Born to Hang: Gunsmoke (April 23, 1955)

“Born to Hang” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast April 23, 1955. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Dillon learns that a group of men attempted to lynch Joe Digger, a man accused of horse theft, but Roble cut him down before the hanging could be completed. Now Digger, feeling that justice has failed him, is determined to seek revenge against those responsible for the lynching attempt. Dillon must find Digger before he carries out his deadly plan.

Dodge City and surrounding territory in the Old West

Characters: Matt Dillon, Joe Digger, Roble, Glick, Pete, Shadow, Peyton, Chester

Listen for: The tense confrontation between Roble and the lynch mob, Digger's vow of vengeance, and Dillon's race to prevent bloodshed

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.