Butcher's Crossing

In the year 1874, young Will Andrews makes a life-altering choice by leaving his studies at Harvard University. His desire for adventure pulls him toward the frontier town of Butcher's Crossing in Kansas, setting the stage for his tumultuous journey ahead.

Will arrives in the small and rugged frontier town of Butcher's Crossing, which thrives on buffalo hide trade. The excitement of the untamed land and the promise of adventure spark his imagination as he meets local hunters and traders.

In Butcher's Crossing, Will encounters Miller, an experienced and brash hunter with captivating stories of a hidden pass in Colorado. Despite Miller's dubious reputation, Will is enthralled by his tales of a massive buffalo herd waiting to be hunted.

Determined to pursue the buffalo hunt, Will invests his entire fortune to fund the expedition. He gathers a team, including Charlie Hoge, a one-armed drunkard, and Fred Schneider, a pragmatic skinner who adds a layer of skepticism to the group.

The team sets out on their challenging journey toward the hidden pass in Colorado. As they venture deeper into the wilderness, they face the harsh realities of frontier life and the dangers that lurk in the vast expanse.

After arduous travel, the expedition discovers the breathtaking mountain pass filled with a staggering population of buffalo. Miller enthusiastically engages in the hunt, eager to decimate the herds and secure their fortune.

As the buffalo hunt unfolds, Miller's relentless pursuit leaves Will and Schneider with the grim responsibility of processing the slaughtered buffalo. The atmosphere grows increasingly grim as Will numbs himself to the brutality surrounding him.

After three grueling weeks of hunting, Schneider urges the group to return home before winter sets in. However, Miller's stubbornness leads Will to side with him, extending their stay in the mountains and jeopardizing their safety.

The group finds themselves trapped by a vicious blizzard, forcing them to endure a long and brutal winter in the mountains. Tensions rise as desperation and mistrust take hold, leading to a series of conflicts among the members.

Frustrated with Hoge, Schneider burns his bible in a moment of desperation, igniting a retaliation from Hoge. This act of betrayal leads to Schneider's poisoning, resulting in a spiral of mistrust and madness within the group.

With the arrival of spring, Schneider exposes Hoge's malicious intentions, culminating in a tragic showdown. The conflict results in Hoge's swift demise, leaving Will and Schneider grappling with their choices and the challenging path ahead.

With their collection of 4,600 hides, Schneider insists they must lighten their load and leave half of it behind to escape the mountains. The decision weighs heavily on them as they plan to return for their valuable spoils later.

While attempting to transport their remaining bounty, the group's wagon tumbles over a cliff, taking Schneider and the hides into the abyss. This catastrophic event leaves Will and Miller shaken, realizing the futility of their journey.

Upon their return to Butcher's Crossing, Will and Miller confront the stark reality of their circumstances. The once-thriving buffalo hide trade has crumbled, transforming their painstakingly gathered hides into worthless relics of a bygone era.

Overwhelmed by despair, Miller ignites a fire that consumes the remnants of the buffalo exchange building, symbolizing the destruction of his dreams. In contrast, Will, though battered, emerges with newfound wisdom and determination, ready to face the world alone.