Snake Oil

Originally Aired: June 13, 1938The Lone Ranger #839, "Snake Oil," follows the masked rider and Tonto as they investigate a traveling medicine show run by the cunning Doc Stubbs. Stubbs operates a clever scheme, selling worthless snake oil tonic while warning crowds about pickpockets. His real plan is more sinister: when concerned customers check their pockets to make sure their money is safe, Stubbs' accomplice Sneed identifies which victims are worth robbing. After the show, Stubbs targets Jim Kendall, a rancher who just received payment for his cattle and foolishly purchased a whole case of the tonic.The Lone Ranger observes Stubbs' methods carefully, staying hidden at the edge of the crowd to avoid revealing his identity. When Jim Kendall and his wife Marthy consume the snake oil, they quickly become drowsy and fall into a deep sleep. That night, Doc Stubbs and Sneed approach the Kendall home with criminal intent, unaware that the masked man and Tonto are secretly following them. The stage is set for the Lone Ranger to intervene and stop these traveling thieves from stealing Jim Kendall's cattle money.