August 16, 2025 • 30 mins
The "Tales Of The Texas Rangers Collection" brings together the most thrilling episodes from this iconic western radio series. Experience the rugged adventures and dramatic stories of the Texas Rangers as they pursue justice in the wild west. This collection is perfect for fans of westerns and those who enjoy action-packed radio dramas. Relive the golden age of radio with these timeless tales of heroism and adventure.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae's ranger Chase Pearson.
Another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files
of the Texas Rangers. Names, dates, and places in the
(00:42):
following story are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves
are a matter of records.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Friends, Every day, Monday through Friday, there's top entertainment all
day long. When you set your radio dial to NBC,
listen for double or Nothing and you'll hear one of
radio's funniest quiz shows. Yes, Walter O'Keefe consistently comes up
with great comedy entertainment Monday through Friday on Double or Nothing.
Listen and you'll agree. And then there's the program with
a heart, Strike it Rich, the grand entertainment that Warren
(01:16):
Hull brings you every day on Strike it Rich is
just what the doctor ordered. If you suffer from housework blues.
From Chicago, Tommy Bartlett brings you welcome travelers and interviews
with the many interesting guests who each day pass through
the Windy City. And for more fun, listen for Bob
and Ray, those two zany comics. Then there's music and
(01:36):
charm with Dave Garroway. So remember every day, Monday through Friday,
chase your blues away with the wonderful daytime programs on
this station of the n b C Radio Network. And
now here's to day's adventure with the tales of the
Texas Rangers.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
A now from the piles of the Texas Rangers. The
case called Sellout.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
It is six thirty pm Friday, September fifteenth, nineteen forty
nine in Corbell, Texas. Jim Reeves, owner of the local
hardware store, is waiting on his last customers at the
end of the first day of a closing out set.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
He it'll be twenty four dollars and sixty one cents
for the lot. Hey, thank you, miss Sooney, and I
sure hope everything will be satisfactory.
Speaker 5 (02:32):
Here's my ticket for the deep praise, Jim, one hundred
and forty eight bucks.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
I min it'll do a Jerry couldn't pick one up
for price like that any other time.
Speaker 6 (02:43):
I not, eh, Jim, I just can't believe.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
You're really leaving us eating tool for this kind of word. Jerry,
me and Kerry been looking forward a long time to
live in near Beth.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
I've learned fort worth and should lead.
Speaker 7 (02:55):
The sales been going so well.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Been such a flock of people.
Speaker 8 (02:58):
In and out of here.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
It looks like the beesu on Bingle night.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Yeah, it's going real good. I think will be sold
out tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
I ain't gonna say goodbye now, Jim, because I'll be
seeing you tomorrow anyway, when I.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Pick up that Deep Freeze, of course you will. Night, Cherry,
thank you, Nancy. Tell yeah, I'm gonna lock up now. Reckon,
you're about as tired as I am.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
I'm dere sorry. I got the ticket on that pressure
cook and mixed up.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Mister rae Uh, don't you fred about a little thing
like that, Nancy.
Speaker 8 (03:29):
You've been doing a good job.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
Don't know how it got along without you.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Better get what you want back there, mister, because I'm
gonna lock up now, in cause he didn't hear me. Sorry, mister,
but we're closing up for tonight.
Speaker 8 (03:45):
Say it will still be on tomorrow. What are you
doing with it? Bending on your face?
Speaker 9 (03:50):
Shut up and do like I'll tell you that's gunning,
No toy.
Speaker 5 (03:53):
What do you want?
Speaker 9 (03:53):
I want you to get moving and open up the
cash register or go on, get going unless you want
a load of letting up calling.
Speaker 8 (04:00):
What is it, mister rich It's all right, Nancy. Just
stay where you are.
Speaker 9 (04:04):
Come on, open up that register and put the loot
in his paper bag. That trip shot, sister, and stay
back and don't get scared, Nancy. Mister the money in
this cash registers. Everything had cut in the world, and
I'm not going to.
Speaker 6 (04:16):
Give it up to a sneak and seat.
Speaker 9 (04:17):
You'll put it in here, I'll plug you.
Speaker 6 (04:19):
Mister, do like he tells your rest you might get hurt.
Speaker 9 (04:22):
All right, come on, come on, hurry, I'm hurried. Put
the change in the bag too, had all of it? Yeah, okay,
then now move over to that wall and turn your back.
Come on you too, says come on, hurry up. I said, okay,
(04:43):
I don't need the one of you. Make a move
for five minutes if you know what's good for it.
Speaker 8 (04:48):
Here he sneaky.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
I'm not gonna let him get away with this to
get his license, sumber anyway, So you.
Speaker 9 (04:57):
Shot that man, shut me.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Jim Reeves was rushed to the local hospital and the
sheriff of Corvell County was summoned once immediately he notified
the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jase Pearson arrived at the scene
forty five minutes later and began talking to Nancy Taylor,
the girl who witnessed the hold us.
Speaker 5 (05:32):
I know you've been badly Miss Taylor, but I'm gonna
have to ask you to get hold of yourself and
answer some questions. He never did anything to hurt anybody
in his all life.
Speaker 6 (05:43):
He was always helping people.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
You want to help us find who shot him, don't you? Oh?
Speaker 10 (05:49):
Yes, of course?
Speaker 5 (05:50):
All right, then try to remember what the man looked like.
Speaker 6 (05:54):
I told you he had a bandana on. I couldn't
see you see how tall was he? No ranger? He
was a big seller, all big, I told you.
Speaker 11 (06:05):
Are reckon.
Speaker 6 (06:08):
Mister Reeves was always so good.
Speaker 7 (06:09):
Tarn mother.
Speaker 5 (06:10):
You know what kind of a car the man was driving.
Speaker 6 (06:13):
It was black?
Speaker 5 (06:14):
Are you sure?
Speaker 6 (06:15):
Yeah, I'm certain it was a flex to dad.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
Yes, griff Ostio telephone. Jim Reeves just regained consciousness. We
better get over there as fast we can't. Okay, I'll
talk to you later, Miss Taylor.
Speaker 6 (06:25):
It's gonna be all right here.
Speaker 5 (06:26):
I'm sorry it upset you anymore, but I'm afraid not. Nancy.
Doc says it's only a matter of time, No use
to off right now.
Speaker 6 (06:33):
I told him not to run out there.
Speaker 8 (06:36):
I trying to make him.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
Say that you got some restipe Camas Taylor, we'll see
you later. I'm poor kid. Yeah, I'm a very nice
experience for a girl. Get anything, Jason, not much. She
says she's sure the car was black, and Polly Pratt
thinks the last four digits on the license were two
one four four. He isn't sure who sees shriff, he's
a druggist down the corner. Did he see the shooting?
(06:58):
Nobody heard the sharps from out on the street just
as the car was driving off to one four four. Yeah,
maybe we better send that out just on the chance
he was right. Yeah, I guess it wouldn't hurt. Unit
ten the KTXA Unit ten the KTXA KT go Ahead
subject wanted for hold up and shooting in Corvel County
(07:20):
this evening. Believed to be about six feet two, said
to be driving black sedan. One witness reports last four
digits of license maybe two one four four two one
four four. Alert all units and have licensed division check
records of cars. This description with matching digits. Unit ten
now proceeding the county hospital with sheriff to interrogate victim
(07:40):
ten to four will alert all units ten four if
no other traffic unit ten clear the traffic. I guess
just about everybody in Corvel is gonna feel as bad
about this as Nancy does. I'm feeling kind of shook
up myself, you know, in him a long time. Oh yeah,
and Ie nicer fella never lived in gym Reeves. Carrie,
(08:01):
that's his wife. Well, it'll be just like killing her too.
When they teller, have you been able to locate her yet? Nope?
Neighbors says she's taking a bunch of things she didn't
need over to a family on some ranch out yonder,
just like Carrie thinking of other folks, even when she's
moving and all. Where were they moving? Fort Worth? And
they were both looking forward so to going up there.
(08:21):
Daughters got a little cottage in the back of her place.
Jim and Carry were always talking about Beth's kid and
what a good time they were gonna have being grandparents
to Bunkie. Thugs have a way of picking on good people.
I don't know why, and there plenty of bad ones around.
Good folks are more trusting, That's why that's where I
don't know what Carry's gonna do now, Jee or daughter
(08:41):
lap Her won't she?
Speaker 8 (08:42):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (08:42):
Sure, but Carrie's too conscientious to live on Beth. Jim
worked a lot longer than he should have just so
they could retire independent. I think Carrie take an old
age pension first, or maybe he can raise some money
for on the hardware stuff. Maybe, but I think Jim
sold out most of his stock today. I might get
that money back for her, yet, I'm sure. I hope so, Jason.
(09:03):
I hope mister Reeves can give us some kind of
a lead to go on.
Speaker 8 (09:06):
You wouldn't help.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
Here.
Speaker 7 (09:09):
We are room three.
Speaker 8 (09:11):
We can go right in ja right.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
H Hey, Carrie, she's coming to you as best she can.
Speaker 8 (09:20):
Jim Sheriff, Yeah, it's me.
Speaker 11 (09:23):
Have you have you got that Philly hit?
Speaker 5 (09:26):
No, but we're going to this is ranger Pierson.
Speaker 8 (09:29):
Jim, Uh, how do you, Sheriff.
Speaker 11 (09:34):
Carry's gonna need that money off of that.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
Don't you worry about anything now.
Speaker 11 (09:40):
H don't give me that, Sheriff. I heard it, doctor,
I heard him talking.
Speaker 5 (09:47):
Uh for you soon t Mister Reeves, have you any
idea who the man was who helped you up?
Speaker 11 (09:54):
Uh no, must be getting old or to be able
to handa fella his I thought he.
Speaker 5 (10:04):
Was a big man.
Speaker 11 (10:05):
Uh uh yeah, a little.
Speaker 8 (10:08):
How tall was he about firefoot? M yes, jeez.
Speaker 11 (10:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (10:31):
A few minutes after we left mister Reeves's room, his
wife arrived at the hospital. The sheriff and I had
to tell her it just died. She took it even
harder than we'd thought she would. We didn't want missus
Reeves to stay alone that night, so we drove her
to a neighbor's house. By the time we left her
was too late to talk to the druggist, Charlie Pratt,
so we went down to his drug store the next morning.
(10:52):
More than Charlie two fellows located that runaway skunk yet
not yet, but we're short. Trying to range your patient here.
Wants to talk to you, Charlie. I just wanted to
check a couple of things with you.
Speaker 8 (11:04):
I just can't believe it yet.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
Jim Reeves and me been playing dominoes together every Saturday
for nine to ten years now.
Speaker 8 (11:11):
It's terrible.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
It's just terrible, that's what it is.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
My wife and I were just saying, Charley, did you
get a look at the man.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
No.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
When I come out, he was whizzing around this corner
and that light colored sedan like a bat out of eighties.
Nancy Taylor said the car was black. Oh that poor
kids shook up.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
She probably don't know what she said.
Speaker 5 (11:29):
Could be You're certain the car was light colored, mister.
Speaker 8 (11:32):
I'm positive you see.
Speaker 6 (11:33):
I was sitting up here at the corner.
Speaker 8 (11:35):
I was eating my supper.
Speaker 5 (11:36):
I remember that because I was thinking at the time,
how good them codfish balls tasted. Did you hear the shots?
I sure did, And then I knocked me off the
stool and I ran out in the street and I
saw this car screeching around the corner. I tried as
hard as I couldn't get the license andwhere We're sure
grateful for that child. And then I saw Nancy come
running out of the store. She was the first one
to get to gym, and I reckon I got there next.
(11:58):
You say, the car trying the corner here?
Speaker 8 (12:00):
Yeah, go, poor kid.
Speaker 6 (12:02):
What a terrible sight for a young girl like that.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
Well, it's lovely to give her nightmares for weeks. My
wife says, sheriff of the car turned the corner here
and Nancy came out of the store afterwards, then she
couldn't have seen it. Well, I saw it, and you
can strike me pink if I'm not right about it's
being kind of a light color. Well, thanks a lot,
mister Prattle. Yes, along, Charlie, anything more I can do
to help you. Nancy's moss says, she just went all
(12:29):
two pieces last night. I'd sooner take Charlie's.
Speaker 8 (12:32):
Words for the colored car.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Look up the street, Sheriff, and she couldn't possibly have
seen that car. No, not if I turned the corner
before she came out. Well, I reckon Nancy's kind of
mixed up about things.
Speaker 8 (12:44):
She must be.
Speaker 5 (12:45):
I think we ought to have another talk with her,
though we may have radioed the wrong description of the car.
We headed for Nancy Taylor's house. When we got there
about eleven, her mother told us she'd gone over to
pay her respects to Missus Reeves. We drove over to
the neighbors where Missus Reeves was staying and waited in
(13:05):
the car till Nancy came out. She was with her boyfriend,
and we asked him to drive her down to the
Sheriff's office. We'd just gotten out of our car when
I drove up behind us. I'll wear it out there
for you are Will it take long?
Speaker 6 (13:18):
Share?
Speaker 5 (13:18):
I can't tell. Why don't you come inside and wait, Bob,
you'll be all right. We want to get the sure.
Speaker 9 (13:23):
Okay, Oh, it's try not to keep her any longer,
and you have to re share.
Speaker 5 (13:28):
She had an awful bad night, Missus Taylor saying, well,
we'll make it as short as we can, Bob, But
there are two two things we want to clear up.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
But Range, I've told you everything I know about it.
What more do you want to ask me that I
haven't already talked to you about.
Speaker 5 (13:40):
I'll be sure and get your statement down as soon
as we can, Nancy. The quicker we get at it,
the more clearly you'll remember what happened.
Speaker 8 (13:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
Here, sit down here, Nasa, thank you. Here's a chair
for you.
Speaker 8 (13:51):
Bob.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
Thanks Nancy. We know when a thing like this happens,
everybody gets a little excited.
Speaker 6 (13:57):
Oh, it's the worst thing I've ever been through. It
was the sweetest old man and poor missus Reeves.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
Oh.
Speaker 6 (14:04):
I wanted to say something to make him feel better.
I just couldn't think it was safe.
Speaker 5 (14:09):
Let me ask you something, Nancy, how tall did you
say that fellow was.
Speaker 6 (14:13):
Well, uh, I don't know exactly, except he was pretty big.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
We talked to mister Reeves before he died. He seemed
to think the man was fairly short.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
Oh, Ranger, I'm just sure he was a big, broad
shouldered man, kind of husky as well as being tall.
Speaker 5 (14:27):
There's another thing, Nancy. Yes, sir, you told me the
car you saw was black. Yes, sir, you sure it
wasn't the lighter color.
Speaker 6 (14:36):
Well, it could have been a real dog green.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
I guess why we're having little trouble getting the description
of the car straight. Mister Pratt says it was a
light color.
Speaker 6 (14:46):
He's wrong, Range, I was closer than he was, of course.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
He says, by the time you came out the car
turned the corner.
Speaker 6 (14:52):
Well, that didn't sew. I ran right out there when
I heard the shops and I saw the car. It
was either black or else, maybe a very dark green.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
What's the matter.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
Don't you believe me?
Speaker 5 (15:04):
It's your statement. I want to write it down. Have
you sign it now?
Speaker 10 (15:08):
Uh?
Speaker 7 (15:09):
Huh?
