During the Civil War, Cal Wayne accidentally kills a fellow Confederate soldier who was also a long-time friend. After the war, Wayne returns to his hometown of Abilene, Kansas where he discovers his sweetheart, Amy - who thought he was dead - about to marry cattle baron Grant Evers, the brother of the man Wayne killed. To try to assuage his guilt, Wayne refuses to try to win Amy back.
A feud is ongoing between local cattlemen and farmers. Evers takes it upon himself to exact harsh justice against anyone, with or without proof, who crosses him and his growing business.
Reluctantly, but at Evers' behest, Wayne replaces the corrupt sheriff, Joe Slade. Haunted by the fact that he killed Evers' brother, Wayne insists he will not wear a gun and wants everyone who comes into town to surrender their weapons.
However, as the situation between the farmers and the cattlemen intensifies and erupts, and Grant Evers is murdered, Wayne chooses to strap on a weapon and settle things for himself, and for Abiliene.
