Born to Hang: Justice Denied and Delivered

Originally Aired: April 23, 1955

Born to Hang: Justice Denied and Delivered

In one of Gunsmoke's most morally complex episodes, Marshal Matt Dillon must stop a lynching, prevent a revenge killing, and wrestle with the limits of law and justice in the untamed frontier.

The episode opens with Joe Digger narrowly escaping death after being falsely accused of horse theft and nearly hanged by a vigilante mob led by Glick and Hank Pate. Rescued by Roble, one of the more decent men in the posse, Digger survives—but he is forever changed.

Dillon, learning of the incident, warns Digger to leave justice to the law. But Digger, traumatized and stripped of his dignity, issues a warning of his own: unless Dillon arrests the men responsible, he’ll take justice into his own hands.

As Dillon tracks Glick to his ranch and attempts a lawful arrest, Glick’s wife slips him a gun. Glick tries to escape and is killed in the process. But the real reckoning comes later, when Digger finds and kills Pate in Dodge City—just after the stroke of midnight.

Dillon arrives seconds too late. When he tries to arrest Digger for murder, Digger draws on him—and pays the ultimate price.

Born to Hang is a stark meditation on justice, vengeance, and the cost of survival. It shows that in the rugged world of Dodge City, even the innocent may die with guilt, and sometimes, the guilty never get to hang.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Born to Hang episode," "April 1955 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon lynching story," "Joe Digger horse theft plot," "Glick and Hank Pate vigilantes," "Western radio drama revenge," "John Meston Gunsmoke script."

Cast: William Conrad (Matt Dillon), Parley Baer (Chester), Howard McNear (Doc), Georgia Ellis (Kitty), Joseph Kearns (Roble), John Dehner (Joe Digger), Lawrence Dobkin (Glick), James Nusser (Hank Pate).

Welcome to Gunsmoke: Old West Stories, a podcast that takes you back to the rugged plains of 1870s Dodge City, Kansas. Rediscover the timeless tales of bravery, justice, and survival in the American frontier with our re-broadcasts of the classic Gunsmoke radio program.

First airing on April 26, 1952, Gunsmoke was celebrated as the first adult western radio show, renowned for its superb storytelling and exceptional production quality. Join Marshal Matt Dillon, portrayed by the incomparable William Conrad, as he faces the challenges of maintaining law and order in a tumultuous town. Alongside him are unforgettable characters like Chester Proudfoot (Parley Baer), the steadfast deputy; Kitty (Georgia Ellis), the resilient saloon owner; and Doc Adams (Howard McNear), the town’s compassionate physician.

What sets Gunsmoke apart is not just its stellar cast and engaging plots but the immersive sound effects that bring each scene to life. Every gunshot, horse gallop, and whisper of the wind transports you directly to the heart of the Old West.

Whether you're a longtime fan or a new listener, Gunsmoke: Old West Stories promises to deliver gripping adventures and a nostalgic journey through one of radio’s most iconic series. Tune in and let the legends of Dodge City captivate your imagination.