Ellsworth begins growing an attachment and a strong sense of loyalty toward her and the young orphan Sofia in her care, with whom he begins to form a father-daughter bond. By the second season, Ellsworth has gone from a mere prospector to completely overseeing Alma's claim and the digging operations, as well as a trusted friend and confidant. He defends her claim by chasing off Hearst's geologist, Francis Wolcott, when he comes to spy out the territory — the two having been familiar with one another from Ellsworth's days working for the Hearst company — and advises Alma to stand her ground when rumor is spread in the camp about the future instability of gold claims once the town is annexed. He also seems to grow distanced from the Gem as well, refusing to genuflect in the presence of the likes of Dority as he once did, a sign of his moving away from his older life and his growing self-assurance and confidence. He forms friendships with Joanie Stubbs and Sol Star. Later, Ellsworth is advised by Trixie to wed Alma, once it is clear she has become pregnant by Sheriff Bullock. Trusting it is the right thing to do and with a genuine wish to help her save face and help raise both Sofia and the future child, he proposes. She demurs at first but soon accepts his proposal and marries him the following week in front of their gathered friends and townspeople. When George Hearst attempts to force Alma to sell him her gold claim, Ellsworth is one of the few in town who stands up to him. But his relationship with Alma falls apart when she miscarries and begins using laudanum again. The final straw comes when she gets high and attempts to consummate their relationship out of obligation. Despite this, they remain friends. Near the end of Season 3, Ellsworth is shot to death by one of Hearst's agents while supervising Alma's claim. His body is brought to camp in the back of a wagon, and many people, especially Alma and Trixie, are shocked and upset by his death. As originally written, the character was simply named "Ellsworth". When the wedding episode required Ellsworth's full name to be revealed, Jim Beaver, a film historian engaged in writing a biography of TV Superman George Reeves, suggested his character be named after the first producer of Adventures of