Auto Light and its 96,000 dealers present Suspense.
Tonight, Auto Light brings you a killing in Abilene, a suspense play starring Mr. Alan
Ladd.
I traveled hard for 300 miles to find the man who killed my brother.
I'd come down out of the Snake Range that morning, followed the river trail through the
canyon, and that afternoon had found Pleasant Valley, a handful of buildings desolate and
huddled in the cold shadows of the mountains around.
It was all dark.
No man appeared as I rode through the town.
Only a dog changed, and he from a safe distance.
Then it was quiet.
About a quarter of a mile beyond an easy rise, I saw what had happened to the people of the
town.
There were maybe 60 or 70 standing in a circle.
And as I got closer, I saw they were gathered around two men, two men who were digging.
You stay put, horse.
There was a look on the faces of the people standing there, even the kids peeking from
behind skirts and trouser links.
And it was something I'd seen before.
It wasn't a good look.
It was the look some people had had two years before in Abilene, when we discovered my brother's
body.
In just a moment, Mr. Alan Ladd in the first act of killing in Abilene.
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And now with the killing in Abilene and the performance of Mr. Alan Ladd, auto light answers
many requests in bringing you a story of the old west, hoping once again to keep you in
suspense.
Hold up a minute.
What's the matter?
I had something.
Wait, better go slow.
Dig around this side.
Here, I can't do it anymore.
One of you boys take over.
I'll do it, Jim.
Somebody's got to.
It's him, all right.
I've seen his shirt.
You were right then, Dan.
Jake, Jake Garvey, you're a sheriff.
Better come take a look.
Yeah.
That's him.
That's Fred Costin, all right.
The other women folk let her away.
The men stayed and pushed in a little closer to the pit and waited there until the job
was finished.
Then they noticed me.
What are you doing here, stranger?
Where are you from?
You're the sheriff?
That's right.
I'm Jake Garvey.
Man is my name.
I'm Abilene.
So?
I'm looking for a man in these parts.
He calls himself Lee Burrage.
Who did he say, Sheriff?
He said Lee Burrage, Ben.
You tell him we'll take care of him.
What do you want him for?
What's it matter what he wants him for?
We know what we want him for.
Come on.
Now, there ain't going to be no trouble.
I'm the law in Pleasant Valley.
I'll say what we do.
We elected you, Sheriff Jake.
We could not elect you.
Like Ben said, it was Burrage killed him and you know it.
I've got to talk to you about Burrage, Sheriff.
It's important.
All right.
My office, back of the meeting house.
We don't need no talk about Burrage.
We need to do something about the ugly son.
Come down, boys.
Let's get on back to town.
We'll take her as she comes.
Smoke?
No, thanks.
The boys want to know why you're here.
So do I.
We don't like strangers.
What do you want with Lee Burrage?
I had a brother.
Killed out in Abilene.
Burrage did it.
Oh?
He and another one drove right into the railroad.
Burrage got drunk and killed my brother.
Bury him same as here.
We found this pot near the grave.
His name burned into it.
It's taken me two years to find him.
Now I want to talk to him about it.
The boys are pretty sure he killed Fred Costin, too.
So am I now.
Maybe so.
Fred Costin isn't my business.
My brother is.
And I want to see his killer back in Abilene's standing trial.
I made a promise I'd bring him back, that there'd be no more killing.
We didn't know your brother, but we knew Fred and we liked him.
You can help take care of Burrage here, if you have a mind to.
Try him here, you mean?
On both charges?
No need for that.
What do you mean, take care of him?
How did he kill your brother?
His head was beat in.
He was beat to death.
Yeah, same as he did to Fred.
Man who'd do a thing like that don't need no trial.
Not for you, maybe.
But there'll be no more killing in my family.
We'll give him a fair trial here in Abilene.
But a fair trial.
If Burrage's done these killings, he's gonna pay for it here.
I don't go for lynching.
We don't call it lynching when we hang a man for murder.
We don't like it going back to Abilene.
Maybe I'll do that when I take Lee Burrage out for trial.
I don't know what you're trying to do.
I suspect it's get Burrage out of town.
