At the beginning of the episode Doc come out and announces that Mr Bart had passed away. The daughter, Susan Bart, now become the owner of the Bar Moon Ranch. Susan had been away for three years and felt like she wanted to fulfill the dreams of her father- which included diverting a creek which would cause hardship for the home settlers down stream. And even with people begging her not go continue the 'ditch', she felt lead to make the dream reality.
Of course this did not set well with the home settlers especially Trent Hawkins who wants the other settlers to fight back. He used a little scared tactics that only made Susan Bart more determined to complete the ditch. Marshal Dillon believes if something is not done it could start a range war that includes much bloodshed.
Susan goes out and hires a gunslinger named Leif Crider who really feeds false information to Susan so that his job will last longer and more pay will be coming. Crider is so much wanting a war that he goes as far as to shoot Trent Hawkins's mother.
With Matt, Chester and Trent visiting Susan's ranch, Susan now has reservations about what Crider has told her. And Crider knows he has to do something to keep this ranch war brewing.
I was really into the story until we get to the ending scenes. Then it took a turn where all the players were out of character. It was like having this good story with no ending- and then just write whatever happens to come to mind no matter how ridiculous. The ending did not match the story.