★Van der Linde gang

Dutch van der Linde

Biography Nicknames Archibald Smith Hoagy Macintosh Featherstone Chambers Aiden O'Malley Your Misery The Lord God almighty Your Majesty Butch the Visionary Nationality Flag of the United States (1908–1912) American (English and Dutch descent) Gender Male Affiliations Van der Linde gang (leader) Micah's gang (1907) Dutch's gang (leader) (1911) Colm O'Driscoll (formerly) Gray family (temporarily) Guarma Rebels (temporarily) Wapiti Indians (temporarily) Family Unnamed father † Greta van der Linde (mother)† Unnamed uncle Susan Grimshaw (ex-lover) Annabelle (ex-lover)† Molly O'Shea (ex-lover) Occupation: Outlaw Gang leader Revolutionary Deputy (temporarily) Weapon Semi-automatic Pistol Two custom Schofield Revolvers Two Double-action Revolvers (temporary; while in Guarma) Browning Gun (temporary) Knife Mount The Count

Extra info for Dutch van der Linde

The charismatic lender of the Van der Linde gang, Dutch is radically opposed to government control. He values individual liberties above all else and dreams of living an independent existence, appropriating wealth from others and answering to no authority. He is reluctantly starting to realize that the way of life he holds dear is fast becoming an unrealistic proposition.

Extra info for Dutch van der Linde

Dutch was born in the mid-1850s[1] to a woman of English descent named Greta and a father of Dutch ancestry[2] somewhere near Philadelphia. His father fought for the Union in the American Civil War and died in a battle that occurred in Pennsylvania;[3] because of his father's death, van der Linde developed a sworn grudge against Southerners. Dutch was a disobedient child and rarely got along with his mother, eventually running away from home at the age of 15.[4] His mother would later die in 1881[5] and be buried in Blackwater.

Extra info for Dutch van der Linde

Dutch met a con artist named Hosea Matthews at a camp fire on the road to Chicago. Hosea attempted to Rob and con dutch only to realize Dutch had done the same. impressed by the others skills the pair laughed and decided to team up and face the world together founding the van der Linde gang. Dutch and Hosea later found themselves in the town of Kettering, Ohio, where the two posed as international merchants, conning twelve locals into buying $300 worth of shares into a fictional Portuguese shipping company. Unfortunately, they were eventually discovered and arrested by Sheriff Carmichael. On March 9th, 1877, the pair managed to escape from their cell by unknown means, tying up and robbing the sheriff in the process Later that year, Dutch and Hosea encountered a 14-year-old street orphan named Arthur Morgan. The pair decided to take the boy under their wing. Teaching him how to read, write, hunt, fight, shoot and ride, Arthur became their first protege and alongside Hosea and Dutch, the trio would go on to comprise the old guard of the Van der Linde gang.[10] Around this time, Dutch became romantically involved with a woman named Susan Grimshaw, who also became a member of the gang. He later ended his relationship with Susan as he met and deeply fell in love with a woman named Annabelle. In 1885, Dutch stumbled across a group of Illinois homesteaders who attempted to lynch a 12-year-old boy named John Marston, who had been caught stealing from them. Dutch intervened in saving the boy's life and inducted him into the gang.[6][12] Dutch taught John how to read, write, fight, shoot and ride just like he had previously done with Arthur. Arthur and John became like brothers, and Dutch often read to them from books by Evelyn Miller[13] and Waldo Emerson,[14] even though most of the concepts went over the young boys' heads. Over time Dutch and Hosea came to regard Arthur and John as their favorite 'sons'.

Hosea Matthews

A master con artist, gentleman and thief, Hosea has been Dutch's closest friend and right‐hand man for over 20 years. Intelligent and quick‐witted, he can talk his way into, or out of, just about anything.

Arthur Morgan

Dutch's trusted right arm and the story protagonist. Arthur has been a member of the gang since he was a young boy, when he was saved by Dutch - and has followed him ever since. His loyalty to the gang leader has been unwavering in this time, though the recent events at Blackwater have clearly troubled him.

John marston

John has been Dutch's protege since he was 12. He is now at a personal crossroads in his life. Husband in all but lawful status to Abigail, and the father of Jack, he isn't always sure about where his priorities lie. John was badly wounded during the Blackwater events that occur just prior to the beginning of the story.

Susan grimshaw

Susan was one of the original gang members of the Van der Linde gang, alongside Dutch van der Linde, Hosea Matthews and Arthur Morgan. She became romantically involved with Dutch at some stage, and long nights playing poker with the gang, often sitting in Dutch's lap. Their relationship later ended, and Dutch eventually moved on to another woman named Annabelle. Despite that, she remained a close associate to Dutch, remaining on good terms with him and gaining his respect, eventually becoming the gang's arbiter.

Abigail Roberts

Abigail is John's romantic partner and the watchful mother of Jack. An orphan who worked as a prostitute from a very young age, she was introduced to the gang by Uncle five years ago

Jack Marston

Young Jack has grown up with the gang, although everyone has done their best to shield him from the more nefarious elements, especially his mother, Abigail. He loves everything about nature and the outdoor life, and is carefully watched over by his many aunts and uncles.

Sadie adler

A widow who is hell-bent on taking revenge upon those who killed her husband. Relentless and afraid of nothing and no one. The wrong woman to cross, but very loyal to those she loves.

Bill Williamson

Bill is an ex-cavalry soldier who was dishonorably discharged from the army. He then turned to a life of violence, drinking, intimidation and murder. He met Dutch five years ago and has been a member of his gang ever since. Easily angered and not the brightest of the band, he will do anything for Dutch.

Micah bell

A career criminal and hitman, Micah fell in with Dutch's gang about five months ago. He claims he met Dutch when he saved his life in a bar fight over some stolen gold. He comes from a long line of bad men. His father and grandfather before him were also called Micah Bell and, at one point, his father was wanted for murder in five counties. He has a brother living in California, whom he despises. Wild, unpredictable and something of a nihilist, he lives for the action, and is great in a gunfight

Tilly Jackson

An outlaw from the age of 12, Tilly ran with another gang before joining up with Dutch. Savvy, resilient and dependable, she can more than handle herself and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

Lenny summers

A fairly recent addition to the gang, young Lenny had spent the previous three years on the run for murder from every lawman and bounty hunter west of the Lannahechee River. Some drunks jumped and killed his father when he was walking home one night, so Lenny stole a gun and shot them all. He was only fifteen years old at the time. His father and uncle were well-educated and gave Lenny a good schooling when he was growing up. Smart, competent and ambitious, he is always ready to do his part, and is fairly happy living in a community where he is mostly judged for his ability not his appearance.

Karen jones

A consummate scam artist and trigger woman who can drink pretty much anybody under the table. Bold and full of fun, she loves the outlaw life and wouldn’t have it any other way

Javier Escuella

A notorious bounty hunter and Mexican revolutionary from Nuevo Paraíso, Javier was forced to flee his country. He joined the gang four years ago and feels a strong affinity with Dutch's ideals. Very committed, passionate and loyal, he will stick by his leader through thick and thin

Charles smith

A relatively recent recruit to the gang, Half African American and half native American Charles is quiet and reserved but extremely competent in everything he does and virtually unbeatable in a fight. A decent, honest man who also happens to be deadly.

Uncle

Not exactly the most productive gong member. Uncle is a whoremonger and drunkard who is always around when the whiskey is open

Sean Macguire

A cocky young Irish thief and stick‐up man who comes from a long line of criminals and political dissidents. He always wants a piece of the action and believes in himself...perhaps a little too much.

Mary-beth gaskill

Mary-Beth is a kind, good-natured young woman, which makes her the perfect criminal. By the time people realize they've been duped, she is already on her way home with the money. She'd been put in an orphanage at a young age after her mother died of typhoid but ran away to fend for herself and soon became known as the best pickpocket around Smarter and more perspicacious than she often lets on, Mary-Beth likes to read and write and has dreams of becoming a novelist one day

Leopold Strauss

Herr Strauss is responsible for keeping the gang's books and running their money-lending operation. A serious, somewhat shifty and unemotional man, he has all the qualities a loan shark needs. He grew up very poor in Vienna, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and had some serious health problems during childhood. At age 17, the young Strauss was sent on a boat to the New World. After years of scamming the wrong people, he fell in with Dutch mainly for protection and has been with him ever since.

Molly O'Shea

A Dublin girl and the object of Dutch's affection, for now at least, Molly is too high-strung for a life on the run and it's all starting to take a toll on her. She claims to be from a well-to-do Irish family who came over to America on a romantic whim in search of adventure and excitement. Molly certainly found that in Dutch van der Linde but wants more than he can, or is prepared to, give her. She considers herself a few cuts above the other gang members, which hasn't won her many supporters in camp

Josiah trelawny

A flamboyant conjurer, conman and trickster with a taste for the finer things in life, Trelawny is one of the only people Dutch allows to drift in and out of the gang. He pops up out of nowhere and then, just like one of his magic tricks, disappears again. He is a very hard man to pin down, and not always to be trusted, but he consistently brings the gang good leads and provides some entertainment around camp. A cockroach in fancy britches, Trelawny is able to get into nooks and crannies that the rest of the gang can't.

reverend swanson

A former clergyman now lost to debauchery, Swanson has fallen a long way from the standards he once set himself and struggles with many demons. He started using morphine to ease some back pain a few years ago and it quickly took a desperate hold on him. A beaten man who has lost his self-esteem, direction and most of his religion, his failings are made all the worse as he is very much aware of them. If he hadn't saved Dutch's life in the past, it's unlikely the gang would have kept him around for this long.

