The Wasp — 1892 — page 178: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page satirizes the arrest of Hedgepeth McHoodle, described as a notorious Pacific Coast outlaw. The text recounts his criminal exploits—robberies, intimidation, and reign of terror around San Leandro—and his eventual capture after a dramatic pursuit. The illustrations depict McHoodle's arrest and transfer to authorities. The satire appears to mock both the criminal's notoriety and the theatrical nature of his capture, with multiple sketches showing officials, police, and the prisoner in various stages of the dramatic event. The headline "The City Is Now Safe" is ironic commentary on the relief citizens supposedly felt at removing this particular outlaw from circulation. The piece reads as a sensational crime story adapted into cartoon form for entertainment.