August 5, 2025 • 29 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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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):
Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger
Jace Pearson, Texas more than two hundred and sixty thousand
square miles and fifty men who make up the most
famous and oldest law enforcement party in North America. Now
(00:54):
from the files of the Texas Rangers come these stories
based on fact only.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Names, dates, and.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Places are pitious more obvious reasons, the events themselves are
a matter of record. Case Fortnight Hanging by a thread.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
At nine fifteen in the morning of May fifth, nineteen
forty seven, the telephone rang in the Sheriff's office in
the little town of Finney, Texas.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Sheriff Henson entered.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
It Sheriff's office, handsome speaking sure is George Hawks. How
are you, George? What can I do for you?
Speaker 5 (01:41):
Nothing?
Speaker 6 (01:41):
Now?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Nobody? How's that? I just called it?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Tell you I'm gonna kill myself?
Speaker 2 (01:46):
What did you say?
Speaker 4 (01:48):
You heard me?
Speaker 7 (01:50):
Will take you twenty minutes to get out to my place.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
By that time will be dead.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Now wait a minute, George what hello? Hello operator operator? Yes, oh,
this is the sheriff. That call had just came in here.
Where was it from? One moment? If this is someone's
idea of a practical job, yes, that call.
Speaker 6 (02:14):
Was placed from three ones that mount on com Creek Road,
the residence of mister George Hawk.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
The sheriff raced out to the Hawk's ranch and found
George Hawks dead hanging in the barn. Then he made
another discovery which prompted him to put in a call
to the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jace Pearson was a signed
to the case and drove to the Hawk's ranch to
meet Sheriff Henson.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Jace, am, I glad to see you, howdy, Sheriff. It's
been a long time, yeah, month of Sundays. I hope
I didn't caught you down here for nothing, Jase. But
this looks mighty fisher to me, so I want you
to take a look at the body hasn't been taken
down yet. I put in a call of the car,
but he was out somewhere. I left the message for
him and come out here as soon as they could.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Locate him.
Speaker 8 (03:05):
How'd you find out about the body, Sheriff?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
I got a phone call Jase about nine fifteen said
it was George Hawks and he was going to kill himself.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
I thought maybe it was some jokers, so I traced.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
The call and it came from here, all right, So
I drove out fast as I could. But George was dead,
hanging by the neck in the barn. No pulse, body
still warm, Sheriff, I know you.
Speaker 8 (03:29):
Didn't call me down here to investigate a routine suicide.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
What's the cats I'm getting?
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Come on the barn. This is just the way he
was when I found him. You notice that's a wire
he's hanging from, not a rope.
Speaker 8 (03:46):
Yeah, cut off the clothesline probably, huh?
Speaker 2 (03:49):
How do you know?
Speaker 4 (03:50):
Guessed?
Speaker 8 (03:51):
I saw the clothesline had been cut part of a
dragon on the ground in the yard.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
You rangers don't miss much, do him not? If we
can help a sheriff, Well, I want to show you
something I found. Look at this right under the body.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
It's an oil drum, right and the.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Exact position I founded him on its side. Now you'll notice, Jace,
that it's the only thing near enough that George could
have stood on while he put the wire around his neck.
Speaker 8 (04:22):
And here's the remarks where it stood on the straw
before it was stipped over.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah, only he didn't stand on it. Look at this
end of the drum, thick with dust. Now look at
the other end dusty too, Jace. Is not a sign
of a footprint on either end of this oil drum here.
Speaker 8 (04:41):
Right, Sheriff? You kind of climbed up in the loft
and jumped to that wire. Would have taken his head off.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Yeah, that's what I figured, and that's why I called you.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
What about fingerprints?
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Couldn't find him in just a few smears.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
What is it spelled to you, Jace?
Speaker 8 (04:56):
Just one word and an unpleasant one, murder. Got my
camera out of the car and took pictures of the body,
and we took down the broken clothes line and nosed
around for more evidence. The sheriff went up to look
(05:16):
over the house while I combed the barn. How'd you
make out up at the house, Sheriff?
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Nothing, Jase, absolutely nothing, No note from George, everything tidy,
no sign of a struggle. Funny, nobody's around. Who would
be ordinarily his wife familiarly one of the hands he
had two men working from last I heard. How are
you coming, Jason?
Speaker 8 (05:41):
I found a couple of things, but not the thing
I want? What's that the tool that was used to
cut the wire he's hanging on? All I found in
the barn here was this pair of rusty fire Well,
couldn't they have been used to cut it? No, Sheriff,
they wouldn't cut the butter beside? The cuts too clean?
How about footprints? No luck yet, But I think I've
found what the killer stood on to string the body?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (06:02):
What the step ladder and found it under the tool
bench been used lately, marks and the dust had been
dragged out and then pushed back.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
What are you fixing to do?
Speaker 4 (06:13):
Jays?
Speaker 8 (06:14):
Going up the ladder and take a look at the
beam where the wires looped over here here, I'd better
hold it for you, pretty Ricky, Thanks find something?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
I think? So what is it? Chase?
Speaker 8 (06:29):
Look at this stuck on the splinter when the wire
went over the beam.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
It's a piece of black thread. Yeah, black wol thread.
Speaker 8 (06:37):
Well you were string savor Jase the case like this? Yes,
let's take a look outside. What aboutomotive Sheriff for.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Suicide or murder either? Uh? I can't think of the
one off hand. George was a pretty normal guy, happily married,
didn't have any enemies that I don't know how about.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
There's two hands mentioned.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Well, this new one Rad Johnson, been working for George
about six months, only met him a couple of times.
Seemed to be all right in a quiet sort of way.
And the other old Tom, Oh, he's okay, drinks a lot.
George used to fire him regular and then take him
back when he sow it up. There's no good footprints
in the yard here, No grounds packed pretty hard.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Uh Sheriff, muh car coming up the house? Is that
the corner?
Speaker 2 (07:28):
That?
Speaker 4 (07:28):
Uh oh oh, that looks a lot.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well, sure that's George hawks car.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
That's Millie driving it? Missus Hawks. Come on.
Speaker 8 (07:37):
We'll have to tell sheriff. This is the only part
of the job I really hate.
Speaker 6 (07:41):
Alright, Oh James, sure, what are you doing out this way?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And one morning missus Hawks and this is range of piercing? Howdhi,
man ranger?
Speaker 6 (07:52):
What's happened?
Speaker 7 (07:52):
What's the matter.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
I'm sorry to have to tell you, Millie.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
But George.
Speaker 6 (07:58):
Something happened to George?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yes he's dead?
Speaker 8 (08:04):
Oh no, comes Hawks we'll take you to the house.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
I can't believe it.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Do it? Missus Hawks? When did you last see your husband.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Just a few hours ago at breakfast?
Speaker 8 (08:31):
How did he appear at breakfast? I mean, was anything wrong?
Was he upset about anything?
Speaker 6 (08:36):
Well, yes, there was a big fight at breakfast. I've
never seen George get my head a fight between you
and your husband. Well, all four of us went on it.
