married and have three children. The real-life Marguerite "Martha" Bullock was not the widow of Seth Bullock's brother, but had married Bullock prior to coming to Deadwood. A. W. Merrick A. Walter "A. W." Merrick (Jeffrey Jones) is the proprietor of the local newspaper, the Black Hills Pioneer. Somewhat pretentious in his bearing, he prides himself as a newspaperman with a duty to print the truth, but must navigate a twisty path of remaining friends with all the major players in town and being privy to their plans and confidences. He gains the friendship of Seth Bullock, Sol Star, and Charlie Utter, and even suggests that since he enjoys walking and socializing with them about the local goings on that they should form a club for doing just that. Though not a man of great courage, Merrick is a man of principle. He refuses to print Commissioner Jarry's notice which puts claims in the camp under doubt, and as a result comes under attack from Tolliver, who sends Leon and Stapleton to trash his press. After this, Swearengen makes Merrick his ally and conspires with him to print articles in the paper to draw back his control and bring elections to the camp. Merrick comes under attack again in Season 3 when he publishes a letter designed to embarrass Hearst. Hearst has him beaten up as a result, and Merrick is injured to the point where he cannot put on his clothes by himself. He is also one of the few people Al really seems to like, as he even kills the one responsible for Merrick's beating. Johnny Burns John "Johnny" Burns (Sean Bridgers) is an employee of the Gem Saloon and one of Al's lackeys. His main jobs are tending bar, cleaning, and hauling corpses to Wu's pigsty. Although young and ambitious, Johnny is not too bright, leading Al to continually abuse him verbally and physically. He shoots Charlie Utter and Sol Star in season 2 but does not kill them, and expresses severe remorse, unlike Adams and Dority. Though Johnny is very loyal to Al, he refuses to kill the prostitute Jen whom Al is trying to trick Hearst into thinking is Trixie. Johnny tries but can't put himself up to the deed, and tells Al he won't do it. Therefore, Dan knocks him out and ties him up while Al carries out his plan. Later Dan frees