
Ben Cartwright is the patriarch of an all-male Nevada ranching family. Set during and after the Civil War, "Bonanza" is the story of life on the family's thousand-acre spread, known as the Ponderosa, near Virginia City. Ben has his three sons, each with a different (and deceased) mother. Serious eldest son Adam hopes to follow in his father's footsteps; middle son Hoss is a gentle giant -- physically strong, but sometimes naive; and youngest son Little Joe is the most impetuous and romantic of the offspring.
Hoss falls prey to a beautiful woman with a gambling addiction and refuses to believe she's only interested in his money.
Hoss and Little Joe spend the most unforgettable night at the carnival when Little Joe's date disappears.
Maud Hoad leads her revenge-seeking family against Joe, who was forced to shoot treacherous Jeb Hoad.
A sheriff's daughter runs off with her boyfriend (John Ericson), unaware he is a murderous bank robber.