Who is Reo Symes from The Dog of the South and what is their importance?

A discredited doctor, Symes has spent most of his life engaged in schemes and scams which have resulted in the loss of his medical license and pursuit by both U.S. postal authorities and individuals from whom he has apparently stolen. He is on his way to Belize to visit his mother, hoping to convince her to deed a small island in Louisiana to him, so that he may develop something on it that will generate income for himself. Throughout his life, it is apparent that he pursues any avenue to find money, regardless of the impact his activities might have on others. His mother is completely aware of his antics and is refusing to deed the island, claiming that it is dedicated as a bird sanctuary. Reo spends his days in his mother's church, attempting to convince her that his plans for the island are solid. When his mother suffers a stroke, and it becomes clear that he is not to inherit, Reo plans a quick exit from Belize, probably to return to Louisiana and lay claim to the island. He leaves the church in the midst of a storm, supposedly to bid a last farewell to his mother and then to leave. Reo is never heard from again.