Territorial Ranger Gene Autry is ordered to protect crusading publisher John Randolph and his printer Smiley Burnette from Art Selby and Clint Raybold, who are using Indian raids as a cover-up for their activities. Randolph is killed by Gene's outlaw brother, using the name of Jack Austin, who is working for Selby. Believing Gene responsible for her father's death, Ann Randolph, gets a warrant issued for his arrest. Gene convinces Marshal Hackett of his innocence and that he can deliver the real killers, and persuades his misled brother Jack to help him capture Selby.