A John Ford’s silent western recently found in a Dutch private collection. The film is largely incomplete, but Ford’ touch is still easily recognizable. Since its incompleteness, we publish the synopsis appearing on “The American Film Institute Catalog, Feature Films 1911-1920”, to help the comprehension of the story: “Ranchman Cheyenne Harry refuses to sell his land to the neighboring Merritt Packing Company, owned by crooked cattle baron John Merritt, despite offered deals and attempts on Harry’s life. Harry is dispossessed, however, when Merritt’s attorneys find a flaw in Harry’s title. Harry goes to Merritt’s mansion in Chicago and, after surviving the attempts of Merritt’s daughter Helen to ridicule his Western clothes and manners at a plush dinner party where Harry displays impeccable etiquette, Merritt refuses to settle with him, so Harry vows to get even. Periodically Harry then robs Menitt’s payroll, each time sending Merritt a receipt for the amount taken […]. When Helen visits the ranch, Harry abducts her and sends Merritt a receipt marked “paid in full”. Harry’s aggressive tactics gradually win Helen’s heart and when Merritt and a posse arrive, her confession of love causes Merritt to settle with Harry”.
“The picture is a pleasing western with Mr Carey carrying off all the heroic honors and winning the heroine in the last few feet of film. […] The story is rather well told, with Mr Carey holding all the interest. The photography is fairly good”. (Variety 12/19/1919)