The Shocking Betrayal: Unveiling What Wade Stole From John Dutton in Yellowstone

The Dutton family of Yellowstone faces a multitude of enemies, with Wade Morrow being one of them. Wade had previously stolen something from John Dutton, the patriarch of the family and owner of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch in Montana. The show revolves around the Dutton family's struggles against various obstacles such as developers, Indian Reservations, and former allies turned enemies. Wade, portrayed by Boots Southerland, used to work as a ranch hand at Yellowstone Ranch before leaving. However, he returns in season 3 to wreak havoc on the Duttons.

At some point in the past, Wade and John's relationship soured, leading Wade to depart from Yellowstone. He later became a neighboring rancher and continued to provoke his former boss by engaging in activities such as herding buffalo close to the shared fence. Alongside his son Clint, Wade intensifies his aggression against Yellowstone Ranch when they team up with Roake Morris in an attempt to push Dutton into committing a blatant criminal act. Eventually, Wade's actions catch up to him, and he is lynched by a group of Yellowstone ranchers. John accuses Wade of "stealing the one thing a cowboy doesn't steal," shedding light on the deeper history of Yellowstone.

Wade Morrow Steals The Brand From Yellowstone Ranch

The nature of Wade's theft from Yellowstone Ranch and John Dutton remains somewhat ambiguous, but it is heavily implied that he stole the brand. In the world of Yellowstone, being branded signifies a rancher's loyalty and commitment to the ranch, even after making past mistakes. It serves as a promise that the ranch will support and provide for the rancher until their death. By leaving the ranch, Wade essentially steals this brand from John and his family, betraying his promise and earning the unforgivable condemnation of the other ranchers. In a gruesome act of retribution, the other ranch hands reclaim what Wade stole by forcibly removing the brand from his chest. This act, although not punishable by death alone, clearly strikes a deep nerve among the ranchers of Yellowstone.

Other Theories On What Wade Morrow Could Have Stolen

While John's accusation towards Wade suggests that he is accusing him of stealing from the Yellowstone brand, there are other possible explanations that have been suggested. One such theory is that the stolen item could be cattle. Considering the significance of pride and legacy, the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch holds immense value as a prime location for raising cattle, with livestock being their most precious asset. In previous instances on the show, the treatment of horse thieves was particularly severe, implying that the fate of cattle thieves would be even more dire.