The greatest show on earth – “who can ride the mule?”
Subject(s): Bronc riding, Circus performers, Clowns, Democratic Party (U.S.), Newspaper editors, Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912, Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ), Tariff, Uncle Sam (Symbolic character), Watterson, Henry, 1840-1921
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A circus performance is going on under the big top with Uncle Sam as ringmaster for a show with a bucking mule labeled “Tariff Question.” The mule has already thrown one man labeled “Democrat” and is tossing another man labeled “Republican.” In response to Uncle Sam’s question “Who can ride the mule?”, Puck’s Independent New Party figure climbs over the barrier into the ring. On the right, two clowns labeled “W. Reid” and “H. Watterson” glower at each other.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1883-05-02
Creator(s)
Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894
Period
New York State Assemblyman (1882-May 1884)
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:
The greatest show on earth – “who can ride the mule?”. [May 2, 1883]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288218. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894. The greatest show on earth – “who can ride the mule?”. [2 May. 1883]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288218.
APA:
Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894., [1883, May 2]. The greatest show on earth – “who can ride the mule?”.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288218.
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.
