Frontier Gentleman: Shelton Brothers

There's a town in Montana territory, but it's against the law to carry a gun. A sheriff lives by this order, but because of it, other men can die. Run-tier gentlemen, here with an Englishman's account of life and death in the West.

As a reporter for the London Times, he writes his colorful and unusual accounts. But as a man with a gun, he lives and becomes a part of the violent years in the new territories. Now starring John Dainer, this is the story of J.B. Kendall, frontier gentleman.

The journey had taken 98 days from St. Louis. I had come by riverboat up the Missouri. The little stern wheeler climbing, churning, scuttling over 2,000 miles of sandbar and Then into the lonely wastes of another swiftest dream, the Yellowstone, until we finally docked at South Sunday in Montana Territory.

My ticket had cost $300, which left me about $50 in my pocket, and the slim hope that there would be a letter at the Express Office with my remittance from England. Afternoon!

Just in off the boat? Right. I wonder if there's a letter for me, J.B. Kendall? Kendall, uh, any trouble on the way up? Here's a soup and kicking up your heels. Set the bowls, making big medicine again. Don't sound good.

We didn't see any. Kendall, you English, ain't you? Yes, I'm figured by the talk. Don't see many of you in these parts. Uh, nope. Nothing for you, mister. You're sure? It's rather important from England.

No, nothing. Maybe tomorrow on the Overland, though. They say you planning to stay a while. I think so better getting register then Register over to sheriff clanton's office. There's a notice on the wall. Maybe missed your attention All strangers to south sunday will within one hour of arrival register at the office of the sheriff or be prosecuted

That's clanton's orders. Surprise. You missed the signs. They're all over. Thank you. That's all right Wouldn't want to see you in trouble. This ain't the healthiest town in the territory not for strangers. Oh Oh, any particular reason?

Oh, excuse me. Afternoon, Mr. Farley. This here's Mr. Kendall just off the boat. I was telling him about registering. Now, that's a good idea. Dick Farley is one of the sheriff's deputies. Helps keep Sal Sunday law abiding.

Big job at East time. What's your business, Mr. Kendall? Oh, you might call me a jack of all trades. Am I? I do a little writing for a London newspaper, you know, an Englishman's view of the Wild West, that sort of thing.

We don't take the strangers. Oh really? Shame. I've been looking forward to my visit. Well now you've seen it, you know what it's like so I suppose you get yourself back on that boat and try up the line of the Rosebud at Junction City huh?

I don't think so. Now if you'll pardon me I'll register at your office. You're carrying a gun? No. Put your hands up. Over your head. Aye. Aye you hold it just like that. Just so.

That's your baggage? Yes. I think you're pardon. I said pick it up. Oh, all right, come on. Tell me, Mr. Farley, how did your town get its name? How should I know? I thought you'd take an interest just as a matter of pride, a civic pride. Mr. I don't like the way you talk or what you say, so you shut your mouth here,

inside. Where you been, Dave? I've been checking on this fellow, Frank. Just coming off the boat. He says he's a writer, a newspaper in London or something. He ain't caring nothing. I searched him. You're Sheriff Clanton? Yeah. J.B. Kendall. I understand I have to register him. Yeah. A writer, huh? You want to write about South

Sunday? I might. How come? As a matter of fact, the name intrigued me. You kidding? Oh, not at all. I write about the West and you're in the heart of it. From what I I understand there might be trouble brewing with the Sioux and the Cheyenne.

I'd like to be here if it blows up. What's the name of your paper? The London Times. You ever hear a day? No. Mr. All kinds come to these here parts. None is actually calling you a liar.

That's quite all right. One can't be too careful. Here, my paper's. A. B. Careful. very sudden London time. That's what it says. Here you see there? Yeah, that's what it says. Any other strangers get off the boat with him?

No, just him. Well, you sound all right to me, Mr. Kennel. Just you remember, I got a set of rules here. You live by and wide, you're here, you'll get long. That seems fair enough.

