Fighting Valley

A gang of outlaws led by mine manager Tucson Jones and his pal, Slim, attack a wagonload of ore protected by Texas Rangers Tex Wyatt, Jim Steele and Panhandle Perkins. The Rangers successfully defend the wagon, and later report to Frank Burke, manager of the Independent Smelting Company, who informs them that the recent rash of ore robberies has nearly put him out of business. Burke runs the mine for the deceased owner's daughter, Joan Manning, whom he expects to arrive at any time. As ore is difficult to sell, Tex surmises that the robbers have an ulterior motive, and Frank believes that only Dan Wakely, president of the larger Rio Grande smelting company, would profit if Frank went out of business. When Joan arrives with plans to sell the business to Wakely, Frank protests that the local miners cannot afford to use Wakely's services. However, Joan is already negotiating with Wakely through her fiancé, Paul Jackson. Tex calls the local miners to a meeting at Ma Donavon's house, but they are unable to persuade Joan to change her mind, and Jim has a minor altercation with Jackson. After Wakely and Joan leave, Tex reveals his suspicions that Wakely is the mastermind behind the robberies. To force Wakely's hand, Tex has the creditors declare Independent insolvent, and he is appointed the receiver. The next day Joan and Paul present their bill of sale to Frank, but the company is now officially bankrupt. Paul, who reportedly has no money himself, tries to bribe Tex with an offer of $10,000 to give up the receivership, but Tex refuses. When Paul learns that the Rangers are obtaining a wagonload of ore, he informs Tucson and Slim, who attempt to ambush them. Tex and his friends are prepared for the assault, however, and leave the outlaws without their trousers or their horses. Tex's suspicions of Wakely are confirmed when he learns that Tucson runs a mine owned by Wakely's Rio Grande company. Joan later tries to convince Tex to stop interfering with her business, but he refuses to comply and calls her a spoiled brat. When she follows him to Ma's house, they all try to open her eyes by telling her that Jackson is double-crossing her by working for Wakely. Although she is not convinced, Joan decides to stay at Ma's house until the matter is cleared up. When the gang steals Jeff's wagonload of ore and wounds him, he shows up at Ma's cabin with the sheriff and a judge, who informs Tex that he will appoint another receiver if Tex does not reclaim the ore. Jackson accuses the Rangers of the robbery, but privately admits to Joan that Wakely was going to advance him $10,000 for the bribe. Disappointed by Jackson's dishonesty, Joan breaks off their engagement. The Rangers and Jeff then follow Jeff's wagon tracks until they see Wakely and Jackson heading for Tucson's mine. While Jeff returns to round up the miners, the Rangers sneak up to the mine and see Wakely and his men stuffing Jeff's ore into Wakely's mine sacks. The outlaws and the Rangers engage in a gunfight, which the Rangers eventually win. With the outlaws arrested, the Independent Smelter Company is restored to full activity, and the Rangers depart.