 from the Sears radio theater tonight a story of the west with Lauren green as your host here's a preview may you must be touched me there's a gun in the drawer here and I can use it why did you use a gun come away from that way from touch me I won't Katie I won't touch you unless you ask me to the Sears radio theater will begin after this message from your local station this is Lauren green it was a time when gunfire was so commonplace in the territory that nobody in New Mexico took much notice of it pioneers could remember savage apaches Geronimo Billy the kid and the turbulent days of the Lincoln County war even at the turn of the century killers and killings had to be original to get written up in the papers Katie Macbeth filled the bill and never pulled the trigger and the witness stand at her trial she's reported to have said I hated that man I'd do it again if I could she was speaking of a dead husband an editor of the day called her Lady Macbeth of the Rio Grande the nickname stuck and that was only the second murder she committed a new adventure in radio listening five nights of exceptional entertainment every week brought to you in Elliott Lewis production of the Sears radio theater our story Katie Macbeth by Brainerd Duff you our stars Virginia Greg and Stephen Marco the Sears radio theater is brought to you by Sears robot and company sample proof that a story is best told by someone who if they didn't witness the event at the very least was in some way involved in what went on for that reason Toby Hibbitt's going to pick up right here I propose to tell the story of how I met up with Katie Macbeth those two men she killed one bright spring morning in 1897 I was riding north from Val Verde I was taking jobs where I could find him which is why I come there looking for work I wasn't meaning to participate in no tragedy the surroundings was congenial big Adobe ranch house a long ways out and up against the Magdalena Mountains they must have seen me miles away smoke was rising from the chimney but nobody came out to meet me I left my voice in the hay barn and went over to knock at the front door your name mister what are you doing around here I heard in town you might need a hand to do chores names Toby Hibbitt you'd be Mr. Alec Macbeth I suppose stepped in son what did you say that's right sir I'm a hell of a good worker I reckon I can use you for a week or two I'm Alec yes here's my father Ramsey Macbeth that's my wife Catarina don't make you Mr. Hibbitt you had a long life could I put you some time never mind all I thought the young man like I had breakfast if he wants some grubby can get it I only thought that I'll do the thinking guitars out there sweeping up she's my cook guitar I'll tell you what needs doing she'll show you where to bed down and feed you at mealtime yes sir telling me won't have no cause you come to the house but if you guys you should go around the back way that's right I keep the front door bolder yes sir reason I'm short of hands the range of busted the dam at my mills other side of the mountain men are all out making repairs I'm going up there that's one of the supervised I may be gone a while but I'll be here all the time what you know pretty yes sir I understand you look through this window you can see the bunkhouse beyond that road three yes ma'am I see it thank you kindly baby you'll find his way or you've got to do young fellow is 10 the old business and don't be smart Alec there you go I'll let you out the way you come in lady Macbeth I could tell from how she walked across the room that the lady had a warm disposition not a beauty but handsome shining black eyes I should have left right then but I didn't I was wrecking the yard when I saw Alec Macbeth right off towards the mountain later his father rode in the opposite direction while I stood wondering long-come guitar with a cup of wine quench my thirst drink this Toby you drink and come sit on this bench where it's safe thanks guitar you sure know how to make it comfortable for a man you bet your life you feel good now Toby real good how could I help it I've been waiting waiting for a cowboy like you just like me you need someone to wash your curly hair and keep you warm at night where the old man go off to all dood it up he's gone to a name-day party for a friend of his told me not to wait supper for him he's an old timer must be near 80 he already made it the 83 you look out for him Toby he's a mean one that son of it looks ordinary too where did he ever find a wife like her he was married 15 years to the first one now five more years to Katharina unlucky both times no children huh it is to be beaty she never had no babies those men never let her forget don't you like her she's like a fine lady her father was a basketball player with a Spanish blood look like me you like her Toby well you know she's good looking she ain't hiding it hey there she is sitting at the window you always think at the window what is she walking back and forth inside the empty house yeah I gotta talk to her my amigo where are you going son of a gun you're not supposed to go you're gonna get yourself in a big clover kids winter jackets and coats terrific values from Sears winter why is summer grass growing kids jumping kids out having fun kids don't look now but winter's coming and Sears will help you keep me warm with boys and girls jackets and coats we've got a wide assortment in sizes from tops to teens come in now cause summer's the time when jacket and coat selection is great come winter I'll be glad I did here are more super values from Sears we've got $100 off the price of our craftsman 10 inch table and radio saws now only $279.95 each and they saw cross cuts bevels and more here's best table saw includes light sets two extensions and one horse collar motor the radio saw has a 1.5 horse collar motor and a single lever minor arm control hurry your choice your 10 inch table or radio saw only $279.95 till July 21 prices and dates may vary in Alaska and Hawaii it's basic and colorful wrestling new but nearly harvest what's fall fashion basics from Sears Reaper wealth of long sleeve shirts in three color styles small rounded pointed or mandarin band collards in six autumn colors only $12 each look forward to ball and pants with fit proportion for tiny typical or tall figures in five shades to $13 a pair fall fashion basics shirts and pants with fit in Mrs. Geyser from the sportswear department prices may vary in Alaska and Hawaii all items available at most larger Sears retail stores the tragedy are ordinary a man might be going anywhere for a stroll to fetch a cool drink of water to see a friend Toby didn't know what would happen to him as he walked toward the closed door it seems to me that Katie Macbeth signal me with her eyes maybe even with her gesture of her hand I heard guitar call me but it's like I was being pulled toward the house next thing I knew I was upstairs knocking on Katie's door what do you want? I have something to ask you ma'am can I come in for a minute not better me what do you want? I've come to ask you if you've got some book that I could read I'm afraid I have no books I don't read them I'll get bored if I don't have something why should you get bored? why should I? I'm young and restless and it's a lonesome life sometimes it makes me despair you should get married and better down that's easy said ma'am who want to marry me? I've got a red scent in my britches there are nice church going girls in town I only meet the dance all kind there are poor a lot and got no education how can you expect them to know anything about love? love? you talk mighty fine and ambitious for a cow hand sure I'm ambitious I mean doing my own spread one day they're going to make a state out of all this put it in the union country's changing, got to change with it I'm not to something yet I told you Seabird you're ambitious I never heard they like up to you well look now I'd like to come and talk to you when you've got time I've always had more of that than anything else you don't mind my saying so you'd be a comfort to a man who had any feelings my land almost appears they keep you in a cage like a bird my heart is sad for you what are you talking to me about your heart for? I can't see it's any of your business I feel I guess you've got a scar along now for this no please ma'am Katie I know I see you're less no better than mine you're lonely too what have you come here for? well you must not touch me there's a gun in the drawer here and I can use it why should you use a gun? come away from that window don't touch me I won't Katie I won't touch you unless you ask me to she looked at me funny when I said that like maybe I'd opened up a subject she'd been keeping secret then like she was doing it in a dream she put down the gun and walked over to me she looked at me, started me he might say her head was a little to one side I remember as though she was trying to figure something out then she closed her eyes she was trembling just a little bit no easy now to say how quick it happened if I wasn't so indecisive and a pretty lady's complimentary manner I'd have kept my eyes open I tried to understand that look she gave me before she made a decision but I didn't so we spent that whole day upstairs together me and Katie and one thing I found out there was something funny about her something black boiling up inside her you go back to the bunkers get away from here my father-in-law will be coming home he'll lock up the door he must be peculiar if he thinks a door can keep me out they built a porch with pillars on it didn't they he'll find out about us maybe you'd better be moving your car somewhere else better hadn't now when I found myself a woman like you name's Gorsy what I tell you before it's too late tomorrow morning early you'd better pack up and leave no Katie I ain't gonna go not yet a while week I took my chances and spent every night till daybreak with Katie Macbeth all that time guitar cooked my meals and seldom spoke a word but she must have told on us cause one morning I went sliding quietly down and Ramsey was waiting on the porch with a bullwhip in his hand where you been you're in care for me wherever I've been I ain't there now you got onto the wrong side of the wagon tongue up on this soft pillage with my daughter-in-law you can't undo what's done I'll show you what I can do I'll show you don't hold off old man crawl on your knees I'm gonna cut ya I couldn't get near him he cut me bad afterwards I went crawling up the hillside and lay there near to die him that