August 7, 2025 • 30 mins
Chronicles the cases of a law enforcement officer in the American West, blending traditional Western themes with modern investigative techniques. The stories are based on real cases.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The National Broadcasting Company presents Joel McCrae in Tales of
the Texas Rangers. Tonight transcribe from Hollywood another authentic reenactment
of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers.
(00:24):
The Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as
Ranger Jase Pearson, Texas more.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Than two hundred and sixty.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Thousand square miles and fifty men will make up the
most famous and oldest law enforcement party in North America.
(00:54):
Now from the files of the Texas Rangers come these
stories based on fact only names, dates and places, star,
big fishes, more obvious reasons they have manage themselves are
a matter of record.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Case for Tonight Christmas Present.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
It is two pm December twenty first, four days before Christmas,
in the depression year of nineteen thirty one, on a
city street corner in North Texas, A man dressed as
Santa Claus suddenly leaves his post beside a large red
pot labeled Helpful Pool. Shivering with cold, he enters the
newly opened building of the Panhandle Equity Bank and approaches
the bank guard.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Say Master, you might if I stay here a few minutes.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Warm up a little. I sure don't. I've been watching
you through the window. Don't know how you stood it
as long as you did.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Oh, this Santa Claus out is pretty warm at first,
then a cold sort of creeps in on you.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
How long they expect you to stand out in the
eight two six?
Speaker 3 (02:00):
That's all.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Well, it's two o'clock right now. You can go home,
not till my relief man shows up.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
I can't. Can't later he gets here. Some money in
the pot out there.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Oh, well, why don't you wait right in here till
you see I was.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Hoping you'd say that, because I'm sure. Oh that is now,
just drove up in a car. Oh, he can't leave
a car park there in front of the bank. There's
a time limit on parking.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Well, I think he's just wondering why I'm not there.
I better go out and oh he sees me.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
He's coming in.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Hardy was wondering when you get here, God, let me
come in warm up.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
I hope you're saying the Claus suit as warmer and his.
We'll be closed up by the.
Speaker 5 (02:41):
Time you need woman.
Speaker 6 (02:42):
I don't think I'll get very cold. I got a
cold forty five mic pocket point the right for you, belly,
I don't move.
Speaker 7 (02:48):
For don't move, he said, keep your hand awaking your gun.
You guys are pulling the stick up.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
No, Ki, you figure that all out for yourself, stupid.
Let's make it a nice quiet stick up. Just walk
to the red of the bank with us, Take us
through the door to the money and the board.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Now go on, and you'll never get away with this.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
You just trying to track any attention. You never lived
to know whether we're do or not.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
All right, open that door.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
The girl by the desk and open it. It's button control.
Well I tell her you want end me?
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Miss Keane. Oh I'm sorry, mister, love it you Santa
Claus friends coming in with you?
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Yeah, where's the busy?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
I didn't even notice it? Something wrong with you? Love it?
You look kind of sick.
Speaker 7 (03:33):
You'd be more than sick if you let out one
year they got guns in their pockets, Maschine.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Watch your mouth, sister. Nobody else can see us. Something
Dick is gone. But I got it, my sister. Whether
he loves or others up to you. Understand.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
What do you want me to do?
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Open the keys of those money trays, get.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
To it, all right?
Speaker 3 (03:50):
You got the sack, tell her what.
Speaker 6 (03:51):
To put in it, and stuff it into your jacket
when you're through, all right, and remember sis one yapping
this your gets it?
Speaker 3 (03:58):
All right? All right, I'm on a seven the sack.
What are you gonna do when you leave? Come on fast?
What do you mean will give you a chance to
get away? I mean we won't yell or anything until
you're gone punished.
Speaker 6 (04:12):
Oh yeah, that's really nicee you. Maybe you ought to
be wearing the Santa Claus suit instead of me. I
think I'm gonna afford her for you or PULLI. One
of the bank executives is heading badge here.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
All right, all right, I'm almost through soon as I
did it in my bad What are you doing back here?
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Love it? Why aren't you out front?
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Leads of Santa Claus fellows, Mister Peabody just wanted to go.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
What's the other one doing in the wall? There? The
scheme worker?
Speaker 6 (04:36):
Good answer this question later winning if he comes to
congratulations on your self control, you're liable to get middles
for saving your own lives.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
All right, let's leave these people the quiet week.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Texas Ranger Jason Pearson closest unit to the scene, of
the crime was requested to investigate.
Speaker 8 (05:01):
The chief police gave me the general details. I'd like
to get your story firsthand.
Speaker 9 (05:05):
Well, I saw the guard take them through there, ranger,
and I went back to see why I was leaving
his post on the bank floor, and that's when I
got hit.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Do you have any idea how big they were?
Speaker 3 (05:17):
No? I knew, I'm too excited.
Speaker 9 (05:20):
I see what's your name, Leon Peabody, I'm second vice president.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
How about the girl, miss Keane and the guard love it?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Both of them were knocked out too.
Speaker 9 (05:29):
Miss Keene finally came to and we sent her home,
but they took Love to the hospital.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
He wasn't in good shape.
Speaker 8 (05:36):
Scull fracture. They don't know how come you stayed around.
It's a nasty bump you got. I feel it too, plenty,
But I knew.
Speaker 10 (05:45):
The police would need whatever information he is.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
So I steed you better sit down. Oh thanks.
Speaker 8 (05:52):
You think you could recognize either of the hold up
men just the way they were? I'm free, not just
since they chucked those Santa suits right after they left here.
I hope they left a few fingerprints.
Speaker 10 (06:03):
Both of them were wearing gloves.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
You get itally on how much they made off with.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
We're running a teapot. We'll know in a couple of minutes.
Speaker 8 (06:12):
Men who pulled this job worked pretty smoothly. They seem
to know the set up behind the petitions.
Speaker 5 (06:17):
There have any of your employees ever been in any trouble?
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Those men weren't employees of the bank.
Speaker 8 (06:23):
I know they weren't, but somebody inside could have supplied
them with your new layout help them plan the job.
Speaker 9 (06:29):
Those all of our employees have been with us for
at these years, and we haven't taken on any new
ones since we.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Moved over here two months ago. Mister Peabody. Oh yes, donalie.
Speaker 6 (06:39):
Is that the rundown, yes, sir, sixty three hundred, and
we've got serial numbers.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
On some of the larger buildings.
Speaker 8 (06:46):
Yeah, that'll help if they try to pass any I'll
take a copy of that list. Police can alert the
other banks and merchants. We'll get numbers out on the
state wide and netter state.
Speaker 6 (06:55):
We may run down some more serial numbers when we
of course checked your positive.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
I think you ought to go home now, mister Peabody.
We can reach you there if you needed.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Oh, thank you. I guess I shouldn't even think about
myself though I'm a bachelor. But the God love it.
He's got a wife and treat children.
