Santee (Rory Calhoun) becomes a bounty hunter to earn enough money to marry Anna (Terry Moore), the woman he loves. But when he returns home to Kile, Kansas, he learns she has married Ralph Elkins (James Best), a sheriff, and left town.
Santee schemes with land baron Gus Kile (Lon Chaney Jr.) to ruin the town of Lark's reputation so that the railroad scheduled to be built in Lark will instead be built in Kile. Santee arranges for a brothel madam, Sadie (Linda Darnell), and her girls to come to Lark. Reverend Tanner (Scott Brady) and other townspeople are appalled. Unknown until he arrives, Lark is Anna's new hometown and that her husband is the town's sheriff.
Things get out of hand in Lark, and when sheriff Elkins is tarred and feathered, and Pastor Tanner's right arm is broken for ringing the church bell relentlessly, Santee changes sides. He learns from Anna that her young son Chad is actually his son who has been adopted by Ralph Elkins. Santee, with help of sheriff Elkins and Pastor Tanner, cleans up the community. After cleaning up Lark but before riding out of town, Santee offers to financially help with Chad's welfare. Anna says no, that's not necessary, but Santee can send gifts to the boy as his Uncle Santee. Santee will keep his secret from the young lad. Santee thinks he may became a sheriff in some town that he believes needs him. He leaves Anna, Ralph and Chad with his best wishes.
