Life, 1904-10-13 · page 7 of 22
Life — October 13, 1904 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features satirical portraits of actual figures from turn-of-the-century American crime and business scandals, labeled as "The Real" versions of notorious characters: 1. **John D. Rockefeller** - depicted as an angelic figure with a halo, mocking his public image versus his ruthless business practices 2. **Willing Rockefeller** - shown as a demonic/villainous character, contrasting with his brother's saintly portrayal 3. **Hennery H. Dodgers** (likely a fictional name representing a con artist) 4. **Thomas W. Lawless-Son** - caricatured holding money, referencing the text's mention of "Handsome Boston Tom," a known swindler The accompanying letters are reader responses criticizing Life's editorial choices. The satire targets wealthy industrialists and criminals, exposing the gap between their public personas and actual conduct during the Gilded Age.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE REAL JOHN D. ROCKSELLER, Exhorter. ordinary jail-bird’s part in. the system, or rather I should say ‘ gang's methods," do you, as law-abiding citizens, think it showed a proper Christian spirit toward God-fearing men like myself, to thus expose the regret- table yet forgivable (by me) frailities of the common, foolish herd ? Was it right, in a moment of thoughtless- ness, to destroy the beautiful beliefs of the THE REAL HENNERY H. DOOGERS, ST hlias Hen, the For. Savings Banks Stuffers, in the grand old doc- trine of the brotherhood of men, and Com- munity of Interests ? No—Brother Shepherd—No ; it were much better to leave them alone—all alone—in their innocent beliefs that all things are good that look good. You have grievously wounded my Christian soul, by the publication of the sermon on Frenzied Financial Frankness;—but I forgive you, brother, for I feel I can afford to. Having by the publication of a picture ‘LIF E« alleged to resemble me, wrongly Connected me with this outrage, 1 beg to append what 18 said to be by my friends a good likeness of myself. Thanking you in advance for the space you so kindly ‘give to one so humble, and at the same time so willing to forgive an ill-consid- THE REAL WILLING ROCKSELLER, Alias The Buzz-saw. ered hurt, 1am, fraternally yours, John D, Rockseller. New York, Sept. 30, 1904. Lire. Gents: Your story of Frenzied Financial Frankness is a shine; surprised you'deat it. Thomas W. Lawless-son, alias “Handsome Boston Tom,” is a well-known two-spot and a welcher. He never even got the “high sign ” with our Gang. He got his bit out of that Brass Job, screeched for more of the “swag,” and we gave him the plank. Take it back! Take it back! He don't know how we make money, for he never got inside— he got his through a hole in the door. That picture you published of me was made when I was young in the business—I send one taken the other day—print it; it's good, Yours, Willing Rockseller, Alias “ The Buzz-saw.” New York, Sept. 29, 1904. Epitur LiF: The ornery gun wot wrote them lize abowt thee Stanhard All Gang aint fit fer me to wipe mi feet on it, Yu take itt frum me, Buddy, i never stold nun off his munny, butt just only suckers wot I found miself, He sez he iz frum Boston but he aint frum nowhares. I'm sore only I aint saying mutch. An’ I want too say rite heer that pitcher yu printed of me aint no likness i sen wun heer wot woz took bi thee Mulberry St. police an mi frenz sais is good. 357 Mi motto is ded men tells no tales an’ he is a ded one. Signed Hs Hennery H. + Dodgers. Mark. BIR CENTER, INDIANA. Lire, Mister Editor: Why ia durnation do you want fer to publish a story agin that Standhard All Concern fer? 1 got a circkler the other day sayin’ they had another job lot o' Brass stocks fer sale cheap, an’ I wuz jest goin’ fer the rest of the money in my sock ter buy hit, when mother read what that cuss of a Lawless-son (and a han- som feller he istu) wrote,and wouldn't let me. I'm a goin’ tu sneak it, someway, though, fer I'm bound ter hev that stock. Yours, durn ye, Hiram Biteagain, SEPT. 34, 1904. To THE FOOL WHO THIXKS ME HoLDs Lie IN His HAND! (Print this just this way—I think it very clever.) Sir! I shall bring suit (in Boston) at once, against you! You have garbled, and cut short by four hundred thousand words, my article, written for you on Frenzied Financial Frankness! Besides you utterly ruined my portrait ! My tailor says the vest is not nearly loud enough; THE REAL THOMAS W. LAWLESS-SON, (stil of Boston, please.) and that my chest measures nearly eight inches more than shown ! 1 forward another picture. Lam, sir, Thomas W. Lawless-son, Author of F, F, F. Boston, Sept. 28, 1904. WHEN thieves fall out, these days, honest men may read all about it in the ten-cent monthlies. comicbooks.com