December 10, 2025 • 24 mins
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agnes Moorehead, Marlene Dietrich and Humphrey Bogart. The plots were mostly engaging crime dramas, science fiction and some horror - usually with a surprise ending.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! 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 | Amazon | iHeart
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! 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 | Amazon | iHeart
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
And now tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills
suspense Tonight the story of a man's search for the
murderer of his brother. We call it a Killing in Abilene.
So now, starring Parley Bear, here is tonight's suspense play,
(00:30):
A Killing in Abilene.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
I'd come down out of the Snake range that morning,
had followed the river trail through the canyon, and that
afternoon had found Pleasant Valley, a handful of buildings, desolate,
huddled in the cold shadows of the mountains around tall
and dark. Wow, this side of town. On an easy rise,
(01:03):
I saw a handful of people standing in a circle.
As I got closer, I saw they were gathered around
two men who were digging.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Hold up a minute, what's the matter? I hit something?
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Wait, let it go, so digg around this sorright, you're right,
I can't do it anymore.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Who do you boys?
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Take over?
Speaker 6 (02:05):
M I'll do it, Jim, somebody's got to it's him,
all right, I've seen his shirt.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
He was right. Then.
Speaker 5 (02:26):
Then let the sheriff take a look.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Jake, Jake Garvey.
Speaker 7 (02:37):
H yeah, that's it. That's Fred Costin. All right, what
are you doing? Here, stranger. Where you're from? You the sheriff,
that's right, Jake Garvey.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Mander's my name from Emily. So I'm looking for a
man in these parts. Calls himself Lee Burridge.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Would he say sheriff?
Speaker 7 (03:06):
He said, Lee, Birrige, Ben.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
You're come along with us, mister, we'll find him for you.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
What do you want him for?
Speaker 3 (03:12):
What's it matter what he wants him for? We know
what we want him for.
Speaker 7 (03:16):
Come on, there ain't gonna be no trouble in the law,
unpleasant valley.
Speaker 8 (03:21):
I'll do what we say.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
With Fred Couston land cold and his widow weeping, that's
trouble enough.
Speaker 9 (03:28):
We elected you, sheriff, Jake. We can elect you. Like
Ben said, it was Birde killed him, and you know it.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I've got to talk to you about Birride, Sheriff.
Speaker 7 (03:37):
It's important, all right, my office back of the meeting house.
Speaker 9 (03:41):
We don't need no talk about Birde. We need to
do something about the ugly son.
Speaker 8 (03:45):
Come on, boys, get on back to town.
Speaker 7 (03:48):
We'll take her.
Speaker 10 (03:48):
She comes, m smoke, No thanks.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
The boys want to know why you are here, so
do why.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
I'll tell you.
Speaker 7 (04:12):
We don't like strangers. What do you want with lady Burridge.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
I had a brother who was killed out in Abilene.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Burridge did it.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Oh, him and another one drove a herd into the railroad.
Burridge got drunk and killed my brother. Where he did
same as here.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
We found this.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Pouch near the grave, his name burned into it. It's
taken me two years to find him. Now I want
to talk to him about it.
Speaker 7 (04:39):
The boys are pretty sure he killed Fred Coston too.
Oh I now, maybe so.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Fred Coston isn't my business.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
My brother is.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
And I want to see his killer back in Abilene's
standing trial. I made a promise i'd bring him back.
Speaker 7 (04:54):
Oh, you don't look like that kind of a man
who could use a gun. Now, we didn't know your brother,
but we knew Fred, and we liked him. You can
help take care of Burridge here if you've the.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Mind to try him here you mean on both charges,
No need for that, then, what do you mean take
care of him? How'd he kill your brother?
Speaker 7 (05:17):
His head was beat in, he was beat to death, Yeah,
same as he did to Fred. A man who do
a thing like that don't need no trial.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Not for you maybe, But there'll be no more killing
in my family. We'll give him a fair trial in Abilen.
Speaker 7 (05:33):
If Bird's done these killings, he's gonna pay for it.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Here.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
I don't go for lynching.
Speaker 7 (05:42):
That's strong talk. We don't call it lynchon when we
hang a man for murder. You don't like it, go
want back to Abileen.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Maybe I'll do that when I take Lee Burridge out
for trial.
Speaker 7 (05:58):
I don't know what you're trying to do. I suspect
that to get buried out of town. If I'm right,
you're heading into a lot of trouble.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
One of you boys, direct me to where Lee Bridge lives.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Good. We felt inclined what you want with him?
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I just want to talk. Anybody got any objections?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Yeah, who are you? Then, Chappie, there ain't going to
be no talking.
