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Gunsmoke: Old West Stories

Presented by OTR.FM Network

Welcome to Gunsmoke: Old West Stories, a podcast that takes you back to the rugged plains of 1870s Dodge City, Kansas. Rediscover the timeless tales of bravery, justice, and survival in the American frontier with our re-broadcasts of the classic Gunsmoke radio program.

First airing on April 26, 1952, Gunsmoke was celebrated as the first adult western radio show, renowned for its superb storytelling and exceptional production quality. Join Marshal Matt Dillon, portrayed by the incomparable William Conrad, as he faces the challenges of maintaining law and order in a tumultuous town. Alongside him are unforgettable characters like Chester Proudfoot (Parley Baer), the steadfast deputy; Kitty (Georgia Ellis), the resilient saloon owner; and Doc Adams (Howard McNear), the town’s compassionate physician.

What sets Gunsmoke apart is not just its stellar cast and engaging plots but the immersive sound effects that bring each scene to life. Every gunshot, horse gallop, and whisper of the wind transports you directly to the heart of the Old West.

Whether you're a longtime fan or a new listener, Gunsmoke: Old West Stories promises to deliver gripping adventures and a nostalgic journey through one of radio’s most iconic series. Tune in and let the legends of Dodge City captivate your imagination.

479 episodes

  1. Trojan War

    Jun 9, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: January 3, 1960 Gunsmoke #404, "Trojan War," finds Marshal Matt Dillon confronting the notorious Pueblo gang when they arrive in Dodge City. The trio of outlaws, Ed and Rio Parks and Chuck Evans, have a fearsome reputation for stage robberies throughout the western territories, and Dillon wastes no time warning them to keep their noses clean in his town. When the gold dust shipment stage from Buckeye fails to arrive on schedule, the marshal's suspicions are confirmed. He and Chester discover the robbed stagecoach with the driver and guard shot dead, the strongbox emptied, and a woman's carpetbag inside with no sign of its owner. Following the killers' trail through the darkening wilderness, Matt and Chester track the gang to an abandoned campsite where they make a grim discovery. They find Helen Ford, a female passenger from the stage, shot and left for dead by the fleeing outlaws. As the dying woman struggles to identify her attackers, Dillon faces the challenge of bringing the ruthless Pueblo gang to justice for robbery and murder.

  2. Puckets New Year

    Jun 8, 2026 · 25 min

    Originally Aired: December 27, 1959 Gunsmoke #403, "Puckets New Year," Marshal Matt Dillon and Chester are returning to Dodge City after a brutal blizzard when they discover an abandoned buffalo hunter's camp. They find an elderly hunter named Ira Puckett hiding in a wagon, badly injured and half-frozen after being abandoned by his skinner, Jed Larner, who rode off when the storm approached rather than help his crippled partner. Puckett threatens Matt and Chester at gunpoint, desperate not to be left behind again, but the marshal brings him safely to town where Doc Adams must amputate part of his frozen foot. The operation saves Puckett's life but ends his buffalo hunting days, leaving the proud old man bitter and consumed with thoughts of vengeance against Larner. Despite Matt's warnings and attempts to help him adjust to town life, Puckett refuses to let go of his rage. When the marshal finally spots a scarred man matching Larner's description in the Long Branch saloon weeks later, the situation threatens to explode into deadly confrontation as Puckett's thirst for revenge collides with Matt's duty to prevent murder.

  3. Beekers Barn

    Jun 7, 2026 · 25 min

    Originally Aired: December 20, 1959 Gunsmoke #402, "Beekers Barn," finds Marshal Matt Dillon facing a tense family conflict on a bitter cold Christmas Eve. When rancher Jethro Beeker storms into the marshal's office demanding that trespassers be thrown off his property, Matt discovers the "criminals" are Will Ross and Harmony, Jethro's own daughter whom he disowned two years earlier when she married Will. The young couple, caught in a snowstorm while traveling, sought shelter in Beeker's barn out of desperation. When Matt and Chester arrive at the ranch, they find Will armed and defensive, protecting Harmony in the tack room where he's made her a bed of straw and blankets. The situation grows more urgent when Matt discovers why the couple so desperately needs shelter: Harmony is about to give birth. As Doc Adams is summoned through the snowstorm and the stubborn Jethro refuses to acknowledge his daughter's plight, the marshal must navigate between an unforgiving father and a frightened young couple facing the arrival of their child on one of the coldest nights of the year.

  4. Don Mateo

    Jun 6, 2026 · 25 min

    Originally Aired: December 13, 1959 Gunsmoke #401, "Don Mateo," Matt Dillon's past comes calling when Don Esteban, an old friend from his days riding the Mexican border, arrives in Dodge City looking for him. The reunion at the Long Branch starts with warmth and nostalgia as the two men reminisce about their dangerous adventures together, hunting outlaws in territory where they made their own law. But Esteban hasn't come just to visit. He's tracking a man named Rallo who has wronged his Maria, and he wants Matt to ride with him like the old days. Matt faces an impossible choice between loyalty to his friend and his duty as a U.S. Marshal. When he refuses to join the hunt and warns Esteban that he'll have to come after him if he kills Rallo, the Mexican sadly observes that his old partner no longer has "the enjoyment." The tension escalates when Chester brings word that Doc is treating a wounded dirt farmer, shot by a rider in Mexican outfit. Matt must now confront whether his old friend has crossed the line from the borderlands justice they once shared to cold-blooded murder.

  5. Big Chugg Wilson

    Jun 5, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: December 6, 1959 Gunsmoke #400, "Big Chugg Wilson," a seemingly innocent flirtation between saloon girl Lori and a rough buffalo hunter spirals into violence and obsession. When the unwashed and lonely Chugg Wilson rides into Dodge City to sell his hides, Lori playfully teases him at the Long Branch, much to the concern of Roque, a ranch hand who has feelings for her. Kitty Russell warns Lori that she might be attracting more attention than she intends, but Lori dismisses the danger, insisting she's just having fun. She promises Chugg a drink later, not realizing how seriously he takes her casual attention. When Chugg returns that evening expecting Lori to keep her promise, the situation turns dark. Lori tries to brush him off, explaining she was only teasing, but Chugg refuses to accept her rejection. When Roque attempts to defend Lori and escort her home, the massive buffalo hunter becomes violent, leaving Roque badly hurt and claiming Lori for himself. What began as playful banter transforms into a dangerous confrontation that threatens everyone involved.

  6. Hard Lesson

    Jun 4, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: November 29, 1959 In Gunsmoke #399, "Hard Lesson," a desperate young man named Joe Belvin faces an impossible choice when his outlaw brother Pete comes home mortally wounded from a bank robbery. Pete has returned seeking their mother's healing touch, only to learn she died a year ago. With Pete bleeding badly and refusing a doctor for fear of the law, Joe rides into Dodge City to strike a deal with Marshal Matt Dillon. The naive farm boy believes that returning the stolen money will square everything with the law and save his brother, but he receives a hard lesson when Matt tells him Pete would still have to stand trial regardless. Frustrated and angry that the law won't help his dying brother, Joe returns home and hides Pete before Doc Adams arrives. When Matt and Chester ride out to investigate, they find blood but no patient, as Joe stubbornly refuses any assistance that might bring the law down on Pete. The young man is determined to protect his brother at any cost, even as Pete grows weaker and mentions his outlaw partners, Lo and Raleigh, who aren't far away. Joe must now decide whether his misguided loyalty will lead to more tragedy or whether he'll accept the hard truth about justice and the law.

