Around Dodge City and in the territory on the west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. Marshal and the smell of gun smoke.
Gun Smoke starring William Conrad, the transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America, the story of a man who moved with it, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal.
The story of a man who moved with it, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal.
Mind if I sit here a while, Marshal? Of course not, sit down Billy. You look worried, Billy. A boy like you shouldn't look worried. I'm 21. That's a man's age, isn't it Chester? Oh sure, 21 is pretty old, Billy.
Old enough for frog mouth Kate anyway. Every time I come to town that woman won't give me a minute's peace. Well maybe she's sweet on you, Billy. Sweet on me. Look at her at the bar over there. She'll come to and miss me pretty soon. Old enough to be my mother.
Well then why do you stay here? Why don't you go over to the Longhorn or someplace? Oh Kate's all right when she's sober. Just when she gets drunk she's such a nuisance.
Well she sure looks drunk now. She is. And when she's like this there's no worse woman in the whole world. I could kill her when she gets like this. Somebody's always going to kill somebody around here.
Oh that's just a way of talking, Marshal. Yeah. I hate to tell you Billy but I think frog mouth Kate has spotted you. Yeah I knew she would. She gets lonesome awful fast that woman.
So that's where you went Billy. Leaving me all alone. Shame on you honey. I got to catch my breath once in a while Kate. You can catch your breath with me honey. Not with Marshal Dillon and Chester and all the rest of them.
No Kate, take it easy. I'll take it easy. You and me will take it easy in St. Louis Billy boy. And quit talking about St. Louis all the time. I ain't about to go to St. Louis. I'm broke right here in Dodge.
I got the money Billy. Almost I got it. Almost enough. You and me, huh baby? Oh Kate. Why don't you pick on somebody who can at least buy you a few drinks.
They've been buying me drinks. I don't care about them anyway. Let's get married Billy boy. What do you say, huh? You and me. See what I mean Marshal? Ain't she awful?
Well she likes you Billy. Sure. We're a couple of real love birds. Yeah. Now stop that. Let go of me. I'll break your head open.
I excuse Billy lover boy. Cut it out. Well if you'll excuse us we better be moving on. Chester. Well alright Chester. Yes sir.
So long Billy. Kate. Now you never mind them Billy boy. They're just a couple of crooks like everybody else except you sweetie. You and me, huh?
My poor Billy. Well he's got to learn somehow. I suppose. The town seems pretty quiet Chester. I think I'll go to bed. Good idea Mr. Dillon. I'll sleep in the office tonight.
Alright I'll see you in the morning. Good night sir.
What? Who is it? It's Chester sir. Open up. Oh well just a minute Chester.
Oh well there's a Chester. They've been a shooting sir in that rooming house next to the alphaganza. What? Well I'll get dressed. Come on inside. It's been raining a little Mr. Dillon.
Oh good. Light that lamp there will you Chester? Yes sir. They sent for Doc and he woke me up on his way out. He know what it was all about? No sir. He just said it was in that rooming house.
What time is it anyway? Oh it'll be daylight soon. Must be about four thirty. Four thirty. It's pretty late at night for a gunfight isn't it? Yes sir that's what I thought.
There. Alright Chester I'm ready to blow the lamp out. Yes sir. That rain sure helped. Wouldn't it be fine if it stayed this cool all day Mr. Dillon? You'd be lost if you couldn't complain about the heat Chester.
Well I'd be willing to think of something else. Yeah I suppose.
Ma Torvester still runs this rooming house don't you? Last I heard she did. No.
Marshal. Down here Marshal Dillon. Yes Ma Torvester all right. Hello Ma. Right in here Marshal. Who was it Ma? Frog Mount Kate. She got shot. Kate?
It's no use Matt. She hasn't said a word and she's not likely to now. Who did it Ma? Oh I was asleep Marshal. Heard a shot and come right down. I sent everybody else back to bed and told them to stay there. You don't know who did it then?
He must have jumped out that window right there. You go get him Marshal. He's got a head start already. Oh Ma. Well that kid Billy Daunt. Must have been. Why do you think it was Billy?
