# Swearengen Jones — Brewster’s Millions character guide > Swearengen Jones in Brewster’s Millions by George Barr McCutcheon. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Swearengen Jones, Mr. Jones, old Swearengen Jones, Jones **First appearance:** 0004-v-the-message-from-jones ## Snapshot The miserly Montana uncle whose eccentric will and laconic telegrams turn Monty's inheritance into a year-long test of nerve. ## Who they are Swearengen Jones is the wealthy, sardonic relative whose death sets the entire wager in motion, and whose terse messages from Butte keep Monty guessing whether he is being watched or mocked. His frugality is legendary, and his dry comment that he could feed all of Montana for less than six thousand dollars lands like a warning shot. His disappearance and the mystery surrounding his secretary shadow the story, making his intentions the central puzzle of Monty's year. ## Relationships ### [Montgomery Brewster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/characters/montgomery_brewster) _friendship_ Swearengen Jones is Montgomery's loyal friend and business partner, helping him spend his fortune. ### [Peggy Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/characters/peggy_gray) _friendship_ Peggy and Swearengen Jones are friends who share concern for Montgomery's well-being. ### [Montgomery Brewster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/characters/montgomery_brewster) _friendship_ Swearengen Jones is Montgomery's loyal friend and business partner, helping him spend his fortune. ### [Montgomery Brewster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/characters/montgomery_brewster) _friendship_ Swearengen Jones is Montgomery's loyal friend and business partner, helping him spend his fortune. ### [Peggy Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/characters/peggy_gray) _friendship_ Peggy and Swearengen Jones are friends who share concern for Montgomery's well-being. ## In the story ### [III: Mrs. and Miss Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/iii-mrs-and-miss-gray) Mentioned as the executor of James T. Sedgwick's will in Montana. ### [IV: A Second](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/iv-a-second) Executor of James Sedgwick's will; a wealthy friend of Sedgwick from Montana. ### [V: The Message from Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/v-the-message-from-jones) Sends a detailed telegram outlining the spending rules and conditions for the inheritance. ### [VIII: The Forelock of Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/viii-the-forelock-of-time) Receives Monty's telegram asking about marriage and property transfer; replies with a blunt command to 'stick to your knitting.' ### [IX: Love and a Prizefight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/ix-love-and-a-prizefight) Sends telegrams criticizing Brewster's spending, prompting a sharp reply. ### [Christmas Despair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xii-christmas-despair) Jones responds to Monty's telegram with irascible approval, giving Monty the go-ahead to give Christmas presents. ### [XVII: The New Tenderfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xvii-the-new-tenderfoot) Exchanges telegrams with Monty about life insurance, displaying his eccentric and sardonic mentorship. ### [XIX: One Hero and Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xix-one-hero-and-another) Sends a cablegram to Monty about the free silver agitation, suggesting Monty may have twice as much to spend. ### [Prince and Peasants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxii-prince-and-peasants) Sends a cablegram to Monty containing the parable of the ten talents. ### [An Offer of Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxiii-an-offer-of-marriage) Mentioned as someone Monty frequently forgets as the deadline approaches. ### [The Sheik's Strategy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxiv-the-sheik-s-strategy) Not directly mentioned in this chapter. ### [The Rescue of Peggy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxv-the-rescue-of-peggy) Sends a cryptic cablegram to Brewster: 'Have a good time while good times last.' ### [The Prodigal's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxix-the-prodigal-s-return) Remains silent and unreachable, with no word or assurance about Monty's progress. ### [XXX: The Promise of Thrift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxx-the-promise-of-thrift) Mentioned as the executor of James Sedgwick's will, to whom Monty is preparing his final report. ### [XXXI: How the Million Disappeared](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxxi-how-the-million-disappeared) Mentioned as the executor; has been unreachable and not seen in Butte since September 3rd. ### [The Night Before](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxxii-the-night-before) Mentioned as having disappeared, leaving Monty's fate uncertain. ### [The Flight of Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-flight-of-jones) Has disappeared with Monty's fortune, believed to have fled or been murdered by his secretary. ### [The Last Word](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-last-word) Returns to New York, delivers the inheritance to Monty, and clears his name with the press. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/characters/swearengen_jones - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/characters