The prologue shows the life of a trapper, living in the solitude of the forest. He digs a bear trap, which is covered with boughs and grass. An Indian girl, armed with a bow and arrow, creeps close to a wild turkey, which she brings down. As she runs forward to gather up her prey she falls into the trap. Evans, the trapper, finds her there and on lifting her from the pit, finds that she has sprained her ankle, and takes her to his cabin, and makes her as comfortable as possible. As the shades of evening fall and the pain subsides, the girl drops into a slumber, and loath to awaken her, Evans leaves her in possession of his cabin and, wrapped in a blanket, sleeps outside. In the morning, the girl having recovered sufficiently, he lifts her to his horse, and mounting behind her, proceeds to the Indian camp. On the way he is attacked by a trio of Indians, who fire at him from behind a tree, and the trapper brings down one of his assailants.
Tired out, a ranger happens upon a cabin in the woods to ask for rest. He is met at the door by a pretty girl, and it is a case of love at first sight. The girl's father, leader of the lumber thieves, returns to find her before a small mirror arranging her hair, and upbraids her for her vanity. The ranger hears and, as the father is about to strike the girl, rushes out and hurls the man from her. When the ranger departs, the leader of the thieves follows with a rifle, and catching the ranger unawares, forces him to go to the thieves' rendezvous. The girl, who has seen, rushes to call the sheriff. Meanwhile the thieves draw lots to see who shall kill the ranger. It falls to the chief, who is about to shoot the ranger when the sheriff and his aides rush up and arrest the thieves.
Jim Hendricks receives a letter from his daughter in the east stating that she is on her way and will arrive with her little girl that day. The stagecoach carrying her from the railroad station, some miles from her father's home, meets with an accident. While repairing the vehicle of ancient times, Bessie Hendricks' young daughter, canters off into the woods in search of wild flowers. Bessie runs after her. Having captured the young rascal and returning to the road Bessie discovers the coach has gone on its journey.
In the Old West, a wicked salesmen has created a magical saloon of broken promises. When a young girl makes a wager to save her brother, his paradise begins to fall.
Ned and Jack, two western boys, are both in love with the pretty daughter of their employer, who, liking both, is unsettled as to which of them she will accept. She finally decides upon Jack and not desiring to hurt Ned's feelings, proposes to her father that she and Jack be married secretly.
There is trouble between the Dunbar brothers when Wally proposes to Bonnie on his brother's behalf only to have her accept him. Their feud is interrupted when they have to go after a con man who has cheated the bank out of $5000 by using a gold brick. With the outlaw captured, Wally now tries to get his brother and Bonnie together.
Jim Woods, a tractable old sheep runner, dwells with his daughter, Beth, in a mountain cabin and does his best to keep his wandering flocks from infringing upon the meadows claimed by the cattlemen.
Hazel Clark, belle of the Diamond "S" Ranch, is fascinated by Cactus Jake, a bold, dashing, reckless cowboy. Good-natured Bill, another cowpuncher, is really in love with Hazel.
A sheriff who seems to be sluggish has arrived at the wilderness saloon where the rogues await. However, he has a mysterious ability to "get out of the film"...
Dorothy Johnson was a Western writer ahead of her time. Women saved men, heroes died unwept and unsung, whites lived with Indians and benefited from the experience. Three of her stories were made into films and many critics consider "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" to be the cornerstone of the modern western. This documentary looks back on Dorothy's life, and her place in history.