Speaker 9 (07:13):
Could he rotten Christmas present for them if he doesn't
pull through.
Speaker 8 (07:24):
I paid a call on Miss Keane, the girl who
had been slugged, but she was in the state of
shock and hysteria. By nightfall, all possible angles had been
checked and we still didn't have a lead. My boss ranger,
Captain Stinson, flew in and I met him at the
airport and drove into town.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
You talked to all the welfare agencies that have Santa
Claus's stationed on the streets.
Speaker 8 (07:44):
Yeah, every man they have checked out clean. It was
a phony set up, Captain, even though one of the
bandits spent the whole day right out in the corner
outside the bank.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Oh that was smart. The bank God used to seeing him. Yeah.
Speaker 8 (07:57):
City police are checking to see if they can find
out where the suits came from and who got them.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Good idea. How's the bank guard doing? Love it?
Speaker 5 (08:05):
I checked the hospital. He's still out, no fracture, but
they can't bring him around.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
He may have that's yours, Jason.
Speaker 5 (08:14):
Yeah, Unit ten, go ahead kt X.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
A city police.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
Report stolen car found an alley off Crockett Street between
Maple and Lolly. Maybe car used in penhandle equity bank rubbery.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Police Chief request your.
Speaker 8 (08:28):
Assistance ten four proceeding there immediately ten four unit ten clear,
Katy x Austin.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
We better get there fast. This may be the break
we need.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Here.
Speaker 9 (08:50):
It is Rangers's banded in the alley for all cause
fun didn't check the license of the stolen car?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Is when was it reported? Stolen?
Speaker 9 (08:57):
Chief heard it this morning, says it might have been
missing suggesterday.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
He's been away. You check on him.
Speaker 9 (09:04):
Yep, he's clear. That's where he said he was. What
makes you fellas think this is the car found? This
on the floor under the seat, be red.
Speaker 8 (09:12):
Button off a Santa suit. All right, I'm going to
climb in behind the wheel for a second. Ask one
of the men in the proud car to flash his
light this way.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Sure, let's have a spotlight here with you boys. Okay,
kay they do Ranger, Yeah that's fine.
Speaker 8 (09:30):
Hey, if any of your men moved this rare vision mirror,
Chief doop. How about this front seat you slide it
back to get that button you found?
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Who just saw it under there? And reached in and
got it. What are you trying to figure, Jason?
Speaker 8 (09:43):
The last fellow drove this car was pretty big, about
an inch or inch and a half taller than I am.
What makes you think so, because the seat's all the
way back where it would be for tall driver, and
I have to raise myself a bit to get a
clear view through the rare vision mirror.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Eh, that's good thinking, Jess. Yeah, but maybe he didn't
touch anything. Maybe he left the car just like it
was when he stole it. I'll give odds against that.
Speaker 8 (10:04):
A man who's getting away from a bank stick up
wants to know what's coming behind him. All roads out
of the city had been under watch since the report
of the robbery, so the men we were after figure
to be close by, but all we knew was that
one of them was about six foot three.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
In the morning, we made a routine check with police headquarters.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Morning Rangers, Morning, Chief, you men, come across anything, We're
just gonna check through.
Speaker 9 (10:37):
This report tells us locations. Just about every sent a
close suit in town. All of them belonged to organizations
using them for the Christmas parties. Was once in a
while they led some private individual bomber kid party or
something as if they put up deposit.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Bunny, You've got a list of the places that have
loan suits out and who got them.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
They're top paper who just tried to check it? Look
if you liked thanks. It's like we might be adding
the murder charge to the armed rubbery captain a bank
god bad.
Speaker 10 (11:08):
Not yet, but it looks bad. Yeah, up reading for
a blood club on the brein.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
He's wait a minute, what is it, Jess.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
I think we've got a boy to talk to.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
Look at this list.
Speaker 8 (11:19):
Two suits borrowed from two different organizations, but both borrowed
by the same man, Anthony Ross one two four petagrossas Street.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
Say that's worth looking into, Jess. Come on, let's pick
him up.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
You are listening to Tales of the Texas Rangers starring
Joel McCrae as Ranger Jase Pearson. We continue now with
tonight's case Christmas Present, an authentic story from the piles
of the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 8 (12:06):
The home of Anthony Ross at one two four Petagross
Street turned out to be a rundown shack on the
outskirts of town. A small boy and girl not dressed
well enough against the cold, stopped playing with a mongrel dog.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
As we drove up, they stared at us. One we
went up the rickety porch.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
The dog barking at our heels.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
It's all right, boys, all right, piket easy, good, pairs
of good.
Speaker 8 (12:31):
Yeah what oh Texas Rangers you Anthony Ross, Yeah, we
would like to come in.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Oh sure, Annie, you and Jim take the dog on
the back of the house and play there. Look at
those soup boxes. Jeez, I see him. What do you
want to see me about it?
Speaker 5 (12:51):
We can start with those boxes on the table. What's
in him?
Speaker 3 (12:55):
I don't I don't know. Just just a couple of packages.
That's all. These They ain't mine. You better open them up, juice.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Yeah, no, no, no, wait a minute, I tell you
they ain't mine.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
You got no right to this. Search. Warr And says
we have search war. Now. Look, those things ain't stolen.
They were rented.
Speaker 8 (13:13):
A couple of Santa suits, All right, captain. Look a
button missing from the jacket of this one.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
I don't know what this is all about. Why are you?
Speaker 5 (13:21):
Maybe we can refresh your memory.
Speaker 8 (13:23):
The guard you s lugged at the Panhandle Equity Bank
isn't expected to live?
Speaker 3 (13:27):
What who was wearing the other suit? Ross? Who was
your partner?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
What are you guys doing to me? I don't know
what you're talking.
Speaker 8 (13:35):
Of, but talking about the sixty three thousand dollars stick
up you and somebody else pulled yesterday. And since you're
about five foot ten, I can tell you that your
partner is about sixty three rangers.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
You're making a mistake.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
I don't even know anything about a hold up.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
A button missing from this suit was found in your
getaway car, the one your partner drove.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
It wasn't me.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
I tell you, I didn't even know what kind of
costumes were in them boxes?
Speaker 3 (13:59):
They ain't mine? And where'd you get them?
Speaker 2 (14:02):
I picked him up at a couple of places yesterday morning.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
You say you picked them up, and you're trying to
tell us you don't know what's in the boxes.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
I picked them up for somebody else. They rented out
in your name. The woman ordered him in my name?
Speaker 3 (14:15):
What woman?
Speaker 2 (14:16):
The one who hired me to pick him up? That's
a pretty funny story.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Ross. Who was this woman you're talking about? What's her name?
