Tales of the Texas Rangers: The White Elephant

Wheaties presents Joel McCray in Tales of the Texas Rangers. On stage tonight transcribed from Hollywood, another in the Wheaties big parade of exciting half-hour presentations. Tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCray as Ranger Pearson.

Texas more than 260,000 square miles, and 50 men who make up the most famous and oldest law enforcement body in North America. Now from the files of the Texas Rangers come these stories based on facts.

Only name, states and places are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of record. Space for tonight, the White Elephants. It is January 16th, 1950, the time 628 p.m. A freight train just outside of the West Texas town gained speed and rose through the gathering dust.

Inside a gondola car, a hobo crouches in a corner, as the brakeman comes toward you. Alright, Paul, this is where you get up. Now listen, Paul, just let me get to the next town, and I just...

I said, this is where you get up. But we're moving now. You're going on when we was moving, you can get up. Now, come on around, dust the top of your head. Listen, don't, don't, don't do it.

I just don't... Get on your face like this. You're not letting it go. You're letting it go. I'm letting it go. Look at... Alright, you told me, let me know. It's like me, will you?

Oh, yeah, get me up. The tales of the Texas Rangers will continue in just a moment. You take a nice ripe plump kernel of wheat and you roll it out flat and you toast it a little.

And what have you got? A wheatie. Do that over and over and over again. Do that enough times. And pretty soon you have a whole bowl full of wheaties. And you can sit down to breakfast.

Of course, you and I know not many people go to all that work to get their breakfast wheaties. They just tip up that big Wheaties box and let those crisp little flakes tumble into the bowl.

And you know what? When you do that, you get the very same 100% whole wheat goodness and energy that you would get if you rolled out your own Wheaties flakes kernel by kernel. And the best tip I can give you is to tip the Wheaties into your own bowl first thing in the morning

and see how Wheaties at seven can help at eleven. At 2.55 a.m. of the morning following the freight train incident, a rancher named Banker noticed a small coupé parked on the shoulder of the road.

It bore Oklahoma license plates. Banker turned his spotlight on the car, saw a man slum down on the driver seat. A half-hour later, Sheriff Caldwell notified by Banker began investigation of the murder and called in the Texas Rangers.

Ranger J. Pearson was assigned to the case, and a few hours later Pearson, Banker and Sheriff Caldwell stood at the scene. Pearson listened to Bankrupt. It was just about three this morning when I saw it, Ranger.

How come you were driving along this road that late? Been to a ranches meeting in our mirrors. I was going to spend the night there and change my mind. Did you take this road when you left four-hour mirrors?

Yes, sir. What time? Yesterday morning, about seven, seven, thirty. And then this car came here sometime between seven, thirty yesterday morning and three this morning. I guess so. You never saw the dead man before, huh?

What's the first time I laid eyes on it? All right, Mr. Banker. You can go. Hey, you need me, I'll be hold. No identification on the body at all, huh Sheriff? Nothing in the pockets, pick clean as a whistle.

Anybody else been around the car? Nope, deputy kept his eyes on it. Car's facing west, going west when it was stopped. Car tracks on the shoulder till that. Blood on the seat. Yep, 38 bullet on it, 38.

Might be a police special. Banker got one? Banker, but, you know, Just ask him for now. You see something? Look here, Sheriff. Set a track leading up to the car. Ordinary shoes, not boots. Eomarks are too broad for boots.

Yeah, it looks like it. Look at this one. So print with a hole in it. Now look, the prints lead from that way, north, up to the car. A little scuffle, and the prints turn back north.

In other words, Sheriff, somebody walked up to the car, stood there, then turned and went back north. Oh, and here's something else. Greece. Looks like Greece smeared on a car door, same side footprints around.

Greece might be from the car. Oh, it's too stiff and heavy for that. What about it coming from a freight train, Chase? Why? Well, as tracks about a mile north here, freight's used aside in a pull-on when passengers got a pass.

Maybe it all ties in, Sheriff. Is she with a hole in it? Greece? Freightside? Yeah, might be worth going after. Where do we start? Here at the car first, I'm gonna check it over inch by inch.

Meantime you get hold of a freight schedule. I'll meet you at your office. When I check the car inside and out, I find a few things that were interesting and a little puzzling. I sent a sample of grease to the laboratory for analysis and took plastic casts of the footprints.

