The Hatchet: Tales of the Texas Rangers (February 11, 1951)

“The Hatchet” is an episode of Tales of the Texas Rangers, the old-time radio show, first broadcast February 11, 1951. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

When English teacher Mr. Driscoll is found murdered in his home on Sunday morning in Rock Point, Texas, Texas Ranger Pearson arrives to investigate. The Halleck family discovered the body while preparing for church, and Ranger Pearson must piece together what happened the night before, including a mysterious intruder spotted on Rancher Finney's property around 11 o'clock.

Rock Point, Texas, Sunday May 16, 1941. The Halleck home and neighboring properties.

Characters: Ranger Pearson, Jim Halleck, Hattie Halleck, Robert Halleck, Sheriff Albin Jeffers, Mr. Driscoll, Rancher Finney, Gene McCrady

Listen for: Details about Robert's late-night activities and the mysterious intruder spotted on Finney's ranch; the investigation into Driscoll's murder and the search for a weapon.

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.