1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:16,000 And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 2 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:23,840 Tonight, the story of a man's search for the murderer of his brother. 3 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:26,080 We call it, A Killing in Abilene. 4 00:00:26,080 --> 00:00:33,080 So now, starring Parley Bear, here is tonight's Suspense play, A Killing in Abilene. 5 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:48,080 I'd come down out of the Snake Range that morning, had followed the river trail through the canyon, 6 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:51,080 and that afternoon had found Pleasant Valley. 7 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:59,080 A handful of buildings, desolate, huddled in the cold shadows of the mountains around, all in the dark. 8 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:07,080 A quarter of a mile this side of town, on an easy rise, I saw a handful of people standing in a circle. 9 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:35,080 As I got closer, I saw they were gathered around two men who were digging. 10 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:37,080 Hold up a minute. 11 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:39,080 What's the matter? 12 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:46,080 I hit something. 13 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:48,080 Wait. 14 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:50,080 Better go slow. 15 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:58,080 Dig around this side. 16 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:02,080 Here, I can't do it anymore. 17 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:06,080 What do you boys take over? 18 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,080 I'll do it, Jim. 19 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:21,080 Somebody's got to. 20 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:23,080 It's him, all right. 21 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:25,080 I've seen his shirt. 22 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:27,080 You was right then, Ben. 23 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:29,080 Let the sheriff take a look. 24 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:30,080 Yeah. 25 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:32,080 Jake, Jake Garvey. 26 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:39,080 Yeah. 27 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:41,080 That's him. 28 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:43,080 That's Fred Carsten, all right. 29 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:45,080 Fred. 30 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:47,080 Fred. 31 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:51,080 Oh, Fred. 32 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:53,080 What are you doing here, stranger? 33 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:54,080 Where are you from? 34 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:55,080 You the sheriff? 35 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:56,080 That's right. 36 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:57,080 Jake Garvey. 37 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:00,080 Mander's my name from Abilene. 38 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:01,080 So? 39 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:04,080 I'm looking for a man in these parts calls himself Lee Burridge. 40 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:06,080 Who'd he say, sheriff? 41 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:08,080 He said Lee Burridge, Ben. 42 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:10,080 You come along with us, mister, we'll find him for you. 43 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:11,080 What do you want him for? 44 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:13,080 What's it matter what he wants him for? 45 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:15,080 We know what we want him for. 46 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:16,080 Come on. 47 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:18,080 There ain't going to be no trouble. 48 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:22,080 And the law in Pleasant Valley, I'll do what we say. 49 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:27,080 With Fred Carsten laying cold and his widow weeping, that's trouble enough. 50 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,080 We elected you, sheriff. 51 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:31,080 Jake, we can unelect you. 52 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:34,080 Like Ben said, it was Burridge killed him and you know it. 53 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:36,080 I've got to talk to you about Burridge, sheriff. 54 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:37,080 It's important. 55 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:39,080 All right. 56 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:41,080 My office, back of the meeting house. 57 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:42,080 We don't need no talk about Burridge. 58 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,080 We need to do something about the ugly son. 59 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:45,080 Come on, boys. 60 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,080 Let's get on back to town. 61 00:03:47,080 --> 00:04:01,080 We'll take her as she comes. 62 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:02,080 Smoke? 63 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:08,080 No thanks. 64 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:11,080 The boys want to know why you're here, so do I. 65 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:13,080 I'll tell you, we don't like strangers. 66 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:15,080 What do you want with Lee Burridge? 67 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:19,080 I had a brother who was killed out in Abilene Burridge, did he? 68 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:20,080 No. 69 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:23,080 Him and another one drove a herd into the railroad. 70 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:25,080 Burridge got drunk and killed my brother. 71 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:26,080 There he did. 72 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:28,080 Same as here. 73 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:32,080 We found this pouch near the grave. 74 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,080 His name burned into it. 75 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:38,080 It's taken me two years to find him now I want to talk to him about it. 76 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:42,080 The boys are pretty sure he killed Fred Carsten too. 77 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:43,080 So am I now. 78 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:47,080 Maybe so. Fred Carsten isn't my business, my brother is. 79 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:50,080 And I want to see his killer back in Abilene's standing trial. 80 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:53,080 I made a promise I'd bring him back. 81 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:54,080 How? 82 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:58,080 You don't look like the kind of a man who could use a gun. 83 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:03,080 Now look, we didn't know your brother, but we knew Fred and we liked him. 84 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:07,080 You can help take care of Burridge here if you've the mind to. 85 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:10,080 Try him here, you mean, on both charges? 86 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:11,080 No need for that. 87 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:13,080 Then what do you mean, take care of him? 88 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,080 How'd he kill your brother? 89 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:19,080 His head was beaten. He was beat to death. 90 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:22,080 Yeah. Same as he did to Fred. 91 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,080 A man who'd do a thing like that don't need no trial. 92 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:29,080 Not for you, maybe. But there'll be no more killing in my family. 93 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,080 We'll give him a fair trial in Abilene. 94 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:36,080 If Burridge's done these killings, he's going to pay for it here. 95 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:41,080 I don't go for lynching. 96 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:43,080 That's strong talk. 97 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:47,080 We don't call it lynching when we hang a man for murder. 98 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:51,080 If you don't like it, go on back to Abilene. 99 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,080 Maybe I'll do that. 100 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:57,080 When I take Lee Burridge out for trial. 101 00:05:57,080 --> 00:05:59,080 I don't know what you're trying to do. 102 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:02,080 I suspect it's to get Burridge out of town. 103 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:06,080 If I'm right, you're heading into a lot of trouble. 104 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:19,080 One of you boys direct me to where Lee Burridge lives? 105 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:21,080 Of course, if we felt inclined. 106 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:23,080 What you want with him? 107 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:27,080 Just want to talk? Anybody got any objections? 108 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:29,080 Yeah. 109 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:31,080 Who are you? Ben Chaffee. 110 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:33,080 There ain't going to be no talking. 111 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,080 He's done what he's done, he's going to pay for it. 112 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:38,080 And nobody's going to stand in the way. 113 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:41,080 It's time he was riding out of here. 114 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:42,080 And if I don't? 115 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:43,080 Then I'll help you. 116 00:06:43,080 --> 00:06:46,080 Climb off, Ben. We don't need no private wars here. 117 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:49,080 Where does he live? 118 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,080 Come on, boys. 119 00:06:57,080 --> 00:07:00,080 He turned away from me and moved into the sheriff's office, 120 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,080 leaving me alone to walk down the dusty street. 121 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:06,080 I asked the blacksmith where Lee Burridge lived, 122 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:09,080 and he just looked at me and shook his head. 123 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:12,080 Towards the hills, the thunderhead was beginning to gather, 124 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:15,080 moving in slowly. 125 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:18,080 Near the end of the street, two men were building a coffin 126 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:21,080 in front of a small house. 127 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:24,080 Is this where I'll find Mrs. Costin? 128 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,080 Why do you have to come meddling around here 129 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:28,080 at a time like this? 130 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,080 Can't you leave a widow to her sorrow? 131 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:32,080 Those are the stranger, Bob, boys. 132 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:36,080 Strangers don't have no time for other people's sorrow. 133 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:39,080 Maybe you're right, old timer. 134 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:42,080 Maybe they got too many themselves. 135 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:45,080 Yes? 136 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,080 I'd like to talk to you, ma'am. Could I come in? 137 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:50,080 No. 138 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:53,080 Can't you see this house is in mourning? 139 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,080 My father's dead. 140 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:57,080 I'm sorry. 141 00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:59,080 I'm sorry. 142 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:01,080 I'm sorry. 143 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:03,080 I'm sorry. 144 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:05,080 I'm sorry. 145 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:07,080 I'm sorry. 146 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:09,080 I'm sorry. 147 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:12,080 Can't you see this house is in mourning? 148 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:16,080 My friends are making a coffin for Fred's decent burial. 