  7. Paid Killer

    Jun 3, 2026 · 25 min

    Originally Aired: November 22, 1959 Gunsmoke #398, "Paid Killer," finds Marshal Matt Dillon facing a deadly threat when old Billy overhears a sinister conversation in the livery stable. Two men discuss a contract killing—one offering a thousand dollars in gold to have Dillon murdered, and the other accepting the job. Though Billy couldn't identify the voices in the darkness, Matt and Chester soon trace the money to Lawson Hale, a businessman whose schemes Matt has repeatedly thwarted. Now Hale has hired an unknown gunman, and the killer could be anyone among the strangers in Dodge. For two tense days, Matt refuses to hide, walking the moonlit streets despite Chester's protests and his own admission that waiting for an unseen assassin frays the nerves. When Matt confronts Hale at the Long Branch saloon and tries to goad him into making his own play, the cowardly schemer refuses to take the bait. That night, a muzzle flash from the shadows finally announces the killer's presence, but after one shot, the gunman vanishes into the darkness, leaving Matt to wonder when and where he'll strike next.

  8. The Square Triangle

    Jun 2, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: November 15, 1959 Gunsmoke #397, "The Square Triangle," presents a tale of deadly temptation when Marshal Matt Dillon warns Red Lawson about the dangerous allure of Ava Morley, a married woman whose past admirers ended up in a fatal gunfight. Lawson dismisses the warning, insisting he's no fool like the others. When Matt encounters Ava prowling Front Street after midnight looking for Lawson, he sends her home and fears the worst. His concerns prove justified when Jesse Wells, a young bartender, arrives at Matt's door with grim news: Al Morley has been knifed in the back at their cattle-buying camp near Buffalo Fletch, and Red Lawson has fled with ten thousand dollars. Matt and Chester pursue Lawson, tracking him to a water stop where the fugitive waits to board the eastbound train. When Matt confronts him, Lawson refuses to surrender, forcing a gunfight that leaves him mortally wounded. As Doc Adams examines the dying man, Matt reflects grimly on how Lawson became just another fool destroyed by his attraction to Ava Morley, despite the marshal's warnings about the mournful nature of certain kinds of love.

  9. Cavalcade

    Jun 1, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: November 8, 1959 Gunsmoke #396, "Cavalcade," presents Marshal Matt Dillon with an agonizing dilemma when Deputy Sheriff Ed Hunter arrives from Richmond, Virginia, carrying murder warrants for two fugitives. Hunter has tracked one suspect, Calvin Moore, for nineteen years following the shooting death of Roger Beauregard. When Hunter shows Dillon a photograph, the marshal recognizes the face as someone he knows well in Dodge City: Doc Adams. The evidence is unmistakable, despite the passage of time. Doc explains his side of the story to Matt, revealing that young Jim Beauregard challenged him to a duel over a southern girl they both courted. With no witnesses to prove self-defense and facing certain conviction as a Yankee outsider in Virginia, Doc fled west and eventually settled in Dodge. Now Matt faces an impossible choice between his duty as a lawman and his loyalty to a friend. Doc makes his position clear: he won't go back to Virginia and face prison for defending himself. The marshal must decide whether honest law means betraying a good man, while Dodge City waits to see what their marshal will do.

  10. Westbound

    May 31, 2026 · 28 min

    Originally Aired: November 1, 1959 Gunsmoke #395, "Westbound," finds Matt Dillon and Chester traveling to Abilene on what should be a routine prisoner pickup. While Doc grumbles back in Dodge about Chester's easy assignment, the deputy himself feels uneasy about the trip. Their mission is to arrest Jack Daggett, a killer who fled to his hometown after a shooting in Dodge. The arrest goes smoothly at the Last Chance Saloon, but trouble quickly surfaces when the local constable, Roar, proves unhelpful and warns that Daggett's older brothers won't take kindly to the situation. With Wild Bill Hickok away in Topeka, Matt finds himself without local support and denied use of the jail. With four hours to wait until the westbound train departs for Dodge, Matt and Chester hole up in a hotel room with their handcuffed prisoner. The hotel keeper reluctantly accepts their business but demands payment in advance, fearing the bloody confrontation that may come when the Daggett brothers learn their younger sibling is under arrest. As the minutes crawl by and tension mounts, Chester's earlier hunch about this assignment seems increasingly justified.