Speaker 6 (15:11):
Can you wait, Bob?
Speaker 8 (15:12):
Excuse me, Ranger.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
I don't mean to be butting in.
Speaker 8 (15:14):
Couldn't you do that tomorrow?
Speaker 9 (15:16):
Nancy's been under and awful strange ever since this happened,
and I know you'd get better results if you'd just
let her get some rest.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
I'll get it soon. As we get an accurate description
of the car, the better chance we have of catching
the fellow.
Speaker 10 (15:27):
Well, as I say, I'm not too sure whether it
was black or green.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
That's all right, you can put that down in your
statement there. Gee, maybe we better take Nancy's statement later.
I'll come licensed. Division says the number Charlie Pratt gave
us belongs to a car dealer New Moncro got a
lot of cars there, the same dealer's number, green and
black sedan book.
Speaker 6 (15:48):
You mean you found the car the fellow used.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
We don't know, but it looks like we're getting warmer.
Maybe now you'll be able to track that guy down, huh,
I hope. So naming the dealers Andy Rourke, Jase, Nancy,
you stand by to identify him. We we'll get that
killin U bandit before you know it.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
In just a moment, we will continue with Tales of
the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jase Pearson.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Friends at this moment throughout the country, millions of motorists
are beginning to wend their way home along crowded highways
from a long Memorial Day weekend. It is at times
such as these when accidents happen more frequently.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
When death and driving.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Draw closer together, you can help to decrease the accident
and death rate on our nation's highways. Excessive speed for
driving conditions is a major cause of many motor accidents.
Control your speed at all times to keep within the
safe speed, not just the legal limit. America's professional truck
drivers are taught to drive ahead of themselves to avoid
(17:01):
accidents by seeing them threaten before they can happen. They
know that careful driving keeps them from having accidents which
may take lives.
Speaker 8 (17:10):
Speed is the.
Speaker 5 (17:11):
Number one killer on the highways.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
So drive carefully today on your way home from an
enjoyable weekend, and tomorrow wherever you go in your car,
exercise caution, courtesy, and the golden rule, for the life
you save may be your own. Now the second act
of Tales of the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
We continue now with Tales of the Texas Rangers and
our authentic story sell Out.
Speaker 5 (17:43):
The sheriff and I decided the druggist Charlie Pratt was
the best one to help us spot the car. We
told the tailor girl to be available in the event.
We picked up the Killer and we headed for al
montro As we drove up to the dealer's place, two
highway patrolmen. We're talking to a large man in the
used car lot. Okay, mister Prady, all right, that must
(18:05):
be Rorke stand over there with a patrolman. Sageys.
Speaker 7 (18:08):
He's a big guys.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
I guess Nancy's description was right, Yeah, Audi boys you
Andy Rhurke. Yeah, I have to ask a few questions
if you don't mind.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
Well, I've answered so many from the highway patrol to
dam getting kind of used to it.
Speaker 5 (18:22):
That's fine.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
Look, ranger, what is this? Sergeant here says you got
me mixed up in that murder up in Corvel yesterday.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
That's right, Witnes, saw your license on the murder car.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
That's a dealer's license, got it on most of my
cars sitting here in the lot.
Speaker 5 (18:34):
Where were you about six thirty yesterday evening, mister Rorke.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
I was out demonstrating one of my cars to a customer.
Speaker 5 (18:40):
What's his name?
Speaker 9 (18:41):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (18:42):
Some fella going through town.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
You know where we could reach him?
Speaker 8 (18:45):
No, I don't.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
That's not much of an alibi, Roorke, You got any
black sedans or dark green ones in here?
Speaker 8 (18:51):
For sure?
Speaker 4 (18:52):
I got two black Sedans and one dark green range?
Jam did sure it was a lighter coloring.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
You mind if we look around?
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Help yourself only get it over well?
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Yeah, I wouldn't be given orders if I were you, Rorke.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Sorry, Ranger, I'll be around if you need me.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Those you come along and start showing us those sedans.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Okay, there's the two black ones over there and the
dark green ones.
Speaker 5 (19:16):
O yonder, take a good look at these cars, now,
mister Pratt.
Speaker 8 (19:20):
Uh No, No, it wasn't neither one of these.
Speaker 6 (19:24):
I'm still dead sure it was.
Speaker 8 (19:25):
Kind of light colored.
Speaker 5 (19:26):
He got any light colored cars? Rock?
Speaker 4 (19:28):
What color?
Speaker 5 (19:29):
We don't know exactly?
Speaker 8 (19:31):
Hey, hey, here is this is one?
Speaker 5 (19:33):
Ranger? I know it just as sure as I'm standing.
Are you positive?
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (19:37):
That's the one.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
See those vertical guards in the bumper. But the reason
I couldn't get the whole numbers because those stuck up
in front of the plate. I remember, now, was this
the car you were demonstrating yesterday? Mister Rourke say, say,
wait a minute, I'm waiting.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
Come to think of it, I loaned that car to
a fellow yesterday.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
What was his name? Darn if I can remember?
Speaker 4 (19:56):
Now, come in here, and one of the grease job
done in his car needed transportation and took kind of
a shine of this to Dan. Thought I might sell
it to him if I.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
Let him use it for a few hours. Don't you
keep a record of the names of people who borrow
your car?
Speaker 8 (20:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Yeah, I got it.
Speaker 8 (20:10):
Write my book?
Speaker 5 (20:10):
Here?
Speaker 4 (20:12):
Hell yeh, here it is Robert Thatcher r FD forty three, Corvell.
Speaker 5 (20:17):
Let me see that Robert Thatcher. Uh huh, Nancy Taylor's boyfriend.
We headed back to Corvell. By six thirty, we'd picked
up a warrant for Thatcher's arrest and drove out to
his house. His mother answered the door, How do you
miss Thatcher?
Speaker 6 (20:36):
Will I know Sheriff?
Speaker 5 (20:38):
Is Bob at home?
Speaker 8 (20:39):
No?
Speaker 5 (20:40):
Well, when you expected know Sheriff Renger And I'd like
to talk to you for a minute, ma'am.
Speaker 9 (20:47):
Why come in?
Speaker 5 (20:51):
When did Bob leave missus?
Speaker 8 (20:53):
Thatcher?
Speaker 6 (20:54):
Ooh about an hour?
Speaker 8 (20:54):
Go?
Speaker 6 (20:55):
I reckon, Why can't.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
You tell us where he when I didn't have no
chance to ask him what you want with him? Ma'am.
I'm sorry to be the one to break it to here,
but it looks like he's in trouble, serious trouble. Yeah,
we want to talk to him about Jim Reeves murder.
We have evidence he was probably driving the murderer car
the evening it happened. I don't believe it. You know,
(21:18):
if Bob own's a gun, no, we don't. Have you
ever seen a thirty two around the house?
Speaker 11 (21:22):
No, I sure.
Speaker 5 (21:23):
I am sorry to distress you with this man. It
does look funny Bob's taking off so sudden.
Speaker 10 (21:29):
Wait a minute, The reason Bob took off, Sheriff was
because he's been't have enough fuss with his girlfriend Nancy Taylor. Yeah,
but the kids come home this afternoon and they told
me they were going to lope.
Speaker 8 (21:41):
That don't sound like he's mixed up.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
No murder, does it? Did Nancy go with him?
Speaker 10 (21:45):
No, they had a little tea while they're sitting out
in the car. You know how kids are used to
be kind orinery like that himself, and then Rob Bob
was packing, Nancy run off.
Speaker 5 (21:57):
Do you know where she went?
Speaker 8 (21:58):
No?
Speaker 6 (21:59):
Oh, she's all upset, and Bob.
Speaker 10 (22:01):
You run after her when you come back, he said,
he left her down to the creek summers.
