Bill courts Grace who's unaware he's a professional gambler. After he shoots Sidewinder in self defense she ends their relationship. Bill leaves town but returns mysteriously with young Butch and Grace is charmed after learning what Bill did.

The conflict between the established Hispanic families and the recently arrived settlers from the United States comes to an head. General Vallejo seeks accommodation with the troop headed by Ezekiel in establishing a republic.

The last days of notorious outlaw Billy the Kid is told from the viewpoint of Pat Garrett. Vowing to take on Billy after elected sheriff, Pat first dramatically captures Billy who escapes forcing an ultimate showdown.

Maria is approaching her 17th birthday at her father's successful ranch in 1845 California. But his sudden death leaves her unprepared and everything seems to go wrong. After her wedding to Pedro a dream reveals a surprising fortune.

Silas, an expert lumberjack, attracts the attention of pretty Florence. Si despairs when she moves as he can't read or write so friend Vic steps up and writes her sweet letters. Trouble is Flo can't read or write either so Mrs. Perrin plays matchmaker.

Three good friends Andy, Cliff and Barney work for the telegraph company in the desert mining region. The arrival of pretty dancer Rose in Rhyolite has the men competing for her affection. A flash flood changes their fortunes.

Not having luck in the California gold fields, Alex Todd discovers there's money to be made delivering the mail and starts a subscription mail service taking letters to the gold camps for miners starving for news from home.

The story of Bret Harte and his early time in 1850's California after moving there from the east. He became a stagecoach guard, newspaper editor which almost got him lynched, then a schoolteacher before finding fame as a western writer.

Asa Mercer heads East right after the Civil War to recruit brides for the many bachelors in the Northwest. He meets his match in Annie who wants to teach and is tired of Mercer's Puritan ways. The long ship journey bring complications.

A small garrison, led by Lt. Gillespie, is besieged by the Mexican army during the war with United States. He sends John Brown to make a daring ride to Monterey to bring reinforcements, finding difficulties and gunfire along the way,

Andrew Clayton, a down and out miner, finds himself on trial for robbery plus murder. As every witness identifies him, Andrew recounts his encounter with Red Haskell, his near double and a bad deal that could cost him his life.

A Boston native, Philip Adams is a big booster of Washington state. While courting Janice Peabody he dreams of taking a graft of the historic Washington elm and placing it in the university out west. His interest comes between Phil and his girl.

Tombstone has a reputation as a rugged mining town when newlywed Janet Gee arrives. Homesick for Scotland she befriends rough women plus looks out for a homeless Indian boy. A rosebush from her mother lifts her spirits.

Dr. Edward Wilson attempts to curb an epidemic in a Paiute village.

Mary Granger earns an engineering degree but finds it difficult to break into what's considered a male profession. She heads west hoping to tind it easier but encounters the same opposition until she proves herself.

MacFarlane has a tough job guarding valuable shipments in the railroad. And when he stops a robbery by the Claytons he makes mortal enemies. He must become increasingly clever as he risks his life stopping train holdups.

Elias Baldwin heads to Santa Ana, California to makes his fortune. He takes risky chances on a number of business deals but it works out. But money leaves him unfulfilled until he meets the lovely Jennie Dexter.