Jayhawkers: Gunsmoke (August 11, 1957)

“Jayhawkers” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast August 11, 1957. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Matt Dillon is summoned by Phil Jax from a cattle drive headed toward Dodge City. A herd of 3,000 cattle under trail boss Dolph Quince has been targeted by Kansas Jayhawkers, who have already attacked the camp, stripped a guard, and stampeded cattle. Tensions run high as the trail hands grow suspicious of all Kansans and fear trouble when they reach Dodge.

Dodge City and a cattle camp five days' drive away in Kansas territory during a cattle drive.

Characters: Matt Dillon, Phil Jax, Dolph Quince, Kitty, Doc, Doc Martin

Listen for: The clash between Texas cattlemen and Kansas Jayhawkers; Matt Dillon's efforts to prevent violence and misunderstanding between the groups.

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.