No man, except name authorized by me, carries a gun in South Sunday. That way we don't get a bunch of crazy liquid up miners and the like shooting up the place. It seems the usual thing for a man to be armed in most places. It ain't usual here. It's again the law. Oh, I see. You got

yourself fixed up at the hotel? No, not yet. Well, and you going over to the Empire, Mr. Carol, you tell a franklant and send you they'll take care of you. Very good of you. Take a look at his maggies. Right. You're going to search my That's right, mister.

There are no guns in South Sunday, not worn or hidden. That's a lie. I haven't got one. I sure am glad you're here. I like a piece of a man. Yes, sir. Eh, I fell like you might think of selling down here in South Sunday.

It requires little town in Montana territory. It's an opportunity for a man. Well, I'll keep it in mind, Mr. Clanton. Ain't nothing in his bags. Well, now, Mr. Carroll, you enjoy your stay here. Enjoy your stay here. Anything you want, you just ask me.

And I appreciate it, sir, if you put my name in your paper. Whatever you want to say is okay with me. My hotel room was a palace in comparison to the cabin on the riverboat.

After cleaning up, I went downstairs to the saloon bar in the hotel, ordered a drink before dinner. The place was practically empty, but I wasn't alone for long. Hi. You're the English fella, aren't you?

Kendall? Yes, that's right. I'm Lila. I work here. Frank Clanton said be nice to you. I'm being nice. You want to buy me a drink? It's on Frank. Oh, I did like it. You liked it?

Uh, bartender. Champagne, Harry. Yeah. Frank says it's not lady like to drink whiskey. Hey, what'd you do to that man? I never seen him like this. He thinks I'm going to write about him for my paper.

Oh, yeah? More than likely. You're going to write about me too? If you want me to. I'm Dick Farley's girl. Dick doesn't like you. He got mad when Frank said to be nice to you.

Is everybody in South Sunday do what Clanton tells him to do? Sure. Why? It is very... Oh. Well, good luck. Look here. Lila, what about Clanton? You seem like a nice fella. Don't ask questions.

Well, what about you then? Me? What do you care? Where are you from? I was born in Ohio. I got married and came out west. Five years back, my husband got killed in a gunfight.

I don't know. I kind of drifted around, ended up here. One place as good as an ex. Is it? I guess. What about you? Your homes in England, huh? It was. You wanted them lords and groups or something?

No, not exactly. Married? No, no, no. I'm interested in traveling around and seeing new things. Oh, it has its advantages. But I suppose you'll be glad to get back home. Well, let's just say that one place is as good as the next.

Oh, you can't go back, huh? Trouble? In a way. Ah, look, your friends just come in, Mr. Farley. Listen, you'll be careful with him. They can get off of me. Doesn't he take orders from Plant and Two?

Don't talk smart like that to him at Ryerson. Ah, Mr. Farley, good evening. Would you join us? No. I just come to say don't you get no ideas about Lila. Now what ideas do you think I'd have?

I'm telling you. You're telling me what? Keep your hands off my girl, you understand? My dear fellow, I haven't touched your girl. The thought never entered my mind. We just have in that drink date like Clant.

Lila, you're too part of this. Do you know that I find your manateur this young lady rather offensive? Well you were just asking for trouble, aren't you? Not at all. You think you can come in here with your fancy talk, your fancy ways make fool out of me.

Well, maybe Frank's a sucker, but not me. I don't like you. I don't trust you one bit. Mr. Farley, it couldn't be of less consequence of what do you think of me? He'll kill you just like him.

Shut up! That I don't stand for. Chum. Oh! Oh! Kill us, kill you! Right, go! Oh, you imagine as curtain. Now, if you don't mind, I'll relieve you of these. A cap of your disposition has no right running around with even one gun, let alone two.

You should have killed him. What I know is four. Listen, there's two more besides taken track. They'll get you. You won't have a chance. I think you better clear out before Mr. Farley starts a bleeding.

