The Thing at Nolan

When a father vanishes while digging a ditch in frontier Missouri, suspicions fall on the rebellious son who recently threatened him with bodily harm. His mother believes his claims of innocence, but the rest of the townsfolk do not.

John May, living with his parents in the Ozark Mountains in 1879, becomes the first family member to learn reading, which leads him to develop progressive ideas about women's treatment and personal freedom. His father's violent response prompts John to vow retaliation.

A man disappears while working on his farm in old Missouri, and everyone thinks his troublemaking son killed him after the boy made threats. The mother stands by her son, but the whole town believes he's guilty.