Category: Prequel
Any time before the episode, A Rose for Lotta
Roots and Wings (by Visage)
Summary: Hoss turns to a trusted friend for advice when Adam is due home from College.
Rating: G (1,245 words)
It all Started with a Haircut (by Robin)
Summary: I have been fascinated by the characters of Cora and Enos Milford, the affectionate, bickering couple in “The Hayburner”. Clearly they are old friends of the Cartwrights, have great affection for them and knew Adam, Hoss and Joe as boys. I wondered how the Milfords and the Cartwrights might have first met and came up with this story, “It all Started with a Haircut” .
Rating: K (6,835 words)
Before A Rose… (by BluewindFarm)
Summary: Inspired by The Mother of All Challenges, to write a story featuring one or more of the Cartwrights in any time period (prequel, season 1-14, sequel, AU), in which Virginia City is an integral part of the tale.
Rating: K (4,030 words)
This is my story.
Virginia City, Nevada — Home of the Comstock Lode. A place where things happen twenty-four hours a day. Thirty thousand people called it home at the peak of the gold and silver rush. A boom town!
A Prickly Problem (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: Little Joe learns a lesson the hard way.
Rating: K+ Word Count: 1, 371
Of Mothers and Fathers (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: Ben’s announcement of his upcoming marriage to a young, widowed woman brings about a serious talk between a ten-year-old Joe and his older brother, Adam.
Rating: K Word Count: 1,623
A Promise by Ring Nose (by BettyHT)
Summary: An attempt to give background for “The Paiute War” episode and answer some questions. Why had Young Wolf developed animosity toward Adam? Why did Ring Nose agree to come back with Ben knowing he would be jailed or hanged for what had happened? Why was Wilson so intent on getting revenge on the Paiute and Adam?
Rating = T WC = 17,962
The Sound and the Fury (by sandspur)
Summary: It’s brother against brother, Cartwright style! Revenge is not a dish best served cold–it’s best served to the sound of the cannon!
Rating: K (1,160 words)
Battle of the Ponderosa — aka Springtime Chaos (by BluewindFarm)
Summary: A plea for help turns into an urgent ride home, and a situation no one foresaw.
Rating: K (1,615 words)
Measure of a Man (by Inca / aka Tye)
Summary: When fifteen-year-old Joe tries to impress a new friend on the Ponderosa, it leads to dangerous repercussions for both Joe and Adam.
Rating: T (22, 275 words)
Tears of Growing Up #2 – First Ride (by BluewindFarm)
Summary: A companion story for Tears of Growing Up. Two years have passed since Ben and Joe stood outside the corrals watching Adam and their wranglers tame wild horses. Now, it’s finally Joe’s turn.
Rating: K+ (2,305 words)
Tears of Growing Up Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Of Love and Loss (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: Ben and Hoss have a heart to heart about lost loves.
Rating: K (tissue warning) Word Count: 1,499
Restitution (by Belle)
Summary: Ezra Grady, is dead; but that doesn’t mean the Cartwrights’ troubles are over. Ezra Grady’s silent partner-in-crime has yet another scheme in mind. (Warning: Referenced mistreatment of a child.)
Rating: T (22,190 words)
In Absentia Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Sage Advice (by BluewindFarm)
Summary: Joe should have remembered his older brother’s advice, when he learns a lesson on how easy it is for women to be his downfall.
Rating: K (950 words)
Love Comes Late (by DJK)
Summary: A young Adam has to come to terms with a second stepmother.
Rating: teen and up Warning: contains corporal punishment as part of family discipline Word count: 45,173
The Fire Inside (by freyakendra)
Summary: A surprise assault on the Ponderosa tests twelve-year-old Little Joe’s mettle, and proves he truly is his father’s son.
Word count: 4,470. Rating: T