Old Tom and Brad was there to their the hot hands.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
How did it start?
Speaker 6 (08:49):
I cook breakfast for the four of us like I
always do. Old Tom was late, so we'd started to eat.
When we were about through, Old Tom came staggering in.
He was head drunk again, Yes, sheriff again. Then he
and George had this big round. George fired him for
being drunk. Go on, Old Tom was fighting mad. He
gets mean when he's been drinking. Started making all kinds
(09:11):
of wild accusations.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
What kind of accusations, missus Hawks?
Speaker 6 (09:14):
Lies? Ranger, all I'm lies. He said he wouldn't have
been drunk if Brad hadn't bought.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Liquor for him.
Speaker 6 (09:20):
Brad, Well, that's what he claimed said. Brad got him
drunk on purpose. So it Oh, it was awful, so
he could what, well, it's a lie ranger.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
What did he say, missus hawks?
Speaker 6 (09:31):
Well, old Tom said to Brad, I wouldn't be drunk
if you didn't buy any the stuff you're always trying
to get me out of the waist.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
I won't see you.
Speaker 6 (09:38):
So I won't see you playing up to the boss's wife.
Then what happened when Tom left and my husband started
swearing and threatening Bred, accusing him of what Tom said.
Brad said it was lying, and George threw some money
in his face and told him to get off the
place that he was fired too.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
What did Brad do?
Speaker 6 (09:54):
I thought, for men he was gonna.
Speaker 7 (09:56):
Hit George, but he didn't.
Speaker 6 (09:57):
He went outside in a few minutes later, I heard
his cars starting.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
He drove away.
Speaker 6 (10:01):
By this time George was in a terrible rage, even
fretting to kill me. So I grabbed the car.
Speaker 7 (10:06):
Keys and ran.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
Did he ask you where you were going?
Speaker 6 (10:09):
Yes, he did, ranging I told him I was going
in town to see mister Harris, the lawyer, see about
getting divorced.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
What time did you leave.
Speaker 6 (10:16):
About eight thirty? Rangie? You said you found him hanging
in the barn. If it was suicide, why Are you
asking me all these questions?
Speaker 8 (10:27):
Because I don't think it was suicide, missus Hawks. I
think it was murder. After the corner and the doctor arrived,
the sheriff borrowed a horse from the kraal, I got
charcoal out of the trailer and we headed for Thomas
shack up in the hills.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
There is Chase just around those rocks.
Speaker 8 (10:51):
At Tom's horse. Sheriff raising out back. Yeah, he's around
someplace up charcoal.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Yes, I just can't see Old Tom. He's a killer, Jase.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
He ain't the type.
Speaker 8 (11:02):
Han spells full of them sheriff killers.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Who aren't the type? Charcoal? Cool boy. Let's try the
front door.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Okay, all right, Tom.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
Open up.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
He's not here, Jason. I can see through the windows.
Shack's empty.
Speaker 9 (11:22):
What me?
Speaker 8 (11:23):
Somebody shooting close by? Maybe Tom? That shot came from
back up in that draw Tom, sheriff.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
There he is backed by that clip of trees.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Is that Tom?
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Sure is?
Speaker 6 (11:31):
Hey?
Speaker 4 (11:31):
He's running forward the trees. Haul at Tom.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
There we are. I'll put one over his head. He's starving.
See what he's wearing, Chase.
Speaker 4 (11:42):
Yeah, black sweater?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Come on, all right, Tom, throw down that rifle. Sure,
poor ranger.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
But what for?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Why didn't just stop when I told you to? Well,
then tell the truth, Ranger, I didn't hear you. How
kind of death? I heard your shot though?
Speaker 4 (12:01):
Yeah, that's right, Jason's hard of hearing.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
What's that?
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Sair ill? Never mind?
Speaker 7 (12:06):
Why do you shoot out his tom shooting you?
Speaker 6 (12:09):
Why?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
I never didn't know such thing?
Speaker 4 (12:11):
What were you doing? Then?
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Ain't no longer East the man killing himself a rabbit
for supper?
Speaker 8 (12:17):
All right, get his rifle shirt, let's go, huh what too?
Speaker 4 (12:23):
To your shack?
Speaker 8 (12:23):
First, we're gonna have a long talk about George Hawks.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
I'll tell you, Range, I didn't know George was dead
until you told me a minute ago. What call would
I have to kill him? If he was killed?
Speaker 4 (12:42):
He was my friend.
Speaker 8 (12:43):
You don't seem very clear about what happened this morning time.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Well, I was a bit foggy. I had me a
couple of nips, but I do remember George getting mad
and firing me. What happened after that, Well, I took
a few more out of the bottle of myself bag.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
I don't remember much after that.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
I must have rolled up here and fell asleep A
couple while ago.
Speaker 5 (13:06):
I was some green.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
I went out to get me a rabbit.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Tell me, Tom, do you often dropped blank when you've
been drinking? Do I what ranger? Have a blank space?
Do things you don't remember anything about later? Oh? I
suppose I have wants you to Hey, wait a minute,
I didn't do it.
Speaker 7 (13:23):
I couldn't have killed George.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
He was my friend.
Speaker 8 (13:27):
He's your wirecutters on the table, Tom, Yeah, they are.
I'll take them, and I think you'd better come along
to town with us.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
You are listening to Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring
Joel McCrae as Ranger Jase Pearson at our new Sunday time.
We hope that our many friends who have listened to
us at the earlier hour will continue.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
To be with us each Sunday.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
And for those of you who are hearing our program for.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
The first time, we extend a warm and cordial welcome
and invite you to be with us each Sunday from
now on. And now we continue with tonight's case Hanging
by a Thread, an authentic story from the files of
the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
The finger was pointing straight at town.
Speaker 8 (14:33):
When we got back to the Hawk's Ranch, there was
a man in the back lot feeding the hogs. It
was Brad Johnson, the third witness at the breakfast fight.
While the sheriff took Tom into town. I got Brad's
version of what happened.
Speaker 9 (14:44):
And then threw the money in my face. Ranger thirty
dollars told me I was five. I want to hit him,
but I didn't.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Then what brand?
Speaker 9 (14:52):
Then I got my Duffel bags? Good, my con drove off.
Where'd you go to?
Speaker 4 (14:56):
Fenny?
Speaker 9 (14:57):
Drove around town for a few minutes, and then when
I went to the White Spot Cafe and.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
Had a cup of coffee. What time was this when.
Speaker 7 (15:04):
I was in the cafe?
Speaker 9 (15:05):
Oh, about nine thirty. I guess why'd you come back here? Well,
somebody in town said that George would kill herself and
that the corner was on his way out here. So well,
I figured if it was true, there wouldn't be anybody
to do the chores. I fired old Tom too, and
Missus Hawks always treated me so friendly. Well, so I'd
come out to do what I could. It's very nice
(15:27):
of you, tell me, Brad.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
Is there anything between you and Missus Hawks? No, sir,
that's a lie.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Ranger.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
They have even spoke to each other seven at meal
times or say good morning.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
What are you planning to do now? Well, I don't know.
