# Joe Smith — King Coal character guide

> Joe Smith in King Coal by Upton Sinclair.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Joe, Smith

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

A fellow miner whose easy camaraderie with Hal offers a rare glimpse of ordinary warmth inside the company's suffocating grip on Pine Creek.

## Relationships

### [Mary Burke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/mary_burke)

_family_

Joe Smith is Mary Burke's father, a miner who shares her concern for justice and supports her relationship with Hal.

### [Hal Warner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/hal_warner)

_friendship_

Joe Smith is a miner and father figure to Hal, offering guidance and solidarity in the fight for workers' rights.

### [Mary Burke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/mary_burke)

_family_

Joe Smith is Mary Burke's father, a miner who shares her concern for justice and supports her relationship with Hal.

### [Hal Warner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/hal_warner)

_friendship_

Joe Smith is a miner and father figure to Hal, offering guidance and solidarity in the fight for workers' rights.

## In the story

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xiv)

The weigh-boss who coldly dismisses Mike Sikoria's complaints and threatens him.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xxiii)

Mentioned as having paid fifteen dollars for his new job and being called a 'green mule' by Mike Sikoria; no longer plays games with Little Jerry.

### [Book II: The Serfs of King Coal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/book-ii-the-serfs-of-king-coal)

Joe Smith is a fellow miner who shares the struggles and dangers of the coal camp.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xv)

Targeted by Cotton as the supposed check-weighman.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xviii)

Name used in forged letter implicating Hal in a bribery scheme.

### [Book III: The Henchmen of King Coal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/book-iii-the-henchmen-of-king-coal)

Joe Smith is a fellow miner and friend to Hal, who shares his frustrations with the company's exploitation.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xxi)

Referenced as a miner's buddy who was shot at, mistaken for Hal.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xxii)

Identified as the arch-rebel and troublemaker the detectives will follow.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/joe_smith
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters