Pemmican is a town in the western plains of North America near the 49th parallel (the U.S.-Canadian border at 49° north latitude). In 1880 the border was surveyed in the Pemmican area, revealing that the town straddled the border between Montana and Saskatchewan. The border also divides the local law enforcement office. In order to have proper and legal law enforcement, both North-West Mounted Police Corporal Clive Bennett (John H. Brennan) and U.S. Marshal Jack Craddock (Richard Comar) are stationed in the town. Clive was formerly stationed in Toronto. Jack is a former Texas Ranger, and a veteran of the Confederate States of America army. Each of these law officers is courting Marie Dumont (Sophie Barjac).

Marie and her physician husband were originally from Paris. Now widowed, Marie has taken over as town doctor and as proprietor of the local general store. Marie has adopted Lucy, a girl whose parents died.

Joanna Radway (Donna Carroll White) is a widow, owner of a local ranch and head of the local Women for Temperance Committee.

Zack Denny (Duncan Fraser), an American Southerner, is the proprietor of the local saloon and roadhouse. His wife, Diane, was once a Black slave.

Sally Duffield (Beverley Elliott) is proprietor of the local boarding house and an employee at Marie's general store. Wendell MacWherter (Paul Batten) is the local banker (managing a branch of the bank headquartered in Helena) and owner of the livery stable. He is also courting Sally Duffield.

Otto Danzinger is the worker of the Livery and blacksmith. Bruno Danzinger is the brother of Otto Danzinger who helps in the livery.

Willie Haddon is a local kid in town that spends much time with Marshal Craddock and has a liking for Lucy.