November 20, 2025 • 24 mins
Frontier Gentleman was a short-lived radio Western series on CBS network from February 2 to November 16, 1958. It was set in the post-Civil War United States and it was different from other westerns like Gunsmoke or The Six Shooter in that it showed the wild west from the point of view of a British reporter from the London Times. That man is "Britt Kendle", played by John Dehner.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Frontier Gentleman! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Hope you enjoy this episode of Frontier Gentleman! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
In a card game. Aces and eights are known throughout
the West as a dead man's hand. There's a good
reason for it, and this is the story of how
the hand got its name.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Frontier Gentleman, and herewith an englishman's account of life and
(00:38):
death in the West. As a reporter for the London Times,
he writes his colorful and unusual stories. But as a
man with a gun, he lives and becomes a part
of the violent years and the new territories. In just
one minute, we'll bring you this latest report from the
Frontier Gentleman. This is James Matthews with official results on
(01:00):
the automobile competition the whole industry watches every year, the
famous Mobile Gas Economy Run. This year's run eighteen hundred
and eighty three miles from Los Angeles to Galveston, Texas,
ranging from sea level through mountain passes, and once again,
Chrysler Corporation cars took the lion's share of firsts Plymouth,
Chrysler and Imperial again this year for the second straight year,
(01:22):
winning first place over all other cars in their class
in the Famous Economy Run. Imperial, by the way, was
sweepstake's winner two getting sixty two point seven one eight
eight ten miles per gallon. The Forward Look is a
lot more than Look. You get a better engine, brownier brakes,
torsionaire ride at no extra cost, and winning performance and
economy in cars of the Forward Look from Chrysler Corporation.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Take a drive this week.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
In a car of the Forward Look Plymouth Dodge de Soto,
Chrysler or the Triumphant Imperial Drive, one of America's performance
winners from Chrysler Corporation, now now starring John Dayner. This
is the story of JB. Kendall, frontier gentleman.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
I left Fort Benton, Montana Territory and a little river
steamer called the Pride of the West. The journey downstream
of Missouri was a good deal faster than that which
I had made coming up from Saint Louis just a
few months earlier. I decided to write some articles for
the London Times on river travel in the American West,
but the balmy weather, coupled with a feeling of complete indolence,
(02:48):
made me put off all thought at work. Several days passed,
and then we docked at Fort Pierre in Dakota Territory.
I went ashore to purchase a new pair of boots,
and I was in the store of an out the
name Judd Scott, but I first heard the name of
the Dead World. Well they left one might be a
bit tight, yes, right here in the heel.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Oh sheeli's up.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Mister, of course, I don't do much trade in readymades.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
If you had more time, it'd make your real fine
pair finest in Dakota Territory. Here, let me take it off, ye,
try to.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Work it out. See you're a newspaper correspondent.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Euh. We've had them come through, but none from England.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Must be pretty interesting your line of work.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Yes, it is quite too bad. It ain't staying around
these parts. Her folks back home and get a pleasure
out of reading about things we got around here. You
mean in Fort Pierre, where you ain't too much going
on here. I guess you could write about Jack McCall,
though I try it on now, I betty.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Jack McCall.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
He used to drive a stage tween here and Deadwood,
got some tall arns to spin about Indians and the
lac Go ahead, take him off now, Yes, I'd.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Like to meet him. He's back in Deadwood. Now that
that Benny is fine where it is Deadwood.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
You mean he'd heard of his Who's a bunch of
cutthroats and outlaws living in all the territories and the
United States is in Deadwood. We've even got wild Bill
Hickcock out there. I hear tell his folks wanting to
put him up for Marshall Hickcock. Yes, I've heard of him.
They won't take Wildbill along to clean up. I can
tell you Deadwood. Huh. Oh, he taking the boots, I'm
(04:47):
taking them. I saw the remainder of my ticket to
a man booking passage for Saint Louis, and the next
day he took the stage from Fort Pierre to Deadwood
in the Black Hills of Dakota Territory. At the stagecoach
(05:10):
station in Deadwood, I inquired after Jack McCall and was
directed to carl Mann's saloon. Even though it was Sunday.
I was surprised to see that the place was practically empty.
A hatchet faced woman dressed in black was drinking alone
at the bar, and I found McCall, a broken nosed,
sullen looking man sitting at a table playing a game
(05:32):
of solitaire.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Yes, me, who's asking to know JB. Kendall. What's your business? JB. Kendall.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Well, a gentleman in Fort Pierre mentioned your name runs
the general store jud Sky. Yes, that's right.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
How come you want to talk with me?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Well, as a matter of fact, I'm a newspaper correspondent
and I thought there might be a story to write
about Deadwood.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
And your friend suggested.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
That I could in touch with you. What kind of
story you thinking about? I understand that wild Bill Hiccock
is in town. Do you know him well? When she
ask her, hm h with the bar, Calamity, Jane figures
(06:21):
she knows him better than most. Oh, oh, thank you,
I will Uh, perhaps I.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Can buy you a drink after suit yourself. I ain't
going nowhere. Um uh, miss and miss Jane you talking
to me?
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Name's Calamity, ain't no missing hit Calamity gane.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
I'm sorry, I'm JB.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Kendall.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
A gentleman over there mentioned that you are a good
friend of wild Bill Hiccock.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Who why that ain't no gentleman, that's a stinking pig.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
But name of Jack McCall. You've been sitting with him.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
Don't fall up the air around me, hit the trail mister.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
H Well, I was hoping you could introduce.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Me to mister Hickock.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Hey you English?
Speaker 5 (07:09):
Yes, thought so knew an English feller down Aberlene wouldn't
quick ride.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
And herd on me had to shoot him.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Eh oh, new in town.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Ain't you just rived?
Speaker 4 (07:21):
You ain't friend McCall.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Oh, I only met him a few minutes ago.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
What brings you?
Speaker 1 (07:27):
I am a writer in newspaper articles for the London Times.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Hey, I guess you heard about me and wild Bill.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Huh oh, yes.
Speaker 5 (07:36):
Fastest man of the gun you ever see. I ain't
too bad myself, but I ain't nothing to wild Bill.
Come on over to the table, bring the bottle, and
I'll tell you about me in wild Bill.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Remedy.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Jane was a strange, almost masculine looking woman. You hide
in a rough voice. She told me of her exploit
this as a scout with General Crook's army in the
war against the Sioux, But most of the time she
spoke of Hickock. About a half an hour had passed
when I noticed Jack McCall get up from his table
and come toward us.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Yes, sir, what while they're down an avale narrate? Another
man good handled.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Why I thought you was gonna buy me a drink.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Oh not just now, mister McCall, I'm talking to the lady. Yeah,
I see, it's mostly listening. Ain't nobody gets to talk
much around her?
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Becall, you want me to put your eyeballs out with
this bottle?
Speaker 4 (08:32):
You open that barn door you were just once.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
More Hall, You come on down the poothill slow.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
When you through, I'll tell you the truth about that
female Paul cat in a windy s.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
He dead me?
Speaker 5 (09:00):
Or wild Bill's gonna pump that Kyle full of lead
except Gene's worth wasting a ball on And.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
All I know about him is that he used to
drive the stage between here and Fort Pierre.
Speaker 5 (09:12):
Yeah, lost that job cause he couldn't hold his liquor.
Used to be a buffalo hunter till the feller he worked.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
For caught him stealing hides. He ain't no good.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
That one in his pals is worse. You ever run
into Tim Brady or Johnny Varnes. You watch your step, mister.
Them's two of the boys along with McCall. Wild Bill's
gonna run out of this town when he gets to
be Marshall.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Where is wild Bill?
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Now? Up?
Speaker 4 (09:36):
The hill's working on his claim.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
Him and his partner Coloraded Charlie. They ought to be
back by tomorrow. He'd like to meet you, mister wild
Bill always had a liking for any newspaper saves.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
But you hurry, sit down. We're splitting on a bottle.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Uh, thank you, But now I think I better get settled.
Was some of this Dakota dust off?
Speaker 4 (10:00):
What a dude.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
I'd gone at the hotel. Tell him, Calamity Jane sent in.
If they don't give you the best room, I'll shoot
up the place.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
The recommendation was most effective.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I got the best room in the hotel.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Two hours later, in spite of Calamity Jane's warning, I
wandered down to the Boothill Saloon. I was curious about
McCall and what he might have to say about Calamity
and wild Bill Hickock. I found him there, very drunk.
He was talking to a heavy set man who was
chewing on an unlit cigar. McCall greeted me as an
old friend.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
We say, canell you had enough.
Speaker 6 (10:43):
Of that female word by man at kim.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Fo, I told you by Kernel's his name, Kennel.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Why ah kim Brady I owe mister McCall a drink.
I came down to settle my that's.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Real fine in your camel. Oh, Jim Kenmell's coming to dead.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
End the right story about wild Bill Hiccock, the new
Marshall of tender. Don't get yourself itself a drink, we
call sure, take a chair to Mars.
Speaker 7 (11:20):
I wouldn't pay no eat what McCall says, not when
he gets too much whiskey in it. When did he
say something about Hiccock being Marshall?
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Oh, oh, well, that's not particularly the news. I heard
that in fort yeah, five days ago. Don't you believe it? Uh,
Fellas around here they don't want his kind. You go
right in your paper anything like that, you're gonna have
to do right around and write that it ain't true.
He's not going to get the job down. I tell
you he does a lot of ear greason like that
(11:51):
crowbade mare, calamity gain. But all the things you hear
just a lot of brag.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Hiccock never plugged the man. Listen the fellows back this.
I was down to believe.
Speaker 7 (12:02):
When he dried golf will coal, it's the worst thing.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
You ever seen.
Speaker 7 (12:06):
Shot him in the back, and by mistake he goes
and kills it on proud.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Mike William Oh, sir, dead Wood.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
Ain't gonna put up a man like that from Marshall,
you think so?
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Oh, I don't know. I suppose it depends on how
many wanted. Oh well, there's a lot of them miners
up to the hill there, the wise figure.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
He's a real big man.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Heard all them crazy stories about it.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
You want to know what I think, I'd be very interested.
Speaker 7 (12:34):
I don't think he lasts two minutes? Is Marshall before
somebody shot the daylights out of him? And it's your
best thing for Hiccock to do is get out of
dead wouldn't stay out?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
You see him?
Speaker 1 (12:45):
You could tell him that. The next night, Calamity Jane
introduced me to wild Bill Hickock. He looked older, more
tired than I. As we sat in his room, I
noticed that he blinked his eyes, rubbed them, and seemed
(13:06):
quite nervous, constantly glanced toward the door. Calamity had gone
out to buy some food. Me and Colrad of Charlie
had a rough week up on the hills. Feels kind
of good to get back. Uh, You ever done any
mining Kendall. No, no, if you ever had the idea
get somebody else to do the work for you, well,
(13:26):
what do you think of ed would Oh, I haven't
been here very long.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
It' much like London.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
But no, no, it isn't. Well, you're a little cleaning
up like I did in Hey City and Abilene. We'll
have a right nice little town. When do you expect
to begin, as Marshall in any day?
Speaker 3 (13:46):
Now?
Speaker 1 (13:47):
The boys are getting things moving. I saw a man yesterday,
Tim Brady Brady, and he asked me to give you
a message.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Uh, the best.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Thing for Hiccock to do is to get out of
dead wouldn't stay out, That's what he said. Yes, you
know why they're afraid of me. They know what's gonna happen.
After I get sworn in, I run him out, and
if they don't run, we have a showdown. Brady and
his pal Varns ain't got stomach for that. I gather
there there is somewhat unsavory element in Deadwood, is that
(14:21):
mister du At just milk and pigeons. Them miners up
on the hills would be dead ducks for Brady and
his gang if it weren't for me. This is the
worst mining camp in the territory. Ain't been a low
here since it started, and Brady don't want none. That's
how come the miners want me for Marshall protection. And
I'm surprised he hasn't tried to get rid of here
before this. That Jay Hawker knows what it happened to
(14:44):
him in a shoot up, he'd likely to try nothing.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Well, I like that, get somebody else to do his
dirty work.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Oh it's only me, bail, what a way the gun?
Speaker 3 (14:56):
I told you, Charlie, you are a knock keep forgetting.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
This is JB.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Kendall.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
He's gonna write a story about me. Run English paper. Yeah.
I run into Calamity down to Carl's place and she
told me, nice to meet you, Kendall. And you, sir,
my old pile. Charlie utter Colorado. Charlie's good enough.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
Kendall's been talking to Brady. Oh so rest your.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Saddle, Bill, you make me tired standing. Brady said, I
ought to get out of town. Oh he like that? Fine, Yeah,
he'd like that. Well, I guess I'll go and wash
up before Calamity gets back. You staying around, Charlie, Yeah,
I thought maybe we'd get down the cars later and
play some cards. All right, I'll be right back here. Uh,
(15:50):
there's a lot on.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
His mind, as wild Bill. He ain't usually like this.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
You seem to have trouble with his eyes. Oh you
noticed her. I wouldn't want you to say nothing in
front of Bill, But he's been scared.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
He's going blind. Yeah, things sure don't see like the
old days.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Oh, I gotta get these boots off of each killing me. Ah,
how old this is, Wild Bill? Let me see thirty nine?
Of course, to hear him talk, you think he's closer
to sixty, And I sure do. Fred away him sometimes,
(16:32):
always talking about dying this and that he liked the
old days. He sure was a rip snorter. Oh well,
maybe when he gets to be Marshall again, everything will
be like it always was. How many Jane came in
with the food, and behind her build had come. There's
(16:52):
a strange supper. Both Colorado, Charlie and Calamity. They kept
up a stream of conversation a nick Dad's singing, the
of Hiccock's past accomplishments, but the the atmosphere was strained.
The man with the long hair didn't say very much Afterwards,
Charlie Utter invited me to accompany them to the saloon.
(17:13):
I noticed that Hiccock was reluctant, possibly he had a feeling,
a warning of what.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Was to come.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
It was eight o'clock when we arrived at carl Man's
saloon and sat down at the cart time, Charlie changed
seats with me. I ain't said on my back of
the door, wild failure getting worse, No, old woman. Maybe,
So that's the way it is. I'd like to see
what's coming in down here.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Yeah, take my place if you like.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
No, sure, all he wants is a catbird seat.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
That's how come he's always winning.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
How are you eating?
Speaker 4 (17:45):
You got the right idea, Charlie. While then you got
your seat. And that's the way it's gonna be. Carl
rings a.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
Bottle of whiskey in a deck of cards, Marshall, Hickcock's gonna.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Be a big loser tonight.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
After a few minutes, we were joined by a miner,
and the five of us played. It was a friendly game,
and we could see Hiccock beginning to relax. He was
a good player and held more than his share of
winning hands, but while the game went on, there was
something happening down the street in.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
The Boothill saloon.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
We didn't know it then, but after it was too
late we heard would have taken place.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Three men sat.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
In the back room, one of them drinking heavily.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
This was Jack McCall.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
The other two were Tim Brady and Johnny Vaughnes, the
leaders of the Tufts in Deadwood. I'm telling you, Jack,
you'll be a big man and they'll look at you
when you walk down the street. He'll say, there goes
Jack McCall. He killed wild Bill.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
He care you here?
Speaker 1 (18:50):
What Johnny says, Yeah, I.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Uh give me another drink.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Sure, he's in Carl's place right now. You could get
him easy.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
Why not be so easy? You ain't afraid, are you? Jack?
Speaker 8 (19:10):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I ain't afraid. No, No, I ain't afraid. But it
just it just won't be so easy. Of course, we
could get somebody else to do it. We just figured
Tim and me.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
We figured you with the man I ain't.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
Saying, you know what I do Johnny?
Speaker 1 (19:25):
What? We could maybe get that newspaper Feller, you know, Kendall,
to write.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
Something about Jack in his paper.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Would you like to see that boy in the English paper?
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Jack McCall shoots.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Down Wild Bill. Yeah, you could go on the stage
all over that. Yeah, put it right down the street. Jack,
I've seen him myself.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
You know what.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
He's sitting with his back to the door.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
How you listen? Just listen.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
How come if you was there, you didn't plug him yourself?
Speaker 3 (19:58):
Yeah? It ain't no use, John, He don't understand.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
I'm just I'm just asking, that's all.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
I just tell me. How come?
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Because Calamity Jean and Colorado Charlie is with him. If
they saw me, they'd know something was wrong. But not you, Jack.
It wouldn't figure you drawing on here, car.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
That makes sense, It's all you knows.
Speaker 8 (20:19):
Why no?
Speaker 1 (20:22):
What do you say? Jack? Sure?
Speaker 3 (20:24):
Why not?
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Sure? My garden? Johny?
Speaker 3 (20:28):
And don't you miss boy?
Speaker 8 (20:29):
You're here three kings?
Speaker 4 (20:43):
He beat your wild Bill?
Speaker 1 (20:45):
I mean, son of my gonnayn't had you picked for
no more.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
Than two pairs? Kindling the best player? See be sure
a lucky.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
One, do you? My Calamity?
Speaker 6 (20:54):
All right?
Speaker 1 (20:56):
No fella, once in a city drew two cards to
a royal like I ever seen such a local thing
for a man to do. Sure was took one look
at his hand and keeled over plumb dead. Go you
know you know I had to hand something like that.
I want a Chinese girl with it a few weeks ago.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
And dear lord, I mean no kid.
Speaker 6 (21:16):
Sure what did you do with her?
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Well?
Speaker 3 (21:17):
I gave her to a man on you. He married
her open for a dollar.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Uh wait, wait, wait right, yes, I'm staying, see.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Me too.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
I ain't proud there cards?
Speaker 3 (21:38):
Uh? Three can do to? Please?
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Give me one? Here's a man who's gonna drop dead
if he pulls it right.
Speaker 5 (21:52):
How's about you, Charlie two dean take three? Honest woman,
that's one thing I ate, and I never hoped to
be your bet.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Wild beilt, Well, I'll tell your friend, I'm gonna make
this rough on you. Two bucks, all right, I call
me and I rob dead Now I'll see.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
I'm a sucker, all right?
Speaker 5 (22:32):
You know what he have got?
Speaker 1 (22:34):
Wild Bill prettiest to pair you ever seen? Aces and
eight wild Bill Hicktock slumped forward on the table. He
still had the winning smile on his face, and the
cards crumpled in his tightening fist. It was Calamity Chaine
(22:59):
who Jack McCall. He was hiding in a butcher's shop
nearby Colorado, Charlie and I dragged him away before she
had a chance to use the meat cleaper she was holding.
We found six cartridges in McCall's gun.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
The only one to.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
Fire was the first, the one that killed Hickock. The
other five were defective. Before I left Deadwood, McCall was
tried for murder, but Brady and Bonnes must have chosen
the jury themselves because the final verdict was not guilty.
(23:42):
Frontier Gentleman was written and produced and directed by Anthony
Ellis and stars John Dayner as J. B.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
Kendall. Featured in the cast for John McIntyre, Jeanette Nolan,
Jack Miles, Larry Dobkin, Stacy Harris, and Vic Perrin. Music
was composed and conducted by Amargo Moreno join us again
(24:19):
next week or another report from the Frontier Gentleman. James
Matthews speaking. This is the CBS Radio Network.
In a card game. Aces and eights are known throughout
the West as a dead man's hand. There's a good
reason for it, and this is the story of how
the hand got its name.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Frontier Gentleman, and herewith an englishman's account of life and
(00:38):
death in the West. As a reporter for the London Times,
he writes his colorful and unusual stories. But as a
man with a gun, he lives and becomes a part
of the violent years and the new territories. In just
one minute, we'll bring you this latest report from the
Frontier Gentleman. This is James Matthews with official results on
(01:00):
the automobile competition the whole industry watches every year, the
famous Mobile Gas Economy Run. This year's run eighteen hundred
and eighty three miles from Los Angeles to Galveston, Texas,
ranging from sea level through mountain passes, and once again,
Chrysler Corporation cars took the lion's share of firsts Plymouth,
Chrysler and Imperial again this year for the second straight year,
(01:22):
winning first place over all other cars in their class
in the Famous Economy Run. Imperial, by the way, was
sweepstake's winner two getting sixty two point seven one eight
eight ten miles per gallon. The Forward Look is a
lot more than Look. You get a better engine, brownier brakes,
torsionaire ride at no extra cost, and winning performance and
economy in cars of the Forward Look from Chrysler Corporation.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Take a drive this week.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
In a car of the Forward Look Plymouth Dodge de Soto,
Chrysler or the Triumphant Imperial Drive, one of America's performance
winners from Chrysler Corporation, now now starring John Dayner. This
is the story of JB. Kendall, frontier gentleman.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
I left Fort Benton, Montana Territory and a little river
steamer called the Pride of the West. The journey downstream
of Missouri was a good deal faster than that which
I had made coming up from Saint Louis just a
few months earlier. I decided to write some articles for
the London Times on river travel in the American West,
but the balmy weather, coupled with a feeling of complete indolence,
(02:48):
made me put off all thought at work. Several days passed,
and then we docked at Fort Pierre in Dakota Territory.
I went ashore to purchase a new pair of boots,
and I was in the store of an out the
name Judd Scott, but I first heard the name of
the Dead World. Well they left one might be a
bit tight, yes, right here in the heel.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Oh sheeli's up.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Mister, of course, I don't do much trade in readymades.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
If you had more time, it'd make your real fine
pair finest in Dakota Territory. Here, let me take it off, ye,
try to.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Work it out. See you're a newspaper correspondent.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Euh. We've had them come through, but none from England.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Must be pretty interesting your line of work.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Yes, it is quite too bad. It ain't staying around
these parts. Her folks back home and get a pleasure
out of reading about things we got around here. You
mean in Fort Pierre, where you ain't too much going
on here. I guess you could write about Jack McCall,
though I try it on now, I betty.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Jack McCall.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
He used to drive a stage tween here and Deadwood,
got some tall arns to spin about Indians and the
lac Go ahead, take him off now, Yes, I'd.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Like to meet him. He's back in Deadwood. Now that
that Benny is fine where it is Deadwood.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
You mean he'd heard of his Who's a bunch of
cutthroats and outlaws living in all the territories and the
United States is in Deadwood. We've even got wild Bill
Hickcock out there. I hear tell his folks wanting to
put him up for Marshall Hickcock. Yes, I've heard of him.
They won't take Wildbill along to clean up. I can
tell you Deadwood. Huh. Oh, he taking the boots, I'm
(04:47):
taking them. I saw the remainder of my ticket to
a man booking passage for Saint Louis, and the next
day he took the stage from Fort Pierre to Deadwood
in the Black Hills of Dakota Territory. At the stagecoach
(05:10):
station in Deadwood, I inquired after Jack McCall and was
directed to carl Mann's saloon. Even though it was Sunday.
I was surprised to see that the place was practically empty.
A hatchet faced woman dressed in black was drinking alone
at the bar, and I found McCall, a broken nosed,
sullen looking man sitting at a table playing a game
(05:32):
of solitaire.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Yes, me, who's asking to know JB. Kendall. What's your business? JB. Kendall.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Well, a gentleman in Fort Pierre mentioned your name runs
the general store jud Sky. Yes, that's right.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
How come you want to talk with me?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Well, as a matter of fact, I'm a newspaper correspondent
and I thought there might be a story to write
about Deadwood.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
And your friend suggested.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
That I could in touch with you. What kind of
story you thinking about? I understand that wild Bill Hiccock
is in town. Do you know him well? When she
ask her, hm h with the bar, Calamity, Jane figures
(06:21):
she knows him better than most. Oh, oh, thank you,
I will Uh, perhaps I.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Can buy you a drink after suit yourself. I ain't
going nowhere. Um uh, miss and miss Jane you talking
to me?
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Name's Calamity, ain't no missing hit Calamity gane.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
I'm sorry, I'm JB.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Kendall.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
A gentleman over there mentioned that you are a good
friend of wild Bill Hiccock.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Who why that ain't no gentleman, that's a stinking pig.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
But name of Jack McCall. You've been sitting with him.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
Don't fall up the air around me, hit the trail mister.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
H Well, I was hoping you could introduce.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Me to mister Hickock.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Hey you English?
Speaker 5 (07:09):
Yes, thought so knew an English feller down Aberlene wouldn't
quick ride.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
And herd on me had to shoot him.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Eh oh, new in town.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Ain't you just rived?
Speaker 4 (07:21):
You ain't friend McCall.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Oh, I only met him a few minutes ago.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
What brings you?
Speaker 1 (07:27):
I am a writer in newspaper articles for the London Times.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Hey, I guess you heard about me and wild Bill.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Huh oh, yes.
Speaker 5 (07:36):
Fastest man of the gun you ever see. I ain't
too bad myself, but I ain't nothing to wild Bill.
Come on over to the table, bring the bottle, and
I'll tell you about me in wild Bill.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Remedy.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Jane was a strange, almost masculine looking woman. You hide
in a rough voice. She told me of her exploit
this as a scout with General Crook's army in the
war against the Sioux, But most of the time she
spoke of Hickock. About a half an hour had passed
when I noticed Jack McCall get up from his table
and come toward us.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Yes, sir, what while they're down an avale narrate? Another
man good handled.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Why I thought you was gonna buy me a drink.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Oh not just now, mister McCall, I'm talking to the lady. Yeah,
I see, it's mostly listening. Ain't nobody gets to talk
much around her?
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Becall, you want me to put your eyeballs out with
this bottle?
Speaker 4 (08:32):
You open that barn door you were just once.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
More Hall, You come on down the poothill slow.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
When you through, I'll tell you the truth about that
female Paul cat in a windy s.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
He dead me?
Speaker 5 (09:00):
Or wild Bill's gonna pump that Kyle full of lead
except Gene's worth wasting a ball on And.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
All I know about him is that he used to
drive the stage between here and Fort Pierre.
Speaker 5 (09:12):
Yeah, lost that job cause he couldn't hold his liquor.
Used to be a buffalo hunter till the feller he worked.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
For caught him stealing hides. He ain't no good.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
That one in his pals is worse. You ever run
into Tim Brady or Johnny Varnes. You watch your step, mister.
Them's two of the boys along with McCall. Wild Bill's
gonna run out of this town when he gets to
be Marshall.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Where is wild Bill?
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Now? Up?
Speaker 4 (09:36):
The hill's working on his claim.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
Him and his partner Coloraded Charlie. They ought to be
back by tomorrow. He'd like to meet you, mister wild
Bill always had a liking for any newspaper saves.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
But you hurry, sit down. We're splitting on a bottle.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Uh, thank you, But now I think I better get settled.
Was some of this Dakota dust off?
Speaker 4 (10:00):
What a dude.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
I'd gone at the hotel. Tell him, Calamity Jane sent in.
If they don't give you the best room, I'll shoot
up the place.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
The recommendation was most effective.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I got the best room in the hotel.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Two hours later, in spite of Calamity Jane's warning, I
wandered down to the Boothill Saloon. I was curious about
McCall and what he might have to say about Calamity
and wild Bill Hickock. I found him there, very drunk.
He was talking to a heavy set man who was
chewing on an unlit cigar. McCall greeted me as an
old friend.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
We say, canell you had enough.
Speaker 6 (10:43):
Of that female word by man at kim.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Fo, I told you by Kernel's his name, Kennel.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Why ah kim Brady I owe mister McCall a drink.
I came down to settle my that's.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Real fine in your camel. Oh, Jim Kenmell's coming to dead.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
End the right story about wild Bill Hiccock, the new
Marshall of tender. Don't get yourself itself a drink, we
call sure, take a chair to Mars.
Speaker 7 (11:20):
I wouldn't pay no eat what McCall says, not when
he gets too much whiskey in it. When did he
say something about Hiccock being Marshall?
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Oh, oh, well, that's not particularly the news. I heard
that in fort yeah, five days ago. Don't you believe it? Uh,
Fellas around here they don't want his kind. You go
right in your paper anything like that, you're gonna have
to do right around and write that it ain't true.
He's not going to get the job down. I tell
you he does a lot of ear greason like that
(11:51):
crowbade mare, calamity gain. But all the things you hear
just a lot of brag.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Hiccock never plugged the man. Listen the fellows back this.
I was down to believe.
Speaker 7 (12:02):
When he dried golf will coal, it's the worst thing.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
You ever seen.
Speaker 7 (12:06):
Shot him in the back, and by mistake he goes
and kills it on proud.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Mike William Oh, sir, dead Wood.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
Ain't gonna put up a man like that from Marshall,
you think so?
