Westbound: Gunsmoke (January 3, 1953)

“Westbound” is an episode of Gunsmoke, the old-time radio show, first broadcast January 3, 1953. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Marshal Dylan arrives in Abilene to arrest Jack Daggard, a wanted killer, and bring him back to Dodge City for trial. After a tense confrontation in a saloon, Dylan successfully takes the young man into custody, but learns that Jack has two older brothers who won't take kindly to his arrest. With four hours until the next train departs, Dylan must keep his prisoner safe while the Daggard brothers close in.

Abilene, Kansas, in a saloon and hotel

Characters: Marshal Dylan, Chester, Jack Daggard, Bill Hickock, Constable Rourke, Hotel Clerk

Listen for: The tension builds as Marshal Dylan secures his prisoner against mounting threats from the Daggard brothers, with Chester sensing danger from the start.

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.