Dr. Mike, Sully and Matthew join forces with a legendary marshal to track down the outlaws who wounded Matthew during a bank robbery. Legend says that Marshal Elias Burch has killed more than 100 men. So, when the robbery of Preston's bank causes the townspeople to question whether or not Matthew can really carry out the responsibilities of being sheriff since he doesn't wear a gun, Matthew is determined to learn from Burch and prove he can kill outlaws as well as any other peace officer can. As Dr. Mike and Sully try to stop the bloodshed, Preston and Hank also stalk the robbers, with Hank envisioning the reward money going toward the new hotel. Meanwhile, widowed school teacher Teresa Morales struggles to maintain repairs on her ranch but is too proud to accept Jake's offer of help -- until Brian steps in.

Dr. Mike and the townspeople excitedly welcome the famous writer and poet Walt Whitman to Colorado Springs until rumors about his personal life begin to circulate. When Dr. Cook brings to light the rumor about Whitman preferring the company of men, Preston, who is playing host to Whitman, abruptly cancels the poet's reading, the townspeople shun him, and even Dr. Mike finds herself acting with suspicion when she learns that Whitman has taken Brian under his journalistic wing.