Open and Shut

The National Broadcasting Company presents Joel McCray in Tales of the Texas Rangers. From Hollywood, another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files of the Texas Rangers. Tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCray as Ranger Jason 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. From the files of the Texas Rangers come these stories based on fact.

Only names, dates and places are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of records. Case for tonight? Open and shut. It is 1.37 a.m. September 9, 1945.

John Mestin, a wealthy rancher, is awakened by the sound of a speeding car screeching to a stop on the driveway outside his house. Seconds later he jumps out of bed and reaches for a robe as the downstairs door opens.

His daughter Connie comes up with stairs screaming hysterically. Connie! Connie, baby! What is it? What's the matter? I'm daddy, Bob! He's daddy! He's daddy! Bob! He's daddy! I'm daddy! I'm daddy! I'm daddy! Connie, hold yourself! What happened?

I'm frightened, daddy. I'm frightened. There was a man with a bandana over his face. Where? The old cattle rode to the ranch. We were parked there. Oh, Mr. Carol. Oh, here. Yes, sit down. Sit down while I call the sheriff.

You better have a doctor. Get something for your nerves. Try to call the sheriff. Father had his gun in the car. Ah, operator, give me Sheriff Sykes. I want to report a murder. Barney Meston was in no condition to be questioned, Question and share of Sykes had only an incoherent story to follow.