In this action-packed episode of Gunsmoke, Marshal Matt Dillon faces a trail boss and his unruly crew of Texas cowboys who bring chaos to Dodge City. When a member of their herd, Bud Cowan, is found murdered, tensions rise as the Texans refuse to cooperate with the law. Amid the turmoil, an innocent man named Sam Peoples is framed for the crime, forcing Matt to navigate the fine line between maintaining order and uncovering the truth.

The conflict escalates when Ken Talley, the defiant trail boss, attempts to protect the real culprit, Choke, out of loyalty. Matt’s resolve is tested as he confronts the dangers of upholding justice in a town teetering on lawlessness. In a dramatic showdown, Matt restores order, but not without a heavy cost, revealing the enduring struggle of lawmen in the untamed West.

Keywords: "Gunsmoke Texas Cowboys episode," "July 1954 Gunsmoke radio," "Matt Dillon trail boss conflict," "Dodge City law and order," "Bud Cowan murder Gunsmoke," "Ken Talley trail boss drama," "John Meston Gunsmoke stories."

Cast: William Conrad, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Harry Bartell, Vic Perron, John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin.