# Ben Skutt — Oil! character guide

> Ben Skutt in Oil! by Upton Sinclair.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Skutt, Ben

**First appearance:** 0001-oil

## Who they are

A minor character, possibly a worker or local.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ii)

The oil-scout, referred to as Dad's 'lease-hound,' waiting at the Imperial Hotel with papers ready for signature.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as a 'lease-hound' waiting at the Imperial Hotel for Dad.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vii)

Oil scout and 'lease-hound' waiting in the hotel lobby for the meeting with Dad Ross; greets Bunny with a grin.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iv)

Representative of J. Arnold Ross who brings the lease proposal to the property owners.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/v)

Acts as the lease-agent, introducing the Rosses and trying to mediate the disputes.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vii)

Acts as Dad Ross's lease-hound, delivering threats to the landowners.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii)

Present at the Federation meeting as an investigator/spy for the employers, challenges Dad's pro-union remarks.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/x)

Former lease-hound now involved in defense, facilitates the bribe.

### [XVI: The Killing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xvi-the-killing)

Appears as a surprise witness at the Menzies trial, having infiltrated the Workers' party, and is later exposed by Dad Ross for a previous land-title scam.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ix)

Testifies as a surprise witness for the prosecution, having infiltrated the Workers' party; previously fired by Dad Ross for corruption.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/ben_skutt
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters