Love of Money

Originally Aired: February 5, 1961

Gunsmoke #461, "Love of Money," brings a troubled old friend to Matt Dillon's door. Nate Tatum, a US Marshal from Oklahoma Territory, arrives in Dodge on his way to California after quitting his job. He confesses to Matt that he's running scared, convinced that enemies from his past have hired a stranger to gun him down. Despite his years of facing danger head-on, it's the threat of a bullet in the back that haunts him. After drinks at the Long Branch with Matt and Kitty, Nate meets Bonnie Van Diemen, a woman working to stake her way to California while waiting for her gambler boyfriend to arrive from Abilene. When Nate walks Bonnie home that evening, his premonition proves tragically accurate.

Matt finds himself investigating his friend's murder with few leads and mounting frustration. Bonnie becomes his only connection to the crime, leading to her brief stay in the town jail despite her protests of innocence. When Miles Cody, Bonnie's gambler, finally arrives in Dodge, he finds his girl behind bars and the marshal determined to find whoever put a bullet in Nate Tatum's back.

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.