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Slaughter's my name. Luke Slaughter.
Cattle's my business.
It's a tough business.
It's big business.
I've got a big stake in it and there's no man west of the Rio Grande
big enough to take it from me.
Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.
Luke Slaughter of Tombstone, Civil War cavalryman turned Arizona cattleman.
Across the territory from Yuma to Fort Defiance, from Flagstaff to the Wachukas and below the
border through Chihuahua and Sonora, his name was respected or feared depending on which
side of the law you were on.
Man of vision, man of legend, Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.
Carl Justice was dead, bushwhacked in the Chiricahuas for the $10,000 he was carrying.
But Justice wasn't dead.
The posse from the cattleman's association would see to that if we had to cover every
half section between the petrified forest and the Mexican border.
And it looked like we might.
At least the first day in the saddle we didn't find a trace of Justice's killer or the gold.
We were a tired bunch of runahans when we came back to town that afternoon.
All right, boys, get yourselves a good night's rest.
Be ready to ride again at sunup.
Well, howdy, Luke.
Hello, Wichita.
You look like you've been eating a lot of dust.
I have.
You turn up anything?
Nothing.
Not a single sign.
Well, a killer's gotta leave a sign.
This one didn't.
Sure is a shame.
Carl ought to know better than to try carrying all that money over to Bisbee by himself.
But he didn't.
Oh, man, I'm tired.
You gonna go out to the ranch tonight?
No, I'll grab some shut-eye over at the office.
Let's go.
Hold up a minute.
You can't get by this outfit.
Well, wagons.
It's a pretty small train to be traveling alone.
Keep it moving.
Real driving boss, ain't he, bet he wasn't raised on prunes and proverbs.
Yeah.
You know, Wichita, that's a funny thing about that outfit.
What's that?
No kids.
Not a single one.
Yeah, that is peculiar.
Usually they got young'uns festooned all over, from the driver's box to the tailgate.
Well, I'm gonna spread out on the cot back there.
Yeah, yeah, you do that, Luke.
And you better unlimber your guns.
You ain't had them off since you rode out of here before dawn.
Yeah.
I'll drop them here on the desk.
Yeah.
And pull your hat down over your eyes, Luke.
Anybody come around asking fool questions, I'll take care of them.
Thanks, Wichita.
I sure wish I could find some trace of that killer.
Oh, forget it now, Luke.
I want to hear you snoring inside of two minutes.
While justice can't get no deader in the ears right now.
Eh, evening, stranger.
What can I do for you?
You can reach, mister.
This is the office of the Cattlemen's Association, stranger.
Why the six gun?
I'm asking the questions.
Who's the umbrae on the bed?
Well, uh...
Answer me.
Oh, him.
Drunk, sleeping it off.
So, you're the famous Luke Slaughter Tombstone.
What do you want, stranger?
That's what I wanted, Slaughter.
Put you to sleep for a while.
Wichita.
Wichita.
I shouldn't have taken my guns off.
You get your witch back.
I'll take over now.
Hey, hey, Slaughter.
Slaughter, they broke a window and I was fixing to rob a bank.
Who was?
There was two of them and now they're riding east out of town.
Oh.
Well, ain't you gonna follow them?
Why should I?
Well, you're ahead of the posse for the cattlemen.
You're supposed to take...
What about that other rider headed west?
Well, he weren't nowhere near the bank.
He came out of your office.
That's right.
Well, Slaughter, now look, we're standing here yammering.
Them thieves is getting that much farther.
Did they get anything?
No, but I told you, they broke a window.
I've got bigger problems than a broken window.
Go chase them yourself.
You...
All the high-handed clout in the trail ways to wink at a plain case of law.
What's going on anyway, Luke?
I don't know, Wichita.
I wish I did.
That dumb br... had no call to pistol-whip me.
You wouldn't have gotten away with it if I'd had my guns.
But remember, he thought he was pistol-whipping me, Wichita.
See, that's right.
Well, ain't you gonna try to chase them down?
No, it's almost dark.
Besides, who would you chase?
The two riding east who broke the window in the bank, or the one riding west who dented
your skull?
Well, yeah, clean getaway on all counts, huh?
No, Wichita, I don't think so.
I've got an idea.
Right now, let's get over to the old docks and get a plaster for your scalp.
You might need your head before the night's out.
Luke, you ain't told me one blame thing about where we're going or what you're up to.
I'm not sure myself.
Well, just riding in the moonlight won't get us nowhere.
Besides, I'd think you'd had yourself enough riding for one day.
I have.
I don't cut into a stranger cracking you over the side of the head with a pistol.
Yeah, I appreciate that, Luke, but...
There are some other things that just don't fit.
Such as?
Now, why did those bank robbers break a window?
That's noise.
Last thing a thief wants.
That's right, but that still don't explain why we're night riding out here a mile west
of town, headed for California.
We're not going that far, Wichita.
Rain up.
Oh, stand still.
Now what?
Well, I figure the wagon train that came through town just before sundown couldn't have gotten
any further than Mule Crossing before it bedded down.
Whatever.
I'm gonna pay him a visit.
Luke, this ain't no time for being social.
This isn't social, Wichita.
This is business.
You think that wagon train had something to do with all these things been going on?
Maybe.
You wait here behind these rocks and don't move out for anybody.
I'll whistle when I come back.
Why you want me to stay here?
Because I think I'm gonna need you later.
Well, hope you know what you're doing.
I'll know better in a half hour.
So long.
Dad, blame Titemau.
Hold up.
And don't you turn around.
Evening.
What's your business, stranger?
I want to talk to the boss of this wagon train.
Why?
Are you the boss?
No.
Then I'm talking to the wrong man.
Where's your boss?
Put up your hands and move on.
Slow.
Hey, Burwell.
Yeah?
This is Lanigan.
I'm coming in.
Come on in.
Don't sit out there and yell about it.
I got me a snooper.
Well, that's different.
There he is, Burwell, riding in like he own the camp.
Yeah.
Well, we ain't much for visitors when they come at us in the dark, mister.
What you want?
Some information.
What kind?
How many people in your train?
Where you're headed?
Where you camped last night?
And where you were on the trail the day before that?
Nosey, ain't he?
Maybe you gents ought to know my name.
Well, what is it?
Slaughter.
Luke Slaughter.
He ain't Luke Slaughter, Burwell.
Shut up, Lanigan.
I'll handle this.
Just who did you think I was, Lanigan?
Why, I...
We're pleased to make your acquaintance, Slaughter.
My name is Burwell.
I want you to light and enjoy the fire.
Thanks, Burwell.
How about those questions of yours?
What do you want to know about us?
For your own protection.
It was a murder 10 miles east of Tombstone early last night.
We haven't found the killer yet.
A bushwhacking, huh?
Yeah.
And whoever did it got away with several thousand dollars in gold.
Oh, say, that's too bad.
There's a couple of other things, too.
Just after you passed through town before sunset, there was an attempt to rob the bank.
You don't say?
And a good friend of mine named Wichita got pistol-whipped while that was happening.
What the hell?
Things are kind of active in Tombstone, ain't they?
Well, now, you don't think that my little outfit...
I think that your outfit might be in for trouble if it met up with any of these lawbreakers.
Oh, I see.
Those questions, Burwell.
Oh, sure, sure, Slaughter.
Well, there's 11 of us.
There's eight men, three women.
We left our city several weeks ago, headed for the ocean.
Camped on the trail last night.
No special place.
Have you seen anything or anybody unusual?
No, no.
Can't say I have.
Well, keep your eyes open, Burwell.
I wouldn't want to see an innocent wagon train get dry-gulched.
Oh, we'll do that, Slaughter.
Might a nice of you to ride out to Dallas.
Friendly thing to do, I figure.
Now, we ain't got much by way of hospitality, but I could lay the dust a little for you.
Well, now, that'll go down real good on a night like this.
Molly!
Yeah?
Bring the whiskey.
A man's got to have to forget his manners out on the trail, Slaughter.
Here's the jug, Hank.
Well, this here is Luke Slaughter, Molly.
This here's my wife.
Howdy, ma'am.
Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Slaughter.
Why don't you try this for size?
Thanks.
Just right.
Well, it's turning into a cold night.
Have another.
Well, thanks.
That does it.
It's time I got back to town.
Oh, by the way, Mrs. Burwell, one thing has me curious.
What's that, Mr. Slaughter?
Every wagon train I've ever seen carried at least half a dozen kids.
You don't seem to have any.
Some people don't have children.