I don't know, I don't even know.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
You better come with.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Us, Ross, No no, no, no, no, you gotta listen
to me. Please, please listen. You gotta believe me.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
I was in town early yesterday morning. She come right
up to me on the street. I was pulling my
kid's old wagon a long time to find some junk
I might sell you.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Sure you don't want to think this story over before
you go any further.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
She asked me if I want to earn a dollar
running a couple of errands. I said, sure, a BUCKETD
give my kids a for a change. She asked me
my name and a dress, and I told her, and
then she told me to wait well or She went
into a booth and made some phone calls.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
When she come out, she sent me to.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Two different clubs, told me that'd be costumes and packages.
She had them left in my name to avoid confusion.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
She said, you didn't think that was funny, mister.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
All I could think about was earning that dollar. She
gave me money deposit money for the costumes and told
me to come back and meet her with the stuff
on that same corner.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Where were you at two o'clock yesterday afternoon?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
I was looking around for a junk again for a
couple hours after I'd delivered the packages, and then I
guess at two o'clock I was walking back home from town.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
There's a long walk to here in this weather.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Cost of a bus, riddle by a loaf of bread
for the kids? You saw outside? Is that a clime?
What's it to you if I walk my feet off
to feed my kids? All right? Ross, that was a
nice act, but there's a big hole in it. You
say you delivered the Santa Claus suits to a woman
you didn't know, but you've still got them. Yeah, I
got him. They're gonna mean a good Christmas. Ye, But
(16:16):
you're not gonna believe what I tell you.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
The woman came here last night, drove up in a car,
woke me up. She said she was leaving town in
a hurry. It didn't have time to take the costumes
back yourself. And and if I take him back, I
could keep the deposits fifteen dollars each.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
But you're not gonna believe that, are you? You better
get your coat?
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Will Will you give me a chance to ask one
of the neighbors to watch out for my kids.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
I'm afraid you'll be gone too long for that. I'm sorry,
but we'll have to take him into the juvenile home.
Speaker 7 (16:56):
Oh, I guess they'll get better care of there than
I've been able to give them.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
I get my coat.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
Ross, you been doing any painting around here?
Speaker 2 (17:10):
Paint this place look like an ever saw paint?
Speaker 8 (17:14):
But made you ask that, Jas, I just noticed this
inside the log of this Santa Claus suit paint blob
looks fresh.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
Well, how come it's inside the log not outside? I
don't know.
Speaker 8 (17:23):
That's something we'll have to figure. This is the large
sized suit. Must have been worn by the big boy
we're looking for. Catherine and I did a job we
hated dropping the Ross kids off the juvenal home. Sometimes
it's the only thing to do. They cried for their father.
(17:45):
Always make something inside you cry a little with him.
He took Ross to the jail and locked him up. Well,
that seems to be a rangers.
Speaker 10 (17:57):
The time he comes up for trial, he should be
read as the name is accomplished.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
It is if we don't find him before then.
Speaker 8 (18:04):
I'd go along with that chief if we'd found any
money on him or in the house, even a few dollars.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Kids got under your skin.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
I they got under yours shoe, Captain, you know it.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Yeah, but we got to remember that bank God has
kids too, You.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
Got any late reports on him from the hospital.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Man's stationed there says the operation is over. Don't know
how it's going to come out yet, though, you might
as well go over there and check with the doctor's jess.
I got to get back to company headquarters.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
Do me a favor.
Speaker 8 (18:33):
Then you're heading towards Austin. Take the sand outfits with
you and have them sent onto the lab. Get an
analysis of that paint in the trousers. Maybe some traces
in the boots too. Well, how come the boots.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
They made to go on over regular shoes.
Speaker 8 (18:44):
I figured that paint stain on the inside of the
pants came from a blobber paint on the shoe or
the man who put them on.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
I see all right, jas, You want to know the
content of the paint and see if LAD can run
down the source is that it.
Speaker 8 (18:55):
Yeah, you were working up to some kind of a lead.
Maybe things I'm trying to fit together. Maybe they won't
fit if they do, though, you'll hear from me. I
went over to the hospital and checked with the doctors,
but the outcome was still in doubt. The guard's wife
(19:18):
was there face twisted with worry and fear. There was
nothing I could do to help. I got some sleep.
Speaker 5 (19:24):
Then in the morning I went back to see the
police chief.
Speaker 9 (19:29):
Oh, Ranger, I'm glad you dropped in it. Just had
a long distance call from your lab d quarters at Austin.
Report on that paint, Yeah, loads it all down. Paint
is manufactured right here, and tell them brand name is
light Glow.
Speaker 8 (19:43):
Lightglow can get a list of local painting contractors who
use it.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Well, I reckon just about all of them do.
Speaker 9 (19:49):
It's good paint and this wouldn't hardly be Texas if
we didn't deal with a local outfit with it.
Speaker 8 (19:54):
Now, it wouldn't thanks a lot. I'll see you later.
Speaker 5 (19:57):
The where are you're going over to the Panhandle?
Speaker 8 (19:59):
That what a bank, mister Peabody. Do you know who
painted this bank before he opened?
Speaker 9 (20:12):
Well, the contract for the building included the painting. I
guess that was done on a subcontract.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
Can you find out from the contractor?
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Sure? But do you mind my asking why I told you.
Speaker 8 (20:23):
The day of the robbery everything was too well planned,
like the men who did it knew the inside of
the bank.
Speaker 10 (20:27):
Because I remember you saying that you think the painter's me.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Of that's what I think. Why not some of the
construction men.
Speaker 5 (20:35):
I've got a reason for being interested in painters.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
Check it for me, will you?
Speaker 8 (20:45):
He checked The contractor gave the name of the painters,
two men, Eddie West and Martin Pagan. They'd been working
the day of the robbery. He sat at a house
on the north side of town. I went out to
the house to see the owner.
Speaker 10 (20:57):
Well, yes, Range, they work here all day that day.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
I remember we heard the report of the robbery on
the radio.
Speaker 8 (21:03):
They were both here all day, Yes, didn't even go
out to eat, had their lunches with him and a
smelly When the house gets painted, most women usually get
out of the way.
Speaker 6 (21:12):
I wanted to watch them, so I was here every
minute to see they didn't get sloppy.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
I like things neat. I see.
Speaker 5 (21:17):
Well, thanks, ma'am. I'm sorry about you.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Why are you asking about him?
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Ranger?
Speaker 8 (21:23):
Nothing important, not as long as you say that we're here. Goodbye, ma'am.
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 5 (21:28):
Do you seek?
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 8 (21:36):
She was the alibi for Eddie West and Martin Pagan.
She was too nervous about answering a few simple questions
nervous enough to make me wonder.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
I went back to the.
Speaker 8 (21:45):
Jail, got Anthony Ross out in my custody and drove
him to the north side of town.
Speaker 5 (21:52):
All right, get out, Ross, We're going in here for
a minute.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Why what are you trying to frame? Now?
Speaker 5 (21:57):
I just want you to meet somebody.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
Well back again, Ranger, I thought we'd that's Ranger.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
That's the woman.
Speaker 8 (22:16):
Who is this man?
Speaker 5 (22:17):
You are to remember me, lady.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
My kids are in juvenile home on account of you,
and I've been in jail.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
I never saw you before in my whole life.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Tell him the truth, tell him, take him away from here,
Go away, both of.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
You, Ranger.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
I got those costumes for.
Speaker 10 (22:32):
Her, for her a lot.
Speaker 8 (22:35):
That word fits somebody. All right, Can I come in
and have a look around, ma'am?
Speaker 3 (22:39):
What for what do you want?
Speaker 8 (22:40):
I want to check over the painting job to see
if it's just new painting or if there's some new
plaster under.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
At some point, you can't come in. You have no right.
Speaker 8 (22:47):
The boys you're Alibi and four must have come back
here after they cracked the bank, because you must have
picked them up in your car after they ditched the
one they're using.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
I don't know what you're talking about.
Speaker 5 (22:56):
Wouldn't carry the money on them? Did they cover it up?
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Here?
Speaker 5 (22:59):
Say? If under fresh plaster and paint until it cools out?
Speaker 8 (23:03):
No, I can call for a search, want and wait
till the crew comes and tears this place apart, and
we'll go better for.
Speaker 5 (23:08):
You if you don't try to cover money?
Speaker 3 (23:09):
Isn't jeered?
Speaker 5 (23:10):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (23:10):
Come on? Come on? Where is it it?
Speaker 10 (23:15):
It's here all right in that wall behind the picture.
Speaker 8 (23:20):
Come on, Ross, which one's your boyfriend? Poggin her West?
Speaker 3 (23:26):
Eddie West? He said we'd get married, go to Europe
next year.
Speaker 8 (23:34):
You'll all go someplace next year, but it won't be Europe.
West about six foot three?
Speaker 3 (23:38):
Yes, how did you know?
Speaker 8 (23:41):
I got an early Christmas present? Somebody sent me a
crystal ball. So as I call the police and dig.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Out that bank money, you're coming with.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Us, Ranger. I'm clear now A day looks that.
Speaker 8 (23:52):
Way, Ross, But you'll have to go back to jail
for a while and be checked out for the local police.
That won't take any longer than it'll take me to
pick up Eddie West and Martin Pagan. I made my call,
then took West's girlfriend and Anthony Ross back to jail.
(24:12):
Pagan and West were playing it smart, working right up
to Christmas Eve, like a couple of house painters would
be doing. I found out where they were working, the
loft of a warehouse. Local police covered the building while
I went in.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
Who's probably the watchman?
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Watch out for those paint cans?
Speaker 3 (24:35):
All right? I see him? It ain't the watchman's voice,
an come on the sheriffs where we can see you.
Speaker 8 (24:42):
I'm coming.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
But seeing me isn't going to make you happy. It's
Jaxus Ranger. I got my gun, are they Ranger?
Speaker 4 (24:52):
W one? Yeah?
Speaker 8 (24:54):
I want the two men who robbed the panhanda equity bank.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
What would we know about that, Ranger? I'm down off
that scoffold and I'll tell you. Okay, mighty low, way
too bad.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
You aren't working in a place with a phone.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Your girlfriend could have warned you earlier. Did you knows
he dies. I'm hurt.
Speaker 5 (25:20):
I'm just like you when you're trying to tick for
that gun in your pocket. You're not hurt.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
We didn't do nothing, Ranger.
Speaker 8 (25:27):
Somebody should have told you that the real Santa Claus
gives he doesn't take. Get up and try this present
I've got for you a pair of handcuffs.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
Well that winds it up for sure.
Speaker 9 (25:50):
Ranger didn't turn out too bad either, just hurt from
the hospital. Guard passed the crisis.
Speaker 8 (25:56):
He's going to be all right, and you couldn't have
better news, Chief, Just in time too. It's getting dark
Christmas Eve. You let Anthony Ross.
Speaker 9 (26:05):
Go about ten minutes ago. He didn't seem too happy
though life, just like he didn't care. What were his
kids in the juvenile home and everything? Judge mightn't even
release them if you can't care for them.
Speaker 8 (26:18):
Ross didn't have a dime, not even bus fare. It'd
take him a couple hours.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
To walk home. Oh why didn't I think?
Speaker 5 (26:25):
Well, maybe it's just as well that way. Let me
call it Judge and mister Peabody, the bank vice president.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
Stores will be open late, won't they sure? Sure?
Speaker 8 (26:34):
Why it'll take Ross a long time to get to
his house. Maybe we can get some of your boys
to help us and change his mind about Christmas.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
There's Ross. You hear him coming up the walk down,
coming slow. His teal is dray. Yeah not do I
blame you for the kid's asleep? Yeah, all bundled in
them new blankets, sh.
Speaker 8 (27:08):
What ranger and the chief the lights lights there on.
The power company turned him off. Yeah, they sent a
man out to turn him on again.
Speaker 3 (27:24):
What what?
Speaker 2 (27:27):
What's all this stuff? Ornaments? Christmas trail, all those toys
and things.
Speaker 8 (27:36):
Tomorrow's Christmas Ross for you and your kids. They're in
the bedroom.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Asleep, my kids. You brought my kids back to me.
Speaker 10 (27:49):
Yes, And there's plenty of grub in the kitchen.
Speaker 8 (27:51):
And you've got a job starting next week at the
Panhandle Equity Bank.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
Just go in and see mister.
Speaker 5 (27:57):
Peabody after the holiday.
Speaker 8 (27:59):
Meanwhile, he sent you a little cash in this envelope,
sort of a Christmas bonus, just like the rest of
the employees get.
Speaker 5 (28:08):
We have to be going. Merry Christmas.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
Yep. Merry Christmas, Bros, Merry Christmas, fellows, Merry Christmas. And
God bless you. Thanks, God bless.
Speaker 5 (28:29):
You on behalf of all of us.
Speaker 8 (28:40):
On Tales of the Texas Rangers, this is Joel McCrae
wishing you a very merry Christmas.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
Next week Joel McCrae and another authentic reenactment of a
case from the files of that Texas Rangers.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
Joel McCrae is currently seen starring in the.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
Universal International Technicolor production Frenchie.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
Tonight's Past included.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Tony Barrett, Shepherd, Menken, Jim Nusser, Virginia Greig, Victor Rodman,
and Byron Kane. This story was transcribed and adapted by
Joel Murcott, and the program was produced and directed by
Stacy Geats.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
This is Hal Give Me Speaking.
Speaker 9 (29:33):
Three Chimes Mean Good Times on NBC, Monday Means Music
on NBC and for your Christmas Night listening Pleasure Tomorrow,
The Voice of Firestorm presents soprano Eleanor Steber in a
thrilling selection of Christmas melodies. Next, Jack Parr calls a
marine veteran in Japan on NBC
The National Broadcasting Company presents Joel McCrae in Tales of
the Texas Rangers. Tonight transcribe from Hollywood another authentic reenactment
of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers.
(00:24):
The Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as
Ranger Jase Pearson, Texas more.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Than two hundred and sixty.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Thousand square miles and fifty men will make up the
most famous and oldest law enforcement party in North America.
(00:54):
Now from the files of the Texas Rangers come these
stories based on fact only names, dates and places, star,
big fishes, more obvious reasons they have manage themselves are
a matter of record.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Case for Tonight Christmas Present.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
It is two pm December twenty first, four days before Christmas,
in the depression year of nineteen thirty one, on a
city street corner in North Texas, A man dressed as
Santa Claus suddenly leaves his post beside a large red
pot labeled Helpful Pool. Shivering with cold, he enters the
newly opened building of the Panhandle Equity Bank and approaches
the bank guard.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Say Master, you might if I stay here a few minutes.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Warm up a little. I sure don't. I've been watching
you through the window. Don't know how you stood it
as long as you did.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Oh, this Santa Claus out is pretty warm at first,
then a cold sort of creeps in on you.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
How long they expect you to stand out in the
eight two six?
Speaker 3 (02:00):
That's all.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Well, it's two o'clock right now. You can go home,
not till my relief man shows up.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
I can't. Can't later he gets here. Some money in
the pot out there.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Oh, well, why don't you wait right in here till
you see I was.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Hoping you'd say that, because I'm sure. Oh that is now,
just drove up in a car. Oh, he can't leave
a car park there in front of the bank. There's
a time limit on parking.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Well, I think he's just wondering why I'm not there.
I better go out and oh he sees me.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
He's coming in.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Hardy was wondering when you get here, God, let me
come in warm up.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
I hope you're saying the Claus suit as warmer and his.
We'll be closed up by the.
Speaker 5 (02:41):
Time you need woman.
Speaker 6 (02:42):
I don't think I'll get very cold. I got a
cold forty five mic pocket point the right for you, belly,
I don't move.
Speaker 7 (02:48):
For don't move, he said, keep your hand awaking your gun.
You guys are pulling the stick up.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
No, Ki, you figure that all out for yourself, stupid.
Let's make it a nice quiet stick up. Just walk
to the red of the bank with us, Take us
through the door to the money and the board.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Now go on, and you'll never get away with this.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
You just trying to track any attention. You never lived
to know whether we're do or not.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
All right, open that door.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
The girl by the desk and open it. It's button control.
Well I tell her you want end me?
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Miss Keane. Oh I'm sorry, mister, love it you Santa
Claus friends coming in with you?
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Yeah, where's the busy?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
I didn't even notice it? Something wrong with you? Love it?
You look kind of sick.
Speaker 7 (03:33):
You'd be more than sick if you let out one
year they got guns in their pockets, Maschine.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Watch your mouth, sister. Nobody else can see us. Something
Dick is gone. But I got it, my sister. Whether
he loves or others up to you. Understand.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
What do you want me to do?
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Open the keys of those money trays, get.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
To it, all right?
Speaker 3 (03:50):
You got the sack, tell her what.
Speaker 6 (03:51):
To put in it, and stuff it into your jacket
when you're through, all right, and remember sis one yapping
this your gets it?
Speaker 3 (03:58):
All right? All right, I'm on a seven the sack.
What are you gonna do when you leave? Come on fast?
What do you mean will give you a chance to
get away? I mean we won't yell or anything until
you're gone punished.
Speaker 6 (04:12):
Oh yeah, that's really nicee you. Maybe you ought to
be wearing the Santa Claus suit instead of me. I
think I'm gonna afford her for you or PULLI. One
of the bank executives is heading badge here.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
All right, all right, I'm almost through soon as I
did it in my bad What are you doing back here?
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Love it? Why aren't you out front?
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Leads of Santa Claus fellows, Mister Peabody just wanted to go.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
What's the other one doing in the wall? There? The
scheme worker?
Speaker 6 (04:36):
Good answer this question later winning if he comes to
congratulations on your self control, you're liable to get middles
for saving your own lives.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
All right, let's leave these people the quiet week.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Texas Ranger Jason Pearson closest unit to the scene, of
the crime was requested to investigate.
Speaker 8 (05:01):
The chief police gave me the general details. I'd like
to get your story firsthand.
Speaker 9 (05:05):
Well, I saw the guard take them through there, ranger,
and I went back to see why I was leaving
his post on the bank floor, and that's when I
got hit.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Do you have any idea how big they were?
Speaker 3 (05:17):
No? I knew, I'm too excited.
Speaker 9 (05:20):
I see what's your name, Leon Peabody, I'm second vice president.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
How about the girl, miss Keane and the guard love it?
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Both of them were knocked out too.
Speaker 9 (05:29):
Miss Keene finally came to and we sent her home,
but they took Love to the hospital.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
He wasn't in good shape.
Speaker 8 (05:36):
Scull fracture. They don't know how come you stayed around.
It's a nasty bump you got. I feel it too, plenty,
But I knew.
Speaker 10 (05:45):
The police would need whatever information he is.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
So I steed you better sit down. Oh thanks.
Speaker 8 (05:52):
You think you could recognize either of the hold up
men just the way they were? I'm free, not just
since they chucked those Santa suits right after they left here.
I hope they left a few fingerprints.
Speaker 10 (06:03):
Both of them were wearing gloves.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
You get itally on how much they made off with.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
We're running a teapot. We'll know in a couple of minutes.
Speaker 8 (06:12):
Men who pulled this job worked pretty smoothly. They seem
to know the set up behind the petitions.
Speaker 5 (06:17):
There have any of your employees ever been in any trouble?
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Those men weren't employees of the bank.
Speaker 8 (06:23):
I know they weren't, but somebody inside could have supplied
them with your new layout help them plan the job.
Speaker 9 (06:29):
Those all of our employees have been with us for
at these years, and we haven't taken on any new
ones since we.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Moved over here two months ago. Mister Peabody. Oh yes, donalie.
Speaker 6 (06:39):
Is that the rundown, yes, sir, sixty three hundred, and
we've got serial numbers.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
On some of the larger buildings.
Speaker 8 (06:46):
Yeah, that'll help if they try to pass any I'll
take a copy of that list. Police can alert the
other banks and merchants. We'll get numbers out on the
state wide and netter state.
Speaker 6 (06:55):
We may run down some more serial numbers when we
of course checked your positive.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
I think you ought to go home now, mister Peabody.
We can reach you there if you needed.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Oh, thank you. I guess I shouldn't even think about
myself though I'm a bachelor. But the God love it.
He's got a wife and treat children.
Speaker 9 (07:13):
Could he rotten Christmas present for them if he doesn't
pull through.
