The Big Story: Divorce and Death Can Lead to Murder (EP4962)

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Previously titled “The Big StoryL: Divorce and Death Can Lead to Murder” — renamed by the publisher on Aug 3, 2026

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas 33 min 3 speakers 7 chapters transcribed 4 months ago

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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

What are McCain vibes and how are they described?

Unknown 0:00

How would you describe McCain vibes? I would reckon it's like a crisp and a chip. If they had a baby, do you know what I mean? A chip and a crisp. Combination. It's got crisp ancestry, but it's a chip. Like a hot chip crisp combo thingy. Yeah.

Adam Graham 0:22

pure poetry that was mccain vibes our chip crisp combo hot snack thingies in a freezer aisle near you so

0:53

Thank you.

Adam Graham 0:58

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of The Big Story. But first, I do want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Also, I want to encourage you to check out our other podcast. And today, I'm highlighting... The Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio, where we post twice a week a great adventure series from the golden age of radio. We're currently featuring Tarzan and Counterspy. And you can subscribe to the podcast live. at greatadventures.info or wherever you get your podcasts from. This week, a bit of a rarity in this series as we get episodes that are in circulation for back-to-back weeks, which given the fact that about 85% of the episodes so far is

Adam Graham 2:04

It's a nice little treat. But now, from January 11th, 1950, here's the episode, Dick Gambling and Divorce Can Mean Murder.

Unknown 2:16

The Big Story You're the night clerk?

Bill Quinn 2:25

You just signed the register. You just give me your money. Okay, you're the guy. Just tell me this. How's the hunting in these parts? You mean deer, bear, rabbit, that kind of thing? Yeah. Where can I get a .22 automatic pistol or rifle? Gee, I don't know. All right, tell me this. I see a big full-page ad in the paper. Open house at Calneva Ranch. What's that? It's a big place out near the California border, about 30 miles out. They do it the opening of every season. Free drinks on the house, free meals. Big crowd? Packed. Maybe that'll be even better than... What did you say? Deers, bears, and rabbits? Yeah. That ought to be even better... Now I want a .22 rifle or automatic pistol. Now.

Bill Quinn 3:18

Reno, Nevada. The story of a reporter who showed that gambling and divorce can also mean murder. Reno, Nevada. The stories that actually happened. Frank McCullough's story as he lived it.

Bill Quinn 3:51

The body was found slumped over the wheel of a Cadillac, a bullet having entered through the left temple and lodged in the brain. The necktie was drawn up tight against the throat, He was identified by a local resident of the Lake Tahoe region, just inside the Nevada border near California. Why, sure, Sheriff, everybody knows him. Name's Wenzel.

What is the significance of the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio?

Bill Quinn 4:16

Owns a lot of property in these parts. Some say he's rich as creases. Some say he didn't have a dime. Two feet from the rich or poor real estate dealer, on the floor of the car, was the casing from a .22 caliber shell... And on the seat next to him was a bag of sweet rolls, bought at the Alexa Bakery near Lake Tahoe. These rolls bought here?

Unknown 4:43

That's right, Sheriff. These are our six for a quarter. They're very good.

Bill Quinn 4:46

I'm sure, I'm sure. Had a big fat man about 70 buy them.

Unknown 4:50

You mean Mr. Wenseth? That's right. He buys them almost every other day. You know, sometimes I can't understand whether he buys them because he likes them, like he says, or because that's what he eats for his lunch.

Bill Quinn 5:00

Did he say anything to you about going to the open house at the Calneva Ranch?

Unknown 5:05

Isn't that funny, now that you mention it? I said to my husband, what's he buying rolls for if he's going to the Calneva Ranch opening? He'll get enough to eat there.

Bill Quinn 5:12

Okay, thanks. Say, let me have one of those brownies. They look good. By now, the news of the death had reached you, Frank McCollum. reporter for the Reno Gazette. Reached all of Reno. And you were out at the Calneva Ranch with Sheriff Parsons as he questioned the head waiter. The ranch was a beautiful, sprawling place. Its dining room in California, open till 2. Its bar and gambling room in Nevada, open all night. Very pleasant and comfortable and very convenient. And the head waiter... went with the place. Well, you see, Sheriff, our open house is perhaps the most popular event of the season.