A little girl whose parents were killed by Indians grows up the adopted daughter of a white settler and the one Indian who lives in the same hut with him. They both love the girl dearly and finally, when an artist comes along with whom she falls in love and who ultimately takes her away to his eastern home.
The period is 1876; trains of settlers are moving westward. It is the time of pioneers and prairie schooners. Dan is leading one wagon train and his party fall in with another led by a stalwart Indian, Mahomena. They proceed together. Amongst the latter party is a young girl, Eunice, and she and Dan are immediately attracted to each other
Bob Madden returns home slightly intoxicated and his father angrily commands him to leave the place and shift for himself. The next morning he goes, leaving his father a note: "Dear Dad, I am going out West and try to make a man of myself. I hope some day you will be proud of me. Your son. Bob."
The Thomas family are the owners of a large horse ranch, on the borders of New Mexico. A neighboring band of Apaches, under the famous Geronimo, had for several years been at peace, consequently the Thomas ranch was in a flourishing condition. Tom, the foreman, and Jerry, one of his trusted lieutenants, are rivals for the hand of Jess, the ranch owner's daughter.
Belle Gordon, an orphan, finds an advertisement in the papers for a governess to apply to the Rev. Strong, at Cripple Creek, Col. She writes and has her fare advanced. Upon arriving there she finds the place consists of a crowd of disreputable miners and dance-hall girls. She learns that the advertisement was merely a trap to lure her out into the dance-hall of Martin Mason.
Oniatare, a young brave of the tribe of the Hurons, and Kowa, a chief of the Mohicans, are in love with Ethona, or "The River Flower," an Indian Princess. The Hurons and the Mohicans are sworn enemies. The young brave and "The River Flower" meet from time to time. Kowa notices this and in plaintive song would lure the fair Ethona to him. But it is of no avail.
The capitalist one evening suddenly realizes that his wife is slowly drifting away from him. A certain young Rodney Hildebrand has been paying her great attention and her affairs are the common gossip at the club. He determines to at least save his wife's name from dishonor.
Broncho Billy becomes enraged when a stranger comes to town and wins the affections of his sweetheart. On the night of the wedding Broncho Billy "shoots up" the church, wounding the bridegroom. He then escapes across the border, after leaving a note to his rival telling him he will finish the job on Christmas night.
Broncho Billy is in love with the rancher's daughter. Her father disapproves of their affair and one day quarrels with Broncho. A few days later the rancher drops dead while at work. Broncho Billy's rival discovers the body and seeing an opportunity to implicate Broncho, shoots the rancher's body. Broncho Billy is accused of the murder
Broncho Billy becomes engaged. A month later the engagement is broken when the girl's father comes into a fortune. She moves to the city with her parents, where she lives surrounded by luxury.
BIG MUDDY follows Andy, a teenage outlaw, forced into a life of crime by his nefarious mother Martha and her ne'er do well boyfriend Tommy. When a mysterious drifter, Donovan, shows up at the gang's hideaway to settle a score, Andy comes face to face with his long forgotten past.
Whispering Smith is a virile, fearless type of the true American whoso theory of life is to give every man a chance to show what is in him. There is nothing of the bully or braggart about him. He is only a man who knows instinctively what is right and never falters in his steps to see that justice is given where it is deserved and crime punished on the same basis. Originally shot as a serial to be called "Whispering Smith", distributor Mutual Films decided to release it as two separate films - this film, which was released first, and Medicine Bend (1916).
Railroad foreman Murray Sinclair is dismissed by George McCloud, division superintendent, for ransacking wrecks. Sinclair along with his henchmen, retire to his ranch and forays against the railroad. "Whispering Smith," engaged by the railroad to restore order, is hesitant in dealing with Sinclair when he falls in love with Marion, Sinclair's wife, who is separated from her husband and operates a small shop in Medicine Bend. Dicksie, McCloud's sweetheart, overhears Sinclair threaten McCloud, and she rides through a storm to warn him; Smith, with the aid of Bill Dancing, tracks down Sinclair and his men, and Bill kills the villain. Dicksie and McCloud marry and take Marion under their protection.
Broncho Billy, the sheepman, goes to the village store and purchases an engagement ring for his sweetheart, the school teacher. As he is about to mount his horse, he finds a note pinned to the saddle, telling him to leave the country that only cow men are desired. On his way home he is fired upon by the cattle king and his gang. Broncho Billy returns the fire wounding the leader, but also is wounded himself. He goes to the school house, where he is protected by his sweetheart until help arrives. In the meantime the wounded cattle king has been picked up unconscious by Broncho Billy's parents.
In a fight Marguerite's father kills a man and Broncho Billy, the sheriff, goes in search of the slayer. Marguerite successfully hides her father. Broncho Billy, however, waits on the outside. Marguerite, in order to get the sheriff away from the door and allow her father to make his escape, leads Broncho Billy to believe that she has hidden her father in a woodshed. Broncho Billy with drawn revolver rushes into the outer building and Marguerite hastily throws on the lock, making him a prisoner.