Dutch van der Linde's Background

Dutch van der Linde was born in the mid-1850s near Philadelphia to a woman of English descent named Greta and a Dutch father. His father died fighting for the Union in the Civil War, and his mother's harsh views—including calling him a "queer"—drove him to run away from home at age 15. For years, Dutch wandered, engaging in petty theft and finding transient relationships "easier" than true companionship, viewing marriage as a "stupid concept."

In 1876, he met Hosea Matthews, a con artist who attempted to rob him. They both failed and, seeing themselves in each other, laughed and formed a partnership. Their bond quickly deepened, and after a kiss "that felt right," Dutch found himself falling for Hosea, a feeling he tried to suppress due to his mother's words. In 1877, they took in a young Arthur Morgan, who had tried to rob them for a can of fruit, and began teaching him and raising him as a son.

As the gang grew, so did Dutch's internal turmoil. He had a brief relationship with Susan Grimshaw, but his thoughts always returned to Hosea, who had since begun a relationship with a woman named Bessie. Dutch found himself jealous and, on a drunken night, had an encounter with Hosea that he hoped no one saw.

In 1882, he met and fell in love with Annabelle, a "mighty girl" who reminded him of Hosea. It was at this time that Hosea confessed his love for Dutch, who, terrified of his own feelings, called him a "freak" and an "invert." This caused Hosea to leave the gang, a decision Dutch immediately regretted. The same year, Dutch met Colm and Ennis O'Driscoll. When he found Arthur kissing Ennis, he saw his own feelings reflected and, in a fit of rage, shot and killed Ennis. He later claimed he did so in retaliation for Colm murdering Annabelle, but the truth was more complex and rooted in his own trauma.

In 1883, Hosea returned. They briefly reconciled, but Dutch's fear and denial caused him to pull away again. Hosea became depressed and started drinking, and Dutch took away his weapons to keep him from harming himself. After seeing Hosea smile during a town outing, Dutch realized he truly loved him.

The gang continued to grow, with Dutch taking in strays and outcasts. In 1885, he saved a 12-year-old John Marston from a lynch mob. He also recruited Josiah Trelawny (1885), Uncle (1892), Bill Williamson (1893), and the Irishman Sean MacGuire (1894). He also took in women like Tilly Jackson (1893) and Karen Jones (1894), who were seeking protection.

By 1899, Dutch's idealistic vision was crumbling. He had recruited many more, including Leopold Strauss (1899), but the gang was growing too big and too reckless. After a disastrous gold deal in 1898, he was saved by Micah Bell, who he took into the gang. The Blackwater Massacre, a heist planned by Dutch and Micah, was a complete failure, with Pinkerton agents ambushing the gang. In the chaos, Dutch brutally shot a woman named Heidi McCourt. The gang was forced to flee, leaving the money behind. This event, combined with his long-suppressed trauma and growing paranoia, marked the beginning of his true downfall.