WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:03.360 Hi there everybody, this is Ken Merton Tarzan 00:07.800 --> 00:12.040 Inviting you to join us again right here in the tack room of the old Diamond K. Ranch 00:12.360 --> 00:16.460 Get around the fire and listen to a story. I'm going to tell you today a story 00:16.460 --> 00:18.800 I called Chuck-A-Luck and the city of gold 00:19.680 --> 00:23.200 Chuck-A-Luck was an old prospector and desert rat among many other things 00:23.200 --> 00:29.540 I met him some years ago, and I want you to meet him too the city of gold was a ghost town and well 00:29.540 --> 00:31.040 I don't want to get ahead of my story 00:31.040 --> 00:35.400 So you gather around and get ready to hear a thrilling adventure just as it happened to me 00:35.720 --> 00:40.260 As Ken said from the tack room of his Diamond K. Ranch we're bringing you stories of adventure 00:40.760 --> 00:46.100 Stories of circus life, fascinating transcribed tales of the old west where cowboys still follow the cattle trail 00:46.480 --> 00:52.840 Stories of rodeos and parades, colorful legends of the red man, hidden gold and buried treasures 00:53.000 --> 00:57.280 The exciting tales from the Diamond K are told by Hollywood's champion of western stars 00:57.280 --> 00:59.280 Internationally famous Ken Maynard 00:59.880 --> 01:02.760 You know I can hardly wait to hear your story today Ken 01:02.760 --> 01:10.400 And I guess nobody ever outgrows and joins the fabulous tales of the west of cowboys and Indians of circus adventures and hidden treasures 01:10.400 --> 01:16.760 That's why I'm going to let you folks in on my secret. I bought a Diamond K. record album of Ken Maynard's story 01:16.880 --> 01:20.720 Yes, I did. Of course I'll have to admit that they were supposed to be for my kids 01:20.720 --> 01:24.240 But when the records arrived and the kids put the first one on the phonograph 01:24.240 --> 01:28.680 I was right there listening and I just couldn't leave till I heard both of the stories 01:28.800 --> 01:32.000 And you should have seen my young son's face when Ken Maynard said 01:32.800 --> 01:36.200 Hello Dave. This is Ken Maynard with a story just for you 01:36.200 --> 01:37.160 Yes, sir 01:37.160 --> 01:44.120 Ken said that right on the record and you can bet that all the kids in our neighborhood have been in to listen many times 01:44.320 --> 01:48.960 In buckaroos you'll get the same thrill when you have a Ken Maynard record album for your very own 01:48.960 --> 01:56.800 Personalize with your name spoken right on the record. It's a beautiful album with colored pictures of Ken and Tarzan on the front and 01:57.280 --> 02:00.820 Inside are two eight inch pure vinylite 02:01.360 --> 02:02.600 absolutely 02:02.600 --> 02:05.360 Unbreakable records with two complete wild west stories 02:05.640 --> 02:11.200 Now because these records are made of the most expensive materials you can play them over and over again and you can't wear them up 02:11.400 --> 02:13.400 So don't wait another minute 02:13.400 --> 02:19.960 Send your name and address them the dollar to records in care of this radio station and your album will be mailed 02:20.240 --> 02:23.320 Prepaid right from Hollywood now. Here's Ken 02:24.800 --> 02:30.360 Well, sir folks, I bet there isn't anyone in my audience listening to me today who doesn't know what a ghost town is 02:30.840 --> 02:35.040 But in case there may be someone who doesn't know I'll explain that it's the name 02:35.040 --> 02:37.920 We give to the old abandoned town scattered all over the West 02:38.360 --> 02:42.760 Once they were busy bustling places with sometimes as many as 20 or 30 thousand people 02:42.760 --> 02:44.760 But something happened and everybody went away 02:45.360 --> 02:48.960 Usually it was a gold mines which gave out of the silver veins were