August 15, 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 (00:09):
Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae's.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Ranger Chase Pearson.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files
of the Texas Rangers. Name, dates, and places in the
(00:42):
following story are fixtitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves
are a matter of records.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Every day, Monday through Friday, there's top entertainment all day long.
When you've set your radio dial to NBC, listen for
double or Nothing and you'll hear one of radio's funniest
quiz shows. Yes, Walter m'keeffe consistently comes up with great
comedy entertainment Monday through Friday on Double or Nothing. Listen,
then you'll agree. And then there's the program with the heart,
Strike it Rich. The grand entertainment that Warren Hall brings
(01:15):
you every day on Strike it Rich is just what
the doctor ordered. If you suffer from the housework blues
from Chicago, Tommy Bartlett brings you welcome travelers and interviews
with the many interesting guests who.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Each day pass through the Windy City.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And for more fun, listen for Bob and Ray, those
two zany comics. Then there's music and charm with Dave Garaway.
So remember every day, Monday through Friday, chase your blues
away with the wonderful daytime programs on this station of
the NBC Radio Network. And now here's today's tales of
(01:53):
the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
And now from the files of the Texas Rangers, the
case called Smart Killed.
Speaker 5 (02:12):
It is approximately eleven o'clock on the evening of May fourteenth,
nineteen thirty nine, in the small South Texas town of Carville.
Mister and missus Edward Woodley have been spending the evening
at the home of friends. Called to the telephone but
a moment ago, Edwarodley has faced, flushed with excitement, now
hurries across the room to his wife's side, Amy, I.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
Come on, we gotta get out of here, Ed Woodleief
you take a leave of your set?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Yes quick?
Speaker 7 (02:40):
Now can say ed Amy, I'll call you night.
Speaker 8 (02:45):
Tom, I'll explain the minute, say Marca, push over, I'll drive.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Well, I'm livers.
Speaker 7 (02:58):
Ed Woodley. What's the big idea of running out on
a party?
Speaker 9 (03:00):
That?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Heaven?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
I think I did right. I'm not busting up.
Speaker 9 (03:04):
The party, but you certainly didn't help it any Now
would you mind telling me why you made such a
spectacle of yourself, and while you're driving this car like
a mania.
Speaker 8 (03:12):
After that, phone calls from Sheriff Fuller. He said, our
feeding brain company's on fire and.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Burning like fury.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Oh no, that's what he said. Look off there.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
You can see the flames in the sky.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Now.
Speaker 7 (03:23):
Oh oh, why didn't you tell me before?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
I couldn't see any point until about it.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
The party would have busted up for sure.
Speaker 9 (03:31):
I'm sorry I spoke like I did.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
I don't blame him. Oh, I sure hope the fire
departments there. We'll know as soon as we get around
this bend.
Speaker 7 (03:40):
Oh, Seff was right.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
She sure got a good start.
Speaker 7 (03:46):
The carman to the party gets near it. Yeah, I
I'm glad.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
You got here. I'm crazy. She's pretty much on the way.
Was found to go up like tinder, Sheriff.
Speaker 8 (04:03):
She's filed high with feed, grain and cotton.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Oh.
Speaker 8 (04:06):
I sure wish I could get in there for just
about two.
Speaker 7 (04:08):
Minutes, So you damn try to get there there.
Speaker 8 (04:10):
He said, I wish Martha all my ledgers in there.
You know, how'll ever get street on paperwork?
Speaker 10 (04:16):
Harman, are having a terrible time getting close. You can
feel that heat all the way over here.
Speaker 7 (04:20):
Thanks the Lord. It didn't happen when someone was in there.
Speaker 10 (04:23):
That's your office right where that window is, isn't it, ed?
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Mine?
Speaker 8 (04:26):
Just well, MA don't know what is it with a
saw face?
Speaker 5 (04:30):
A man?
Speaker 8 (04:31):
Calm down, Martha, way, flames jump around? You just imagined it.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Yeah, there's nothing there now, Miss Rudy.
Speaker 7 (04:37):
Hey, yeah, I saw face at that window. Seemed to
fall back inside.
Speaker 10 (04:42):
Please court anyone had gotten in there tonight, ed, of
course not.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
There is no look now, sure she's right. Yeah, there's
someone in there. I know I saw him just before
he fell back in.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
We're gonna try to get him.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Sheriff, Oh had your roast? Where you got any one more?
We can't just stand him.
Speaker 10 (05:00):
Something you can do, just one thing, man, pray for him.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
It's too late for anything else.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
The roaring fire rage far into the night, completely destroying
the feed and grain building. Sheriff, full of suspecting criminal intent,
asked for the help of the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jace
Pearson was a sign arriving.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
At Carville the following morning.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
He and Cherff Fuller went immediately to the scene of
the fire, only to find a good many curious townsfolk
already there.
Speaker 10 (05:36):
It's a good thing my deputies were out here all night, Jason.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Folks just wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Stay away, morbid curiosity. Sheriff. Pardon to what you told me?
The body should be right around here somepoint.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Yeah, just about.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Well, that's just over there, Sheriff.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
What is it, Jason?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
What we're looking for?
Speaker 5 (05:55):
You? Now?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
What's left of?
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Good? Lord? That's all awful.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Fire's a pretty awful thing.
Speaker 10 (06:02):
Hey, watch where you kneel, Jason. Hard to tell what's
burned through and what's still solid.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Fire did a real thorough job. It's not gonna be
easy getting an identification on him. He's too far gone.
I was afraid of that. Fire like this didn't just
roar up in a minute, Sheriff. It took time. This
fellaw whoever he is, wasn't drunk or hurt. Why didn't
he get out?
Speaker 4 (06:22):
I never thought of that.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I want to see the front and back doors, Sheriff.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
Sure, thing this way, Jason. Here's the back door right here, Sure,
not much left of it. This helps padlock?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Huh, A big one locks from the outside. Still locked.
Let's get to that front door over this way. Be careful, Sheriff.
A lot of these spots still hold their heat.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Yeah, I know it. The front door should be about
here someplace.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
This is it, I got it, Sheriff. Another padlock.
Speaker 10 (06:58):
This one locks from the out side too. I guess
I'd answered your question of why he didn't get out.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
It sure does. It couldn't have been an accident. He
was put in here. That makes it murder with malice, Sheriff.
That figures, Well, what's the next move Right now? There's
only one important thing, identification of the body. Since the
JP's threw with him, we'll have an autopsy performed.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
Sure, not much left of him to work with.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I know maybe his teeth will tell us something.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
But that'll take some time.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Jason won't be just standing idle in the meantime, Sheriff.
There's a lot of work to be done, a lot
of work. An hour later, the sheriff and I were
at the home of Ed Woodley, the man who owned
the burned out building. Both Woodley and his wife looked
haggard and weary eyed over their coffee cups. It was
(07:47):
easy to believe they'd been at the fire all night.
Once the sheriff had introduced us, Woodley lost no time
getting to the point. What'd you find out? Ranger? You
know who that man is?
Speaker 4 (07:57):
You?
Speaker 2 (07:57):
No, mister Woodley, we don't.
Speaker 10 (08:00):
I'll be in the kitchen if anybody wants anything.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Body was pretty well burned, mister Woodley, gonna be hard
to identify. We can use your help if you got
any idea who he could be or how he got
in there. No, at least died in the world. The
building always kept locked at night, always, Ranger. From what
I could see, there are just two doors and how
many windows? Two? And they look burglar proof to me
(08:23):
they were, but not fireproof. You own the feed and
grain business by yourself, mister Woodley.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
No, Sam Taylor's my partner in the business. It's got
that form of the joint mine and.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I see, mister Woodley, who else beside yourself has a
key to the building.
Speaker 6 (08:39):
Why there's only two keys, Rangers, Sam's got one and
I got there there? Yeah, this is mine right here?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Where can I find your partner?
Speaker 6 (08:48):
I'm ready to have to wait on that, Ranger. Sam's
been on the road from on a week. He does
a traveling for us. Think he's in Dallas now, but
he should be home to day. So you think, mister Woodley,
don't you know where Sam's got much of a hand
for phone?
Speaker 2 (09:01):
And me ranging? What do you mean?
Speaker 6 (09:04):
He and his wife have only been married about a year.
I guess you'd call him a kind of lovesick fellow.
When he's on the road, he does all his phone
to his wife, Well, look her up. I don't suppose
I've been much helped you, Ranger, just can't figure how
a thing like this could happen.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Be a lot easier to figure later on, mister Woodley.
After we find out who the man was in the fire,
the sheriff and I got in the car and drove
to the farm of Sam Taylor, at Woodley's partner. Though
the two partners farms had joined each other, they were
both big spreads and the drive took a good fifteen minutes.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
Madhouse was just a little farther down the road.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Jason, good looking farm, Sriff.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
You don't have to worry about Sam Taylor or Ed Woodley.
Speaker 10 (09:50):
Everybody in town knows they got no use for each other,
but the business wise they do right well for themselves.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
You get the feeling Woodley's got no use for his
partner's wife, sheriff.
Speaker 10 (10:00):
Uh, she is kind of uppity, keeps to herself mostly.
That's one of the reasons Sam Taylor isn't as popular
as he might be.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
This is Jason turning here. Uh huh, Javes, tell me something.
Are you figuring Woodley burn down his own building for
some reason?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Say like insurance doesn't figure if he wanted to do that,
you sure wouldn't put a body in there.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
Yeah, right, that don't make sense.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Who runs this place for him?
Speaker 4 (10:27):
We got a Mexican new heads most of it.
Speaker 7 (10:34):
Yes, Oh, Sheriff Fuller, Old.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
Morning, Miss Taylor. This is Ranger Pierson.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Ranger man.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
Is there something I can do for you?
Speaker 2 (10:45):
We'd like to talk to you for me, of course.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
Won't you come in.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I hope we're not interrupting anything.
Speaker 7 (10:51):
Of course, not if I gave you that idea.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
All I thought I heard you talking to someone. Oh,
that must have been the radio.
Speaker 9 (10:57):
You'll have to give the house being so untidy to
get at my housework with with people, phone, and to
tell me about five excuse me, I'll just turn that
radio own.
Speaker 7 (11:08):
Won't you sit down?
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Thank you?
Speaker 9 (11:10):
Ma'am? Now, Uh, what can I do for you?
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It's about your husband? Missus Taylor, mister Woodley says he's
out of town.
Speaker 9 (11:18):
That's right, he's out of town working while mister Woodley
stays at home.
Speaker 7 (11:22):
Can't even prevent the business from burnnon down.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
You know that there was a body found in the fire,
Missus Taylor, it's so un here. We'd like to talk
to your husband exactly where is he now?
Speaker 7 (11:33):
Why? How could he possibly have anything to do with us?
He's in Dallas.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Where's he staying at the Barkley Hotel? Have you heard
from him since he's been away?
Speaker 7 (11:41):
Yes? He called me from there night.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Before last, and you haven't heard from him since. No,
That's what we wanted to know. Thanks for your help,
Missus Taylor.
Speaker 7 (11:50):
You're quite well ranger. Have you any idea yet? Who
could have started this? Fine?
Speaker 2 (11:55):
We're more interested than the man who died in it,
of course. Goodbye man, goodbye?
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Hey ja?
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Wait do we get that car? What were you gonna say? Sher?
Speaker 10 (12:10):
When she first opened the front door, did you hear
a door in the back?
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Slam him?
Speaker 2 (12:15):
And did better than that? From where I was through
the window, I could see a man high tailoring was
away from the house. Looked like a Mexican.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
Tall, good looking fellow.
Speaker 10 (12:22):
Yeah, Artur Rams, he's the FOREMANA I was telling you about.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Oh I wonder what he was doing in the house
this time of day.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
That's what I was thinking. Well, what do we do now.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Jason run up to Dallas and hear what Sam Taylor
has to say. We made good time on the road,
and at five o'clock that afternoon, walked into the lobby
at the Barkley Hotel in Dallas. As we approached the desk,
the room clerk, fussy little man about fifty, looked up
(12:54):
at us over his bifocals, Yes, said, can I help him?
What room is Sam Taylor in? Please?
Speaker 7 (13:01):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (13:01):
He's in room for one or was it four or three?
Just let me check on that, will you please?
Speaker 10 (13:09):
You know, Jesse, if Sam Taylor had anything to do
with that fire being register here to give him a
pretty strong alibiro.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
I'm terribly sorry, sir, I was mistaken.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
That's all right. What room is he?
Speaker 4 (13:20):
Well, that's just it, sir, isn't in any room. Mister
Taylor checked out three days ago.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
In just a moment, we will continue with Tales of
the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCrae.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
As Ranger Jase Pearson.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
You've seen it happen time and time again. Children playing
a ball rolls into the street, A child rushes after
it full in the path of a speeding automobile. Perhaps
the driver stops in time. The chances are he can't.
Another tragedy, another accident due to carelessness, is chalked up
to become a figure our next year statistical chart of
(14:07):
traffic accidents. Let's all keep this year's traffic accident rate
as low as possible.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Stay within the speed limit.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Don't endanger your life by trying to get somewhere too quickly.
Better late than never, maybe a tired old saying, but
it's also good common sense.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
Be alert and careful every moment you are behind the wheel.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Never drive after drinking, stick to your side of the road,
and watch for warnings at grade crossings. Remember it's your
life that's at stake. You can't afford to be careless.
A life you save may be your own. And now
we return you to Tales of the Texas Laces.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
We continue now with Tales of the Texas Rangers and
our authentic story smart Kill.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
We were fairly sure that missus Taylor had lied about
receiving her husband's call from the Dallas Hotel, since the
record showed he had left there three days before. As
we approached Carrville the following morning, we were radioed at
the autopsy report was waiting for us the sheriff's office.
We decided to look at it first before our talk
with missus Taylor.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Anything interesting in it?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Jason Plenty, Sheriff. There was a removable bridge in the
victim's mouth. Doc turned it over to the lab crew.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
Boy that gets your healthy, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
And listen to this. A broken knife blade, approximately three
inches in the length, found lodged in the third rib,
just below the heart.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
Dad.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
From condition of the rib, knife was apparently driven in
with great force, the rib bone itself deflecting the blow
away from the heart.
Speaker 10 (15:50):
But I saw him at the window trying to get
out of that burning building.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Sounds like something the killer didn't figure on. But me,
I got a hunch the victim wasn't supposed to be
alive when he was put in there.
Speaker 10 (16:00):
Oh excuse me, Jiff Phuller. Oh, yeah, Johnny, we just
got in. Yeah, we just been looking over the autopsy report.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
Well good. We figured you would.
Speaker 10 (16:15):
Let us know if you hear anything. Huh, fine, that
was your lab man, Jace. He just wants you to
know he sent out pictures of the victim's bridge worked
all the dentists in the county.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Hope we get a quick identification on those teeth, and
we won't be working only on theories.
Speaker 10 (16:30):
Jace, you're thinking that body could be Sam Taylor, aren't you?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
What else can I think? Sheriff, he left Dallas more
than three days ago. Missus Taylor lied to us about
that phone call. I think that body in the fire
stands a pretty good chance of being Taylor. Come on,
let's get out to Missus Taylor's and see what she's
got to say.
Speaker 9 (17:01):
Oh but good morning, Ranger Erriff Fuller corner, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
We'd like to have another talk with you.
Speaker 9 (17:08):
You don't mind, well, I would it be all right
if I dropped around the office later in the day instead.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I think it's important enough that we talk now, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
Very well, come in.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
The way.
Speaker 7 (17:25):
You keep the plan.
Speaker 5 (17:26):
Oh I'm sorry I didn't know that you had.
Speaker 7 (17:30):
But that's all right.
Speaker 9 (17:31):
Ur Turo, this is Ranger Pierson and Sheriff Fuller. Arturo Ramirez,
our foreman Turo is not only our foreman, he also
cooks the best Mexican food in the state. He's making
enchiladas for lunch. Now, if you gentlemen would care to stay.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Thanks, Just the same, Missus Taylor. It's a little early
for lunch.
Speaker 7 (17:50):
Well, of course it won't be ready for a while.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
Yeah, I see, say good Meican cooking takes yir a
lot of time. You know it might must be started
early in the day.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
Well, ye, if you haven't, no fear the need of
me eh. I returned to the kitchen when.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Missus Taylor, why did you tell us your husband called
from Dallas two days ago?
Speaker 7 (18:13):
Because he did?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Why we went to Dallas after we left here yesterday?
Her husband checked out of the Barklay Hotel three days ago.
Speaker 7 (18:20):
Oh but that's impossible, tailor, excuse me a minnie.
Speaker 9 (18:25):
Hello, Yes, he's a uh in just a minute, it's
for you, ranger.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Thanks, hello, Pearson. They did good? Who that definite? I see?
Thanks a lot. That was a labman's sheriff and deputy
told him we'd be here thenis about fifteen miles from here?
(18:52):
Identified that bridgework?
Speaker 4 (18:54):
Who was the dead man? Jas who we thought it was?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Yeah, it's not easy to say this, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 10 (19:03):
What is it?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
They've identified the man in the fire. It was your husband?
Speaker 7 (19:09):
Oh no, oh no, I'm.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Afraid so, ma'am. Would you rather we came back at
another time, Missus Taylor, I'll be all right. I hate
to ask questions at a time like this, but they're
some things we have to know.
Speaker 10 (19:26):
What is it, you will?
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Who's your husband's beneficiary, Missus Taylor?
Speaker 7 (19:32):
Well, I am, of course, who else would be?
Speaker 9 (19:35):
I know what you're thinking that I had something to
do with his death, But you're crazy, you hear me.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
This is our job, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 7 (19:42):
I'll give you something to think about. I'll show you. You
want an aspect? Do you you just wait? I show
you this insurance policy?
Speaker 9 (19:50):
Fare me for god reason, there's a policy on my husband's.
Speaker 7 (19:55):
Life of fifty thousand dollars. And who's a beneficiary on
that one?
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Who is the case?
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Edward Woodley? The sheriff and I left. Missus Taylor got
in the car and drove to the adjoining farm of
ed Woodley. I wanted to know about that policy. I'd
just been shown.
Speaker 6 (20:19):
Well, sure, Ranger, that policy has been in effect for
about three years one of those personal policies.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Why was it taken out?
Speaker 6 (20:26):
Well, it's pretty common practice when two partners are important
to a business. Ask any insurance man. If Sam dies,
I collect by die, he collects.
Speaker 4 (20:33):
Why didn't you mention it when we were here before?
Speaker 2 (20:36):
Didn't see any reason to. I still don't. Why are
you so interested in that policy anyway? Because you're about
to collect on it. The dead man in the fire
was your partner, Sam, Well, but how did he Are
you sure, Ranger? We're sure. I think you better come
down with us to the Sheriff's off as mister Woodley,
(20:57):
what for why? Because you profit by your partner's death.
That could be a pretty good motive for murder. For
a minute, I thought Woodley was gonna give us trouble.
Then without a word, he got his hat and came
along with us. When we got to the Sheriff's office,
we left Woodley with a deputy and went into the
(21:18):
inner office to see Johnny Blanche, our lab man. He
was packing the dead man's effects in a cardboard box
as we entered, but I finished up Johnny.
Speaker 10 (21:29):
Yeah, there's nothing much more I can do until I
get this stuff to the lab.
Speaker 4 (21:32):
I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long.
Speaker 10 (21:34):
Oh no, I have been making out a receipt for you, Sheriff.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
I'll just sign it and get along.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
I see that receipt, Johnny. Sure, ye, yes, thanks Walter
ken Coins.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Anything wrong, Jace? I'm should I listed everything?
Speaker 2 (21:51):
Johnny? Would you mind if I take a look at
that box?
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Why not at all?
Speaker 2 (21:59):
Everything?
Speaker 1 (21:59):
Then?
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Yeah? Everything you got on your list? But I don't
know something's wait a minute. The key? Where is his key?
Speaker 4 (22:11):
What key?
Speaker 2 (22:13):
The one Taylor used to get in the building.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
There wasn't any key found on Taylor's body.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Well, if there wasn't, we got the wrong man sitting
in the outer office. How do you mean, Jace, don't
you see, Sheriff, there were only two keys to the building,
one for each partner. Taylor's is missing. Now, if Woodley
were the killer, he wouldn't have to steal Taylor's key.
Speaker 10 (22:31):
You mean someone used Taylor's key to get him.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
Into the building.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Sure looks like it.
Speaker 10 (22:35):
Yeah, but jas missus, Taylor'd be the only other one
who could profit by her husband's death, and she wouldn't
have the strength to get him in there.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Unless she had some help. Yeah, but who that Mexican
foreman of hers. He seemed obliging in a lot of ways.
Maybe the motive wasn't money after all.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Yeah, they were pretty friendly.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Sheriff. Lets you and I pay another visit with the
lady who was so broken up by her husband's death.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
After we got a.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Search warrant, we took mister Woodley to his house. Ten
minutes later, the sheriff and I were knocking at missus
Taylor's front door. There was no one home. We decided
to wait till she showed up. Thirty yards from the
house was Ramira's shack and the door was unlocked, so
we went in and looked.
Speaker 10 (23:19):
Jace, this drawer here is just cram full of expensive shirts. M.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Something interesting here too, What do you got expensive piece
of luggage? And look at those initials St.
Speaker 4 (23:31):
Sam Taylor and sure.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Doesn't stand for our Touro Ramirez who more shirts? M. Yes,
he didn't have enough room for him in the drawer.
Speaker 10 (23:40):
Yeah, at least sure proves Taylor came back home.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Yeah, probably found ra mirrors in the house. That's what
started though.
Speaker 10 (23:48):
Yeah, wait a minute, Jason, there's a car coming could
be there, and.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
I leave the bag here let's get outside. We can
just about meet him at the house. Sheriff.
Speaker 10 (23:58):
I wanna hear him explain what we followed the next
shack they'll try.
Speaker 7 (24:05):
You've seem good luck here, ranger, you ssit so awten.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
This will be the last time, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 7 (24:12):
I'll put the car away.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
You'll leave the car right where it is, Ramirez, get
out of it and come over here.
Speaker 7 (24:17):
See I call.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Missus Taylor. I got a search warrant here. I'll start
with your handbag.
Speaker 7 (24:26):
Are you no right to do this?
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Here's the key, Sheriff, same kind Woodley has.
Speaker 7 (24:33):
That's my husband's keys.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
That's the first time you've told the truth, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
What about you?
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Ramirez? Yes, you you've got an idea where we can
find half a knife?
Speaker 4 (24:44):
Knife? What knife?
Speaker 2 (24:46):
The one mister Taylor was stabbed with?
Speaker 7 (24:48):
You're crazy?
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Here here's my knife, yeah, shiny and new. But how
are you gonna explain Taylor's shirts and the luggage in
your shack? Ramirez? I want to hear that you fool
A forty dollars bag and a couple of dozen shirts.
You just couldn't resist.
Speaker 7 (25:05):
I didn't need to do it, just started to fight
with me.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
It's her idea to make a fire as would look
like an accident.
Speaker 7 (25:12):
I won't die for you. I won't, I said, pet.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
You.
Speaker 7 (25:23):
In sight of you, I wish i'd never seen you.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
You won't have to worry about that anymore, Missus Taylor,
I don't think you're gonna see each other for a
long long time.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
In just a moment, we will tell you the results
of the case you have just heard.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Throughout the remainder of the day, you'll find more great
entertainment awaiting you on this NBC station. Be sure to
hear the First Nighter starring Barbara Latti and Olin Soult,
and the drama entitled Found One Mother. Then it Stars
in Khaki and Blue, featuring talented members of the Armed Forces,
but Meredith Wilson as guest Master of Ceremonies. And be
sure to hear the hilarious Phil Harris Alice Fay Show,
(26:12):
featuring the comedy addicts of Frankie Reveley, Julius Abruzzio, and
Brother William. Remember too, that Theater Guild on the Air
brings you over twenty one the hilarious comedy of Army
Life by an Army Wife Ruth Gordon, who will star
in the airplay along with Van Heflin. Later tonight, Jack
Parr will be around.
Speaker 4 (26:29):
To ask the sixty four dollars question.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
Sunday is fun Day on NBC because of the many
fine shows sent your way to add to your listening pleasure.
So remember for fine entertainment hall the rest of the day,
keep tune to this station of the NBC Radio Network
at home or away, at work or at play. Wherever
you go, there's radio. And now back to the conclusion
of today's tales of the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
How here are the results of the case you have
just heard.
Speaker 5 (27:04):
On July eleventh, nineteen thirty nine, Peggy Taylor and our
turo Romires were tried for the murder of Samuel Taylor.
Speaker 4 (27:11):
They were found guilty.
Speaker 5 (27:12):
Peggy Taylor was sentenced to the women's prisoner gory for
forty years, and our turo Ro Mirors was sent to
Huntsville Penitentiary for the rest of his life. And here
again it's the star of our show, Joel McCrae.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Folks, I want to take this opportunity to thank you
again for the many wonderful letters that we've received from
you listeners. Hearing from you brings us just a little
closer to our family of friends who listened to tales
of the Texas Rangers each week. I want to tell
you a little story about our good friend and technical advisor,
Captain M. T. Lone Wolf Gonzales. Several years ago, Kilgore, Texas,
(27:47):
found an oil field at his front door. In eight weeks,
the dusty, sleepy little village of nine hundred population became
a sprawling, brawling city of twenty five thousand. Strangers streamed
in for the thousands, and with the good peace people
came the Motley heart of confidence men, gamblers, and professional thugs.
Soon the honest, hard working people of the community found
(28:07):
themselves at the mercy of these racketeers. Gonzalez was ordered
to go in and clean up the community. In his
first offensive, he rounded up five hundred persons whom he
considered undesirable and clapped them in jail. When I asked
him how he could tell the good people from the bad,
he said, well, in those days, it wasn't hard at all.
I just looked at their hands. If they had working
(28:28):
man's hands with callouses on him, I figured they were
trying to make an honest dollar. But if their hands
were smooth and lily white, I reckoned, they weren't up
to too much good into the Who's gal They'd go
wasn't wrong very often either. It's a long folks, see
you next week.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
Next week Krol McCrae and another authentic reenactment of a
case from the files of but Texas Rangers Joel McCrae
(29:15):
will soon be seen in San Francisco's Story, a Warner
Brothers release. The cast included Tony Barrett, Parley Bear, Virginia,
Greg Barney Phillips, Betty lou Gerson, and Howard McNair. Technical
advisor was Captain M. T. Lone Wolf Gonzales of the
Texas Rangers. This story was transcribed and adapted by Anthony Barrett.
Then the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keach.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
Hell give Me Speaking
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Next, It's The Chase on NBC
Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae's.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Ranger Chase Pearson.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files
of the Texas Rangers. Name, dates, and places in the
(00:42):
following story are fixtitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves
are a matter of records.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Every day, Monday through Friday, there's top entertainment all day long.
When you've set your radio dial to NBC, listen for
double or Nothing and you'll hear one of radio's funniest
quiz shows. Yes, Walter m'keeffe consistently comes up with great
comedy entertainment Monday through Friday on Double or Nothing. Listen,
then you'll agree. And then there's the program with the heart,
Strike it Rich. The grand entertainment that Warren Hall brings
(01:15):
you every day on Strike it Rich is just what
the doctor ordered. If you suffer from the housework blues
from Chicago, Tommy Bartlett brings you welcome travelers and interviews
with the many interesting guests who.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Each day pass through the Windy City.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And for more fun, listen for Bob and Ray, those
two zany comics. Then there's music and charm with Dave Garaway.
So remember every day, Monday through Friday, chase your blues
away with the wonderful daytime programs on this station of
the NBC Radio Network. And now here's today's tales of
(01:53):
the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
And now from the files of the Texas Rangers, the
case called Smart Killed.
Speaker 5 (02:12):
It is approximately eleven o'clock on the evening of May fourteenth,
nineteen thirty nine, in the small South Texas town of Carville.
Mister and missus Edward Woodley have been spending the evening
at the home of friends. Called to the telephone but
a moment ago, Edwarodley has faced, flushed with excitement, now
hurries across the room to his wife's side, Amy, I.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
Come on, we gotta get out of here, Ed Woodleief
you take a leave of your set?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Yes quick?
Speaker 7 (02:40):
Now can say ed Amy, I'll call you night.
Speaker 8 (02:45):
Tom, I'll explain the minute, say Marca, push over, I'll drive.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Well, I'm livers.
Speaker 7 (02:58):
Ed Woodley. What's the big idea of running out on
a party?
Speaker 9 (03:00):
That?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Heaven?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
I think I did right. I'm not busting up.
Speaker 9 (03:04):
The party, but you certainly didn't help it any Now
would you mind telling me why you made such a
spectacle of yourself, and while you're driving this car like
a mania.
Speaker 8 (03:12):
After that, phone calls from Sheriff Fuller. He said, our
feeding brain company's on fire and.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Burning like fury.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Oh no, that's what he said. Look off there.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
You can see the flames in the sky.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Now.
Speaker 7 (03:23):
Oh oh, why didn't you tell me before?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
I couldn't see any point until about it.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
The party would have busted up for sure.
Speaker 9 (03:31):
I'm sorry I spoke like I did.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
I don't blame him. Oh, I sure hope the fire
departments there. We'll know as soon as we get around
this bend.
Speaker 7 (03:40):
Oh, Seff was right.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
She sure got a good start.
Speaker 7 (03:46):
The carman to the party gets near it. Yeah, I
I'm glad.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
You got here. I'm crazy. She's pretty much on the way.
Was found to go up like tinder, Sheriff.
Speaker 8 (04:03):
She's filed high with feed, grain and cotton.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Oh.
Speaker 8 (04:06):
I sure wish I could get in there for just
about two.
Speaker 7 (04:08):
Minutes, So you damn try to get there there.
Speaker 8 (04:10):
He said, I wish Martha all my ledgers in there.
You know, how'll ever get street on paperwork?
Speaker 10 (04:16):
Harman, are having a terrible time getting close. You can
feel that heat all the way over here.
Speaker 7 (04:20):
Thanks the Lord. It didn't happen when someone was in there.
Speaker 10 (04:23):
That's your office right where that window is, isn't it, ed?
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Mine?
Speaker 8 (04:26):
Just well, MA don't know what is it with a
saw face?
Speaker 5 (04:30):
A man?
Speaker 8 (04:31):
Calm down, Martha, way, flames jump around? You just imagined it.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Yeah, there's nothing there now, Miss Rudy.
Speaker 7 (04:37):
Hey, yeah, I saw face at that window. Seemed to
fall back inside.
Speaker 10 (04:42):
Please court anyone had gotten in there tonight, ed, of
course not.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
There is no look now, sure she's right. Yeah, there's
someone in there. I know I saw him just before
he fell back in.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
We're gonna try to get him.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Sheriff, Oh had your roast? Where you got any one more?
We can't just stand him.
Speaker 10 (05:00):
Something you can do, just one thing, man, pray for him.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
It's too late for anything else.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
The roaring fire rage far into the night, completely destroying
the feed and grain building. Sheriff, full of suspecting criminal intent,
asked for the help of the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jace
Pearson was a sign arriving.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
At Carville the following morning.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
He and Cherff Fuller went immediately to the scene of
the fire, only to find a good many curious townsfolk
already there.
Speaker 10 (05:36):
It's a good thing my deputies were out here all night, Jason.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Folks just wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Stay away, morbid curiosity. Sheriff. Pardon to what you told me?
The body should be right around here somepoint.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Yeah, just about.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Well, that's just over there, Sheriff.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
What is it, Jason?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
What we're looking for?
Speaker 5 (05:55):
You? Now?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
What's left of?
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Good? Lord? That's all awful.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Fire's a pretty awful thing.
Speaker 10 (06:02):
Hey, watch where you kneel, Jason. Hard to tell what's
burned through and what's still solid.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Fire did a real thorough job. It's not gonna be
easy getting an identification on him. He's too far gone.
I was afraid of that. Fire like this didn't just
roar up in a minute, Sheriff. It took time. This
fellaw whoever he is, wasn't drunk or hurt. Why didn't
he get out?
Speaker 4 (06:22):
I never thought of that.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I want to see the front and back doors, Sheriff.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
Sure, thing this way, Jason. Here's the back door right here, Sure,
not much left of it. This helps padlock?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Huh, A big one locks from the outside. Still locked.
Let's get to that front door over this way. Be careful, Sheriff.
A lot of these spots still hold their heat.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Yeah, I know it. The front door should be about
here someplace.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
This is it, I got it, Sheriff. Another padlock.
Speaker 10 (06:58):
This one locks from the out side too. I guess
I'd answered your question of why he didn't get out.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
It sure does. It couldn't have been an accident. He
was put in here. That makes it murder with malice, Sheriff.
That figures, Well, what's the next move Right now? There's
only one important thing, identification of the body. Since the
JP's threw with him, we'll have an autopsy performed.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
Sure, not much left of him to work with.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
I know maybe his teeth will tell us something.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
But that'll take some time.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Jason won't be just standing idle in the meantime, Sheriff.
There's a lot of work to be done, a lot
of work. An hour later, the sheriff and I were
at the home of Ed Woodley, the man who owned
the burned out building. Both Woodley and his wife looked
haggard and weary eyed over their coffee cups. It was
(07:47):
easy to believe they'd been at the fire all night.
Once the sheriff had introduced us, Woodley lost no time
getting to the point. What'd you find out? Ranger? You
know who that man is?
Speaker 4 (07:57):
You?
Speaker 2 (07:57):
No, mister Woodley, we don't.
Speaker 10 (08:00):
I'll be in the kitchen if anybody wants anything.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Body was pretty well burned, mister Woodley, gonna be hard
to identify. We can use your help if you got
any idea who he could be or how he got
in there. No, at least died in the world. The
building always kept locked at night, always, Ranger. From what
I could see, there are just two doors and how
many windows? Two? And they look burglar proof to me
(08:23):
they were, but not fireproof. You own the feed and
grain business by yourself, mister Woodley.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
No, Sam Taylor's my partner in the business. It's got
that form of the joint mine and.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I see, mister Woodley, who else beside yourself has a
key to the building.
Speaker 6 (08:39):
Why there's only two keys, Rangers, Sam's got one and
I got there there? Yeah, this is mine right here?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Where can I find your partner?
Speaker 6 (08:48):
I'm ready to have to wait on that, Ranger. Sam's
been on the road from on a week. He does
a traveling for us. Think he's in Dallas now, but
he should be home to day. So you think, mister Woodley,
don't you know where Sam's got much of a hand
for phone?
Speaker 2 (09:01):
And me ranging? What do you mean?
Speaker 6 (09:04):
He and his wife have only been married about a year.
I guess you'd call him a kind of lovesick fellow.
When he's on the road, he does all his phone
to his wife, Well, look her up. I don't suppose
I've been much helped you, Ranger, just can't figure how
a thing like this could happen.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Be a lot easier to figure later on, mister Woodley.
After we find out who the man was in the fire,
the sheriff and I got in the car and drove
to the farm of Sam Taylor, at Woodley's partner. Though
the two partners farms had joined each other, they were
both big spreads and the drive took a good fifteen minutes.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
Madhouse was just a little farther down the road.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Jason, good looking farm, Sriff.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
You don't have to worry about Sam Taylor or Ed Woodley.
Speaker 10 (09:50):
Everybody in town knows they got no use for each other,
but the business wise they do right well for themselves.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
You get the feeling Woodley's got no use for his
partner's wife, sheriff.
Speaker 10 (10:00):
Uh, she is kind of uppity, keeps to herself mostly.
That's one of the reasons Sam Taylor isn't as popular
as he might be.
Speaker 4 (10:07):
This is Jason turning here. Uh huh, Javes, tell me something.
Are you figuring Woodley burn down his own building for
some reason?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Say like insurance doesn't figure if he wanted to do that,
you sure wouldn't put a body in there.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
Yeah, right, that don't make sense.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Who runs this place for him?
Speaker 4 (10:27):
We got a Mexican new heads most of it.
Speaker 7 (10:34):
Yes, Oh, Sheriff Fuller, Old.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
Morning, Miss Taylor. This is Ranger Pierson.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Ranger man.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
Is there something I can do for you?
Speaker 2 (10:45):
We'd like to talk to you for me, of course.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
Won't you come in.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I hope we're not interrupting anything.
Speaker 7 (10:51):
Of course, not if I gave you that idea.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
All I thought I heard you talking to someone. Oh,
that must have been the radio.
Speaker 9 (10:57):
You'll have to give the house being so untidy to
get at my housework with with people, phone, and to
tell me about five excuse me, I'll just turn that
radio own.
Speaker 7 (11:08):
Won't you sit down?
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Thank you?
Speaker 9 (11:10):
Ma'am? Now, Uh, what can I do for you?
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It's about your husband? Missus Taylor, mister Woodley says he's
out of town.
Speaker 9 (11:18):
That's right, he's out of town working while mister Woodley
stays at home.
Speaker 7 (11:22):
Can't even prevent the business from burnnon down.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
You know that there was a body found in the fire,
Missus Taylor, it's so un here. We'd like to talk
to your husband exactly where is he now?
Speaker 7 (11:33):
Why? How could he possibly have anything to do with us?
He's in Dallas.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Where's he staying at the Barkley Hotel? Have you heard
from him since he's been away?
Speaker 7 (11:41):
Yes? He called me from there night.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Before last, and you haven't heard from him since. No,
That's what we wanted to know. Thanks for your help,
Missus Taylor.
Speaker 7 (11:50):
You're quite well ranger. Have you any idea yet? Who
could have started this? Fine?
Speaker 2 (11:55):
We're more interested than the man who died in it,
of course. Goodbye man, goodbye?
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Hey ja?
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Wait do we get that car? What were you gonna say? Sher?
Speaker 10 (12:10):
When she first opened the front door, did you hear
a door in the back?
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Slam him?
Speaker 2 (12:15):
And did better than that? From where I was through
the window, I could see a man high tailoring was
away from the house. Looked like a Mexican.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
Tall, good looking fellow.
Speaker 10 (12:22):
Yeah, Artur Rams, he's the FOREMANA I was telling you about.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Oh I wonder what he was doing in the house
this time of day.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
That's what I was thinking. Well, what do we do now.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Jason run up to Dallas and hear what Sam Taylor
has to say. We made good time on the road,
and at five o'clock that afternoon, walked into the lobby
at the Barkley Hotel in Dallas. As we approached the desk,
the room clerk, fussy little man about fifty, looked up
(12:54):
at us over his bifocals, Yes, said, can I help him?
What room is Sam Taylor in? Please?
Speaker 7 (13:01):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (13:01):
He's in room for one or was it four or three?
Just let me check on that, will you please?
Speaker 10 (13:09):
You know, Jesse, if Sam Taylor had anything to do
with that fire being register here to give him a
pretty strong alibiro.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
I'm terribly sorry, sir, I was mistaken.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
That's all right. What room is he?
Speaker 4 (13:20):
Well, that's just it, sir, isn't in any room. Mister
Taylor checked out three days ago.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
In just a moment, we will continue with Tales of
the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCrae.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
As Ranger Jase Pearson.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
You've seen it happen time and time again. Children playing
a ball rolls into the street, A child rushes after
it full in the path of a speeding automobile. Perhaps
the driver stops in time. The chances are he can't.
Another tragedy, another accident due to carelessness, is chalked up
to become a figure our next year statistical chart of
(14:07):
traffic accidents. Let's all keep this year's traffic accident rate
as low as possible.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Stay within the speed limit.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Don't endanger your life by trying to get somewhere too quickly.
Better late than never, maybe a tired old saying, but
it's also good common sense.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
Be alert and careful every moment you are behind the wheel.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Never drive after drinking, stick to your side of the road,
and watch for warnings at grade crossings. Remember it's your
life that's at stake. You can't afford to be careless.
