The Wasp — 1895 — page 986: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features a biographical profile of **John Kelso**, a prominent California contractor, with three photographs. The text describes Kelso's extensive infrastructure work—dams, waterworks, reservoirs, and irrigation projects—establishing him as an important industrial figure in late 19th-century California development. The page is not primarily satirical. Rather, it appears to be a respectful profile celebrating Kelso's business accomplishments and scale of operations. The accompanying images show Kelso himself and his workers/associates. Below, there's a humorous section titled "The Westchester Stable Mascotte" about a donkey named "Mascotte" believed to bring racing luck, mixing serious contractor biography with lighter stable-yard anecdotes—typical of *The Wasp's* mixed content approach.