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Jim Smiley

An infamous huckster and gambler at Angel’s Camp and the story’s protagonist. A lucky man, Smiley will place a bet with anybody, at any time, for any reason. He particularly likes to bet on animal competitions and trains his frog to be the highest jumping frog in Calaveras County.

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Simon Wheeler

An old storyteller in the mining town of Angel’s Camp. Wheeler speaks in a gentle monotone and takes his outrageous stories seriously.

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The narrator

The narrator of the story. The narrator calls upon Simon Wheeler as a favor to a friend to inquire about a man named Leonidas W. Smiley. The story is his account of what he hears.

The stranger

A man who shows up in Angel’s Camp one day. He takes Jim Smiley up on a bet that Smiley’s frog can outjump any frog in Calaveras County.

The narrator’s unnamed friend

An unnamed person and prankster. He makes up the name Leonidas W. Smiley knowing it will prompt Simon Wheeler to barrage the narrator with bizarre stories.

Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley

Purportedly a young minister, former resident of Angel’s Camp, and friend of the narrator’s friend. The narrator suspects that Leonidas W. Smiley is a fictional character his friend has invented as a set-up for the narrator’s experience with Simon Wheeler.

Dan’l Webster

The famed jumping frog of Calaveras County, who is “trained” by Jim Smiley and is reputedly the best jumper of all frogs in the area.

Andrew Jackson

Bull pup turned fighting dog, who is “trained” by Jim Smiley and is notable for his last-ditch effort wins.

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