Western Union

While surveying a telegraph line in 1861, Edward Creighton is severely injured. He is found and aided by Vance Shaw, an outlaw on the run, who initially considers stealing Creighton's horse but ultimately carries the man to safety. The accident forces them to travel on foot, sparking an uneasy beginning to their relationship.

Sometime after the accident, Creighton returns to Omaha and lays out the plan to build a telegraph line from Omaha to Salt Lake City. He faces considerable opposition from Confederates, Indians, and outlaws who threaten the project. The plan sets the course for the rest of the story.

Shaw arrives at Western Union's office seeking honest employment and is hired as a scout by Grogan, who is unaware of Shaw's outlaw past. Creighton recognizes him among the workers and allows him to stay despite suspicions. This marks the uneasy beginning of their professional relationship.

Creighton hires Richard Blake, a Harvard-educated engineer, as a favor to Blake's father. Shaw and Blake compete for Sue's attention, adding personal tension to the project. Construction of the telegraph line officially starts on July 4, 1861.

During the early work, a worker is killed by what appears to be Indians. Shaw investigates the incident and traces the trail to Jack Slade's camp, uncovering that Slade's gang is disguising themselves. The realization links the violence to Shaw's former associates.

Slade's men masquerade as Indians to disrupt the telegraph project and steal horses. The trail reveals their involvement, and Shaw begins to understand the depth of danger tied to his past. Creighton grows wary of Shaw as the truth starts to surface.

A confrontation with drunken Indians leads to Blake firing on a raider, despite Shaw's order to stay calm. Word reaches the main camp of another Indian assault, and Slade's men steal the line's horses. A wounded Indian turns out to be white, exposing the deception.

The U.S. Army arrives to restore order, but the Indians refuse to allow the telegraph to pass through their territory. Creighton, Shaw, and Blake negotiate with Chief Spotted Horse to gain passage, despite the tension created by past incidents. Work on the line continues once passage is secured.

As the project progresses, Creighton becomes suspicious of Shaw's loyalty after Shaw admits knowing Slade and his gang. Shaw maintains his outward cooperation while concealing his deeper knowledge. The conflict hints at a larger personal struggle beneath the surface.

Shaw is captured by Slade's men while en route to meet Slade. He escapes using the smoldering embers of Slade's campfire, returning too late to prevent a destructive blaze. He sustains burns on his hands during the escape, which he later hides.

Creighton confronts Shaw for an explanation, but Shaw refuses to reveal the full truth about Slade. He is fired from the project, yet tells Blake that Slade is his brother and vows to stop the gang. The revelation sets Shaw on a personal mission against Slade.

Shaw tracks Slade to a town and confronts him in a barber shop; Slade's gun is concealed under a barber's sheet. Shaw is shot through the sheet but fights back, killing several gang members and earning the loyalty of his allies. Blake arrives to continue the fight, and Slade dies from his wounds.

With Slade defeated, the Western Union telegraph line is completed and the workers celebrate. Sue laments Shaw's absence, but Creighton tells her that Shaw can still hear them. The film closes on a note of fulfillment and sacrifice, honoring Shaw's memory.