About Chester

Originally Aired: September 11, 1960 Gunsmoke #440, "About Chester," finds Marshal Matt Dillon and Chester searching for Doc Adams, who has been missing for four days. When Emmett Bowers arrives in Dodge looking for Doc—who never showed up to examine his son's broken arm—Matt and Chester split up to cover more ground, checking ranches along the trail to the Clooney place. Chester takes the route past the Pope Ranch, where he learns about recent horse thefts and discovers his own mount has picked up a stone bruise. Spotting a cabin through the trees as a rainstorm approaches, Chester seeks shelter but receives a hostile greeting from the suspicious owner, Dak, who nearly shoots him on sight. The tension eases when Chester mentions he works with Marshal Dillon, and Dak's wife Lily May insists on offering proper hospitality. As Chester accepts their invitation to supper and shelter, he learns that Dak deals in wild horses, though business hasn't been good lately. With his lame horse, the approaching storm, and Matt expecting him at the Clooney Ranch, Chester finds himself in an increasingly uncertain situation at this isolated homestead.