On Bitter Creek

• Watchlist

• 1915
• Action & Adventure

• Watchlist

• Watchlist

For generations, ill feeling has existed between the Cavalier Yancy family living on one side of Bitter Creek and the Puritan Kirbys on the other. Over the creek is a covered bridge built by Yancy long ago. The Yancy family consists of Clay Yancy, his widowed sister, and her little daughter Virginia In the Kirby house are Horace Kirby, his 3-year-old son Robert, and Horace's sister Carolina. Despite the ill feeling between the factions, Clay Yancy is courting Carolina Kirby. One day Horace happens to come upon the sweethearts just as Yancy has merrily demanded a kiss as toll for crossing the bridge. Carolina, fearing a quarrel between Clay and Horace, pretends to refuse, on which Clay swears that never again shall a Kirby cross the bridge until a woman of their house buys freedom with a kiss. A toll gate is erected and all but Kirbys are permitted to pass free; a bitter, bloody feud ensues. Yancy's sister dies and he rears little Virginia as his own, never marrying; neither does Carolina wed. Twenty years pass. The toll gate has been maintained. Robert Kirby and Yancy's niece Virginia have grown to maturity and are attending the same college. They fall in love and get married, hoping to bring peace to Bitter Creek. Virginia hears that her Uncle Clay has been wounded and feels that she must go to him. Robert also goes home, but for a time they keep their marriage secret. Jed Tolliver, a Yancy clansman, has loved Virginia and renews his attentions. The Kirbys, defeated in the long war, have resorted to the courts and the Supreme Court declares that the toll gate is illegal and must be removed. Clay Yancy is furious and determines to blow up the bridge. Jed Tolliver accordingly lays the mines. Virginia tells Robert that she is afraid of Tolliver. He must take her away, and the announcement of their marriage be no longer delayed. Robert and his wife cross to the Yancy side and are recognized, and their retreat is cut off. They flee back across the bridge. Tolliver fires the mine and is himself killed, but Robert and Virginia reach the other side and go to the Kirby home, where they are warmly received by Horace Kirby, who had loved Virginia's mother. From the wreck of the old bridge a small metal box is discovered and is taken to Clay Yancy. The box had been used by the lovers to leave letters, but Clay had never looked into it since the quarrel. He finds in the box a letter placed there by Carolina on the day of the quarrel, telling Clay that if he will send her a red rose she will go to him and pay the toll demanded. A new iron bridge is built over the creek, and one day Carolina receives a red rose. She realizes that Clay has learned the truth and goes joyously to pay the toll.