Ezekiel C. Donley was a young lad nineteen years old. Born in Lamar, Missouri. But he was called 'Chance' which was his middle name. He wanted to make his family proud by going off to fight in the war between the states. He joined the Union Army, leaving behind his mother, father and brother Zachary, who was three years younger. Following the long war, he came home to their farm only to find his family had somehow moved on, but where? His neighbors didn't know?
So, he set out on his own to make a new life for himself. He was a big husky man now twenty-two years old. He stood over six feet tall, was broad shouldered and handsome as could be. He went to nearby Jefferson City, seeking work in order to survive. He tried a few jobs and managed to get by okay.
He finally finds work in a livery as a blacksmith due to his size and tremendous strength. But that job really didn't appeal to him. One day he was in the local saloon, when a fight between two patrons ensued and he stepped in and quickly disarmed one man. His actions were observed by the local sheriff. Since the sheriff was looking for a deputy, he offered him the job.
Being a deputy sheriff did appeal to him and he learned, excelling in his new position. Then one day Chance receives a letter stating, due to his past meritorious service in the Union Army, and his time as Deputy Sheriff, he was recommended for a U.S. Marshal position. He became the next to youngest person to ever be elevated to the position of U.S. Marshal.
He was given the district of central Missouri also known as, 'The Outlaw State', for its high number of criminal activities. Bank and train robberies, and the like. He was given an assignment to track down an outlaw by the name of Oscar Pike, wanted for robbery and murder. The story follows US Marshal Chance Donley in his endeavor to capture and bring to justice Oscar Pike who had continued his criminal activities in a lawless town called Shantee, Missouri.