Spring Term

Originally Aired: January 1, 1961

Gunsmoke #456, "Spring Term," Marshal Matt Dillon becomes the target of a vengeful killer from his past. When a peaceful townsman named Dane Shaw is shot in the back on a quiet Dodge City street, the dying man mutters one word: "Stone." Matt recognizes the name from years earlier in Matagorda County, where a cow thief named Stone was hanged by cattlemen. Stone's partner, a man named Danch missing one ear, had sworn to kill Matt in revenge, though Matt had nothing to do with the hanging. With Dane Shaw wearing a hat similar to Matt's and built much the same, it becomes clear that the marshal was the intended victim.

As Matt and Chester search for the one-eared assassin, Matt catches a man named Bill Lee following him down an alley with a gun. Despite days of interrogation, Lee refuses to admit any connection to Danch or the shooting. Frustrated by the stalemate and tired of being hunted through Dodge City's streets, Matt must find a way to draw the real killer out of hiding before another innocent person dies in his place.

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.