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Around Dark City and in the territory on West, there's just one way to handle the killers and
spoilers and that's with a US Marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Gun smoke starring William
Conrad, the transcribed story of the violence that moved West with young America and the story
of a man who moved with it. I'm that man, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, the first man
they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancey job and it makes a man watchful
and a little lonely.
Matt. Oh Matt. Hello Doc. Where are you headed for Matt? Just left a note saying he was at the
Alifraganza. I thought I'd go over and watch him squander his money for a while. Yeah,
I'll just go with you. That bartender's owed me five dollars for a month. Why don't you hire a
bill collector Doc? Then I'd have to spend my time trying to run him down. You know,
you ought to make people pay in advance. The condition most of my customers arrive in,
they'd bleed to death while I was making change. Well, a lot of them do anyway. Oh,
they do. Well, that's not my fault. If a man's going to get himself all torn apart,
fighting and brawling, you can't expect me to patch him up every time. You know Matt,
there's men in this town whose lives I've saved two or three times. I can probably name them,
Doc. Oh, there's Chester. Oh, he's sitting over there with some strangers. Why don't you get your
money from the bartender and join us? Then the bartender would have it back in a half an hour.
Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, I'll see you later, Matt. Okay, Doc. Hello. Hello, Mr. Dillon.
Hello, Chester. This here is Mr. Reeves. Mr. Reeves? Franklin J. Reeves. How do you do,
Marshal? Buy you a drink? No, no thanks. I don't think so. Yeah, where are you from, Mr. Reeves?
Mr. Reeves come in on the stage from Denver last week. Oh, you live in Denver? Oh, good
heavens no. New York, Marshal. See, he came out west a couple of months ago to invest some money
in land and cattle and the like. Mr. Reeves is awful rich. I might be if Mother Nature holds out,
Chester. His girl's come in on stage today. Oh, is that so? It's his fine sea, he calls her. He
met her in Denver. Ah, you have been busy, haven't you, Chester? Oh, you don't know the half of it.
He had to come head on business, you see. They're fixing to get married in St. Louis. Wow,
congratulations. Thank you. Marshal, is the stage always this late? He's worried, Mr. Dillon,
what with his girl on stage and all. It'll be a long, Mr. Reeves. I didn't tell him what we know
about what else is on that stage. What? It's nothing important. No, it ain't your money,
Mr. Reeves. But maybe that's why the stage is late all the same. What are you talking about,
Chester? They're carrying $50,000 in gold, that's why. Well? Well, if somebody wanted that gold,
they'd have to stop the stage long enough to get it unloaded, wouldn't they? Bandits? You mean
bandits? It'll get here all right, Mr. Reeves. It's usually a little late. But it might have
been held up. There might have been a shooting. Ah, that's just Chester's talking. Hey, wait a minute.
Listen. Ah, there it is now. Ah, come on. The stage office is right next door. Well,
I guess it wouldn't be here if anything had happened. Oh, it always gets here sooner or later.
This is certainly the last time I'll let Laura travel alone. There it is. Everything's fine.
Marshall! Marshall, come here! Who's that? That's Jim Buck. He's a driver.
Now I'll go see what he wants. Marshall? What is it, Jim?
Got held up, Marshall. What? Lost $50,000 in gold.
And why did it happen? I couldn't withdraw, but...
Anybody shot? Wasn't a shot fired. But Marshall...
Where's Laura? Driver. Where's the girl who was on this stage? What's happened to her?
I was trying to tell the Marshal. He took the gold and he took the girl too.
That's impossible. Well, that's what happened, mister.
He held a shotgun on us and there was nothing we could do.
I don't believe it. Now take it easy, Mr. Reeves. We'll find him.
How'd you recognize him, Jim? All I can tell you is he had two horses and they
was both sorrows. My heaven, Marshall, you'd better get Laura back here at once or you'll
never work for the government or anybody else again. What?
You heard what I said. Chester, go get our horses. I'll pick up a couple of rifles.
Yes, sir. Aren't you going to form a posse?
No. There'll be too much shooting around the girls.
Well, you'd better have her here by nightfall, Marshall.
Mr. Reeves, would you like to come with us? No. No, I'll handle matters at this end.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
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A blood red sun was dropping over the edge of the prairie when Chester and I reached Cottonwood
Draw and picked up their trail.
We rode hard till night fell and we had to stop and wait for daylight.
But with the morning we drew a heavy rain that washed out every track.
And although we scouted a big piece of the country the next couple of days, it was hopeless.
And finally we headed back to Dodge empty handed.
When we got there I went over to the Long Branch to see if there was any news.
Welcome back Matt.
Well how are you kitty?
Sit down.
Thanks.
You been a ride?
I sure have.
No luck huh?
Yeah it's the big prairie kitty.
Well nobody can blame you Matt.
Yeah Reeves will blame me.
Not that I care much.
Reeves is no good Matt.
Well I suppose it's pretty hard on him, his fiancee you know.
I'll tell you why he's no good.
Oh?
He's been drunk most of the time you're away and he was bragging to one of the girls last
night.
Bragging?
Yeah.
About what?
Well has to do with his girl Laura.
It seems her father got into a business deal with Reeves up in Denver.
And Reeves got him tied up good somehow and then threatened to ruin him.
Oh?
Well what happened?
He didn't ruin him, he took Laura instead.
Ah.
Well maybe she likes him kitty.
You think a girl's likely to be in love with a man who got her like that?
Yeah I guess you're right.
There's not much to bring her back to is there?
First Reeves steals her and then some outlaw steals her.
That girl could learn to hate men.
Yeah.
Well what are you going to do about it?
There's nothing I can do right now kitty.
Just have to wait and see what turns up.
I waited.
I waited a week.
Reeves was drunk the whole time.
He didn't tell everybody how he was going to fix me up good.
But not doing much about it except to stay out of my way.
Things were quiet otherwise.
And Chester and I spent most of the time in the office.
Well he sure did fool me Mr. Dillon.
What do you mean Reeves?
He seemed like such a nice fellow.
And so rich.
Yeah he's rich all right.
But poor in spirit.
Chester have you been going to church again?
Yes sir.
Last Sunday.
Oh yeah I remember it rained.
Well now I like church Mr. Dillon but I hate to get all dressed up.
Seems like it.
Well hello Jim.
Hello Chester.
Marshall.
How's the stage business Jim?
Well we ain't been held up lately.
That's something.
The reason I come to see you Marshall is that I run into a fella back at the Rock Peak station this morning.
He rode in there from the south and mentions he'd seen a man and a woman on the way.
Oh?
They rode off as soon as they saw him so he didn't get very close.
But I asked him about it and he was pretty sure their horses were the same color.
Sorrow?
That's what he said.
I want to go with you Marshall.
What?
Well he told me where he saw them.
I know right where it is.
Besides that woman's out there against her will.
Sure but it's not your job Jim.
Well I was driving the stage he took her off of Marshall.
For none of my mind something terrible.
Ah.
Alright.
Chester you keep an eye on things here huh?
We'll be back in a few days if we have any luck at all.
The next morning Jim Buck and I cut their trail some fifty miles south of Dodge.
We followed it for a way and then it turned northeast back in the general direction of Dodge.
It was a hot still day and on the horizon there were occasional flashes of heat lightning.
Then in the distance we saw the long low cloud of yellow dust that met cattle at Texas herd trailin' north.
The outlaws tracks led straight into it and we soon pulled up beside a string of long horns that stretched several miles each way.
We'll have to find a leg and cut through him Marshall.
Yeah.
Hold up! Hold up there!
What's he yelling about? I don't know.
You ain't aiming to cross that herd are you?
You see anything of a man and a woman around here mister?
I ain't seen nothing but cattle and cowboys for six weeks.
Well we're standing on their trail. It leads right into your herd.
I can't help that. That cattle have been dry since yesterday morning.
That Kansas heat lightning ain't exactly soothing to them. Nobody's riding through there.
Look mister I'm a US Marshal and your herd's crossed the trail of an outlaw. Now we've got to cut through here.
No you don't. You'll have to wait a ride around the drive back there. It's only a mile or so.
That outlaw's got a kidnapped woman with him mister.
He has? Well I can't help that. I'm forcing this outfit and I got three thousand head of cattle here. They're too nervy now. Look at them.
Yeah they're moving pretty fast all right.
Too fast. And I sure can't risk you touching them off by riding through them.
Yeah I know. But I hate to lose the time.
You got more time than I got cattle Marshal.
Well I don't know about that but I want chance to stampede. All right come on General. Ride around the drag.
Okay Marshal.
Say and dodge mister.
Yeah yeah. All of the gangs are still running?
Yeah it is. I'm mostly on Texas money.
Adios!
Come on General.
We rode down along the herd and then back up the other side and finally found the trail again and followed it till dark.
Next morning we saw that the outlaw was still headed straight for dodge.
And all we could figure was that he must be new to the country and was just plain lost.
By noon we were inside a town and soon after we rode up Front Street and got down at the jail.
Chester saw us and came running out.
Mr. Gillen we got him. They rode right in here early this morning.
What? Did he give himself up?
Yes sir. I got him locked up and the money is over at the bank.
How's the girl Chester?
Oh she's fine Jim. A little tired but fine.
Oh that's good. What's his story? Who is he?
Says his name is Jack Fitz and that's all he'll say.
I swear I give up honey Mr. Dunne. Maybe you can get something out of it.
Alright I'll talk to him. And I want to see this Laura. Where is she?
She's over at the dodge house with Reeves. He made her go but she sure didn't want to.
Well I'll talk to them later.
Yes sir.
So you're Jack Fitch huh? You're new around here aren't you?
If you've got anything to say Marshal say it right out.
Alright. Why did you give yourself up?
Why do you care? You got the money back and...
And what?
Nothing.
Marshal I'm ready to serve my time but I don't have to talk. Not for you. Not for nobody else.
Okay Fitch. Have it your own way.
Marshal?
Yeah.
I don't suppose you'd let me out of here long enough to kill Reeves would you?
Laura told you about him huh?
I wouldn't mind hanging. It'd be worth it.
What makes you think what you did is any better?
You wouldn't understand.
Look. Do what you can for her will you?
Anything else you want to tell me Fitch?
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Who is it?
Matt Dillon.
Some other time Marshall.
Open this door before I kick it open Reeves.
What do you want?
Nothing from you.
Laura.
I'm Marshall Dillon.
How do you do?
I'm sorry to bother you this way.
That's alright.
It's about Jack Fitch.
You want my help to put him in prison is that right?
Yeah that's right.
He gave himself up. He returned the money and me.
Yeah sure but I'm going to need your testimony in court.
Forget it Marshall. It's all over. We're leaving Dodge on the next train.
No.
Don't tell me no. I said we're leaving.
Reeves.
What?
Why don't you get out of here?
Get out of here?
You heard me. Now outside.
Now look here Marshall.
Then I'll throw you off.
Look Laura.
Yes?
Will it help if I tell you that I know about you and Reeves?
About why you're going to marry him?
I hate him.
Why did Jack Fitch give himself up?
He gave himself up because we decided we didn't want to be hunted down the rest of our lives.
Well that sounds like you were in on it with him.
I never saw Jack Fitch before he held up that stage.
No? Well then I don't understand.
It's very simple Marshall. I love him.
What?
I love Jack Fitch.
An outlaw who kidnapped you? I don't believe it.
Don't you?
No.
Well it's true.
Marshall Jack doesn't know why he took me with him.
All he can figure is that he saw something he wanted and he took it.
It's still kidnapping.
Jack's been wild and he's done wrong. But he isn't evil.
Like Reeves?
Jack's going to straighten out with my help. He's already started.
Look, Laura, maybe you're right. Maybe you'd be better off with Jack Fitch.