Because he was drinking with her all night over at the alafraganza that's why. Been with her all yesterday I heard too. Couldn't be nobody else. He stole her money too. How do you know he did Ma?
Well she showed me once. She kept it right under the mattress there and it's gone. She had quite a lot of it saved up too. Everybody knew that. She planned on going back to St. Louis with it.
She wanted Billy to go with her but I guess he couldn't wait the little rat. I sure hope I see him hung. Chester start looking for him I'll join you in a few minutes. Yes Sir. I'll walk back first.
She's dead Ma. Oh that poor girl. To wonder she lived this long being shot so close up. She didn't say anything. Not a word Ma. She was unconscious the whole time.
Yeah. Well I love chip in toward burying her Doc seeing as how she was sort of broke when she died. Nonsense. Kate was a good girl and I'll be responsible for her getting a fine burial. Finest there is but you catch that devil Billy Daunt Marshall.
Don't you let him get away. We'll find him Ma. Well you sure better. Let me know if you hear anything. I'll see you later Doc. Sure Matt.
Chester and I spent the next couple of hours looking for Billy Daunt but nobody had seen him since he and Kate had left the Elephraganza together the night before.
We did learn however that he'd been riding for Luke Atkins and since it was our only lead we decided to go out to the ranch and have a talk with Luke.
It was mid-morning when we rode up to the main house and at first the place was deserted.
Anyway it's cool here under the cottonwood. Maybe Luke's out on the prairie somewhere. Well if he's smart he's keeping away from the sun right there in the house.
Oh.
Now leave the horses Chester they'll stand. All right you.
Who's that? It's Matt Dillon Luke. Oh just resting little Marshall. Hello Chester. Hello Luke.
It's cooler out here. Sit down. My gracious what happened to you? Does it look bad? Bad enough to skip church this Sunday Luke.
Black eye huh? I ain't got a mirror. Your jaw's swollen too. Cool kid I never saw him like that before. He must have been drunk.
Billy don't? He's been spending his paying guards the last couple of days and say is that why you're here Marshall? Billy get in trouble there? Maybe.
What'd he beat you up for Luke? Why he just rode in here this morning early and said he needed a better horse than his and wanted my buckskin gelding.
He was all excited and I started to argue with him. He jumped me before I knew what was happening.
Knocked me out for a minute I guess. He's gone then huh? Sure he's gone. I came up to the house here and got my rifle and watched him go.
Funny thing though he didn't leave right away. What do you mean? He fooled around down there in the barn for most an hour.
I don't know what he was up to but I just sat here on the porch with my rifle in case he got any more crazy ideas.
He finally rode off though headed west. Well we're after him Luke. Billy in bad trouble Marshall? Yeah it looks like it.
I'm sorry to hear that. He's always been a pretty good boy. Why the rest of your men Luke? Still in Dodge Marshall spending their pay.
Well you take care of that eye. So long. Goodbye Marshall. Bye Luke.
Come on. Well there's not much question about Billy now is there? Yeah there sure isn't.
Start looking for tracks Chester. Yes sir I have been. The ground's still damp from the rain last night. We ought to cut this trail easy.
I don't see anything. Now look there over there. Those are fresh tracks. Yeah they're fresh all right but they lead toward the ranch not away from it.
Yeah. Let's follow them anyway Chester. What? Come on let's ride.
Chester figured either Billy was riding backwards or I was crazy but he stopped arguing after a couple of hours and we rode in silence the rest of the day.
Long about dusk I figured we were catching up with him but we couldn't afford to lose the trail and when night came we made camp.
Next morning at daylight we went on. By noon it was clear Billy hadn't taken any rest at all.
A couple of hours later we began to wonder how much longer his horse could hold out.
This is the dog-gauntest hunt I was ever on. Billy just isn't very smart that's all. Well he must be half crazy beating up Luke Atkins like that.
When a man's in a panic he'll do almost anything Chester. Well you'd think he'd at least have sense enough to rest his horse now and then.
That'll be easier for us if he doesn't. Chester. Look up ahead there. Hey by heaven it's a horse.
That's a buckskin. It's not saddled. There isn't a thing around sir. This side of that bluff anyway. The bluff's too far away for an ambush.
The horse doesn't look very good does he? He's not even eating.
He may never be any good again. That fool kid. Well he can't be very far away unless he's found another horse. Look at the buckskin's hooves Chester.
Why he isn't even sharp. Yeah Billy pulled his shoes when he left him. He sure made a mistake though.
What do you mean? That's what he was doing in Luke's barn putting the shoes on backwards. Now he's pulled them.
He wouldn't fool anybody. All it did was help wear his horse out even more. He had me fooled for a while. Anyway we'll catch him pretty soon now.
Well those tracks lead toward the bluff there. Probably into that clump of trees. Well if that's where he is he can see us.
All right we'll ride in from different directions. You can't get both of us on location.
A half hour later Chester and I had reached the trees about the same time and without being shot at.
There was a spring there in a tiny cabin. Deserted. One set of footprints led up to the place and two sets led away from it.
Billy had taken whoever lived there along with him. Figuring there wasn't too much hurry now we watered our horses and let them breathe for a while.
The way I figured it Mr. Dillon, Billy was here about dawn this morning. Well he won't be far away. Not more than 15 or 20 miles at the most.
Unless he's found a horse. Well that's why he's carrying his saddle isn't it? Yeah. Only Billy isn't carrying the saddle.
What? He's saving his strength. Whoever was in this cabin is doing the hard work. You mean Billy took him along just to carry his saddle?
Yeah he found himself a pack horse Chester. Mr. Dillon I'm getting to have less use for Billy Daunt every minute.
Come on let's ride him down before it's too late for this poor fellow whoever he is. All right Chester.
Oh our horses are in good shape. We ought to catch him in a few hours. I sure hope so. You take the side of the trail Chester.
Track about 10 yards behind me. All right sir. All right let's go.
Don't bother to watch the trail anymore Chester. It's headed right for that Nestor's shack there. So keep your eyes open.
You think Billy might still be there? Yeah he might be.
Maybe he's inside Mr. Dillon. Yeah let's spread out a little. All right. Now wait a minute the door. Who are you?
Are you alone ma'am? You the law? I'm Marshal Dillon from Dodge. You're too late Marshal. You mean he's gone? He's gone.
Take a look around at the side Marshal. Right around there. Go on look. Both of you.
Oh my goodness Mr. Dillon. Yeah. He was killed with a knife. Yes he sure was.
That your husband ma'am? Yeah. I'm sorry it happened but if it's any comfort to you we'll catch that boy I promise you that.
Don't matter now. He had another man with him. Where's he? Inside. I've been trying to fix him up.
It was near dead when they got here. Poor old Claib. Claib? 75 years old Marshal and that's too old to be used like an animal.
Rotten kid. I'd like to talk to him ma'am. Come on inside.
It's all right Claib. Marshal Dillon from Dodge. We've known Claib for ten years Marshal ever since we've been here. Never hurt nobody.
Sure. Can you talk a little Claib? I'll be all right Marshal. Just trying to wore out 20 miles packing a saddle in this weather.
Fast too. Had me walk fast. How long did the boy leave here? Three or four hours Marshal. Took our mule but he won't get far.
Oh. Why not? He was too old. After ten miles just quit. Your husband tried to stop him is that it? Yeah.
Got mad when he saw what the boy had done to Claib and the boy knifed him. Never gave him a chance. He's wild crazy.
He sure is Marshal. Scared too. I never saw anybody so scared. He's in a real panic Claib.
But how come he used a knife? That doesn't sound right. It's all he's got that's why. What? He ain't armed except for that knife.
He doesn't have a gun? He took our rifle but there's no ammunition for it. He'll run out. Took it anyway.
He came to your place Claib. Didn't he have a six gun? No sir. Just that knife. That's all he had. I got an old Navy pistol but it's busted. Ain't been able to get it fixed.
I sure don't understand it Mr. Dillon. He's like a wild animal that's what he is. He oughtn't to be loose. He won't be for long ma'am.
