# Mr. Skaggs — The Sport of the Gods character guide

> Mr. Skaggs in The Sport of the Gods by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Skaggs

**First appearance:** 0015-xvi-skaggs-s-theory

## Snapshot

A newspaper reporter who smells a story in Berry Hamilton's prison sentence and rides it from human-interest exposé to front-page crusade.

## Who they are

Skaggs is the kind of newsman who understands that a great paper can manufacture justice as readily as it manufactures scandal, and he pursues Berry's release with one eye on the Governor and the other on his own byline. His ambition is genuine but not pure; the editor of the Universe sees a philanthropy, Skaggs sees glory and shekels, and the two motives happen to point the same direction. His emblazoned headlines crack open the Oakley household's carefully guarded secret, forcing a town that would have smothered the truth for the sake of a family name to reckon with it in print.

## Relationships

### [Joe Hamilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/characters/joe_hamilton)

_professional_

Mr. Skaggs is a reporter who sensationalizes Joe's story, exploiting his tragedy for journalistic gain.

### [Maurice Oakley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/characters/maurice_oakley)

_professional_

Mr. Skaggs collaborates with Maurice to uncover the truth about Berry's innocence, but with self-serving motives.

### [Maurice Oakley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/characters/maurice_oakley)

_professional_

Mr. Skaggs collaborates with Maurice to uncover the truth about Berry's innocence, but with self-serving motives.

### [Joe Hamilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/characters/joe_hamilton)

_professional_

Mr. Skaggs is a reporter who sensationalizes Joe's story, exploiting his tragedy for journalistic gain.

### [Joe Hamilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/characters/joe_hamilton)

_professional_

Mr. Skaggs is a reporter who sensationalizes Joe's story, exploiting his tragedy for journalistic gain.

## In the story

### [His Heart's Desire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/chapters/ix-his-heart-s-desire)

A reporter and habitual liar who befriends Joe at the club, claiming a false background of slave-owning and prejudice-free attitudes.

### [Frankenstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/chapters/xiv-frankenstein)

Still a frequent visitor at the Banner Club; hears Joe's drunken confession about his father's innocence and becomes interested in the story as a potential sensation.

### [XVI: Skaggs's Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/chapters/xvi-skaggs-s-theory)

Develops a theory about Berry Hamilton's innocence, travels south to investigate, and confronts Maurice Oakley.

### [XVII: A Yellow Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/chapters/xvii-a-yellow-journal)

Writes the exposé and orchestrates Berry's release, then brings him to New York for publicity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/characters/mr_skaggs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sport_of_the_gods_se/characters