# Oldring — Riders of the Purple Sage character guide

> Oldring in Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Oldrin, Oldrin', the Mormon, Mormon

**First appearance:** 0004-v-the-masked-rider

## Snapshot

A rustler chief who holes up in hidden canyons and leaves no track, feared across the Utah border as much for his secrecy as his raids.

## Who they are

Oldring commands a band of horse thieves who strike Jane Withersteen's herds and vanish into the sage, and even hardened riders like Lassiter admit they cannot read whether he is Mormon or Gentile. His elusiveness makes him a legend in Cottonwoods and a practical menace to anyone with stock worth stealing. Venters's pursuit of Oldring's riders pulls him deeper into the wild country — and toward secrets about the outlaw's household that complicate every simple judgment of guilt.

## Relationships

### [Lassiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/lassiter)

_rivalry_

Lassiter and Oldring are mortal enemies, with Lassiter hunting Oldring for his crimes and the abduction of Bess.

### [Jane Withersteen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/jane_withersteen)

_rivalry_

Oldring is a rustler and outlaw who threatens Jane's property and community, creating a hostile relationship.

### [Bess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/bess)

_family_

Oldring is Bess's father, though their relationship is complicated by his criminal life and her abduction.

### [Lassiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/lassiter)

_rivalry_

Lassiter and Oldring are mortal enemies, with Lassiter hunting Oldring for his crimes and the abduction of Bess.

### [Jane Withersteen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/jane_withersteen)

_rivalry_

Oldring is a rustler and outlaw who threatens Jane's property and community, creating a hostile relationship.

### [Bess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/bess)

_family_

Oldring is Bess's father, though their relationship is complicated by his criminal life and her abduction.

### [Bess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/bess)

_family_

Oldring is Bess's father, though their relationship is complicated by his criminal life and her abduction.

### [Lassiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/lassiter)

_rivalry_

Lassiter and Oldring are mortal enemies, with Lassiter hunting Oldring for his crimes and the abduction of Bess.

## In the story

### [III: Amber Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/iii-amber-spring)

Mentioned as a rustler who visits Cottonwoods; known to Lassiter from past cattle drives.

### [The Masked Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/v-the-masked-rider)

Mentioned as the rustler chief; his hidden cattle range and the Masked Rider's identity are uncovered.

### [Silver Spruce and Aspens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/ix-silver-spruce-and-aspens)

Mentioned as the rustler leader who held Bess in bondage and forced her to ride. Venters vows to kill him.

### [X: Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/x-love)

Referenced as the owner of the cattle Venters rustles, and as the leader of the outlaws with whom Bess was associated.

### [XIV: West Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xiv-west-wind)

Referenced as the man who hid Bess in Deception Pass and whom Venters vows to kill.

### [Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xvi-gold)

Mentioned as Bess's father and the rustler; Lassiter plans to confront him about Bess.

### [Oldring's Knell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/chapters/xviii-oldring-s-knell)

Confronted by Venters in a saloon; shot and killed, revealing himself as Bess's father.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/riders_of_the_purple_sage_se/characters/oldring
- 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