Judge — August 23, 1884 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon by F. Beard depicts a figure labeled "THE JUDGE" (left) being subjected to physical punishment by a group of aggressive figures wielding clubs and other weapons while displaying Native American imagery (headdresses, weapons). The title "Running the Gauntlet—Beating the Judge" references the historical Native American punishment ritual where a condemned person runs between two lines of attackers. The satire appears to criticize judicial decisions or the Judge magazine itself, showing the publication under assault from critics or opponents. The Native American imagery likely carries problematic 19th-century racial stereotyping typical of the era. The incomplete caption suggests the full context is cut off, making complete interpretation difficult. The cartoon represents political/editorial commentary on institutional judgment or criticism, rendered through period-specific caricature.