Speaker 9 (06:34):
He's done what he's done, He's going to pay.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
For it, and nobody's going to stand in the way.
It's time. He was riding out of here.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
And if I don't, then I'll help you.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I'm off.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
Then we don't need no private wars here.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Where does he live?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Come on? Boys?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
He turned away from me and moved into the show
Griff's office, leaving me alone to walk down the dusty street.
I asked the blacksmith where Lee Burry to live.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
He just looked at me and shook his head towards
the hills.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
The thunderhead was beginning to gather, moving in slowly. Near
the end of the street, two men were building a
coffin from the small house. Is this where I'll find
missus Coustin? Where do you have to come meddling around
(07:33):
here at a time like this?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Can't you leave a widow to her sorrow?
Speaker 11 (07:37):
The stranger, Bob boy, the stranger don't have no time
for other people's sorrow.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Maybe you're right, old timer.
Speaker 12 (07:45):
Maybe they got too many of themselves.
Speaker 5 (08:03):
Yes, I'd like.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
To talk to you, ma'am. Could I come in?
Speaker 13 (08:08):
No, can't you see? This house is in the morning.
My friend's making a coffin for Fred's decent burial. I
got nothing to say to.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
You, ma'am. I know how you feel.
Speaker 13 (08:21):
How can you know how I feel?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
I had a brother once killed by this man birde Oh,
I'd like you to help me. He was two years ago.
My brother was killed. His wife would like the killer
brought back to Abilene for trial. I'd like you to
speak to your friends. Let me take him away.
Speaker 13 (08:41):
He didn't give my Fred a chance before he killed him.
He's a cruel and ugly man. I want him killed
here where I can watch.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Will you tell me where he lives?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Don't tell him nothing, missus custin. He'll go, warn him off,
go if he wants.
Speaker 11 (09:02):
I say, a man's got one life to live, and
he's got a right to lose you in any dang
way you please, I'll tell you where you can find
Lee Burge.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
On the way, I passed the open pit that had
been a grave and turned up a side canyon. A
few miles farther on, where the canyon spread, I saw
his hut set against a fire blackened hill. There was
no growing thing in the rocky ground except one sick,
twisted tree, its stunded limbs reaching out empty, waiting.
Speaker 14 (09:49):
Oh hard easy Hart, Oh your gun down you I
won't fit for the next one.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Lee Buried, Throw it down. I'm Jeff Mander.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
It was my brother Seth you killed in Abilene.
Speaker 15 (10:06):
If that's who you are, you've cost me enough trouble.
Speaker 11 (10:08):
I'll get out of here.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
They'll give you a fair trial.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
There.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Stay here, and you're gonna be lynched for Fred Costen's killing.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Nobody's gonna lynch me while I got this.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Don't come up, Pussler, you listen to me. I don't
hold no love for you. I shouldn't care what happens
to you. But it took me two years to find you.
Now I'm taking you out. Don't lookah, put up your gun.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
Put up your gun.
Speaker 11 (10:43):
Kid tell old folks didn't work.
Speaker 15 (10:47):
I'm too smart for him, old timer.
Speaker 11 (11:12):
I see you had your talk with birds. You see
you ain't wearing your gun. You get the drop on you. Yeah,
surprise you didn't kid you?
Speaker 3 (11:21):
So was I?
Speaker 2 (11:23):
You tell him i'd gone there?
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (11:25):
What they say?
Speaker 11 (11:26):
They said, if you get birds first, they'd get you.
They said you should go back where you come from.
I just still can.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
I will after I settled with birds.
Speaker 11 (11:36):
Where's the sheriff went off with the boys after buried. Yeah,
we're gonna wait till dark, and they're going to string them up.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Where are they gonna wait till dark?
Speaker 11 (11:46):
I want to be with I thought you didn't like lynchings.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
I don't, but I want to be there.
Speaker 11 (11:51):
I was told if you came back to town, you
have to be with them. I don't make me use
this gun, son, I'll just turn around and we will
join in the residen, all right, And that suggests you stop.
You're talking about Lee Burge when I overheard you're close
to sharing her rope with them.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
You are listening to A Killing an Abilene, Tonight's presentation
in Radio's outstanding Theater of Thrills.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
Suspense.
Speaker 8 (12:39):
Fires are easier to prevent than to extinguish. If you
want to make sure you don't have a fire in
your own home, now's the time to get fire sighted.
If you can't make your own electrical repairs, get an
electrician in to check the house, especially if it's been
a while since your wirings had any attention, and throw
out piled up rubbish. Be fire sighted.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage. Parley
Bear starring in Tonight's production of A Killing in Abilene,
A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
We rode out a pleasant valley.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
The old man ended up speaking through scattered herds of
cattle on the lower range land. Rolling in from the east,
the black clouds smothered the mountain toss The old man
still held the gun on me.
