Legion of the Lawless

Lawyer Jeff Toland arrives in Ivestown determined to open his practice after learning the railroad will pass through town. He discovers a geographic and economic split between Ivestown and East Ivestown, setting a tense backdrop for his work. Reluctant to leave, Toland confronts a ransacked office and a threatening note as Harper, Dr. Denton, and Ellen Ives test his resolve.

Henry Ives shifts from enforcing vigilante justice to recognizing the need for a sheriff and a proper government with the railroad's arrival. Toland learns that political stability may determine how the town handles inevitable growth. This marks an uneasy tension between Toland's legal ambitions and the locals' sense of control.

Harper aims to buy Main Street land in anticipation of the railroad's arrival. Toland learns the railroad will pass through East Ivestown, not Ivestown, based on a survey. Drunk Denton leaks the survey to Harper, and Toland blames himself for the leak, heightening tensions.

Harper and his henchmen travel to East Ivestown to coerce landowners into selling at undervalued prices. Toland interrupts the attempt as they threaten Lafe Barton; the confrontation ends with ambiguous blame on Harper. Lafe's son is wounded by gunfire, and Toland remains unaware Harper was the attacker.

Toland tells Henry Ives about the railroad re-routing and the East Ivestown attack, prompting a move to disband the vigilante group. Henry Ives is ambushed and murdered en route to a meeting, and Toland discovers the body on the road. The murder intensifies the conflict and validates Harper's position.

At the meeting, Harper proclaims that East Ivestown rightfully belongs to Ivestown and they must retake it in light of the railroad. The crowd's tension grows as vigilantism becomes a live option. Toland's earlier findings and testimony become a tool in Harper's manipulation.

Dr. Denton is shot and wounded while riding to warn Toland about the vigilantes' plans. He reveals to Toland that he leaked the survey to Harper. The betrayal compounds Toland's sense of responsibility for the mounting conflict.

Toland rides to East Ivestown ahead of the vigilantes to warn the town. The townspeople decide to separate from Ivestown and hurriedly appoint Toland as sheriff to maintain order. Harper's influence continues to push the conflict toward violence.

Harper and his gang arrive under the pretense of arresting Toland for Ives' murder. Toland exposes Harper's earlier attack on Lafe Barton and arrests him. The gang starts a fire as a distraction to free Harper, triggering a pursuit back to Ivestown.

Toland pursues Harper into a gunfight at the saloon. Harper feigns surrender and shoots Toland, wounding him. Toland returns fire, killing Harper as East Ivestown men arrive to end the standoff.

After recovering, Toland receives a letter of appreciation from the governor, validating his actions. The gesture raises his standing among the townsfolk. Ellen Ives's presence grows closer, foreshadowing a budding romance that reshapes Ivestown.

Toland and Ellen Ives grow closer as the town looks toward a future beyond feuds. Dr. Denton, inspired by Toland's example, contemplates entering the field of law himself. The incident underscores a new era for Ivestown with the railroad and Toland at its center.