 The national broadcasting company presents Joe McCrae in tales of the Texas Rangers Tonight transcribe 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 Jayce Pearson Texas more than 260,000 square miles 50 men will make up the most famous and oldest law enforcement body in North America Texas Rangers come these stories based on fact only names dates and places are fictitious for obvious reasons They advance themselves are a matter of record case for tonight break down It is shortly after midnight the beginning of Good Friday in the year 1937 Jim Wiley constable of Romer, Texas is driving through the lonely outskirts of his territory When his headlights pick out a car parked on the road shoulder He breaks to a stop Having some trouble This he'd conked out on it I'm trying to get it started for half hour. Maybe I can get going for you. I know a little something about cars Okay, about trying you bet go here It looks like it ain't about to start friend. You must be out of gas the gauge says you have four Gage must be busted then Choked and like I did it should have flooded the car breeder gas was feeding through we get the smell of it Yeah, better take the tank Get a stick or something to shove in here for measuring with you. You bet This branch ought to do. Yeah, it's good enough. Give it here. She empty dry as a WCTU meeting Yeah, I leave me kind of stuff. Yeah, I got a siphon hose in my trunk We can drain enough out of my tank to get you back to Roma. Is there an all night station there? I'm afraid not no hotel either, but I can put you up for the night. You don't mind bunking in the jail What I mean jail, I'm the constable I see don't worry the jail is clean. Come on. Let's go get that hose Seem here someplace back to find it. I'm gonna match. Are you bet? I want to be here someplace I guess a little out of junk pile up. I can't hold this match much longer. That's another one Last one to book Well, you got that whole to have me no point getting snappy about it How come you didn't know the gas gauge in your car was busting? I Must just happen. I give seems to me. There's a car just like yours on my stolen car list I hope you got proof ownership on you. I got it. All right in my pocket for the right square to put it Use your head young fella Stolen cars a bad charge, but it ain't nearly as bad as using a gun on our peace officer Are you better hand that gun over and come with me? Why you take your small-town room You can't get away with this that fall from other dumb cars Never should have told me your cops, you know, you're never sure Something coming on your face. Come on on your fight. Get it Hey, you look at this top you're gonna get a right to the Go on pop. Yeah, yeah, all you want try not yell at motor go ahead That's too bad You and me gonna make a trade Bullets from this gun exchange for your car That's mad at pop. Don't you like it? You'll get caught. They'll get you the cop ain't born can take me Come on pop. You're gonna die Why don't you crawl a little won't you beg a little? Maybe I changed my mind You could kill me but you Can't scare me. I make it easy for you, but you gotta beg me a little You don't not give it to you through the kidney and that ain't nice pop Takes a couple hours to die that way and it hurts pop. I know I watched the cop die that way once before That's it pop pray louder. Let me hear you. You're the one I'm paying for you. Must be great Praying for me Cup, let's see who you pray for in the next couple It hurts don't it pop and it's gonna get worse You don't pass out till right near the end Enjoy yourself copper. Oh good time Constable Wiley's body was discovered shortly after sunrise when highway patrolmen spotted the stolen vehicle abandoned by the killer The sheriff was summoned and he called for the help of the Texas Rangers By noon of Good Friday Ranger Captain Stinson was at the scene accompanied by Ranger Jase Pearson While I didn't die is a Jase Look at that. Yeah, I tried to crawl out to the road on a blood trail must have been in agony every inch of the way Do you have any family an invalid wife two daughters and three grandchildren? The man who did this might just as well have shot them too. They'll feel the same pain while he did only longer With an alert out for Wiley's car. We might get a break killer may have been spotted in it somewhere along the line I doubt it. He probably got where he wanted to go and ditched it before Sunup medical examiner figured Wiley's been dead since about 3 a.m Must have been shot a couple of hours before then gives the killer a good start. All right, Captain. Yeah, let's get back to the room We've got one thing going for us though Man were after me have left some prints on the car. He abandoned when he