JUST A NUMBER and WHITE ELEPHANT TALES OF THE TEXAS RANGERS
JUST A NUMBER and WHITE ELEPHANT TALES OF THE TEXAS RANGERS  
Podcast: 1001 Stories From the Old West
Published On: Fri Jan 30 2026
Description: Tales of the Texas Rangers was a popular western police procedural radio drama that aired on NBC from July 1950 to September 1952. Often described as a western version of Dragnet, the show featured stories based on actual Texas Ranger case files from 1928 to 1948.  Show Overview Protagonist: Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Texas Ranger Jayce Pearson. Modern Setting: Unlike typical 19th-century westerns, this show featured 20th-century cases where Pearson used modern forensic science and laboratory techniques to solve crimes. Signature Elements: Pearson often worked with local sheriffs and relied on his horse, Charcoal, to navigate rugged terrain. Each episode typically opened with a description of the Texas Rangers as a legendary 50-man force covering over 260,000 square miles.  Episode Summaries "Just a Number" Original Air Date: April 19, 1950 (Audition) / July 8, 1950 (Series Premiere). Plot: The story begins when a young boy discovers a horrific scene at the Evans ranch. A local sheriff calls in the Texas Rangers to investigate a triple murder. Ranger Jayce Pearson must use keen observation and precise questioning to track down the killer responsible for the brutal crime.  "White Elephant"  Original Air Date: July 15, 1950. Plot: Ranger Pearson investigates the murder of a man found dead in a car parked on the shoulder of a road. The investigation is linked to a prior incident involving a hobo jumping off a freight train after a scuffle with a brakeman. Alternative Version: Note that a later TV adaptation with the same title involved someone trying to frighten off buyers from an empty house by shooting at them, leading to the discovery of a gold coin and a pack rat's nest as clues.      Get all of our shows at one website: WWW.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM REVIEWS NEEDED . My email works as well for comments: 1001storiespodcast@gmail.com SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! https://.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices