King of the Pecos

Mr. and Mrs. Clayborn refuse to sell their land to Alexander Stiles. Stiles's henchmen murder the couple and beat their young son John. John is sent to live with his grandfather, beginning the long memory of the tragedy.

A decade later, John is about to take his bar exam and is haunted by memories of his parents' murder. He reflects on what happened and the impact it had on his life.

Stiles gouges ranchers for the cost of water and pays a pittance for their cattle. The low payments ignite resentment and push the ranchers toward legal action.

John changes his surname to Clay and agrees to represent the ranchers in court. He becomes the legal voice opposing Stiles's water monopoly.

The judge rules that Stiles has only one valid water right; all other rights belong to the public domain. The decision sharpens the conflict and clears a path for further challenges.

Stiles orders his men to file by proxy to seize all water rights. John and the ranchers rush to the filing office to counter the move.

Stiles tells his men to wear white armbands so they won't be shot. John, anticipating trouble, has the ranchers wear the same armbands to mark solidarity and avoid friendly-fire.

John catches up to Belle and hands her an armband. He is shot in the arm but escapes with help from a rancher. Belle returns to him and apologizes for the trouble.

It is announced that cattle are worth 20 dollars per head in Abilene, Kansas. The ranchers decide to drive their cattle there to fetch better prices.

Stiles steals cattle from some ranchers and kills those who protest. The conflict escalates as violence erupts along the drive toward Abilene.

John accompanies the remaining ranchers toward Abilene and must pass through Sweetwater to obtain water. He captures a Stiles man and orders him to relay a meeting with Stiles at the Sweetwater gate, asserting he knows Stiles killed his parents and will stand trial for murder.

A gunfight erupts between the ranchers and Stiles's men. John starts a brush fire to drive them from the cabin, and the ranchers chase the retreating men.

John confronts Ash; they draw their weapons and John is faster, winning the confrontation.

John and Belle marry, with all the ranchers in attendance. The ceremony marks the culmination of the long struggle against Stiles.