took Wiley's lab men flew in before we got here They ought to be coming through with a report soon receive Clark is in town waiting for it You'll bring it out. I want you and Steve to stay on this case until it's cracked. It's one. I'd enjoy cracking Only lead we've got is that the abandoned car was headed west. Well, that's something at least you and Steve can start off in that direction Hey, here's Steve now Howdy Steve You get the lab report. Yeah captain. It'll rally your teeth here Killers been identified by fingerprints lifted from the car he ditched While he was killed by Rex Lang Rex Lang Yeah, no doubt about it. The Prince was clear as a bell is a copy of Lang's record attached to the report I don't have to see that. I know it by heart. I wonder how long he's been in Texas He might have been here for a year or more Last report on him was when he killed a policeman in Great Falls, Montana Before that he pulled jobs in Nebraska, Wyoming, and I always blaze quite a trail Yes, and I want that trail to end in Texas. It's the first time he's paid us a visit I want it to be the last he's not easy to catch According to that report. He's been jailed only once Idaho State reformatory when he was 16 as about eight years ago Yeah, and in that eight years he's killed six people four of them peace officers The first one was the guard at the reformatory Lang butchered him when he escaped Look at this record. Look at it Sent to the reformatory for beating his young brother half to death with a stove poker is that Lang's picture clipped on the report Yeah, a mud shot taken at the reformatory. Well, that'll help us. I don't know Steve a big-boned 16-year-old kid We're looking for a 24 year old man. He could have filled out plenty by now be hard to recognize Well, there ought to be some description since then ought to be but they're out all the witnesses. He's left a dead ones Is this the complete report? Yeah, that's it captain Oh except this probably doesn't mean anything the sheriff picked up this empty match book It was just lying in back of where Wiley's car was parked here on the shoulder Lab checked it for Prince, but they couldn't pull anything off of it. They all might have been thrown from any passing car Yeah, I guess so let me see it Advertising on the cover grand bowling alley in Pintato Pintato is about 70 miles west Jace And that's the way the car was headed He couldn't pick up matches before he got there Now unless he'd been in Pintato before and was headed back there again when he tripped over Wiley Well, that's possible our trail leads west anyhow do any harm to check around Pintato when we get there You're torn a double horse trailer Jace so you and Steve might as well ride together. So it's me I'll load my horse and put him in with charcoal. There's something about Rex Lang. It might pay to remember He was a ladies man back where he came from poke a till I don't hold Yeah, even then it was a high school girl who smuggled in the knife He used to kill the reformatory guard and have been indications They had a woman look out with him on burglaries where his prints have been found. I'll get my trailer open for you Steve Thanks, Jace Company for your charkey. Oh You stay in boy. Are you climbing boy? I guess we're ready to roll. You'll hear from us captain Jace Steve What's the matter captain? You both know Lang's record a killer with a crazy hate for all peace officers So understand that what I'm going to say now is not in order If you corner him, you'll have a mad dog on your hands, but I'd like to have him taken alive That may not be easy captain. I know but Rex Lang has become an idol to young punks and reform school toughs all over the country Now if we can put him on trial Convict him in the court of law and have him executed by the state It'll show those kids that society is strong enough to stamp him out like a flea There's nothing glamorous about dying in an electric chair But if you have to finish him in a fight he'll still be an idol He'll say Rex Lang was so tough. We couldn't take him. We had to kill him. I understand captain. So do I now remember? It's not in order. I want both of you back alive, too That's all come on Steve. Let's go We headed west looking for a dangerous kid grown into a dangerous man with a face We might recognize too late by midnight We checked the highway as far as Pintato in the morning. We started comb the town still drawing a blank That guy at the bowling alley was much help Jayce didn't seem to recognize that old picture Rex Lang And Lang may have changed a lot in eight years But if he made the allies a hangout the owner should have well, you know Jayce thought the face was a little familiar. Maybe yes. Maybe no Lang was blonde and smooth skinned as a kid here might have darkened plenty since then face and frame filled Out and he shaves now a beard line changes a face. Yeah Yeah, you might have just passed through here and picked up those matches though Maybe they were just thrown out of a passing car. I know we can't waste too much time on the lead that may be blind Yeah, how about some breakfast? There's a Mexican place across the street lobo. That's for me. I'm so hungry I'll even eat enchiladas for breakfast call this cross Easter Sunday to Marge is wish I could be home with the wife and kids I even forgot to order flowers. Why are the captain you have some scents of ours for you Didn't even think of that When is this party? Let's take the boot. Jayce. I'm tired. He'd not count The menu I have everything fruit juice couple of scrambled eggs easy with bacon coffee and toast When is this and your eta how will be with you in a moment you bet here I am starving. I don't even know what I want. Hey, why don't you wait on the lady while I'm thinking over? Of course and your take your time. I thought you were hungry enough to eat enchiladas for breakfast Yeah, the man double-crossed me. He gave me a choice And I guess I just double your order Jason. Yeah, what's the move and we leave here. I haven't figured it yet You know Jason, maybe we should go back wait a minute Thank you Sit tight Steve. Oh ma'am just a minute You speaking to me range it. Yes, ma'am. I Happen to look out of the booth and saw you don't I know you from someplace. I don't think so I think you sure look familiar you live here in Pintato. You bet I must have met you the last time I was through here about two years ago. I am a steak range I only been here six weeks. Oh, well, where'd you come from before that? What word that's your hometown you bet That's one on me. You sure did look familiar. Excuse me, please You bet We've heard the wrong. Can you read the note? Maybe grab your hat Steve? Something hit me when she was talking notice how she kept saying you bet Yeah, what about it that reformatory report about Lang the part about his habits you bet was his favorite expression Now wait a minute Jayce Lang me have changed but I doubt if he's turned into a girl No, but she picked up that expression someplace Steve from somebody who uses it regularly and it could be Lang Well, it's as good a lead as that matchbook Jayce. It's worth following. I think so too. Come on Let's see where she's taken that coffee You are listening to tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jayce Pearson We continue now with tonight's case breakdown an authentic story from the files of the Texas Rangers We followed the girl hoping she was taking the coffee to Rex Lang the hope exploded less than two blocks from Lobos cafe When she turned into the doorway of a jewelry store not far from where my car was parked Doesn't look like the sort of place we find Langy and Jayce and she went into the back of the store Look through that corner of the window. Yeah There's the container of coffee on that bench right beside the watch repair ma'am And she must have brought it in for him. Guess he's the boss looks that way and he can't be lying He must be 60 or more chase get back a little what is it? She came out of the bike. She's behind the counter now and she's working there then It's not taking any chances on being spotted drift back this way a little That's good enough. She'd have to come out to see us now Got to keep a tag on her. She's Lang's girl. She'll lead us to him Even if she is his girl no telling how often he sees her he's hot and must be hiding out someplace We could burn up a week or two and then find out we're sending our dogs at the wrong tree We won't waste any time not if we can get some information about her I'm gonna get to a phone. You stay right here on this block though walk the corner with me. Yeah Jason she was Lang's girl. Why should she be working if she was working in the laundry? That's a question I couldn't answer but I can think of a good reason why she might be working in a jewelry store Casing for Lang to knock it over. It's been done before I'm gonna have headquarters check back on some jobs Lang's pulled before see what you can find out along the street here She's a mighty pretty girl. So it's a safe bet. She's been noticed by other storekeepers along here Maybe one of them knows her name and where she lives Hey, so we don't want to tip our hand by asking too many questions Don't make them sound like official questions make them sound like you're just another man who's seen a pretty girl Okay, okay, but you ever mention this to my wife and you and me are gonna tang get going. I'll make my call and meet you at the car later I Called my headquarters and gave captain stinson a description of the girl We were tagging in a list of information I wanted was less than two hours later when he called me back What are they? Check cash and agency Girl fit into those cases. Yes, that's the modus operandi. I've been looking for that's as easy as dying her hair It all fits. That's where we want to be. Thanks captain. You'll hear from me I don't only give Lang a couple of more targets. Bye captain The girl was shaping up like the extra Joker in a poker game at the time I got back to Steve Clark. He had a rundown on her the name She was using in Pintato was Jojo Dearing That night the stores were open late for the last minute Easter shoppers But finally the lights went out and followed the girl to her home and staked out to wait Five minutes later. She came out again Hey, Jay's look. She's changed her clothes. Yeah, we're in jeans and a jacket now. Yeah, but why I don't know She's moving for a car. I'll let her stay about a block ahead They want to tag her too close with this horse trailer behind us, right? Yeah, she's pulling out now. So are we Steve I got a feeling we're moving in for the finish. Why? Why she's dressed not the way she dressed for a date in town But it is the way she dressed to go to Lang if he was holed up in some off-trail spot works during the week goes off to meet Them on Saturday nights. Yeah, Jason adds. We'll know soon enough. She's turning for the highway out of town Looks like a long trip chase Hey, where is she took a turn off up ahead and reach in the back and get a Tommy gun The captain said he wanted laying alive remember I know we have to stop that car later She picks laying up. I want to make sure we can put it out of commission. Okay Sorry Steve sharp turn off there grab a look at the map. Where does this road lead? I don't need the map This is state 61 nothing down here for more than a hundred miles except for a few run-down Mexican settlements I'm gonna cut off my headlights road gets kind of rough Jay's can't help it I can follow her tail light without her knowing we're behind her. Yeah, you're right Odd anything comes through here. She's scared a minute But she'll roll a lot easier if we weren't dragging that horse trailer I got a feeling we may need it No need for her changing her clothes like she did if she's gonna stay in the car Any place in here where she could pick up a horse? Yeah, about 10 more miles ranch owned by an old Mexican woman all she's got is a couple of horses And you think of any place near there where Lang might be hiding out Yeah, yeah about three or four miles back in the hills used to be a mine there a couple of them in fact They're abandoned Jay. Isn't there a road to the mines? No, nothing but a rough burrow trail It's tough country to get into if Lang's there. It's gonna be tough country for him to get out Just before we reached the old Mexican ranch We let the girls car pull out of sight we parked for 10 minutes then drove to the ranch Her car was there All right almost hidden in a clump of brush behind the barn There was a fresh horse trail leading into the hills we unloaded our horses and followed it Only by another half mile to the mines Jay she's heading right for more right something about this that bothers me Steve What's that? She stuck to the burrow trail all the way That's just what I don't like The only approach and Lang wouldn't be at the end of a clear trail unless he had some way of guarding it You mean he might have an ambush take that along here Man who hasn't been caught or even described in eight years doesn't leave his guard down I don't know he can't stay awake 24 hours a day Reckon not hey wait a minute hold up. Oh, whoo, Charky. Whoa boy. Whoa see something chase Yeah, brush at the side of the path been trampled not long ago either just bobbing back into its natural position Horse was waiting in there, and now we got two sets of tracks on the path That means he expected the girl waited here to meet her looks that way better get down lead your horse, right? Come on Charky Why did he come down to meet her? He didn't have to show her the way. They're still sticking to the path I don't know in one way. I wish the moon was a little fuller and in another way. I'm glad it isn't Hold it Well They left the trail here Brushes disturbed again the tracks turn in there. Come on. This is funny, Jayce We're following their movements through the brush and we're just making a little half circle right back to the burrow trail And look here. We're right back on the path You suppose he made that little half circle just to leave a blank spot in the tracks blank spot of less than 20 yards Isn't likely must have had some reason the horses for a second Let's go back along the path and