Fighting Man of the Plains

Jim Dancer fights with Quantrill's Raiders during the Lawrence Massacre and murders Theodore Slocum, mistaking him for his brother Bert Slocum. This act becomes personal revenge for Dancer’s loss and sets off a chain of consequences. Evelyn Slocum witnesses the killing and learns Dancer's name, though she cannot recognize him later.

After the Civil War, Dancer becomes a wanted outlaw and is captured by detective George Cummings. Cummings reveals that the Slocum he killed was not the target he believed, exposing a fatal mistake. Dancer contemplates his uncertain future as events drift toward pursuit.

On a river crossing near Lanyard, Kansas, a storm surge rouses panic in the horses. The ferry is splashed and Cummings is knocked overboard, pulling Dancer with him as they are handcuffed together. Cummings drowns and Dancer collapses on the riverbank, still shackled to him.

The next day, Dancer and his captive are found by local gambler Dave Oldham and saloonkeeper Florence Peel. Dancer claims to be Cummings and that his captive has drowned, hoping to conceal his true identity. Dave and Florence know the truth but stay quiet for the moment.

As Cummings, Dancer withdraws from the detective agency and takes a job as a railroad worker. He learns that Bert Slocum is the town boss who owns most of Lanyard's property, expanding his shadow over the town. The discovery heightens the tension between the two men.

A gang attack on Evelyn prompts Dancer to act, rescue her, and outdraw the ringleader. The townsfolk press him to become Town Marshal; he initially refuses, but Dave and Florence persuade him to take the job.

Slocum, aided by the psychotic Johnny Tancred, schemes to monopolize the town and its railroad. Slocum summons Cliff Bailey, a Chicago detective who knew Cummings, to identify the Marshal. Bailey, an old friend of Dave Oldham, confirms that the Marshal is George Cummings.

Dancer is recognized by Yancey, an outlaw and former Quantrill man, blowing his cover. He is forced to resign as Marshal, and Tancred takes over, releasing Yancey and his gang from jail. Oldham and others are left to face the consequences of the new order.

Tancred and Yancey carry out a purge, killing Oldham and other leading citizens to cement control over the town. Dancer observes the violence, unable to intervene.

Dancer is arrested and Tancred stages a kangaroo court that sentences him to hang for the murder of Slocum's brother. The town is driven by fear as the fake judgment advances the factional power struggle.

Charles Lanyard hires the James–Younger Gang to rob Slocum's bank to ruin him financially. Tancred and Yancey reveal their own plan to bankrupt Slocum, and the town braces for a violent confrontation.

As Dancer is led to the hanging tree, Tancred realizes they lack rope and shouts for one. Jesse James rides forward with his rope, triggering a rapid shootout that kills Slocum, Tancred, and Yancey. James saves Dancer by providing the rope, signaling a turning point.

James invites Dancer to join his gang, but Dancer declines. James declares they are now equals after Dancer saved his life, and rides away with his gang. Florence's feelings for Dancer culminate in a final moment as they hurry toward each other.