Episode Details

Originally Aired: July 9, 1955

Uncle Oliver: Blood Ties and Broken Promises

When Viney Stang and his fast-talking Uncle Oliver arrive in Dodge, their prairie simplicity hides a dangerous edge. After Viney jokingly suggests he’d kill Chester to get his job, Chester is ambushed and shot in the head. As Matt hunts for Viney, suspicion grows, but the truth takes a tragic turn—Oliver, trying to protect his nephew, had planned the shooting himself. In the end, Matt guns down Oliver in a deadly confrontation, leaving Viney stunned, broken, and begging only to go home.

Keywords: “Gunsmoke Uncle Oliver episode,” “Viney Stang Chester shooting,” “July 1955 Gunsmoke radio,” “Matt Dillon family loyalty story,” “John Meston western drama,” “tragic ending Gunsmoke,” “Oliver Stang radio episode”

Cast: William Conrad (Matt Dillon), Parley Baer (Chester), Howard McNear (Doc), Georgia Ellis (Kitty), Vic Perrin (Viney Stang), Harry Bartell (Oliver Stang), with supporting roles by the Gunsmoke radio company.