Laughing Gas

Originally Aired: March 9, 1958

In Gunsmoke #309, "Laughing Gas," a traveling entertainment show comes to Dodge City, promising amazing hilarity through the effects of nitrous oxide. Chester eagerly anticipates the show after borrowing twenty-five cents from Marshal Matt Dillon, despite Doc Adams' warnings about the dangers of the intoxicating anesthetic. The evening takes a violent turn when Cloud Marsh volunteers to take the gas and becomes belligerent on stage, threatening to fight everyone in the room before breaking down in tears and destroying the equipment. His humiliation in front of the whole town sets the stage for deadly revenge.

The next morning brings worse news when Mrs. Stafford frantically summons Doc Adams after her husband Earl is brutally beaten behind their store by Cloud Marsh and his two brothers. As Doc tends to the unconscious showman, Marshal Dillon reveals he knows Earl Stafford's real identity—he's actually Ernie Stubblefield, a former gunfighter from the Red River with four killings to his name and prison time behind him. Now Mrs. Stafford faces an agonizing choice: seek justice for her husband's beating or protect the peaceful new life they've built by avoiding trouble with the vengeful Marsh family.

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.