<P> The back stories of some of the main characters were largely left to the imagination of the viewer . Matt Dillon spent his early years in foster care, knew the Bible, was a wayward, brawling cowboy, and later mentored by a caring lawman . In a few episodes he mentioned having spent some time in the army . Kitty Russell, born in New Orleans and reared by a flashy foster mother (who once visited Dodge), although her father visited Dodge on one occasion and wished to have her return to New Orleans . Barkeep Sam was said to be married, but no sightings of a wife were made (In the episode "Tafton", he is seen side - by - side with a woman in a church singing). Quint Asper's white father was killed by white scavengers . Thad Greenwood's father, a storekeeper, was harassed to death by a trio of loathsome ne'er - do - well thieves . Chester Goode was known to be one of many brothers raised by an aunt and uncle, and he mentions his mother on one occasion; he referred to past service in the cavalry, and years as a cattle driver in Texas . The cause of Chester's stiff right leg was never given, but it was shown as his own leg and not a prosthesis . No direct reference was ever made to his disability in the script, although some oblique moments painted the free - spirited, comic deputy with a darker tone . Newly O'Brien was named after a physician uncle, who ignited his interest in medicine . </P> <P> While Dillon and Miss Kitty clearly had a close personal relationship, the two never married . In a July 2, 2002, Associated Press interview with Bob Thomas, Arness explained, "If they were man and wife, it would make a lot of difference . The people upstairs decided it was better to leave the show as it was, which I totally agreed with ." In the episode "Waste", featuring Johnny Whitaker as a boy with a prostitute mother, her madam questions Dillon as to why the law overlooks Miss Kitty's enterprise . It appears that bordellos could exist "at the law's discretion" (meaning the marshal's). As an historical matter, prior to the First World War, there were few laws criminalizing prostitution in the United States . Miss Kitty was written out in 1974 . The actress sought more free time and reportedly missed her late co-star, Glenn Strange, who played her Long Branch barkeep, Sam . When Blake decided not to return for the show's 20th (and final) season, the character was said to have returned to New Orleans . She was replaced by the hoarse - voiced, matronly actress Fran Ryan (known to many as the second Doris Ziffel on CBS' Green Acres). </P> <P> For over a decade on television, a sign hung over Doc's office that read "Dr. G. Adams". Milburn Stone was given free rein to choose the character's first name . The actor chose the name of an ancient Greek physician and medical researcher named Galen . He is first referred to in this manner by Theodore Bikel as "Martin Kellums" in the season - 10 episode, "Song for Dying", aired February 13, 1965 . </P> <P> Differences were noted between the characters on the radio and TV versions of Gunsmoke . In the radio series, Doc was acerbic, somewhat mercenary, and borderline alcoholic--at least in the program's early years . On radio's Gunsmoke, Doc Adams's real name was Dr. Calvin Moore . He came west and changed his name to escape a charge of murder . The television Doc, though still crusty, was in many ways softer and warmer . </P>

How many seasons of gunsmoke aired before doc adams was given a first name