Old West
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Markus Blaine (Gunfighter)
Jonathan Adams Claridge, esq. (Businessman / Criminal)
OTHER POSSIBLE CHARACTER TYPES
❖ Marshal JT Wesley ❖
Name : John Tyrone "JT" Wesley (Marshal)
Age : 30
Personality : JT had been many things in his life; from a thief to a lawman... and in his transitional life, the War seemed to change him as it had many a man. No longer was he that brazen, disloyal, and arrogant lad who thought he could not die. No, he had not died, but many around him had... not just in war, but on the trail, even in the towns. He is a proud and passionate man. His sharp wit and intense mannerisms sometimes formulate a sort of overbearing and despicable person. But the arrogance of those who believe that his social position allows him access to every entity, and every female, is nothing but irrespective of his true will and the desire of doing good and sharing his deep affections for others. He is a highly intelligent, cunning, observant, and skilled constable, excelling with a pistol or rifle. He is fearless himself; risking his own life to save any friends he may have, and can order anyone to his death without remorse. And in the past few years since the war’s end, he has returned to the morals his father taught him... to revere justice and the right to live prosperously – legally. Though he is not the least prosperous, he is legal. Now he displays traits of loyalty, trust, courage, and pride. He is soft-spoken, with an awkward smile that can be construed as a smirk more often than not. He is quietly gracious, unpretentious, authoritative, and easy mannered; most of the time. Plus as Marshal, he keeps an open door and no appointments are needed to speak to him... about anything.
Background : John Tyrone Wesley is 30 yrs old, born in Herrin Illinois on March 2nd, 1842, son of a lawyer. His father raised him to revere justice and the right to live prosperously - legally. His father and mother raised him in the small town of Herrin, Illinois, but in 1857, at the age of 15, he got involved in horse stealing; got caught, prosecuted, and jailed. His father defended him to no avail, the judge was unconvincing. John spent 3 years in the Illinois State Prison; upon his release for good behavior, in 1860, at the age of 18, preventing to shame his father no further, John headed west thru Missouri, into Kansas territory, eventually settling in the town of Lawrence, deep in Kansas flatlands. Between 1860 and 1862, John worked irregularly as a farmhand, hired gun, and stagecoach driver. Missourians who had streamed across the border, known as "Border Ruffians" begin to prevail pro-slavery issues and instigating Kansas Territory violence against anti-slavery proponents, which gave rise to some open battles. Then War Between the States was enduring, and John did his duty for the Union, though he did not join the Army. During the War, he was a civilian scout and wagon master. After the war, he continued as a scout for General Philip Sheridan and Winfield Scott Hancock as well as a guide for hunting parties. He even scouted for Custer when Custer was a mere Lieutenant at Fort Riley, Kansas. In 1866, John pinned on the badge for the first time as he was deputized to guard the gold shipments back east. Mid 1867,John was made a Deputy US Marshal and assigned to the Four Corners… By 1869, lawlessness centered around the railheadsof the Union Pacific would take him north to Sherman in the Wyoming Territory… Sitting atop the black barb, he looks downon the town called "Hell on Wheels"; soon incorporated as Sherman, Laramie District, Wyoming Territory. In addition to a good number of respectable, law-abiding people who came to the area, there arrived also a large number of the toughest characters that ever drew the breath of life. Bar room bums, thugs, garrotters, holdups, thieves, and murderers...and the doings of this mob of criminals form thrilling pages in the history of Sherman… All day and night, without cessation, dancing is in full swing, the women portion of the dancers being the lowest of the low-camp followers who had followed the railway since its inception… Then came John Wesley... Could Jon Claridge and the Yellow Sashes stand their ground??
❖ Jake Bonham ❖
Name : Jacob Thomas "Jake" Bonham (Railroad Engineer / Police)
Age : 32
Personality : Jake has been accused many times of being a gunslinger, and even a murderer. But he will not take any crap from anyone and has been known to display an explosive temper, which often gets the better of him. He does bear a great hidden rage inside because of the inordinate guilt for all his past failures, both to his family, and his friends, and yes, even for his own bloodthirstiness. While he has done a lot of atrocious things, there is a weak basic decency and sense about *doing the right thing* as well. In most cases, it is his own sense of survival that wins out – that is, unless he is sincerely requested by an honorable person, to do his part for justice; or revenge. Also, when he knows an injustice has been carried out, he feels the overwhelming obligation to correct it – almost as if he were compensating for his inner demons. Pointing this out is a sure-fire way to agitate and irritate him greatly; however, he is decent enough to have personal issue with gunning down friends and honorable allies, if they stray from the path of right over wrong. However, he will never try to explain himself, or defend himself against accusations. Indeed, people can sense that this man walks the fine line between the paths of a virtuous man and an insane murderer, and stern words from him is usually enough to make most men back down. He and Claridge have a strong natural hostility and irritate each other by their mere presence – words quickly get inflated and out of control even if both are trying to keep a civil tone behind all the accusations and insults.
