The quaint Old West town of Calendar, nestled in the Colorado Territory, emerges almost instantaneously when the clumsy yet spirited Prudy Perkins stumbles upon gold while attending a funeral. Her father, the well-meaning but inept farmer Olly, is quickly appointed as the first mayor of this burgeoning settlement. As they rejoice in their newfound fortune, they soon find themselves under the oppressive thumb of the corrupt Danby family, who demand hefty tolls to traverse the only road into or out of Calendar.
With a population preoccupied by dreams of gold, the town is devoid of any law enforcement, leaving the few brave souls who take on the role of sheriff either brutally dismissed or even killed. Amidst this chaos, the skilled gunfighter Jason McCullough arrives. He witnesses Joe Danby ruthlessly take a man’s life over a card game in the local saloon. Facing a precarious financial situation due to skyrocketing prices, McCullough decides to take on the role of sheriff, impressing the mayor and council with remarkable shooting skills.
The initial encounter with Prudy leaves her flustered, yet her attempts to distance herself seem futile as McCullough's charm begins to win her over. After swiftly tossing Joe into the town’s makeshift jail, lacking proper bars or locks, McCullough cleverly orchestrates a series of traps to keep him at bay. His ragtag crew includes a hesitant deputy, Jake—once the town's quirky resident—who aids him in navigating the various escapades that unfold.
Joe’s arrest sends shockwaves through his family, particularly his father, Pa Danby, who is unaccustomed to such defiance from his clan. Following an embarrassing confrontation with McCullough that leaves him disarmed, Pa retaliates by hiring a cadre of gunmen to take down the new sheriff. However, McCullough, with Jake’s assistance, consistently prevails against these challengers while also nurturing a budding romance with Prudy. As the Danbys attempt to forcefully break into the jail, they find themselves outmatched and driven off.
Feeling cornered, Pa rallies the entire Danby clan for a grand assault to free Joe. Initially contemplating escape, McCullough's resolve solidifies when Prudy expresses admiration for his decision to stay. Despite their reluctance to assist, the mayor persuades the townsfolk against lending a hand, leading to a showdown where only McCullough, Jake, and Prudy stand against the Danbys. In a tense standoff, McCullough cleverly uses Joe as leverage and the old cannon positioned in the town square to gain the upper hand. The Danbys, after being apprehended, are humorously dispatched to jail as the cannon unexpectedly fires, wreaking havoc on the local brothel.
As the dust settles, McCullough and Prudy become engaged, offering a glimmer of hope in the dusty town. In a whimsical closing scene, Jake steps out of the narrative, addressing the audience directly. He shares that after his wedding, McCullough pursued an illustrious career as the first governor of Colorado, post its statehood—though he frequently read about Australia, he never made it there. Meanwhile, Jake claims his place as the beloved sheriff of Calendar, solidifying his own legacy in the annals of Western folklore.
