Matt Devereaux is a wealthy cattle rancher who is known for being ruthless and never giving in or showing leniency. He also never allows his own sons to have any position of power on the ranch, forcing them to work as ranch hands. One day, Matt raids a copper factory that is contaminating his water supply, but soon discovers that his wealth and political influence cannot save him from the consequences of his actions.
To avoid responsibility and save his property, he divides it among his sons. Joe, the only one of the four sons who doesn’t hate his father, claims responsibility for the raid and receives a prison term of three hard years at labor. Matt dies from a stroke partly caused by his other three sons’ rebellion. When Joe is released from prison, he plans to get even with the others for what they did to his father, but his mother dissuades him from revenge. However, Ben forces a fight and Joe kills him. Joe then inherits the ranch.