Speaker 11 (13:38):
Oh, no use winding the horses won't be dark for
a couple of hours, Yet lynch and parties get their
guts after dark.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
How come you weren't with.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Them waiting for you.
Speaker 11 (13:51):
I thought you'd be around. I've seen a Lynchon once
too much trouble. Yeah, you still figuring to take birds
with it, Abiline, I can try. Ain't that going to
be a NTE Darren without a shooting iron might be?
I'm surprised after two years looking for him, you didn't
(14:12):
shoot him when.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
You found him.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
That's not what I come for.
Speaker 11 (14:16):
Why not you killed your brother?
Speaker 2 (14:18):
I made a promise to somebody his wife, Yes, and
mine too. What was it between Coston and Burge? I
don't know.
Speaker 11 (14:29):
Nobody's seen much of Birge in the past couple of years,
ever since Ben told us about how he was a
killer ugly man. Guess was your brother he killed too?
Speaker 2 (14:40):
I guess so.
Speaker 11 (14:42):
Now because of him you might get killed. Why they
know you're trying.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
To take birds away?
Speaker 11 (14:50):
Whoa we ford the stream here?
Speaker 5 (14:53):
What's the foot.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Sonny?
Speaker 11 (15:09):
Yeah, we haven't seen you yet. You still got time
to get out.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
You'd let me go.
Speaker 11 (15:15):
Seen a Lynchon once started a lot of trouble.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I've come this far. I'll finish it.
Speaker 5 (15:34):
That.
Speaker 7 (15:35):
Hello, sir, I thought you'd left Pleasant Valley.
Speaker 6 (15:40):
I told the old man to bring him. We decided
you ought to be with us where we can watch him.
We're not letting him take birds out.
Speaker 7 (15:48):
You decided, Ben, what do you say, mister? Are you
still going to try and take him?
Speaker 11 (15:54):
I'll tell you what he says, Sheriff. He says he
wants birds one way or the other.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
He asked to join.
Speaker 11 (16:00):
That's what he did.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Shut up, oh man, get off the horse.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
Mister all right, I want.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Burridge as bad as the rest of you. I'd prefer
him to stand trial. That's the difference. I don't want
this lynching.
Speaker 7 (16:18):
You take your hand off your gun, Ben, he ain't
arm take We decided what to do.
Speaker 6 (16:24):
You want to hear because I want you here. Verge
killed Fred Cousten in a fight. Now we're gonna settle it.
Burridge kills easy. I seen him do it once before.
He's not going to do it again.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
You saw him kill my brother.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
I saw it. You need more of a trial than that.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I thought of the ugly man up the canyon and
then broke him down Shack. I wondered if he knew
what was waiting for him a mile or so away.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
It was quiet.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Then the storm clouds were quickening the end of day,
and the party became shadows, sitting nervously and smoking. Two
of the men had some whisky and were building up
their courage for the night's work.
Speaker 13 (17:19):
It's it's nearly dark.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Why I didn't think you'd come.
Speaker 13 (17:25):
I had to.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
My Fred's dead, So was my brother.
Speaker 13 (17:30):
My Fred was a good man, never hit me, but
he was a dark man with drink.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
What was it between Birge and him?
Speaker 13 (17:40):
Well, we lost some chickens. Fred said that birds stole
him when he came to town for supplies. Fred and
him got to fight, and Birge hated him and beat him.
Speaker 15 (17:51):
Fred was horrible hurt.
Speaker 13 (17:53):
Afterwards, everybody laughed and made jokes.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
They laughed at their friends.
Speaker 13 (17:57):
Oh it was man laughing, no harm. But to a
dark man like Fred, it was bad. He swore to
get even. That was last Saturday.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
He went in to drink and didn't come back.
Speaker 13 (18:10):
We all thought he wrote out someplace for shame.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Why do you think birds killed him?
Speaker 13 (18:14):
Oh, there's all talking about it, all the men Saturday night.
They said, Fred, and that man is arguing. Who heard bended?
And when Fred didn't come back, we all knew that
man had killed him. Well he did, and he's gonna
pay for it.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
Who found the grave?
Speaker 13 (18:32):
Man bended? I I'm sorry for your brother's wife, but
it must be this way. It's like the Holy Book says,
and I for an eye.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
That's all boys, it's time.
Speaker 7 (18:58):
He's there, right enough, there's a light inside. Hold up, boys, Bob,
you Jim, and he'll come with me. We'll bring him up.
Lest you stay here? What's the idea. You're too quick,
and I've been and given too many orders. You stay.
Speaker 11 (19:17):
You're still gonna try and get him away?
Speaker 8 (19:18):
On?
Speaker 15 (19:19):
I might.
Speaker 11 (19:21):
You're like an injine on you once had to shoot
him five times before we knew we were dead.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
What do you want here?
Speaker 16 (19:31):
You know what we want, per age, Get out of here,
get off my land. You come outside quietly. We don't
want to know Trump.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
I ain't asking for trouble.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Yes, for when you killed Fred, kust kill him.
Speaker 5 (19:42):
I didn't kill Constance.
Speaker 16 (19:43):
Heave your breath while they got it it.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
I'll kill you. Kill you. You'll tell your last killing.
Speaker 5 (19:53):
Get the rope over that lamb right, since you're doing. Ben,
shut up.
Speaker 6 (19:58):
Fire his hands, Bob, I'll hold him right.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
You're gonna blame this one on me too. Ben, shut up.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
I said Bridge didn't do it. He didn't do it.
Speaker 11 (20:06):
Let it go, Shun. You can't stop him now.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
I gotta talk to him before they do it. He
didn't kill I know it.
Speaker 11 (20:11):
Wait a minute, take my gun.
Speaker 15 (20:13):
Thanks.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
The rope was around his neck, and he knew he
was gonna die. But as I came near him and
could see him in the light, there was no fear
in his eyes. He was lifted under the horse. The
rope was tightened, and he was ready to be lynched.
Then he saw me.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
One request sheriff, what ver age? Let me talk to
him a minute, stranger hair for a minute.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
No more talking. Check that horse off from under him.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
Not yet, let him talk.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Take up.
Speaker 5 (20:53):
We don't want to kill the wrong man. Then you
or Berries let him talk.
Speaker 6 (20:58):
Why do you think I killed your brother to get
away with something, Jake, Let's string him up.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Come on, I'm in it, don't matter.
Speaker 7 (21:04):
Shut up.
Speaker 5 (21:05):
Then let him have their say.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
He found your pouch near my brother's grave. Bridge, your
name on it. Tonight. Ben told me he saw you
kill him.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
I didn't.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
I wasn't with Ben that night Nablin. Ben wanted to drink.
I didn't. He left me and took my pouch with him.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
What does it matter about his brother? It's Fred Costen.
We're hanging him for.
Speaker 5 (21:23):
I didn't kill Fred Costin either. Listen, mister, I didn't
kill your brother. Ben told everybody I did ever since.
I've had no friends here.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
He's talking enough. He killed Fred Cousten.
Speaker 5 (21:33):
I told you that what I didn't kill Fred Costen.
He's lying.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
Let's get it over with.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
I still let him talk.
Speaker 7 (21:40):
Where'd you get that gun?
Speaker 5 (21:42):
Mister?
Speaker 2 (21:42):
How'd you know where Fred was buried? Ben? How do
you know where Fred was buried? He's Costin says you
found the grave? How do you know where it was?
Speaker 5 (21:53):
Answer them?
Speaker 3 (21:53):
Then you told me where it was?
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Ben?
Speaker 3 (21:56):
I saw. I'm very impoor Fred. That's how I know
if you saw the burial?
Speaker 5 (22:01):
Why didn't you stop?
Speaker 2 (22:01):
Bridges?
Speaker 5 (22:02):
Then?
Speaker 3 (22:03):
It was none of my business?
Speaker 5 (22:05):
But it is now?
Speaker 2 (22:05):
What made you change your mind so fast?
Speaker 5 (22:07):
Stay away from that horse?
Speaker 14 (22:08):
Then cut him down, you bob cut him down.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
I think you'll be coming back to abling with me, Ben,
Do you think so?
Speaker 11 (22:23):
You all right?
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Son?
Speaker 2 (22:26):
My shoulder. How about Bridge?
Speaker 11 (22:30):
Oh he'll live the rest easy, son. You've done a
good job, but you ain't going to keep your promise
about your brother's killer. There's no sense taking ben Chaffy
back to Abileen. We'll bury him here.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Suspense, in which Parley Bear starred in a killing in Abilene,
by Anthony Ellis and Guildoud Next Week the story of
a man who thought the only way to escape death
was to search for it. It's called Diagnosis of Death.
That's Next Week on Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed
(23:31):
by Anthony Ellis. The music was composed by Lucian Morrowick
and conducted by lud Gluskin. Featured in the cast were
Paula Winslow, Jack Prusian, Frank Gerstel, Jim Knusser, Vic Perrin,
Jode All and Will Wright. Listen for the Radio Hall
of Fame every Sunday night on the CBS Radio Network.
