Texas Ranger Blackmailed

Originally Aired: February 8, 1939 The Lone Ranger #942, "Texas Ranger Blackmailed," the Lone Ranger and Tonto investigate gunshots near the town of Fremont and arrive at an isolated house just as six Apache riders flee the scene. Inside, they meet Texas Ranger Tim Jordan and his landlady Kate, who accidentally fires at the masked man before recognizing him. Tim reveals a shocking secret: he is actually Douglas Moore, a man wanted back East for robbery and murder. He explains to the Lone Ranger that he was framed by a lookalike named Hurley, who committed the crimes while Tim waited outside. After fleeing false arrest, Tim changed his name and joined the Texas Rangers to start fresh. Now Tim faces a terrible dilemma. He has been receiving blackmail letters from Hurley, who is heading to Texas by stage and threatening to expose his true identity. Making matters worse, a reward notice for Douglas Moore's arrest has reached the Texas Ranger barracks, and Tim has been assigned to search for himself. The Lone Ranger listens to Tim's story and believes in his innocence, setting the stage for a confrontation with the real criminal.