 The killing of young  Boots  Hollister in this film is one of the most graphic, chilling and stark scenes, even with most of it off-camera, ever seen in a Republic B-western intended for the Saturday matinée crowd. The story has Red Ryder (Wild Bill Elliott) and his aunt, The Duchess (Alice Fleming), operating a stage line in the 1890 s in Blue Springs. Con Hollister (Francis McDonald), released from prison and reformed, plans to return the $150,000 loot taken in a stagecoach holdup five years previous. Jed Quinlan (Don Costell), the brains behind a lawless gang, persuades Con s brash young son, Billy (John James), to join him in the hold-up of the incoming stage carrying Mr. Hollister. Red breaks up the robbery and the gang gets away but not before Hollister recognizes his son as one of the bandits.  Boots  Hollister, Con s young daughter, is murdered by Quinlan in cold blood as Quinlan is trying to locate the original robbery loot. And then Quinlan has Red suspected as the killer.