 There's just one way to handle the killers, Ms. Boilers, and that's with the U.S. Marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Gun smoke. Powering William Conrad, the transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it, Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. Is this everything, Chester? Well, there might be more later when they finish sorting the mail. Hey, where's that telegram? Oh, what telegram? I thought I'd put it right on top. Let me take a look. Here it is. Might be important. Oh, we'll soon see. Up in Abilene? Yeah. What'd you say, Mr. Dillon? Peters and Gridler headed for Dodge. Keep them there, but don't arrest them until I get there with murder witness. Or I'll write Washington all I know apart you. Signed Hickok. Then Mr. Hickok's coming here, huh? That's what he says. Well, how do you recognize those two men, Mr. Dillon? I expect I'll recognize them all right. Oh, you know them? Yeah, we've met. Peters and Gridler are gunmen, Chester. The kind who kill as easy as most men shake hands. Just about as often. Too bad you can't just put them in jail. Yeah. Well, we'll start meeting the trains. There's one in at noon, sir. Good, then we'll meet it. What do we do if they are on this train, Mr. Dillon? Nothing, Chester. I'll find them later and talk to them, but not in a crowd like this. Yes, sir. You know, every time I see a train I am just overpowered with the urge to travel. Oh? Where to? Anywhere. Anywhere but Kansas. Well, I don't think you'd like it back east any better. Why not? You just have the urge to come out west again. I know you're a kind. I suppose you're right, sir. But still it'd be good to walk down a street that wasn't all heat and dust and that wasn't crowded with a lot of grimy men looking for trouble. And I wouldn't mind seeing some women. Married women. With kids and parasols. Wait a minute, Chester. There they are. They just got off the end car. Those two headed for the depot there. One of them saw? Yeah. Those teeters in the black hat. The other's gridly. I'll just step around the corner here and see which way they head. There they are. Yeah. Looks like they're going to the Dutch house. Now let's follow them. That's where they're going, all right? Yeah, let's wait here. I'll let them get a room and then I'll go talk to them. But if you can't arrest them. And I'll just try to make them feel welcome to stay in Dutch. When do you think Mr. Hickalk will get here? There'll be a couple of days anyway, Chester. Look, right now I want you to go back to the depot and ask the ticket agent to let me know if teeters and gridlers start to leave any time. You can describe them to him. All right, sir. Then go to the stage office. Yes, sir. And go to all the stables too. If they rent or buy any horses, I want to know about it right away. I'll tell everybody. Also tell them to keep quiet about it. I'll be back at the office later, huh? All right, sir. What can I do for you, Marshall? Two men came in here just a minute ago. One of them was tall. Black hat. Well? Well, what, Marshall? You were here. Did you see them? Those were gunmen, I could tell. The tall ones, teeters, and the other ones, gridlers. Those were the names they gave you? Yes, but there'll be trouble if you try to arrest them here, Marshall. Can't you wait until they're outside in the streets someplace? No. What if they're after you? I've got nothing to do with men like that, Marshall. There's no reason in the world that they... Now just take it easy. I've never heard of you and I'm not going to arrest them. But since you're a good, helpful citizen, maybe you can tell me what room they're in. Certainly, Marshall. Certainly. Number 25, up the stairs and turn to your left. Thank you very much. But you're gone away, gridler. I just came for a little talk. And make your talk, Marshall. No, I ain't for life, gridler. Let him in. He's watching better inside anyway. Hello, teeters. What's on your mind, Marshall? I'm just trying to think. The last time I saw you, a man was in... Let me see, was it Tascosa? Never mind all that, Marshall. Why are you here? No, I heard you were in town. I thought I'd drop by and say hello. News and his travel pretty fast and dodged. I mean, been here 15 minutes all told. Well, maybe he was expecting us, gridler. I happened to be at the depot. I noticed you get off, so I followed you here. All right. But we're not wanted, Marshall. Matter of fact, a judge up in Abilene just turned us loose. Wasn't no witness to that killer. While Bill tried to frame us, but didn't work. Well, that just goes to show the law is fair to everybody, doesn't it? Why'd you come here, Marshall? Just to let you know that I'm still the law and dodge and that I don't want any trouble here. With men of your sort, I always like to mention that. We're not looking for trouble. Good, good. And you're welcome to stay here as long as you like. That's a funny thing to tell us. It's an open town to you. Yeah, sure, Marshall. Sure do. And I'll treat you too, just like anybody else. See, if you stay out of trouble, the town's yours. Anybody who starts trouble won't be yours. Well, I'm glad to hear that. I'll be going now, gentlemen. Oh, uh, there are some pretty sharp gamblers here. Don't let them take all of your money. Well, don't you worry about us, Marshall. So long. There was no way of figuring how long teeters and gridler might stay in dodge. If they took a notion to do some gambling, it might be a week or two or they might move on in an hour. That night, however, they were still in town bucking pharaoh at the Aleph Regensin. Everything looked fine until Chester came into the office above 10 o'clock. They're fixing leave, Mr. Dillon. First thing in the morning. Oh, how do you know? Jim Bunch at the stage office. He just told me he came in and paid their fare to Sharon Springs on the morning stage. Sharon Springs, huh? And then they're headed for Denver. Looks like it, sir. All right, Chester. Go tell Jim that I'm going to be on that stage tomorrow, too. If he likes our right shotgun for him, one of the boys can have a little time off. I'll tell him, sir. But are you going all the way to Denver? I'll follow him all the way to San Francisco, if necessary. You can tell Hickok that when he shows up. Too bad he won't be here before they leave. And it'll be another day before he can get here. But that won't be too far behind us. Uh, stage leaves at eight, right? Yes, sir. I'll be there to see you off, Mr. Dillon. Fine. We'll meet at the Dodge House for breakfast, if you like. All right, sir. The stage looks like it's all ready to go, Mr. Dillon. Yeah. I don't see Teters and Gridler, though. They're not inside, are they? I don't think so. No, they're not here yet. Just about eight o'clock. They should be here. Well, it doesn't matter, Chester. If they've changed their minds, it's all to the good anyway. Want me to go ask Jim Buncheke he's heard from them, Mr. Dillon? Uh, no, no, let's just wait here. Oh, say I forgot to tell you. Jim said the regular shotgun messenger has to go up to Sharon Springs anyway, but to thank you, just the same. No, good. Chester. Yes, sir? Look, up at the other end of the plaza there. Coming this way. Oh, I declare it's him. Yeah. Now, what are they up to, I wonder? Well, they can't be taking the stage if they're horseback. No. Looks to me like they're fixed for a long ride, too. Sure does, Mr. Dillon. Stop early, Marshall. Yeah. So are you, teeters. It's cooler in the morning. Now, for traveling, it is. So long, Marshall. What's the matter? Did you lose all your money last night? Hell, you're advised. So long. Chester, you stay here and explain things to Wild Bill. I'll be on their trail as soon as they're out of sight. I'll get my horse. You can tell Jim I won't be taking the stage. All right, you. I'll leave it clear a trail for Hickok as I can. Yes, sir. I'll tell him. He will return to the second act of gun smoke in just a moment. But first, young women are needed to enroll as student nurses and to take their places as graduate nurses in an ever-expanding field where opportunity unlimited awaits. Older women should seek careers as practical nurses where fine living and fine working conditions are in prospect. Ask at any hospital at the nurse's registry desk or at any qualified school of nursing. And now, the second act of gun smoke. I did my best to stay out of Teeters and Gridler's sight. But if they had suspicions of being followed and were watching their back trail, it would have known I was there all right. The land was flat, and we frequently crossed great patches of powder-dried dirt that smoked the air with dust under the horse's feet. After an hour, they began to swing slowly north. And by noon, it was clear that for some reason they were riding in a great half-circle. They'd left Dodge headed west, and sure enough, just after sundown, they rode back into town from the east. I waited until dark and then came in. Put my horse up. The office was empty, so I walked up to Delmonico's where I found Doc having suffered. Oh, thank you, Doc. Oh, you look hungry enough to even eat this food. That's been a long time since breakfast, Doc. Oh, man ought to eat three meals regularly, Matt. You gotta run down if you don't. Yeah, sure, Doc. Only sometimes you have to eat when you can. Oh, I thought you had a hard day, Matt. Yeah, I've been riding, Doc. Riding around in circles. Oh, is that what the government pays you for? Oh, I'd like to have your job. I'd be too sure of that, Doc. It isn't always