Speaker 8 (22:06):
He was mad.
Speaker 5 (22:07):
But I reckon, you Koulah can come home for nightfall,
Missus Thatcher. I have only one horse in my trailer.
You got one the sheriff could borrow?
Speaker 8 (22:17):
Yes, I think so?
Speaker 5 (22:18):
Why I reckon? We better see if Nancy's all right.
Speaker 6 (22:22):
Ranger.
Speaker 10 (22:23):
If you're thinking my Bob might have done something to Nancy,
well you're wrong.
Speaker 5 (22:26):
Maybe we are, ma'am, but we're not taking any chances.
Missus Thatcher stood by the crowd fence, staring after us
as we picked up the double tracks and rode out
across the field. They led to a dry wash, and
we're fairly easy to follow. Oh ark, oh, look sheriff. Yeah,
(22:50):
that's your steps turned back here and hers go on.
You think she's all right then, I hope. So let's
move on a little farther and see where these tracks lead.
Get up for her. Oh wait a minute, told the sheriff,
what is it? The track stop here? Must be close by.
Speaker 6 (23:11):
Here, I am, ranger, That's why I was hiding.
Speaker 5 (23:16):
I was scared, mighty relieved that you Ranger, sit down
here on this log, and then, Nancy, you look pretty tucking.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
I'm not talking, Sheriff.
Speaker 8 (23:24):
I'm I'm terrified.
Speaker 6 (23:26):
If I couldn't run fast, I'd be dead by now.
Speaker 5 (23:28):
He was gonna get me, he maanted to Bob Thatcher.
Speaker 6 (23:31):
Yeah, you see, when he heard you were going down
the car lost, he knew you'd find me borrow that car,
so he told me.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
All about it, killing Jim or Reeves.
Speaker 6 (23:40):
You mean, yeah, of course, I was just horrified.
Speaker 4 (23:43):
I didn't want to have any more to do it.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
Imagine killing that sweet old man.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
Yeah, I was thinking about it.
Speaker 6 (23:50):
Well.
Speaker 5 (23:51):
When I told Bob how I fell about about.
Speaker 6 (23:53):
Crying and the like, he just turned on me. He
started slapping me around, skill me have to test. He
said he'd killed me if I wouldn't run off with it.
Imagine trying to get me mixed up in this thing.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
You are mixed up in it.
Speaker 6 (24:11):
Or Ranger, I didn't have anything to do with Shutney.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
You had plenty to do with framing the hold up
that led to the killer, though, didn't.
Speaker 6 (24:17):
You, Prange. I just can't understand how you can even
think anything.
Speaker 8 (24:21):
So awful, let alone say it to me.
Speaker 5 (24:23):
You can stop crying, Miss Taylor, because there'sn't fooling anyone anymore.
Speaker 6 (24:27):
What do you mean?
Speaker 5 (24:28):
I mean you tried to throw us off the track
by lying to us and giving us wrong information about
the man's height and the color of the car.
Speaker 6 (24:35):
Gee Ranger. He was my boyfriend.
Speaker 8 (24:38):
I was just trying to protect.
Speaker 10 (24:39):
Him until I could persuade him to give himself off.
Speaker 6 (24:43):
I'll just be loyal. You know how women are.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
I thought you said a minute ago you didn't know
anything about it till this afternoon.
Speaker 6 (24:51):
Did I I'm just all mixed up.
Speaker 5 (24:54):
This all sure? You're coming in with us now?
Speaker 6 (24:58):
Rangel listener? Would it help you on if I told
you what Bob told me about the money.
Speaker 10 (25:03):
What about the money, Well, you see, he put it
in the Grain Exchange bank down in the Elvira Saturday morning.
Speaker 6 (25:08):
For you About the license number? Yeah, well the bank
was closed at noon Saturday and all day Sunday. He
couldn't get it out.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
You mean he's gonna pick it up Monday morning?
Speaker 10 (25:16):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (25:16):
I'm dead sure he will. That he's knowing Boba.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
I don't think he needs without it without even knowing him.
I don't think so either. Come on, miss Taylor taking
you into town. I'm gonna drop you off the county jail.
Speaker 8 (25:27):
Me.
Speaker 6 (25:28):
Well, I've just been trying to help your ranger.
Speaker 5 (25:30):
You have, and we'll be on hand to meet your
boyfriend when the bank opens Monday. When the bank and
Alvira opened Monday morning, the sheriff and I were staked
out across the street and around the corner from the
building so we could see thatcher when he showed up.
We told the manager of the bank our plan, and
he gave us a key to the back door. Two
(25:52):
minutes after the bank opened, thatcher appeared. As soon as
he was inside, we moved up closer. You think we
gotta grab him now?
Speaker 8 (25:59):
Geez know, Wait, he.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
Draws the money out, you go in the front, Sheriff,
I'm gonna hot foot it around to the back door.
Speaker 8 (26:05):
He got the key here right here.
Speaker 5 (26:07):
Now, don't go up to him until you see me
open the back door, Sheriff. Remember that, because then if
he gives us any trouble, I can grab him.
Speaker 7 (26:13):
Okay, Jason, all right, I have that cash, all right?
Speaker 5 (26:26):
Aren't you come in a close on water?
Speaker 8 (26:27):
He down, up, down thatcher. You've already killed one man.
What makes you think i'd mind killing another.
Speaker 5 (26:33):
The first one's the hardest.
Speaker 9 (26:34):
You know what, That gun down, You don't want to
step aside, Sheriff. I'll put a pullet right in your collar.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
Do it with this gun, Tota, we need it for evidence.
Give me that gun. Give it to me, all right.
Speaker 6 (26:50):
I didn't mean to kill the old man.
Speaker 8 (26:51):
Ranger, get up.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
The gun just went off in my hand, honest.
Speaker 7 (26:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (26:57):
Guns have a way of doing that when you point
him at deep and when you hold someone up with them,
they usually backfire.
Speaker 1 (27:18):
In just a moment, we will tell you the results
of the case you have just heard.
Speaker 8 (27:23):
Friends.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
Later today, Meredith Wilson joins your Sunday lineup of enjoyable
radio programs on the NBC Radio Network. Meredith Wilson's Music
Room is the locale of his new Sunday show, and
you'll hear Meredith's talking people as well as your favorite music.
So remember to tune for Meredith Wilson's Music Room later today.
Also on your entertainment list today is the First Nighter
(27:44):
presenting Barbara Luddy and Olan Souley in another presentation from
the Little Theater off Times Square. Then more Drama waits
you on Theatre Guild on the air. Today's Theatre Guild
presentation a dramatic story entitled Remember the Day. It stars
Helen and MacDonald Carey. And from the Armed Forces of
our Nation comes another fine program today stars in Khaki
(28:06):
and blue. It's called You'll enjoy this program and the
talented servicemen and women to whom it gives an opportunity
to perform.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
Yes, Sunday brings.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
Most enjoyable listening for you on NBC, So stay tuned
to this station, Stay tuned for Meredith Wilson's Music Room,
the first Nighter Theater Guild on the air, and.
Speaker 8 (28:27):
All the rest.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
Now the conclusion of today's tales of the Texas Rangers,
and now.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Here are the results of the case you have just heard.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
Ballistics prove that the bullet which entered Jim Reeves's body
came from Thatch's thirty two Rivola patch A signed a
pool confession and was sentenced to light imprisonment in the
State Penitentiary at Huntsville. Nancy Taylor received a sentence of
fifteen years in the Women's prison at Gory.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
Next week toole me Cray and another authentic reenactment of
a case from the files of but Texas Rangers. Technical
(29:28):
advisor was Captain M. T. Lone Wolf Gonzales of the
Texas Rangers. This story was transcribed and adapted by Betty Meres,
and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keith.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Hell get Me speaking.
