How did John Dutton die in ‘1923?’

Warning: This article contains spoilers for 1923.

Taylor Sheridan’s growing Yellowstone encompasses various branches of the Dutton family tree across an array of prequels and upcoming spinoffs that all center around one idea: Living and dying by the brand. 

John Dutton is the ranch owner and patriarch in Paramount’s core series, Yellowstone, but he’s not the first in his family lineage to have the name. Audiences meet another John Dutton in the emotional prequel 1923, and while his life was cut short, it was important for many reasons. In fact, John served as a catalyst for the family story to keep rolling forward in both life and death, and while fans were initially hoping to learn more about him as a character, what we did learn from his short but impactful life says a lot about the family name, what they stand for, and what they’re willing to die for. 

So how did John Dutton die in 1923? When did his story end, and why did his chapter feel so short when he’s such an essential piece of the puzzle? You know the drill, grab your best Dutton gear and your boots because we’re riding to the ranch to give you all the details. 

How did John Dutton die?

John Dutton’s life was cut short by one of the Yellowverse’s most unsettling evils. Scottish sheepherder Banner Creighton, played by Jerome Flynn, was mad at the Dutton family for not letting him graze his sheep on their land; in anger and an attempt to get revenge for his wounded pride he gathered his men to exact revenge on the Duttons.

Jacob Dutton was one of the family members who confronted Creighton, and it wasn’t all words and insults being hurled back and forth. He actually hung Creighton from a tree, not killing him but using him as an example of what happens when you cross the Dutton family.

Instead of letting it end there, Creighton decided to fight back, and went on to round up some scoundrels to ambush the Dutton family on their ride home from a beautiful day in town. The attack was quick and impactful, and while several lives hung in the balance after Creighton and his men came to blows with the Duttons, John’s life was cut short, leaving a void in the family unit. 

Jacob Dutton himself was left to perish, alongside Jack’s fiancé Elizabeth, but by a miracle, the two managed to survive the altercation. However, that catalyst to the Dutton family story kicks in between the fight and the realization that Jacob and Elizabeth would recover.

Jacob’s wife Cara, matriarch of the family and total Dutton powerhouse, then wrote an urgent letter to Spencer Dutton about the state of their family. The letter made viewers emotional — as the Yellowverse often does — she poured her heart out to her nephew, informing him of the death of his brother and his uncle’s impending passing.  

“Your brother has been killed. By the time you receive this letter, I suppose your uncle has been killed as well… This ranch and your legacy are in peril. War has descended upon this place and your family. Whatever war you fight within yourself must wait. You must come home and fight this one.”

Why is John’s Death a reason for Spencer to return?

As fans know, Spencer Dutton is a significant piece of the Dutton family puzzle; living in Africa and working for the Protectorate of Kenya as a big game hunter, protecting citizens from wild animals. It’s a job that often puts him in life-or-death situations, which he explained was the only time he truly feels alive.

Spencer had been in the military prior to his time in Africa, and he carries a heavy weight on his shoulders as he tries to outrun the memories that leave him haunted. As 1923 returns for a second season, fans are looking forward to learning more about his back story and why he had to run around the country to get far enough away to make it through life at all. 

So as Cara Dutton pleaded with Spencer to come home, it became clear that his return would only have been cemented by a significant loss — like the one of his brother. When he returns, fans will likely see him grapple with the idea that he might have been able to do more if he’d been home. The circumstances will give Spencer more demons to fight and life to try to outrun, but with a wife by his side and his family in turmoil — we have a feeling he’ll be sticking around this time, even in moments of struggle 

1923 is slated to return for a second season, and if you want to get better acquainted with the Dutton family of days past, you can watch the first season in its entirety streaming on Paramount Plus.