  11. Old Gunfighter

    May 30, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: October 25, 1959 Gunsmoke #394, "Old Gunfighter," centers on Charlie, an elderly man who spends his days sitting in front of the Dodge House, regaling anyone who'll listen with stories of the legendary gunfighter Rio Joe and the old days. When Chester intervenes to protect Charlie from a couple of young toughs who are tired of his constant talking, he ends up with a black eye for his trouble. Charlie insists he's trying to help these young men by teaching them proper gunfighting technique, warning that their clumsy methods will get them killed, but nobody wants to listen to an old-timer's advice anymore. As Charlie continues sharing tales of Rio Joe's exploits with a young boy, spinning yarns about facing down three men in border country, the townspeople grow increasingly skeptical. The young toughs mock Charlie as a blowhard who never actually knew any real gunfighters. When challenged to prove his stories are true, Charlie finds himself unable to offer evidence, leaving doubt hanging over whether he's a genuine old gunfighter sharing hard-earned wisdom or just a lonely man seeking attention with tall tales.

  12. The Mortgage

    May 29, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: October 18, 1959 Gunsmoke #393, "The Mortgage," presents Marshal Matt Dillon with a moral dilemma that strikes at the heart of frontier justice. Wealthy landowner Caleb Andrews arrives at the marshal's office demanding that Dillon serve an order of foreclosure and eviction on Ed Blake, a hardworking farmer who owes $420 on his mortgage. The debt came due just three days ago, but Andrews refuses to wait, despite Ed's legitimate hardships—a broken leg from a horse accident and his family's struggle to bring in a crop. When Dillon tries to reason with the callous creditor, pointing out that Andrews already owns half of Ford County and doesn't need the money, Andrews dismisses his concerns and insists the papers be served immediately. Dillon reluctantly carries out his duty, delivering the devastating news to Ed's wife Martha at their well-tended farm. With only five days to vacate, the Blake family faces complete ruin. The situation weighs heavily on Dillon's conscience, leading him to question the nature of right and wrong in his profession. When Andrews pushes too far with an insult at the Long Branch Saloon, tensions escalate, and Dillon takes desperate action to try to help the Blakes before time runs out.

  13. Kitty's Quandary

    May 28, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: October 11, 1959 In Gunsmoke #392, "Kitty's Quandary," a drifter named Shave Murdoch has been spending considerable time at the Long Branch, and he's set his sights on Kitty Russell. While Shave smoothly courts Kitty with compliments and attention, he shows particular interest in Marshal Dillon's whereabouts and routines. When Matt arrives to take Kitty to supper, tension crackles between the two men. Shave claims he's in Dodge on business and will be heading to Texas soon, but his questions become more pointed when Kitty mentions that Doc Adams will be pulling Matt's bad tooth that night. As Doc prepares for the painful procedure, he plans to get Matt heavily liquored up first, which means the marshal will be incapacitated well into the next morning. When Shave learns this detail from Kitty, his reaction suggests more than casual interest. With Chester left in charge of a groggy, whiskey-soaked marshal and a quiet town, the stage is set for trouble. Shave's mysterious "business" in Dodge and his careful timing raise questions about his true intentions.

  14. Hinka-Do

    May 27, 2026 · 25 min

    Originally Aired: October 4, 1959 Gunsmoke #391, "Hinka-Do," begins when Matt Dillon discovers that the Lady Gay Saloon has suddenly come under new management. A formidable woman named Mamie, lately of Kansas City and St. Louis, announces she's taking over the establishment with a new policy. The peculiar part is that former owner Herman Bleaker, a vain little man known for showing off his fancy vests around town, has vanished without a word to anyone. Mamie claims he sold her the saloon and left for St. Louis, but Matt grows suspicious when he learns Bleeker's horse remains at the livery stable and no one saw him leave on the train or stage. At the Lady Gay's grand opening, Mamie proves herself a force to be reckoned with, laying down strict rules for her patrons and demonstrating her lightning-fast draw by shooting an ace of spades off the back wall. While Doc Adams, Chester, and the townspeople marvel at this imposing newcomer, Matt quietly investigates Bleeker's disappearance. When Manuel reports seeing Mamie in the arroyo behind the saloon before dawn carrying a shovel, Matt and his companions head out with a lantern to investigate what might be buried there.