A life you save may be your own. And now
we return you to Tales of the Texas Laces.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
We continue now with Tales of the Texas Rangers and
our authentic story smart Kill.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
We were fairly sure that missus Taylor had lied about
receiving her husband's call from the Dallas Hotel, since the
record showed he had left there three days before. As
we approached Carrville the following morning, we were radioed at
the autopsy report was waiting for us the sheriff's office.
We decided to look at it first before our talk
with missus Taylor.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Anything interesting in it?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Jason Plenty, Sheriff. There was a removable bridge in the
victim's mouth. Doc turned it over to the lab crew.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
Boy that gets your healthy, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
And listen to this. A broken knife blade, approximately three
inches in the length, found lodged in the third rib,
just below the heart.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
Dad.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
From condition of the rib, knife was apparently driven in
with great force, the rib bone itself deflecting the blow
away from the heart.
Speaker 10 (15:50):
But I saw him at the window trying to get
out of that burning building.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Sounds like something the killer didn't figure on. But me,
I got a hunch the victim wasn't supposed to be
alive when he was put in there.
Speaker 10 (16:00):
Oh excuse me, Jiff Phuller. Oh, yeah, Johnny, we just
got in. Yeah, we just been looking over the autopsy report.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
Well good. We figured you would.
Speaker 10 (16:15):
Let us know if you hear anything. Huh, fine, that
was your lab man, Jace. He just wants you to
know he sent out pictures of the victim's bridge worked
all the dentists in the county.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Hope we get a quick identification on those teeth, and
we won't be working only on theories.
Speaker 10 (16:30):
Jace, you're thinking that body could be Sam Taylor, aren't you?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
What else can I think? Sheriff, he left Dallas more
than three days ago. Missus Taylor lied to us about
that phone call. I think that body in the fire
stands a pretty good chance of being Taylor. Come on,
let's get out to Missus Taylor's and see what she's
got to say.
Speaker 9 (17:01):
Oh but good morning, Ranger Erriff Fuller corner, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
We'd like to have another talk with you.
Speaker 9 (17:08):
You don't mind, well, I would it be all right
if I dropped around the office later in the day instead.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I think it's important enough that we talk now, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
Very well, come in.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
The way.
Speaker 7 (17:25):
You keep the plan.
Speaker 5 (17:26):
Oh I'm sorry I didn't know that you had.
Speaker 7 (17:30):
But that's all right.
Speaker 9 (17:31):
Ur Turo, this is Ranger Pierson and Sheriff Fuller. Arturo Ramirez,
our foreman Turo is not only our foreman, he also
cooks the best Mexican food in the state. He's making
enchiladas for lunch. Now, if you gentlemen would care to stay.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Thanks, Just the same, Missus Taylor. It's a little early
for lunch.
Speaker 7 (17:50):
Well, of course it won't be ready for a while.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
Yeah, I see, say good Meican cooking takes yir a
lot of time. You know it might must be started
early in the day.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
Well, ye, if you haven't, no fear the need of
me eh. I returned to the kitchen when.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Missus Taylor, why did you tell us your husband called
from Dallas two days ago?
Speaker 7 (18:13):
Because he did?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Why we went to Dallas after we left here yesterday?
Her husband checked out of the Barklay Hotel three days ago.
Speaker 7 (18:20):
Oh but that's impossible, tailor, excuse me a minnie.
Speaker 9 (18:25):
Hello, Yes, he's a uh in just a minute, it's
for you, ranger.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Thanks, hello, Pearson. They did good? Who that definite? I see?
Thanks a lot. That was a labman's sheriff and deputy
told him we'd be here thenis about fifteen miles from here?
(18:52):
Identified that bridgework?
Speaker 4 (18:54):
Who was the dead man? Jas who we thought it was?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Yeah, it's not easy to say this, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 10 (19:03):
What is it?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
They've identified the man in the fire. It was your husband?
Speaker 7 (19:09):
Oh no, oh no, I'm.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Afraid so, ma'am. Would you rather we came back at
another time, Missus Taylor, I'll be all right. I hate
to ask questions at a time like this, but they're
some things we have to know.
Speaker 10 (19:26):
What is it, you will?
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Who's your husband's beneficiary, Missus Taylor?
Speaker 7 (19:32):
Well, I am, of course, who else would be?
Speaker 9 (19:35):
I know what you're thinking that I had something to
do with his death, But you're crazy, you hear me.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
This is our job, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 7 (19:42):
I'll give you something to think about. I'll show you. You
want an aspect? Do you you just wait? I show
you this insurance policy?
Speaker 9 (19:50):
Fare me for god reason, there's a policy on my husband's.
Speaker 7 (19:55):
Life of fifty thousand dollars. And who's a beneficiary on
that one?
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Who is the case?
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Edward Woodley? The sheriff and I left. Missus Taylor got
in the car and drove to the adjoining farm of
ed Woodley. I wanted to know about that policy. I'd
just been shown.
Speaker 6 (20:19):
Well, sure, Ranger, that policy has been in effect for
about three years one of those personal policies.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Why was it taken out?
Speaker 6 (20:26):
Well, it's pretty common practice when two partners are important
to a business. Ask any insurance man. If Sam dies,
I collect by die, he collects.
Speaker 4 (20:33):
Why didn't you mention it when we were here before?
Speaker 2 (20:36):
Didn't see any reason to. I still don't. Why are
you so interested in that policy anyway? Because you're about
to collect on it. The dead man in the fire
was your partner, Sam, Well, but how did he Are
you sure, Ranger? We're sure. I think you better come
down with us to the Sheriff's off as mister Woodley,
(20:57):
what for why? Because you profit by your partner's death.
That could be a pretty good motive for murder. For
a minute, I thought Woodley was gonna give us trouble.
Then without a word, he got his hat and came
along with us. When we got to the Sheriff's office,
we left Woodley with a deputy and went into the
(21:18):
inner office to see Johnny Blanche, our lab man. He
was packing the dead man's effects in a cardboard box
as we entered, but I finished up Johnny.
Speaker 10 (21:29):
Yeah, there's nothing much more I can do until I
get this stuff to the lab.
Speaker 4 (21:32):
I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long.
Speaker 10 (21:34):
Oh no, I have been making out a receipt for you, Sheriff.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
I'll just sign it and get along.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
I see that receipt, Johnny. Sure, ye, yes, thanks Walter
ken Coins.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Anything wrong, Jace? I'm should I listed everything?
Speaker 2 (21:51):
Johnny? Would you mind if I take a look at
that box?
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Why not at all?
Speaker 2 (21:59):
Everything?
Speaker 1 (21:59):
Then?
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Yeah? Everything you got on your list? But I don't
know something's wait a minute. The key? Where is his key?
Speaker 4 (22:11):
What key?
Speaker 2 (22:13):
The one Taylor used to get in the building.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
There wasn't any key found on Taylor's body.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Well, if there wasn't, we got the wrong man sitting
in the outer office. How do you mean, Jace, don't
you see, Sheriff, there were only two keys to the building,
one for each partner. Taylor's is missing. Now, if Woodley
were the killer, he wouldn't have to steal Taylor's key.
Speaker 10 (22:31):
You mean someone used Taylor's key to get him.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
Into the building.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Sure looks like it.
Speaker 10 (22:35):
Yeah, but jas missus, Taylor'd be the only other one
who could profit by her husband's death, and she wouldn't
have the strength to get him in there.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Unless she had some help. Yeah, but who that Mexican
foreman of hers. He seemed obliging in a lot of ways.
Maybe the motive wasn't money after all.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Yeah, they were pretty friendly.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Sheriff. Lets you and I pay another visit with the
lady who was so broken up by her husband's death.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
After we got a.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Search warrant, we took mister Woodley to his house. Ten
minutes later, the sheriff and I were knocking at missus
Taylor's front door. There was no one home. We decided
to wait till she showed up. Thirty yards from the
house was Ramira's shack and the door was unlocked, so
we went in and looked.
Speaker 10 (23:19):
Jace, this drawer here is just cram full of expensive shirts. M.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Something interesting here too, What do you got expensive piece
of luggage? And look at those initials St.
Speaker 4 (23:31):
Sam Taylor and sure.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Doesn't stand for our Touro Ramirez who more shirts? M. Yes,
he didn't have enough room for him in the drawer.
Speaker 10 (23:40):
Yeah, at least sure proves Taylor came back home.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Yeah, probably found ra mirrors in the house. That's what
started though.
Speaker 10 (23:48):
Yeah, wait a minute, Jason, there's a car coming could
be there, and.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
I leave the bag here let's get outside. We can
just about meet him at the house. Sheriff.
Speaker 10 (23:58):
I wanna hear him explain what we followed the next
shack they'll try.
Speaker 7 (24:05):
You've seem good luck here, ranger, you ssit so awten.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
This will be the last time, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 7 (24:12):
I'll put the car away.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
You'll leave the car right where it is, Ramirez, get
out of it and come over here.
Speaker 7 (24:17):
See I call.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Missus Taylor. I got a search warrant here. I'll start
with your handbag.
Speaker 7 (24:26):
Are you no right to do this?
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Here's the key, Sheriff, same kind Woodley has.
Speaker 7 (24:33):
That's my husband's keys.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
That's the first time you've told the truth, Missus Taylor.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
What about you?
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Ramirez? Yes, you you've got an idea where we can
find half a knife?
Speaker 4 (24:44):
Knife? What knife?
Speaker 2 (24:46):
The one mister Taylor was stabbed with?
Speaker 7 (24:48):
You're crazy?
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Here here's my knife, yeah, shiny and new. But how
are you gonna explain Taylor's shirts and the luggage in
your shack? Ramirez? I want to hear that you fool
A forty dollars bag and a couple of dozen shirts.
You just couldn't resist.
Speaker 7 (25:05):
I didn't need to do it, just started to fight
with me.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
It's her idea to make a fire as would look
like an accident.
Speaker 7 (25:12):
I won't die for you. I won't, I said, pet.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
You.
Speaker 7 (25:23):
In sight of you, I wish i'd never seen you.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
You won't have to worry about that anymore, Missus Taylor,
I don't think you're gonna see each other for a
long long time.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
In just a moment, we will tell you the results
of the case you have just heard.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Throughout the remainder of the day, you'll find more great
entertainment awaiting you on this NBC station. Be sure to
hear the First Nighter starring Barbara Latti and Olin Soult,
and the drama entitled Found One Mother. Then it Stars
in Khaki and Blue, featuring talented members of the Armed Forces,
but Meredith Wilson as guest Master of Ceremonies. And be
sure to hear the hilarious Phil Harris Alice Fay Show,
(26:12):
featuring the comedy addicts of Frankie Reveley, Julius Abruzzio, and
Brother William. Remember too, that Theater Guild on the Air
brings you over twenty one the hilarious comedy of Army
Life by an Army Wife Ruth Gordon, who will star
in the airplay along with Van Heflin. Later tonight, Jack
Parr will be around.
Speaker 4 (26:29):
To ask the sixty four dollars question.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
Sunday is fun Day on NBC because of the many
fine shows sent your way to add to your listening pleasure.
So remember for fine entertainment hall the rest of the day,
keep tune to this station of the NBC Radio Network
at home or away, at work or at play. Wherever
you go, there's radio. And now back to the conclusion
of today's tales of the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
How here are the results of the case you have
just heard.
Speaker 5 (27:04):
On July eleventh, nineteen thirty nine, Peggy Taylor and our
turo Romires were tried for the murder of Samuel Taylor.
Speaker 4 (27:11):
They were found guilty.
Speaker 5 (27:12):
Peggy Taylor was sentenced to the women's prisoner gory for
forty years, and our turo Ro Mirors was sent to
Huntsville Penitentiary for the rest of his life. And here
again it's the star of our show, Joel McCrae.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Folks, I want to take this opportunity to thank you
again for the many wonderful letters that we've received from
you listeners. Hearing from you brings us just a little
closer to our family of friends who listened to tales
of the Texas Rangers each week. I want to tell
you a little story about our good friend and technical advisor,
Captain M. T. Lone Wolf Gonzales. Several years ago, Kilgore, Texas,
(27:47):
found an oil field at his front door. In eight weeks,
the dusty, sleepy little village of nine hundred population became
a sprawling, brawling city of twenty five thousand. Strangers streamed
in for the thousands, and with the good peace people
came the Motley heart of confidence men, gamblers, and professional thugs.
Soon the honest, hard working people of the community found
(28:07):
themselves at the mercy of these racketeers. Gonzalez was ordered
to go in and clean up the community. In his
first offensive, he rounded up five hundred persons whom he
considered undesirable and clapped them in jail. When I asked
him how he could tell the good people from the bad,
he said, well, in those days, it wasn't hard at all.
I just looked at their hands. If they had working
(28:28):
man's hands with callouses on him, I figured they were
trying to make an honest dollar. But if their hands
were smooth and lily white, I reckoned, they weren't up
to too much good into the Who's gal They'd go
wasn't wrong very often either. It's a long folks, see
you next week.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
Next week Krol McCrae and another authentic reenactment of a
case from the files of but Texas Rangers Joel McCrae
(29:15):
will soon be seen in San Francisco's Story, a Warner
Brothers release. The cast included Tony Barrett, Parley Bear, Virginia,
Greg Barney Phillips, Betty lou Gerson, and Howard McNair. Technical
advisor was Captain M. T. Lone Wolf Gonzales of the
Texas Rangers. This story was transcribed and adapted by Anthony Barrett.
Then the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keach.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
Hell give Me Speaking
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Next, It's The Chase on NBC
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