this easy. Yeah, I know, Matt. Just tell me. What happened? Did you lose them? No, I didn't lose them. As a matter of fact, they're coming in here right now. Huh? What do you mean they're coming in? Those two? Yeah. They're pretty hard-looking cars. They are. Evening, Marshal. Oh, hello, Teeters, Griddler. Marshoom. This is Dr. Adams, gentlemen. How are you? Well, what's on your mind? You are, Marshal. What? That was you trailing us all day, wasn't it? Yes, it was. Why? I didn't want you to get lost. That's a lie. Then let's say that I didn't want you to get into any trouble. You're going to tell us what it's all about, Marshal? Well, you're not exactly the most reputable citizens in Kansas. And I just wanted to have an eye on you, that's all. You sure do. And just like I told you, you keep out of trouble and you're welcome to stay here. Just remember one thing, Marshal. There's two of us. And next time you follow us, you might not come back. We're taking chances like that's part of my job, Mr. Teeters. That's a poor job. Yeah, sometimes I think so, too. Come on, Teeters, let's get out of here. Yeah. Well, they're not very polite, are they? No, but they're smart. Smart enough to figure something's wrong anyway. Well, you think they might bolt, man? That depends on how smart they really are, Doc. Right now they're so curious they might stay around just to see what it's all about. What are you doing? Oh, hello, Chester. Pull up a chair. Pull up a chair, Chester. I won't have time. Hey, we better get right over to the beef pole. Oh, why? What's happened? Well, sir, I saw him right back in town. The first thing they did was go to the beef pole and ask about a train. Oh, were you there? No, sir, the agent came and told me like he'd promised. The train goes at 7.30, doesn't it? Yes, sir. And it's just about that now. I've been looking everywhere for you. Doc, if that waiter ever does come around and tell him to hold a stake for me, will you? I might just be back for it. Yeah, sure, Matt. Yes, sir. And good luck. Yeah, thanks, Doc. Come on, Chester. Are you going to go on the train with him, Mr. Dillon? Pick up sure to be here in the morning, Chester. I can keep him off this train tonight. I doubt they'll try anything else or tomorrow. Yeah, but you can't arrest him. Yeah, I know. Well, then, Matt... I'll just face him off it, Chester. So keep your head up. Yes, sir. Now there they are. Come, just to say goodbye, Marshal. Not exactly, Chester. Oh? You can take the train tomorrow if you like, but not this way. Why tomorrow? Well, I've got orders to keep you in sight till then. Orders from who? It doesn't matter. But you have your choice. You can have the run-or-dodge tonight or you can spend it in jail. I know you talk pretty loose, but just one man, Marshal. Your friend there doesn't look like a gunman. Well, now you can't always tell by a look, Mr. I can't. You said you didn't want trouble, Marshal, but you sure are starting it. There won't be any trouble. You do what I tell you. What if we don't? I'll kill the first one of you that moves for that train. You can die that way, Marshal. Maybe. But you won't both get on that train. Great life. You know me. You know I'll do it. We can still make a great life? No. It's not worth it. We can go tomorrow. Tomorrow, it'll be different. Yeah, sure, sure. Tomorrow, it'll be different the next day. But as I figured, Pickock didn't get off it. I questioned the man who rode the baggage car. I'm sure enough while Bill and his witness had hidden out there the whole trip. Soon as the crowd left the depot, we walked down to the car. Crawled under it, potted on the door on the other side. It's Dylan, Bill. Open up. Jump up, man. Come on, Chester. This is Chester Prott for now. How do you do, man? Sam, come over here. This is my witness, Sam Trimble. Howdy. Mr. Trimble, are you still here, Matt? Yeah, but we better move fast. Matt, that judge up at Abilene's crazy, but he's still the judge. And he says Trimble here has to identify Teeters and Gridler before I arrest him this time. But Bill, they can't be tried twice for the same crime? I know that, Matt, but I'm after him for a second murder they did. I'd suggest we just go kill him, but I've been waiting a long time until Bill hung and by glory I'm going to do it. You will, if you're lucky. Tell me, Mr. Trimble, do these men know you on site? Well, I'll tell you how it was, Marshall. I was in this stable where I worked, over in Abilene, that is, and a fella come in for his horse, and I went to get it for him. I heard some shooting, and then two men ran right past me. I got a good look at them all right. They just killed that fella, too. You mean you don't know Teeters and Gridler? No, I never heard of them, Matt. There's no pictures of them