149 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:18,080 I got nothing to say to you. 150 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,080 Ma'am, I know how you feel. 151 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:23,080 How can you know how I feel? 152 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:27,080 I had a brother once killed by this man buried. 153 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:29,080 Oh. 154 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:31,080 I'd like you to help me. 155 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:33,080 It was two years ago my brother was killed. 156 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:36,080 His wife would like the killer brought back to Abilene for trial. 157 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:38,080 I'd like you to speak to your friend. 158 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:40,080 Let me take him away. 159 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:44,080 He didn't give my Fred a chance before he killed him. 160 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:48,080 He's a cruel and ugly man. 161 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,080 I want him killed. 162 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:52,080 Here. 163 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:54,080 Where I can watch. 164 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:56,080 Will you tell me where he lives? 165 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:58,080 Don't tell him nothing, Mrs. Custon. 166 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:00,080 He'll go warn him off. 167 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,080 Let him go if he wants. 168 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:07,080 I say a man's got one life to live and he's got a right to lose it any dang way he pleases. 169 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,080 I'll tell you where you can find Lee Burrage. 170 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:26,080 On the way I passed the open pit that had been a grave and turned up a side canyon. 171 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:33,080 A few miles farther on where the canyon spread I saw his hut set against a fire-blackened hill. 172 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:39,080 There was no growing thing in the rocky ground except one sick twisted tree. 173 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:45,080 Its stunted limbs reaching out, empty, waiting. 174 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:51,080 Easy, easy. 175 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:55,080 Throw your gun down, you, or I won't miss for the next one. 176 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:57,080 Lee Burrage. 177 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,080 Throw it down. 178 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:02,080 I'm Jeff Mander. 179 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:05,080 It was my brother Seth you killed in Abilene. 180 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:09,080 If that's who you are you've caused me enough trouble. Now get out of here. 181 00:10:09,080 --> 00:10:12,080 They'll give you a fair trial there. 182 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:16,080 Stay here and you're going to be lynched for Fred Custon's killing. 183 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:19,080 Nobody's going to lynch me while I got this. 184 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:22,080 Don't come no closer. 185 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:24,080 You listen to me. 186 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:28,080 I don't hold no love for you. I shouldn't care what happens to you. 187 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:32,080 But it took me two years to find you. 188 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:34,080 Now I'm taking you out. 189 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:36,080 Don't come no closer. 190 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:38,080 Put up your gun. 191 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:39,080 I'm warning you. 192 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:41,080 Put up your gun. 193 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:44,080 I'm out of here. 194 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:47,080 And tell those folks in the village it didn't work. 195 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:58,080 I'm too smart for it. 196 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:12,080 Old timer. 197 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,080 I see you had your talk with Burrage. 198 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:16,080 You see? 199 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,080 You ain't wearing your gun. 200 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:19,080 Did he get the drop on you? 201 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:20,080 Yeah. 202 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:21,080 Why, he didn't kid you. 203 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:23,080 So was I. 204 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:24,080 Did you tell them I'd gone there? 205 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:25,080 Yep. 206 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:26,080 What'd they say? 207 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:29,080 They said if you get Burrage first they'd get you. 208 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,080 They said you should go back where you come from while you still can. 209 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:34,080 I will. 210 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,080 After I settle with Burrage. 211 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:37,080 Where's the sheriff? 212 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:38,080 Went off with the boys. 213 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:39,080 After Burrage? 214 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:40,080 Yeah. 215 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,080 They're going to wait till dark. 216 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,080 Then they're going to bring them up. 217 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:46,080 Where are they going to wait till dark? 218 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:47,080 I want to be with them. 219 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:48,080 I thought you didn't like lynching. 220 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:50,080 I don't, but I want to be there. 221 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:54,080 I was told if you came back to town you have to be with them. 222 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:57,080 Now don't make me use this gun, son. 223 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:01,080 Now just turn around and we'll join the rest of them. 224 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:03,080 All right. 225 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:06,080 And I'd suggest you stop your talking about Lee Burrage. 226 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:22,080 When I overheard you're close to sharing a rope with them. 227 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:25,080 You are listening to A Killing in Abilene. 228 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:41,080 Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 229 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,080 Fires are easier to prevent than to extinguish. 230 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:49,080 If you want to make sure you don't have a fire in your own home, now's the time to get fire sighted. 231 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:53,080 If you can't make your own electrical repairs, get an electrician in to check the house. 232 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:56,080 Especially if it's been a while since your wiring's had any attention. 233 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:58,080 And throw out piled up rubbish. 234 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:01,080 Be fire sighted. 235 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:09,080 And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Parley Bear, starring in tonight's production of A Killing in Abilene. 236 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:23,080 A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 237 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:30,080 We rode out of Pleasant Valley, the old man and up the increw, scattered herds of cattle on the lower range land. 238 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:34,080 Rolling in from the east, the black clouds smothered the mountain tops. 239 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:40,080 Your old man still held a gun on me. 240 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:44,080 Oh, no use swinging the horses. 241 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,080 Won't be dark for a couple hours yet. 242 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:49,080 Lynchin' parties get their guts after dark. 243 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:51,080 How come you weren't with him? 244 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:54,080 Waiting for you. I thought you'd be around. 245 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:58,080 I had just seen a lynchin once. So much trouble. 246 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:00,080 Yeah. 247 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:04,080 You still figuring to take Burridge with you to Abilene? 248 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,080 I can try. 249 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:09,080 Ain't that gonna be a might darin' without a shootin' iron? 250 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:11,080 Might be. 251 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:16,080 I'm surprised after two years looking for him, you didn't shoot him when you found him. 252 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:18,080 That's not what I come for. 253 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:20,080 Why not? You killed your brother. 254 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:22,080 I made a promise to somebody. 255 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:23,080 His wife? 256 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:26,080 Yes. And mine too. 257 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:30,080 What was it between Costin and Burridge? 258 00:14:30,080 --> 00:14:34,080 I don't know. Nobody's seen much of Burridge in the past couple years. 259 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:38,080 Ever since Ben told us about how he was a killer. 260 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:40,080 Ugly man. 261 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:43,080 Guess it was your brother he killed, too. 262 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:45,080 I guess so. 263 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:47,080 Now, because of him, you might get killed. 264 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:49,080 Why? 265 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:52,080 They know you're trying to take Burridge away. 266 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:55,080 Whoa, whoa. We poured the stream here. 267 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:57,080 Watch your foot. 268 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:11,080 Johnny. 269 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:12,080 Yeah? 270 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,080 They haven't seen you yet. You still got time to get out. 271 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,080 You'd let me go? 272 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:21,080 Seen a lynchin once. Started a lot of trouble. 273 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:25,080 I've come this far. I'll finish it. 274 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:41,080 Hello, Sheriff. 275 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:43,080 Thought you'd left Pleasant Valley. 276 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:45,080 I told the old man to bring him. 277 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:48,080 We decided he ought to be with us where we can watch him. 278 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:51,080 We're not letting him take Burridge out. 279 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:53,080 You decided, Ben? 280 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:57,080 What do you say, mister? Are you still going to try and take him? 281 00:15:57,080 --> 00:15:59,080 I'll tell you what he says, Sheriff. 282 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:02,080 He says he wants Burridge one way or the other. 283 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:04,080 He asked to join. That's what he says. 284 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,080 Shut up, old man. 285 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:09,080 Get off the horse, mister. 286 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,080 All right. 287 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:17,080 I want Burridge as bad as the rest of you. 288 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:20,080 I'd prefer him to stand trial. That's the difference. 289 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:22,080 I don't want this lynching. 290 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:24,080 Take your hand off your gun, Ben. 291 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:25,080 He ain't armed. 292 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:26,080 Take it easy, Ben. 293 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:28,080 We decided what to do. 294 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:30,080 You're here because I want you here. 295 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:33,080 Burridge killed Fred Custin in a fight. 296 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:35,080 Now we're going to settle it. 297 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,080 Burridge kills easy. 298 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:39,080 I've seen him do it once before. 299 00:16:39,080 --> 00:16:41,080 He's not going to do it again. 300 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:43,080 You saw him kill my brother? 301 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:45,080 I saw it. 302 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:47,080 Is there more of a trial than that? 303 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:56,080 I thought of the ugly man up the canyon in the broken-down shack. 304 00:16:56,080 --> 00:17:00,080 I wondered if he knew what was waiting for him a mile or so away. 305 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:06,080 It was quiet then. 306 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:11,080 Storm clouds were quickening the end of day, and the party became shadow. 307 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:14,080 Sitting nervously or smoking. 308 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:18,080 The men had some whiskey and were building up their courage for the night's work. 309 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:26,080 It's nearly dark. 310 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:29,080 Why? I didn't think you'd come. 311 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:32,080 I had to. My friend's dead. 312 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,080 So is my brother. 313 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:38,080 My friend was a good man. Never hit me. 314 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:41,080 But he was a dark man with a drink. 315 00:17:41,080 --> 00:17:44,080 What was it between Burridge and him? 316 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:46,080 Well, we lost some chickens. 317 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:48,080 Fred said that Burridge stole them. 318 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:52,080 When he came to town for supplies, Fred and him got to fighting. 319 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:55,080 Burridge hated him and he beat him. 320 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,080 Fred was horrible hurt. 321 00:17:57,080 --> 00:18:00,080 Afterwards, everybody laughed and made jokes. 322 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:02,080 They laughed at their friend? 323 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:05,080 Oh, it was man laughing. No harm. 324 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:08,080 But a dark man like Fred, it was bad. 325 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,080 He swore to get even. 326 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:13,080 That was last Saturday. He went in to drink. 327 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:14,080 And didn't come back? 328 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:16,080 We all thought he rode out someplace for shame. 329 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:18,080 Why do you think Burridge killed him? 330 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:20,080 Oh, they was all talking about it. 331 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:21,080 Who was? 332 00:18:21,080 --> 00:18:23,080 All the men, Saturday night. 333 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,080 They said Fred and that man was arguing. 334 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:26,080 Who heard them? 335 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:31,080 Ben did. And when Fred didn't come back, we all knew that man had killed him. 336 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:34,080 Well, he did. And he's gonna pay for it. 337 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:37,080 Who found the grave, ma'am? 338 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:39,080 Ben did. 339 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:45,080 I...I'm sorry for your brother's wife, but it must be this way. 340 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:49,080 It's like the holy book says, an eye for an eye. 341 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:52,080 Let's go, boys. It's time. 342 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:04,080 He's there right enough. 343 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:06,080 There's a light inside. 344 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:08,080 Hold up, boys. 345 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:11,080 Bob, you, Jim, and Neil, come with me. 346 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:14,080 We'll bring them up. The rest of you stay here. 347 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:15,080 What's the idea? 348 00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:19,080 You're too quick tonight. Ben ain't giving too many orders. You stay. 349 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:23,080 You still gonna try and get him away, son? 350 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:25,080 I might. 351 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:27,080 He's like an engine I knew once. 352 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:30,080 Had to shoot him five times before he knew he was dead. 353 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:35,080 What do you want here? 354 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:38,080 You know what we want for each of you. 355 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:40,080 Get out of here. Get off my land. 356 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:43,080 You come outside quiet like this. We don't want no trouble. 357 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:45,080 I ain't asking for trouble. 358 00:19:45,080 --> 00:19:47,080 You asked for it when you killed Fred Gustin. 359 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:49,080 Killed him? I didn't kill Constance. 360 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:51,080 Save your breath while you got it. 361 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:53,080 Let go. Let go of me. 362 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:57,080 I'll kill you. I'll kill you all, please. 363 00:19:57,080 --> 00:19:59,080 You've done your last killing. 364 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:01,080 Get the rope over that limb. 365 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:03,080 Is this your doing, Ben? 366 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:06,080 Shut up. Fire his hands, Bob. I'll hold him. 367 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:08,080 You're gonna blame this one on me too, Ben? 368 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:10,080 Shut up, I said. 369 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:12,080 The bridge didn't do it. He didn't do it. 370 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:14,080 Let it go, son. You can't stop him now. 371 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:17,080 I gotta talk to him before they do it. He didn't kill. I know it. 372 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:19,080 Wait a minute. Take my gun. 373 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:20,080 Thanks. 374 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:30,080 The rope was around his neck and he knew he was gonna die. 375 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:34,080 But as I came near him and could see him in the light, there was no fear in his eyes. 376 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:39,080 He was lifted under the horse, the rope was tightened, and he was ready to be lynched. 377 00:20:43,080 --> 00:20:45,080 Then he saw me. 378 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,080 One request, Sheriff. 379 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,080 What, Burrage? 380 00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:51,080 Let me talk to him a minute. 381 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:53,080 A stranger here? For a minute. 382 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:54,080 No more talking. 383 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:57,080 Take that horse out from under him. Not yet. 384 00:20:57,080 --> 00:20:59,080 Let him talk. Take it out. 385 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:03,080 We don't want to kill the wrong man, Ben. You or Burrage. Let him talk. 386 00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:05,080 Why do you think I killed your brother? 387 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:07,080 They're trying to get away with something, Jake. 388 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:09,080 Let's string him up. Come on. 389 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:12,080 A minute don't matter. Get up, Ben. Let them have their say. 390 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:15,080 We found your pouch near my brother's grave, Burrage. Your name on it. 391 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:18,080 And tonight Ben told me he saw you kill him. 392 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:20,080 I didn't. 393 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:24,080 I wasn't with Ben that night in Abilene. Ben wanted to drink. I didn't. 394 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:26,080 He left me and took my pouch with him. 395 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:28,080 What does it matter about his brother? 396 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,080 It's Fred Costin we're hanging him for. 397 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:32,080 I didn't kill Fred Costin either. 398 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:36,080 Listen, mister, I didn't kill your brother. Ben told everybody I didn't. 399 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:38,080 Ever since I've had no friends here. 400 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:40,080 He's talked enough. He killed Fred Costin. I told you that. 401 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:41,080 What about Burrage? 402 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:43,080 I didn't kill Fred Costin. 403 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:45,080 He's lying. Let's get it over with. 404 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:47,080 I say let him talk. 405 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:49,080 Where'd you get that gun, mister? 406 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:52,080 How'd you know where Fred was buried, Ben? 407 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:54,080 How'd you know where Fred was buried? 408 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:58,080 Since Costin says you found the grave, how'd you know where it was? 409 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:00,080 Answer him, Ben. 410 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:02,080 You told me where it was, Ben. 411 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:06,080 I saw him buryin', poor Fred. That's how I know. 412 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:09,080 If you saw the burial, why didn't you stop Burrage then? 413 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:11,080 It wasn't none of my business. 414 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:14,080 But it is now. What made you change your mind so fast? 415 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:16,080 Stay away from that horse, Ben! 416 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:19,080 Get up! Cut him down! You, Bob, cut him down! 417 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:21,080 I think you'll be coming back to Abilene with me, Ben. 418 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:24,080 You think so? 419 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:32,080 You all right, son? 420 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:34,080 My shoulder. 421 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:37,080 How about Burrage? 422 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:39,080 He'll live. 423 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:43,080 Rest easy, son. You've done a good job. 424 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:47,080 But you ain't gonna keep your promise about your brother's killer. 425 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:51,080 There's no sense taking Ben Chaffee back to Abilene. 426 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:54,080 We'll bury him here. 427 00:23:11,080 --> 00:23:13,080 Suspense. 428 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:18,080 In which Parley Bear starred in A Killing in Abilene by Anthony Ellis and Gil Dowd. 429 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:23,080 Next week, the story of a man who thought the only way to escape death was to search for it. 430 00:23:23,080 --> 00:23:26,080 It's called Diagnosis of Death. 431 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:28,080 That's next week on... 432 00:23:28,080 --> 00:23:30,080 Suspense. 433 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:40,080 Suspense is produced and directed by Anthony Ellis. 434 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:44,080 The music was composed by Lucian Morawick and conducted by Lud Gluskin. 435 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:52,080 Featured in the cast were Paula Winslow, Jack Crouchon, Frank Gershel, Jim Nusser, Vic Perrin, Joe DeVall and Will Wright. 436 00:23:52,080 --> 00:24:05,080 Listen for the Radio Hall of Fame every Sunday night on the CBS Radio Network. 437 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:24,080 Thank you.