Background : Jacob Thomas Bonham was born in Somerset, Pennsylvania on April 23rd, 1838, to Samuel Cox Bonham, of Lincolnton, North Carolina, and Sarah Elizabeth Quinn of Somerset, Pennsylvania; the middle child of three older brothers; Ezekiel, Andrew, and Thomas; and one younger sister, Mary. He is a descendent of a long lineage of aristocrats; culminating with his father, Samuel, who left England as a boy, and in America, became a highly successful merchant and businessman, with three of his own ships. His mother, Sarah, was an educated woman, a graduate of Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and taught her son to read, write, perform complicated mathematics problems, and to speak French and Latin. Every opportunity the four brothers got, they left the town of 870 people and explored life in the outdoors. It was here that Jacob learned to shoot, track, hunt, and fight. Many say that tragedy comes in threes, but in 1867, Jacob lost his wife, Annie, and three children, Samuel, James, and John to Cholera. And in 1868, Andrew Bonham, Jacob’s remaining brother was killed in a saloon when he tried to stop a drunkard from beating on a prostitute... and it was Jacob that sought retaliation by becoming a member of the Railroad Police. And so remaining on the Railroad Police for the volatile *Hell on Wheels* town that sprung up at the ends of the lines. And in 1869,instead of moving on west, Jake Bonham remained in Sherman, just east of the Pass across the ever increasing High Plains.
❖ Eli Colter ❖
Name : Elijah "Eli" James Colter ( Ranch Hand / Drifter / Former Gunslinger)
Age : 33
Personality : Eli is a man of few words, and when he does speak, it’s usually laced with dry wit, sarcasm, or quiet exasperation… particularly when dealing with someone as stubborn as Adelaide Montgomery. He keeps people at arm’s length, not out of coldness, but because he knows the cost of getting too close. Yet, once he decides someone matters, there’s no shaking him. Loyal to a fault, he’ll fight for those he cares about without hesitation, though he’ll never try to control them. Adelaide doesn’t need a savior… he sees that… but that doesn’t mean he’ll stand by and watch if danger comes knocking. A man used to whiskey, horses, and the open road, Eli is terrible at sitting still, always restless, always wary. He might have settled into ranch life for now, but there’s always a part of him that keeps one foot in the stirrup, ready to ride if the past comes calling. And at night, when the world is quiet, he sometimes wakes with ghosts in his head, memories he’ll never share with anyone.
Background : Elijah James Colter was born into a hard life and an even harder man’s shadow. His father, John Colter, was a rancher turned outlaw… a man whose temper burned hot and whose fists were just as quick as his gun. Growing up on the outskirts of civilization, Eli learned young that the world didn’t give second chances, and men like his father didn’t offer kindness. His mother, Rachel Colter, was the only softness in his life, but she died when he was barely ten, leaving Eli alone with a father who saw him as more of an investment than a son. By sixteen, Eli had learned how to shoot, how to fight, and how to survive on his own. When the ranch failed—partly because of John’s drinking, partly because of his debts—his father turned to the only thing he was good at: robbery, violence, and blood money. And Eli, with nowhere else to go, was dragged right into it. For years, he rode with his father and his father’s gang, men who called themselves The Red Butte Riders. They weren’t the most infamous outlaws in the West, but they were ruthless enough to be feared. Rustling cattle, robbing stagecoaches, and running jobs that left bodies in their wake—it was a way of life Eli never asked for, but one he knew too well to escape from. He became a name whispered in saloons and wanted posters—not the leader, not the worst of them, but dangerous all the same. A man you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley. Then came the job that changed everything.
He doesn’t talk about what happened. Not in detail. But it was a bloodbath—too much, even for men like them. The kind of job where even the survivors were left scarred. His father didn’t make it out, and when the dust settled, Eli didn’t look back. He walked away.
Not many men get to leave that life. Fewer still survive it. He rode west, changed his name more than once, and left behind the gunfights and wanted posters, trying to live as a man without a past. For a while, he drifted—picking up work as a ranch hand, a trail guide, anything that didn’t involve drawing iron. He learned how to blend in, how to keep his head down, how to pretend the blood on his hands had long since washed away. But the past doesn’t stay buried. Some still remember the name Eli Colter. Some still hold grudges. A former gang member who wants him dead. A bounty hunter looking to collect. A sheriff who still has an old poster with his face on it. They’re out there, somewhere, waiting. And deep down, Eli knows it’s only a matter of time before they come knocking. He’s spent years trying to live quietly, but the West isn’t kind to men with unfinished business. And Eli Colter has plenty of unfinished business.
Eli Colter wasn’t always a ranch hand. His past is the kind that people whisper about in saloons… the kind that follows a man, even when he tries to outrun it. He had ridden with a notorious group of gunslingers in his youth, back when he had more recklessness than sense. But after a particularly brutal job went south, he walked away, vanishing into the West before the law… or his past… could catch up with him. For the last few years, he’s been living a quieter life, drifting between jobs, keeping his head down. Now, he is looking to settle down at a ranch in this land they call Montana…
❖ Deacon Strahan ❖
Name : James Bedford “Deacon” Strahan, esq. (Gun for Hire / Gunman / Lawman)
Age : 37
Personality : James is gentlemanly, courteous, soft-spoken and graceful in manner; and earned the nickname “Deacon”, because of his good manners, not smoking or drinking, and of his ties to the Church years ago.... But it’s been said he is a strange character, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, whose skill in the use of the pistol was definite…. for he is slow to anger; but if threatened he can, and will, meet violence with violence. And when threatened, he becomes a relentless enemy, seeking out those who threatened him. This man-to-man approach, in challenges or disputes, earned him a reputation as a pistoleer, known to use his guns first, and ask questions later. a man whose quick-witted reaction to danger enabled him, to draw and fire his revolvers before the average man had time to think about it.
Background : One of the worst of the many violent men of the High Plains, James Bedford Strahan is seemingly one of those “bad seeds” from an early age. Often impeccably dressed with good manners, he does not smoke or drink and often attends church, earning him the nickname “Deacon Strahan.” But, he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. In 1871, “Deacon”, now almost 37 years old, would move from Omaha to Sherman at the behest of a long-time acquaintance. There he would get a job as a gambler at the IronHorse Saloon; eventually taking up drinking and smoking. He would only visit the girls at Passion’s Playhouse for more intimate requirements.
❖ RJ Brookes ❖
Name : Rhett James "RJ" Brookes (Gambler / Gunfighter)
Age : 33
Personality : Those that know RJ, know him as gentlemanly, courteous, soft-spoken and graceful in manner, but leave no doubt that he would not 'be put upon,'… and if threatened he could, and would, meet violence with violence. He could be generous to a fault and, though slow to anger, would willingly defend a friend or the helpless if they were under threat. When angered, however, he became a relentless enemy and sought out and faced down those who insulted or challenged him. This man-to-man approach, rather than involving brothers or close friends in gunfights, feuds or disputes, earned him respect among his peers, especially when it was known that he would use pistols as a last resort, and on occasion was known to slug it out with antagonists fist to fist and toe to toe. It’s been said he is a strange character, whose skill in the use of the rifle and pistol was definite…. a man whose quick-witted reaction to danger enabled him, to draw and fire his revolvers 'before the average man had time to think about it.
Background : Rhett James Brookes, nicknamed R J, grew up a son of a poor sharecropper, ran away on a ship to Australia when he was young enough to think for himself, the ripe old age of almost 13 (1852). With the discovery of gold in 1851 and a booming economy, people were now coming to Victoria and Melbourne by choice. People came from many countries, the majority from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, America, China and Germany. After a year or so of being a street urchin in Melbourne, Rhett was found living in a storage room by Nathan Bedford, a Master Craftsman from London. Taking young Rhett into his mentorship, Nathan begins to teach him the art of masonry. Between 1866 and 1871, RJ worked as a storekeeper; a liveryman; cowhand; a bailiff under Judge William Story, Federal District, Arkansas; a deputy sheriff in Dodge City Kansas under L.C. Hartman; a deputy marshal in Caldwell Kansas under Marshal Henry Brown; a gambler in Kansas and Colorado territory, a hired gun for the Railroads, and rode with the Stockton Gang in Colorado and New Mexico. After the San Juan County War led to the death of several friends and his own hanging scheduled, RJ hightailed it to Arizona, where he took up with Red Jack Averill robbing stagecoaches along the San Pedro River. There in Wilcox, Arizona, RJ found out that the Sheriff of Wilcox, Hiram Brownleaf, began hunting the Averill gang one-by-one. With Jack in hiding, RJ crossed into Mexico and lived there for s few months. Then in April 1872, after gunning down the two men who shot and killed Maggie, in Los Novillos, Mexico, just across the border… he rides back across the Rio Grande into the busy city of El Paso, Texas. There he dealt cards at the Gilded Lily until he heard of Sherman, in the Wyoming Territory... and with his luck running thin in El Paso, he decided to take the first train out that morning. The 1:05 PM train from Cheyenne arrives in Sherman. Onto the platform steps a calm, mind-mannered man with a suitcase in his hand. Dressed in a three-piece suit, a watch chain dangling from his watch-pocket and a Smith and Wesson Schofield .45 under his coat, the man stretches having spent four days from El Paso to Cheyenne, and another 7 hours to Sherman. He’d arrived to pursue employment as a card shark at any hotel or gambling casino.
❖ Alexander Donovan ❖
Name : Alexander "Alex" James Donovan (Rancher / Husband)
Age : 36
Personality : Alex Donovan is a man defined by pride, particularly in his Irish heritage and his unwavering sense of honor. He holds family above all else, and his loyalty to those he loves is unmatched. His deep love for his wife, children, and those close to him is a cornerstone of his identity, and he will do whatever it takes… be it through sheer force or tactical reasoning… to protect them. Stoic and disciplined, Alex is someone who remains composed and calm under pressure, qualities that were honed during his years of service in the military and on the frontier. While he may appear stern and unapproachable to outsiders, those who know him well understand the depth of his affection for his family, and his belief in loyalty and integrity above all else. Despite his generally reserved demeanor, Alex carries an undercurrent of recklessness. When pushed into challenging situations, his more daring and impulsive nature surfaces. He is brave and assertive, with a remarkable ability to formulate plans and take decisive action when necessary. At times, however, his moods can interfere with his judgment, particularly when it comes to interacting with people. While he relies heavily on his military background to control his temper and maintain discipline, there are moments when his frustrations and anger lead him to make decisions that are more driven by emotion than strategy. His noble nature often compels him to do what he believes is right, even if it means taking on heavy burdens without seeking any form of compensation or recognition. Though Alex can be easy-going, even too much at times, he is unwavering when he desires something. If there’s something he wants, he will not hesitate to acquire it, regardless of the cost. Yet beneath his strength and determination, there lies a pain that he rarely shows. He often drowns these emotions with anger or alcohol, using those outlets to numb the hurt that lingers beneath his tough exterior. However, despite his inner struggles, Alex remains a man who can be counted on to do the honorable thing, regardless of personal cost or sacrifice. Now a seasoned rancher, Alex has become known for his expertise with horses and his commitment to maintaining a profitable ranch focused on breeding exceptional steeds. His approach is methodical, ensuring that every aspect of his ranch is well-cared for… from the land itself to the animals that sustain his livelihood. Alex values hard work and expects the same level of discipline and respect from those who work alongside him. He has little tolerance for cowardice or weakness, and he will not hesitate to act decisively when his family or livelihood is threatened. Alex Donovan is a complex man whose pride, integrity, and sense of duty are central to his character. His past is filled with sacrifice, honor, and heartache, but his present is grounded in his love for his family and his commitment to the ranch he’s built. As a no-nonsense rancher and father, he is driven to protect everything he holds dear while struggling to come to terms with the decisions of his past.
Background : Alex Donovan’s story is one of honor, sacrifice, and integrity. His decision to resign from a promising military career for the sake of his morals shaped the course of his life, ultimately leading him to become a successful rancher and father. His family, his ranch, and his honor are the cornerstones of his life, and his journey from a soldier to a rancher serves as a testament to his resilience and commitment to doing the right thing, no matter the personal cost. As the Fortuna Ranch continues to thrive in the Wyoming Territory, Alex stands firm in his beliefs, willing to protect what is his with the strength and integrity that have defined him since his childhood. By late 1869, after spending two and half years in Hell-on-Wheels towns, the Donovan family arrived in Sherman, in the Wyoming Territory… their last Hell-on-Wheels town. The decision to settle down was caused when he lost his mother to dysentery, just west of Cheyenne and he promised at the next stop, they would stay.
Through his roles as a UPRR guard, hunter, and as a military veteran, Alex had numerous pathways to legally acquire land grants in the Wyoming Territory. His relationship with the Union Pacific Railroad, his military service, and the significant land grants available to railroad workers and veterans provided Alex with ample opportunities to stake claims to land north and northwest of the railroad tracks. These land grants helped establish his ranch, a piece at a time, to become the Fortuna Ranch, and further solidified his connection to the growing economic opportunities for his family. Where Alex was granted land near the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. His expertise with horses and knowledge of the land allowed him to build a large, profitable ranch that focused on breeding exceptional horses. Alex had garnered land grants to the north and nor’west of tracks. In 1870, the Fortuna Ranch was established, located about 10 miles northwest of Sherman… by 1872, the ranch is running 1,500 head of cattle, 250 head of cavalry horses, and 50 head of high-bred horses. The land stretched from the Absaroka Mountains to the lush forests and pristine lakes of the region, a prime piece of property nestled between Fort Laramie, Laramie, and Sherman.
Family Life on the Ranch:
As the ranch grew, Alex’s family life flourished. His wife, Elizabeth, proved to be the steady anchor of their home, managing both the ranch’s daily operations and the family’s emotional needs. Their eldest daughter, Els, helped manage the house and ranch, learning to take on more responsibility. Alex Jr. took after his father, learning the business of ranching and becoming an apprentice to Alex. Eddie, the youngest, brought joy and energy to their lives, though his adventurous spirit often led him into mischief.