I guess that's right.
It was just a thought.
You're being pretty personal, ain't you, Slaughter?
I didn't mean to be.
So long, Lanigan.
Maybe we'll meet up again sometime.
Yeah, yeah, sure.
Like I said, Burwell, be careful.
Adios.
In a moment, Luke Slaughter of Tombstone returns.
On CBS Radio's Gunsmoke Today, a colorful character named Livy learns that arson is a
crime no matter what the motive.
Livy doesn't want her son to grow up like his alcoholic father.
Her notion of how to keep the boy from drinking is set afire to every saloon in Dodge City.
When she threatens to act on her idea, however, she lights the fuse on an explosive situation
for Marshal Matt Dillon, as well as for herself.
For Adventure in the West, as our pioneers knew it, here this thrilling episode of Gunsmoke
Later Today on CBS Radio.
And now, Act Two of William M. Robeson's production of Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.
About time you was getting back, Luke.
I was beginning to know all the coyotes by name.
It was worth it, Wichita.
I've been talking to the man that pistol-whipped you a few hours ago.
He was.
And after that, Bunches had a chance to think it over, and I think we'll both be talking
to him.
It'll make sense, will you, Luke?
That wagon train, Wichita.
It's the headquarters for everything that's been happening around here lately.
It is?
Well, you just ain't gonna leave them out there and let them go on.
No.
Unless I'm dead wrong, they're gonna send a man gunning for me.
And I think I know who it'll be.
That pistol-whipper?
Yeah.
Listen.
That's one horse, Luke.
And one rider.
He's gotta slow down to get through these rocks.
And when he does, jump him.
That will be a pleasure.
Hey, hey, whoa.
Don't reach her, or I'll drop you.
What is this?
Get his guns, Wichita.
I already got him, Luke.
Slaughter.
Yeah, Lannigan, slaughter.
Can't a man ride in the town for a peaceful drink without being ambushed?
Light.
But I don't see why...
Get off that horse.
Yeah.
It's on.
It's on.
Lannigan, I want you to meet a friend of mine.
Wichita, this is the man who laid that gun barrel alongside your ear this evening.
I ought to kill you same as I would a skunk.
Wait a minute, boys.
It's against my nature to fight an unarmed man, Lannigan.
Any one of his guns, Wichita, barrel first.
Luke.
Now, put it in your holster, Lannigan.
And you're welcome to use it anytime you want to.
Slaughter, I...
Tell me the real story about that wagon tray, Lannigan.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Have you ever been pistol-whipped?
No.
No.
You're about to learn what it feels like unless you care to draw.
Slaughter, for the love of heaven, don't you...
You killed Carl Justice.
But I never heard of no Carl Justice.
He had $10,000 in gold yesterday.
What's it got to do with me?
Now he's dead.
Who killed him?
You tell me, or I'm gonna rake our gunsight through your left ear.
Talk or draw, Lannigan.
Who killed him?
You want another one?
No, no.
It was Burwell.
He told me not to, but he put up a fight, and Burwell...
A man doesn't fight with his back.
Why did you pistol-whip Wichita?
Well, it was Burwell's idea.
He heard about you, and he thought that if you was laid low for a while, people would
want to go after whoever did it.
That's what I figured.
Yeah.
And then a couple of the boys broke that window in the bank to make it look like...
Burwell's a pretty smart man, isn't he?
Oh, yeah.
He sure is.
But he made the mistake of getting feather-headed yellow gunslingers like you to work for him.
Look, you can't call me that.
I am calling you.
If it isn't true, draw.
Take his gun, Wichita.
He won't use it.
Oh, slaughter.
Please, give me a chance.
Just let me go, and I'll go back to dodge, and I'll never come out this way again.
Wichita, head his horse back toward camp and give it a slap.
Sure, Luke.
Well, what you gonna do, slaughter?
I'm gonna use you for bait.
Wichita, you walk him back into town.
Well, where are you going?
I'm not through here yet.
Oh, and get a message to Sutton.
Tell him to wake up the posse and spread him around the cattleman's office, ready to shoot.
Well, you can't face that whole wagon train by yourself.
I won't have to, Wichita.
When Lanigan's horse gets back to camp, they'll know something went wrong, and most of them
will go to town looking for me.
That's why I want that posse standing by.