Speaker 7 (15:42):
Have Missus Hawks till she can get somebody?
Speaker 4 (15:45):
I reckon?
Speaker 8 (15:45):
I see, well, I gotta be mosying along. Oh uh,
don't leave town without letting me know.
Speaker 7 (15:52):
Oh, I won't range you.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
I'll be around.
Speaker 8 (16:04):
I got the evidence off to Austin and then went
to the White Spot Cafe. Brad had been seen there
at nine point thirty and Missus Hawks had been with
her lawyer half an hour before at Radiod headquarters that
I was staying over in Finney. In about nine that night,
I got a phone call, Hello.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
Jess, capt'n Stinson, I've got the report on that stuff
you sent in today. You got a pencil?
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Sure have, cap'n shoot on that.
Speaker 5 (16:29):
Black wool sweater? The thread you sent in the envelope
match dro al right, it's definitely off the sweater.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
How about the wire cutters?
Speaker 5 (16:36):
I afraid I got a disappointment for you there.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Jeez, they couldn't get a match.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
I'm afraid the murder wire wasn't cut with a tool
you sent.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
Are you sure, cap'n the.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
Boys in the lab are they made sample cuts with
every millimeter of those blades and couldn't match up a
single one with.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
A murder wire.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Oh what kind of a fixes that put you in? Jess?
Speaker 2 (16:56):
I'm not sure. Well, thanks, cap'n. I'll keep in touch
with you all right.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Jeez, good luck.
Speaker 8 (17:07):
I was gonna need more than luck. Things were really
getting tangled up. It was about four am when I
finally dozed off trying to dope it out.
Speaker 4 (17:14):
Then at eight thirty I met the sheriff in his office.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Well, you look like you've been through the ring at
James Hotel. Bed's too hard for you now, But.
Speaker 8 (17:22):
I didn't get much sleep trying to figure this Hawk's
thing out. Looks like we have to let Old Tom go, sheriff.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Why, what's up?
Speaker 8 (17:28):
My lab says Tom's cutters didn't cut that wire.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
They didn't know.
Speaker 8 (17:32):
Of course Old Tom could have used other cutters, but
in his stupor, I doubt if he'd be that clever.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Well, I hate to complicate things more than they are, Jason,
what do you mean? Karna called? A little while ago.
He sent in his report over with one of my
deputies should have been here by now.
Speaker 8 (17:48):
His verdict is suicide. Suicide. That doesn't make sense.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Apparently does to him. We'll know when the report gets here.
Speaker 8 (17:57):
Yeah, George Hawkes deceased, climbed up a step ladder, put
a wire around his neck, and then placed the ladder
neatly under a work bench twelve feet away.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
M My dusty oil drums starting things up, Jason.
Speaker 7 (18:09):
Considerable awe chef out of regid.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
All right, warning, Joe, do you get yep?
Speaker 7 (18:14):
I had to wait while the carn assigned it here
it is, thanks.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Joe, anything marking the sheriff? No, not right now.
Speaker 7 (18:21):
Well, I'll go get me some breakfast.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
There see no marks of violence on the victim's body.
Autopsy disclosed no brain injury. Death probably caused by strangulation.
Car and his conclusion suicide signed g Worker Carlo. There
it is, Jason, couldn't be.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
Now here's something from the doctor.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
I examined the body at eleven thirty a m. It
is my opinion that death occurred approximately three hours previously.
Speaker 8 (18:51):
I'm in a wait a minute, shriff, What is it?
I'd make it about eight thirty when George died. What
time did you say? He called you at nine fifty?
Speaker 4 (19:01):
Great surf, Sheriff.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Are you sure it was George who called Well, now
you mentioned it, I'm not sure said.
Speaker 4 (19:08):
He was George? Could it have been somebody else?
Speaker 8 (19:10):
I suppose, so beginning to piece together sheriff whoever it
was could have killed George, then called you and tried
to sound like it to establish an alibu exactly, and
then pop up someplace else a few minutes later, like
the White Spot Cafe. I'll call you later.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Where are you going?
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Chase back to the Hawk's ranch.
Speaker 8 (19:35):
When I pulled up to the ranch, Brad Johnson was
running water into the big trough near the barn.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Where high red springs out. This way. I want to
talk to missus Hawks.
Speaker 8 (19:48):
We're releasing Tom Harner's report came in a few minutes ago.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
Suicide. Is she round?
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Why?
Speaker 9 (19:54):
Sure?
Speaker 4 (19:54):
She's up the house?
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Okay?
Speaker 8 (19:58):
Oh I I just happened to think charcoal. My horse
here in the trailer hasn't had a square meal since
I left headquarters yesterday. Is this some hay around that
I could give him?
Speaker 4 (20:08):
Why? Sure?
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Ranger?
Speaker 7 (20:09):
Some fresh bale just inside bomb there?
Speaker 4 (20:11):
Helps? Thanks be glad to pay for it. No, no,
forget it.
Speaker 7 (20:15):
I'm sure missus Hawks wouldn't mind.
Speaker 8 (20:17):
Oh, have you got something to open one with why
show here, here's my cutters. I took the cutters into
the barn and made some cuts on a wire sample.
After I gave the cutters back to Brad and fed charcoal,
I spoke briefly with Missus Hawks, and then I tore
(20:37):
out for the lab in Austin. By one o'clock, I
got the results. Here it is, Jase, take a look
the wire's mats. Johnny, see for yourself that dual microscope
never lied to me yet.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
The left one's the murder wire. The one on the
right is one of the.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
Samples you brought in. That's it. Well, look at those striations.
It's a perfect match. Thanks Johnny, take care of this stuff.
Got to get back to Finny. Prono. Oh, will you
do me a favor? Sure, Jays.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Call the sheriff at Finney. Tell him I'm on my
way and I got something hot. I'll be there in
two hours.
Speaker 4 (21:15):
Well, Jase, you sure made good time. What do you
find out?
Speaker 8 (21:18):
We got positive proof the murder wire was cut with
Brad Johnson's cutters.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Brad, you gotta pick him up. Not right yet, Sheriff.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Why not?
Speaker 8 (21:25):
We only know that Brad's cutters were used. We don't
know he used him. We got to be sure. What
are your plants, Jason, I've been thinking those stories that
Missus Hawks and Brad told me.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
They were alike, all right, too much alike? What do
you mean? A couple of times they used the exact phrases.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
What about Tom and the black thread?
Speaker 8 (21:42):
They'll keep an eye on him, but I think he's clean.
He could have caught his sleeve on that beam doing anything, pitching, hey, anything.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
He could have Well, what do we doing now? We
got to catch him alone?
Speaker 8 (21:53):
Brad and missus Hawks when they don't know anybody's around.
We got to hear what they say to each other.
Maybe after the funeral. It's this afternoon, four o'clock. You
know where it's being held? Schaff sure, out of the ranch,
be a graveside ceremony. Where's the cemetery? Here are over
on the other side of town from the Hawk's place.
I'll take him a while to get over there and
back sheriff. While they're at the cemetery, You and I
(22:13):
are going to the ranch and fix up a little surprise.
And I'll be all right for that one behind the
window shade.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Quite three microphones, Jase wouldn't one.
Speaker 8 (22:31):
Do now if they wander around the house while they're talking, Sheriff,
I want to hear everything.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
You know that Brad and missus hawks will talk. How
do you know who'll even come into the house. I
don't know, Sheriff.
Speaker 8 (22:42):
I'm guessing, and my guess is that after the funeral
is over, somebody's gonna let his hair down.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Hey, it's almost five, Jase so'll be coming back.
Speaker 8 (22:49):
So I'm finished in here, Sheriff. Now we have to
do a string the wire to the steakeout.
Speaker 4 (22:54):
Come on. We'd hid in my car and a laying down.
Speaker 8 (23:02):
The road and set up our equipping a clump of
trees close to the house. Three neighbors' cars drove up,
then Brad's. We watched him as he fed the stock.
About sundown, the last of the guests left the house.
All the guys, I go, the last of 'em, Sheriff.
Speaker 4 (23:22):
Can you see Brad.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
He's building the borroom of us.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
A few minutes and there he is Jason heading to
the house.
Speaker 8 (23:29):
Good, put on your earphone, the sheriff, I want you
to hear this too.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
There he goes up on the porch.
Speaker 9 (23:36):
Yeah right, oh, Bred, comelean lady.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
Oh, Breda'm so tired and it's scared.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
He nothing that is scared about.
Speaker 6 (23:51):
Everything worked out fine? Oh take me away with your
brand now tonight.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
Many I can't do dow'd you know it?
Speaker 8 (23:57):
Well?
Speaker 6 (23:57):
No, why can't you?
Speaker 5 (23:58):
The plan did?
Speaker 8 (24:00):
Gotta follow the plan.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Look, if we want to wait together, now that napa's
no time, we're gonna let it go.
Speaker 6 (24:06):
I can't spend another night in his house, not a loon.
I can keep seeing his face you holding it?
Speaker 2 (24:13):
Look up here.
Speaker 6 (24:14):
When I put the fill over his face, I can't
stand it.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
I can't.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
Shut up.
Speaker 7 (24:21):
Look you, I've put a lot of hard work on us.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
Alibi has got him. Clear the trail and not go
let him get back on.
Speaker 8 (24:28):
You have all right, Sheriff, I've heard enough. Let's take them.
You cover the back, Sheriff, I'll take the front. Okay, Jaz, all.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Right, all right in there, open up, range your person,
open up.
Speaker 6 (24:49):
What do you want?
Speaker 8 (24:50):
You know what I want? Brad Johnson, he's not here.
I know different, Okay, Sheriff, Let's search the house.
Speaker 7 (24:55):
I don't know what this is all about.
Speaker 8 (24:57):
You'll find out.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Chaff work this.
Speaker 6 (25:01):
Way, Ranger, what's the meaning of this?
Speaker 4 (25:04):
He's not in the back of the house, Jase. Maybe
he's what was that he.
Speaker 8 (25:09):
Was upstairs, Sheriff. Sounds like he jumped from up there.
Come on, don't see him.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
He didn't run for his car, couldn't have gone far.
Speaker 8 (25:17):
Maybe he hit fle the highway us. Watch that chickens
in the barn. Something scared them, and I think I
know what.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
Come on, if we take this right, you've got him trapped.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
I know you're in there. Brad, come on out, all.
Speaker 8 (25:35):
Right, the darkest pitching there, Jason, turn on your flast. Night, Sheriff,
take the other side.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
I'll look behind those.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Okay, what does the cheff pitch work?
Speaker 4 (25:50):
Threw it from the loft?
Speaker 2 (25:52):
Hit me?
Speaker 4 (25:53):
You hurt bad?
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Don't think so? Right shoulder, give me a flash, night, Sheriff. Alright, Brad,
I'm coming up.
Speaker 7 (26:01):
No, no, don't come up.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
I'm coming down. Come out where we can see you.
Then put your hands up. Jasey's Jace.
Speaker 6 (26:16):
You are right?
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Yeah, yeah, fell on his back, hit his head when
I hit him.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
Is he dead?
Speaker 8 (26:24):
No, No, Sheriff, he's not dead, and I can't say
he won't be though, when the state gets through with him.
Speaker 3 (26:46):
After Mildred Hawks turned state's witness. Brad Johnson, confessed to
the murder of his employer. For her part in the crime,
Mildred Hawks received a sentence of fifty years in the
women's prison at Huntsville. Johnson sentence death in the electric chair.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
And now here again is the star of our show,
Joel McCrae.
Speaker 8 (27:17):
While most of the male it comes to us here
at Tales of the Texas Rangers is written by grown ups,
the youngsters have their questions too. Tonight, I'd like to
read you a postcard from a boy in Newark, New Jersey.
It says, dear mister McCrae, I am nine years old.
Me and my friend Tony was talking about being Texas
(27:38):
Rangers when.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
We grow up.
Speaker 8 (27:41):
How do you go about getting that job? Your friend
Tommy Cook? Well, Tommy, A lot of people have asked
us that same question recently, and I guess maybe it's
high time for us to tell them.
Speaker 4 (27:54):
First.
Speaker 8 (27:55):
A ranger has to serve at least ten years as
an outstanding police officer. Then he may compete with others
for the job. If he's selected, he works under the
wing of a Ranger captain for at least six months
and then he's put out in the field with other
seasoned Rangers for a year and a half. By this time,
(28:16):
he is or he isn't a true Texas Ranger and Tommy,
your card's being sent to Colonel Homer Garrison, Junior chief
for the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
Good luck, good night.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Next week Joe mc cray and another authentic reenactment of
a case from the files of but Texas Rangers.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Joel mc cray is currently seen starring in the.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
Universal International Technicolor productions Saddle Trank. Tonight's past included Tony Barrett,
Byron Kane, Buddy lou Gerson, Jeff Corry, and Wall. This
story was transcribed and adapted by Andrew mcbrooms, and the
program was produced and directed by Stacy Keach.
Speaker 4 (29:08):
This is Hell, Give Me Speaking.
Speaker 7 (29:19):
Three Chimes Mean Good Times on NBC.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
Tuesday Nights are Bright with Comedy on NBC.
Speaker 7 (29:26):
Start off the evening with Baby Snooks.
Speaker 8 (29:28):
Here Fiver McGee and Molly of seventy nine Wistful Vista
listen as.
Speaker 9 (29:32):
Art link Letter proves that people are funny and laugh
with Bob Hope and his gang, It's truly fine entertainment.
Every Tuesday Night so be sure to listen for baby snooks,
Fiver McGee and Molly People Are Funny, and Bob Hope
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):
Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger
Jace Pearson, Texas more than two hundred and sixty thousand
square miles and fifty men who make up the most
famous and oldest law enforcement party in North America. Now
(00:54):
from the files of the Texas Rangers come these stories
based on fact only.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Names, dates, and.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Places are pitious more obvious reasons, the events themselves are
a matter of record. Case Fortnight Hanging by a thread.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
At nine fifteen in the morning of May fifth, nineteen
forty seven, the telephone rang in the Sheriff's office in
the little town of Finney, Texas.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Sheriff Henson entered.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
It Sheriff's office, handsome speaking sure is George Hawks. How
are you, George? What can I do for you?
Speaker 5 (01:41):
Nothing?
Speaker 6 (01:41):
Now?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Nobody? How's that? I just called it?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Tell you I'm gonna kill myself?
Speaker 2 (01:46):
What did you say?
Speaker 4 (01:48):
You heard me?
Speaker 7 (01:50):
Will take you twenty minutes to get out to my place.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
By that time will be dead.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Now wait a minute, George what hello? Hello operator operator? Yes, oh,
this is the sheriff. That call had just came in here.
Where was it from? One moment? If this is someone's
idea of a practical job, yes, that call.
Speaker 6 (02:14):
Was placed from three ones that mount on com Creek Road,
the residence of mister George Hawk.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
The sheriff raced out to the Hawk's ranch and found
George Hawks dead hanging in the barn. Then he made
another discovery which prompted him to put in a call
to the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jace Pearson was a signed
to the case and drove to the Hawk's ranch to
meet Sheriff Henson.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Jace, am, I glad to see you, howdy, Sheriff. It's
been a long time, yeah, month of Sundays. I hope
I didn't caught you down here for nothing, Jase. But
this looks mighty fisher to me, so I want you
to take a look at the body hasn't been taken
down yet. I put in a call of the car,
but he was out somewhere. I left the message for
him and come out here as soon as they could.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Locate him.
Speaker 8 (03:05):
How'd you find out about the body, Sheriff?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
I got a phone call Jase about nine fifteen said
it was George Hawks and he was going to kill himself.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
I thought maybe it was some jokers, so I traced.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
The call and it came from here, all right, So
I drove out fast as I could. But George was dead,
hanging by the neck in the barn. No pulse, body
still warm, Sheriff, I know you.
Speaker 8 (03:29):
Didn't call me down here to investigate a routine suicide.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
What's the cats I'm getting?
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Come on the barn. This is just the way he
was when I found him. You notice that's a wire
he's hanging from, not a rope.
Speaker 8 (03:46):
Yeah, cut off the clothesline probably, huh?
Speaker 2 (03:49):
How do you know?
Speaker 4 (03:50):
Guessed?
Speaker 8 (03:51):
I saw the clothesline had been cut part of a
dragon on the ground in the yard.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
You rangers don't miss much, do him not? If we
can help a sheriff, Well, I want to show you
something I found. Look at this right under the body.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
It's an oil drum, right and the.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Exact position I founded him on its side. Now you'll notice, Jace,
that it's the only thing near enough that George could
have stood on while he put the wire around his neck.
Speaker 8 (04:22):
And here's the remarks where it stood on the straw
before it was stipped over.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah, only he didn't stand on it. Look at this
end of the drum, thick with dust. Now look at
the other end dusty too, Jace. Is not a sign
of a footprint on either end of this oil drum here.
Speaker 8 (04:41):
Right, Sheriff? You kind of climbed up in the loft
and jumped to that wire. Would have taken his head off.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Yeah, that's what I figured, and that's why I called you.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
What about fingerprints?
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Couldn't find him in just a few smears.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
What is it spelled to you, Jace?
Speaker 8 (04:56):
Just one word and an unpleasant one, murder. Got my
camera out of the car and took pictures of the body,
and we took down the broken clothes line and nosed
around for more evidence. The sheriff went up to look
(05:16):
over the house while I combed the barn. How'd you
make out up at the house, Sheriff?
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Nothing, Jase, absolutely nothing, No note from George, everything tidy,
no sign of a struggle. Funny, nobody's around. Who would
be ordinarily his wife familiarly one of the hands he
had two men working from last I heard. How are
you coming, Jason?
Speaker 8 (05:41):
I found a couple of things, but not the thing
I want? What's that the tool that was used to
cut the wire he's hanging on? All I found in
the barn here was this pair of rusty fire Well,
couldn't they have been used to cut it? No, Sheriff,
they wouldn't cut the butter beside? The cuts too clean?
How about footprints? No luck yet, But I think I've
found what the killer stood on to string the body?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (06:02):
What the step ladder and found it under the tool
bench been used lately, marks and the dust had been
dragged out and then pushed back.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
What are you fixing to do?
Speaker 4 (06:13):
Jays?
Speaker 8 (06:14):
Going up the ladder and take a look at the
beam where the wires looped over here here, I'd better
hold it for you, pretty Ricky, Thanks find something?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
I think? So what is it? Chase?
Speaker 8 (06:29):
Look at this stuck on the splinter when the wire
went over the beam.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
It's a piece of black thread. Yeah, black wol thread.
Speaker 8 (06:37):
Well you were string savor Jase the case like this? Yes,
let's take a look outside. What aboutomotive Sheriff for.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Suicide or murder either? Uh? I can't think of the
one off hand. George was a pretty normal guy, happily married,
didn't have any enemies that I don't know how about.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
There's two hands mentioned.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Well, this new one Rad Johnson, been working for George
about six months, only met him a couple of times.
Seemed to be all right in a quiet sort of way.
And the other old Tom, Oh, he's okay, drinks a lot.
George used to fire him regular and then take him
back when he sow it up. There's no good footprints
in the yard here, No grounds packed pretty hard.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Uh Sheriff, muh car coming up the house? Is that
the corner?
Speaker 2 (07:28):
That?
Speaker 4 (07:28):
Uh oh oh, that looks a lot.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well, sure that's George hawks car.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
That's Millie driving it? Missus Hawks. Come on.
Speaker 8 (07:37):
We'll have to tell sheriff. This is the only part
of the job I really hate.
Speaker 6 (07:41):
Alright, Oh James, sure, what are you doing out this way?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And one morning missus Hawks and this is range of piercing? Howdhi,
man ranger?
Speaker 6 (07:52):
What's happened?
Speaker 7 (07:52):
What's the matter.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
I'm sorry to have to tell you, Millie.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
But George.
Speaker 6 (07:58):
Something happened to George?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Yes he's dead?
Speaker 8 (08:04):
Oh no, comes Hawks we'll take you to the house.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
I can't believe it.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Do it? Missus Hawks? When did you last see your husband.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Just a few hours ago at breakfast?
Speaker 8 (08:31):
How did he appear at breakfast? I mean, was anything wrong?
Was he upset about anything?
Speaker 6 (08:36):
Well, yes, there was a big fight at breakfast. I've
never seen George get my head a fight between you
and your husband. Well, all four of us went on it.