Speaker 8 (07:24):
I paid a call on Miss Keane, the girl who
had been slugged, but she was in the state of
shock and hysteria. By nightfall, all possible angles had been
checked and we still didn't have a lead. My boss ranger,
Captain Stinson, flew in and I met him at the
airport and drove into town.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
You talked to all the welfare agencies that have Santa
Claus's stationed on the streets.
Speaker 8 (07:44):
Yeah, every man they have checked out clean. It was
a phony set up, Captain, even though one of the
bandits spent the whole day right out in the corner
outside the bank.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Oh that was smart. The bank God used to seeing him. Yeah.
Speaker 8 (07:57):
City police are checking to see if they can find
out where the suits came from and who got them.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Good idea. How's the bank guard doing? Love it?
Speaker 5 (08:05):
I checked the hospital. He's still out, no fracture, but
they can't bring him around.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
He may have that's yours, Jason.
Speaker 5 (08:14):
Yeah, Unit ten, go ahead kt X.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
A city police.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
Report stolen car found an alley off Crockett Street between
Maple and Lolly. Maybe car used in penhandle equity bank rubbery.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Police Chief request your.
Speaker 8 (08:28):
Assistance ten four proceeding there immediately ten four unit ten clear,
Katy x Austin.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
We better get there fast. This may be the break
we need.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Here.
Speaker 9 (08:50):
It is Rangers's banded in the alley for all cause
fun didn't check the license of the stolen car?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Is when was it reported? Stolen?
Speaker 9 (08:57):
Chief heard it this morning, says it might have been
missing suggesterday.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
He's been away. You check on him.
Speaker 9 (09:04):
Yep, he's clear. That's where he said he was. What
makes you fellas think this is the car found? This
on the floor under the seat, be red.
Speaker 8 (09:12):
Button off a Santa suit. All right, I'm going to
climb in behind the wheel for a second. Ask one
of the men in the proud car to flash his
light this way.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Sure, let's have a spotlight here with you boys. Okay,
kay they do Ranger, Yeah that's fine.
Speaker 8 (09:30):
Hey, if any of your men moved this rare vision mirror,
Chief doop. How about this front seat you slide it
back to get that button you found?
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Who just saw it under there? And reached in and
got it. What are you trying to figure, Jason?
Speaker 8 (09:43):
The last fellow drove this car was pretty big, about
an inch or inch and a half taller than I am.
What makes you think so, because the seat's all the
way back where it would be for tall driver, and
I have to raise myself a bit to get a
clear view through the rare vision mirror.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Eh, that's good thinking, Jess. Yeah, but maybe he didn't
touch anything. Maybe he left the car just like it
was when he stole it. I'll give odds against that.
Speaker 8 (10:04):
A man who's getting away from a bank stick up
wants to know what's coming behind him. All roads out
of the city had been under watch since the report
of the robbery, so the men we were after figure
to be close by, but all we knew was that
one of them was about six foot three.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
In the morning, we made a routine check with police headquarters.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Morning Rangers, Morning, Chief, you men, come across anything, We're
just gonna check through.
Speaker 9 (10:37):
This report tells us locations. Just about every sent a
close suit in town. All of them belonged to organizations
using them for the Christmas parties. Was once in a
while they led some private individual bomber kid party or
something as if they put up deposit.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Bunny, You've got a list of the places that have
loan suits out and who got them.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
They're top paper who just tried to check it? Look
if you liked thanks. It's like we might be adding
the murder charge to the armed rubbery captain a bank
god bad.
Speaker 10 (11:08):
Not yet, but it looks bad. Yeah, up reading for
a blood club on the brein.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
He's wait a minute, what is it, Jess.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
I think we've got a boy to talk to.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
Look at this list.
Speaker 8 (11:19):
Two suits borrowed from two different organizations, but both borrowed
by the same man, Anthony Ross one two four petagrossas Street.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
Say that's worth looking into, Jess. Come on, let's pick
him up.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
You are listening to Tales of the Texas Rangers starring
Joel McCrae as Ranger Jase Pearson. We continue now with
tonight's case Christmas Present, an authentic story from the piles
of the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 8 (12:06):
The home of Anthony Ross at one two four Petagross
Street turned out to be a rundown shack on the
outskirts of town. A small boy and girl not dressed
well enough against the cold, stopped playing with a mongrel dog.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
As we drove up, they stared at us. One we
went up the rickety porch.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
The dog barking at our heels.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
It's all right, boys, all right, piket easy, good, pairs
of good.
Speaker 8 (12:31):
Yeah what oh Texas Rangers you Anthony Ross, Yeah, we
would like to come in.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Oh sure, Annie, you and Jim take the dog on
the back of the house and play there. Look at
those soup boxes. Jeez, I see him. What do you
want to see me about it?
Speaker 5 (12:51):
We can start with those boxes on the table. What's
in him?
Speaker 3 (12:55):
I don't I don't know. Just just a couple of packages.
That's all. These They ain't mine. You better open them up, juice.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Yeah, no, no, no, wait a minute, I tell you
they ain't mine.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
You got no right to this. Search. Warr And says
we have search war. Now. Look, those things ain't stolen.
They were rented.
Speaker 8 (13:13):
A couple of Santa suits, All right, captain. Look a
button missing from the jacket of this one.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
I don't know what this is all about. Why are you?
Speaker 5 (13:21):
Maybe we can refresh your memory.
Speaker 8 (13:23):
The guard you s lugged at the Panhandle Equity Bank
isn't expected to live?
Speaker 3 (13:27):
What who was wearing the other suit? Ross? Who was
your partner?
Speaker 2 (13:31):
What are you guys doing to me? I don't know
what you're talking.
Speaker 8 (13:35):
Of, but talking about the sixty three thousand dollars stick
up you and somebody else pulled yesterday. And since you're
about five foot ten, I can tell you that your
partner is about sixty three rangers.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
You're making a mistake.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
I don't even know anything about a hold up.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
A button missing from this suit was found in your
getaway car, the one your partner drove.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
It wasn't me.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
I tell you, I didn't even know what kind of
costumes were in them boxes?
Speaker 3 (13:59):
They ain't mine? And where'd you get them?
Speaker 2 (14:02):
I picked him up at a couple of places yesterday morning.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
You say you picked them up, and you're trying to
tell us you don't know what's in the boxes.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
I picked them up for somebody else. They rented out
in your name. The woman ordered him in my name?
Speaker 3 (14:15):
What woman?
Speaker 2 (14:16):
The one who hired me to pick him up? That's
a pretty funny story.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Ross. Who was this woman you're talking about? What's her name?
