Ben Redmond

Ben Redmond and John Sartoris used to be friends and business partners who together built the railroad to Jefferson. But before the railroad was finished they became bitter rivals, running against each other for political office. Sartoris taunts him repeatedly for not having fought in the Civil War, though many people in Jefferson know that "he aint no coward" (226). The rhetorical violence of the campaign becomes real when Redmond kills Sartoris. During his confrontation with him, John's son Bayard describes him as "not much taller than Father but thicker" because he only sits and listens to people (248). Redmond is still "brave" during their showdown with Bayard, but loses that too, and leaves Jefferson with his "head up" (249).