  15. Personal Justice

    May 26, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: September 27, 1959 In Gunsmoke #390, "Personal Justice," Matt Dillon brings a prisoner named Reed Morley to Wichita to stand trial for the murder of a woman. Before Matt can even get a hot bath after the dusty journey from Dodge, he's confronted by Clayt Morley, Reed's older brother, who insists that no one with the Morley name could commit such a crime. Clayt makes his position chillingly clear: if Reed isn't acquitted and walks out of the courthouse a free man, Matt won't live to see him hang. Despite calling it an appeal to Matt's sense of justice and honor, the threat is unmistakable. Throughout their stay in Wichita, Clayt shadows Matt and Chester, repeatedly reminding the marshal of his "continued interest" in Matt's health and welfare. When the trial concludes, Matt faces a troubling situation where the verdict may not align with justice, and Clayt Morley's dangerous obsession with family honor threatens to exact a terrible price. Matt must navigate between doing his duty as a lawman and surviving a man who believes personal justice supersedes the law.

  16. Gentlemens Disagreement

    May 25, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: September 20, 1959 Gunsmoke #389, "Gentlemens Disagreement," opens with a desperate Jeannie Wells bursting into Matt Dillon's office with alarming news: Ed Baudre has arrived in Dodge City on the morning train, and she's certain he's come to kill her husband Bert. Four years earlier, Jeannie had been involved with Baudre back in Louisville before choosing to marry Bert instead, and Baudre swore revenge. Despite Jeannie's pleas for help based on their old friendship, Matt explains he can't interfere in personal quarrels, though he reluctantly agrees to talk to Baudre. When Matt confronts the vengeful man at the Long Branch Saloon, tensions escalate into a physical altercation, and Baudre issues an ultimatum to Bert: face him in a gunfight by sundown. Bert Wells, now a peaceful blacksmith who hasn't worn a gun in two years, refuses Matt's suggestion to hide out on the prairie while the marshal finds a way to run Baudre out of town. Citing honor and manhood, Bert insists on facing his adversary despite having little chance against the experienced gunfighter. However, before sundown arrives, someone strikes Baudre from behind in an alley with a hammer. When Matt and Chester arrive at the Wells home to investigate, they find Bert armed and waiting in the darkness, and Matt must make an arrest for murder.

  17. Johnny Red

    May 24, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: September 13, 1959 In Gunsmoke #388, "Johnny Red," a stranger arrives in Dodge claiming to be Billy Crail, the long-lost son of elderly rancher Mrs. Crail who ran away seventeen years ago. The reunion seems heartwarming at first, as the lonely widow welcomes her boy home with open arms. However, Matt Dillon knows a dark truth: the real Billy Crail died at the Battle of Shiloh during the war. The marshal recognizes the imposter as Johnny Red, a wanted bank robber and cattle thief from Lubbock with a criminal record stretching back years. Matt faces an impossible dilemma when he visits the Crail ranch with Chester. Mrs. Crail is happier than she's been in years, her failing health miraculously improved by her son's return. She's been going downhill since her husband John died, but now has a reason to live again. When Matt confronts Johnny Red with the truth, the cunning outlaw uses the old woman's joy as a shield, daring the marshal to break her heart by exposing him. Matt must decide whether to arrest the criminal and destroy Mrs. Crail's newfound happiness, or let a dangerous con man prey on a vulnerable widow.

  18. Matts Decision

    May 23, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: September 6, 1959 In Gunsmoke #387, "Matts Decision," Marshal Matt Dillon faces mounting frustration from nearly everyone in Dodge City. The episode begins with Chester complaining about rowdy prisoners who've made a mess of the jail, and matters only get worse from there. Doc Adams storms into the Marshal's office angry about a drunk who stole and wrecked his buggy, demanding Matt do something about the lawless drovers. Hotel owner Mr. Dobey wants Matt to act as doorman and keep loafers out of his chairs, while Miss Bagley represents a group of town ladies concerned about bottles in the streets and general disorder when the Texas herds arrive. Matt finds himself caught between impossible expectations and the reality of frontier law enforcement. As complaints pile up and tempers flare, even Chester manages to destroy the Marshal's hat while cleaning up after prisoners. The mounting pressure from all sides forces Matt to examine his role as lawkeeper and consider what he can realistically accomplish in a rowdy cattle town where drovers and townspeople constantly clash.

  19. Shooting Stopover

    May 22, 2026 · 25 min

    Originally Aired: August 30, 1959 Gunsmoke #386, "Shooting Stopover," finds Marshal Matt Dillon transporting a dangerous prisoner named Gurney to Wichita to face murder charges. Accompanied by his deputy Chester, Dillon boards the afternoon stage carrying not only the shackled killer but also a strongbox of gold, a schoolmarm passenger, and a reverend. When they stop at Hat Creek Station to change horses, tensions run high. The schoolmarm protests Dillon's treatment of Gurney, insisting he be shown human dignity despite his crimes, while Chester remains convinced the prisoner deserves no such consideration. The routine stopover turns deadly when the station keeper mysteriously disappears and the replacement horses are nowhere to be found. Suddenly gunfire erupts as outlaws launch an attack, targeting the gold shipment and scattering the stage horses. As bullets fly and the stage driver Jim rushes into danger, Dillon must protect his passengers, secure the gold, and prevent Gurney from escaping—all while pinned down by hidden gunmen in the rocks. The marshal faces a difficult choice about whether to leave the murderer chained helplessly to the stagecoach wheel or risk freeing him in the chaos.

  20. The Reed Survives

    May 21, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: August 23, 1959 Gunsmoke #385, "The Reed Survives," finds Matt Dillon confronting a volatile domestic situation that threatens to turn deadly. Lucy Hunt, who left her dance hall life six months ago to marry the scripture-quoting Ephraim Hunt for his 800 acres of rangeland, comes to Matt in desperation. She claims her husband, who once studied to be a preacher, has grown cruel and suspicious, accusing her of terrible things and threatening to kill her. When Matt refuses to act without evidence, Lucy warns him he'll eventually have to intervene—but by then, it will be for murder. The situation grows more complicated when Doc and Kitty reveal that a young drifter named Bruce Ryder works at the Hunt place, and Kitty hints at Lucy's possible involvement with him. Matt confronts Bruce, suggesting he move on, but the young man refuses to leave his comfortable position. When Chester reports that Ephraim has purchased his first gun ever and is drinking in the barn, the stage is set for a deadly confrontation between the three, with Matt racing against time to prevent bloodshed.

  21. Pokey Pete

    May 20, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: August 16, 1959 Gunsmoke #384, "Pokey Pete," Dodge City's curious recluse becomes the target of taunting youngsters and dangerous drifters alike. Chester catches young Ted harassing the elderly, silent Pete, who shambles through town wearing boxes on his feet during his monthly visits for supplies. While Chester tries to teach the boy respect by taking him fishing and spinning yarns about Pete's supposed pirate treasure hidden somewhere outside town, his stories may do more harm than good. Meanwhile, Marshal Matt Dillon and Doc discuss the mysterious old man who's been coming to town for as long as anyone can remember, never speaking a word and paying in gold coins. The tension escalates when Pete makes his regular stop at the Long Branch Saloon for his customary three drinks. A couple of rowdy troublemakers take exception to the strange old man's presence at the bar, demanding he move and answer them. When Pete remains silent, the confrontation threatens to turn ugly, forcing both Matt and Kitty to intervene before the situation explodes into violence against the defenseless drifter.