Speaker 15 (24:02):
Thing A Crea
And now tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills
suspense Tonight the story of a man's search for the
murderer of his brother. We call it a Killing in Abilene.
So now, starring Parley Bear, here is tonight's suspense play,
(00:30):
A Killing in Abilene.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
I'd come down out of the Snake range that morning,
had followed the river trail through the canyon, and that
afternoon had found Pleasant Valley, a handful of buildings, desolate,
huddled in the cold shadows of the mountains around tall
and dark. Wow, this side of town. On an easy rise,
(01:03):
I saw a handful of people standing in a circle.
As I got closer, I saw they were gathered around
two men who were digging.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Hold up a minute, what's the matter? I hit something?
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Wait, let it go, so digg around this sorright, you're right,
I can't do it anymore.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Who do you boys?
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Take over?
Speaker 6 (02:05):
M I'll do it, Jim, somebody's got to it's him,
all right, I've seen his shirt.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
He was right. Then.
Speaker 5 (02:26):
Then let the sheriff take a look.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Jake, Jake Garvey.
Speaker 7 (02:37):
H yeah, that's it. That's Fred Costin. All right, what
are you doing? Here, stranger. Where you're from? You the sheriff,
that's right, Jake Garvey.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Mander's my name from Emily. So I'm looking for a
man in these parts. Calls himself Lee Burridge.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Would he say sheriff?
Speaker 7 (03:06):
He said, Lee, Birrige, Ben.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
You're come along with us, mister, we'll find him for you.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
What do you want him for?
Speaker 3 (03:12):
What's it matter what he wants him for? We know
what we want him for.
Speaker 7 (03:16):
Come on, there ain't gonna be no trouble in the law,
unpleasant valley.
Speaker 8 (03:21):
I'll do what we say.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
With Fred Couston land cold and his widow weeping, that's
trouble enough.
Speaker 9 (03:28):
We elected you, sheriff, Jake. We can elect you. Like
Ben said, it was Birde killed him, and you know it.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I've got to talk to you about Birride, Sheriff.
Speaker 7 (03:37):
It's important, all right, my office back of the meeting house.
Speaker 9 (03:41):
We don't need no talk about Birde. We need to
do something about the ugly son.
Speaker 8 (03:45):
Come on, boys, get on back to town.
Speaker 7 (03:48):
We'll take her.
Speaker 10 (03:48):
She comes, m smoke, No thanks.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
The boys want to know why you are here, so
do why.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
I'll tell you.
Speaker 7 (04:12):
We don't like strangers. What do you want with lady Burridge.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
I had a brother who was killed out in Abilene.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Burridge did it.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Oh, him and another one drove a herd into the railroad.
Burridge got drunk and killed my brother. Where he did
same as here.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
We found this.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Pouch near the grave, his name burned into it. It's
taken me two years to find him. Now I want
to talk to him about it.
Speaker 7 (04:39):
The boys are pretty sure he killed Fred Coston too.
Oh I now, maybe so.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Fred Coston isn't my business.
Speaker 5 (04:47):
My brother is.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
And I want to see his killer back in Abilene's
standing trial. I made a promise i'd bring him back.
Speaker 7 (04:54):
Oh, you don't look like that kind of a man
who could use a gun. Now, we didn't know your brother,
but we knew Fred, and we liked him. You can
help take care of Burridge here if you've the.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Mind to try him here you mean on both charges,
No need for that, then, what do you mean take
care of him? How'd he kill your brother?
Speaker 7 (05:17):
His head was beat in, he was beat to death, Yeah,
same as he did to Fred. A man who do
a thing like that don't need no trial.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Not for you maybe, But there'll be no more killing
in my family. We'll give him a fair trial in Abilen.
Speaker 7 (05:33):
If Bird's done these killings, he's gonna pay for it.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Here.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
I don't go for lynching.
Speaker 7 (05:42):
That's strong talk. We don't call it lynchon when we
hang a man for murder. You don't like it, go
want back to Abileen.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Maybe I'll do that when I take Lee Burridge out
for trial.
Speaker 7 (05:58):
I don't know what you're trying to do. I suspect
that to get buried out of town. If I'm right,
you're heading into a lot of trouble.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
One of you boys, direct me to where Lee Bridge lives.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Good. We felt inclined what you want with him?
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I just want to talk. Anybody got any objections?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Yeah, who are you? Then, Chappie, there ain't going to
be no talking.
Speaker 9 (06:34):
He's done what he's done, He's going to pay.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
For it, and nobody's going to stand in the way.