Then went on a sheriff Caldwell's office. He had the information I'd requested. Here it is, Gates, schedule of freight's went through yesterday. How many? Three of them. You can check those all right. Of course we might be sending the dogs up the wrong tree.

Looks like a hobo to me. Yeah. Let me see the dead man's fingerprints. Sure, here. These match with some of the prints in the car. See, closed delta. Yeah. How about those others you got?

Pick these up on the door that had the grease on it, smeared all over. Couple clear enough to use, only. You're only watching. You know, there wasn't a single print on the steering wheel. Seems like the dead man's prints ought to be on it.

Gloves? and finding gloves on him nor in the car. Yeah. You know, by the way, I got a call out of any hobo picked up or seen on those trains. Good. Now I found these tucked under the sun visor in front of the driver's seat.

Gasoline receipts made out to Carl Thompson. Oh, that'll save a lot of checkin'. Look forward to the dead man's prints anyway. That's Stearn Wheel bothers me. Excuse me, Jason. Sheriff Caldwell. Oh, yeah, good. Hold him, we'll be there as soon as we can make it.

Something else, Jace. Brakeman and one of those freights we've been checking has a story. Some hobo slugged him and jumped. OK, let's go. The brakeman took us to the approximate spot. The hobo jumped off the freight.

Sheriff Caldwell and I picked up the trail and followed it by horse. We hoped to apprehend the suspect before he could reach a town and lose himself and us. After six hours, we stopped. What's the matter, Jace?

Tracks are different. Come here and take a look. Different? Yeah, look. Right Prince, a little deeper, favoring his left a little. Heard himself, huh? Mr. Twister's leg when he took the jump off the freight kept getting worse.

Set down here, smoked a cigarette. Here's the butt. He ain't gonna make such a good time with a bum leg. We've been traveling at a steady trot. Uh-huh. Okay, let's get going. The suspect's trail showed increased favoring of his left leg.

His progress became slower. More often he stopped to rest and the trail became fresher and fresher. Evidence in a deserted shack showed suspect that rested there for quite a while. We picked up the trail again. We're getting close sheriff.

How do you know? Notice something just now. Take a look at these prints. Same as the ones we've been following. Not quite. Hole in the right shoes. Not that. I'm talking about this annehillie crush.

What about it? Quite a few of the prints had anne hills in them. Crushed and rebuilt. So? Anne started working on a new hill when the old one's been tramped down. been trapped down. This is so fresh they haven't had time to rebuild. Hey that's right. He can't be far off. We better leave the horses tied up here sheriff and

start moving on foot. He gave us no trouble and he denied anything and everything about the crime. We took him back and I kept questioning him but he stuck to his story. I never was there I didn't do it. Ever own a gun? 38 police special? I told you a hundred times I never own no kind of gun. Why don't you

take all that skin off your arm? I don't know. Fair maybe. You got that while you when you jumped off the freight after you slugged the brake. No, no. Grease on your jacket. How did it get there?

Maybe, maybe off and afraid. Sure. At car we showed you the one you said you never seen before. It's a tooth. Is it? Hold up your right foot. Hold it up. Hold on the right shoe.

What else? Here's a plaster cast. Cast at the print of the scene of the murder. Take a good look. But I wasn't there, I tell you. Ever hear a fingerprint? I'm sure you're yours. And here's a set found at the crime.

They match. You still say you weren't there? I didn't kill nobody! Let me see your hands. When you wash them last. Maybe a couple days ago. We can tell if you fired a gun. I never had no gun!

Did you rob the man in the car? No, no. Look at me. You were there, weren't you? We can prove it. Oh, I... all right. It was there. But I didn't kill him. Why did you lie?

Well, we're scared. scared if you're innocent you don't have to be here in check i got a couple of her wraps bag wraps it let off sure sure we can check that too all right all right i got a couple of wraps the painting stuff nothing big now look tell me exactly what you did well i come in off afraid i was walking across when i

seen the car figured it was funny something funny why car park like that then i walked over seen the fella in there was dead I beat it, hop the freight, that arm. You know what else, up to now.

Did you get in the car at all? No, sir, no, sir. Did you touch the body or take anything? Ah, I swear. Strange I didn't. Did you touch the steering wheel and then wipe it off?