If I'm right, you're heading into a lot of trouble.
Let's go get him, Ben.
Back in time.
Hold it.
One of your boys gonna direct me to where Lee Burrage lives?
We could, but Felt inclined.
What do you want with him?
I just want to talk.
Anybody got objections?
Yeah.
Who are you?
Ben Chaffey.
There ain't gonna be no talking.
He's done what he's done, he's gonna pay for it.
Ain't nobody gonna stand in the way.
It's time you was riding out of here.
And if I don't?
Then I'll help you.
Climb off, Ben.
We don't need no private wars here.
Why does he live?
Come on, boy.
It turned away from me and moved into the sheriff's office, leaving me alone to walk
down a strangely quiet street.
Towards the hills, the thunderhead was beginning to gather, moving in slowly.
Near the end of the street, two men were building a coffin in front of a small house.
This is where I'll find Miss Carson.
Why do you have to come meddling around here at a time like this?
Can't you leave her with it for a sorrel?
Because he's a stranger, Bob boy.
Strangers don't have no time for other people's sorrows.
Maybe you're right, old timer.
Maybe they got too many of themselves.
Yes?
I'd like to talk to you, ma'am.
Could I come in?
Can't you see this house is in mourning?
Ma'am, I know how you feel.
How can you know what I feel?
I had a brother once, killed by this man, Burge.
Oh.
I'd like you to help me.
It was two years ago my brother was killed.
His wife would like the killer brought back to Abilene for trial.
I'd like you to speak to your friends and let me take him away.
He didn't give my friend a chance before he killed him.
He's a cruel, ugly man.
He's a killing man.
You can see it in his eyes.
I understand how that woman feels.
I feel the same way.
I want him killed too.
Not here, where I can watch.
Will you tell me where he lives?
Don't tell him nothing, Mrs. Garton.
You'll go warn him off.
Let him go if he wants.
I say a man's got one life to live and he's got a right to lose it any dang way pleases
him.
I'll tell you where you can find Lee Burrage.
A few miles outside of town with a canyon spread I saw his hut.
Set against a fire-blanket hill.
There's no growing thing in the rocky ground except one sick twisted tree.
Stunted limbs reaching out empty, waiting.
Hold it.
Easy, horse.
Easy.
Now.
Draw your gun down, you.
Or I won't miss with the next one.
Lee Burrage?
Draw it down.
I'm Jeff Mander.
He's my brother Seth you killed in Abilene.
That's who you are.
You've caused me enough trouble.
Get out of here.
I'll give you a fair trial there.
Stay here and you're gonna be lynched for Fred Costin's killing.
Don't come no closer.
Nobody's going to lynch me while I got this.
Listen to me.
I don't hold no love for you.
I shouldn't care what happens to you.
But it took me two years to find you now I'm taking you out.
I'm coming no closer.
Put up your gun.
I'm warning you.
Put up your gun.
I knew he was shooting to miss.
But I didn't know what would happen if I moved closer.
So I got out of his canyon.
It was clouding over heavy when I rode into town again.
Maybe an hour, hour and a half after I left the sheriff's office.
Streets were still empty.
But in a couple of the houses I saw curtains moving windows and shadows duck away as I
looked at them.
I wondered if the old man had told them I'd gone to see Burrage.
And if they knew what they planned doing about it.
Old timer?
Yeah.
I see you had to talk with Burrage.
You see.
You ain't wearing your gun.
You get the drop, won't you?
Yeah.
I'm surprised he didn't kill you.
So was I.
Did you tell them I'd gone there?
Yeah.
What'd they say?
They said if you get Burrage first, they'd get you.
They said you should go back where you came from while you still can.
I will after I settle with Burge.
Where's the sheriff?
Went off with the boys.
After Burge?
Yeah.
They're gonna wait till dark.
Then they're gonna string him up.
Why are they gonna wait till dark?
I want to be with them.
I thought you didn't like lynching.
I don't, but I want to be there.
I was told if you come back to town, you'd have to be with them.
Don't make me use this, son.
Just turn around and we'll join the rest of them.
All right.
And I'd suggest you stop your talking about Lee Burrage.