Speaker 2 (29:52):
Next, The Chase brings you more adventure on most of
these NVC stations.
Speaker 8 (29:57):
This is NBC ooh BO
Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae's ranger Chase Pearson.
Another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files
of the Texas Rangers. Names, dates, and places in the
(00:42):
following story are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves
are a matter of records.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Friends, Every day, Monday through Friday, there's top entertainment all
day long. When you set your radio dial to NBC,
listen for double or Nothing and you'll hear one of
radio's funniest quiz shows. Yes, Walter O'Keefe consistently comes up
with great comedy entertainment Monday through Friday on Double or Nothing.
Listen and you'll agree. And then there's the program with
a heart, Strike it Rich, the grand entertainment that Warren
(01:16):
Hull brings you every day on Strike it Rich is
just what the doctor ordered. If you suffer from housework blues.
From Chicago, Tommy Bartlett brings you welcome travelers and interviews
with the many interesting guests who each day pass through
the Windy City. And for more fun, listen for Bob
and Ray, those two zany comics. Then there's music and
(01:36):
charm with Dave Garroway. So remember every day, Monday through Friday,
chase your blues away with the wonderful daytime programs on
this station of the n b C Radio Network. And
now here's to day's adventure with the tales of the
Texas Rangers.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
A now from the piles of the Texas Rangers. The
case called Sellout.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
It is six thirty pm Friday, September fifteenth, nineteen forty
nine in Corbell, Texas. Jim Reeves, owner of the local
hardware store, is waiting on his last customers at the
end of the first day of a closing out set.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
He it'll be twenty four dollars and sixty one cents
for the lot. Hey, thank you, miss Sooney, and I
sure hope everything will be satisfactory.
Speaker 5 (02:32):
Here's my ticket for the deep praise, Jim, one hundred
and forty eight bucks.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
I min it'll do a Jerry couldn't pick one up
for price like that any other time.
Speaker 6 (02:43):
I not, eh, Jim, I just can't believe.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
You're really leaving us eating tool for this kind of word. Jerry,
me and Kerry been looking forward a long time to
live in near Beth.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
I've learned fort worth and should lead.
Speaker 7 (02:55):
The sales been going so well.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Been such a flock of people.
Speaker 8 (02:58):
In and out of here.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
It looks like the beesu on Bingle night.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Yeah, it's going real good. I think will be sold
out tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
I ain't gonna say goodbye now, Jim, because I'll be
seeing you tomorrow anyway, when I.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Pick up that Deep Freeze, of course you will. Night, Cherry,
thank you, Nancy. Tell yeah, I'm gonna lock up now. Reckon,
you're about as tired as I am.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
I'm dere sorry. I got the ticket on that pressure
cook and mixed up.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Mister rae Uh, don't you fred about a little thing
like that, Nancy.
Speaker 8 (03:29):
You've been doing a good job.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
Don't know how it got along without you.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Better get what you want back there, mister, because I'm
gonna lock up now, in cause he didn't hear me. Sorry, mister,
but we're closing up for tonight.
Speaker 8 (03:45):
Say it will still be on tomorrow. What are you
doing with it? Bending on your face?
Speaker 9 (03:50):
Shut up and do like I'll tell you that's gunning,
No toy.
Speaker 5 (03:53):
What do you want?
Speaker 9 (03:53):
I want you to get moving and open up the
cash register or go on, get going unless you want
a load of letting up calling.
Speaker 8 (04:00):
What is it, mister rich It's all right, Nancy. Just
stay where you are.
Speaker 9 (04:04):
Come on, open up that register and put the loot
in his paper bag. That trip shot, sister, and stay
back and don't get scared, Nancy. Mister the money in
this cash registers. Everything had cut in the world, and
I'm not going to.
Speaker 6 (04:16):
Give it up to a sneak and seat.
Speaker 9 (04:17):
You'll put it in here, I'll plug you.
Speaker 6 (04:19):
Mister, do like he tells your rest you might get hurt.
Speaker 9 (04:22):
All right, come on, come on, hurry, I'm hurried. Put
the change in the bag too, had all of it? Yeah, okay,
then now move over to that wall and turn your back.
Come on you too, says come on, hurry up. I said, okay,
(04:43):
I don't need the one of you. Make a move
for five minutes if you know what's good for it.
Speaker 8 (04:48):
Here he sneaky.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
I'm not gonna let him get away with this to
get his license, sumber anyway, So you.
Speaker 9 (04:57):
Shot that man, shut me.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Jim Reeves was rushed to the local hospital and the
sheriff of Corvell County was summoned once immediately he notified
the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jase Pearson arrived at the scene
forty five minutes later and began talking to Nancy Taylor,
the girl who witnessed the hold us.
Speaker 5 (05:32):
I know you've been badly Miss Taylor, but I'm gonna
have to ask you to get hold of yourself and
answer some questions. He never did anything to hurt anybody
in his all life.
Speaker 6 (05:43):
He was always helping people.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
You want to help us find who shot him, don't you? Oh?
Speaker 10 (05:49):
Yes, of course?
Speaker 5 (05:50):
All right, then try to remember what the man looked like.
Speaker 6 (05:54):
I told you he had a bandana on. I couldn't
see you see how tall was he? No ranger? He
was a big seller, all big, I told you.
Speaker 11 (06:05):
Are reckon.
Speaker 6 (06:08):
Mister Reeves was always so good.
Speaker 7 (06:09):
Tarn mother.
Speaker 5 (06:10):
You know what kind of a car the man was driving.
Speaker 6 (06:13):
It was black?
Speaker 5 (06:14):
Are you sure?
Speaker 6 (06:15):
Yeah, I'm certain it was a flex to dad.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
Yes, griff Ostio telephone. Jim Reeves just regained consciousness. We
better get over there as fast we can't. Okay, I'll
talk to you later, Miss Taylor.
Speaker 6 (06:25):
It's gonna be all right here.
Speaker 5 (06:26):
I'm sorry it upset you anymore, but I'm afraid not. Nancy.
Doc says it's only a matter of time, No use
to off right now.
Speaker 6 (06:33):
I told him not to run out there.
Speaker 8 (06:36):
I trying to make him.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
Say that you got some restipe Camas Taylor, we'll see
you later. I'm poor kid. Yeah, I'm a very nice
experience for a girl. Get anything, Jason, not much. She
says she's sure the car was black, and Polly Pratt
thinks the last four digits on the license were two
one four four. He isn't sure who sees shriff, he's
a druggist down the corner. Did he see the shooting?
(06:58):
Nobody heard the sharps from out on the street just
as the car was driving off to one four four. Yeah,
maybe we better send that out just on the chance
he was right. Yeah, I guess it wouldn't hurt. Unit
ten the KTXA Unit ten the KTXA KT go Ahead
subject wanted for hold up and shooting in Corvel County
(07:20):
this evening. Believed to be about six feet two, said
to be driving black sedan. One witness reports last four
digits of license maybe two one four four two one
four four. Alert all units and have licensed division check
records of cars. This description with matching digits. Unit ten
now proceeding the county hospital with sheriff to interrogate victim
(07:40):
ten to four will alert all units ten four if
no other traffic unit ten clear the traffic. I guess
just about everybody in Corvel is gonna feel as bad
about this as Nancy does. I'm feeling kind of shook
up myself, you know, in him a long time. Oh yeah,
and Ie nicer fella never lived in gym Reeves. Carrie,
(08:01):
that's his wife. Well, it'll be just like killing her too.
When they teller, have you been able to locate her yet? Nope?
Neighbors says she's taking a bunch of things she didn't
need over to a family on some ranch out yonder,
just like Carrie thinking of other folks, even when she's
moving and all. Where were they moving? Fort Worth? And
they were both looking forward so to going up there.
(08:21):
Daughters got a little cottage in the back of her place.
Jim and Carry were always talking about Beth's kid and
what a good time they were gonna have being grandparents
to Bunkie. Thugs have a way of picking on good people.
I don't know why, and there plenty of bad ones around.
Good folks are more trusting, That's why that's where I
don't know what Carry's gonna do now, Jee or daughter
(08:41):
lap Her won't she?
Speaker 8 (08:42):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (08:42):
Sure, but Carrie's too conscientious to live on Beth. Jim
worked a lot longer than he should have just so
they could retire independent. I think Carrie take an old
age pension first, or maybe he can raise some money
for on the hardware stuff. Maybe, but I think Jim
sold out most of his stock today. I might get
that money back for her, yet, I'm sure. I hope so, Jason.
(09:03):
I hope mister Reeves can give us some kind of
a lead to go on.
Speaker 8 (09:06):
You wouldn't help.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
Here.
Speaker 7 (09:09):
We are room three.
Speaker 8 (09:11):
We can go right in ja right.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
H Hey, Carrie, she's coming to you as best she can.
Speaker 8 (09:20):
Jim Sheriff, Yeah, it's me.
Speaker 11 (09:23):
Have you have you got that Philly hit?
Speaker 5 (09:26):
No, but we're going to this is ranger Pierson.
Speaker 8 (09:29):
Jim, Uh, how do you, Sheriff.
Speaker 11 (09:34):
Carry's gonna need that money off of that.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
Don't you worry about anything now.
Speaker 11 (09:40):
H don't give me that, Sheriff. I heard it, doctor,
I heard him talking.
Speaker 5 (09:47):
Uh for you soon t Mister Reeves, have you any
idea who the man was who helped you up?
Speaker 11 (09:54):
Uh no, must be getting old or to be able
to handa fella his I thought he.
Speaker 5 (10:04):
Was a big man.
Speaker 11 (10:05):
Uh uh yeah, a little.
Speaker 8 (10:08):
How tall was he about firefoot? M yes, jeez.
Speaker 11 (10:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (10:31):
A few minutes after we left mister Reeves's room, his
wife arrived at the hospital. The sheriff and I had
to tell her it just died. She took it even
harder than we'd thought she would. We didn't want missus
Reeves to stay alone that night, so we drove her
to a neighbor's house. By the time we left her
was too late to talk to the druggist, Charlie Pratt,
so we went down to his drug store the next morning.
(10:52):
More than Charlie two fellows located that runaway skunk yet
not yet, but we're short. Trying to range your patient here.
Wants to talk to you, Charlie. I just wanted to
check a couple of things with you.
Speaker 8 (11:04):
I just can't believe it yet.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
Jim Reeves and me been playing dominoes together every Saturday
for nine to ten years now.
Speaker 8 (11:11):
It's terrible.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
It's just terrible, that's what it is.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
My wife and I were just saying, Charley, did you
get a look at the man.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
No.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
When I come out, he was whizzing around this corner
and that light colored sedan like a bat out of eighties.
Nancy Taylor said the car was black. Oh that poor
kids shook up.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
She probably don't know what she said.
Speaker 5 (11:29):
Could be You're certain the car was light colored, mister.
Speaker 8 (11:32):
I'm positive you see.
Speaker 6 (11:33):
I was sitting up here at the corner.
Speaker 8 (11:35):
I was eating my supper.
Speaker 5 (11:36):
I remember that because I was thinking at the time,
how good them codfish balls tasted. Did you hear the shots?
I sure did, And then I knocked me off the
stool and I ran out in the street and I
saw this car screeching around the corner. I tried as
hard as I couldn't get the license andwhere We're sure
grateful for that child. And then I saw Nancy come
running out of the store. She was the first one
to get to gym, and I reckon I got there next.
(11:58):
You say, the car trying the corner here?
Speaker 8 (12:00):
Yeah, go, poor kid.
Speaker 6 (12:02):
What a terrible sight for a young girl like that.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
Well, it's lovely to give her nightmares for weeks. My
wife says, sheriff of the car turned the corner here
and Nancy came out of the store afterwards, then she
couldn't have seen it. Well, I saw it, and you
can strike me pink if I'm not right about it's
being kind of a light color. Well, thanks a lot,
mister Prattle. Yes, along, Charlie, anything more I can do
to help you. Nancy's moss says, she just went all
(12:29):
two pieces last night. I'd sooner take Charlie's.
Speaker 8 (12:32):
Words for the colored car.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Look up the street, Sheriff, and she couldn't possibly have
seen that car. No, not if I turned the corner
before she came out. Well, I reckon Nancy's kind of
mixed up about things.
Speaker 8 (12:44):
She must be.
Speaker 5 (12:45):
I think we ought to have another talk with her,
though we may have radioed the wrong description of the car.
We headed for Nancy Taylor's house. When we got there
about eleven, her mother told us she'd gone over to
pay her respects to Missus Reeves. We drove over to
the neighbors where Missus Reeves was staying and waited in
(13:05):
the car till Nancy came out. She was with her boyfriend,
and we asked him to drive her down to the
Sheriff's office. We'd just gotten out of our car when
I drove up behind us. I'll wear it out there
for you are Will it take long?
Speaker 6 (13:18):
Share?
Speaker 5 (13:18):
I can't tell. Why don't you come inside and wait, Bob,
you'll be all right. We want to get the sure.
Speaker 9 (13:23):
Okay, Oh, it's try not to keep her any longer,
and you have to re share.
Speaker 5 (13:28):
She had an awful bad night, Missus Taylor saying, well,
we'll make it as short as we can, Bob, But
there are two two things we want to clear up.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
But Range, I've told you everything I know about it.
What more do you want to ask me that I
haven't already talked to you about.
Speaker 5 (13:40):
I'll be sure and get your statement down as soon
as we can, Nancy. The quicker we get at it,
the more clearly you'll remember what happened.
Speaker 8 (13:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
Here, sit down here, Nasa, thank you. Here's a chair
for you.
Speaker 8 (13:51):
Bob.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
Thanks Nancy. We know when a thing like this happens,
everybody gets a little excited.
Speaker 6 (13:57):
Oh, it's the worst thing I've ever been through. It
was the sweetest old man and poor missus Reeves.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
Oh.
Speaker 6 (14:04):
I wanted to say something to make him feel better.
I just couldn't think it was safe.
Speaker 5 (14:09):
Let me ask you something, Nancy, how tall did you
say that fellow was.
Speaker 6 (14:13):
Well, uh, I don't know exactly, except he was pretty big.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
We talked to mister Reeves before he died. He seemed
to think the man was fairly short.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
Oh, Ranger, I'm just sure he was a big, broad
shouldered man, kind of husky as well as being tall.
Speaker 5 (14:27):
There's another thing, Nancy. Yes, sir, you told me the
car you saw was black. Yes, sir, you sure it
wasn't the lighter color.
Speaker 6 (14:36):
Well, it could have been a real dog green.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
I guess why we're having little trouble getting the description
of the car straight. Mister Pratt says it was a
light color.
Speaker 6 (14:46):
He's wrong, Range, I was closer than he was, of course.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
He says, by the time you came out the car
turned the corner.
Speaker 6 (14:52):
Well, that didn't sew. I ran right out there when
I heard the shops and I saw the car. It
was either black or else, maybe a very dark green.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
What's the matter.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
Don't you believe me?
Speaker 5 (15:04):
It's your statement. I want to write it down. Have
you sign it now?
Speaker 10 (15:08):
Uh?
Speaker 7 (15:09):
Huh?
Speaker 6 (15:11):
Can you wait, Bob?
Speaker 8 (15:12):
Excuse me, Ranger.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
I don't mean to be butting in.
Speaker 8 (15:14):
Couldn't you do that tomorrow?
