When a Woman Strikes

Slippery Slim, the Justice of the Peace, serves a notice on Hiram Clutts, threatening to foreclose his mortgage unless Sophie marries him the next day. Hiram agrees that Sophie shall marry him as he demands. Sophie tells Mustang of this and they plan to elope that night. Mustang calls for her in his buggy, but they fail to make their escape unnoticed by Hiram. He chases them with a shotgun, but is unable to catch them before they reach Slim's office. They disguise themselves and Slim, not knowing who they are, performs the marriage ceremony.

Sophie writes a note to her aunt telling her that she is undecided whether she will marry Slippery Slim or Mustang Pete, but says she will accept the one who buys the best-looking horse.

Mustang and Slim are on very friendly terms. The same may be said of their wives, and when Slim's wife warns him that it is Friday the 13th and beware of friendship, he scorns her.

Slippery Slim secures a marriage license in the hope of marrying Sophie.

Snakeville's men are forced to stay home and do the housework when the women decide to take over the town.

"King Spruce" is personified in John Barrett, lumber magnate of the North woods. His domineering character is shown when his daughter Elva falls in love with a school teacher, Dwight Wade. Barrett conspires with his foreman, McLeod, to entice Wade away to the lumber camps, and finally decides to accompany the gang of men himself. He starts in to eject and burn out all "skeeters" who have settled on the land without domiciliary rights. Wade has shown his fighting blood by thrashing McLeod for an act of cruelty, and he now vainly opposes Barrett from motives of humanity. From the first shack burned emerges a wild girl, Kate Arden, who sets the forest afire in revenge.

Slim receives a note from Sophie telling him that she will arrive on the five o'clock stagecoach the next morning, and for him to set his alarm clock so he will be sure to meet her. Mustang reads the note, and after Slim has gone to bed, substitutes another clock in Slim's room.

Jack Hardy, Sr. sends his son, Jack Hardy Jr., to the American West to "make a man of him" and instill a sense of responsibility. While West, Jack falls in love with Miss Benson, a ranch secretary. To prove his bravery to her after being taunted, Jack successfully breaks a notoriously unmanageable horse. The local villain, Tex Fuller, and his gang target Jack. In a tragic turn, Jack’s half-breed brother, Deerfoot, is killed by a missile intended for Jack. Jack eventually confronts the gang, bringing them to justice and vindicating himself in the eyes of his father and Miss Benson.

Sophie tries curing Slim's drinking problem by forcing him to drink ammonia, but it doesn't work.

Slim calls on Sophie, but has no more than gotten comfortably settled when Mustang arrives and is given all the attention. Very shortly Hiram, Sophie's father, comes downstairs and kicks Mustang out. Mustang returns with a note telling Sophie to meet him next day when the stage coach arrives and they will run away.

The proprietor of the O.K. hotel is advertising for a "lady" cook. Meanwhile, a Chinaman is stealing all his trade. Sophie arrives in Snakeville and applies for the position. The proprietor engages her without a moment's hesitation.

Slippery Slim and Sophie are deeply in love. Slim incurs the enmity of Hiram Clutts, Sophie's father, and Mustang Pete. They swear vengeance. Mustang writes a note to Slim, signing Sophie's name, asking him to meet her in a cemetery. Slim finds a band of men waiting clad in sheets. He flees and asks Sophie to save him.

Tim Cantle, an evil-looking fellow, is drinking at a bar. The saloonkeeper's daughter enters, and Tim, slightly tipsy, tries to kiss her. She struggles to escape him. Broncho Billy enters and draws his gun. Tim flees. Tim gets his horse and rides away. As he approaches a house on a hill nearby, he sees Annie Fargo run out of her home, her father cursing her. Tim seizes and kisses her. She strikes him in the face and screams. Her father then comes out and drives Tim away. He sends Annie back into the house, following her with his gun. Tim swears vengeance.

Slippery Slim receives an invitation to attend the wedding of Sophie and Mustang Pete. He is brokenhearted, and when he goes to Sophie's home to plead with her he is locked out. He leaves a note telling her that he is going to shoot himself, but he loses his nerve.

Slippery Slim and Mustang Pete get into a duel over Sophie.

A morals reformer returns from Hollywood to his small town, and shows his fellow citizens the results of his investigation.