December 10, 1928 – May 13, 1972
The following stories were written by various authors celebrating Dan Blocker as Hoss Cartwright.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Page 2 for stories recommended by our members.
These stories reflect the true character of the man he was and maybe even explore his death. Some offer scenes the viewers were denied. All are works inspired by the love of the respective authors for this character.
Click a title to open the story.
A Fitting Goodbye by Kenda
Summary: A story inspired by the 14th season aired episode “Stallion.” Joe has been the person his father leaned on during the difficult months after Hoss’ death. Now it’s Ben who must help Joe find a way to say a fitting goodbye to the brother he loved.
Rated: K 5,415 words
A Letter from Hoss by Tauna Petit-Strawn
Summary: I was thinking about how due to Dan Blocker’s death the Cartwright’s lost Hoss. This short piece came to me and I had to write it down.
Rating: K 540 words
A New Perspective by Gillian
Summary: Hoss’ birthday present goes missing, and retrieving it gives both Adam and Ben an opportunity to find a new perspective on important matters in their lives.
Rating: G 9,745 words
A Switch in His Shoe by McFair_58
Summary: Written in honor of Dan Blocker’s birthday. The Hoffmeisters have come to the Ponderosa for their annual December visit bringing tales of Germany’s Wienachsten and its mystical creatures. As strange things begin to happen, young Hoss Cartwright becomes convinced that St. Nick’s man-servant, a feller he calls ‘K-necked Rupert’, has come to bring judgement on them all.
Rating: G 14,550 words
Always by BluewindFarm
Summary: The days and weeks after one of the worst times on the Ponderosa culminates in a moment between father and son. What should have happened.
Rating: G 625 words
And I’ve Got Mine… (Until the Pain’s a Cloud of Dust) by BluewindFarm
Summary: For those who were never satisfied with the brief glimpse of a picture on the desk. What should have happened before Forever.
Rating: K 1,550 words
And Afterwards by Krystyna
Summary: This story is a spin off from an episode called The Tall Stranger in which Hoss proposed to Margie Owens and lost out to Mark Connors, who married Margie and then dumped her. Hoss found Margie just before she died in childbirth. In this story Hoss is battling the worst misery of his life as he struggles to overcome a broken heart with no hope of ever seeing Margie again. He has to suffer physical anguish, and experience other people’s direst heartache, before he can bury the past and get on with his life, find happiness and return home to his family.
Rating: T 21,580 words
Ben’s Boy Hoss by DJK
Summary: A collection of seven short vignettes which were written in response to various prompts. Together they paint a picture of Hoss Cartwright, boy and man.
Rating: T word count: 3,600
Between the Twelfth of Never and Forever by BluewindFarm
Summary: A time of contemplation as a man reflects on what’s happened in the past, and what good could come from any of it. — ‘How am I gonna be an optimist about this?’ —
Rating: K 695 words
Circle of Family: The Book of Hoss by Miss Judy
Summary: In this third story of the A Circle of Family, Hoss faces several challenges. Adam is away at school and while life has been going pretty normally back on the Ponderosa, Hoss wakes up one Sunday morning to find that nothing is normal. Pa and Joe are both sick and Hoss has to dig deep inside to find the courage to take control of things. In the midst of it all, he must deal with self-pity, anger and the feeling that he will never be able to fill his oldest brother’s shoes. In the end, the day turns out far better than he could have expected as he finds his strength and ability is equal to the task. This story can be read without reading the first two of the series – and is a sweet look at Hoss as he comes to know himself better and finds his connection to Adam and his family.
Rating: K WC 6700
Grief by Rona
Summary: A short piece reflecting on life after Hoss died.
950 words Rated: T
Happy Birthday, Hoss by DJK
Summary: It’s Hoss’ first birthday, and Adam’s determined it will be special.
Rated: K+ Word count: 4765
He Would Have by DJK
Summary: A short WHN for Hoss’ loss of Margie.
Rating: K+ Word Count: 694
Heart of a Hero (The) by Christy
Summary: Joe and Hoss have taken time off on a fine spring day to go fishing when something terribly wrong brings the Cartwright’s worst nightmare to reality. How will the heart of a hero see them through their darkest days? I’m sorry I’m not a Jamie fan. He does not exist in this story. Rating: G 8,200 words
In Loving Remembrance by Hart4Ben
Summary: Adam’s post canon tribute to Hoss, based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Love Changes Everything.”
Rating: K+ Word Count: 503
One for the Ages by Justafan
Summary: A story of a friendship that ran deeper than blood. Submitted in response to a 2016 Pinecone Challenge.
Rating: K 537 words
One Last Goodbye by Slaine89
Summary: A look into the last few moments of Hoss Cartwright’s life. My tribute to both the character and the actor that played him.
Rated: K+ 1,170 words
Memories (by BettyHT)
Summary: Expanding on four pinecones, I put together a story that takes place after Hoss has died although much of the story features Hoss in memories Ben has before the story switches to the time immediately after his death. Although that sounds quite sad, the end result is to try to take something of great sorrow and find the silver lining in that dark cloud.
Rating = T Word count = 3597
Message (The) by DJK
Summary: In London, Adam receives a message from Hoss that will change his view of many things. This story was written in answer to the Michael Landon Birthday Challenge.
Rated: T Word count: 1444
Momma Liked The Roses by BluewindFarm
Summary: When the pain and the hurt are still fresh, can a memory shine bright?
Rating: K 1,125 words
Mona Lisa by Deansgirl
Summary: A famous painting, a beautiful girl, and a lost memory reunite a man with his family.
Rated: K+ 5,810 words
Not a Day Goes By by Arrenall
Summary: When the unthinkable happens, those left behind must find a way to get on with life.
Rating: T 4,433 words
Remembering You by Wrangler
Summary: This story was written to finally explain the death of Hoss Cartwright. In her mind at the time, the author felt it should be addressed, since the television show chose not to explain the absence of that very pivotal character. You will probably be able to spot the lack of mangling, but, hopefully will like this peek back to where it all began.
Rated: T WC 11,000
Riding on Faith by southplains
Summary: WHN for ‘The Ride’ – a story of faith, hope, and thanksgiving. One of the Cartwrights has vanished and it appears that he is lost for good. Can the remaining family members accept the loss and learn to go on without him?
Rated: T WC 21,700
Singing Lessons by DJK
Summary: This is my contribution to the Dan Blocker Birthday Challenge. Hoss and Adam learn more than just a song.
Rated: K+ Word count: 2315
Sum of All Sadness (The) by MissJudy
Summary: Ben is trying to sleep after laying his son to rest and is visited by memories of a life well lived. In another room, Joe is struggling with similar thoughts as he tries to quiet his mind to sleep. And in a place far removed, Adam receives the news that sends his heart reeling.
This is a story about Hoss’s passing, but it is not about death. It’s about a family coming to terms with loss while rejoicing in the man they knew. and figuring out how best to honor the life that was lost.
Rated: K+ WC 9000
Til the Day is Done by A_Starry_Night
Summary: The outcome of Hoss’s untimely death was devastating – but none so much as for Ben Cartwright.
Rating: T 10,140 words
What We Didn’t Choose by BluewindFarm
Summary: Exploring what makes you who you are? The first sentence was the May 1, 2016 Pine Cone prompt to use. The original submission has been expanded so the story would meet the minimum word requirements for the Library.
Rating: K 635 words
Additional stories may be found at the following links:
Dan Blocker Literary Challenge – 2012 & 2014
Celebrating Dan Blocker’s birthday.
Click Page 2 below to see what Hoss stories are recommended by our members.