  22. Mavis McCloud

    May 19, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: August 9, 1959 Gunsmoke #383, "Mavis McCloud," a mysterious telegram arrives in Dodge City announcing that someone is coming to get married and requesting Marshal Matt Dillon meet the noon train. When young Mavis McCloud steps off that train, she surprises everyone by explaining she doesn't know whom she'll marry yet—she's simply come west looking for a husband, and believes the marshal should help her find the right man. Matt and Kitty are bemused by the unconventional arrangement, but within days Mavis meets and marries Barney Wales, a hardworking young cowboy with his own spread near Dodge. The newlyweds' happiness is threatened when a dangerous man named Lou Staley arrives from St. Louis, tracking Mavis down and vowing to kill her husband. Matt learns that Mavis has been hiding secrets about her past, including her real name and her connection to the menacing Staley. When Barney refuses to run from the threat, insisting he'll stand his ground despite Mavis's pleas, Matt faces the challenge of protecting the young couple while unraveling the mystery of why Staley is so determined to destroy Mavis's new life.

  23. Ball Nine Take Your Base

    May 18, 2026 · 26 min

    Originally Aired: August 2, 1959 Gunsmoke #382, "Ball Nine Take Your Base," finds Doc Adams reluctantly preparing to umpire a baseball game between the Dodge City team and the visiting Eastern All-Stars, a group of professional players. While Doc views baseball as a gentleman's sport and considers umpiring an honor, Marshal Matt Dillon warns him that professional baseball has changed from the friendly games Doc remembers back East. Matt worries about potential trouble from gamblers, drunks, and overzealous fans, insisting that the professionals and their supporters are more likely to start a brawl than play peacefully. The tension escalates when the All-Stars arrive in town and take over the Long Branch saloon with their rowdy behavior. Doc gets his first look at these rough professional players, including their manager and pitcher Asa Granville. A confrontation nearly erupts when hot-headed local Ziff Williams takes offense at Granville's confident offer to bet that the All-Stars will score at least a hundred runs. As Matt tries to keep order before game day, it becomes clear that this baseball match may test Dodge City in ways Doc never anticipated.

  24. Old Beller

    May 17, 2026 · 25 min

    Originally Aired: July 26, 1959 Gunsmoke #381, "Old Beller," Marshal Matt Dillon accompanies Doc Adams to a trail camp after receiving an unusual summons—a drover has threatened to kill Doc if he doesn't cure a patient. When they arrive at trail boss Hobb Waddell's camp, they discover the patient isn't human at all. Old Beller, a legendary lead steer worth more than ten good cowhands, has taken ill. The temperamental animal is famous throughout Texas for his ability to control entire herds, leading cattle across impossible streams and keeping them calm during storms. Doc reluctantly examines the animal and determines Old Beller has cured himself, though he suggests the steer might have eaten something poisonous. Waddell immediately blames Charlie, the camp cook who's been feeding table scraps to Old Beller, and fires him on the spot despite the old cook's tearful protests that he would never harm his friend. The heartbroken Charlie, with nowhere to go, ends up drinking away his sorrows in Dodge City, where he encounters Ab Slate, a man from a previous trail drive who seems very interested in Charlie's unfortunate situation with the famous lead steer.

  25. Second Arrest

    May 16, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: July 19, 1959 Gunsmoke #380, "Second Arrest," Marshal Matt Dillon faces a frustrating legal setback when his key witness, Will Hunter, fails to appear in court to testify against Mort Seely, a man accused of horse theft. Without Hunter's testimony, Judge Brooker has no choice but to dismiss the case and release Seely, despite everyone's certainty of his guilt. Dillon suspects foul play, especially after visiting Hunter's uncooperative wife, who refuses to answer questions about her husband's whereabouts. Chester searches Dodge City thoroughly but finds no trace of the missing witness. The situation takes a grim turn when Doc Adams discovers Will Hunter barely alive in the bushes near his fishing spot, severely beaten and left for dead. When Dillon and Chester ride out to the Hunter place to investigate, they're met with unexpected hostility. Mrs. Hunter, standing on her porch with a loaded squirrel gun, warns them to stay away. Traumatized and protective, she insists that Will has only been hurt by those who've tried to help him, setting up a tense confrontation as Dillon tries to get to the bottom of what happened and who's responsible.