He can’t beat his own record
Subject(s): Blaine, James Gillespie, 1830-1893, Brady, Thomas Jefferson, 1839-1904, Clapp, A. M. (Almon M.), Cornell, Alonzo B., 1832-1904, Ghosts, Phelps, William Walter, 1839-1894, Political corruption, Presidents--Elections, Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912, Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ), Roach, John, 1813-1887, Robeson, George M. (George Maxwell), 1829-1897, Running races, Tracks (Athletics)
Click on image to zoom in
James Gillespie Blaine stands on the “Republican Race Track” in an arena, apparently frozen in position as his tattooed ghost races past him. A sign in the center of the track states “Presidential Race Against Time – Blaine to Beat His Own Record.” In the background is a tent with banner labeled “J. Blaine” and decked with floral wreaths that state “With Compliments J. Gould” and “With Compliments from C. Field,” and one shaped like a horseshoe from “R. Sage.” Whitelaw Reid stands outside the tent, holding a bucket and a sponge labeled “Tribune” and William Walter Phelps peaks through the flaps with a concerned look on his face. Among those in the grandstand on the left are A. M. Clapp, George M. Robeson, Alonzo B. Cornell, John Roach, and Thomas Jefferson Brady. Caption: Chorus of Friends “Go in, Jim! – brace up! Can’t you do any better than that?”
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1884-07-30
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
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:
He can’t beat his own record. [July 30, 1884]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288041. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894. He can’t beat his own record. [30 Jul. 1884]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288041.
APA:
Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894., [1884, July 30]. He can’t beat his own record.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288041.
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 15, 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.