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Oh, I don't know. I suppose it depends on how
many wanted. Oh well, there's a lot of them miners
up to the hill there, the wise figure.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
He's a real big man.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Heard all them crazy stories about it.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
You want to know what I think, I'd be very interested.
Speaker 7 (12:34):
I don't think he lasts two minutes? Is Marshall before
somebody shot the daylights out of him? And it's your
best thing for Hiccock to do is get out of
dead wouldn't stay out?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
You see him?
Speaker 1 (12:45):
You could tell him that. The next night, Calamity Jane
introduced me to wild Bill Hickock. He looked older, more
tired than I. As we sat in his room, I
noticed that he blinked his eyes, rubbed them, and seemed
(13:06):
quite nervous, constantly glanced toward the door. Calamity had gone
out to buy some food. Me and Colrad of Charlie
had a rough week up on the hills. Feels kind
of good to get back. Uh, You ever done any
mining Kendall. No, no, if you ever had the idea
get somebody else to do the work for you, well,
(13:26):
what do you think of ed would Oh, I haven't
been here very long.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
It' much like London.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
But no, no, it isn't. Well, you're a little cleaning
up like I did in Hey City and Abilene. We'll
have a right nice little town. When do you expect
to begin, as Marshall in any day?
Speaker 3 (13:46):
Now?
Speaker 1 (13:47):
The boys are getting things moving. I saw a man yesterday,
Tim Brady Brady, and he asked me to give you
a message.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Uh, the best.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
Thing for Hiccock to do is to get out of
dead wouldn't stay out, That's what he said. Yes, you
know why they're afraid of me. They know what's gonna happen.
After I get sworn in, I run him out, and
if they don't run, we have a showdown. Brady and
his pal Varns ain't got stomach for that. I gather
there there is somewhat unsavory element in Deadwood, is that
(14:21):
mister du At just milk and pigeons. Them miners up
on the hills would be dead ducks for Brady and
his gang if it weren't for me. This is the
worst mining camp in the territory. Ain't been a low
here since it started, and Brady don't want none. That's
how come the miners want me for Marshall protection. And
I'm surprised he hasn't tried to get rid of here
before this. That Jay Hawker knows what it happened to
(14:44):
him in a shoot up, he'd likely to try nothing.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Well, I like that, get somebody else to do his
dirty work.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Oh it's only me, bail, what a way the gun?
Speaker 3 (14:56):
I told you, Charlie, you are a knock keep forgetting.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
This is JB.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Kendall.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
He's gonna write a story about me. Run English paper. Yeah.
I run into Calamity down to Carl's place and she
told me, nice to meet you, Kendall. And you, sir,
my old pile. Charlie utter Colorado. Charlie's good enough.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
Kendall's been talking to Brady. Oh so rest your.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Saddle, Bill, you make me tired standing. Brady said, I
ought to get out of town. Oh he like that? Fine, Yeah,
he'd like that. Well, I guess I'll go and wash
up before Calamity gets back. You staying around, Charlie, Yeah,
I thought maybe we'd get down the cars later and
play some cards. All right, I'll be right back here. Uh,
(15:50):
there's a lot on.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
His mind, as wild Bill. He ain't usually like this.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
You seem to have trouble with his eyes. Oh you
noticed her. I wouldn't want you to say nothing in
front of Bill, But he's been scared.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
He's going blind. Yeah, things sure don't see like the
old days.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Oh, I gotta get these boots off of each killing me. Ah,
how old this is, Wild Bill? Let me see thirty nine?
Of course, to hear him talk, you think he's closer
to sixty, And I sure do. Fred away him sometimes,
(16:32):
always talking about dying this and that he liked the
old days. He sure was a rip snorter. Oh well,
maybe when he gets to be Marshall again, everything will
be like it always was. How many Jane came in
with the food, and behind her build had come. There's
(16:52):
a strange supper. Both Colorado, Charlie and Calamity. They kept
up a stream of conversation a nick Dad's singing, the
of Hiccock's past accomplishments, but the the atmosphere was strained.
The man with the long hair didn't say very much Afterwards,
Charlie Utter invited me to accompany them to the saloon.
(17:13):
I noticed that Hiccock was reluctant, possibly he had a feeling,
a warning of what.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Was to come.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
It was eight o'clock when we arrived at carl Man's
saloon and sat down at the cart time, Charlie changed
seats with me. I ain't said on my back of
the door, wild failure getting worse, No, old woman. Maybe,
So that's the way it is. I'd like to see
what's coming in down here.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Yeah, take my place if you like.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
No, sure, all he wants is a catbird seat.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
That's how come he's always winning.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
How are you eating?