Why? No, no, what's wrong? Look, I'll tell you, hi. Jayce. Yeah, Sharon. Come here, will you? Sure. You stay put. I got no place to go. Here's all the dope and the murdered man, Thompson.

Come in just now. rald tomsen resident told so far traveling salesman for prince extract company this check double alleys with a gasoline receipts what about him a hobo yel i think the only crime he committed was failure to report what he saw his fingerprints were all over the outside of the one door that car none

inside seems to me if he thought of cleaning up the inside he had done the same outside yeah looks like it We're given the paraffin test anyway and see if he's fired a gun lately.

And if he didn't, start all over and start with that clean steering wheel. In just a moment we continue with tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCray as Ranger Chase Pearson. I guess nobody gets much of a taste treat out of taking their calcium and iron and phosphorus or their vitamin straight.

But you simply have to have all those things to keep feeling good. And you should have them first thing in the morning too. Because mornings the time you do most of your big days work.

That's when you really need the energy. You see, morning is the time when you're really good. Wait a minute, Frank. Why don't you just tell them this? See how Wheaties at seven can help at 11th.

Well, you took the words right out of my mouth. Of course, Wheaties at seven. Because Wheaties have all those vitamins and minerals. That's how Wheaties give you the zip it takes to feel eager and ready for anything all morning long.

Whether you drive a truck or plow a field or if you're just plain busy with a multitude of household duties. And Wheaties do you another big favor. Wheaties wrap all those vitamins up in a wonderful, sunny, toasty, nut-like flavor that fairly hollers give me some more.

Wheaties are crisp, they're munchy, you know, fun to chew on. is good going down as they make you feel when they get there. So do this, will you? Not for me, but for yourself. Hurry on down to the Wheaties tomorrow morning and just see for yourself how Wheaties at seven can help at eleven.

The result of the paraffin test was negative and we held the hobo pending further investigation. I reported back to my captain Stinson at company headquarters. I told him I was pretty sure that the Hobo story checked out.

Yeah, it looks like it. But somebody killed Thompson. Killed him and then drove him in his own car to wear that rancher spotted it. There wasn't anything on Thompson, huh? No money, no papers, only these.

Gasoline charge account receipts. Somebody went to an awful lot of trouble to clean him, but they overlooked these. On top, this looks like a plain case of murder with robbery as the motive. But if that was it, why go to all the risk of being spotted in a car with Oklahoma plates?

Why not just kill him and leave him? I don't know, Jase. What's your thinking? Well, Thompson was a traveling salesman, traveled a lot in a few days. Now, suppose the killer realized that with Thompson far enough away from the scene of the crime, we'd have a pretty tough time finding out just where the murder was committed.

Yeah, that could be. But why? Well, maybe the killer couldn't leave the spot. So he did the next best thing. Took Thompson's body away. And maybe it wasn't just robbery. Or what else? I don't know yet, but...

I got some more checkin' to do. It'll take maybe a couple of hours, and then I might have some answers. Where's on the nose, Jace? You gettin' anything new? Smart dope on Thompson, Captain. Never carried much money, never was known to have picked up a hitchhiker.

And I got a pretty good idea of where he was killed. These gasoline receipts tell a fair story. Yeah, how? Well, this one, for example, dated the 15th day before he was killed, made out in Bannon.

He got sixteen gallons of gas there. Oh, did you ever think somebody else might have been using his credit card? Yeah, but Thompson traveled that route pretty often. Chances are he was well known at the service stations.

Yeah, that's right. Okay, go on. I ran a mileage test on his car. He got about seventeen miles a gallon. Now his tank holds sixteen. I did a little figurein'. Just about enough gas was used to get him from Bannon to where his body was found.

But he could have been killed anywhere between Bannon and where he was found dead. Sure, I know that. But it still looks like my next stop is Bannon. Howdy, Ranger! Howdy. How many? Whatever she'll take.

Ah, sure thing. You the owner here? Ah, yes, sir. How long? Oh, a couple of years. You work alone? Well, nice, yeah. Take a look at this, will ya? I want to my receipts. Credit card, sir.

You know this, Carl Thompson? Yes, he'll ever...oh, four or five months. When did you see Thompson last? The evening he bought that gas. Why, anything wrong, Ranger? Was Thompson alone that evening? I... yeah. I never remember him ever having anybody alone.

