The Big Story - The Case of the Ambitious Hobo

Old Time Radio Mysteries

Russell Wilson's story for the Des Moines Tribune began two hundred miles south in Kansas City. A young man named Freddie Bell is getting restless and feeling the need to travel. He tells his mother "I'm through hanging around the house, being a burden to you. I'm 21 years old. I can't just sit around and watch you work". His mother says "You can stay home, there are plenty of jobs". Freddie says "Not my kind of jobs. I want to be rich and famous. I want to own a big car, a big house, and to make sure you never have to work again, Ma". Mother says "I wish your father was alive and here to advise you. I can only say I believe you are making a terrible mistake". Freddie says "I've got to go out and seek my fortune". Mother says "If that's what you really want, I won't stand in your way". Freddie borrows 20 dollars from his mother, and begins his journey by jumping on a freight train heading toward Des Moines, Iowa. There, he meets a hobo riding the rails nicknamed "Idaho". Waking up the next morning, Freddie says "It will be daylight in an hour, Idaho. When does this train get to Des Moines?" Idaho says "This is the high ball express, kid. We are hitting the outskirts of Des Moines now. Once we hit the freight yards, it will slow down and we can get off. After that, I'll take you to the Hobo Jungle, and introduce you to some of the other bulls riding in this territory".