Jailbait Janet

Originally Aired: June 28, 1959

Gunsmoke #377, "Jailbait Janet," Matt Dillon and Chester investigate a brazen train robbery where three masked bandits made off with fifty thousand dollars in gold and left the baggage clerk mortally wounded. The trail leads them to what appears to be a simple homesteading family traveling by covered wagon—Dan Everly, his son Jerry, and daughter Janet. When Matt discovers their saddle horses and a third person hiding in the brush, the truth emerges: this desperate father and his two children are the train robbers. Everly claims he had a right to the money after the railroad burned his wheat field and refused to honor his claim, but his justification rings hollow when the baggage clerk dies from his wounds.

With the Everly family in custody but refusing to reveal where they buried the stolen gold, Matt faces a dilemma. Railroad agent J.L. Crocker demands immediate results and grows suspicious of Matt's decision to let the eighteen-year-old Janet stay in Kitty's care rather than lock her up in the men's jail. As Janet settles into her temporary arrangement at the Long Branch, the pressure mounts on Matt to recover the missing money and deliver justice for a crime that pits a father's desperation against the law.

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.