Molly Wood arrives in a small western town to be the new schoolmarm. The Virginian, foreman on a local ranch, and Steve, his best friend, soon become rivals for her affection. Steve falls in with bad guys led by Trampas, and the Virginian catches him cattle-rustling. As foreman, he must give the order to hang his friend. Trampas gets away, but returns in time for the obligatory...
When transplanted Texan Bob Seton arrives in Lawrence, Kansas, he finds much to like about the place--especially Mary McCloud, daughter of the local banker, but politics is in the air: it's just prior to the Civil War and there is already a sharp division in the Territory as to whether it will remain slavery-free. When he gets the opportunity to run for marshal, Seton finds him...