Judge — July 27, 1901 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Where the Chicken Got the Axe" This Judge magazine cartoon (July 27, 1901) satirizes Senator Shelby Cullom of Illinois. The title references the phrase "get it in the neck"—meaning to be punished or defeated. The large caricatured head depicts Cullom as a grotesque figure pierced with spears and weapons, symbolizing political attacks. A small figure labeled "JUDGE" stands nearby, advising Cullom to "protect your neck" because presidential candidates "sometimes 'get it in the neck.'" The satire suggests Cullom faced political danger, possibly regarding presidential ambitions or factional conflict within the Republican Party. The "chicken" metaphor implies he was vulnerable or cowardly in the face of these threats. The background shows Chicago's skyline, grounding the critique in Illinois politics.