When Tommy, an Eastern young man, arrives in a Western town, the cowboys see that he is a tenderfoot and make him dance to the tune of a gun. Beecher, a ranchman, Hazel, his daughter, and Sid, the foreman, who is in love with Hazel, rescue Tommy.
Afflicted with a terminal illness John Bernard Books, the last of the legendary gunfighters, quietly returns to Carson City for medical attention from his old friend Dr. Hostetler. Aware that his days are numbered, the troubled man seeks solace and peace in a boarding house run by a widow and her son. However, it is not Books' fate to die in peace, as he becomes embroiled in one last valiant battle.
Hardy ranch owner Delia Jamieson hires John Trent as her foreman after he befriends her niece Martha. Jeff Carey, jealous of Trent's friendship with Martha, plants some stolen gold in his room and reveals this act to Delia, who visits Trent privately. Trent tries to tell Delia of his love for Martha, but she misunderstands him, thinking he is in love with her. When Delia does understand, however, she sends Martha away and orders the boys to whip Trent. She repents in time, sacrificing herself for her niece's happiness.
"Bowie" Blake is a gambler in a mining camp. One day, an artist, Van Dyke Tarleton comes to town with his wife, Naomi. He sees Bowie and decides he is perfect as a model for Lucifer in his latest painting. At first he refuses to pose, but Naomi talks him into it. Tarleton sees that Bowie is attracted to his wife, and purposely insults her just to get the right evil look in his eyes. But finally Bowie, whose feelings have become too much for him, quits.
Juan Yukas, a greaser, schemes with his sweetheart, Evelyn, to hold up the stage and rob the driver of the express box. Broncho Billy is infatuated with Evelyn, The coach is held up. Broncho Billy captures Juan and takes him to Evelyn's shack, to get a drink of water. Evelyn betrays herself. Although he loves her, his duty compels Broncho Billy to take Evelyn prisoner.
Jim Slater's father (whom he never knew) died in the Apache ambush at Gila Valley, and Jim is searching for the one survivor, who supposedly went for help but disappeared with a lot of gold. In the process, he gets several people gunning for him, and he keeps meeting liberated woman Karyl Orton, who may be on a similar mission. Renewed Apache hostilities and an impending range war provide complications.
Eddie Dean is a Cattlemen's Association agent investigating a serious rash of rustlings along with sidekicks Soapy (Roscoe Ates) and Waco (Lee Bennett. The latter bears a striking resemblance to Lawrence ranch foreman Bert Ford (also Bennett), who has been the target of several assassination attempts. Rancher Lawrence (Lee Roberts) and Eddie decide that Waco shall impersonate Ford, who is hiding out in a hotel room.
Around the classic 1800's Western campfire, Slope and Tar tangle about what's been, what will be, and who may or may not survive the first New Age chat in the Old West.
It's the opening of the Cherokee strip and the Rankins are after a particular section. Frazier is also after the same section and has hired outlaws to make sure he gets it. When Jeff gives Rankin a map, the outlaws kill Rankin, steal the map, and frame Jeff for the murder. Scheduled to be hung the day of the land rush, Jeff's pal Frosty has a plan to free him.
Jerry Johnson inherits a 50,000 acre ranch. Lucky Miller wants to take over the ranch. Roy is trying to get a railroad spur right of way. Lucky has a woman come west to marry Jerry to get control of the ranch. After the wedding, Lucky has the owner killed. Roy’s gun is substituted for the murder weapon, so Roy is put in jail.
Neither party of an arranged marriage wants to comply with their parents' expectations, and he & she both come up with plans to sabotage the proceedings.