Marcus Ranchester

Marcus Ranchester stumbled into law as a way of making money. Born in Independence in 1516, his first job was as a cowboy. He attempted to step up from that to ranching, but the cattle fever killed off his herd and left him broke and discouraged. He decided to leave Independence and drifted north. As he was approaching the town of Sweetwater in Zamorra Territory, a road agent tried to take what little money he had. Incensed, Ranchester managed to draw his gun and shoot the man dead before the outlaw could fire. That incident gave Ranchester an idea.
His arrival in Sweetwater couldn't have been better timed. The territorial government was setting up counties in Zamorra Territory and looking for a sheriff for each county. When folks heard about what he'd done, they suggested he apply for the sheriff's job. When he heard that his pay would be a portion of the taxes he collected, he lumped at the chance and got himself a star.
Although he's been sheriff of Sweetwater County for a few years now, the arrests Ranchester has made are said to number in the single digits - the low single digits. He'd rather leave the actual law enforcement work to Sweetwater's town marshal, Nat Colbert, and concentrate on collecting taxes.
He's mighty good at that job; most years his 10% comes to between thirty and forty thousand dollars, making him a wealthy man. He likes it that way, and doesn't intend to do anything to rock the boat - including making trouble for outlaws in Sweetwater. Though he knows that both the Pikes (including Curtis and John) and the O'Sheas (Buddy and Hank) are rustlers, he has befriended the families, knowing that he needs the support of local cowboys if he is to retain his position for any length of time.
Ranchester is often seen on the streets of Sweetwater. He's tall and handsome, with a large black moustache, nice clothes, a silver-plated .45 on his right hip, and his badge worn proudly on his chest. But when there's trouble, you're not likely to see him.Category:InhabitantsCategory:Inhabitants of SweetwaterCategory:Inhabitants of Zamorra TerritoryCategory:Inhabitants of SaldoniaCategory:MenCategory:Born in 1516Category:LawmenCategory:No Photo