The Stampede of Fate - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Jim Whitney, the son of a wealthy banker, is driven from his home by his parents because he has chosen to follow the pace that kills. Left on his own resources and driven from home, he wanders to the west to forget the past and begin a new...See moreJim Whitney, the son of a wealthy banker, is driven from his home by his parents because he has chosen to follow the pace that kills. Left on his own resources and driven from home, he wanders to the west to forget the past and begin a new life. Vainly he tries to secure employment. His money gives out and he is left alone, penniless, among strangers. He writes to his father for a small loan and pleads forgiveness. His father replies to his letter and accuses him of forging his name to checks. Jim, knowing he is innocent of this grave charge, decides to change his name and forget his parent and home forever. Driven from his lodging for debt, he meets some cowboys, who bring him to their ranch. Arriving there he fortunately meets the ranch owner's daughter. Grace Radcliffe, who takes him to her father and pleads for employment for him. He secures a position on the ranch. A year later, through hard, faithful work, he is made foreman of the ranch. Grace Radcliffe has learned to love him; he returns her love, but tells her he cannot marry her until a false crime he is accused of has been cleared. Grace decides to wait until he can explain. He always refuses to talk of his past and is known only as Smith, the cowboy. The month of July has been a severe one on the cattle owners. The sun has burnt the grass of the plains and dried the streams. The cattle are dying for want of pasture and water. A sheepherder on the adjoining ranch drives his sheep onto the Radcliffe pasture without permission. Jim, while out on the plains, discovers the sheep on his pasture, and fearing a stampede orders them driven back. The sheep-herder drives his cattle from the Radcliffe ranch and vows vengeance on Jim. The following day Mr. Radcliffe receives a telegram from J. Whitney, his old friend, whom he has not seen in twenty years, telling him he will visit the Radcliffe ranch on his way east. Jim, not knowing that his father, J. Whitney, knows his employer, Mr. Radcliffe, discovers his father talking to Mr. Radcliffe. Ashamed of being accused of forgery and not wishing to meet his father, he mounts his horse and rides away on the pasture. Deep in thought, he rides on, his horse coming to a sudden stop brings Jim to his senses. He looks up and discovers that the sheep-herder has again entered the Radcliffe pasture and the sheep have wandered among the cattle. Jim is struck dumb in his saddle, horrified as 3.000 wild, frenzied, death-dealing cattle advance toward him. He wheels his horse to ride away and sees his sweetheart, Grace, coming toward the stampede. Jim dashes to her and cries, "My God, the sheep have caused a stampede. Drive for your life!" Grace turns her horse and the race with death starts over the cliffs, rocks and mountains. The frail wagon with Grace is plunging, drawn by two horses which have become unmanageable. On they dash, away from the stampede, with Grace holding on for her life. Jim, who has been left behind, sees the wagon break and the horses pull away from the wagon and dash to ruin in the stampede. Jim spurs his fast failing horse on to Grace. There is no chance for them to escape. He pulls her behind the broken wagon for shelter as 3,000 mad heads of cattle dash onto them, crushing their wagon and burying them beneath the debris. Jim's father, Mr. Radcliffe and cowboys rush to their aid and tenderly lift them from the mass of broken wheels and wood. Jim's father is overcome at discovering his son and Grace and Jim are gently removed to the house of Mr. Radcliffe, where a reconciliation follows between father and son. Jim reaches for Grace's hand and says, "Now there is nothing to stop us, Grace." Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less