The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg Characters

Edward Richards is the cashier at Hadleyburg’s local bank. Edward is one of the town’s well-respected nineteen citizens, though—like the other Nineteeners—he is dishonest and easily corruptible. His wife, Mary Richards, is the one… read analysis of Edward Richards

Mary Richards is Edward Richards’s wife. She belongs to one of Hadleyburg’s nineteen well-respected families. Like the others Nineteeners, though, Mary is dishonest and fails to uphold her ethical integrity when the stranger comes… read analysis of Mary Richards

The stranger is a “bitter” and “revengeful” man who is deeply offended by something while passing through the town of Hadleyburg. Incensed about the way he has been treated, the stranger brainstorms ways to take… read analysis of The Stranger (Howard Stephenson)

Reverend Burgess is a reverend in Hadleyburg who, for reasons Twain doesn’t disclose, has been disgraced by the townspeople. Edward Richards reveals to Mary early in the story that Burgess has a soft spot for… read analysis of Reverend Burgess

One of Hadleyburg’s Nineteeners. When Reverend Burgess reads the notes submitted by the Nineteeners (who submit these pieces of paper in order to win the sack of gold), Billson’s is the first one to… read analysis of Deacon Billson

One of Hadleyburg’s Nineteeners. When Reverend Burgess calls Billson’s name during the town hall meeting, Wilson mishears him, so he also stands up to accept the sack of gold. Confusion ensues as Wilson… read analysis of Lawyer Wilson

A loud and vocal man who attends the town hall meeting and criticizes the Nineteeners for their dishonesty. The Tanner secretly wishes that he were one of Hadleyburg’s Nineteeners, so he is delighted at the… read analysis of The Tanner

One of Hadleyburg’s Nineteeners. Mr. Cox is the “editor-proprietor” of the local newspaper. When Edward Richards rushes out into the night to spread word of the stranger’s mysterious sack of gold, he finds… read analysis of Mr. Cox

A young woman who was engaged to marry Barclay Goodson. Just before their union, though, Nancy died. When the stranger privately writes to Edward Richards and tricks him into thinking Barclay Goodson would have… read analysis of Nancy Hewitt

One of Hadleyburg’s Nineteeners, and one of the two richest men in town. Harkness is running a political race against the other wealthiest man, Pinkerton. When the stranger wins the sack of lead coins… read analysis of “Dr.” Harkness

One of Hadleyburg’s Nineteeners, and one of the two richest men in town. Running for a political seat against Harkness, Pinkerton loses the election because Harkness—the other richest man in town—buys the infamous lead… read analysis of Pinkerton