No mention is made in this 1958 film about Jesse and Frank James or the other Younger brothers or the Daltons, with whom Cole rode. In this movie, he rides alone wearing two six guns, and is sought by the law for some killings, all of which he says were in self defense. He plays a secondary role to a young man called Kit.
It is 1873 in Texas, after the Civil war, when Texas is administered by northern carpetbaggers interested in filling their pockets with southern gold and in taking revenge for northern deaths during the war. The southerners are treated badly by the authorities. Kit expresses his frustration and anger by bombing the saloon owned by the captain of the State Police who implements the fierce rules. He is joined by Frank, a young man about his age, who is weak and cowardly. Both are interested in the same young woman. She likes Kit, and Frank is determined to win her by any means possible.
Kit and Frank are arrested by the captain who demands that they tell who bombed his saloon. The captain beats Frank until he whines to Kit to tell the captain what happened. Kit admits his guilt, there is a struggle, Kit overcomes the captain; and seeing an opportunity, Frank beats up the prostrate captain with a stick. Now the two need to run. They meet Cole Younger. While Cole is asleep, Frank sneaks up on him determined to kill him and use his "heroic" deed as a way of saving himself from needing to keep running. Kit stops him and Cole is thankful. Cole makes Frank leave. He tells Kit that although he generally travels alone, Kit can join him. He gives Kit a very good pistol.
Viewers will see the several ways Frank connives to destroy the relationship between Kit and the girl. These include framing him for a dual murder that he, Frank, commits when he shoots people in the back, and how he steals and misuses a letter that Kit sent the girl. Viewers will also see how Kit needs to defend himself in two gun fights against two outlaws on two occasions. Most significantly, they will watch how Kit's trial is handled and how Cole Younger and a marshal are able to save him.