Jeremiah Compson is a minor character featured in Red Dead Redemption 2. He is the subject of the Stranger mission "The Iniquities of History".
Quick Answers
What was Jeremiah Compson's profession before the abolition of slavery in rdr2?
Who are the family members of Jeremiah Compson in rdr2?
What is the significance of Jeremiah Compson's house in rdr2?
What is the 'The Iniquities of History' mission about in rdr2?
What happened to Jeremiah Compson after the Civil War's end in rdr2?
History[]
Background[]
Jeremiah Compson was born circa 1835,[1] with Compon’s father and grandfather having been slave catchers at the Ascension Plantation in Rhodes.[2]
He later married a woman named Betsy and had a son prior to or in 1855.[1] During this time, Compson already pursued a career as a slave catcher and administrator at the same plantation his father and grandfather had worked at before him. Betsy, Jeremiah, and their son were photographed together on June 7, 1855.[1]
Eventually, due to the abolition of slavery following the Civil War's end, the plantation no longer required his services, and he was thus made redundant by 1870.[2] At some point later, he got a job working for the Central Union Railroad Company but was fired by the company after numerous complaints from both customers and fellow employees. Due to a falling-out of some kind involving his grandson, Compson also became estranged from his son, Rance.
The court eventually seized his house and possessions, granting ownership to the Bank of Rhodes under the order given by Judge Meredith Holden on November 18, 1895.[3] As a result, Compson became homeless and turned to a life of alcoholism. He subsequently set up an encampment around Eris Field, not far from his homestead.
At some point prior to 1899, Betsy Compson passed away. Betsy's death was acknowledged by Bill, a companion of Compson, of whom he'd invite Compson to "come by for a sip of whiskey".[4]
Events of Red Dead Redemption 2[]
Jeremiah Compson is first encountered on a bench outside of the Rhodes Train Station, where he informs the player about how his once-respectable life fell apart and how he lost everything. The protagonist offers to break into his old home and retrieve three of his prized possessions: his old pistol, a ledger, and a valuable pocketwatch.
During the search, the player discovers that Compson was once a slavecatcher by the notes in his ledger, often writing how proud he was of the work he did in the position, as well as a list of slaves and their cost. The protagonist is disgusted by his findings and confronts him at his encampment. Compson rants about how his life fell apart, how the public no longer respects him and how he lost the job he loved so much. The player then throws his possessions into his campfire, causing Compson to sob and grab the pistol to aim at the player. However, due to its age and state of disrepair, the gun jams and Compson curses the player for destroying his possessions. His fate is then left for the player to decide - they can kill him, or simply walk away.
Jeremiah Compson lying on the ground above his campfire, weeping at Arthur Morgan
Character[]
Personality[]
Jeremiah is shown to have a mean, stern, and almost demanding personality. He shows disappointment because of his troubled past, and that his "legacy was pissed on". Given his former occupation and behavior, it can be assumed that he shows some kind of resentment towards African-American individuals. Compson will throw a fit whenever things don't match up to his ideals, crying whenever his prized possessions are burnt, claiming he is "ruined". Compson is also a drunkard with a temper.
Appearance[]
Jeremiah is an elderly, destitute man, characterized by sunken cheeks and an almost exhausted expression. His facial hair consists of a scraggly, unkempt gray mustache that droops over his upper lip, accompanied by patchy stubble on his cheeks. His hair is thinning and disheveled, with uneven strands falling across the back of his head.
His attire is worn and tattered, consisting of a stained, wide-brimmed hat, a threadbare brown coat, a red waistcoat over a white shirt, and a thin blue tie. His clothing alongside his facial features are covered in natural materials, specifically dust and dirt.
Mission appearances[]
- Red Dead Redemption 2
Trivia[]
- While referred to as a revolver in-game, Jeremiah's gun is actually a U.S. Johnson Model 1836, which was originally built as a flintlock pistol, but has been converted for use with a percussion cap (as evidenced by the brass block which replaced the original frisson pan on its right side).
- However, the inventory icon for the pistol appears to be a 1848 Colt Dragoon Revolver, suggesting it was originally supposed to be a revolver of that model. This would also make more sense, as flintlock pistols were obsolete by the 1850s and 60s, and the Dragoon was a popular civilian firearm at this time.
- Given the age of the weapon, it could have belonged to Jeremiah's father, and Jeremiah used it despite its age because of the weapons shortage in the Confederacy during the war.
- Regardless of whether Compson is killed or spared, completing the mission increases the player's Honor.
- The letter about Compson's discharge from the railroad company is dated April 2, 1870, which is the same date as his redundancy from the Ascension Plantation. Given that the date for the former doesn’t show when the "Read" prompt is used, it’s likely the date is incorrect and should be later. This is presumably a developer oversight.
- Depending on whether the player kills Compson or not, Arthur's journal entry on his final encounter with him will vary slightly. The entry will read: "Went to see nice Mr Compson again." If the player spares Jeremiah the entry will continue: "Burned his valuable ledger right in front of his eyes." while if Jeremiah has been killed it ends: "Last thing he'll see."
- After completing the mission the player can take Jeremiah's horse next to his tent and search its saddlebags without losing honor or the game counting the action as theft. Oddly enough though, the player can't stroke the horse as usual. Taming the horse only works by sitting on the horse's back and then stroking it.
References[]
Gallery[]
General[]
Possessions[]
Documents[]
