Clay Santell (Audie Murphy) an honest horse trader stops in the town of Sutterville after having a horse stolen. He is mistaken by townspeople for a notorious murderer named Travers. The townspeople capture Clay and turn him over to lawman Harry Deckett (Stephen McNally).

The egotistical and crooked Marshall Deckett, tired of chasing the real Travers, is out to gain personal glory even if it means capturing and punishing the wrong man.

Clay escapes from Deckett, taking the lovely Janet Gifford (Felicia Farr) hostage in the process. Janet comes to believe his story and helps him in his struggle to prove his real identity.

Will Clay get away from the corrupt and self-serving Marshall Deckett? Will Clay be able to prove his innocence?