 The national broadcasting company presents Joe McCrae in Tales of the Texas Rangers Tonight transcribed from Hollywood another authentic reenactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers The Tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jase Pearson Texas more than 260,000 square miles and 50 men who make up the most famous and oldest law enforcement body in North America Tales of the Texas Rangers come these stories based on fact only names dates and places are fictitious for obvious reasons The events themselves are a matter of record a sport tonight Hanging by a thread 915 on the morning of May 5th 1947 the telephone rang in the sheriff's office in the little town of Finney, Texas Sheriff Hanson answered it Sheriff's office Hanson speaking Sure This is George Hawks. How are you George? What can I do for you? How's that? I just called to tell you I'm gonna kill myself. What did you say? Now now wait a minute George what hello operator Operator. Oh, this is the sheriff that caller just came in here. Where was it from one moment if this is someone's Idea of a practical Yes, that call was placed from three one step out on Gum Creek Road The residents are braced out to the Hawks ranch and found George Hawks dead hanging in the barn Then he made another discovery which prompted him to put in a call to the Texas Rangers Ranger Jase Pearson was assigned to the case and drove to the Hawks ranch to meet Sheriff Hanson Jase am I glad to see you. Howdy, Sheriff. It's been a long time. Yeah, month of Sundays Now I hope I didn't call you down here for nothing Jase, but this looks mighty fishy to me So I want you to take a look at the body hasn't been taken down yet No, I put in a call to the car and I but he was out somewhere I left a message for him to come out here as soon as they could locate him How'd you find out about the body sheriff? I got a phone call Jase about 915 Said it was George Hawks and he was going to kill himself. I thought maybe it was some jokers So I traced the call and It came from here. All right, so I drove out fast as I could but George was dead Hanging by the neck in the barn no pulse Body still warm Sheriff. I know you didn't call me down here to investigate a routine suicide. What's the catch? Well, I'm getting on that Come on the barn This is just the way he was when I found him You notice that's a wire. He's hanging from not a rope. Yeah cut off the clothesline problem here How do you know guest I saw the clothesline had been cut part of a dragon on the ground in the yard You rangers don't miss much do him not if we can help it sheriff. Well, I Want to show you something I found Look at this Right under the body It's an oil drum right and the exact position. I found it in on its side Now you'll notice Jace that It's the only thing near enough that George could have stood on while he put the wire around his neck Here's the rim marks where it stood on the straw before it was tipped over. Yeah only didn't stand on it Look at this end of the drum thick with dust now look at the other end Dusty too Jace is not a sign of a footprint on either end of this oil drum. You're right sheriff You couldn't have climbed up in the loft and jumped or that wire would have taken his head off Yeah, that's what I figured and that's why I called you. What about fingerprints? No couldn't find any just a few smears What is it spelled to you Jace just one word and an unpleasant one? murder Got my camera out of the car and took pictures of the body and we took down the broken clothesline and Nosed around for more evidence sheriff went up to look over the house while I combed the barn How'd you make out up at the house sheriff nothing Jace? Absolutely nothing no note from George everything tidy no sign of a struggle Funny nobody's around who would be ordinarily his wife milley one of the hands He had two men working from last I heard How are you coming Jace? I found a couple of things but not the thing I want. What's that? The tool that was used to cut the wire he's hanging on Oh, I found in the barn here was this pair of rusty pliers Well, couldn't they have been used to cut it? No sheriff. They wouldn't cut butter Beside the cuts to clean how about footprints? No luck yet, but I think I've found what the killer stood on to string the body up. What is stepladder? I found it under the tool bench been used lately marks in the dust where it's been dragged out and then pushed back What are you fixing to do Jace? Going up the ladder and take a look at the beam where the wires looped over here here I'd better hold it for you pretty rickety. Thanks Find something I think so What is it Jace look at this? Stuck on a splinter where the wire went over the beam. It's a piece of black thread. Yeah black wool thread Well you were a string saver Jace the case like this. Yes. Let's take a look outside What about a motive sheriff for suicide or murder? Either Can't think of a one-off hand George is a pretty normal guy happily married Didn't have any enemies that I know how about those two hands you mentioned Well this new one Brad Johnson been working for George about six months only met him a couple of times seem to be all right In a quiet sort of way and the other Old Tom. Oh, he's okay Drinks a lot George used to fire him regularly and then take him back when he sobered up There's no good footprints in the yard here. No ground's packed pretty hard. Oh Sheriff car coming up the house. Is that the corner that? Well, no that looks like well sure. That's George Hawks car. That's Millie driving it Mrs. Hawks. Come on. We'll have to tell our sheriff. This is the only part of the job. I really hate What are you doing out this way and morning mrs. Hawks, and this is range of Pearson howdy, ma'am range What's happened? What's matter? I'm sorry to have to tell you Millie But George Something happened to George. Yes He's dead We'll take you to the house Believe me do it. This is Hawks When did you last see your husband? Just a few hours ago at breakfast? How did he appear at breakfast? I mean was anything wrong was he upset about anything? Well, yes, there was a big fight at breakfast I never seen George gets mad a fight between you and your husband Well all four of us went on it old Tom and Brad was there too. They're the hide hands. How did it start? I cook breakfast for the four of us like I always do Old Tom was late. So we'd started to eat when we were about through old Tom came staggering and he was half drunk again Yes, sure again Then he and George had this big run George fired him for being drunk go on old Tom was fighting mad He gets mean when he's been drinking started making all kinds of wild accusations. What kind of accusations mrs. Hawks lies ranger All I'm lies. He said he wouldn't have been drunk if Brad hadn't bought liquor for him Brad Well, that's what he claims said Brad got him drunk on purpose. So it Oh, it was awful. So he could what? Well, it's a lie range. What did he say mrs. Hawks? Well old Tom said to Brad, I wouldn't be drunk if you didn't buy me this stuff You're always trying to get me out of the way. So I won't see you So I won't see you playing up to the boss's wife. Then what happened? Well Tom left and My husband started swearing and threatening Brad accusing him of what Tom said Brad said it was lying and George threw some money in his face and told me get off the place that he was fired, too What did Brad do? I thought for me he was gonna hit George, but he didn't he went outside in a few minutes late I heard his car starting and drove away By this time George was in a terrible rage even threatened to kill me So I grabbed the car keys in Iran. Did he ask you where you were going? Yes, he did range And I told him I was going in town to see mr. Harris the lawyer see about getting divorced. What time did you leave about 8 30? Rangie you said you found him hanging in the barn Well, if it was suicide why are you asking me all these questions because I don't think it was suicide mrs. Hawks I think it was murder After the coroner and the doctor arrived the sheriff borrowed a horse from the crowd I got charcoal out of the trailer and we headed for Tom's shack up in the hills There is Jace just around those rocks at Tom's horse sheriff raising up back. Yep He's around someplace up charcoal. Yes I just can't see old Tom as a killer Jace. He ain't the type Unspills full of him sheriff killers who aren't the type Try the front door. Okay. All right Tom open up He's not here Jace. I can see through the windows shacks empty Somebody shooting close by maybe Tom that shot came from back up in that draw on sheriff There he is back by that clip of trees that Tom sure is. Hey, he's running through all the trees all the time There we are. I'll put one over his head He's starving See what he's wearing Jace. Yeah Black sweater All right Tom throw down that rifle sure Why didn't you stop when I told you to well it's tell the truth Ranger. I didn't hear you. I'm kind of deaf I heard your shot. Oh, yeah, that's right Jace. He's hard of hearing. What's that sir? Oh never mind Why do you shoot at us Tom? Shoot at you. Why I never didn't know such thing. What were you doing then? Ain't no law against a man killing himself a rabbit for supper All right Get his rifle sheriff. Let's go up. What to? To your shack first, we're gonna have a long talk about George Hawks Okay, arrange I didn't know George was dead until you told me a minute ago What call would I have to kill him if he was killed? He was my friend You don't seem very clear about what happened this morning Tom. Well, I I was a bit foggy I had me a couple of nips, but I do remember George getting mad and firing me. What happened after that? Well, I took a few more out of the bottle than my saddlebag. I don't remember much after that I must have rode up here and fell asleep Woke up a while ago. I was hungry and I went out to get me a rabbit. Tell me Tom You often drop blank when you've been drinking you do our what Ranger have a blank space Do things you don't remember anything about later. Oh, I suppose I have once it Hey, wait a minute. I didn't do it. I couldn't have killed George. He was my friend He's your wire cutters on the table Tom. Oh Yeah, they are I'll take them and I think you'd better come along to town with us You are listening to tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jayce Pearson at our new Sunday time We hope that our many friends who have listened to us at the earlier hour will continue to be with us each Sunday And for those of you who are hearing our program for the first time We extend a warm and cordial welcome and invite you to be with us each Sunday from now on and Now we continue with tonight's case hanging by a thread an authentic story from the files of the Texas Rangers The finger was pointing straight at Tom When we got back to the Hawks ranch there was a man in the back lot feeding the hogs It was Brad Johnson the third witness at the breakfast fight Well, the sheriff took Tom in the town. I got Brad's version of what happened And then it threw the money in my face Ranger $30 told me I was fired I want to hit him, but I didn't then what brand then I got my duffer bag through it my con drove off Where'd you go to Finney? Drove around town for a few minutes and then I went to the white spot cafe and had a cup of coffee. What time was this? When I was in the cafe About 9 30 I guess why'd you come back here? Well, somebody in town said that George would kill herself and that the corner was on his way out here. So Well, I figured if it was true there wouldn't be anybody to do the chores He fired old Tom too and Mrs. Hawks always treated me so friendly Well, so I come out to do what I could Very nice of you Tell me Brad. Is there anything between you and Mrs. Hawks? No, sir. That's a lie Ranger They've even spoke to each other set them at mealtimes or say good morning. What are you planning to do now? Well, I don't know that Mrs. Hawks till she can get somebody I reckon I see Well, I got to be moseying along. Oh Don't leave town without letting me know. Oh, I won't ranger. I'll be around I Got the evidence off to Austin and then went to the white spot cafe Brad had been seen there at 9 30 and Mrs. Hawks had been with her lawyer half an hour before a Radioed headquarters that I was staying over in Finney in about nine that night. I got a phone call Hello I've got the report on that stuff you sent in today. You got a pencil sure have Captain shoot on that black wool sweater The thread you sent in the envelope matched all right. It's definitely off the sweater. How about the wire cutters? Alfred I got a disappointment for you there Jays. They couldn't get a match I'm afraid the motor wire wasn't cut with a tool you sent. Are you sure captain the boys in the lab are They made sample cuts with every millimeter of those blades and couldn't match up a single one with a motor wire What kind of a fix is that put you in Jays? I'm not sure. Well, thanks captain. I'll keep in touch with you All right, Jays good luck I was gonna need more than luck things were really getting tangled up It was about 4 a.m. When I finally dozed off trying to dope it out then at 8 30. I met the sheriff in his office Well, you look like you've been through the ring of Jays Hotel beds too hard for you now, but I didn't get much sleep time to figure this Hawks thing out Looks like we'll have to let old Tom go sheriff. Why what's up? My lab says Tom's cutters didn't cut that wire. They didn't no of course old Tom could have used other cutters But in his stupor, I doubt if he'd be that clever Well, I hate to complicate things more than they are Jays. What do you mean? Karna called a little while ago. He sent in his report over with one of my deputies should have been here by now His verdict is suicide Suicide doesn't make sense. Well apparently does to him. We'll know when the report gets here. Yeah George Hawks deceased climbed up a step ladder put a wire around his neck and then placed the ladder neatly under a Workbench 12 feet away. My dusty oil drum snarling things up Jason Morning Joe, do you get it? Yep? I had to wait while the car on the side it here it is. Yeah, thanks, Joe Anything more I can do sheriff. No not right now. Well, I'll go get me some breakfast there See no marks of violence on the victim's body autopsy disclose no brain injury death probably caused by strangulation Karna's conclusion suicide sign G Parker car There it is Jays couldn't be now here's something from the doctor I Examined the body at 11 30 a.m. There's my opinion the death occurred approximately three hours previously I'm a wait a minute sheriff. Well, what is it? That'd make it about 8 30 when George died What time did you say he called you at 9 15? Great Are you sure it was George who called well now you mentioned it? I'm not sure I said he was George could it have been somebody else Yeah, I suppose so beginning to piece together sheriff whoever it was could have killed George then called you and tried to sound like it To establish an alibi exactly and then pop up someplace else a few minutes later like the white spot cafe I'll call you later. Where are you going chase back to the Hawks ranch When I pulled up to the ranch Brad Johnson was running water into the big trough near the barn Pranks out this way. I want to talk to Mrs. Hawks. We're releasing Tom Horner's report came in a few minutes ago suicide. Is she around? Why sure? She's up in the house. Okay. Oh I I Just happened to think Charcoal my horse here in the trailer hasn't had a square meal since I left headquarters yesterday Is there some hay around that I could give him why sure ain't you some fresh bail just inside barn there hip sir Thanks, I'll be glad to pay for it. No, no forget it. I'm sure Mrs. Hawks wouldn't mind. Oh Have you got something to open one with why sure yeah? Here's my cutters I took the cutters into the barn and made some cuts on a wire sample after I gave the cutters back to Brad and fed Charcoal I spoke briefly with Mrs. Hawks, and then I tore out for the lab in Austin by one o'clock I got the results here. It is Jase take a look wires mass Johnny seat yourself that dual microscope never lie to me yet The left one's the murder wire the one on the right is one of the samples you brought in that's it Well, look at those striations. It's a perfect match. Thanks Johnny. Take care of this stuff Got to get back to Finney Pronto. Oh, will you do me a favor? Sure, Jace Call the sheriff at Finney tell him I'm on my way, and I got something hot. I'll be there in two hours Well, Jace you sure made good time what do you find out? We got positive proof the murder wire was cut with Brad Johnson's cutters Brad's you're gonna pick him up not right yet Sheriff why not? We only know that Brad's cutters were used. We don't know he used him We got to be sure what are your plans Jace? I've been thinking those stories that Mrs. Hawks and Brad told me They were alike all right too much alike. What do you mean a couple of times? They used the exact phrases What about Tom and the black thread look even I on him, but I think he's clean He could have caught his sleeve on that beam doing anything pitching hay or anything. Yeah, he could have well What do we do now got to catch him alone Brad and Mrs. Hawks when they don't know anybody's around We got to hear what they say to each other maybe after the funeral It's this afternoon four o'clock. You know where it's being held sheriff sure out of the ranch Be a graveside ceremony. Where's the cemetery clear over any other side of town from the Hawks place? Take them a while to get over there and back Sheriff while they're at the cemetery you and I are going to the ranch and fix up a little surprise Yeah, and I'll be all right for that one behind the window shade quite three microphones Jace wouldn't one do not if they wand around the house while they're talking sheriff I want to hear everything. Yeah, but how you know that Brad and Mrs. Hawks will talk How do you know who'll even come into the house? I don't know sheriff. I'm guessing And my guess is that after the funeral is over somebody's gonna let his hair down Hey, it's almost 5 J. So be coming back soon. I'm finished in here sheriff No, we have to do a string the wire to the stake out. Come on We did in my car in a lane down the road and set up our equipment a clump of trees close to the house Three neighbors cars drove up then Brad's we watched him as he fed the stock About sundown the last of the guests left the house They go the last of them sheriff. Can you see Brad? He's been on the boring the last few minutes There he is Jace heading for the house good, but on your phone sheriff. I want you to hear this too There he goes up on the porch. Yeah Why can't you Now there's no time we gotta let it all right sheriff. I've heard enough. Let's take them you cover the back sheriff I'll take the front. Okay, Jace Ranger Pearson open up. What do you want? You know what? I want Brad Johnson. We're not here I know different. Okay, Sheriff. Let's search the house. I don't know what this is all about you'll find out All right sheriff work this way Ranger what's the meaning of this? He's not in the back of the house. Jace. Maybe he's it What was that he was upstairs sheriff sounds like he jumped from up there come on Don't see him. He didn't run for his car. Couldn't have gone far. Maybe he hit for the high with What's that chickens in the barn something scare them and I think I know what come on If we play this right, we've got them trapped. Oh, you're in there Brad. I'm on out. All right Darkest pitching there Jace Turn on your flashlight sheriff Take the other side. I'll look behind those Okay, you heard bad. Don't think so my shoulder. Give me a flashlight sheriff All right, Brad. I'm coming up. No, no don't come up. Now where we can see you then when your hands up Yeah, I fell on his back hit his head when I hit him. Is he dead? No No sheriff. He's not dead And I can't say he won't be though when the state gets through with him After Mildred Hawks turned states witness Brad Johnson confessed to the murder of his employer For her part in the crime Mildred Hawks received a sentence of 50 years in a women's prison at Huntsville Johnson sentence death and the electric chair And now here again is the start of our show Joel McCray While most of the mail it comes to us here at tales of the Texas Rangers is written by grown-ups The youngsters have their questions too Tonight I'd like to read you a postcard from a boy in Newark, New Jersey. It says Dear mr. McCray, I am nine years old me and my friend Tony Was talking about being Texas Rangers when we grow up How do you go about getting that job your friend Tommy cook? Well Tommy a lot of people have asked us that same question recently and I guess maybe it's high time for us to tell him first Arranger has to serve at least ten years as an outstanding police officer Then he may compete with others for the job If he's selected he works under the wing of Arranger captain for at least six months And then he's put out in the field with other seasoned Rangers for a year and a half By this time he is or he isn't a true Texas Ranger and Tommy Your cards being sent to Colonel Homer Garrison, Jr. Chief of the Texas Rangers Good luck Good night McCray and another authentic re-enactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers Oh McCray is currently seen starring in the Universal International Technicolor Productions Saddle Trent Tonight's cast included Tony Barrett Byron Kane Betty Lou Gerson Jeff Corey and Wally Merr This story was transcribed and adapted by Andrew McBroom and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keats This is Hal Gibney speaking Three times mean good times on NBC Tuesday nights are bright with comedy on NBC Start off the evening with baby Snooks here Fibber McGee and Molly of 79 Wistful Vista Listen as Art Linkletter proves that people are funny and laugh with Bob Hope and his gang It's truly fine entertainment every Tuesday night So be sure to listen for baby Snooks Fibber McGee and Molly people are funny and Bob Hope