I don't know, I don't even know.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
You better come with.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Us, Ross, No no, no, no, no, you gotta listen
to me. Please, please listen. You gotta believe me.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
I was in town early yesterday morning. She come right
up to me on the street. I was pulling my
kid's old wagon a long time to find some junk
I might sell you.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Sure you don't want to think this story over before
you go any further.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
She asked me if I want to earn a dollar
running a couple of errands. I said, sure, a BUCKETD
give my kids a for a change. She asked me
my name and a dress, and I told her, and
then she told me to wait well or She went
into a booth and made some phone calls.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
When she come out, she sent me to.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Two different clubs, told me that'd be costumes and packages.
She had them left in my name to avoid confusion.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
She said, you didn't think that was funny, mister.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
All I could think about was earning that dollar. She
gave me money deposit money for the costumes and told
me to come back and meet her with the stuff
on that same corner.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Where were you at two o'clock yesterday afternoon?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
I was looking around for a junk again for a
couple hours after I'd delivered the packages, and then I
guess at two o'clock I was walking back home from town.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
There's a long walk to here in this weather.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Cost of a bus, riddle by a loaf of bread
for the kids? You saw outside? Is that a clime?
What's it to you if I walk my feet off
to feed my kids? All right? Ross, that was a
nice act, but there's a big hole in it. You
say you delivered the Santa Claus suits to a woman
you didn't know, but you've still got them. Yeah, I
got him. They're gonna mean a good Christmas. Ye, But
(16:16):
you're not gonna believe what I tell you.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
The woman came here last night, drove up in a car,
woke me up. She said she was leaving town in
a hurry. It didn't have time to take the costumes
back yourself. And and if I take him back, I
could keep the deposits fifteen dollars each.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
But you're not gonna believe that, are you? You better
get your coat?
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Will Will you give me a chance to ask one
of the neighbors to watch out for my kids.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
I'm afraid you'll be gone too long for that. I'm sorry,
but we'll have to take him into the juvenile home.
Speaker 7 (16:56):
Oh, I guess they'll get better care of there than
I've been able to give them.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
I get my coat.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
Ross, you been doing any painting around here?
Speaker 2 (17:10):
Paint this place look like an ever saw paint?
Speaker 8 (17:14):
But made you ask that, Jas, I just noticed this
inside the log of this Santa Claus suit paint blob
looks fresh.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
Well, how come it's inside the log not outside? I
don't know.
Speaker 8 (17:23):
That's something we'll have to figure. This is the large
sized suit. Must have been worn by the big boy
we're looking for. Catherine and I did a job we
hated dropping the Ross kids off the juvenal home. Sometimes
it's the only thing to do. They cried for their father.
(17:45):
Always make something inside you cry a little with him.
He took Ross to the jail and locked him up. Well,
that seems to be a rangers.
Speaker 10 (17:57):
The time he comes up for trial, he should be
read as the name is accomplished.
Speaker 3 (18:01):
It is if we don't find him before then.
Speaker 8 (18:04):
I'd go along with that chief if we'd found any
money on him or in the house, even a few dollars.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Kids got under your skin.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
I they got under yours shoe, Captain, you know it.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Yeah, but we got to remember that bank God has
kids too, You.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
Got any late reports on him from the hospital.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Man's stationed there says the operation is over. Don't know
how it's going to come out yet, though, you might
as well go over there and check with the doctor's jess.
I got to get back to company headquarters.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
Do me a favor.
Speaker 8 (18:33):
Then you're heading towards Austin. Take the sand outfits with
you and have them sent onto the lab. Get an
analysis of that paint in the trousers. Maybe some traces
in the boots too. Well, how come the boots.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
They made to go on over regular shoes.
Speaker 8 (18:44):
I figured that paint stain on the inside of the
pants came from a blobber paint on the shoe or
the man who put them on.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
I see all right, jas, You want to know the
content of the paint and see if LAD can run
down the source is that it.
Speaker 8 (18:55):
Yeah, you were working up to some kind of a lead.
Maybe things I'm trying to fit together. Maybe they won't
fit if they do, though, you'll hear from me. I
went over to the hospital and checked with the doctors,
but the outcome was still in doubt. The guard's wife
(19:18):
was there face twisted with worry and fear. There was
nothing I could do to help. I got some sleep.
Speaker 5 (19:24):
Then in the morning I went back to see the
police chief.
Speaker 9 (19:29):
Oh, Ranger, I'm glad you dropped in it. Just had
a long distance call from your lab d quarters at Austin.
Report on that paint, Yeah, loads it all down. Paint
is manufactured right here, and tell them brand name is
light Glow.
Speaker 8 (19:43):
Lightglow can get a list of local painting contractors who
use it.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Well, I reckon just about all of them do.
Speaker 9 (19:49):
It's good paint and this wouldn't hardly be Texas if
we didn't deal with a local outfit with it.
Speaker 8 (19:54):
Now, it wouldn't thanks a lot. I'll see you later.
Speaker 5 (19:57):
The where are you're going over to the Panhandle?
Speaker 8 (19:59):
That what a bank, mister Peabody. Do you know who
painted this bank before he opened?
Speaker 9 (20:12):
Well, the contract for the building included the painting. I
guess that was done on a subcontract.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
Can you find out from the contractor?
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Sure? But do you mind my asking why I told you.
Speaker 8 (20:23):
The day of the robbery everything was too well planned,
like the men who did it knew the inside of
the bank.
Speaker 10 (20:27):
Because I remember you saying that you think the painter's me.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Of that's what I think. Why not some of the
construction men.
Speaker 5 (20:35):
I've got a reason for being interested in painters.
Speaker 3 (20:38):
Check it for me, will you?
Speaker 8 (20:45):
He checked The contractor gave the name of the painters,
two men, Eddie West and Martin Pagan. They'd been working
the day of the robbery. He sat at a house
on the north side of town. I went out to
the house to see the owner.
Speaker 10 (20:57):
Well, yes, Range, they work here all day that day.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
I remember we heard the report of the robbery on
the radio.
Speaker 8 (21:03):
They were both here all day, Yes, didn't even go
out to eat, had their lunches with him and a
smelly When the house gets painted, most women usually get
out of the way.
Speaker 6 (21:12):
I wanted to watch them, so I was here every
minute to see they didn't get sloppy.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
I like things neat. I see.
Speaker 5 (21:17):
Well, thanks, ma'am. I'm sorry about you.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Why are you asking about him?
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Ranger?
Speaker 8 (21:23):
Nothing important, not as long as you say that we're here. Goodbye, ma'am.
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 5 (21:28):
Do you seek?
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 8 (21:36):
She was the alibi for Eddie West and Martin Pagan.
She was too nervous about answering a few simple questions
nervous enough to make me wonder.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
I went back to the.
Speaker 8 (21:45):
Jail, got Anthony Ross out in my custody and drove
him to the north side of town.
Speaker 5 (21:52):
All right, get out, Ross, We're going in here for
a minute.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Why what are you trying to frame? Now?
Speaker 5 (21:57):
I just want you to meet somebody.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
Well back again, Ranger, I thought we'd that's Ranger.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
That's the woman.
Speaker 8 (22:16):
Who is this man?
Speaker 5 (22:17):
You are to remember me, lady.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
My kids are in juvenile home on account of you,
and I've been in jail.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
I never saw you before in my whole life.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Tell him the truth, tell him, take him away from here,
Go away, both of.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
You, Ranger.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
I got those costumes for.
Speaker 10 (22:32):
Her, for her a lot.
Speaker 8 (22:35):
That word fits somebody. All right, Can I come in
and have a look around, ma'am?
Speaker 3 (22:39):
What for what do you want?
Speaker 8 (22:40):
I want to check over the painting job to see
if it's just new painting or if there's some new
plaster under.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
At some point, you can't come in. You have no right.
Speaker 8 (22:47):
The boys you're Alibi and four must have come back
here after they cracked the bank, because you must have
picked them up in your car after they ditched the
one they're using.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
I don't know what you're talking about.
Speaker 5 (22:56):
Wouldn't carry the money on them? Did they cover it up?
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Here?
Speaker 5 (22:59):
Say? If under fresh plaster and paint until it cools out?
Speaker 8 (23:03):
No, I can call for a search, want and wait
till the crew comes and tears this place apart, and
we'll go better for.
Speaker 5 (23:08):
You if you don't try to cover money?
Speaker 3 (23:09):
Isn't jeered?
Speaker 5 (23:10):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (23:10):
Come on? Come on? Where is it it?
Speaker 10 (23:15):
It's here all right in that wall behind the picture.
Speaker 8 (23:20):
Come on, Ross, which one's your boyfriend? Poggin her West?
Speaker 3 (23:26):
Eddie West? He said we'd get married, go to Europe
next year.
Speaker 8 (23:34):
You'll all go someplace next year, but it won't be Europe.
West about six foot three?
Speaker 3 (23:38):
Yes, how did you know?
Speaker 8 (23:41):
I got an early Christmas present? Somebody sent me a
crystal ball. So as I call the police and dig.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Out that bank money, you're coming with.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Us, Ranger. I'm clear now A day looks that.
Speaker 8 (23:52):
Way, Ross, But you'll have to go back to jail
for a while and be checked out for the local police.
That won't take any longer than it'll take me to
pick up Eddie West and Martin Pagan. I made my call,
then took West's girlfriend and Anthony Ross back to jail.
(24:12):
Pagan and West were playing it smart, working right up
to Christmas Eve, like a couple of house painters would
be doing. I found out where they were working, the
loft of a warehouse. Local police covered the building while
I went in.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
Who's probably the watchman?
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Watch out for those paint cans?
Speaker 3 (24:35):
All right? I see him? It ain't the watchman's voice,
an come on the sheriffs where we can see you.
Speaker 8 (24:42):
I'm coming.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
But seeing me isn't going to make you happy. It's
Jaxus Ranger. I got my gun, are they Ranger?
Speaker 4 (24:52):
W one? Yeah?
Speaker 8 (24:54):
I want the two men who robbed the panhanda equity bank.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
What would we know about that, Ranger? I'm down off
that scoffold and I'll tell you. Okay, mighty low, way
too bad.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
You aren't working in a place with a phone.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Your girlfriend could have warned you earlier. Did you knows
he dies. I'm hurt.
Speaker 5 (25:20):
I'm just like you when you're trying to tick for
that gun in your pocket. You're not hurt.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
We didn't do nothing, Ranger.
Speaker 8 (25:27):
Somebody should have told you that the real Santa Claus
gives he doesn't take. Get up and try this present
I've got for you a pair of handcuffs.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
Well that winds it up for sure.
Speaker 9 (25:50):
Ranger didn't turn out too bad either, just hurt from
the hospital. Guard passed the crisis.
Speaker 8 (25:56):
He's going to be all right, and you couldn't have
better news, Chief, Just in time too. It's getting dark
Christmas Eve. You let Anthony Ross.
Speaker 9 (26:05):
Go about ten minutes ago. He didn't seem too happy
though life, just like he didn't care. What were his
kids in the juvenile home and everything? Judge mightn't even
release them if you can't care for them.
Speaker 8 (26:18):
Ross didn't have a dime, not even bus fare. It'd
take him a couple hours.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
To walk home. Oh why didn't I think?
Speaker 5 (26:25):
Well, maybe it's just as well that way. Let me
call it Judge and mister Peabody, the bank vice president.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
Stores will be open late, won't they sure? Sure?
Speaker 8 (26:34):
Why it'll take Ross a long time to get to
his house. Maybe we can get some of your boys
to help us and change his mind about Christmas.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
There's Ross. You hear him coming up the walk down,
coming slow. His teal is dray. Yeah not do I
blame you for the kid's asleep? Yeah, all bundled in
them new blankets, sh.
Speaker 8 (27:08):
What ranger and the chief the lights lights there on.
The power company turned him off. Yeah, they sent a
man out to turn him on again.
Speaker 3 (27:24):
What what?
Speaker 2 (27:27):
What's all this stuff? Ornaments? Christmas trail, all those toys
and things.
Speaker 8 (27:36):
Tomorrow's Christmas Ross for you and your kids. They're in
the bedroom.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Asleep, my kids. You brought my kids back to me.
Speaker 10 (27:49):
Yes, And there's plenty of grub in the kitchen.
Speaker 8 (27:51):
And you've got a job starting next week at the
Panhandle Equity Bank.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
Just go in and see mister.
Speaker 5 (27:57):
Peabody after the holiday.
Speaker 8 (27:59):
Meanwhile, he sent you a little cash in this envelope,
sort of a Christmas bonus, just like the rest of
the employees get.
Speaker 5 (28:08):
We have to be going. Merry Christmas.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
Yep. Merry Christmas, Bros, Merry Christmas, fellows, Merry Christmas. And
God bless you. Thanks, God bless.
Speaker 5 (28:29):
You on behalf of all of us.
Speaker 8 (28:40):
On Tales of the Texas Rangers, this is Joel McCrae
wishing you a very merry Christmas.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
Next week Joel McCrae and another authentic reenactment of a
case from the files of that Texas Rangers.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
Joel McCrae is currently seen starring in the.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
Universal International Technicolor production Frenchie.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
Tonight's Past included.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Tony Barrett, Shepherd, Menken, Jim Nusser, Virginia Greig, Victor Rodman,
and Byron Kane. This story was transcribed and adapted by
Joel Murcott, and the program was produced and directed by
Stacy Geats.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
This is Hal Give Me Speaking.
Speaker 9 (29:33):
Three Chimes Mean Good Times on NBC, Monday Means Music
on NBC and for your Christmas Night listening Pleasure Tomorrow,
The Voice of Firestorm presents soprano Eleanor Steber in a
thrilling selection of Christmas melodies. Next, Jack Parr calls a
marine veteran in Japan on NBC
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