May 8, 2009: Grizzly Chair

[xoxoxoBruce]

Unlike the Resolute Desk, some gifts to the Presidents of the United States thankfully stay in storage... or something.

For instance the Grizzly Chair given to President Andrew Johnson by Seth Kinman. That's Seth sitting in the chair, on the right.



But wait, the chair on the right has a big old Grizzly head sticking out?
Yeah, it seems Seth had the bear head hooked to a cord so the President could have the head pop out between his legs. Bet that impressed the ladies.

Mr Kinman also made a fiddle from the skull of his favorite mule, and played two songs on it for Abe Lincoln when he was at the White House presenting Lincoln with an Elkhorn (antler) chair. Abe said since he didn't play the fiddle Seth should keep it. That, my friends, is a diplomat.

I have a feeling Seth Kinman has a lot of descendants in Humboldt County, CA... which is more than I can say for the six legged Grizzlies.

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