Speaker 4 (17:45):
You got the right idea, Charlie. While then you got
your seat. And that's the way it's gonna be. Carl
rings a.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
Bottle of whiskey in a deck of cards, Marshall, Hickcock's gonna.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Be a big loser tonight.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
After a few minutes, we were joined by a miner,
and the five of us played. It was a friendly game,
and we could see Hiccock beginning to relax. He was
a good player and held more than his share of
winning hands, but while the game went on, there was
something happening down the street in.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
The Boothill saloon.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
We didn't know it then, but after it was too
late we heard would have taken place.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Three men sat.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
In the back room, one of them drinking heavily.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
This was Jack McCall.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
The other two were Tim Brady and Johnny Vaughnes, the
leaders of the Tufts in Deadwood. I'm telling you, Jack,
you'll be a big man and they'll look at you
when you walk down the street. He'll say, there goes
Jack McCall. He killed wild Bill.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
He care you here?
Speaker 1 (18:50):
What Johnny says, Yeah, I.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Uh give me another drink.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
Sure, he's in Carl's place right now. You could get
him easy.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
Why not be so easy? You ain't afraid, are you? Jack?
Speaker 8 (19:10):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I ain't afraid. No, No, I ain't afraid. But it
just it just won't be so easy. Of course, we
could get somebody else to do it. We just figured
Tim and me.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
We figured you with the man I ain't.
Speaker 3 (19:22):
Saying, you know what I do Johnny?
Speaker 1 (19:25):
What? We could maybe get that newspaper Feller, you know, Kendall,
to write.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
Something about Jack in his paper.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Would you like to see that boy in the English paper?
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Jack McCall shoots.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Down Wild Bill. Yeah, you could go on the stage
all over that. Yeah, put it right down the street. Jack,
I've seen him myself.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
You know what.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
He's sitting with his back to the door.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
How you listen? Just listen.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
How come if you was there, you didn't plug him yourself?
Speaker 3 (19:58):
Yeah? It ain't no use, John, He don't understand.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
I'm just I'm just asking, that's all.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
I just tell me. How come?
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Because Calamity Jean and Colorado Charlie is with him. If
they saw me, they'd know something was wrong. But not you, Jack.
It wouldn't figure you drawing on here, car.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
That makes sense, It's all you knows.
Speaker 8 (20:19):
Why no?
Speaker 1 (20:22):
What do you say? Jack? Sure?
Speaker 3 (20:24):
Why not?
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Sure? My garden? Johny?
Speaker 3 (20:28):
And don't you miss boy?
Speaker 8 (20:29):
You're here three kings?
Speaker 4 (20:43):
He beat your wild Bill?
Speaker 1 (20:45):
I mean, son of my gonnayn't had you picked for
no more.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
Than two pairs? Kindling the best player? See be sure
a lucky.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
One, do you? My Calamity?
Speaker 6 (20:54):
All right?
Speaker 1 (20:56):
No fella, once in a city drew two cards to
a royal like I ever seen such a local thing
for a man to do. Sure was took one look
at his hand and keeled over plumb dead. Go you
know you know I had to hand something like that.
I want a Chinese girl with it a few weeks ago.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
And dear lord, I mean no kid.
Speaker 6 (21:16):
Sure what did you do with her?
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Well?
Speaker 3 (21:17):
I gave her to a man on you. He married
her open for a dollar.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Uh wait, wait, wait right, yes, I'm staying, see.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Me too.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
I ain't proud there cards?
Speaker 3 (21:38):
Uh? Three can do to? Please?
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Give me one? Here's a man who's gonna drop dead
if he pulls it right.
Speaker 5 (21:52):
How's about you, Charlie two dean take three? Honest woman,
that's one thing I ate, and I never hoped to
be your bet.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Wild beilt, Well, I'll tell your friend, I'm gonna make
this rough on you. Two bucks, all right, I call
me and I rob dead Now I'll see.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
I'm a sucker, all right?
Speaker 5 (22:32):
You know what he have got?
Speaker 1 (22:34):
Wild Bill prettiest to pair you ever seen? Aces and
eight wild Bill Hicktock slumped forward on the table. He
still had the winning smile on his face, and the
cards crumpled in his tightening fist. It was Calamity Chaine
(22:59):
who Jack McCall. He was hiding in a butcher's shop
nearby Colorado, Charlie and I dragged him away before she
had a chance to use the meat cleaper she was holding.
We found six cartridges in McCall's gun.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
The only one to.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
Fire was the first, the one that killed Hickock. The
other five were defective. Before I left Deadwood, McCall was
tried for murder, but Brady and Bonnes must have chosen
the jury themselves because the final verdict was not guilty.
(23:42):
Frontier Gentleman was written and produced and directed by Anthony
Ellis and stars John Dayner as J. B.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
Kendall. Featured in the cast for John McIntyre, Jeanette Nolan,
Jack Miles, Larry Dobkin, Stacy Harris, and Vic Perrin. Music
was composed and conducted by Amargo Moreno join us again
(24:19):
next week or another report from the Frontier Gentleman. James
Matthews speaking. This is the CBS Radio Network.
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