King Coal · Character

Percy Harrigan

The owner's son, groomed to run the mines, whose easy charm masks how little he questions the machinery of profit beneath his feet.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Percy Harrigan, young Harrigan, Harrigan

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in King Coal, Percy Harrigan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The Coal King's son, traveling with a luxurious private train; snubs Billy Keating when asked about the mine disaster.

In the storyIXOpen this moment free

See Percy Harrigan in IX Book page

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With Hal Warner (friendship): Percy is Hal's loyal friend and fellow investigator, often accompanying him in navigating the mining community and its politics. With Hal Warner (friendship): Percy is Hal's loyal friend and fellow investigator, often accompanying him in navigating the mining community and its politics. With Hal Warner (friendship): Percy is Hal's loyal friend and fellow investigator, often accompanying him in navigating the mining community and its politics.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Percy Harrigan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Percy Harrigan in i

Character Web

32 connections

A slice of how Percy Harrigan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Mine management and antagonists
Minor miners and community members
Protagonist
Union activists and allies

+27 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because Mary reaches an emotional and psychological peak by confronting her own je…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Hal Warner
friendship · positive
Percy is Hal's loyal friend and fellow investigator, often accompanying him in navigating… How this plays out →
Hal Warner
friendship · positive
Percy is Hal's loyal friend and fellow investigator, often accompanying him in navigating… How this plays out →
Hal Warner
friendship · positive
Percy is Hal's loyal friend and fellow investigator, often accompanying him in navigating… How this plays out →

Hal Warner
Percy is Hal's loyal friend and fellow investigator, often accompanying him in navigating the mining community and its politics.
Hal Warner
Percy is Hal's loyal friend and fellow investigator, often accompanying him in navigating the mining community and its politics.
Hal Warner
Percy is Hal's loyal friend and fellow investigator, often accompanying him in navigating the mining community and its politics.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Percy Harrigan in i

In the story

Percy Harrigan appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IX
The Coal King's son, traveling with a luxurious private train; snubs Billy Keating when asked about the mine disaster.
XII
Young socialite dining with guests; initially imperious, he is confronted by Hal about the mine disaster.
XIII
The Coal King's son, initially magnanimous but ultimately refuses to intervene, citing his father's authority and lack of personal knowledge.
XIV
The Coal King's son, initially defensive but eventually asks Cotton for his opinion, siding with the company.
XV
The Coal King's son, weak and self-indulgent, is pressured by Hal to use his authority to order the mine opened despite fear of his father's anger.
Chapter XVI
Emerges from a consultation with Cartwright, announcing that the mine will be opened; Hal suspects he may be lying but pretends to believe him.
XIX
Dismisses Hal's plea, citing the party's engagements and the impropriety of exposing ladies to the disaster.
Chapter XX
Urges Hal to leave, reveals his father is handling the situation, and expresses anger at Hal's threat to expose the story.
Chapter XXI
Mentioned as Hal's ally, whose involvement protects Hal from being killed.
XXII
Percy is Jessie's host, and she is concerned about his opinion of her walking with Hal. He is mentioned but does not appear in the chapter.
Chapter XXV
Mentioned as the owner of the train Hal despises; part of the departing social circle.
The Confrontation Between Brothers
Mentioned as the one who telephoned Edward late at night, painting Hal's actions in lurid colors and triggering Edward's frantic journey.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Percy Harrigan unlock in the free preview.

See Percy Harrigan in i

See Percy Harrigan in IX