It's time. He was riding out of here.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
And if I don't, then I'll help you.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I'm off.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
Then we don't need no private wars here.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Where does he live?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Come on? Boys?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
He turned away from me and moved into the show
Griff's office, leaving me alone to walk down the dusty street.
I asked the blacksmith where Lee Burry to live.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
He just looked at me and shook his head towards
the hills.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
The thunderhead was beginning to gather, moving in slowly. Near
the end of the street, two men were building a
coffin from the small house. Is this where I'll find
missus Coustin? Where do you have to come meddling around
(07:33):
here at a time like this?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Can't you leave a widow to her sorrow?
Speaker 11 (07:37):
The stranger, Bob boy, the stranger don't have no time
for other people's sorrow.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Maybe you're right, old timer.
Speaker 12 (07:45):
Maybe they got too many of themselves.
Speaker 5 (08:03):
Yes, I'd like.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
To talk to you, ma'am. Could I come in?
Speaker 13 (08:08):
No, can't you see? This house is in the morning.
My friend's making a coffin for Fred's decent burial. I
got nothing to say to.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
You, ma'am. I know how you feel.
Speaker 13 (08:21):
How can you know how I feel?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
I had a brother once killed by this man birde Oh,
I'd like you to help me. He was two years ago.
My brother was killed. His wife would like the killer
brought back to Abilene for trial. I'd like you to
speak to your friends. Let me take him away.
Speaker 13 (08:41):
He didn't give my Fred a chance before he killed him.
He's a cruel and ugly man. I want him killed
here where I can watch.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Will you tell me where he lives?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Don't tell him nothing, missus custin. He'll go, warn him off,
go if he wants.
Speaker 11 (09:02):
I say, a man's got one life to live, and
he's got a right to lose you in any dang
way you please, I'll tell you where you can find
Lee Burge.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
On the way, I passed the open pit that had
been a grave and turned up a side canyon. A
few miles farther on, where the canyon spread, I saw
his hut set against a fire blackened hill. There was
no growing thing in the rocky ground except one sick,
twisted tree, its stunded limbs reaching out empty, waiting.
Speaker 14 (09:49):
Oh hard easy Hart, Oh your gun down you I
won't fit for the next one.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Lee Buried, Throw it down. I'm Jeff Mander.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
It was my brother Seth you killed in Abilene.
Speaker 15 (10:06):
If that's who you are, you've cost me enough trouble.
Speaker 11 (10:08):
I'll get out of here.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
They'll give you a fair trial.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
There.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Stay here, and you're gonna be lynched for Fred Costen's killing.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Nobody's gonna lynch me while I got this.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Don't come up, Pussler, you listen to me. I don't
hold no love for you. I shouldn't care what happens
to you. But it took me two years to find you.
Now I'm taking you out. Don't lookah, put up your gun.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
Put up your gun.
Speaker 11 (10:43):
Kid tell old folks didn't work.
Speaker 15 (10:47):
I'm too smart for him, old timer.
Speaker 11 (11:12):
I see you had your talk with birds. You see
you ain't wearing your gun. You get the drop on you. Yeah,
surprise you didn't kid you?
Speaker 3 (11:21):
So was I?
Speaker 2 (11:23):
You tell him i'd gone there?
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (11:25):
What they say?
Speaker 11 (11:26):
They said, if you get birds first, they'd get you.
They said you should go back where you come from.
I just still can.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
I will after I settled with birds.
Speaker 11 (11:36):
Where's the sheriff went off with the boys after buried. Yeah,
we're gonna wait till dark, and they're going to string them up.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Where are they gonna wait till dark?
Speaker 11 (11:46):
I want to be with I thought you didn't like lynchings.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
I don't, but I want to be there.
Speaker 11 (11:51):
I was told if you came back to town, you
have to be with them. I don't make me use
this gun, son, I'll just turn around and we will
join in the residen, all right, And that suggests you stop.
You're talking about Lee Burge when I overheard you're close
to sharing her rope with them.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
You are listening to A Killing an Abilene, Tonight's presentation
in Radio's outstanding Theater of Thrills.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
Suspense.
Speaker 8 (12:39):
Fires are easier to prevent than to extinguish. If you
want to make sure you don't have a fire in
your own home, now's the time to get fire sighted.
If you can't make your own electrical repairs, get an
electrician in to check the house, especially if it's been
a while since your wirings had any attention, and throw
out piled up rubbish. Be fire sighted.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage. Parley
Bear starring in Tonight's production of A Killing in Abilene,
A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
We rode out a pleasant valley.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
The old man ended up speaking through scattered herds of
cattle on the lower range land. Rolling in from the east,
the black clouds smothered the mountain toss The old man
still held the gun on me.
Speaker 11 (13:38):
Oh, no use winding the horses won't be dark for
a couple of hours, Yet lynch and parties get their
guts after dark.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
How come you weren't with.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Them waiting for you.
Speaker 11 (13:51):
I thought you'd be around. I've seen a Lynchon once
too much trouble. Yeah, you still figuring to take birds
with it, Abiline, I can try. Ain't that going to
be a NTE Darren without a shooting iron might be?
I'm surprised after two years looking for him, you didn't
(14:12):
shoot him when.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
You found him.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
That's not what I come for.
Speaker 11 (14:16):
Why not you killed your brother?
Speaker 2 (14:18):
I made a promise to somebody his wife, Yes, and
mine too. What was it between Coston and Burge? I
don't know.
Speaker 11 (14:29):
Nobody's seen much of Birge in the past couple of years,
ever since Ben told us about how he was a
killer ugly man. Guess was your brother he killed too?
Speaker 2 (14:40):
I guess so.
Speaker 11 (14:42):
Now because of him you might get killed. Why they
know you're trying.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
To take birds away?
Speaker 11 (14:50):
Whoa we ford the stream here?
Speaker 5 (14:53):
What's the foot.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Sonny?
Speaker 11 (15:09):
Yeah, we haven't seen you yet. You still got time
to get out.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
You'd let me go.
Speaker 11 (15:15):
Seen a Lynchon once started a lot of trouble.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I've come this far. I'll finish it.
Speaker 5 (15:34):
That.
Speaker 7 (15:35):
Hello, sir, I thought you'd left Pleasant Valley.
Speaker 6 (15:40):
I told the old man to bring him. We decided
you ought to be with us where we can watch him.
We're not letting him take birds out.
Speaker 7 (15:48):
You decided, Ben, what do you say, mister? Are you
still going to try and take him?
Speaker 11 (15:54):
I'll tell you what he says, Sheriff. He says he
wants birds one way or the other.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
He asked to join.
Speaker 11 (16:00):
That's what he did.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Shut up, oh man, get off the horse.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
Mister all right, I want.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Burridge as bad as the rest of you. I'd prefer
him to stand trial. That's the difference. I don't want
this lynching.
Speaker 7 (16:18):
You take your hand off your gun, Ben, he ain't
arm take We decided what to do.
Speaker 6 (16:24):
You want to hear because I want you here. Verge
killed Fred Cousten in a fight. Now we're gonna settle it.
Burridge kills easy. I seen him do it once before.
He's not going to do it again.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
You saw him kill my brother.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
I saw it. You need more of a trial than that.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I thought of the ugly man up the canyon and
then broke him down Shack. I wondered if he knew
what was waiting for him a mile or so away.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
It was quiet.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Then the storm clouds were quickening the end of day,
and the party became shadows, sitting nervously and smoking. Two
of the men had some whisky and were building up
their courage for the night's work.
Speaker 13 (17:19):
It's it's nearly dark.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Why I didn't think you'd come.
Speaker 13 (17:25):
I had to.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
My Fred's dead, So was my brother.
Speaker 13 (17:30):
My Fred was a good man, never hit me, but
he was a dark man with drink.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
What was it between Birge and him?
Speaker 13 (17:40):
Well, we lost some chickens. Fred said that birds stole
him when he came to town for supplies. Fred and
him got to fight, and Birge hated him and beat him.
Speaker 15 (17:51):
Fred was horrible hurt.
Speaker 13 (17:53):
Afterwards, everybody laughed and made jokes.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
They laughed at their friends.
Speaker 13 (17:57):
Oh it was man laughing, no harm. But to a
dark man like Fred, it was bad. He swore to
get even. That was last Saturday.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
He went in to drink and didn't come back.
Speaker 13 (18:10):
We all thought he wrote out someplace for shame.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Why do you think birds killed him?
Speaker 13 (18:14):
Oh, there's all talking about it, all the men Saturday night.
They said, Fred, and that man is arguing. Who heard bended?
And when Fred didn't come back, we all knew that
man had killed him. Well he did, and he's gonna
pay for it.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
Who found the grave?
Speaker 13 (18:32):
Man bended? I I'm sorry for your brother's wife, but
it must be this way. It's like the Holy Book says,
and I for an eye.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
That's all boys, it's time.
Speaker 7 (18:58):
He's there, right enough, there's a light inside. Hold up, boys, Bob,
you Jim, and he'll come with me. We'll bring him up.
Lest you stay here? What's the idea. You're too quick,
and I've been and given too many orders. You stay.
Speaker 11 (19:17):
You're still gonna try and get him away?