What else do you remember about that evening? Oh, one of the worst sleep-starmers we ever had. Hit like it. I'd be tough for him to drive then, huh? Oh, sure. Hey, um, he was asking about some place to stay.

You never stayed in Bannon before? I don't know. Least ways he didn't know much about the places. I told him to try the hotel. He said it was full up. You said the motels were jam-packed.

It allows you to... No where he went. Well, said he was gonna try and find a place along the highway. Why, anything wrong? Plenty. Here's for the gas. I might come back and ask you some more questions.

Thanks. I began a check of every possible place Thompson might have stayed that night. But I drew one blank after another. Then I got a lead at a motel on the outskirts of Bannon. Sure, Ranger. I remember that night.

Sleep was an inch thick. We was full up here, but I sent him to a place down the highway. the star motel been closed and up for sale for quite a spell but I heard it was opened up again. I went to the star motel. It was closed tight. Every cabin was locked

the windows boarded. There wasn't a soul around. I was just about to leave when I noticed something. The electricity must have been on somewhere in the place because the little wheel under the dials of the meter was spinning. It was enough to send me back into town to ask a few more questions.

Well, let me see here, Angel. Star, won't toast. Hey, yes, sir. Here's what we want right here. Are these all electricity bills? Yes, sir. Let me see. Up to three months ago, the bills were just for meter installation, minimum service charge.

That's right, Ranger. But for the last three months, 475, 389, 560. Kind of funny, isn't it? The place is closed. But for the last three months, the bills of average over $4 a month. Didn't that seem peculiar to you?

Well, Ranger, we just sure, sure I know. Now can you give me the name of the person to whom these bills were sent? Get it for you right away. Mm. Mm. Why, yes, Ranger, Mr. Kalsen's here.

I believe he's on the phone right now, but if you come in. Thank you, ma'am. You Mrs. Kalsen? Yes. Oh, but I'm not bothering you, any Miss Kalsen. Not a toggle, Ranger. My husband's here.

I see. I think that'd be great. Hey, sure. Tell you what, I'll come out a little later. I'll bring the client with me. Sure. Thanks for calling. Goodbye. Andy, this is Ranger Pearson. Hello, Sergeant Margin, like this Mr. Carlson, but I got a few questions.

Christian? Sure, what about you own the star motel, don't you? Yes, I do. Star Motel? That white elephant. White elephant? I haven't tried to get rid of it for two years. Why? Well, like Vasey said, it ain't been worth a hoot since the new highway went in two years ago.

We have the traffic that used to pass it. It hasn't been used for two years? Well, I guess I didn't mean exactly that. What did you mean? I tried to keep it going for a year after the highway went through, but couldn't rent enough rooms, wasn't worth trying to save.

You got the keys to it? Keys? I'm sure. Is something wrong, Ranger? be ma'am. Can you take me through the motel, Mr. Calson? Anytime. Right now, sutya. Couldn't be better. Let's go. Ain't been out here for a close on three or four weeks.

Did you go through the cabins then? Just take a look. See, kids sometimes fool around. That's why I boarded up the windows. Take a look in the office. Yeah. Go ahead, Mr. Calson. Sure. Nothing in here, Ranger.

Nope. There's not. Anything particularly you're looking for? Yeah. You have this floor washed lately? Oh heck no. Ain't no use paying for something like that. It's been washed recently. Huh? But why? How do you know?

Scrubbin' wood with hot water always raises the grain. And hot water isn't as good as coal to wash out blood stains. What? Blood? Reach! Holy! What's with my water? Get away from the guns right here.

Hold ya. Sit down. Go on! What the devil is this? Who are you, fellas? My guess is a couple of men I want from murder, Mr. Calson. Ready? Let's check the telephone wire. Everything okay?

Yeah, of course that guy. Vy, why, why don't we carry a gun? Well, we just make sure. Ah, he's clean. All right, now strip the rangers gun, Belk. Wait a minute. You got the drop on me.

Maybe I'd have to be a fool to draw. But if you don't want me to be a fool, don't touch these guns. You try and take them off me, and I'll go down using them, and I might get lucky.

All right, Locke. Let him alone. He's too smart to start anything. Go get the panel truck out and start loading not stuff fast. Well, what about them? We can lock them in. Fix their car so they can't get out of here for a while after we leave.

