First campaign

Hal Halsey is a plain, hardworking rancher who once served as governor of the territory. Now he hopes to win the seat again as the newly admitted state holds its first elected governor race. His rival, Asa Forbes, is a merciless politician whose campaign is financed by wealthy, grasping mining companies. Hoping to damage Halsey's standing, the miners buy a damaging secret from an old man named Abe Brandell: Varney Wynn, the ranch hand working for Halsey, is actually Halsey's illegitimate son. Hal refuses to be shaken and keeps campaigning, but when Brandell turns up dead, Varney is accused of the killing. Young Cole Halsey then straps on a gun to stand by his father and half-brother.