Livvie's Loss

Originally Aired: April 13, 1958

In Gunsmoke #314, "Livvie's Loss," a bitter family conflict erupts when Livvie Redgate tries desperately to prevent her son Ben from following in his father Horatio's footsteps. Horatio, a long-absent husband whose breath hasn't been free of whiskey for five years, returns to take the boy into town against Livvie's wishes. When she follows them to a saloon and physically knocks a bottle from Ben's hand, she declares she'd gladly see every saloon in Kansas burned to the ground. The confrontation drives Ben away in anger, determined to get drunk somewhere his mother can't find him.

That very night, the new Prairie Wagon saloon goes up in flames, and Livvie is found standing in the alley behind the burning building. With witnesses ready to testify about her threats and her suspicious presence at the scene, Marshal Matt Dillon has little choice but to hold her for questioning. Just as the situation looks dire for Livvie, her drunken husband Horatio staggers into the marshal's office claiming he knows who really set the fire.

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.