Old Tom and Brad was there to their the hot hands.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
How did it start?
Speaker 6 (08:49):
I cook breakfast for the four of us like I
always do. Old Tom was late, so we'd started to eat.
When we were about through, Old Tom came staggering in.
He was head drunk again, Yes, sheriff again. Then he
and George had this big round. George fired him for
being drunk. Go on, Old Tom was fighting mad. He
gets mean when he's been drinking. Started making all kinds
(09:11):
of wild accusations.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
What kind of accusations, missus Hawks?
Speaker 6 (09:14):
Lies? Ranger, all I'm lies. He said he wouldn't have
been drunk if Brad hadn't bought.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Liquor for him.
Speaker 6 (09:20):
Brad, Well, that's what he claimed said. Brad got him
drunk on purpose. So it Oh, it was awful, so
he could what, well, it's a lie ranger.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
What did he say, missus hawks?
Speaker 6 (09:31):
Well, old Tom said to Brad, I wouldn't be drunk
if you didn't buy any the stuff you're always trying
to get me out of the waist.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
I won't see you.
Speaker 6 (09:38):
So I won't see you playing up to the boss's wife.
Then what happened when Tom left and my husband started
swearing and threatening Bred, accusing him of what Tom said.
Brad said it was lying, and George threw some money
in his face and told him to get off the
place that he was fired too.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
What did Brad do?
Speaker 6 (09:54):
I thought, for men he was gonna.
Speaker 7 (09:56):
Hit George, but he didn't.
Speaker 6 (09:57):
He went outside in a few minutes later, I heard
his cars starting.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
He drove away.
Speaker 6 (10:01):
By this time George was in a terrible rage, even
fretting to kill me. So I grabbed the car.
Speaker 7 (10:06):
Keys and ran.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
Did he ask you where you were going?
Speaker 6 (10:09):
Yes, he did, ranging I told him I was going
in town to see mister Harris, the lawyer, see about
getting divorced.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
What time did you leave.
Speaker 6 (10:16):
About eight thirty? Rangie? You said you found him hanging
in the barn. If it was suicide, why Are you
asking me all these questions?
Speaker 8 (10:27):
Because I don't think it was suicide, missus Hawks. I
think it was murder. After the corner and the doctor arrived,
the sheriff borrowed a horse from the kraal, I got
charcoal out of the trailer and we headed for Thomas
shack up in the hills.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
There is Chase just around those rocks.
Speaker 8 (10:51):
At Tom's horse. Sheriff raising out back. Yeah, he's around
someplace up charcoal.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Yes, I just can't see Old Tom. He's a killer, Jase.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
He ain't the type.
Speaker 8 (11:02):
Han spells full of them sheriff killers.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Who aren't the type? Charcoal? Cool boy. Let's try the
front door.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Okay, all right, Tom.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
Open up.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
He's not here, Jason. I can see through the windows.
Shack's empty.
Speaker 9 (11:22):
What me?
Speaker 8 (11:23):
Somebody shooting close by? Maybe Tom? That shot came from
back up in that draw Tom, sheriff.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
There he is backed by that clip of trees.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Is that Tom?
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Sure is?
Speaker 6 (11:31):
Hey?
Speaker 4 (11:31):
He's running forward the trees. Haul at Tom.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
There we are. I'll put one over his head. He's starving.
See what he's wearing, Chase.
Speaker 4 (11:42):
Yeah, black sweater?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Come on, all right, Tom, throw down that rifle. Sure,
poor ranger.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
But what for?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Why didn't just stop when I told you to? Well,
then tell the truth, Ranger, I didn't hear you. How
kind of death? I heard your shot though?
Speaker 4 (12:01):
Yeah, that's right, Jason's hard of hearing.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
What's that?
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Sair ill? Never mind?
Speaker 7 (12:06):
Why do you shoot out his tom shooting you?
Speaker 6 (12:09):
Why?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
I never didn't know such thing?
Speaker 4 (12:11):
What were you doing? Then?
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Ain't no longer East the man killing himself a rabbit
for supper?
Speaker 8 (12:17):
All right, get his rifle shirt, let's go, huh what too?
Speaker 4 (12:23):
To your shack?
Speaker 8 (12:23):
First, we're gonna have a long talk about George Hawks.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
I'll tell you, Range, I didn't know George was dead
until you told me a minute ago. What call would
I have to kill him? If he was killed?
Speaker 4 (12:42):
He was my friend.
Speaker 8 (12:43):
You don't seem very clear about what happened this morning time.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Well, I was a bit foggy. I had me a
couple of nips, but I do remember George getting mad
and firing me. What happened after that, Well, I took
a few more out of the bottle of myself bag.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
I don't remember much after that.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
I must have rolled up here and fell asleep A
couple while ago.
Speaker 5 (13:06):
I was some green.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
I went out to get me a rabbit.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Tell me, Tom, do you often dropped blank when you've
been drinking? Do I what ranger? Have a blank space?
Do things you don't remember anything about later? Oh? I
suppose I have wants you to Hey, wait a minute,
I didn't do it.
Speaker 7 (13:23):
I couldn't have killed George.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
He was my friend.
Speaker 8 (13:27):
He's your wirecutters on the table, Tom, Yeah, they are.
I'll take them, and I think you'd better come along
to town with us.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
You are listening to Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring
Joel McCrae as Ranger Jase Pearson at our new Sunday time.
We hope that our many friends who have listened to
us at the earlier hour will continue.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
To be with us each Sunday.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
And for those of you who are hearing our program for.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
The first time, we extend a warm and cordial welcome
and invite you to be with us each Sunday from
now on. And now we continue with tonight's case Hanging
by a Thread, an authentic story from the files of
the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
The finger was pointing straight at town.
Speaker 8 (14:33):
When we got back to the Hawk's Ranch, there was
a man in the back lot feeding the hogs. It
was Brad Johnson, the third witness at the breakfast fight.
While the sheriff took Tom into town. I got Brad's
version of what happened.
Speaker 9 (14:44):
And then threw the money in my face. Ranger thirty
dollars told me I was five. I want to hit him,
but I didn't.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Then what brand?
Speaker 9 (14:52):
Then I got my Duffel bags? Good, my con drove off.
Where'd you go to?
Speaker 4 (14:56):
Fenny?
Speaker 9 (14:57):
Drove around town for a few minutes, and then when
I went to the White Spot Cafe and.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
Had a cup of coffee. What time was this when.
Speaker 7 (15:04):
I was in the cafe?
Speaker 9 (15:05):
Oh, about nine thirty. I guess why'd you come back here? Well,
somebody in town said that George would kill herself and
that the corner was on his way out here. So well,
I figured if it was true, there wouldn't be anybody
to do the chores. I fired old Tom too, and
Missus Hawks always treated me so friendly. Well, so I'd
come out to do what I could. It's very nice
(15:27):
of you, tell me, Brad.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
Is there anything between you and Missus Hawks? No, sir,
that's a lie.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Ranger.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
They have even spoke to each other seven at meal
times or say good morning.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
What are you planning to do now? Well, I don't know.
