A group of men stand near the “Bourbon Crematory for Disbelievers in the Spoils System.” Some are identified by name, “Blackburn, D. B. Hill, McLaughlin, Thurman, Jones, Hedden, [and] Hendricks,” and some by association with quills behind their ears “Sun” Charles A. Dana, “Cincinnati Enquirer” John R. McLean, “World” Joseph Pulitzer, and “Star.” The newspaper editors are pushing a wrapped figure labeled “This is the Mugwump! And don’t you forget it!” into the crematorium. Hendricks stands on the right, next to an urn labeled “For Mugwump Ashes,” and the others observe from the left. Puck and the figure representing “The Independent Party” are watching from a window in the background. Caption: Uncremated Mugwump (from outside) – “If those old Bourbons take that dummy for me, they’ll be a little startled when they find out that I’m alive – and kicking!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1885-11-18

Creator(s)

Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894

Period

Dakota Rancher (June 1884-1886)

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Page Count

1

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation

Cite this Record

Chicago:

A “bogus” cremation for the benefit of the “life-long Democrats”. [November 18, 1885]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o287824. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894. A “bogus” cremation for the benefit of the “life-long Democrats”. [18 Nov. 1885]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o287824.

APA:

Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894., [1885, November 18]. A “bogus” cremation for the benefit of the “life-long Democrats”.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o287824.

Cite this Collection

Chicago:

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.

APA:

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.