Judge — October 30, 1920 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Heskiah Hoosis Starts the Kitchen Range with Gasoline" This is a humorous domestic accident cartoon by Johnny Gruelle. The title character, Heskiah Hoosis (a comedic rustic name), attempts to ignite a kitchen stove using gasoline—an extremely dangerous and ill-advised method. The resulting explosion has created spectacular chaos in what appears to be a small town or village street, with dozens of townspeople, animals, vehicles, and debris scattered everywhere in comic pandemonium. The satire mocks rural ignorance about modern appliances and the misuse of flammable liquids. It's also commentary on the early gasoline era's hazards, when people often lacked proper instruction for handling fuel. The exaggerated destruction and crowded scene of chaos represent the absurd consequences of such recklessness, played for comedic effect typical of Judge magazine's satirical humor.