If they try to come out while we're still here, we'll blast whatever door or window they try to come through. Get that ranger. I get it. Okay. I'll be outside, Chuck. So your name's Chuck, huh?

Good as any. What are you and that other fellow doing in my place? Go ahead, Chuck. Tell him. Some other time, friend. Now you two, listen. Listen, was I ain't gonna say this twice. Try to bust out before you hear us drive off and you'll get it good.

I'll stay for point. They got us locked in, yeah. Oh, don't go near that window. You heard what he said. That'll crack in the boarding. Just take a look. What are they doing? Come here and take a look for yourself.

Boy, you should have watched the place more. I never knew anyone was using it and used plenty. Look what they're taking now. Furs, all kinds of stuff. It's beginning to make sense. Close down will tell me the nice storage bin for stolen unsmuggled goods till I could run it to the markets.

Well, they'll get away. You said there was a murder. Take it easy, Mr. Calson. We'll get them. Well, they'll be across the border in a half an hour before we could even reach a phone.

Maybe you better take a chance and get shut down in cold blood. No, but we'll get them all right. No, why, Mr. Calson? Why? Why? Huh? Because you will help. I had a free hand. I reached into his jacket and found what I was looking for under his shoulder.

Then I pushed him. Are you crazy? He almost broke my arm. Shut up, Calcen. Don't you think I saw this gun bulging under your coat? They deliberately missed it when they frist you? You played it real smart almost.

I don't know what you're talking about. This gun and the electric bills. You paid them. Paid bills that were being run up in a place that was supposed to be shut down. It seemed kind of funny. You never complained to the power company.

down. It seemed kind of funny you never complained to the power company. So what? So you got a phone call from your friends out there. They tipped you because they saw me nose and around here earlier, right? Oh. Okay. Okay. Take a look out there. They're almost finished.

In a couple of minutes they'll be gone. In half an hour they'll be over the border. How about you? You want to stick back here and face a murder charge? There's nothing you can prove.

There's plenty we can prove, Calcent. And you're holding the bag. You'll have a tough time explaining those electric bills and then missing your gun. I didn't kill that man. Did this chuck do it? Yeah, yeah, that seals him come in. He's always going on. Chuck killed him. Then drove him away. All right. Now listen real careful to me. I'm going to fire this gun

of yours. Then you hammer on the door and holler for him. Get it? What do you want to listen? When they come up, tell them you had to kill me. Tell them to open the door.

Then Mr. Kelson stepped back and out of the way fast. They'll be gone in a minute. Make up your mind. Alright, go ahead, I'll do it. Any funny tricks and you get it first. Now, ready? Down that door, taller. Open the door! Now, when it's open, get back. What's the matter? Alison, open the door! I had to kill him! He was making a break for it! Hey, what's

a big idea? Why you... You come back for him later, Calcina. Meantime, let you and me get back to town. I got you a deal for this white elephant motel. You can trade it for a jail cell.

And now here is the Wheaties man, Frank Martin. Alright sound effects man, ring the alarm clock. Yeah, I used to grow into when I heard that sound. But one morning I said to myself, now look Martin, you gotta get up, why fight it. Think about something pleasant. And right away I thought Wheaties, that's about the

the pleasantest thing a man can do. Why, when you figure you can sit down to a bowl of good, crisp Wheaties and then feel like tackling the world, when you know a bowl of Wheaties and milk and fruit can help you work good because you feel good, why it almost makes you want to shake hands with your alarm

clock. And when you hear it come morning, roll out happy, reach for the big orange and blue box, and see how Wheaties at seven can help at eleven. Sweet Joel McCray and another authentic reenactment of a case from the Piles of The Texas Rangers!

Joel McCray will soon be seen starring in the Universal International Technicolor Production Saddle Tramp. Tonight's cast included Tony Barrett, Paul McCray, Lou Krugman, Jeff Corry, Robert Bruce, Byron Kane, and Jeanette Nolan. This story was transcribed and adapted by Russell Hughes.

The program was produced and directed by Stacey Keats. This is Hell Gippney Speaking. And this is the Wheaties Man, Frank Martin, inviting you to listen Monday night to Frank Lovejoy and Nightbeats on the Wheaties Big Grey.

See you then. Listen tomorrow for the Summer Symphony. Now it's Basin Street time on NBC.