exhausted 02:48.960 --> 02:54.360 There was nothing else to keep folks there after that they drifted away the other fields where the diggings were better 02:54.920 --> 02:57.480 Some of the ghost towns were famous places in their day 02:57.960 --> 03:04.920 Find stores hotels and houses there was silver cliffs in Colorado many other romantic names in California and all over 03:05.480 --> 03:10.920 Would you like to hear some of them? Well, there was harness Chinese camp tunnel town volcano 03:10.920 --> 03:12.920 volcano Yankee Jim 03:12.960 --> 03:15.960 Michigan bluff El Dorada many many others 03:16.240 --> 03:21.480 But it doesn't take many years for a town to fall apart and whether away when I know people there to keep it going 03:22.080 --> 03:25.800 Well, sir, the ghost time I'm telling you about today was once called Rockerville 03:26.160 --> 03:31.840 Now the Monomaps anymore, and I might never have heard of myself if I hadn't run into Chuck-A-Luck. I 03:32.440 --> 03:37.560 Was sitting in the lobby of a little hotel one evening in a western town taking it easy and waiting for bedtime 03:37.560 --> 03:41.560 I saw a shabby old fellow come in and shuffle over to desperate 03:41.720 --> 03:47.880 They talked a few minutes the clerk kept shaking his head their voices got louder and I could make out the clerk saying 03:48.280 --> 03:53.320 Not yet. Mr. Ross says I was not to give you any more credits or overnight room 03:53.760 --> 03:56.240 I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay somewhere else 03:56.800 --> 04:02.240 The old man cussed in violent and colorful languages. Yammin. He's had on his head stonked out the front door 04:02.240 --> 04:09.240 I can see him stand on the sidewalk seemingly uncertain which way to go or what to do next. It was something by him that drew my 04:09.240 --> 04:14.840 Incisive I guess it was his manner of owning the whole world yet. He was a picture of a desert rat 04:14.840 --> 04:21.280 I got up one over to desk first a good evening. Mr. Maynard. He said everything all right. Oh sure 04:21.280 --> 04:24.960 I told him I just wonder who that old fellow was if you were talking to you 04:25.080 --> 04:25.720 You know 04:25.720 --> 04:30.720 I'm interested in unusual stories of the West and that old man looks to me like he could tell one if you could ever get 04:30.720 --> 04:32.160 him to talk 04:32.160 --> 04:35.720 The clerk laughs that's old Chuck-a-luck. You can get in the talk 04:35.720 --> 04:40.240 You'll do more than anybody else can comes into town once or twice a year for supplies 04:40.240 --> 04:44.420 He used to say overnight here paying good money for it like anyone else 04:44.880 --> 04:49.400 But the last few times though he's tried to run out without paying and mr 04:49.400 --> 04:54.600 Ross the hotel owner told me not to put him up anymore. I'm sorry for mr. Maynard, but that's my heart 04:55.040 --> 04:57.160 Why don't you go out and talk to him if you want to? 04:57.760 --> 04:59.760 Thanks. I said I think I will 04:59.760 --> 05:05.480 Chuck-a-luck was still standing out in front looking plenty angry muttered to himself. I walked up to him quietly 05:05.480 --> 05:08.600 Hello, Chuck-a-luck. I said I'm Ken Maynard 05:09.280 --> 05:12.080 You'll let a stranger give you a helping hand. I'd like to do it 05:12.880 --> 05:18.920 Chuck stopped his mother and turned on me a person and angry look and his face were like he scratched his stubby beard 05:19.440 --> 05:25.040 Maynard he said I reckon you ain't no stranger. I'll hear it of you. I'll accept your help 05:25.040 --> 05:28.040 Thank you. I'm plumb tired and want to go to bed 05:28.040 --> 05:31.040 That high and mighty feller in there gets me rile 05:31.040 --> 05:34.040 I could buy his hotel if I wanted to and a dozen more like it 05:34.760 --> 05:36.760 Fix it up with