Originally Aired: January 29, 1956

In Gunsmoke #199, “Bureaucrat,” Dodge City is thrown into turmoil when a government man named Rex Propter arrives from Washington to “fix” the frontier. Armed with strict rules and city-bred theories, Propter clashes with Marshal Dillon over how to handle the wild town. As new signs and gun control laws backfire, an accidental killing and mob justice push Dodge to the brink. Matt must protect both the outsider and the law itself—even as his own authority is challenged. In the end, it’s a lesson in frontier justice, respect, and how far rules can go before common sense takes over.

Cast: William Conrad, Georgia Ellis, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Vic Perrin, John Dehner, Harry Bartell

Tags:
western, bureaucracy, frontier, law, Gunsmoke, WilliamConrad, MattDillon, government, DodgeCity, authority, mobjustice, 1950sradio, oldtimeradio, classicradio, rules, outoftouch, drama, vintagepodcast