In an unusual twist on the standard Western, widower Lucas McCain struggles to successfully homestead his ranch in North Fork, New Mexico while raising his son Mark. Unfortunately, the Marshall of North Fork has a difficult time handling the weekly "bad guys," and Lucas must repeatedly get out his Winchester Rifle to protect himself, his son, and his neighbors. The Residents of North Fork: Lucas McCain....................................Chuck Connors Mark McCain.......................................Johnny Crawford Marshal Micah Torrance...................Paul Fix Sweeney, the bartender....................Bill Quinn May Sweeney, the bartender's wife.Helen Beverly Charlie Willard, storekeeper............Russell Collins Hattie Denton (1958-1960)..............Hope Summers Miss Milly Scott (1960-1962)...........Joan Taylor Lou Mallory (1962-1963)..................Patricia Blair Eddie Holstead, The Hotel Clerk...John Harmon Nels Svenson, the blacksmith.......Joe Higgins Nels Svenson, the blacksmith.......John Dierkes Dr. Jay Burrage..................................Edgar Buchanan Dr. Jay Burrage..................................Jack Kruschner Dr. Jay Burrage..................................Ralph Moody Angus Evans, the gunsmith............Eddie Quinlan Ruth, a hotel waitress......................Amanda Ames John Hamilton, the banker..............Harlan Warde Miss Aggie Hamilton........................Sarah Selby Josh Moore, Hardware Store..........Charles Tannen Toomey, the undertaker...................Robert Foulk Freddy Toomey, undertaker's son..Robert Crawford