<P> The story flashes back 25 years; Stoddard is a young, idealistic attorney . His stagecoach is robbed by Liberty Valance and his gang . When Stoddard takes Valance to task, he is brutally whipped and left for dead . Doniphon finds him and takes him into the town of Shinbone; Hallie and other townspeople tend to his injuries, and explain that Valance victimizes Shinbone residents with impunity . Marshal Link Appleyard lacks the courage and gunfighting skills to challenge him . Doniphon (who is courting Hallie) is the only man willing to stand up to him . </P> <P> Stoddard opens a law practice in Shinbone, inviting retribution from Valance, who cannot abide challenges to his "authority". Force, Doniphon explains, is the only thing Valance understands; but Stoddard advocates justice under the law, not brute force . He earns the town's respect by refusing to knuckle under to Valance, and by founding a school to teach reading and writing to illiterate townspeople--including Hallie . </P> <P> When Doniphon notices that Stoddard is trying to teach himself to use a revolver, he offers the inexperienced Stoddard a lesson in marksmanship . During target practice Doniphon effortlessly shoots three paint cans, the final one showers Stoddard with white paint, ruining his suit . Tom explains that this is the sort of trickery that he can expect from Valance . Infuriated, Stoddard punches him in the jaw and leaves . </P> <P> Shinbone's residents meet to elect two delegates for a statehood convention at the territorial capital . Doniphon nominates Stoddard, because he "knows the law, and throws a mean punch". Stoddard explains that statehood will improve infrastructure, safety, and education . The cattle barons oppose statehood, and hire Valance to sabotage the effort, but Stoddard defies him again . The townspeople elect Stoddard and Dutton Peabody, publisher of the local newspaper; Valance challenges Stoddard to a gunfight . Doniphon advises Stoddard to leave town, but Stoddard believes in the rule of law, and is willing to risk his life for his principles . </P>

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