Speaker 9 (15:16):
Nancy's been under and awful strange ever since this happened,
and I know you'd get better results if you'd just
let her get some rest.
Speaker 5 (15:22):
I'll get it soon. As we get an accurate description
of the car, the better chance we have of catching
the fellow.
Speaker 10 (15:27):
Well, as I say, I'm not too sure whether it
was black or green.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
That's all right, you can put that down in your
statement there. Gee, maybe we better take Nancy's statement later.
I'll come licensed. Division says the number Charlie Pratt gave
us belongs to a car dealer New Moncro got a
lot of cars there, the same dealer's number, green and
black sedan book.
Speaker 6 (15:48):
You mean you found the car the fellow used.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
We don't know, but it looks like we're getting warmer.
Maybe now you'll be able to track that guy down, huh,
I hope. So naming the dealers Andy Rourke, Jase, Nancy,
you stand by to identify him. We we'll get that
killin U bandit before you know it.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
In just a moment, we will continue with Tales of
the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jase Pearson.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Friends at this moment throughout the country, millions of motorists
are beginning to wend their way home along crowded highways
from a long Memorial Day weekend. It is at times
such as these when accidents happen more frequently.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
When death and driving.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Draw closer together, you can help to decrease the accident
and death rate on our nation's highways. Excessive speed for
driving conditions is a major cause of many motor accidents.
Control your speed at all times to keep within the
safe speed, not just the legal limit. America's professional truck
drivers are taught to drive ahead of themselves to avoid
(17:01):
accidents by seeing them threaten before they can happen. They
know that careful driving keeps them from having accidents which
may take lives.
Speaker 8 (17:10):
Speed is the.
Speaker 5 (17:11):
Number one killer on the highways.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
So drive carefully today on your way home from an
enjoyable weekend, and tomorrow wherever you go in your car,
exercise caution, courtesy, and the golden rule, for the life
you save may be your own. Now the second act
of Tales of the Texas Rangers.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
We continue now with Tales of the Texas Rangers and
our authentic story sell Out.
Speaker 5 (17:43):
The sheriff and I decided the druggist Charlie Pratt was
the best one to help us spot the car. We
told the tailor girl to be available in the event.
We picked up the Killer and we headed for al
montro As we drove up to the dealer's place, two
highway patrolmen. We're talking to a large man in the
used car lot. Okay, mister Prady, all right, that must
(18:05):
be Rorke stand over there with a patrolman. Sageys.
Speaker 7 (18:08):
He's a big guys.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
I guess Nancy's description was right, Yeah, Audi boys you
Andy Rhurke. Yeah, I have to ask a few questions
if you don't mind.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
Well, I've answered so many from the highway patrol to
dam getting kind of used to it.
Speaker 5 (18:22):
That's fine.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
Look, ranger, what is this? Sergeant here says you got
me mixed up in that murder up in Corvel yesterday.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
That's right, Witnes, saw your license on the murder car.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
That's a dealer's license, got it on most of my
cars sitting here in the lot.
Speaker 5 (18:34):
Where were you about six thirty yesterday evening, mister Rorke.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
I was out demonstrating one of my cars to a customer.
Speaker 5 (18:40):
What's his name?
Speaker 9 (18:41):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (18:42):
Some fella going through town.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
You know where we could reach him?
Speaker 8 (18:45):
No, I don't.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
That's not much of an alibi, Roorke, You got any
black sedans or dark green ones in here?
Speaker 8 (18:51):
For sure?
Speaker 4 (18:52):
I got two black Sedans and one dark green range?
Jam did sure it was a lighter coloring.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
You mind if we look around?
Speaker 4 (18:58):
Help yourself only get it over well?
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Yeah, I wouldn't be given orders if I were you, Rorke.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Sorry, Ranger, I'll be around if you need me.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Those you come along and start showing us those sedans.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Okay, there's the two black ones over there and the
dark green ones.
Speaker 5 (19:16):
O yonder, take a good look at these cars, now,
mister Pratt.
Speaker 8 (19:20):
Uh No, No, it wasn't neither one of these.
Speaker 6 (19:24):
I'm still dead sure it was.
Speaker 8 (19:25):
Kind of light colored.
Speaker 5 (19:26):
He got any light colored cars? Rock?
Speaker 4 (19:28):
What color?
Speaker 5 (19:29):
We don't know exactly?
Speaker 8 (19:31):
Hey, hey, here is this is one?
Speaker 5 (19:33):
Ranger? I know it just as sure as I'm standing.
Are you positive?
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (19:37):
That's the one.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
See those vertical guards in the bumper. But the reason
I couldn't get the whole numbers because those stuck up
in front of the plate. I remember, now, was this
the car you were demonstrating yesterday? Mister Rourke say, say,
wait a minute, I'm waiting.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
Come to think of it, I loaned that car to
a fellow yesterday.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
What was his name? Darn if I can remember?
Speaker 4 (19:56):
Now, come in here, and one of the grease job
done in his car needed transportation and took kind of
a shine of this to Dan. Thought I might sell
it to him if I.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
Let him use it for a few hours. Don't you
keep a record of the names of people who borrow
your car?
Speaker 8 (20:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Yeah, I got it.
Speaker 8 (20:10):
Write my book?
Speaker 5 (20:10):
Here?
Speaker 4 (20:12):
Hell yeh, here it is Robert Thatcher r FD forty three, Corvell.
Speaker 5 (20:17):
Let me see that Robert Thatcher. Uh huh, Nancy Taylor's boyfriend.
We headed back to Corvell. By six thirty, we'd picked
up a warrant for Thatcher's arrest and drove out to
his house. His mother answered the door, How do you
miss Thatcher?
Speaker 6 (20:36):
Will I know Sheriff?
Speaker 5 (20:38):
Is Bob at home?
Speaker 8 (20:39):
No?
Speaker 5 (20:40):
Well, when you expected know Sheriff Renger And I'd like
to talk to you for a minute, ma'am.
Speaker 9 (20:47):
Why come in?
Speaker 5 (20:51):
When did Bob leave missus?
Speaker 8 (20:53):
Thatcher?
Speaker 6 (20:54):
Ooh about an hour?
Speaker 8 (20:54):
Go?
Speaker 6 (20:55):
I reckon, Why can't.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
You tell us where he when I didn't have no
chance to ask him what you want with him? Ma'am.
I'm sorry to be the one to break it to here,
but it looks like he's in trouble, serious trouble. Yeah,
we want to talk to him about Jim Reeves murder.
We have evidence he was probably driving the murderer car
the evening it happened. I don't believe it. You know,
(21:18):
if Bob own's a gun, no, we don't. Have you
ever seen a thirty two around the house?
Speaker 11 (21:22):
No, I sure.
Speaker 5 (21:23):
I am sorry to distress you with this man. It
does look funny Bob's taking off so sudden.
Speaker 10 (21:29):
Wait a minute, The reason Bob took off, Sheriff was
because he's been't have enough fuss with his girlfriend Nancy Taylor. Yeah,
but the kids come home this afternoon and they told
me they were going to lope.
Speaker 8 (21:41):
That don't sound like he's mixed up.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
No murder, does it? Did Nancy go with him?
Speaker 10 (21:45):
No, they had a little tea while they're sitting out
in the car. You know how kids are used to
be kind orinery like that himself, and then Rob Bob
was packing, Nancy run off.
Speaker 5 (21:57):
Do you know where she went?
Speaker 8 (21:58):
No?
Speaker 6 (21:59):
Oh, she's all upset, and Bob.
Speaker 10 (22:01):
You run after her when you come back, he said,
he left her down to the creek summers.
Speaker 8 (22:06):
He was mad.
Speaker 5 (22:07):
But I reckon, you Koulah can come home for nightfall,
Missus Thatcher. I have only one horse in my trailer.
You got one the sheriff could borrow?
Speaker 8 (22:17):
Yes, I think so?
Speaker 5 (22:18):
Why I reckon? We better see if Nancy's all right.
Speaker 6 (22:22):
Ranger.
Speaker 10 (22:23):
If you're thinking my Bob might have done something to Nancy,
well you're wrong.
Speaker 5 (22:26):
Maybe we are, ma'am, but we're not taking any chances.
Missus Thatcher stood by the crowd fence, staring after us
as we picked up the double tracks and rode out
across the field. They led to a dry wash, and
we're fairly easy to follow. Oh ark, oh, look sheriff. Yeah,
(22:50):
that's your steps turned back here and hers go on.
You think she's all right then, I hope. So let's
move on a little farther and see where these tracks lead.
Get up for her. Oh wait a minute, told the sheriff,
what is it? The track stop here? Must be close by.
Speaker 6 (23:11):
Here, I am, ranger, That's why I was hiding.
Speaker 5 (23:16):
I was scared, mighty relieved that you Ranger, sit down
here on this log, and then, Nancy, you look pretty tucking.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
I'm not talking, Sheriff.
Speaker 8 (23:24):
I'm I'm terrified.
Speaker 6 (23:26):
If I couldn't run fast, I'd be dead by now.
Speaker 5 (23:28):
He was gonna get me, he maanted to Bob Thatcher.
Speaker 6 (23:31):
Yeah, you see, when he heard you were going down
the car lost, he knew you'd find me borrow that car,
so he told me.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
All about it, killing Jim or Reeves.
Speaker 6 (23:40):
You mean, yeah, of course, I was just horrified.
Speaker 4 (23:43):
I didn't want to have any more to do it.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
Imagine killing that sweet old man.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
Yeah, I was thinking about it.
Speaker 6 (23:50):
Well.
Speaker 5 (23:51):
When I told Bob how I fell about about.
Speaker 6 (23:53):
Crying and the like, he just turned on me. He
started slapping me around, skill me have to test. He
said he'd killed me if I wouldn't run off with it.
Imagine trying to get me mixed up in this thing.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
You are mixed up in it.
Speaker 6 (24:11):
Or Ranger, I didn't have anything to do with Shutney.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
You had plenty to do with framing the hold up
that led to the killer, though, didn't.
Speaker 6 (24:17):
You, Prange. I just can't understand how you can even
think anything.
Speaker 8 (24:21):
So awful, let alone say it to me.
Speaker 5 (24:23):
You can stop crying, Miss Taylor, because there'sn't fooling anyone anymore.
Speaker 6 (24:27):
What do you mean?
Speaker 5 (24:28):
I mean you tried to throw us off the track
by lying to us and giving us wrong information about
the man's height and the color of the car.
Speaker 6 (24:35):
Gee Ranger. He was my boyfriend.
Speaker 8 (24:38):
I was just trying to protect.
Speaker 10 (24:39):
Him until I could persuade him to give himself off.
Speaker 6 (24:43):
I'll just be loyal. You know how women are.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
I thought you said a minute ago you didn't know
anything about it till this afternoon.
Speaker 6 (24:51):
Did I I'm just all mixed up.
Speaker 5 (24:54):
This all sure? You're coming in with us now?
Speaker 6 (24:58):
Rangel listener? Would it help you on if I told
you what Bob told me about the money.
Speaker 10 (25:03):
What about the money, Well, you see, he put it
in the Grain Exchange bank down in the Elvira Saturday morning.
Speaker 6 (25:08):
For you About the license number? Yeah, well the bank
was closed at noon Saturday and all day Sunday. He
couldn't get it out.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
You mean he's gonna pick it up Monday morning?
Speaker 10 (25:16):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (25:16):
I'm dead sure he will. That he's knowing Boba.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
I don't think he needs without it without even knowing him.
I don't think so either. Come on, miss Taylor taking
you into town. I'm gonna drop you off the county jail.
Speaker 8 (25:27):
Me.
Speaker 6 (25:28):
Well, I've just been trying to help your ranger.
Speaker 5 (25:30):
You have, and we'll be on hand to meet your
boyfriend when the bank opens Monday. When the bank and
Alvira opened Monday morning, the sheriff and I were staked
out across the street and around the corner from the
building so we could see thatcher when he showed up.
We told the manager of the bank our plan, and
he gave us a key to the back door. Two
(25:52):
minutes after the bank opened, thatcher appeared. As soon as
he was inside, we moved up closer. You think we
gotta grab him now?
Speaker 8 (25:59):
Geez know, Wait, he.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
Draws the money out, you go in the front, Sheriff,
I'm gonna hot foot it around to the back door.
Speaker 8 (26:05):
He got the key here right here.
Speaker 5 (26:07):
Now, don't go up to him until you see me
open the back door, Sheriff. Remember that, because then if
he gives us any trouble, I can grab him.
Speaker 7 (26:13):
Okay, Jason, all right, I have that cash, all right?
Speaker 5 (26:26):
Aren't you come in a close on water?
Speaker 8 (26:27):
He down, up, down thatcher. You've already killed one man.
What makes you think i'd mind killing another.
Speaker 5 (26:33):
The first one's the hardest.
Speaker 9 (26:34):
You know what, That gun down, You don't want to
step aside, Sheriff. I'll put a pullet right in your collar.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
Do it with this gun, Tota, we need it for evidence.
Give me that gun. Give it to me, all right.
Speaker 6 (26:50):
I didn't mean to kill the old man.
Speaker 8 (26:51):
Ranger, get up.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
The gun just went off in my hand, honest.
Speaker 7 (26:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (26:57):
Guns have a way of doing that when you point
him at deep and when you hold someone up with them,
they usually backfire.
Speaker 1 (27:18):
In just a moment, we will tell you the results
of the case you have just heard.
Speaker 8 (27:23):
Friends.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
Later today, Meredith Wilson joins your Sunday lineup of enjoyable
radio programs on the NBC Radio Network. Meredith Wilson's Music
Room is the locale of his new Sunday show, and
you'll hear Meredith's talking people as well as your favorite music.
So remember to tune for Meredith Wilson's Music Room later today.
Also on your entertainment list today is the First Nighter
(27:44):
presenting Barbara Luddy and Olan Souley in another presentation from
the Little Theater off Times Square. Then more Drama waits
you on Theatre Guild on the air. Today's Theatre Guild
presentation a dramatic story entitled Remember the Day. It stars
Helen and MacDonald Carey. And from the Armed Forces of
our Nation comes another fine program today stars in Khaki
(28:06):
and blue. It's called You'll enjoy this program and the
talented servicemen and women to whom it gives an opportunity
to perform.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
Yes, Sunday brings.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
Most enjoyable listening for you on NBC, So stay tuned
to this station, Stay tuned for Meredith Wilson's Music Room,
the first Nighter Theater Guild on the air, and.
Speaker 8 (28:27):
All the rest.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
Now the conclusion of today's tales of the Texas Rangers,
and now.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Here are the results of the case you have just heard.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
Ballistics prove that the bullet which entered Jim Reeves's body
came from Thatch's thirty two Rivola patch A signed a
pool confession and was sentenced to light imprisonment in the
State Penitentiary at Huntsville. Nancy Taylor received a sentence of
fifteen years in the Women's prison at Gory.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
Next week toole me Cray and another authentic reenactment of
a case from the files of but Texas Rangers. Technical
(29:28):
advisor was Captain M. T. Lone Wolf Gonzales of the
Texas Rangers. This story was transcribed and adapted by Betty Meres,
and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keith.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Hell get Me speaking.
Speaker 2 (29:52):
Next, The Chase brings you more adventure on most of
these NVC stations.
Speaker 8 (29:57):
This is NBC ooh BO
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