When The Jimmy-John Boss and Other Stories appeared in 1900, critics collectively recognized Wister's writings as "structurally weak" but "rich in characterization." His tendency to rely on melodramatic scenes was especially castigated. For example, consider the moment in "Hank's Woman" when Willomene leaps from a cliff clinging to her dead husband. His obtrusive sentimentality also met with negative criticism. On the other hand, his characterizations were highly praised, and, in fact, the continuing influence of Wister is primarily seen in subsequent authors' imitation of Wister's memorable heroes and villains. Duke, in "The Jimmy-John Boss" and Hank, in "Hank's Woman" are prototypes of those characters in The Virginian which were so ardently admired by later Western writers.