Well, what do you want me to do with this here tail-dragging specimen when I get him
back to town?
I'm up in the back room of the cattleman's office and wait for me.
Oh, and don't light any lanterns.
You don't have no objections if I have to ruffle this wadi up some, do you?
None at all.
Well, come on, you.
Walk!
Get your hands up, all of you.
Who's out there?
Luke Slaughter, ma'am.
I do as I tell you.
What you holding a gun for, Slaughter?
Are there any guards out?
No.
All the menfolk rode into town a while back.
I liked your hospitality so well, Mrs. Burwell.
I came back for some more of it.
Then put that gun away.
You don't need that.
I think I might.
You see, Mrs. Burwell, I know the whole story.
What do you mean?
Flanagan talked, that's what I mean.
Well, now, that puts a different light on things.
How so?
Burwell lied to you about me.
He lied about everything.
But this is important.
I'm not his wife.
What of it?
You're a good-looking man, Mr. Slaughter.
Like some woman, a fine husband, a rich woman, Luke.
Meaning?
I know where there's a sack of gold big enough to last a man and a woman like you and me
for the rest of our lives.
I'll bet you do.
Why don't you call me Molly?
All right, Molly.
Have you ever kissed a high-spirited woman, Luke?
Why don't we get rid of the company first?
What do you want to do with them?
Tie them up, spread eagle on a wagon wheel.
You sure are smart.
We're going to get along fine.
Now about that gold, Molly.
No hurry, is there?
You might as well tell me no.
I don't know as I can trust you yet.
No.
No, you don't.
But I want to.
It's in a chest in the lead wagon.
Thanks.
Now stand over there with the rest of them.
What?
I want to tie you up too, Molly.
Slaughter, if I had a gun...
I know.
I'd be dead, just like Carl Justice.
Is that you, Luke?
Yeah.
Well, what's that sack you're carrying?
The gold that belonged to Carl Justice.
Very well, show up.
Yeah, it was six of his partners.
Come up on the boardwalk out front.
Thought they was going to break in for a minute, but they decided against it.
Heard one of them say it'd make too much commotion.
Where'd they go?
Right across the street there to the oriental.
That means when we fire up some lanterns, we'll have visitors.
Has the posse spread out?
Just like you said, on the roof of the oriental, on top of the bank, the dry goods store and
the express company.
Good.
How's Lanigan?
Well, he's going to have a sore head before he hangs.
And I had to persuade him just a little before he'd go to sleep.
Too bad.
Yeah.
Well, let's get this over with.
I'm going out the front door.
You light the lamps in the office.
Bye, Jogies.
This does my old heart good.
There he is now, boys.
Come on.
Stay where you are, Burwell.
Now, slowly.
Boys and me just want to talk to you.
Do you talking from right there?
I don't like to shout up and down the street.
I do.
Before you say anything else, I think you ought to know that you're covered by 18 guns,
20 including mine.
But in case you think I'm not telling the truth, I'll ask the men on the top of the
bank to speak up.
Now, just what did you want to talk about, Burwell?
Let's forget it, Slaughter.
Me and the boys will be moseying along now.
No, you won't.
I've got some talking to do.
Your women folk are tied up to the wagons out at your camp.
One of your gunslingers is tied up in the office behind me.
And he talked.
And this, Burwell, this is $10,000 in gold that I got out of your lead wagon.
It belonged to Carl Justice before you killed him.
You got anything to say now, Burwell?
I reckon you've said it all.
Then drop your guns and step forward.
All of you.
All right, men.
Close in and take them.
All right, all right.
Luke, that is a ding to step forward.
Luke, that is a ding, this thing I ain't ever seen.
Got every single one of them and didn't smoke up the town a bit.
Sometimes you're lucky, Wichita.
Don't fool around with a red hot branding iron until you're ready for the roundup.
Luke Slaughter of Tombstone, starring Sam Buffington, was written by Alan Botzer and
directed by William N. Robeson.
Editorial supervision by Tom Hanley.
Supporting Mr. Buffington were Gene Carson, Junius Matthews, Lawrence Dobkin, and Chet
Stratton, with music composed and conducted by Amerigo Marino.
Next week at this time, we return with...
Slaughter's the name.
Luke Slaughter.
When we meet up again, you can call me that.
Luke Slaughter.
This
is the CBS Radio Network.