Sampson Moses, the corrupt mayor of Brambles, Texas, hires a deadly gunfighter to remove orphaned landowner Billy, since a railroad company wants his land. Tough lawyer Neil Morris tries to settle things peacefully to no avail.
Reverend Julian Shay (Willie Nelson) strode into the saloon, pulled out his six-shooter, and killed his adulterous wife (Morgan Fairchild) and the man she had left him for. It was the beginning of his violent transformation from God-Loving preacher to ruthless outlaw.