Widow’s Mite: A Marshal’s Doubt and a Widow’s Ordeal

Originally Aired: April 8, 1956

In Gunsmoke #209, “Widow’s Mite,” Marshal Matt Dillon is drawn into the tragic aftermath of a robbery gone wrong, where suspicion and greed linger long after the gunfire. When outlaw Zach Morton is killed, Dodge City’s gossip mill insists his grieving widow Ada knows the whereabouts of the stolen money. As Matt investigates, he crosses paths with the genteel but unsettling Leach Fields—an old acquaintance of Ada’s who seems too eager to comfort her, and perhaps even marry her, just weeks after her husband’s death. But when Ada disappears and is found starved and tied up, Matt realizes the depths of Fields’ deception. A tense hunt for missing money leads to a desperate confrontation in the dark, and a final revelation that not every crime leaves behind the evidence—or the closure—people expect. “Widow’s Mite” explores the high price of suspicion and the quiet strength of a woman wronged by everyone around her.

Cast:
William Conrad, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, Howard McNear

Tags:
western, mystery, suspense, robbery, DodgeCity, WilliamConrad, ParleyBaer, GeorgiaEllis, HowardMcNear, widowsmite, oldtimeradio, betrayal, vintagecrime, 1950sradio, classicdrama, falseaccusation, frontierjustice, suspensepodcast

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.