But I'm a lawman and I've got to hold him under arrest and get him up for trial.
Now what you do is your business.
I'm afraid Marshall. You don't know Frank Reeves. He'll kill me.
He already said he wouldn't. He means it.
Unless you go on to St. Louis with him and marry him.
Yes. Please, Marshall, you've got to help me.
Well, I may be making a mistake, but you come on with me.
Where?
You'll see.
All right.
Out of the way, Reeves.
Where are you going? Where are you taking Laura?
To jail.
What for?
She's under arrest.
I never heard of such a thing. I won't stand for this.
Laura, you go back in that room.
Go on.
Let go of me.
Frank, let go of me.
Reeves. Reeves.
All right, just step over him, Laura. Let's go.
Mr. Dillon?
Yeah, what is it, Chester?
I just been over to the Oliver Ganzer.
So?
It's that cussed Reeves. He's buying liquor for everybody, making a lot of talk.
There's about 20 men with him now.
What's he up to?
Oh, he's got that crowd with him because they don't like the idea of you putting a woman in jail.
They're getting all worked up about it, and Reeves has about got them ready to come over here and bust her out.
You better do something about it.
Man, I could stand them off, but I think I got a much better idea.
What?
Those horses still out back?
Yeah, sure. I was going to put them away later.
I'll leave them. And you get back to the Oliver Ganzer and stall those men as long as you can.
Without getting killed.
Yes, sir. I'll do it.
Well, go on.
Yes, sir. I'm going as fast as I can.
All right, come on out, Fitch.
What's this, Marshal?
I'm turning you loose.
Turning him loose?
That's right, Laura. Reeves is about to come over here with a mob to get you out of jail.
And I'm sure he's going to see that Fitch is killed while they're doing it.
Can't you stop them?
Oh, why should he try to stop them? This way I'd go free.
Jack, you're forgetting everything we talked about.
No, no, no, I ain't, Laura. But if I don't have to stand trial, we've got nothing to worry about.
You don't understand, Fitch.
Don't understand what?
I'm turning you loose now to save your life, but you'll still be wanted.
You'll have to stand trial someday.
As soon as you give yourself up again or as soon as somebody catches you.
Oh, I was going to take you up to Hayes City for trial.
I was going to take Laura there, too, as a witness.
I told you I'd refuse to testify, Marshal.
Well, the court can't make you, but they can hold you in contempt.
All right, then I'll lie.
That's worse. That's perjury.
I thought you were going to help me, Marshal.
I can't help you, Laura.
Hey, wait, I've been thinking.
Marshal, have they got a preacher in Hayes City?
Well, they had the last time I was there, yeah.
No. No, it wouldn't work.
What wouldn't?
Well, I was thinking you let Laura go with me.
Why, we could get married before I turned myself in, then she wouldn't have to testify.
Jack?
No, no, Laura, I can't do that.
It looked like I was only trying to keep out of jail.
And that ain't true. I want to marry you.
Do you really, Jack?
I've told you a hundred times.
What difference does it make when we get married?
You men can be so stupid.
Of course, that's the way we'll do it.
Well, I guess that settles it, Fritz.
All right, come on, Laura, then you better hurry.
This is what you had in mind all the time, isn't it, Marshal?
I'm a lawman, Laura, not a matchmaker.
Seems to me you do both pretty well.
Fitch, there are two horses out back. Now get going.
Will we see you later on, Marshal, in Hayes?
If you get there, yeah.
We'll get there.
Yeah.
I kind of think you will.
And now our star, William Conrad.
Thank you, George.
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Gunsmoke, produced and directed by Norman MacDonald,
stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal.
Our story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Mustin,
with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey.
Sound patterns by Tom Hanley and Bill James.
Featured in the cast were Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartel,
Frank Gerstel, Gene Bates, and Clayton Posts.
Marley Bear as Chester, Howard McNair as Doc, and Georgia Ellis as Kitty.
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Listen to Gunsmoke again next week, transcribed for L&M Filters.
Music plays.