Life, 1904-08-18 · page 6 of 22
Life — August 18, 1904 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Main Content: "Who Is the Rowdy?"** This satirical article addresses early 1900s conflict between automobiles and pedestrians. The text defends automobile owners against accusations that they're reckless "rowdies," arguing instead that stone-throwing pedestrians are the actual troublemakers. **The Cartoon:** The illustration labeled "PERSECUTED" depicts two figures (likely an automobile driver and pedestrian) in confrontation, with a ball visible—possibly representing thrown objects. The dialogue snippet suggests a burglar/thief analogy, implying the pedestrian wrongly blames the driver. **Social Context:** This reflects genuine tension during automobiles' early adoption—new vehicles were viewed with suspicion by traditional street users who resented both the vehicles and their wealthy owners. The article sarcastically portrays auto owners as victims rather than privileged aggressors, a perspective that modern readers would likely find ironic given automobiles' eventual dominance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
162 Our Fresh-Air Fund. G.W.R Cash ean Mr land, Henrietta Crosm: Cash L. and L Bunnie + $4,910.06 Previously acknowledged. E. H.W. ELD... : Newport subscriber a L. C. Club,“ Flatbush". In memory of Little Charlotte. 10.00 .W.C. 3 100.00 15.00 10.00 $5,398.29 Blondes. LONDES are of two kinds: the real and the chemical. It has, however, been ascertained by several observers that” real blondes are often fa’ The real blonde ranges from four to six feet in height and also over various parts of the country. Her e: re gray, blue and goo-goo. In common with others of her sex, she is supported at length with some difficulty, but at short intervals with ease. She toys with her victims and delights in being loved. The chemical blonde is self-made and correspondingly inde- pendent, She ‘5 manufactured extensively in all districts, and appears to be much brighter than she really is. She is easily caressed, and expensive when allowed to have her own way. Her eyes and her ways are apt to be dark. PERSECUTED. The Visitor: DEAR ME' MOW DREADFUL! AND DO YOU REALLY THINK VOU ARE A VICTIM. OF PERSECUTION ? The Burglar: Hat's wor. HOUSRBREAKERS' UNION. BUT IT'S ME OWN FAULT FOR NOT JoININ’ THP . to have his pleasure and his excitement, AT LIFE'S FARM, Who Is the Rowdy? AUTOMOBILISTS seem surprised and affronted be- cause stones are thrown at them as they dash through crowded streets. Their sensibilities are shocked. Their pious wrath mounts high. They assert that the hurlers of the missiles are rowdies :— brutish. ill-man- nered, lawless persons. It is evident, from recent events, that the hurlers of stones have also a clearly formed opinion of the auto owner. They believe him to be a person who is going even if the bones of other people are broken in the process. They also believe that, for brutish manners, he is in a class by himself, Many children having been run over by these ma- chines, the stone-thrower has decided, and wisely, that his neighborhood will be safer if the presence of such engines of mutilation and death is discouraged. Does a man become a rowéy for protecting his chil- dren? Before answering this question one’ should remember that the owners of the machines have so fixed the law that the pedestrian has no relief from the courts and is, therefore, thrown upon his own resources. comicbooks.com