Steve Downing, aka The Durango Kid, comes to Nugget City to investigate the murder of his brother-in-law, owner of the Carr Mine. Molly Tavish warns him to leave town or get killed because her brothers are the leaders of a ranching clan in a conflict against the miners. Sam Ashton, the miner's leaders, starts the rumor that Tommy Tavish killed Steve's relative' then Tommy is killed and Steve's hat is left at the scene of the crime. Steve, with the aid of Smiley BUrnette, breaks jail and, as the Durango Kid, goes after the people who are behind the lawlessness.