# Lassiter — Riders of the Purple Sage character guide > Lassiter in Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the gentle Lassiter, Lassiter Venters, Wright, Wright eyed Lassiter **First appearance:** 0000-i-lassiter ## Snapshot A quiet gunman with a vengeance to settle rides into Jane Withersteen's troubles, and his tenderness proves as unsettling as his famous black guns. ## Who they are Lassiter arrives at Jane Withersteen's ranch as an outsider whose reputation as a killer precedes him, yet he quickly becomes her most devoted protector and helper. He is torn between a burning intent toward the Mormons who wronged his family and a growing gentleness that Jane finds impossible to reconcile with his violent past. His refusal to surrender his guns to her, even as he softens around little Fay and the sick Mrs. Larkin, makes him the story's central knot of good and evil. ## Relationships ### [Jane Withersteen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/jane_withersteen) _romantic_ Jane and Lassiter share a deep, evolving romantic bond built on trust and mutual protection amidst the Utah frontier's conflicts. ### [Bess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/bess) _family_ Bess is Lassiter's long-lost daughter, and their reunion is a central emotional arc of the story. ### [Oldring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/oldring) _rivalry_ Lassiter and Oldring are mortal enemies, with Lassiter hunting Oldring for his crimes and the abduction of Bess. ### [Tull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/tull) _rivalry_ Lassiter and Tull are bitter antagonists, with Tull representing the oppressive Mormon leadership that Lassiter opposes. ### [Wrangle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/wrangle) _friendship_ Lassiter has a loyal, almost affectionate bond with his horse Wrangle, a trusted companion in his travels. ### [Judkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/judkins) _friendship_ Judkins and Lassiter share mutual respect and camaraderie, often working together to protect Jane and her interests. ### [Milly Erne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/milly_erne) _family_ Milly Erne is Lassiter's sister, whose tragic fate drives his quest for vengeance and justice. ### [Bishop Dyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/bishop_dyer) _rivalry_ Bishop Dyer and Lassiter are direct enemies, with Lassiter seeking revenge for the wrongs done to his family. ### [Black Star](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/black_star) _friendship_ Black Star is one of Lassiter's horses, a trusted and valued companion in his rugged life. ### [Jerry Card](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/jerry_card) _friendship_ Jerry Card is a fellow rider and ally to Lassiter, assisting him in his missions and travels. ### [Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/blake) _rivalry_ Blake is an antagonist to Lassiter, often spying and working against him on behalf of Tull. ### [Jane Withersteen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/jane_withersteen) _romantic_ Jane and Lassiter share a deep, evolving romantic bond built on trust and mutual protection amidst the Utah frontier's conflicts. ## In the story ### [Lassiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/i-lassiter) A mysterious rider who appears from the sage, dressed in black leather and carrying two black-butted guns. He intervenes to save Venters, defying Tull and his men with quiet authority. ### [Cottonwoods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/ii-cottonwoods) Arrives at Cottonwoods seeking Milly Erne's grave; refuses to sleep indoors; reveals his horse was blinded by Mormons. ### [III: Amber Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/iii-amber-spring) Listens to Milly Erne's story; drinks from Amber Spring; reveals past acquaintance with Oldring; questions Venters about his gun skills. ### [The Mill-Wheel of Steers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/vi-the-mill-wheel-of-steers) Offers friendship to Jane but remains fixed on his mission of vengeance; his presence both fascinates and frightens her. ### [The Daughter of Withersteen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/vii-the-daughter-of-withersteen) Accepts Jane's offer to become her rider, showing his love for horses and his willingness to take orders. ### [Faith and Unfaith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xi-faith-and-unfaith) Lassiter grows increasingly gentle and attached to Jane and little Fay, yet becomes restless and confronts Jane about her manipulative tactics and religious blindness. ### [XII: The Invisible Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xii-the-invisible-hand) Reveals the extent of the surveillance against Jane, admits his deep feelings by embracing her, and warns her that she cannot ride away; his gentleness with Mrs. Larkin and Fay contrasts with his grim purpose. ### [XV: Shadows on the Sage-Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xv-shadows-on-the-sage-slope) Lassiter is shot in the head but survives, showing calm and foresight. He accompanies Venters to the village and observes the confrontation with Tull. His demeanor grows sadder and more protective toward Fay. ### [Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xvi-gold) Tracks Venters to Surprise Valley, discovers Bess, and listens to Venters's story; offers to help by confronting Oldring. ### [XIX: Fay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xix-fay) Reveals his eighteen-year pursuit of Bishop Dyer for ruining Milly Erne; declares he has given up his vengeance for love of Jane and Fay. ### [Lassiter's Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xx-lassiter-s-way) Becomes grim and implacable upon learning of Fay's abduction. He arms himself, kills Bishop Dyer in a court session, then sets fire to Withersteen House and flees with Jane. ### [XXI: Black Star and Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xxi-black-star-and-night) Provides escape instructions, shows Bess the locket of Milly Erne, and reassures Jane of Bess's innocence. ### [XXII: Riders of the Purple Sage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xxii-riders-of-the-purple-sage) Mentioned as having gone down into the Pass with Jane; Venters hopes he outwits Tull. ### [XXIII: The Fall of Balancing Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xxiii-the-fall-of-balancing-rock) Wounded and determined, he leads the flight, confronts his enemies, and ultimately pushes the balancing rock to seal the pass. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/lassiter - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters