boat. So it was somebody else, Johnny. Somebody who murdered him. Yeah, and then sank the boat. Fred, I'm afraid you're right. Elma Hobbs was murdered. So there you have it, Jake. And if I were you, I'd call off payment on that claim immediately. Granted, the case isn't over yet. I still have the job finding out who killed Elmer Hobbs. But you know something? You're gonna have to wait for my next report. Meantime, expense account total to the moment 159.20 including the cost of shooting and retrieving one crow. Jake, how would you like it cooked? Until the next report then. Yours truly, Johnny Dol. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey originates in Hollyw and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone, who also wrote today's story. Heard in our cast were Lucille Meredith Forest, Lewis Harley Bear, Alan Reed and Barney Phillips. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for the conclusion of this exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Roy Rowan spe Sam.
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Adam Graham
Welcome back. This is one of only three episodes that had back to back sequels since the serial era and this is really the only one that doesn't quite stand alone as a story in its own right. Red delivered on what he said and now we've got a wide open case for Johnny to investigate next week. I do think it makes sense for this episode to be a preliminary report to Jake. Obviously finding out it was murder doesn't solve the case, but it is really important to make sure that the insurance payment isn't made in the meanwhile. The one thing I don't like about this episode, and certainly this isn't the only time this happened, but the big part of the episode is Johnny's very vague communication to people he doesn't have any reason to be vague with. What would be so hard about telling Jake Kessler? I received a report from someone I believe to be credible and so I'm going to talk to him before I go back. Being all mysterious is weird when there's no reason for Johnny to distrust Jake and Jake is the one who's gonna have to make payment for this in terms of Johnny's expense account. Anyway, the listener comments and feedback now and there is a comment on the virtuous mobster matter and my conversation about Johnny's potential reasons for having life insurance. More Gerald lestermane says, who needs Charles Schwab when we have Adam Graham? Well, thanks though I don't have my own online brokerage so Charles Schwab does have that on me. I had to do a bit of research for that and but that whole question did bring out a little bit of my whole financial services industry background in answering the question. Well now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day and I want to go ahead and thank John patreon supporter since February 2021, currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support John and that will do it for Today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using favorite podcast software and be sure and rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Friday with another episode of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Join us next Tuesday for the Big Story, but we'll be back tomorrow with the great adventurers of Old Time Radio on cloak and daggerware.
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Johnny Dollar
If she desires to travel, I will arrange for the necessary permit. Of course. You're very kind. Not at all, not at all. Now, let me see. Ah, here it is. She's boarded up her House at 46 Rue Darnsig, as you know, and moved to another residence 20 km southwest of Perls, in the village of Tory Ferrat. Stay here. Write out the exact address. Thank you for your help, Herr Commandant. I assure you I will never forget. I took a train to the village of Touriferot, and all the way, I kept thinking about Madame Joubert. The German High Command evidently considered her one of the most important collaborationists. We considered her our most important contact with the French underground. She certainly had someone fooled. I hoped it was the Nazis. Madame Joubert is in here, monsieur. In the library. Mercy. Monsieur Fontanes. Madame. Come in. Come in, Cecile. You may go and close the door. Oui, Madame. Come close. No, come closer. Let me have a good look at you.
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Adam Graham
I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box Thirteenreatetactives.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.