The Wasp — 1895 — page 1055: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

**Main Article: "The California Oyster King"** This biographical sketch profiles M. B. Morganhan, a dominant oyster merchant who built a monopoly in California's oyster trade. The text describes how Morganhan, despite initial opposition from competitors, methodically cultivated vast oyster beds and controlled distribution through San Francisco markets. **The Satire:** The accompanying portrait and detailed narrative mock Morganhan's ruthless business tactics and monopolistic practices. The article suggests he crushed competition through strategic market control, accumulation of land holdings, and willingness to operate on "cash principles" while rivals struggled. The tone is simultaneously admiring and critical of his monopoly power—a common Wasp approach to gilded-age capitalism. **Bottom Illustration:** "Our Sportsmen" appears to be an unrelated satirical cartoon, though details remain unclear from the image quality.