The Constable: Gunsmoke (March 20, 1960)

“The Constable” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast March 20, 1960. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Matt Dillon faces a crisis when a new, timid constable replaces the firm hand of law enforcement in Dodge City. As a rowdy cattle outfit moves through town, violence erupts with cowboys terrorizing citizens and killing several townspeople. The businessmen who pushed for the gentler constable now realize their mistake and turn back to Dillon for help.

Dodge City, Kansas, as a cattle herd passes through town

Characters: Matt Dillon, US Marshal, Chester, Doc, Miss Kitty, Constable Dillard, Mr. Green, Mr. Howe, Mr. Pepper

Listen for: The tension between maintaining order and community pressure; the growing violence and chaos when law enforcement weakens; the marshal's decisive response to restore control of the town.

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.