Cow Country

In 1875, Ben Anthony (Edmond O'Brien) runs a freight line in Texas. He disappointed cattleman Walt Garnet (Robert Barrat) by not going into that business. Walt's beautiful daughter Linda (Helen Westcott) returns to town after a long absence and Ben still carries a torch for her, but she's now involved with another man, Harry Odell (Robert Lowery). The cattle business is in trouble. Beef prices have dropped so low, cattle companies are being urged to sell their stock to a rendering plant. Ben tries to intervene, and eventually learns that banker Parker (Barton MacLane) is colluding with Odell and the plant's owner, Sledge (Robert J. Wilke), to gain control of the ranchers' valuable land. They also get into the cattle-rustling business to put further pressure on ranchers. Melba Sykes (Peggie Castle) and her father Tim (Rory Mallinson) are squatting on Walt's ranch. It turns out that Odell is not only hiding his business schemes from Linda but also the fact that he's been romancing Melba behind her back. Her father catches them, and insists on an engagement, to which he agrees, even though he is already engaged to Linda. When Tim Sykes tries to protect his house from being torn down, he is killed by Smoky. When Sledge produces a bill of sale from the man, Ben knows it's been forged because Tim did not know how to write. Melba boasts to Linda that her "fiance" Odell will look out for her interest now. Linda realizes she's been betrayed and turns to Ben for solace and advice. Melba becomes furious when Odell breaks off their relationship and snaps a bullwhip at him. After Melba buries her father, Fritz proposes to her, and she accepts. Ben leaves on a business trip to secure an Army contract. While gone, Parker's henchmen murder several freight employees and destroy freight wagons and merchandise. When they hear about the Army contract which will invigorate the valley's cattle business, they plan a desperate plan to rustle cattle and use dynamite. In the meantime, Ben sets up a trap to clean up the criminals. A showdown then ensues in a box canyon, where Parker and Sledge are planning to destroy the cattle they have rustled. Ben gets there in time to shoot them both. He is wounded himself, but will survive. Odell is confronted by Fritz who tries to arrest him. Odell reaches for a gun and Fritz shoots him dead. In the final scene, Linda is shown kissing Ben.