find out why he cut away from it right Move slow and keep your eyes peeled nothing that seems out of line stop Look at this branch overhanging the path just a branch Why? Hey, Jayce can barely see it a piece of string running from the end of the branch that tree on the opposite side of the path Don't touch it. Let's see where it leads Look at that. Yeah Sawed off shotgun strapped to the tree that string is tied around the trigger gun probably has enough scatter shot And slugs in it to kill an elephant No wonder he met her to steer around this Jayce. Look at the way that gun is sighted Anybody on a horse and move that branch get a charge right through the middle Anybody on foot who moved it probably get it right through the head You were right Jayce. He wasn't planning on taking any chances Rat anybody could be killed by this thing or rancher some kid riding through you don't think that to make any difference to Lang do you what a death trap a death trap that's gonna backfire on him This is the thing we use to take him Steve when this goes off You'll come running to see what he's got and have another gun They'll still fight you won't get a chance if we work it right I'm gonna pull the trigger on this thing then let out a scream plant myself out there on the burrow path You stay here in the brush then what just be patient don't move no matter how long it takes for him to get here You'll come plenty slow trying to make sure that whatever he hits alone When he finds me lying out there fire your gun and startling but keep your fire high Jayce you might pump a slug into you while you flat on your back Not if we time it right but don't fire until he's close enough for me to jump in Better get the horses and time off down the trail of ways. You'll have time say Jayce How about a toss to see who stakes out on the path? Why should you take the chance? Why not me because you forgot to wire the captain about that Easter plan for your wife and kids Get going after the horses and then get back here. Good luck. Jayce. Good luck to both of us, Steve I Planted myself in the path and waited Breaking into a sweat as cold as the ground Even if he thought I was dead at crazy hate-ridden killer like Lang might waste one more bullet A half hour passed an hour And then we heard him coming Slowly like a cat The gun was back and shot Right me here. What can't you see anything? Yeah, I See something look at that with the moon on it's a ranger Ranger Must be the one you told me about but you were so smart Said it didn't mean anything. You're stupid getting followed. Yeah Please Whoever slept again, I'll make you an honorary cop. Come on Show you what you get. I Demonstrate on him I wish he was alive to feel what I'm gonna show you Make me look Now look at look Imagine what a bullet could do that pretty face I Got him see Like all that gun rex drop it. I said Here's your chance to try You want to get up try again rex or is that enough? Yeah It'd be a shame to split such a lovely couple I guess this isn't the kind of brace that you were after Joe Joe, but it'll have to do All right rex hold out your wrist Yeah, that doesn't change. Yeah Now let's get started. It's just midnight after we get him in a fast drive ought to get you home by morning and Give you a chance to pick up that Easter plant not only that I'll be on time to go to church with the kids you go Borrow a couple of words from rex You bet Tried as an accessory in the many crimes committed by rex lang joe joe Dearing was convicted and sentenced to a 50-year term in the women's prison at gory Lang tried for the murder of constable Wiley Slobbered and pleaded for mercy, but the jury gave no heed to his pleas as the prosecution brought his vicious record to light Found guilty of murder in the first degree Lang was sent to Huntsville Penitentiary where on the morning of November 4th 1938 he died in the electric chair Joel McCray and another authentic re-enactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers Joel McCray is currently seen starring in the Universal International Technicolor production Frenchy tonight's cast included Tony Barrett Bill Johnstone fire and Kane Herb Ellis and Betty Lou Gerson This story was transcribed and adapted by Joel Murcott and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keith Hal give me speaking Three times mean good times on NBC There's fun excitement and prizes next on NBC as accordion playing emcee Phil Baker Gathers contestants around the microphone to see if they know the answer to America's favorite question What question is that why the $64 question? Of course, you're invited every Sunday for laughs with Phil Baker and the $64 question Tomorrow enjoy the telephone hour now. It's the $64 question on NBC