The Jack Bull

A determined horse trader and husband to Cora, Myrl fights to secure justice after his horses are harmed and his wife is killed. He organizes a local militia when the legal system fails him, channeling his grief into action. His arc ends with execution, symbolizing the tragedy of a man driven by injustice.

Wife of Myrl and mother to Cage, Cora’s death becomes the catalyst for the ensuing conflict. Her faith in a lawful resolution contrasts with the frontier’s rough justice. Her memory haunts Myrl’s choices and the community’s sense of right and wrong.

The young son of Myrl and Cora, Cage represents the vulnerable future of the family and the frontier. He witnesses the escalating violence and ultimately witnesses the outcome of the conflict before the horses are restored to the ranch.

A wealthy landowner who uses tolls and property rights to control movement and market access. His power and arrogance trigger the central clash with Myrl, and his fate underscores the precariousness of frontier wealth.

A judge who is sympathetic yet bound by political realities. He orders Ballard’s imprisonment and later must sentence Myrl to execution, illustrating how justice can be swayed by influence and circumstance.

A Native American ranch hand attached to the Reddings, Billy embodies frontier alliances and cultural tensions. He navigates loyalties in a volatile landscape and helps maintain the fragile balance between communities.

The political figure who authorizes amnesty to Myrl but ultimately participates in the legal process that follows. He embodies the state’s role in mediating, yet sometimes hardening, frontier conflicts.

An associate of Ballard who supports the oppressive regime and helps execute Ballard’s plans. He represents the coercive edge of economic power on the frontier.

The Attorney General whose connections and actions influence the pursuit of justice in the territory. He appears in the interplay between law and politics that shapes the case.