Fictional Obituary: John Marston, Red Dead Redemption Games (Spoilers)

Fictional Obituary: John Marston, Red Dead Redemption Games (Spoilers) John Marston, a rancher at Beecher's Hope in West Elizabeth and a former member of the Van der Linde gang, was killed at his home in 1911 during an assault by federal agents and soldiers. He remained behind after sending his wife and son away on horseback. They survived the attack. Born in 1873, Marston lost his mother at birth and his father when he was eight. He spent part of his childhood in an orphanage before running away. Dutch van der Linde took him into his gang as a boy, giving him a place among people who became, for many years, the closest thing he had to a family. That upbringing also drew him into a life of robbery and killing. He participated in the gang's crimes and spent years moving from one place to another, pursued by lawmen and the consequences of what he and his companions had done. The scars across his face came from a wolf attack during the gang's flight into the mountains in 1899. He met Abigail Roberts while they were both living with the gang. Their son, Jack, was born during those years. Marston struggled with the responsibilities of fatherhood and was not always present when his family needed him. Their life together included separations and arguments, followed by efforts to build something more dependable. During the gang's collapse, Arthur Morgan helped Marston escape and urged him to return to Abigail and Jack. Marston carried that opportunity into the years that followed, although leaving the outlaw life proved harder than simply leaving Dutch. In 1907, he worked as a ranch hand under the name Jim Milton before purchasing the land at Beecher's Hope. With help from Charles Smith and the old companion known as Uncle, he built a house there. Abigail and Jack joined him, and he and Abigail married. Cattle, fences, deliveries and the ordinary demands of keeping a ranch running began to occupy days that had once been spent riding with the gang. The past returned in 1911, when government agents detained Abigail and Jack and compelled Marston to pursue former associates, including Bill Williamson, Javier Escuella and Dutch van der Linde. His search took him through New Austin, Mexico and West Elizabeth. After he completed the work demanded of him, his family was released and he returned home. For a short time, he resumed the life he had been trying to keep. He worked alongside Abigail, argued with Uncle about the chores and spent time teaching Jack to hunt and handle the responsibilities of the ranch. His conversations with his son could be awkward, but he wanted Jack to have choices beyond the life he himself had known. The final attack on Beecher's Hope was led by federal agent Edgar Ross. Uncle was killed while helping defend the property. Marston got Abigail and Jack to the barn and sent them away before stepping outside to face the armed men gathered in the yard. He was shot repeatedly and died there. He is survived by Abigail and Jack. His parents and a daughter preceded him in death. Marston was buried on the hill overlooking Beecher's Hope, close to the home he had helped build. His grave bears the years 1873–1911 and the words, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”