A Mexican official must decide between his fellow caballeros and his obligations to the U.S. Government during the annexation of California.

A man goes too far promoting a phony religious philosophy based on the novel "The Gates Ajar", and must admit the truth if he is to save his friend and benefactor from a lynch mob.

Sam Kee, ostracized because he's Chinese, finds refuge at a fort after saving a soldier's life. He makes himself useful and befriends Lt. Burke who needs help after Apaches repeatedly steal the payroll. Sam is able to come to the aid of his benefactors.

Russian Grand Duke Alexis is touring the West and the government assigns Buffalo Bill as his guide. The frontiersman objects but ends up bonding with the royal. An encounter with hostile Indians cements the friendship.

Charlie and Phoebe Stoner are having hard times because of his drinking. Major Bullock arrives from the East willing to grubstake Charlie to learn his mining expertise. When valuable items disappear Bullock suspects Charlie but there's a simpler solution.

Dr. Tom Bell stays out west after the Mexican American War but his belief in himself is gone. When a patient of his dies unexpectedly his medical practice is ruined and he thinks his only choice is to join with criminal elements.

After an army skirmish with hostile Indians prisoners arrive at the fort including an ill girl. Mrs. Easton nurses her to health and she adopts the Anglo ways but leaves after falling in love with Tom. She returns only to perform a heroic act.

Two competing teams race to complete a cross country telegraph line, aiding the Union cause. Also at stake is a bonus so when sabotage takes place suspicions grow. But Hudson learns it's Confederate sympathizers at work.

The son of an Indian chief accused of the murder of a fellow tribesman faces trial.

The MacArthur family arrive at Ft. Selden their new post in frontier Arizona. In the midst of hostile Apache actions the young Douglas falls under the watchful eye of Norkul who risks everything to protect the future commanding general.

During a drunken evening in town, a miner gives a pretty saloon-singer half-interest in his apparently worthless claim, only to learn that the surrounding property contains a vein of valuable ore.

Mike Ward arrives in Carson City and immediately clashes with newspaper owner Lauri Frick. He establishes a rival paper both working to improve things in frontier Nevada. What Lauri doesn't realize is who her secret contributor is.

When artistic Billy Jackson is threatened by gunslinger Corbett, he shoots him in the back. Famed lawyer Temple Houston is asked to take Billy's case but because the crime took place with many witnesses Houston must work a miracle.

Edwin Booth arrives in Downieville to do a Shakespearean show 6 months after his brother assassinated Lincoln. Town tough Rogan and his cronies try to prevent the performance. It's up to Jeb Hayes to show his son to stand up for what's right.

Tom Dixon, formerly an outlaw, is trying to change his ways and marry his sweetheart. But he's wanted for a past bank robbery and the reappearance of fellow gang member Cassidy make it difficult to avoid trouble.

Carl, a destitute vagabond, stumbles upon $50,000 in Wells Fargo loot. He lives it up in a fine hotel but also sharing the money with those in need. He doesn't realize the original thief Browning and Hume, a bank detective, are on his trail.

Steve Hewitt accidentally kills the dogs of miner Tully who had sent a desparate message. Haunted by his mistake he searches for the man while his friends suspect him of hiding a lucrative mine. Steve is guided by mysterious howling.

Marshall Bill Tilghman works in 1890's Oklahoma territory trying to bring in the Doolin gang. He methods are questioned when he first offers amnesty but gets sidetracked when he does a bride a favor, putting his job in jeopardy.

Lew Wallace is governor of New Mexico territory during Billy the Kid's murderous time in the 1880's. While dealing with threats to his life, worries of his family, he manages to write a novel that would become biblical best-selling Ben Hur.

California imposes a monthly tax on immigrant miners in the 1850's gold boom. Most groups grudgingly respond but the French resist violently. Lt. Bradshaw is tasked with enforcement despite his sympathy for the miners.

A hate-filled drifter threatens successful rancher John Gaunt and his family.

In the years after California's conquest, an Army commander grapples with hostile citizens.

A couple face opposition to their marriage: the governor of California, whom the woman once rejected.

Prospector "Dutch" Charley Koehn (John Bleifer)searches for gold for many years, but never finds any. He decides to settle down and buys a goat farm...and strikes it rich when he finds gold on the property.

John Raitt plays a drifter who befriends a boy whose father has been jailed for horse theft.