From what I overheard, you're close to sharing a rope with him.
Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Alan Ladd in a killing in Abilene.
Tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspend.
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production of The Killing in Abilene.
A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
We rode out of Pleasant Valley, the old man and me.
We rode fast without speaking through scattered herds of cattle on the lower range land.
Rolling in from the east, the black cow smothered the mountain tops.
The old man still held the gun on me.
No use winning the horses.
It won't be dark for a couple of hours yet.
Lynchin' parties get their guts after dark.
How come you weren't with them?
Waiting for you.
I thought you'd be around.
Besides, I seen the lynchin' once.
Too much trouble.
Yeah.
You still figuring to take courage with you to Abilene?
I can try.
Ain't that going to be a might Darren without a shooting iron?
Might be.
I'm surprised after two years looking for him, you didn't shoot him when you found him.
Doesn't know what I come for.
Why not?
He was your brother.
I made a promise to somebody.
His wife?
Yeah.
Mine too.
What was it between Cost and Burge?
I don't know.
Nobody seen much of Burge in the past couple of years.
Ever since Ben told us about how he was a killer.
Ugly man.
Just ugly mean.
You said Ben told all of you Burge was a killer?
Yeah.
I guess your brother he killed.
That right?
That's right.
And now because of him, you might get killed.
But why?
They think you made it up about your brother.
They think you're trying to take Burge away.
Do you?
Haven't decided yet.
We've pulled the stream here.
I'll watch your footing.
Sonny.
Yeah?
They haven't seen you yet.
You've still got time to get out.
You'll let me go?
No, no.
I've come this far.
I'll finish him.
Well, I always said a man's got one life and he's got a right to lose it any dang way pleases
him.
Hello, Chef.
Thought you'd left pleasant valley.
We decided he ought to come with us where we can watch him.
You decided, Ben.
I'm not going to leave.
I'm going to go.
What do you say, Mister?
I'll tell you what he says, Sheriff.
He says he wants Burrage one way or the other.
He asked to join.
That's what he says.
Get off of the horse, Mister.
Alright.
Now say that lie to me and I'll make you choke on it.
I want Burrage as bad as the rest of you.
I'd prefer him to stand trial, that's the difference.
But I want this lynching if we can avoid it.
Well, you...
Take your hand off your gun, Ben. He ain't armed.
Take it easy, Ben.
We decided what to do.
You're here because I want you here.
Burge killed Fred Costin in a fight.
Now we're going to settle it.
Burge kills easy.
I've seen him do it once before.
He's not going to do it again.
You saw him kill my brother?
I, um...
I thought you didn't believe me.
I saw it.
You need more of a trial than that.
I looked at the faces, angry, filled with hate.
And I thought of the ugly man up in the canyon in the broken down shack.
I wondered if he knew what was waiting for him a mile or so away.
It was quiet then.
Storm clouds were quickening the end of the day.
The party became shadows sitting nervously, or smoking.
Two of the men had some whiskey.
And were building their courage for the night's work.
It's nearly dark.
I didn't think you'd come.
I had to.
All the way?
My Fred's dead.
So's my brother.
My Fred was a good man.
Never hit me, but he was a dark man with drink.
Like those two.
What was it between Burge and him?
We lost some chickens.
Fred said that man stole them.
When he came to town for supplies, Fred and him got to fighting.
That man hated him and beat him.
Fred was a terrible hurt.
Afterwards everybody laughed and made jokes.
They laughed at their friend?
Oh, it was man laughing, no harm.
But to a dark man like Fred, it was bad.
He swore to get even.
That was last Saturday.
He went in to drink.
And didn't come back?
We all thought he rode out someplace for shame.
Why do you think Burge killed him?
They were all talking about it.
Who was?
All the men. Saturday night.
They said Fred and that man were arguing.
Who heard them?
Ben did.
When Fred didn't come back, we all knew that man had killed him.
He did.
And he's going to pay for it.
Who found the grave, ma'am?
Ben did.
I'm sorry for you, brother's wife.
But it's got to be this way.
Just like the holy book says.
An eye for an eye.
Let's go, boys. It's time to ride.
