Several people in Walnut Grove get very sick. A quarantine is set up in the church while the source of the illness is sought.

A college-educated farmer named Joe Coulter moves to Walnut Grove and tells the farmers of a new corn hybrid that will produce good crops, and he agrees to collect everyone's money and take a trip to purchase the corn for everyone. After an accident on the way home, Joe is unable to return on time, causing everyone in town to feel cheated.