pearson

The gang's butcher and camp cook, Pearson did a short stint at sea that he likes to talk about at length. His father and grandfather were both sperm whale hunters and he was going to follow in their footsteps but, by the time he left school, nobody wanted whale oil any more. He came out west and got in some bad trouble with some men who were shaking him down for money. Dutch found him at his wit's end and took him under his wing. He is a loud, jolly degenerate who puts on a brave face, but is somewhat in denial about the turn his life has turned out

kieran duffy

Whipping boy and general dogsbody for rival gang the O'Driscoll Boys, Kieran was captured on a raid and coerced by Dutch into turning on his own people. He later became part of Dutch's gang in his own right but remains somewhat trapped between a rock and a hard place; the O'Driscolls want him dead and his new associates will never fully trust him. A scraggly, toady individual of dubious personal hygiene, Kieran has much more of a connection to horses than he does to people.

O'Driscoll gang

Leader(s) Colm O'Driscoll Notable members Kieran Duffy (formerly) Paul Billy Tom Affiliations Pinkerton Detective Agency (temporarily)

Pinkerton detective agency

Allan Pinkerton Employees Andrew Milton Edgar Ross (formerly) Agent Johns Agent Bunter Agent Orly Pinkerton detective agency Background A detective agency established by Allan Pinkerton, the Pinkertons are private agents hired by the US government to track western outlaws such as those from the Van der Linde gang. Well organized and heavily armed, their goal is to put an end to the very lifestyle and ideals pursued by Dutch Founded by

Cornwall kerosene and tar

Cornwall kerosene and tar Created by wealthy industrialist Leviticus Cornwall, the refinery was his main business, as well as pressuring the Wapiti Indians to leave their reservation to drill it for oil

Braithwaite

Leader(s) Catherine Braithwaite (matriarch) Notable members Bartholomew Braithwaite Gareth Braithwaite Gerald Braithwaite Gertrude Braithwaite: deformed used to look normal and locked in a outhouse near the braithwaite manor her family thought she was possessed by the devil even though I doubt she was Penelope Braithwaite: in love with beau grey Affiliations Lemoyne Raiders Angelo Bronte Danny-Lee Location Braithwaite Manor in Scarlett Meadows, State of Lemoyne Originating from England, the Braithwaites established themselves in America around 1779.[1] By the 19th century, they had a bustling slave plantation at their manor and became one of the richest and most powerful families in the area. At the peak of their power, the Braithwaites could have committed serious crimes, including rape and murder, without fear of consequences.[2] In 1806, Lucille Braithwaite gave the location of a significant sum of gold to Douglas Gray, a member of the Gray family. With Lucille's permission, he stole this gold from the Braithwaites, along with additional gold from his own family, in order to fund abolitionist groups. Believing that the other stole their treasure, the two families became locked in a vicious blood feud. The abolition of slavery in 1865, following the defeat of the South in the Civil War, significantly damaged the Braithwaites. They lost a large amount of their wealth, as did the Grays. At some point prior to 1898, the Braithwaites turned to illegally producing and selling moonshine, and became the dominant producer in Lemoyne, with the help of Maggie Fike, who used to control the moonshine business in the region but disappearing in 1892 after being caught and nearly killed by revenue agents. The Braithwaites also recruited Maggie's former cook, Danny-Lee Caton, who was looking for protection, to oversee their production.

Grey

Leader(s) Tavish Gray (patriarch) Notable members Beau Gray: in love with Penelope braithwaite Leigh Gray Scott Gray Iain Gray Jock Gray Affiliations Scarlett Meadows Sheriff's Office Location Caliga Hall plantation in Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne Settlement of Rhodes in Scarlett Meadows, Lemoyne The Grays immigrated to North America in 1755, when Jacobite supporters in Scotland began hunting down and killing Scottish loyalists who had informed against them during their 1745 uprising. The founder of the family, Ross Gray, was one such informer and had been paid for his services in cash, cattle, and land confiscated from his neighbor by the Duke of Cumberland. The Grays arrived in Scarlett Meadows, then still part of the French possessions in the Americas, and quickly established themselves in the area. Taking advantage of slavery, they brought in high production of tobacco and cotton. They also used their fresh start to cover up the true reasons for their flight from Scotland and portray themselves as exiled Jacobites. In 1806, Lucille Braithwaite gave the location of a significant sum of gold to Douglas Gray. With Lucille's permission, he stole this gold from the Braithwaites, and stole some more gold from his family, in order to finance local abolitionist groups. The two sides, believing that the other stole their treasure, started feuding. The abolition of slavery caused financial trouble to the Grays as well as the Braithwaites. By 1899, the Gray family still had a significant presence in western Lemoyne, rivaled only by the Braithwaite family. The Grays were especially prevalent in the town of Rhodes, where they owned the Rhodes Parlour House and controlled the local Sheriff's Office. Immediately following their relocation to Clemens Point near Rhodes, the Van der Linde gang befriends the Grays after Dutch van der Linde and Arthur Morgan help Sheriff Leigh Gray capture a few criminals who escaped from his custody.