# Steve — The Virginian character guide

> Steve in The Virginian by Owen Wister.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Medicine Bow, Steve of Medicine Bow, the Steve

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-steve-treats

## Snapshot

The Virginian's easygoing old friend from Medicine Bow, whose affectionate insults and casual drift toward rustling test the limits of frontier loyalty.

## Who they are

Steve grins at the Virginian, calls him a son-of-a-⸻ in perfect friendship, and moves through the cow-country with an offhand charm that makes him hard to dislike. But his path bends toward cattle rustling, and the easy camaraderie he shares with the Virginian becomes the story's sharpest test of what friendship can survive. He is the warmth and the warning in the Virginian's past.

## Relationships

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian)

_friendship_

Steve is a close friend of the Virginian, but their bond is tragically tested when Steve turns to crime and is hanged.

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian)

_friendship_

Steve is a close friend of the Virginian, but their bond is tragically tested when Steve turns to crime and is hanged.

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian)

_friendship_

Steve is a close friend of the Virginian, but their bond is tragically tested when Steve turns to crime and is hanged.

## In the story

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/the-virginian)

Mentioned as 'Steve of Medicine Bow,' a local figure connected to the Virginian.

### [II: “When You Call Me That, Smile!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/ii-when-you-call-me-that-smile)

Friend of the Virginian; uses familiar language and participates in the poker game.

### [III: Steve Treats](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/iii-steve-treats)

Plays poker with the Virginian and Trampas; feigns indifference when the Virginian suggests going to bed.

### [VII: Through Two Snows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/vii-through-two-snows)

Mentioned as a former friend of the Virginian; suspected of cattle rustling, leading to the end of their friendship.

### [A Stable on the Flat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxx-a-stable-on-the-flat)

One of the captured horse thieves, recognized by the narrator from Medicine Bow; faces execution calmly, chewing tobacco and reading a newspaper.

### [The Cottonwoods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxxi-the-cottonwoods)

Recently hanged for cattle rustling; the Virginian recalls their past friendship and Steve's silence during the execution.

### [Superstition Trail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxxii-superstition-trail)

Referenced through the newspaper that the narrator had lent him, which is found along the trail, linking him to the ongoing narrative.

### [The Spinster Loses Some Sleep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-spinster-loses-some-sleep)

Mentioned as one of the hanged cattle thieves, whose fate becomes whispered knowledge.

### [To Fit Her Finger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxxiv-to-fit-her-finger)

Mentioned in the narrator's memory as one who has passed away, contributing to the Virginian's sadness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/steve
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters