Stolen Horses: Gunsmoke (November 7, 1953)

“Stolen Horses” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast November 7, 1953. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Matt Dillon and Chester discover that Jim Redigo, a local rancher, has been killed by rustlers who stole his horses two nights ago. An old hired hand named Jed Cuff witnesses the shooting and tells them Jim managed to kill one of the attackers before being shot down. Following the trail of the stolen horses, Dillon and Chester encounter a large group of Native Americans moving north and approach them cautiously to see if they have information about the theft.

Dodge City and the Kansas Territory, at Jim Redigo's ranch and the surrounding prairie

Characters: Matt Dillon, Chester, Miss Kitty, Jed Cuff, Jim Redigo

Listen for: The investigation into the horse theft and murder, and the mysterious encounter with the Native American travelers

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.