We rode to the widening of the canyon, dismounted,
and went the rest of the way to the hot on foot.
We took one horse with us.
He's there all right.
There's a lad inside.
Hold up, boys.
Bob, you, Jim, and Needle come with me.
Right here.
We'll bring him out.
The rest of you stay here.
What's the idea?
You're too quick tonight, Ben. I've given too many orders.
You stay.
Still trying to get him away, son?
Am I?
You're like an engine I knew once.
Had to shoot him five times before he knew he was dead.
What do you want here?
You know what we want, Burrage.
Get out of here.
Get off my land.
You come outside quiet like we don't want no trouble.
Trouble? I ain't asking for trouble.
You asked for it when you killed Fred Costin.
Who killed him?
I didn't kill him.
Save your breath while you still got it.
Come on.
Look out the lamp.
What am I doing?
Look out the lamp.
Let her go up and smoke. He won't be using it anymore.
I'll kill you.
I'll kill you all for this.
You've done your last killing.
Get that rope over that lamp.
Is this your doing, Ben?
Yeah, yeah.
Tie his hands. Bob, I'll hold him.
You're going to blame this one on me too, Ben.
Shut up, I said.
He didn't do it. He didn't do it.
Let it go, son. You can't stop him now.
I've got to talk to him before they do.
He didn't do it. Now I know it.
Wait a minute. Take my gun.
Thanks.
The flames in the shadows flickered over the ugly man's face.
The rope was around his neck.
He knew he was going to die.
As I came near him, I could see in the light, there was no fear in his eyes, only hate.
I lifted onto a horse.
The rope was tightened.
He was ready to be lynched.
Then he saw me.
One request, Sheriff.
What, Burrage?
Let me talk to him a minute.
The stranger here?
For a minute.
No more talking. Kick that horse out from under him.
No, don't, Bob. Not yet.
Let him talk.
Why do you think I killed your brother?
They're trying to get away with something, Jay.
Shut up, Ben. Let them have their say.
Why?
We found your pouch near my brother's grave.
Your name on it.
And tonight Ben told me he saw you do it.
I didn't.
I wasn't with Ben that night.
Ben wanted a drink, and I didn't.
He left me.
Took my pouch with him.
What does it matter about his brother? It's Fred Costin we're hanging him for.
I didn't kill Fred Costin either.
Listen, mister, I didn't kill your brother.
He's talked enough. He killed Fred Costin. I told you that.
What about it, Burrage?
I didn't kill Fred Costin.
He's a lying skunk. Let's get it over with.
I say let him talk.
Where did you get that gun, mister?
How did you know where Fred was buried, Ben?
How did you know where Fred was buried?
Mrs. Costin says you found the grave.
How did you know where it was?
Answer him, Ben.
You told me where it was, Ben.
I saw him burying poor Fred. That's how I knew.
If you saw the burial, why didn't you stop Burrage then?
It wasn't none of my business.
But it is now. What made you change your mind so fast?
Stay away from that horse, Ben.
Get him down. You, Bob, get him down.
I think you'll be coming back to Appalene with me, Ben.
You think so?
You all right, son?
Yeah.
Burrage?
He'll live. Rest easy, son. You've done a good job.
But you ain't going to keep your promise about your brother's killer.
There's no sense taking Ben Chaffee back to Appalene.
We'll bury him here.
Suspense.
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And starring Mr. Alan Ladd.
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Alan Ladd will soon be seen in Paramount's Technicolor production, branded.
Next week on Suspense, Mr. Dennis Day, a star of Christmas for Carol.
And in weeks to come, you will hear such famous stars as Cornell Wild, Ezio Pinza and Ginger Rogers.
All appearing in tales well calculated to keep you in Suspense.
Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morawek and conducted by Ludd Bluskin.
Portions of this program were transcribed.
A Killing in Abilene was written for Suspense by Gil Dowd and Anthony Ellis.
And remember next week on Suspense, Mr. Dennis Day in Christmas for Carol.
You can buy Auto Light staple batteries, Auto Light standard type or resistor type spark plugs, Auto Light electrical parts at your neighborhood Auto Light dealers.
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