Hosea Matthews' Background

Born around 1844 in the Appalachian Mountains, Hosea Matthews was a pivotal and intellectually gifted figure in his gang. His father was a disreputable man who died at 75, but Hosea loved and admired him nonetheless. At 17, after losing his parents, he narrowly escaped execution for stealing a chicken, an event that instilled in him a newfound appreciation for life. In his youth, he also harbored aspirations of becoming a performer before embarking on a life of crime.

Hosea met Dutch van der Linde in the mid-1870s on the road to Chicago. Their initial encounter, a foiled con by Hosea, led to a mutual respect and a partnership as grifters. In 1877, they were arrested in Ohio for scamming locals but escaped by robbing and binding the sheriff.

Hosea's intelligence, charm, and cautious nature served as a vital counterpoint to Dutch's impulsive schemes. He often acted as the gang's conscience, questioning Dutch's methods and advocating for a safer, more honorable path. Their intricate relationship was marked by unspoken tension, jealousy, and turmoil, yet Hosea remained unwavering in his loyalty, though he secretly yearned for a more stable future.

Hosea briefly left the gang to marry Bessie, a kind and caring woman he believed was too good for him. Their bond endured until her death between 1883 and 1899, which devastated Hosea, leading to a year of constant drunkenness. Years later, she remained his first thought in the morning and his last at night.

As he aged, Hosea became the gang's grandfather figure, offering counsel and guidance to younger members, notably teaching Arthur Morgan and John Marston to read and write. A master con artist, he remained Dutch's closest friend and most trusted advisor until the gang's demise. His affection for Dutch was evident, particularly as he grew increasingly concerned about the gang's reckless behavior.

Hosea, an intelligent outlaw, spent over two decades as a con artist and thief, preferring elaborate schemes to violence. However, he was capable of violence when necessary, as demonstrated in self-defense and during the assault on Braithwaite Manor.

Generally calm and patient, Hosea rarely lost his temper, though his composure had limits. He wrestled with remorse for his past actions, expressing his dislike for the gang's transformation into "just a bunch of killers" and his self-disgust for tolerating it.

Hosea was widely respected within the gang, with the sole exception of Micah Bell. He served as a father figure, and Arthur even noted in his journal that he "loved Hosea even more" than Dutch. Many viewed Hosea as a more level-headed leader, believing he would have been a better choice to lead the gang.