Claib I hope you'll be alright. I'm just plum wore out. Claib's going to stay right here Marshal. Too old to be living by himself anyway.
Good. Well we'll be gone now ma'am but we'll bury your husband first now if you'll just show us where you'd like to have the grave.
Thank you Marshal.
The woman wanted her husband buried right where he'd fallen so we dug the grave there and laid him into it. She watched straight faced without a tear. Then she said goodbye and went back into the house.
It was just after sunset when we caught up with Billy. Just as the woman had said the mule had gone ten miles and quit. Billy saw us coming. Started running across the prairie on foot. His panic had made him as nearly brainless as a man could get.
Look at him Mr. Dillon. Did you ever see anything like it? He's still got a knife Chester. Hold it Billy you can't get away.
Right up on the other side of him Chester. Yes sir.
You've run far enough Billy. You'll have to shoot me Marshal. No we won't.
Take your rope down Chester. Good idea sir.
Alright Chester let's rope him.
We've almost got him.
Now stay on your horse Chester. Just keep your rope tight. No I'll cut you Marshal.
Let go of the knife Billy.
Alright Chester slack up a little.
Alright drop your rope Chester. I'll tie him up with it. No you stay on it.
Go on me.
You're a wild one Billy. You'll never get me back. Not alive you won't never. I think we will.
Let's make him walk back Mr. Dillon. I'll walk. You can drag me but I won't walk.
Now we'll throw him across your horse Chester. You and I can ride double till we make camp. Maybe that'll calm him down.
That Billy won't eat a thing Mr. Dillon. He's just been crouched over there looking like a cornered animal ever since I woke him up this morning.
Still pretty spooky huh? He sure is.
Let's go talk to him.
There's some bacon over there Billy if you want it.
Aren't you hungry Billy?
I didn't kill her Marshal.
Oh? You've been running awful hard for an innocent man.
I didn't kill her I tell you.
Now we'll let the judge decide that Billy.
I was waiting for her outside and I heard the shot. I went around and her window was open and she was lying there.
I didn't kill her.
Then why did you run Billy?
I knew you'd be after me. I had to get away. I ain't going back to Dodge. I ain't going.
Yeah.
Alright let's get packed up Chester.
How is he Chester?
He just keeps standing there looking out to sell bars. But he did drink some of the coffee I left him.
I don't know Chester sometimes I think just the act of running itself makes a man afraid.
The more he runs the more panicked he gets.
Any way getting you healthy a young boy like Billy?
Well maybe you'll come out of it in time.
Morning Marshal.
Yes sir.
Morning Mr. Green.
Now you're up early Mr. Green.
Well I heard you brought Billy Donnie in last night Marshal so I figured I'd better turn this over to you.
A six gun. Who's this is?
It's Billy's gun Marshal I've been fixing it for him.
Billy's gun?
That's right Mr. Dillon. Billy didn't have a gun remember?
How long have you had it Mr. Green?
Well he brought in the first day he came to town Marshal a cylinder was loose been shaving lead. It's okay now I fixed it fine.
You've had it all the time?
Yes sir I was just keeping it for him until I heard he'd been arrested.
I see.
Well thanks Mr. Green I'll see that you're paid for your work.
Oh sure Marshal that's alright. Goodbye.
Oh goodbye Mr. Green.
Looks like Billy was telling the truth.
Yeah. You sure can't convict a man of a shooting if he didn't have a gun.
No sir but there's that nester he killed.
Yeah and all for nothing.
Yes sir.
Now Chester it's pretty hopeless now but let's see if we can find out who did kill Kate.
Probably just some thief. Heard about her money.
Yeah probably.
Gun smoke under the direction of Norman MacDonald stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon U.S. Marshal.
Tonight's story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey.
Harley Bear is Chester, Georgia Ellis is Kitty and Howard McNear is Doc.
Gunsmoke has been selected by the Armed Forces radio service to be heard by our troops overseas.
Join us again next week as Matt Dillon U.S. Marshal fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West in Gunsmoke.
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