 Starring Joel McRae is Ranger Jase Pearson. Another authentic re-enactment of a case transcribed from the files of the Texas Rangers. Fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of record. Monday through Friday there's top entertainment all day long when you set your radio dial to NBC. Listen for Double or Nothing and you'll hear one of radio's funniest quiz shows. Yes, Walter O'Keefe consistently comes up with great comedy entertainment Monday through Friday on Double or Nothing. Listen and you'll agree. Then there's the program with a heart, Strike it Rich. The grand entertainment that Warren Hall brings you every day on Strike it Rich is just what the doctor ordered if you suffer from the housework blues. From Chicago, Tommy Bartlett brings you Welcome Travelers and interviews with the many interesting guests who each day pass through the windy city. And for more fun, listen for Bob and Ray, those two zany comics. Then there's Music and Charm with Dial Dave Garroway. You'll remember every day Monday through Friday, chase your blues away with the wonderful daytime programs on this station of the NBC Radio Network. And now here's today's adventure with the Tales of the Texas Rangers. Tales of the Texas Rangers, the case called Troop Train. It is 4.30 a.m. on the morning of January 6, 1943. About 12 miles east of Humboldt, Texas, an army troop crane roars westward through the darkness. In the smoking room of one sleeping car, a burly private of 30 players solitaire. His lone companion, a 19-year-old PFC, stares out of the window. What do you see out there in the dark anyway? Taxes? Take a good look. It'll be a long time. You live around here, don't you? I'm about 40 miles south, Pinker, Texas. My mother had an operation a couple of days ago. Sure wished I could see her. You got it bad, kid. Never can beat this game. Ever been away from home before? We used to go to Beaumont to visit my grandmother. Never been out of Texas in my whole life. You ain't missed nothing. I've been as far as New Jersey. You can have it and this stinking army with it. Why, you always sound off about the army. Maybe you found a home in it. Well, it's the only one we'll have for a mighty long time. Not me. I'm saying adios any minute now. Like I told you back at camp, I'm getting off this train before we get to that port. You, uh, you've been thinking about what I was telling you? Well, yeah, I guess I have. But I ain't skipping the outfit. Well, I am. No job's gonna shove a bayonet in my belly. How are you gonna get off the train? Well, we're starting up the cap rock. I can jump off easy anytime the train slows down on one of these upgrades. Suppose you get caught? I expect to be sooner or later. Don't you see it, kid? They catch me. Give me a caught marshal. I get six months or a year. That's better than a jab bullet, ain't it? I don't know. You could go home and see your mother and wait for the MPs to bring you back so you get six months. Or maybe you can volunteer overseas duty and they forget the caught marshal. Well, suppose they're waiting there before he even sees my mother. They won't even know we're gone until they get to the POE. What do you say, Darcy? If I could get back to the outfit again. Better make up your mind. I'm taking off. You coming? It's taking a big change. I'll just say yes or no. All right, I'm coming. Good deal. Now let's make it fast. We're in a pretty rugged country. We got a lot of walking to do. Coming up. Gonna get hot pretty soon. You know what's a little heat? As long as we're away from that chicken army. Well, how's it feel to be a free man, Darcy? I'm sorry I did it. Ah, what's eating you? No, I've been thinking. You got me in a lousy mess. Ah, if I'm crying out loud, I did you a favor. You was on your way overseas. No, I wish I still was. What's got into you anyway? It wasn't right to leave the other guys. It wasn't right. Now why did you go? You want to see your mother, don't you? Yeah, I did. It's not this way. You think I want her to find out I'd... I'd deserted? She was proud I was in the army. All right, cry, baby. Shut up! Who are you telling this shut up? Are you touching me, Leo, and I'll bust you with one of them rocks? Ha, now look, kid, we're traveling together. Let's keep it peaceful, huh? Well, okay. Hey, hey, there's a road up ahead. Can you make out that sign on the fence? Uh, keep cattle gate closed, math or ranch. Hey, maybe we can chow down with the hands. I'm giving myself up since we're at their ranch house. Oh, no, you're not. Look, I ain't listening to you no more. If I tell the army the truth, maybe they'll let me go back to the outfit. You ain't going nowhere except with me. No cry, baby, is going to ruin my plans. I don't care about your plans. I'm going back to the outfit. That's what you said. Let me go! You can't stop me! I'll show you what I can't do. Oh, you dirty little... You can't stop me! I don't want to fight you no more, Benson. So don't start up again here. All right, come on. Get up and let's get going. Hey, Benson. Why don't you get up? Benson. Benson, what's wrong with you? Holy cow. This morning, the sheriff of Humboldt County was called to the Mather Ranch. Elderly Pete Mather had been severely beaten and his car stolen. The sheriff drove to the scene and immediately requested the aid of the Texas Rangers. Rangers Jase Pearson and Clay Morgan met the sheriff at the ranch at 11 a.m. After a brief talk with the sheriff, the Rangers went into the bedroom to interview the victim. Sounds like somebody really worked the old man over. Yeah, hoping to give us a lead on who did it, huh? Mr. Mather? Yes? I'm Ranger Pearson. This is Ranger Morgan. You feel up to answering a few questions? Go ahead. Would you tell us exactly what happened? Well, I went to the barn and fixed some harness and heard something round back and went around to look. What was it, Mr. Mather? The soldier was trying to stop my car. I got a .32 reel, parked it around there. He was trying to steal it. And what'd you do? Well, I yelled at him and told him to get out of there and ran over to pull him out. He jumped out on me and knocked me around. I fell down and he kicked me in the head. What'd he look like? He had an army uniform on. He had blood on it. His face marked up like he's been fighting. Was he a big fella, Mr. Mather? Well, he's better than average size, black hair. The Texas boy, where he talked, I'd known him again if I saw him. Remember anything about his uniform, shoulder patch, anything like that? Patch? Yeah, usually worm just off the left shoulder. It tells what outfit he's with. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I do remember. It was a kind of a bell and a firecracker going crossways in front of it. It's the 903rd Infantry Division, Jason. The camp's located over in each part of the state. And there was a down shop. Yeah, could be anyone of 15,000 men. We learned the 903rd Division had left their camp and because of the troop movement, no man had been granted leave. The Army promised a quick check with the 903rd. The next morning, at Ranger Headquarters, I received a call from the Adjutant General's office. Thanks. Thanks a lot. Well, what'd you find out, Jason? Plenty. Two soldiers went AWOL from the 903rd. One's Frank Dorsey and the other's Leo Benson. Both disappeared from a troop train on the Santa Pay, somewhere in this general area. Well, we can break down even further. Mr. Matthew said the soldier was a Texan. Both are. Dorsey comes from Pinker and Benson's hometown's Abilene. Pinker's only 40 miles from here. Maybe we better go over there first. Could be Dorsey wanted the car to get home. Let's go pay him a visit. We drove over to Pinker, Texas, and went to Dorsey's address. Turned out to be a small farmhouse about five miles north of town. No one seemed to be at home. Think he's in there playing possum? Could be. Let's go around. Hey, wait a minute. The car's slowing down to turn in here. Yeah. Looks like a girl driving. She's alone. Dorsey could have ducked down the seat. Well, I guess she's alone, all right. Live here, miss. Yes, I do. Frank Dorsey, any kin to you? He's my brother. I'm Norma Dorsey. I'm Ranger Pearson. This is Ranger Morgan. Can you tell us where your brother is? Well, he's on his way overseas. Have you heard from him lately? Well, I... Miss Dorsey, has your brother been here? Oh, please, Ranger, give the kid a break. He's in trouble, you know. He'd help us. He'd make it easier all the way around. Frank was here. He came home yesterday. Poor kid looked terrible. He was tired, and his uniform all messed up. He told me all about jumping off the train. Is he here now? No. I want you to know why he did it, though. Why he went AWL. Even a good reason won't excuse him, miss. Well, I want you to know anyway. You see, my mother's sick. Frank went to the hospital to see her last night. He'll probably never see her again. Well, that's why Frank went AWL. I'm sorry, Miss Dorsey, but we still have to pick him up. It'd be less trouble if you'd tell us where he is. All right. Frank's on his way to Dallas. I just saw him off on the 918 bus. Thank you. Come on, Clay. Well, he's gonna turn himself in. Why can't you leave him alone? Because he didn't leave someone else alone. A lady selling tickets at the bus station in Pinker told us Frank Dorsey got on a continental bus to Dallas. We took off down the highway after it. 30 minutes later, we spotted the bus. That's it, Jase, up the head. Wag him down when I pull alongside. Hey, driver! Pull over and stop! Driver sure looks surprised. He probably thinks he's getting a ticket. I wonder what Dorsey did with the rancher's car. He abandoned it somewhere, I guess. We'll find out. You go on in, Jase. We've got a passenger on here we want to talk to, driver. Only take a minute. About a half a dozen soldiers back there, Jase. Just look for the 903rd shoulder patch. Right. Hey, that must be him. You Frank Dorsey? Yes, sir. You better come with us. What for? We'll talk about that outside. Got any luggage with you, son? No, sir. Let's go. Thanks, driver. You can go now. I was trying to get back to Dallas. You're going the wrong way, son. You're out if it isn't in, Dallas. Come on, get in. Yes, sir. I was going there to catch a plane for San Francisco. That's where the division went. I'm willing to go back to the outfit and face charges. You didn't pick you up for going AWOL. You know that. And what for, then? Well, beating an old rancher half to death. An old rancher? Well, no, I didn't. Where were you yesterday morning? Anywhere near the Mather Ranch? Well, yes, sir, I was. That's when Pete Mather was beaten up. How about it? Pete Mather? Look, Rangers, I jumped off a train and went home, but I didn't beat up any old man. No? How'd you get those bruises, then? I mean, jumping off a train. And you didn't steal Mather's car, I suppose. No. You know another soldier, a fellow named Leo Benson? Yes, sir. I know him. Did he jump off the train with you? No, sir. I was alone. And you're the one soldier from the 903? It was close enough for the Mather Ranch to have done it. But I didn't! We think you did. Let's see what Pete Mather thinks. Mather Ranch a little after 12. I stayed with Dorsey in the car while Clay went in to get permission from the old man to bring the prisoner in. Clay came back and said Pete Mather was anxious to see if we really had his assailant. We took Frank Dorsey into the house. Let's go in the bedroom, Dorsey. Howdy, Mr. Mather. How are you feeling today? Oh, that fellow you want me to look at? Yes, sir. Have you ever seen him before? Bring him closer to the bed. I want to take a good look at him. That's enough, Dorsey. Mr. Mather, you don't know me. Tell him you don't. How about it, Mr. Mather? Is this the soldier who beat you up? Looks like you made a mistake, Rangers. I've never seen this boy before in my whole life. In just a moment, we will continue with Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jase Pearson. Now that spring is officially here, most of us will be pleasure driving on the highways more often than previously. But when you drive, keep in mind that road conditions in many areas are still dangerous. Remember that when you drive, you always have an unwelcome passenger, danger. So as you take the family for a Sunday outing in your automobile, drive carefully. Careful driving is good driving. The men who drive for a living, the truck drivers, are taught to be careful and courteous. They know that careful and courteous driving are two of the major reasons why accidents don't happen. Yes, statistics of the American Safety Council show that the majority of automobile accidents happen because the drivers involved were not careful, were not observing traffic laws and road conditions. And here's a slogan for every driver to remember. A rolling ball is always followed by a running child. So when you drive, please be careful. The life you save may be a child's. And now let's return to the tales of the Texas Rangers. We continue now with tales of the Texas Rangers and our authentic story, Troop Train. Pete Mather insisted Frank Dorsey was not the man who attacked him. We left a few minutes later to drive Dorsey into town. We planned to leave him with a sheriff who would hold him for the Army authorities. So we brought you up here, Dorsey, but we thought it was you. It's the only way to find out. Yes. There's only one way I can see it. The other GI who jumped the train, Leo Benson, must have been him. Why do you say that? The soldier who beat up Pete Mather was from your division. You and Benson, the only ones missing from the 903rd. He must have jumped right after you did. Oh, yeah, yeah, I see. Benson's home address was Abilene, wasn't it, Jayce? Well, head down there, huh? Yeah, as soon as we hand Dorsey over to the sheriff. Listen, I gotta tell you. What is it, Dorsey? I gotta tell someone. I couldn't sleep last night. I kept seeing him all night. I kept seeing him the way it happened. Seeing who? It wasn't Benson who beat up that old man. And you won't find him in Abilene. How do you know? I killed him. You did what? You say you killed Benson? It was an accident. He talked me into jumping off the train with him. After I did, I figured out what a big mistake I made. I wanted to turn myself in. He wouldn't let me in. Well, we got into a fight. He hit his head on the rock. There was blood all over him. Where was this? Back at that old man's ranch. Just off a little dirt road. Suppose you show us where. Stop by this cattle gate. Through this gate and over that way. He's right over there on the other side of that brush. Pretty isolated place. No telling when the body would have been spotted. Ah, and Buzzard would have found it pretty soon. Do I have to go with you? I'm getting sick to my stomach. Stay here with him, Clay. Okay. We started fighting just about there. You say you left him behind this brush? Yes. Nothing wrong, Jay? Yeah. Blood on the rock, all right. There's no body. Frank Dorsey to the local jail. At the aid of the sheriff and his deputies, we searched the entire area. No trace of Benson was found. Ranger Morgan and I then drove to Abilene. Benson's address was a garage apartment in the rear of a large, run-down house. Up those steps again. A woman at the back door of that house. What's that, ma'am? Been gone a couple of days. We wanted to see Mr. Benson. Is he here? Him? No, he's in the army a long time now. You any kin to the Benson's? Heck no. Just ran him to our apartment. I live up here in the front house. Do you have a key to their place? We'd like to look around. Well, I'll show you where there is one. Mr. is in my back something awful. Ain't hardly walk. What you want him for? Something bad? We just want to talk to him. Oh, that man's plum no good. Running around the whole time he was here. I suppose now he's in the army. He's got the whole country to run around in. Yeah, she always keeps extra key under this map for the ice man. Better get it on my back something fierce to do. I'll get it. Rangers, now I don't like to get in the way of the law or nothing like that, but you sure it's all right for me to let you in a fire? I won't get in no trouble with that. We brought a search warrant, ma'am. Ma'am, sure it looks legal, don't it? Well, you boys better go on ahead. Take me some time to get up there and stay. All right, ma'am. Come on, Clay. If he isn't dead, he could have come home yesterday and taken off with his wife. Or else he might have gone out to pick him up somewhere. There's still a chance he's up here hiding out. Yeah. Try again, huh? She wasn't home? You're the key! Yes, ma'am. Take a look in that bedroom, Clay. I'll see what's in this closet here. Right. What is it, Clay? There's nobody here, but take a look at this. Benson's uniform. Quite a bit of blood on it. He was here alive, anyway. Dorsey would be glad to hear that. It's like they cleaned the place out. Did you check the closet? No, I'll get it now. Some clothes still in here? Sure, ma'am. You're the death of me. I ain't nearly as surprised. Why'd you take my bedding? Maybe she sent it to the laundry. No, linen belongs to me. I never clean ones every Monday. Blankets are gone, too. I wonder why she took them. A lot of clothes left in the closet, Jayce. Didn't take everything. I'll check the kitchen. Okay. I want to look in this bureau. Nice. She sure keeps a sloppy house, don't she? That wind of the rain been washed in a couple of three years, I'll bet. Plenty of stuff in here. Would you pick Benson's picture out for me, ma'am? Glad to. I'll see him. And that wedding picture. Oh, here's another one of him. I reckon that's cabin where they used to go. And there's more pictures of that cabin. Is that their car in this picture? Let me see. Uh-huh. Well, they still got that. That's his wife next to him. Have you ever seen this man near the other car? Uh-uh. Never saw him before. Say you sure caught him as a fish, didn't you? The Benson's own that cabin? Don't rightly know. He never was very friendly. Have you any idea where it might be located? No idea at all. Find anything, Clay? Yeah, in a way. It's what I didn't find. They took all the food with them. Take a look at this photo album. Yeah, look here. Back here. This is Benson and his wife at a cabin. See there? Look at the year of the license plate on their car. 1939. Yeah, look here. Same cabin, same car. Only the license is for 1940. Uh-huh. There's some more snaps taken there in 41. They kept going back there. Maybe they own it. Oh, no, they couldn't own it. Since they took all the food in bedding, seems logical. They might have headed for a place like that. You know where it is? No. But the owner of that other car in the picture does. You can locate him through that license number. You might add up to something, might not. That's what we're going to find out. We checked the license number of the car in the picture. Belonged to a man named Harry Steeleman. Steeleman worked at a cotton compress in the edge of town. We went there. All right, you finished that line. We're moving on those bales at that end. All right, all right. Mr. Steeleman? Yeah. Hold on a minute, will you? Charlie, we haven't got him. We'd like to talk to you. All right, let's go back to the office. Come on, keep them bales moving in. We've been having nothing but trouble. Compress broke down. We lost four hours this morning. I'll never catch up with this rain. Uh, something I can do for you? We're looking for Leo Benson. Have you seen him? Leo? Not for six, eight months. He's in the Army. You heard from him lately? No, I haven't. The most two of my best men to the Army in the past week. What new fellas I can get are slower than cold molasses. Are you and Benson good friends? Yeah, I've known him a long time. Used to get to get every once in a while. Ever go fishing with him in a cabin, maybe? Yeah. A couple of times. Where? Down the Blanco River country. He used to kill him. Celia, that's Leo's wife, her dad, left it to her. You know if they keep food and bedding in the cabin? No, I'm pretty sure they don't. They only went up there once in a while. Anything else? And just one more thing. Yeah. How do we get to this cabin? I can show you on a map, but I can tell you one thing. Celia sure wouldn't be up there by herself. That's just what we were thinking. Steelman showed us the approximate location of the cabin on a map. Early the following morning, we drove down there. There's smoke over there. That must be it. Let's park the car here and find out. Go up to Steelman's direction. That's just about where the cabin should be. Uh-huh. Oh, there it is. The clearing to the river. Let's go this way. No signs of life except that smoke. I don't see the car. And Benson's wife might have gone somewhere with it. I don't think he'd stick his nose out of these woods. Open up, Benson! Let's take a look in that window. They've been here all right. The dish is still on the table. Let's see what's up back. It's a great country for bass. I wouldn't mind if it... Hold it, Jason. What is it, Clay? Thought I saw someone move over there. There down by the river. Where? By that big boulder. You see? To the right of it. No one there now. Well, let's take a look. He was right about here. A couple of stones kicked over here. Still damp where they were. I guess it must have been someone. I'll take a look around back at the boulder. All right. Jason, the string of fish here is still wet. There he goes behind you, Jason! He's by the river! I'll get him! Get away from me! You okay, Jason? Yeah. All right, Benson. On your feet. You went to a lot of trouble for nothing, Ranger. I was going to give myself up anyhow. You were, huh? Sure I was. I'd rather spend a couple of years in jail than go overseas. That's better than getting my head shot off, ain't it? In your case, Benson, I'm not so sure. In just a moment, we will tell you the results of the case you have just heard. Later today, you will find more great entertainment all lined up for you on this NBC station. Next, it's The Big Show with a star-studded guest list and your unpredictable hostess, Tallulah Bankhead. And Meredith Wilson will be on hand to direct The Big Show, Orchestra, and Chorus. Later tonight, be sure to hear the hilarious Phil Harris and Alice Fay show, featuring the comediatics of Frankie Revely, Julius Abruzio, and Brother William. There's mirth and music with Phil and Alice and their delightful program. And remember, too, that Theatre Guild on the Air will bring you another entertaining dramatization of an exciting play co-starring two of your favorite Broadway stars. Yes, Sunday is Fun Day on NBC because of the many fine shows sent your way to add to your listening pleasure. Later tonight, a special broadcast featuring a speech by Benjamin Fairless. Remember, for fine entertainment all the rest of the day, stay tuned to this station of the NBC radio network. And now for the conclusion of Tales of the Texas Rangers. And now, here are the results of the case you have just heard. Frank Dorsey was turned over to the Army authorities and received six months' confinement for being absent without leave. Leo Benson was found guilty of car theft and assault and battery. He was sentenced to five years at Huntsville Penitentiary. Upon his release from prison, he was returned to the Army and received two years for desertion and a dishonorable discharge. In another authentic re-enactment of a case from the Files of the Texas Rangers, soon be seen in San Francisco's story, a Warner Brothers release. The broadcast included Tony Barrett, Peter Leeds, Sam Edwards, Herb Ellis, Vivi Janssen, and Janet Nolan. Technical advisor was Captain M.T. Lone Wolf-Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers. This story was transcribed and adapted by Bernard Edderer and Robert A. White, and the program is produced and directed by Stacey Keech. Hal Gibney speaking. Next, enjoy 90 minutes of comedy and music on The Big Show on NBC.