Speaker 8 (19:18):
On?
Speaker 15 (19:19):
I might.
Speaker 11 (19:21):
You're like an injine on you once had to shoot
him five times before we knew we were dead.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
What do you want here?
Speaker 16 (19:31):
You know what we want, per age, Get out of here,
get off my land. You come outside quietly. We don't
want to know Trump.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
I ain't asking for trouble.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Yes, for when you killed Fred, kust kill him.
Speaker 5 (19:42):
I didn't kill Constance.
Speaker 16 (19:43):
Heave your breath while they got it it.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
I'll kill you. Kill you. You'll tell your last killing.
Speaker 5 (19:53):
Get the rope over that lamb right, since you're doing. Ben,
shut up.
Speaker 6 (19:58):
Fire his hands, Bob, I'll hold him right.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
You're gonna blame this one on me too. Ben, shut up.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
I said Bridge didn't do it. He didn't do it.
Speaker 11 (20:06):
Let it go, Shun. You can't stop him now.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
I gotta talk to him before they do it. He
didn't kill I know it.
Speaker 11 (20:11):
Wait a minute, take my gun.
Speaker 15 (20:13):
Thanks.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
The rope was around his neck, and he knew he
was gonna die. But as I came near him and
could see him in the light, there was no fear
in his eyes. He was lifted under the horse. The
rope was tightened, and he was ready to be lynched.
Then he saw me.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
One request sheriff, what ver age? Let me talk to
him a minute, stranger hair for a minute.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
No more talking. Check that horse off from under him.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
Not yet, let him talk.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Take up.
Speaker 5 (20:53):
We don't want to kill the wrong man. Then you
or Berries let him talk.
Speaker 6 (20:58):
Why do you think I killed your brother to get
away with something, Jake, Let's string him up.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Come on, I'm in it, don't matter.
Speaker 7 (21:04):
Shut up.
Speaker 5 (21:05):
Then let him have their say.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
He found your pouch near my brother's grave. Bridge, your
name on it. Tonight. Ben told me he saw you
kill him.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
I didn't.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
I wasn't with Ben that night Nablin. Ben wanted to drink.
I didn't. He left me and took my pouch with him.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
What does it matter about his brother? It's Fred Costen.
We're hanging him for.
Speaker 5 (21:23):
I didn't kill Fred Costin either. Listen, mister, I didn't
kill your brother. Ben told everybody I did ever since.
I've had no friends here.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
He's talking enough. He killed Fred Cousten.
Speaker 5 (21:33):
I told you that what I didn't kill Fred Costen.
He's lying.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
Let's get it over with.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
I still let him talk.
Speaker 7 (21:40):
Where'd you get that gun?
Speaker 5 (21:42):
Mister?
Speaker 2 (21:42):
How'd you know where Fred was buried? Ben? How do
you know where Fred was buried? He's Costin says you
found the grave? How do you know where it was?
Speaker 5 (21:53):
Answer them?
Speaker 3 (21:53):
Then you told me where it was?
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Ben?
Speaker 3 (21:56):
I saw. I'm very impoor Fred. That's how I know
if you saw the burial?
Speaker 5 (22:01):
Why didn't you stop?
Speaker 2 (22:01):
Bridges?
Speaker 5 (22:02):
Then?
Speaker 3 (22:03):
It was none of my business?
Speaker 5 (22:05):
But it is now?
Speaker 2 (22:05):
What made you change your mind so fast?
Speaker 5 (22:07):
Stay away from that horse?
Speaker 14 (22:08):
Then cut him down, you bob cut him down.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
I think you'll be coming back to abling with me, Ben,
Do you think so?
Speaker 11 (22:23):
You all right?
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Son?
Speaker 2 (22:26):
My shoulder. How about Bridge?
Speaker 11 (22:30):
Oh he'll live the rest easy, son. You've done a
good job, but you ain't going to keep your promise
about your brother's killer. There's no sense taking ben Chaffy
back to Abileen. We'll bury him here.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
Suspense, in which Parley Bear starred in a killing in Abilene,
by Anthony Ellis and Guildoud Next Week the story of
a man who thought the only way to escape death
was to search for it. It's called Diagnosis of Death.
That's Next Week on Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed
(23:31):
by Anthony Ellis. The music was composed by Lucian Morrowick
and conducted by lud Gluskin. Featured in the cast were
Paula Winslow, Jack Prusian, Frank Gerstel, Jim Knusser, Vic Perrin,
Jode All and Will Wright. Listen for the Radio Hall
of Fame every Sunday night on the CBS Radio Network.
Speaker 15 (24:02):
Thing A Crea
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