Speaker 7 (15:42):
Have Missus Hawks till she can get somebody?
Speaker 4 (15:45):
I reckon?
Speaker 8 (15:45):
I see, well, I gotta be mosying along. Oh uh,
don't leave town without letting me know.
Speaker 7 (15:52):
Oh, I won't range you.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
I'll be around.
Speaker 8 (16:04):
I got the evidence off to Austin and then went
to the White Spot Cafe. Brad had been seen there
at nine point thirty and Missus Hawks had been with
her lawyer half an hour before at Radiod headquarters that
I was staying over in Finney. In about nine that night,
I got a phone call, Hello.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
Jess, capt'n Stinson, I've got the report on that stuff
you sent in today. You got a pencil?
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Sure have, cap'n shoot on that.
Speaker 5 (16:29):
Black wool sweater? The thread you sent in the envelope
match dro al right, it's definitely off the sweater.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
How about the wire cutters?
Speaker 5 (16:36):
I afraid I got a disappointment for you there.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Jeez, they couldn't get a match.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
I'm afraid the murder wire wasn't cut with a tool
you sent.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
Are you sure, cap'n the.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
Boys in the lab are they made sample cuts with
every millimeter of those blades and couldn't match up a
single one with.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
A murder wire.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Oh what kind of a fixes that put you in? Jess?
Speaker 2 (16:56):
I'm not sure. Well, thanks, cap'n. I'll keep in touch
with you all right.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Jeez, good luck.
Speaker 8 (17:07):
I was gonna need more than luck. Things were really
getting tangled up. It was about four am when I
finally dozed off trying to dope it out.
Speaker 4 (17:14):
Then at eight thirty I met the sheriff in his office.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Well, you look like you've been through the ring at
James Hotel. Bed's too hard for you now, But.
Speaker 8 (17:22):
I didn't get much sleep trying to figure this Hawk's
thing out. Looks like we have to let Old Tom go, sheriff.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Why, what's up?
Speaker 8 (17:28):
My lab says Tom's cutters didn't cut that wire.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
They didn't know.
Speaker 8 (17:32):
Of course Old Tom could have used other cutters, but
in his stupor, I doubt if he'd be that clever.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
Well, I hate to complicate things more than they are, Jason,
what do you mean? Karna called? A little while ago.
He sent in his report over with one of my
deputies should have been here by now.
Speaker 8 (17:48):
His verdict is suicide. Suicide. That doesn't make sense.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Apparently does to him. We'll know when the report gets here.
Speaker 8 (17:57):
Yeah, George Hawkes deceased, climbed up a step ladder, put
a wire around his neck, and then placed the ladder
neatly under a work bench twelve feet away.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
M My dusty oil drums starting things up, Jason.
Speaker 7 (18:09):
Considerable awe chef out of regid.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
All right, warning, Joe, do you get yep?
Speaker 7 (18:14):
I had to wait while the carn assigned it here
it is, thanks.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Joe, anything marking the sheriff? No, not right now.
Speaker 7 (18:21):
Well, I'll go get me some breakfast.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
There see no marks of violence on the victim's body.
Autopsy disclosed no brain injury. Death probably caused by strangulation.
Car and his conclusion suicide signed g Worker Carlo. There
it is, Jason, couldn't be.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
Now here's something from the doctor.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
I examined the body at eleven thirty a m. It
is my opinion that death occurred approximately three hours previously.
Speaker 8 (18:51):
I'm in a wait a minute, shriff, What is it?
I'd make it about eight thirty when George died. What
time did you say? He called you at nine fifty?
Speaker 4 (19:01):
Great surf, Sheriff.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Are you sure it was George who called Well, now
you mentioned it, I'm not sure said.
Speaker 4 (19:08):
He was George? Could it have been somebody else?
Speaker 8 (19:10):
I suppose, so beginning to piece together sheriff whoever it
was could have killed George, then called you and tried
to sound like it to establish an alibu exactly, and
then pop up someplace else a few minutes later, like
the White Spot Cafe. I'll call you later.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Where are you going?
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Chase back to the Hawk's ranch.
Speaker 8 (19:35):
When I pulled up to the ranch, Brad Johnson was
running water into the big trough near the barn.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Where high red springs out. This way. I want to
talk to missus Hawks.
Speaker 8 (19:48):
We're releasing Tom Harner's report came in a few minutes ago.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
Suicide. Is she round?
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Why?
Speaker 9 (19:54):
Sure?
Speaker 4 (19:54):
She's up the house?
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Okay?
Speaker 8 (19:58):
Oh I I just happened to think charcoal. My horse
here in the trailer hasn't had a square meal since
I left headquarters yesterday. Is this some hay around that
I could give him?
Speaker 4 (20:08):
Why? Sure?
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Ranger?
Speaker 7 (20:09):
Some fresh bale just inside bomb there?
Speaker 4 (20:11):
Helps? Thanks be glad to pay for it. No, no,
forget it.
Speaker 7 (20:15):
I'm sure missus Hawks wouldn't mind.
Speaker 8 (20:17):
Oh, have you got something to open one with why
show here, here's my cutters. I took the cutters into
the barn and made some cuts on a wire sample.
After I gave the cutters back to Brad and fed charcoal,
I spoke briefly with Missus Hawks, and then I tore
(20:37):
out for the lab in Austin. By one o'clock, I
got the results. Here it is, Jase, take a look
the wire's mats. Johnny, see for yourself that dual microscope
never lied to me yet.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
The left one's the murder wire. The one on the
right is one of the.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
Samples you brought in. That's it. Well, look at those striations.
It's a perfect match. Thanks Johnny, take care of this stuff.
Got to get back to Finny. Prono. Oh, will you
do me a favor? Sure, Jays.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Call the sheriff at Finney. Tell him I'm on my
way and I got something hot. I'll be there in
two hours.
Speaker 4 (21:15):
Well, Jase, you sure made good time. What do you
find out?
Speaker 8 (21:18):
We got positive proof the murder wire was cut with
Brad Johnson's cutters.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Brad, you gotta pick him up. Not right yet, Sheriff.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Why not?
Speaker 8 (21:25):
We only know that Brad's cutters were used. We don't
know he used him. We got to be sure. What
are your plants, Jason, I've been thinking those stories that
Missus Hawks and Brad told me.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
They were alike, all right, too much alike? What do
you mean? A couple of times they used the exact phrases.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
What about Tom and the black thread?
Speaker 8 (21:42):
They'll keep an eye on him, but I think he's clean.
He could have caught his sleeve on that beam doing anything, pitching, hey, anything.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
He could have Well, what do we doing now? We
got to catch him alone?
Speaker 8 (21:53):
Brad and missus Hawks when they don't know anybody's around.
We got to hear what they say to each other.
Maybe after the funeral. It's this afternoon, four o'clock. You
know where it's being held? Schaff sure, out of the ranch,
be a graveside ceremony. Where's the cemetery? Here are over
on the other side of town from the Hawk's place.
I'll take him a while to get over there and
back sheriff. While they're at the cemetery, You and I
(22:13):
are going to the ranch and fix up a little surprise.
And I'll be all right for that one behind the
window shade.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Quite three microphones, Jase wouldn't one.
Speaker 8 (22:31):
Do now if they wander around the house while they're talking, Sheriff,
I want to hear everything.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
You know that Brad and missus hawks will talk. How
do you know who'll even come into the house. I
don't know, Sheriff.
Speaker 8 (22:42):
I'm guessing, and my guess is that after the funeral
is over, somebody's gonna let his hair down.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Hey, it's almost five, Jase so'll be coming back.
Speaker 8 (22:49):
So I'm finished in here, Sheriff. Now we have to
do a string the wire to the steakeout.
Speaker 4 (22:54):
Come on. We'd hid in my car and a laying down.
Speaker 8 (23:02):
The road and set up our equipping a clump of
trees close to the house. Three neighbors' cars drove up,
then Brad's. We watched him as he fed the stock.
About sundown, the last of the guests left the house.
All the guys, I go, the last of 'em, Sheriff.
Speaker 4 (23:22):
Can you see Brad.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
He's building the borroom of us.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
A few minutes and there he is Jason heading to
the house.
Speaker 8 (23:29):
Good, put on your earphone, the sheriff, I want you
to hear this too.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
There he goes up on the porch.
Speaker 9 (23:36):
Yeah right, oh, Bred, comelean lady.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
Oh, Breda'm so tired and it's scared.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
He nothing that is scared about.
Speaker 6 (23:51):
Everything worked out fine? Oh take me away with your
brand now tonight.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
Many I can't do dow'd you know it?
Speaker 8 (23:57):
Well?
Speaker 6 (23:57):
No, why can't you?
Speaker 5 (23:58):
The plan did?
Speaker 8 (24:00):
Gotta follow the plan.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Look, if we want to wait together, now that napa's
no time, we're gonna let it go.
Speaker 6 (24:06):
I can't spend another night in his house, not a loon.
I can keep seeing his face you holding it?
Speaker 2 (24:13):
Look up here.
Speaker 6 (24:14):
When I put the fill over his face, I can't
stand it.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
I can't.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
Shut up.
Speaker 7 (24:21):
Look you, I've put a lot of hard work on us.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
Alibi has got him. Clear the trail and not go
let him get back on.
Speaker 8 (24:28):
You have all right, Sheriff, I've heard enough. Let's take them.
You cover the back, Sheriff, I'll take the front. Okay, Jaz, all.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Right, all right in there, open up, range your person,
open up.
Speaker 6 (24:49):
What do you want?
Speaker 8 (24:50):
You know what I want? Brad Johnson, he's not here.
I know different, Okay, Sheriff, Let's search the house.
Speaker 7 (24:55):
I don't know what this is all about.
Speaker 8 (24:57):
You'll find out.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Chaff work this.
Speaker 6 (25:01):
Way, Ranger, what's the meaning of this?
Speaker 4 (25:04):
He's not in the back of the house, Jase. Maybe
he's what was that he.
Speaker 8 (25:09):
Was upstairs, Sheriff. Sounds like he jumped from up there.
Come on, don't see him.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
He didn't run for his car, couldn't have gone far.
Speaker 8 (25:17):
Maybe he hit fle the highway us. Watch that chickens
in the barn. Something scared them, and I think I
know what.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
Come on, if we take this right, you've got him trapped.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
I know you're in there. Brad, come on out, all.
Speaker 8 (25:35):
Right, the darkest pitching there, Jason, turn on your flast. Night, Sheriff,
take the other side.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
I'll look behind those.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Okay, what does the cheff pitch work?
Speaker 4 (25:50):
Threw it from the loft?
Speaker 2 (25:52):
Hit me?
Speaker 4 (25:53):
You hurt bad?
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Don't think so? Right shoulder, give me a flash, night, Sheriff. Alright, Brad,
I'm coming up.
Speaker 7 (26:01):
No, no, don't come up.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
I'm coming down. Come out where we can see you.
Then put your hands up. Jasey's Jace.
Speaker 6 (26:16):
You are right?
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Yeah, yeah, fell on his back, hit his head when
I hit him.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
Is he dead?
Speaker 8 (26:24):
No, No, Sheriff, he's not dead, and I can't say
he won't be though, when the state gets through with him.
Speaker 3 (26:46):
After Mildred Hawks turned state's witness. Brad Johnson, confessed to
the murder of his employer. For her part in the crime,
Mildred Hawks received a sentence of fifty years in the
women's prison at Huntsville. Johnson sentence death in the electric chair.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
And now here again is the star of our show,
Joel McCrae.
Speaker 8 (27:17):
While most of the male it comes to us here
at Tales of the Texas Rangers is written by grown ups,
the youngsters have their questions too. Tonight, I'd like to
read you a postcard from a boy in Newark, New Jersey.
It says, dear mister McCrae, I am nine years old.
Me and my friend Tony was talking about being Texas
(27:38):
Rangers when.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
We grow up.
Speaker 8 (27:41):
How do you go about getting that job? Your friend
Tommy Cook? Well, Tommy, A lot of people have asked
us that same question recently, and I guess maybe it's
high time for us to tell them.
Speaker 4 (27:54):
First.
Speaker 8 (27:55):
A ranger has to serve at least ten years as
an outstanding police officer. Then he may compete with others
for the job. If he's selected, he works under the
wing of a Ranger captain for at least six months
and then he's put out in the field with other
seasoned Rangers for a year and a half. By this time,
(28:16):
he is or he isn't a true Texas Ranger and Tommy,
your card's being sent to Colonel Homer Garrison, Junior chief
for the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
Good luck, good night.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Next week Joe mc cray and another authentic reenactment of
a case from the files of but Texas Rangers.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Joel mc cray is currently seen starring in the.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
Universal International Technicolor productions Saddle Trank. Tonight's past included Tony Barrett,
Byron Kane, Buddy lou Gerson, Jeff Corry, and Wall. This
story was transcribed and adapted by Andrew mcbrooms, and the
program was produced and directed by Stacy Keach.
Speaker 4 (29:08):
This is Hell, Give Me Speaking.
Speaker 7 (29:19):
Three Chimes Mean Good Times on NBC.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
Tuesday Nights are Bright with Comedy on NBC.
Speaker 7 (29:26):
Start off the evening with Baby Snooks.
Speaker 8 (29:28):
Here Fiver McGee and Molly of seventy nine Wistful Vista
listen as.
Speaker 9 (29:32):
Art link Letter proves that people are funny and laugh
with Bob Hope and his gang, It's truly fine entertainment.
Every Tuesday Night so be sure to listen for baby snooks,
Fiver McGee and Molly People Are Funny, and Bob Hope
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