In 1860, Jacob Perigo marries aspiring journalist Catherine Shay and they move to her parent's farm in Kansas, south of Lawrence. In 1861, Jacob goes off to war, leaving Catherine behind. In August 1863, Quantrill's Raiders attack Lawrence, Kansas. After the raid, seven of the men brutally rape and murder Catherine. Swearing to avenge her death, Jacob begins a journey to find Catherine's killers, and bring upon them a slow and agonizing death.