Minor Characters
Cribbens
Cribbens is a gold prospector whom McTeague meets while on the run for murdering Trina. Cribbens and McTeague briefly travel together, and they even find gold, but McTeague abandons him because he fears danger.
McTeague’s Mother
McTeague’s mother works as a cook. When McTeague is a young man, she sends him away with a traveling dentist where McTeague learns his craft. While McTeague is away, she dies.
McTeague’s Father
McTeague’s father is a shift-boss at a mine who dies from drinking too much when McTeague is a young boy.
Mrs. Sieppe
Mrs. Sieppe is Trina’s mother. She is a practical and no-nonsense woman, with a strong accent that reflects her German heritage.
Mr. Sieppe
Mr. Sieppe is Trina’s father. He is a strict, militaristic man who spends most of his time barking orders at his sons.
August
August is the Sieppes’ youngest son. He is often restless, and his parents do their best to keep him quiet.
Oelbermann
Oelbermann is Trina’s uncle. Trina invests her lottery winnings in his store.
Augustine
Augustine is a French woman whom the McTeagues briefly hire to help around the house.
The Other Dentist
The Other Dentist is a young, worldly man whom McTeague is jealous of.
Mr. Heise
Mr. Heise is a family friend of the McTeagues’.
Mrs. Heise
Mrs. Heise is a family friend of the McTeagues’.
Selina
Selina is Trina’s cousin who occasionally picnics with the Sieppes.
Mr. Ryer
Mr. Ryer is a family friend of the McTeagues’.
Mrs. Ryer
Mrs. Ryer is a family friend of the McTeagues’.