- Esra Kincaid takes land by force, and having taken the Espinoza land, he sets his sight on the Castro rancho U.S. Government Agent Kearney holds him off until the cavalry shows up and he can declare his love for Juanita--"The Rose of the Rancho."—Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
- In 1850 the Federal Government sends secret agent Kearney to investigate land fraud in California among the Spanish-owned ranches. Ezra Kincaid, a land jumper, goes to Señor Espinoza's ranch to seize the property, and in the raid Espinoza and his daughter Isabelita die. Meanwhile, Kearney sees Juanita, the "Rose" of the Castro ranch, and they become mutually attracted, although Juanita is engaged to Don Luis Del Torre. When Kearney discovers that Kincaid plans to seize the Castro ranch, he warns Juanita and her mother, but Señora Castro-Kenton does not believe "The Gringo" and refuses to register her ranch. At Juanita's betrothal dance, Kearney is able to coerce Kincaid into delaying his raid, and the federal troops arrive just in time. In the end, the ranch is saved, and Kearney and Juanita are married.—Pamela Short
- In the year of 1850, when the government at Washington decreed that all ranch owners must register their properties, the Spanish rancheros of California, already seemingly humiliated by coming under the rule of the hated "Gringos," refused to comply and a system of land jumpers roamed about, and chief among these was one Kincaid of Nebraska. The government, learning of the land jumping, and that the illicit trade was growing, sent Kearney, a secret agent, to California to investigate. Kincaid, a worthless and conscienceless scoundrel, learns from one of his men that Senor Espinoza, a rich Spanish Ranchero, has vowed that he will never register his land, and seizing the opportunity, Kincaid and his men ride down on the Espinoza family when they are at dinner. Ignoring protests and refusing cash, Kincaid takes possession of the ranch, and Isabelita, the eldest daughter, is captured by a man, who while fighting for possession of the girl, mortally wounds Espinoza, and Isabelita, knowing her fate at the hands of the Indian, kills herself. Kincaid and his men then sit at the table and shake dice to decide the possession of the other two Espinoza girls. Kearney and his two colored boys arrive. Riding across country on the way to Old Monterey, Kearney encounters Juanita (Wanita), the rose of the Castro Ranch. Using the pretext of a stranger, mutually attracted to each other, the one asks the way to Monterey and the other gives the direction. Juanita, although engaged to the rich Don Luis, continues her flirtation with Kearney. Kearney, learning of the Kincaid raid on the Espinoza ranch, goes to warn Juanita. Juanita takes the warning in an indifferent manner and her mother, a high strung Spanish woman of the Continental school, seeing Kearney accept a flower from Juanita, refuses to take Kearney's advice to register her ranch, and orders him from the place. Kearney sees Kincaid surveying the Castro Ranch and goes to the Padre at the mission house and begs him to use his influence with the Castros to prevail upon them to register their ranch boundaries. To church, through the Padre's garden, comes Juanita, and though she has vowed never to speak to the Americano again, the Padre, convinced of Kearney's sincerity and honesty, brings them together. Although Juanita refuses to register the ranch, she coquettes with Kearney and Kearney impulsively seizes her and presses a kiss on her lips. All coquetry vanishes and Juanita admits she loves the dashing man. Don Luis, who witnesses the pretty scene, rushes to Castro Rancho and tells Juanita's mother. Kearney wins Kincaid's friendship, learns that he intends seizing the Castro ranch. Prevails upon Juanita to secure the papers, rushes to the Registry office and returns in time to participate in Juanita's betrothal dance. Juanita implores Don Luis to give her up, but be steadfastly refuses. Kearney arrives at the Castro ranch in time to meet Kincaid, who is about to raid it. Pretending friendship he is enabled to delay the raid. Juanita mistakes Kearney's attitude as being against her family. Kearney succeeds in delaying Kincaid until soldiers arrive, a terrible fight ensues and Kincaid and his men are overcome just as they are about to seize Kearney and the Castros. Kearney and Juanita are married quietly by the Padre and all ends with a beautiful scene in the Padre's garden as it began there.
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