He's not going to be any very nice nude. Where are you going? Down in Mr. Clanton's office. I've got to have a little talk to him. In a moment, we'll return to frontier gentlemen. Who gets the last word?

It all depends on who's playing CBS Radio's fascinating game Tuesday evening with Dr. Bergen Evans. A regular panel member is the witty and erudite John Mason Brown. Other guests vary from week to week. This Tuesday they'll be Gary Moore and Dale Wertenbaker.

These bright people take off from language questions set in by listeners and cover all sorts of fascinating ground before one or another of them ultimately gives you the last word on the question. the last word this Tuesday when it comes to you over most of these same stations.

Now we return you to Anthony Ellis's production of Frontier Gentlemen. Mr. Campbell, Mr. Campbell, wait. You can't go down there. They will have to back him to plant by now. They'll be waiting.

That's all right. What's the matter with you? You want to die? Of course not. If you're gunning for them. Yannning for who I'm not gunning for anybody. Then why are you gonna see Frank? Well I told you I would talk to him.

Talk! Listen you've got to get out of town! My dear girl. Don't you know who they are? Should I? You don't know what you've done. You... Shh! Quick! This way! She took my hand and ran back up the street.

We ducked down an alleyway up a really quiet of stairs, which was a back entrance of the Empire Hotel, then along a musty corridor, past my room, and into hers. Oh. I don't think they'll think of looking for you here.

Your friend Mr. Farley is going to be quite upset if they do. His name's not Farley. Clanton isn't clanton. They're the Shelton boys. Shelton? The New Mexico Shelton boys? There's four of them. Brothers. What are they doing in South Sunday?

I had an out from Billy the Kid. They killed one of Billy's men. Billy swore to get them all for it. That's why Frank won't let anybody carry a gun. How do you know all this?

It was my husband, Dick killed. Harry joined up with Billy for excitement, I guess. One time he was gone out of town three months. I was lonesome. I met Dick when Harry came back. They had a fight over me. Dick out drew him.

We ran away together. And you thought I'd come after them. That Billy had sent me? They'll think it too now. Lana, who made Frank sheriff here? Nobody. He wasn't one when we came. He just took over.

Funny thing is, I guess he's a pretty good chair. He's quit the old ways and likes it here. Why have you told me all this? I don't know. You talked with me like I was a lady.

Indian treats these squaw, better than day treats me. Maybe I wanted to see you finish them. There's not going to be very pleasant for you anymore. Pleasant? Oh, mister, you've got a funny way of saying things.

Lila, is there anywhere you could go, friends? In South Sunday? What about home? I mean Ohio. Home. Now what it costs to get there, I got no money. But if you could. If I could.

I had nice folks. I don't even know if they're alive or dead. But I'd sure like to take a chance and find out. Well, Alan, we'll see what we can do. Where are you going now?

I heard that talk with Frank. Do you know how to use a gun? Yes. But take this one. Lock yourself in after I've gone. You keep it. I've got a dare engine. Oh, all right.

I hear, in case I have any trouble, it's only $50. I don't want your money. Well, at least you'll be able to get out of town. I'll pick it. Watch yourself, will you? Dake's got a mean draw.

I'll watch myself. The Shelton brothers and probably two of their chums, were out looking for me now and I was pretty certain of that. I was looking for them too, but the advantage was on their side.

The town was strange to me. So I went to the one place where I was fairly sure I'd be safe from a surprise attack. Yeah, right here. What are you? Ah, ah, ah.

Keep your hands where they are. Your candle? I'm candle. Billy the kid sent you. Now listen. You may very slowly, carefully, unbuckle your gun belt and let it drop to the floor. If you try to be foolish and brave, I should be delighted to shoot you in the stomach.

Can't be, Mr. Candlewick. See, just like you say. Which shall none of you? One row. Very well, Monroe. I wish you to walk to that cell in the far corner, go in, and close the door behind you.

You will then stand with your back to the door. You wouldn't kill me. Oh, yes, I would. Close it, please. Good. Turn around, please. Now, I'm going to gag you. In order to do so, I must put my guns away and use two hands.

