Fools’ Parade

Mattie Appleyard, Lee Cottrill, and Johnny Jesus are released from the West Virginia State Penitentiary. They are escorted to the local train station in Glory, West Virginia. They begin to plan their own independent grocery business in a distant coal camp.

Appleyard is issued a check for $25,452.32 for forty years of prison work. The check can only be redeemed in person at the Glory bank, pulling him back to town. Council has plotted with Grindstaff to ensure the check is never cashed and to obtain a cash advance for the anticipated killings.

Council informs Grindstaff about the plan to take the money and not let the check be cashed; Grindstaff agrees to help with a cash advance. They intend to kill Appleyard, Cottrill, and Johnny Jesus to divert the funds to missionary support and a Bible school. This conspiracy sets the stage for the attempted ambush.

Council, Mystic, and Kilfong travel to a downstream train stop to ambush the trio at night. Mystic has described the group as atheists to Kilfong, who seeks confirmation before the attack. The plan is to strike from the depot down the line from Glory.

Guilt-ridden conductor Willis Hubbard informs the would-be victims of the plot. The trio thwarts the ambush and evades danger. Hubbard's warning contributes to avoiding the immediate trap.

Kilfong shoots Roy K. Sizemore, a mining supply salesman. Council kills Sizemore and places the blame on Appleyard. Appleyard escapes with Sizemore's supply of dynamite, heightening the stakes of the pursuit.

The next day, Appleyard returns to Glory with dynamite strapped to his chest and another bundle in a suitcase. He threatens to blow up the bank and the surrounding block unless Grindstaff cashes his check. Grindstaff reluctantly complies.

Cottrill boards a houseboat owned by Cleo with Chanty, a young girl Cleo has taken in. Appleyard and Johnny confront them aboard but are tracked by Council. The trio escapes in a skiff, leaving behind the suitcase of dynamite.

Cleo learns of Appleyard's money and exchanges the suitcase for Chanty. Cleo later tries to pry open the locked suitcase, triggering an explosion that destroys the houseboat and kills Cleo.

The fugitives become trapped on a boxcar in the yard, pursued by Council. Hubbard returns as a guilt-ridden conductor and helps them escape, though he fears Council's reach. They slip away under the cover of darkness.

Council, Mystic, and Kilfong catch up to them at an abandoned house. Council decides not to share the loot and kills Mystic and Kilfong. Johnny throws a stick of dynamite toward Council, but the bloodhound retrieves it and the dynamite is hurled out, killing Council.

Hubbard confesses the truth to authorities, leading to Grindstaff's arrest and the exoneration of Appleyard, Cottrill, and Johnny Jesus. The money is confiscated and Appleyard is finally allowed to cash his check. Justice is restored for the trio and their partners.

With the case resolved, Appleyard and his allies secure their freedom and begin to plan a more cautious future, symbolized by the ability to cash the check. The town returns to routine as the trio looks toward a quieter life away from the pursuit.