Category: Prequel
Any time before the episode, A Rose for Lotta
Somebody else’s dog (by Inca / aka Tye)
Summary: There’s been some gossip in Virginia City about Ben Cartwright’s new wife.
Rating: K Word count: 581
School Project (by Silver Sven)
Summary: It was just a school project, something in which Hoss wanted to excel.
Rating: K (1,900 words)
First Step (by Cheaux)
Summary: For fiercely independent Little Joe Cartwright, asking for help is the hardest thing to do. A Camp in the Pines short story.
Rated T Word Count 6254
The Hardest Goodbye – Book 1 of “A House United” (by Pulitzer2016)
Summary: As the Civil War approaches, Adam reflects on his college years and the relationship he cultivated with his younger cousin, Josephine. After graduation, Josephine and her parents visit the Ponderosa for a month of fun, after which Adam must say the hardest goodbye of his life.
Rating: K (33,830 words)
A House United Series, links to stories within the series are included.
There’s Wisdom, and Then There’s… (by BluewindFarm)
Summary: He thinks he knows all it takes to be a cowboy; leaving Ben to wonder.
Rating: K (1,070 words)
Part of the Cowboy-isms Series, links included within.
Partners (by Sibylle)
Summary: Adam tells his grandson about the first time the three Cartwright brothers were in mischief together (post timeline part: 1905, prequel part: 1848) .
Word count: 6441 Rating: K
Grand Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Saved by the Kind Mate (by heike)
Summary: When a dream becomes a nightmare – a “pre-prequel”
928 words, Rating: G
Lies and Losses (by BettyHT)
Summary: In Illinois, Ben has more trouble with McWhorter and loses someone dear to him because of it. Story follows a different path but eventually the whole family will be together on the Ponderosa. It may take some time for that to happen however. It’s based on a story idea suggested by a reader. Thank you, Sylvia, for the story idea that got me started.
Rating – PG13 WC = 36301
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)
