Life — August 4, 1898 — page 1: what you’re looking at

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# "Teddy the Terror" - Life Magazine, August 4, 1898 This cover depicts a cowboy figure wielding pistols and a lasso, labeled "Teddy the Terror." The reference is to Theodore Roosevelt, who gained fame as a Rough Rider during the Spanish-American War (1898). The cartoon satirizes Roosevelt's aggressive, combative public persona and his reputation for bold action. The "terror" imagery suggests the magazine is both mocking and celebrating Roosevelt's fearless reputation—he's portrayed as a wild, untamed force. This cover appears during Roosevelt's rise to national prominence, before he became Vice President (1901) and later President (1901-1909). The decorative border and "LIFE" masthead styling are typical of the era's satirical magazine design.