If by any chance your friends come in and you make an outcry while I'm doing this, I shall teach you a trick I learned in India. It feels something like this. No! Effective, don't you think?

Yeah! Right. Now, head close to the bars, please. Oh, by the way, how many are there looking for me? Two? Three. Ah, three. three. There. Now we'll make ourselves comfortable and wait for your brothers.

Remember what I told you Monroe. Not to sound. Hey. Hand off. Hand off. You hear me?

He's the redback door. Come out with your hands up. I'll wear comedy after you. Let's get that gag off. I can see I'm going to need you. What are you going to do? I'll probably have to end up killing you, and nothing personally you understand.

What do you say, can you go? How'd you come? Open the door and throw your guns out. I've got a much better idea. You open the door and throw your guns in. Tell him. Yeah, I'm in here, Frank.

Get up! You've come on out! Maybe we can make a deal! You can keep your gun! I think it'd be safer if you came in, without yours! We're good, Russia! You couldn't get all three hours!

You have my permission! I don't know how your brother will feel about it! You want to tell him? Now don't do anything crazy, Frank! He's got a gun at my head! He'll kill me! Frank!

I hate to do this, but I'm afraid I don't believe you. No, no. Hey, Frank, he's got a shoot. You do what he says. All right. Hand up. We'll open the door. Probably not gone.

You give us your word. You won't show. Not unless you do. Any more? No. We're coming in now. Well, a pleasant family reunion.

The brothers, Shelton. Keep your hands where I can see them, won't you? Now look, kid made a mistake about what happened down south. It didn't mean to kill Lyla's husband, did you day? I drew him, that's all.

Yeah, that's the way it was. Lyla knows it was a fair fight. She'll tell you. Speaking of Lyla, I hope she's well. Oh, she's fine. Now, we got no fight with the kid or you.

Why don't we all go on down the saloon, have a drink, huh? Talk it over. Oh, me and my brothers have been living a nice quiet life up here. We don't want to make no trouble.

Get him, Dave! Oh, my God! Freaking! Completely dishonorable and roast unwise. Freaking! Anymore hidden armaments? You going to kill us? It depends. Mr. Shelton, have you got $500? Yeah, wrecking so. Lila wants to go home. That's about what it will cost.

You have the money here. Yeah, I should say. sure she could take the boat out when it leaves in the morning and that's so neat. Sure, sure. Get it. Oh good. That settles the account. Now all of you, get into the cell. Oh incidentally until this evening I have no idea who you were and I've certainly

never met your friend Billy the Kid. I thought you'd like to know. Hey what about Dake? He's got to have a doctor. He'll bleed to death. He probably will. I'm going back to the hotel. If Lila's all right, I'll send a doctor. If she's not, we'll find an undertaker.

I want to thank you, Mr. Kendall. It's nothing, Lila. Good luck. You ever come Ohio way? You look me up. You're here. I remember that. You're a gentleman. I'll never forget you. Goodbye.

Ah, morning Mr. Kendall. You hear about the trouble last night? Yes. Sure must have been something. According to the sheriff, a whole gang rode in trying to shoot him up.

A gang? Yep. Six of them. Dake Farley got hit in the arm. Really? Sheriff ran him off though. Marvelous. I left to mention that in my article to The London Times. Now I wonder, has that letter from England arrived yet?

Nope, I'm afraid not. Males already come in, won't be any more till next week. Well, when it does come, perhaps you'll be kind enough to forward it to me. Sure, what address? In care of the express office, Rosebud, Montana Territory.

Frontier gentleman was written, produced, and directed by Anthony Ellis and stars John Dana as J.B. Kendall, featured in the cast were Jack Crucion, Virginia Gregg, Stacey Harris, Harry Bartell, and Barney Phillips. Music was composed and conducted by Jerry Goldsmith.

Join us again next week for another report from the Frontier Gentlemen. Johnny Jacobs speaking, this is the CBS Radio Network.