Barton Boy: Gunsmoke (October 1, 1955)

“Barton Boy” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 1, 1955. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

A baggage clerk is murdered on the arriving train near Walnut Creek, and Ed Barton's young son Billy is shot but survives. Marshal Dillon must track down the killer who escaped with the strong box, working with only Billy's fragmented memories and a vague description to go on.

Dodge City and a moving train near Walnut Creek crossing

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Doc, Ed Barton, Billy Barton, Laura, Kitty, Conductor

Listen for: Billy's account of the shooting and his description of the killer's distinctive weak voice; the marshal's investigation into the train robbery and murder.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.