nightfall guitar took that old man supper inside me I found through the window how Katie stirred it with her own hand and served it to him by morning he was dead and she stepped out on the porch and started calling Toby so you're here to my voice thought I'd get on my horse and go quick but Katie made me stay while he was giving a pious burial a message got sent notifying her husband Alec up in the mountains and he didn't return so I hung around some more Katie was wild with love not letting me out of her sight for a minute and plenty of wine from the cellar was drunk when it got too hot indoors we put a feather bed under the apple trees and stretched out there I can't remember ever being so happy hmm you were to be but you that did all the coaxing I didn't want to love you Toby you're talking like a fool what's the matter my darling one tell me what's the tale there's Alec you're a law-abiding husband you'll be home any day now and what'll happen to me I'll go back to the bunk house and watch your lamp going out up in the bedroom how do you think I'll feel how can I help thinking about it or else your husband's probably been told everything by now if that's so it won't be a matter of days before I got to saddle my horse if he's been told there's only one person that's Kutera when he's done there won't be a sign of me for miles around no Toby it won't happen I can't leave unless you stay here with me I can't expect you to love me forever there's no hope of us ever getting married the dogs are barking out back it wouldn't be him coming home no they know Alec it's not the racket by the stomach what's he one time soon he'll be here there ought to be a story today for him cleaning out everything else it's like a narcotic with a punch in the jaw it takes over your mind and your body and makes your brain stop functioning so Katie and Toby full of nothing but their love for one another miss hearing something they didn't hear the ranch watchdogs when they stopped barking Toby Toby wake up now what are you doing leave me go listen home he's home I don't hear nothing the dogs were barking and they stopped I thought I was screaming then I heard the iron lock and the kitchen door he's there now they're outside this room dear God Katie what are we going to do get over on the porch roof and don't go too far you sure he's there yes I'm very sure get out on the roof wait till I call you I will oh is it who's there is that you Alec can't you walk in you gotta come to put it on the table how are you I'm alright why did you come back in the middle of the night I heard you buried my father weeks ago he died and so he was buried fine thing to do while I was going away it had to be done Alec why did he stay so long I was 50 miles off on the far side of the mountain making a deal for timber did you make a bargain Alec I did now have you been passing the time here you know the lot of pleasure I lead fancy dress parties every week going to the theater you don't show any pleasure in seeing me well we're not young anymore you want me to jump out of that in case you of course I'm pleased you're home I heard a thing or two about you and your pleasures Katerina we're going to talk about that right now Katerina isn't frightened of you anymore word gets around you should have been more careful I won't put up with your abuse I know the way you've been carrying on if you know you're better than me got a lover ain't you high old doings while I've been gone all I want to hear I'm getting out of bed we'll settle this where is he I'm going to hush whip that weasel I'm going to beat him within an inch of his life it's had too much of that already Toby come in where he is how do you like my darling and he handsome though look how I kiss him how do you like that Alec see how I do it take your hands off my wife what's wrong don't you like it you're my wife so that's how it is hate me will you I was only waiting for that now it's your turn Katie what's what you're doing I'm with him and me on him put your hands on her and she's throat and squeeze you wouldn't have me kill him wouldn't I never did you to creep up on your wife like a thief and spy on her help murder I was just pinning his two arms holding him I looked up to see Katie with a candle stick in her hand no it's all over he's done for alright I never thought I'd be in a thing like this cold blooded murder no cost for fear you planned this didn't you you've been planning this right along I'd do it again if I could did you think I'd let him come between us don't you feel nothing look at him lay in there with his eyeballs white and staring what kind of a woman are you what kind of coward did you turn out to be don't stand there shaking go to the kitchen and fetch me water and rags the way these things before the sun comes up this won't be washed away and when that's done there's work for you to do you'll need a shovel to dig his grave where where can we do that in the wine cellar it will toughen those dainty hands of yours I can you can and you will now wonder what happened they'll be searching for him oh no not here they won't we'll turn his horse loose on the mast and they'll think he fell in the ravine Katara what about her don't worry he's still asleep he's coming back nobody saw him but us I won't go through with this I'm going sick all in my head and stomach you'll soon get over it what if they search the cellar and find him there they won't we'll bury him deep so deep nobody will be able to find him not till the resurrection day with the concluding act of Katie Macbeth I wish I'd never gone to that place and met up with her but there wasn't no turning back this appearance of her husband Alec naturally caused considerable speculation in the vicinity but Katie turned his horse loose above the ravine he was gone and that was that when the ranch hands came back from the mill I was hired as the new foreman to boss them Katie never went to the town to sell but Katara had to go and buy supplies and she was the one who spread the scandal of the rumors about it months went by then another pretty soon it was plain to see the way it was the kind of secret that couldn't be kept but Katie was so crazy with love she was downright glad about it it's what I've been hoping for so be darling but you know what it means for us no I don't know what it means I'd have it fun and air the property will be ours then no mistake there's a mistake all right call that grazing and timberland you'll be a rancher like you always wanted to be and own the finest spread you must be plum local if you think those upright territory folks will let us get away with it great lord what right have they got to go poking into our business I'm the lawful wife of my little husband and I won't let this ranch go to rock and ruin I won't let it nobody does take this land away from us when we get married you'll have the running of it free and clear so why put on his side face about it I can't help thinking back can I you should Kobe I want you to I want you to forget all about him how can I how can I forget when I still got the calluses on my hands from using the spade and crowbar in the cellar you quit your brooding and stay up out of there you got under too often Kobe I knew I was failing you you could down to the selling to drink sure I do why shouldn't I you've been drinking today haven't you I'm not drinking I'm drunk Amy I can't stand much more this kind of life you stay out of that cellar you hear me you are selfish Kobe you are always thinking of yourself no Katie down and I'm not thinking to myself that's not the point all I'm thinking is that we won't ever be as happy together as we might have been why not why should not we be happy together because loving you the way I do I want you to be respected like a real lady would be an envious they'll be remembering your husband now I can say wicked things about it what do I care if they do you're the one who keeps brooding about all of you to be one forget him forget him forever what we've done was on my conscience day and night what happened after that was bound to happen I knew guitar had a tongue in her head and wasn't afraid to use it and I knew there was going to be a clash between the two women yet it surprised me when it came the night is so later I was passing the little bunk house where guitar lived and I heard their voices through the open window look at the Madonna up on my wall with the candle burning I speak to our lady every day she answer my question and give me sign she told me all about the plans you make for me the plans are you talking about guitar you know very well what you're planning to do but I'm going to have you arrested you dirt for these cards see how I can read them they tell me things too the cards are too short and do not like three cards here four cards there now speak my truth and give us the news of the future tell us who is going to be prayer look daddy you turn up the cards all right I will I do there is a space that means death what did I tell you I read it clearly now me first then you for both of us death what is the matter with you I tell you what is the matter with me Katharina I was sick in my bed a week ago and you brought me soup flavored with dessert art didn't you I wanted you to get well but I tell you I feel much worse is the day you bring me the things I am sick I'm dying from the food you bring me I feel bad all the day but now I have stopped eating the growth in the medicina so you can't hurt me anymore this means no I don't see you're accusing me of putting poison in your food this is your what I am I know you very well you are the one that do it to me that you serve the old man Ramsey I remember that night and what you did to him you were trying to treat me the same way stop your mouth you foolish girl before I lose my temper with you I see I know about your husband Alice too what you and Toby do to him and your guitar and your noise cut it out you two the hands can hear you yelling all the way to the park house I sing for the stories there is gauze my good friend in town I told him all about it he will be coming soon tomorrow or today to help me he will arrest you Katarina you stupid girl do you dare to make trouble for me I will do something to stop your lying tongue baby don't talk like that Toby look at her she is a devil that one I see the devil in her eyes when she comes to see me you have predicted your own death first you, then me is that what you said look at him she has wild bobbin blood I will go straight up when you suit me for your gossip Toby is going to cost you Toby come on oh Katie we mustn't do this it's here go you are under charge of attempted murder right guitar I never planned for two prisoners to be in the jail at the same time much less one a man than the other a woman so they put me in the cell behind bars Katie stayed in an open place between me and the door which was kept locked they brought her a cot and a mattress better than what I was using but harsher than what she was used to she seemed to spend her time thinking staring out the window then turned suddenly to me eyes wide, hands over her belly and she smiled when she knew a secret something that kept her apart from every other person and thing then this one day Sheriff Gao come into where we was and you could tell the way he walked in and made me shudder I just knew that it was over I've been asking around about Ramsey and Alec Macbeth you know anything about where they might be ma'am I have no idea how about you Toby no, I don't know guitar told me a lot about what's been going on out there at the Macbeth ranch anything to what she said about you two about us? me and her? I gotta tell you Toby I suspect Ramsey and Alec was murdered and I suspect if you didn't do the actual deed you was a accomplice in the law it's the same you hang he doesn't know anything about it if you help me Toby then maybe I can help you I can't say what exactly prompted me to do what I done the Lord knows how much I loved her but my own conscience and I've begun to think I didn't have one my own conscience prompted me on and there I was talking away a mile a minute talking and talking I don't believe it's going to be hard to prove my suspicion that they was murdered nobody was murdered Katie, can't you see the game is up they'll find out the truth now be silent no, I want to confess everything and clear my conscience once and for all I advise you to do the same look in a wine cell as Sheriff you'll find Alec's body where I buried him what do you say to that ma'am? I say if Toby wants to confess then I cannot deny it yes, I killed Alec I killed them both why'd you do it Katie? I did it for him for Toby I committed two murders for him and this is how he found me Katie, I'm sorry I couldn't help myself I've been worried to death walking about in a daze now I've gone all to pieces what more can I say? you've said everything already they'll separate us now for good is that what you wanted Toby? do you want to prove that I was to blame for what happened? don't bother I know what to think of myself you don't know anything Katie or you wouldn't look at me that way if you knew what's going on inside of me have some pity I'm going crazy I've already forgiven you for what you made me do if only we could bring back the past I'd love you as I never loved you before are you crying? don't think that these tears are on your account not Toby, they are not I'm not crying on your account Toby it's just I think what might have been we lost we all know what happened next it was in the papers at the time how they dug deep in the wine cellar and found Alex's body the arrest of Katie Macbeth for murder got nationwide attention the trial was moved up to Albuquerque to make sure proper justice would be done there were some unkind words written about me Toby Hibbert people said it was wrong for me to turn state's evidence and testify against a woman but I couldn't see where I'd done anything so wrong when I went to that ranch I never intended to commit any murders all I did was entirely at her suggestion because I loved her funny thing during those days I aroused more general sympathy than she did Katie showed no sign of emotion she appeared the most cool and unconcerned person in court except for that one moment on the witness stand when she spoke about Alex I hated that man I'd do it again if I could it gave me pleasure to kill him when she said that the jury made up its mind to bring in a guilty verdict Katie was condemned to die on the gallows but she never got there she sent for me to come visit with her in the prison hospital where she'd give premature birth to a son when they handed her the newborn child Katie said thank you my wife and turned her face to the wall when she looked up again I was there by her bed Toby hello Katie how do you feel not very well it was a difficult birth still very weak did you see the boy no I didn't want to see him I told him to take him away my love for the baby's father has been transmitted to the child I love no one not even myself you're still angry with me then how could I help you being angry but you sent for me I was told you wanted to see me yes this is what I did I tried to tell myself I don't love Toby anymore but now when I look at you the passion myself is stronger than ever it makes you happy to see me again yes but was the good of this sort of meeting what joy easy to see each other after all the torture has gone through we do have some happy memories don't forget Katie how we used to pass the long summer nights together under the apple trees I remember very well don't you want to know about the ranch they're dating the property the sheriff gals trustee and he'll bring up your son who will be the sole heir to the spread that makes no difference to me now you're gonna be alright Katie I'm going to die let me kiss you no don't do that please I don't think I have this strength poor Katie please kiss me Toby once more I do love you Toby it's part of everything and I am a god it's how do you feel very poorly whatever you say but we've seen each other once again haven't we darling Katie yes we have coming Toby goodbye then goodbye dear Toby later Katie had a relapse the internal bleeding began they couldn't stop it it didn't take her very long to die and so the citizens of the territory of New Mexico are cheated out of a public execution that's my story then and the story of Katie Macbeth a handsome passionate gal who brightened my days and nights back in 1897 she's been gone a while now but I don't have any reason to forget her I never will where our policy is satisfaction guaranteed or your money back seers where America shops for value Katie Macbeth was written by Brainer Duffield produced and directed by Fletcher Marshall your host was Lorne Green our stars were Virginia Gregg and Stephen Marshall featured in the cast were Marvin Miller Peggy Weber and Howard Culver the music for Sears Radio Theater was composed and conducted by Nelson Riddle this is Art Gilmore speaking the Elliott Lewis production of Sears Radio Theater is a presentation of CDI music 103 24 hours a day KMOXFM St. Louis the Department of Energy is quitting this is Doug Polling reporting on the CVS Radio Network Deputy Secretary of Energy John O'Leary says he has submitted his resignation and wants it to take effect September 4th a report from Nelson Betten in Washington O'Leary, who along with Energy Secretary Flassenger has come under criticism for handling of the developing energy crisis said he bears no hostility in leaving the job my plans were made long before the current to the spread of rumors that they wanted me out was made and indeed I informed them in late June 22nd and we've noticed that the great outpouring of rumors that they wanted my head has been since then there's no banker at all it's just that I'm tired it's been a long hard drive and I don't have the stamina that I did when I was 40 O'Leary spoke with reporters on his return from a meeting with governors at the National Governor's Conference in Louisville sources said his resignation had been planned the White House did not respond to CBS News queries about the O'Leary resignation Nelson Betten, CBS News, Washington President Carter's domestic summit on energy and the economy continued at Camp David today and the President met with 22 members of Congress House Speaker Thomas O'Neill said the group agreed it is time to give the President standby power to ration gasoline O'Neill also said there was general agreement on the need for conservation and synthetic fuel development Senator Edward Kennedy today commented on President Carter's efforts to deal with the energy crisis in Boston Kennedy said Congress should respond to meaningful proposals from the administration I think Congress will react very positively with proposed leadership, the American people are expecting it they're entitled to it and I think he's trying to give a great deal of final thought as to the proposals that they're going to make we just can't do with Band-Aid solutions anymore Kennedy called the energy crisis the most critical problem facing this nation he said without strong leadership things could get as bad as the depression of the 30s the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today began hearings under the SALT II treaty Secretary of State Vance warned the senators against any realistic hope of shifting the bargain more in favor of the United States through the addition of amendments and reservations several senators have said they intend to push four amendments, the treaty would limit the strategic missiles and bombers deployed in the United States and the Soviet Union through 1985 Voyager 2 today made its flyby of the planet Jupiter scientists have lots of pictures to study relayed back to earth from the area around the giant planet among them pictures of the moon Europa they show a green and white body one which might as say looks as if something crunched it with an eggshell a federal judge in Indianapolis has ordered the busing of 6100 black inner city pupils to suburban schools this fall, several suburban school districts involved have indicated they will appeal the order many of the nation's food stores report the independent trucker strike has cut into their supplies of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and other foods about 17% of those surveyed reported normally low supplies to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir it's just like you're in another world like you're in heaven to me it feels like you're part of some kind of a rolling machine it feels like if you could keep on singing you'd move something and I do I'm Spencer Canard inviting you to listen for our special 50th anniversary broadcast July 15th on most of the CBS radio network stations Cuba today promised to release 610 prisoners who had been accused of atrocities during the Cuban Revolution the move should leave the country without any political prisoners the announcement came in a banner at a government sponsored news conference made by Jorge Robleco-Lauré a leader of the Cuban exile community he had got