I know of, but he can identify them when he sees them. Yeah, sure, but what about them? Well, they recognize you, Mr. Trimble. Gosh, I don't know, Marshall. I hope not. They'd kill me on site, wouldn't they? I hadn't thought of that. Well, you just do what we tell you to, and you'll come to no harm, Trimble. Bill and I are a fair match for those two. If they start any trouble, we'll be on them so fast they'll die on their feet. No chance. I hadn't thought of that. Easy, Trimble. Easy. An hour from now we'll have them in jail with their teeth closed. I sure hope so, but how are you going to do it? Just go find them, that's all. Soon as we get them locked up, I'll buy you the biggest steak you ever ate, Trimble. Come on, let's go. I took Hickok and Trimble over to the Texas trail where we decided we'd wake while Chester located Teeters and Gridler. Then we just walk in on them and get it over with fast. I introduced the two men to Kitty and we ordered a couple of drinks for Trimble who was getting jumpier by the minute. What are you two heroes doing, getting this poor man drunk enough to fight him? Not exactly, Miss Kitty. He just lacks faith in us, that's all. I wouldn't have come if I'd thought about it. I sure would. Look, Trimble, it isn't often a man there's both mine and Matt Dillon's guns behind him. You're as safe as you'd be in church. I don't go to church. Here, Mr. Trimble, have another drink, huh? I will in a minute. I'm going out back first. Whatever you're up to, it's making him mighty nervous. Well, I'll admit he usually leads a quieter life. He'll brag big, though, once he's back in Abilene. Tell me, Bill, do you plan to stay in Abilene long? I don't know, Matt. Charlie Utter keeps talking to me about Deadwood. Oh, it's as dusty up in Deadwood as it is in Kansas. Yeah, I know, Miss Kitty, but Charlie thinks some of that dust is made of gold. What's that? I don't know, but I'm going to find out. I'll go with you, Matt. All right, stay in here, everybody. I was just crossing the street. I thought I'm going out of the alley there. All right, come on. The shot... I was going to run away. And he got scared and ran right into it. We shouldn't have let him alone at all. They saw me with you, Mr. Hickock, and they said that that's all they needed to know. Then they shot me. Kester, who killed that fellow in Abilene? You recognize them all right? No, I saw these two before. It wasn't them. What? No, it shouldn't have come. I got killed for nothing. He was a witness to some murder they did commit. Well, anyway, they'll hang for tremble now. Let's find them before they get out of town, Matt. We'll find them even if they do. Hickock and I walked out of the alley and into the plaza. There were a couple of citizens who'd heard the shooting and had seen Teeters and Gridler run out of the alley. Telled us that they'd gone into the Dodge House. And we followed. From the look on the clerk's face as we went past him and up the stairs, I knew that they were in their room. When we reached it, Bill stood on one side of the door. And I on the other. I think they'd fight, man. I told you they'd follow us, Teeters. Well, we're trapped sure. Shut up, I said. And it got us to the street on the wall. Open the door. Throw your guns out. There's no use trying to fight. There's no use in hanging neither, Marshall. It can just take us the best way you can. No. Our chance hanging. We got off once. Can't even get away from that door. I've listened to you enough. I ain't facing Dylan and Hickok both now. Teeters, you shouldn't have... His nerves blasted him. Shooting was too good for these two. I wanted to see him hum. How things don't always work out, Bill. Not lightly, anyway. Matt, I think I'll go up to Deadwood with Charlie out of right soon after all. Maybe I can find me a little peace and quiet. Gun smoke transcribed under the direction of Norman McDonnell stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshall. Tonight's story was specially written for gun smoke by John Meston with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast were John McIntyre, Lawrence Dobkin, John Daener, Joe Duvall, and Harry Bartel. Parley Bear is Chester, Georgia Ellis is Kitty, and Howard McNeer is Doc. Gun smoke is heard by our troops overseas through the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshall, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West in gun smoke. We have never known peace or plenty. Their lives have gone from bad to worse. Now their future is in our hands. Without help, they cannot live. We can send them food through care of the American package sending relief agency. Send your contribution to care's local office to care New York or care Los Angeles. This is Roy Rowan. This is the CBS Radio Network.