Spring Term: Gunsmoke (June 13, 1953)

“Spring Term” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast June 13, 1953. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Dillon is ambushed and shot in the darkness, but the bullet was meant for someone else. The victim turns out to be Shaw, a peaceful man with no known enemies. When Shaw mentions hearing someone say the name Stone before the shooting, Dillon suspects the attack may have been a case of mistaken identity connected to a man named Danche, who swore revenge on Dillon years ago over the hanging of their mutual friend.

Dodge City, Kansas, with references to past events in Matagora County

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Shaw, Doc, Kitty, Danche

Listen for: The mystery of who shot Shaw and why—was it really meant for Marshal Dillon? Dillon's past connection to a man named Stone and his friend Danche sets up the investigation.

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.