him. I'll see you in the morning 05:37.160 --> 05:42.640 With that he turned around and walked back into the hotel without even glancing at the desk clerk and stalked up the stairs 05:43.360 --> 05:48.400 Well, I fixed it up as Chuck-a-luck asked the next morning. I was down early waiting for him 05:48.400 --> 05:51.520 I figured he might feel more like talking after a good night's rest 05:52.360 --> 05:56.200 Wasn't long till down he come looking at faces for weather-beaten shabby 05:56.200 --> 06:01.440 Old man could he did the stop at all but headed straight for the front door saying to me as he went 06:01.440 --> 06:05.880 Howdy young fella. You got the price of a breakfast. Let's go. I 06:06.760 --> 06:09.720 Caught up with him down the street. We went him not saying a word 06:10.200 --> 06:13.560 It was only after he'd put away a man-sized stack of hotcakes and eggs 06:14.720 --> 06:17.840 That he leaned back and begin a talk young fella 06:17.840 --> 06:21.360 You're the first guy who's done me a kind turn since I can remember 06:21.360 --> 06:24.480 I'd like to show you something because I know you can be trusted 06:24.480 --> 06:26.480 How'd you like to come along home with me? 06:26.880 --> 06:31.880 This really took me by surprise, but I told him I'd like to if he was right sure he'd like to have me for company 06:32.720 --> 06:38.080 Well meet me north of the edge of town about half an hour and bring that horse of yours of what's his name? 06:38.800 --> 06:43.400 Tarzan I said yeah. Yeah bring Tarzan cuz you'll need him 06:44.200 --> 06:48.840 Well, I checked out a hotel and settled Tarzan down for stables. I laid in a few supplies 06:48.840 --> 06:51.560 I figured I might need in about half an hour 06:51.560 --> 06:58.360 I was waiting at the north edge of town pretty soon along came Chuckaluck riding a very good horse with a well-turned saddle 06:59.160 --> 07:03.160 Tarzan when they greeting friendly like Chuck pulled up beside me. I 07:03.800 --> 07:08.760 Want to warn you young fellow is fast riding for two days if you can't take it you better turn back now 07:09.240 --> 07:13.720 I told you might spend all my life in the saddle in the wild cuz it didn't bother me a bit 07:14.040 --> 07:19.240 All right, then he said I want to tell you I'm mayor and only living resident of Rockerville 07:19.240 --> 07:24.120 That's where we're going the ghost town young fella. If you ain't scared, let's go 07:24.840 --> 07:28.160 So off we went riding north into the mountains of some of the wildest country 07:28.160 --> 07:33.800 I've ever seen toward the place. I'd never heard of me wanting to fold Chuckaluck was just crazy after all 07:34.200 --> 07:37.560 But as you'll find out when I finished this story was far from crazy 07:38.120 --> 07:43.400 And a ghost town can hold secrets to surprises, especially when the ghosts are made of solid gold 07:44.600 --> 07:47.040 Now kids set back in your chairs there and I'll tell you what 07:47.040 --> 07:52.280 Now kids set back in your chairs there and relax a minute. I'll finish my story in just a minute 07:52.280 --> 07:54.280 Don't miss the finish. It's a humdinger 07:54.920 --> 07:58.400 But before I get back to the story, I just want to tell you k-shirt owners 07:58.400 --> 08:02.440 I'm mighty proud. I am to know I have so many friends why gosh darn 08:02.600 --> 08:07.580 They tell me the postman can hardly carry all the letters that come in each day asking for a k-shirt like mine 08:07.580 --> 08:09.580 I told you the story didn't I? 08:09.580 --> 08:15.160 I thought I designed this k-shirt for me to wear while I'm practicing tricks with Tarzan to get ready to travel again with 08:15.160 --> 08:18.200 The circus and how all the kids in the neighborhood one one like it 08:18.520 --> 08:24.240 Well, the fellow says it still goes you want a real Western k-shirt like mine made especially to fit you 08:24.240 --> 08:27.220 Of course, you could get one for just a one dollar bill 08:27.480 --> 08:34.240 The k-shirts real pretty sandy color with my diamond K brand like smack on front in bright red and Tarzan 08:34.240 --> 08:35.440 I are looking right at you 08:35.440 --> 08:38.560 So if you want to join the rest of the kids that's join the diamond K 08:38.800 --> 08:41.920 Just send me your name and address. Tell me what size you wear 08:41.920 --> 08:49.280 Two four six eight ten or twelve and then close a one dollar bill and send it to k-shirt and care of this radio station 08:50.840 --> 08:52.840 Well now let's get back to Chuckaluck 08:53.360 --> 08:56.760 We can't the first night foreign the wild mountains beside the stream 08:57.280 --> 08:58.920 He was never very talkative 08:58.920 --> 09:04.880 But he did tell me that his name Chuckaluck was pinned on him when he used to run a gambling hall in the Klondike during the Gold Rush 09:05.380 --> 09:11.400 He never would tell me his real name the thing that puzzled me most of all was that his equipment his gun and so on 09:11.400 --> 09:14.080 We're all first class all except his clothes 09:14.080 --> 09:19.560 I wondered why if he had no money for a hotel room or he Gus's fine stuff 09:20.280 --> 09:26.680 Well, so the next even found us the long narrow Canyon and following it for some miles with the mountains on each side getting steeper and 09:26.680 --> 09:29.320 Steeper we suddenly rounded turn and there it was 09:29.960 --> 09:34.240 Rockerville the queen of ghost town and looking pretty ghostly in the gathering dust 09:34.880 --> 09:40.760 It's hard to tell you how strange it feels to ride into a place like that at twilight with the odd sensation that any minute 09:40.760 --> 09:45.920 Somebody's going to come out of a store or walk up the street and you'll wait and nobody does ever 09:46.440 --> 09:52.420 You try to picture how it must have been when the town was bustling with roaring miners and lively cowmen and tough shopkeeper 09:52.440 --> 09:55.800 But somehow you just can't do it. It's been dead too long 09:56.480 --> 10:01.980 But none of this seemed to bother Chuckaluck to him. This was home. He looked as happy as a cowboy on payday 10:02.560 --> 10:06.940 He led me down the dusty streets of the old black a saloon the best preserved building in town 10:06.940 --> 10:11.540 After tending our horses we went inside and Chuckaluck with a couple of oil lamps 10:12.180 --> 10:14.340 Come on out in the kitchen. I'll fix you some grub 10:14.340 --> 10:19.940 He said as I watched him slice bacon and put on the beans. I realized that Chuckaluck was ready to talk 10:20.660 --> 10:22.500 I'm lonesome here. Sure 10:22.500 --> 10:27.620 He said but I'm my own boss and I'd rather be lonesome than to put up with some of these darn fool people 10:27.620 --> 10:29.340 I'm eating the world outside 10:29.340 --> 10:32.340 Of course if you count the ghosts I ain't so lonesome after all 10:32.340 --> 10:38.180 In fact, it was a ghost who showed me where the stuff is and he grinned at my puzzled expression 10:38.540 --> 10:43.900 It's a fact. I'm an old man. I aim to live here till I die and be one of the ghosts myself 10:44.220 --> 10:46.700 But you're a good feller and done me a kind turn 10:46.700 --> 10:51.260 I figure when I'm gone somebody ought to know where the stuff is and get some good out of it 10:51.620 --> 10:56.740 Maybe you can't see the ghost like I can so after supper. I'll show you myself where it's hidden 10:57.420 --> 10:59.540 Well, I understood what Chuck was talking about 10:59.540 --> 11:05.700 But I still didn't believe he had anything valuable hid around and if for the ghost well that I could believe I 11:06.220 --> 11:09.780 Figured I'd been seeing them myself if I'd have stayed in Rockerville very long 11:10.500 --> 11:15.780 When we'd face the beans drunk couple cups of coffee Chuck took the oil lamp led me behind the bar 11:15.780 --> 11:21.740 There was a trapdoor in a floor leading down some steps to the cellar where I guess they stored supplies long ago 11:22.340 --> 11:26.980 The walls were lined with rock and one of them was loose and lifted out though 11:26.980 --> 11:33.460 You never could tell it by looking at it Chuck reached in until my amazement brought out several small sacks of gold dust and a few 11:33.460 --> 11:35.340 Nuggets of thumbnail size 11:35.340 --> 11:39.980 There's more in there. Maybe more other places, but that's all the ghost showed me said 11:41.180 --> 11:44.420 It took care of me a long time, but I do go broke 11:44.860 --> 11:47.420 You see I have to be darn careful how I trade it 11:47.420 --> 11:50.380 I'd have a thousand farmers up here tearing the place down 11:50.380 --> 11:54.220 I just use the dust and never go to the same time more than once a year 11:54.220 --> 12:00.780 I tell people I'm panning they get nosy they figure I work all year for just a little so they let me alone 12:01.060 --> 12:05.260 Works out fine, but hard for me to cash in without getting folks excited 12:05.260 --> 12:11.460 So I don't have much use for them. I reached in and out of a worn leather bag brought out a handful of perfect beauties 12:12.220 --> 12:15.660 Where'd this come from Chuck? I asked him still hardly believe in my eyes 12:16.580 --> 12:22.340 No one will ever know he said but somebody must have left it meaning to come back and never got to I 12:22.340 --> 12:25.140 Figured the ghost knows if he'd talk 12:26.820 --> 12:31.100 Well say there's a real Western story for you with a lot of color in it, too 12:31.260 --> 12:38.340 Gosh, what excitement and you kids will find the same wonderful action-packed tales on the diamond K record album to play any time 12:38.340 --> 12:44.340 You want stories that you really want to hear over and over again and to play for all your friends? 12:44.340 --> 12:49.460 And what a thrill when you hear Ken's voice speaking right to you on the record and calling you by name 12:49.460 --> 12:55.260 He'll say hello Phil or hello Paul or whatever your name is right on the record 12:55.260 --> 12:58.420 And remember you can't buy these Ken Maynard records in any store 12:58.420 --> 13:05.300 This is his own private diamond K album of 78 rpm standard speed records that can only be ordered by 13:05.580 --> 13:10.980 Writing to this radio station these records are made of the finest material that money can buy 13:10.980 --> 13:17.220 And they have a picture of Ken and the picture of Tarzan right on the records and on the album, too 13:17.220 --> 13:22.580 So send today send your name and address and be sure to include your name 13:22.780 --> 13:28.900 So Ken can say hello to you and slip a dollar bill in the envelope and send it to records and care of this station 13:28.980 --> 13:32.260 Your album will be mailed direct from Hollywood 13:32.940 --> 13:35.580 Now here's Ken to tell you about his next story 13:36.540 --> 13:41.340 Well folks, it's time to bring our story round up to a close. This is Ken Maynard and Tarzan 13:41.340 --> 13:45.340 Closing up the tack room at the Diamond Key Rest till I see you next time when I'll tell you the story 13:45.340 --> 13:50.140 Closing up the tack room at the Diamond Key Rest till I see you next time when I'll tell you the story 13:50.780 --> 13:56.260 Craters of the moon we'll be looking for you so long. You've been listening to tales from the diamond case 13:56.860 --> 14:03.100 Stories of adventure told by Ken Maynard internationally famous cowboy and Hollywood's champion of Western stars 14:03.100 --> 14:11.100 Tales from the diamond K was produced and transcribed in Hollywood