The town of Madden is controlled and owned by Effie Sutton along with her brother Tom, the sheriff. The one item she doesn't own is the local paper owned by John Sayers and his daughter Sue. Effie has started a small stage line called S&S Stage lines that has a short run that competes with Wells Fargo. Sent to Madden to investigate problems Wells Fargo's stagecoaches are having in the vicinity, Hardie discovers the town is run by the ruthless businesswoman who opposes the townspeople's attempt to have an election. Hardie going undercover meets John Sayers on the Wells Fargo stage to Madden. Sayers has asked for a U.S. Marshal to attend the election. The stage is held up and stolen plus Sayers is shot in the back and murdered. Using the town's newspaper, Hardie helps organize the citizenry to bring good government to the community.
—David Bassler