Joe Gaines, a doctor in a small West Texas town in the 1880s, finds himself in the role of gunfighter -- protector -- for two reasons. He is fearless and a crack shot. He steps into his gunfighter role without effort, and when the shooting stops, he just as easily reverts to the role of town doctor. He is hopelessly in love with the wife of one of his closest friends, and she with him. Both are two honorable to do anything about it. When he and his friend Noble have vanquished the lost desperado, they pack up and head west, perhaps to join the Earps in Tombstone. Incidentally, the town and the main street are named for them in honor of their courage -- Gainesville and Noble Street.