Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1857-06-12
The California Elk Horn Chair.
Seth 1iQhap, iha Hnicn County Dmt,r.
NINETY YEARS AGO.

Inc most interesting leature OF the pas
week, was the presentation, on Saturday
Of an elk horn chair to Prcsidt Buchana.
by Seth Kinman, q California trapper. A
two o'clock Z. NJ, in the East Room o
the Executive Mansion, was witnessed fo
the first time tle attractive scene of spc
cial public interview between trapper o
the far-distaut Western wilds of the Paci
fic and the President of the United States
Mr.. Kinman was escorted to the Whit,
House by Gen. Denver of California, Col
Stambeau, and Maj. Arnold Harris. The
chair had been previously deposited in tho
East Room, where large concourse o.
ladies and gentlemen had assembled
The legs of the chair arc mado of the
horns Of the stag or elk, with the antlcrs
forming the back and arms, being highly
polished and the seat of a soft, bcauti.
fully dressed white skin. 1t is very com.
modious, and seems especially made fol
ease and comfort. The trapper entered
the Room, accompanied by his escort,
dressed in his dcer-skin hunting shirt and
trowscrs, with his rifle on his shoulder.
He wore his hunting shirt open at the
neck, exposing q red flannel waistcoat, and
the legs of bis boots outside of bis trow-
sers. He is about FIVE feet eleven inches
in height, spare but we'll made, and Of
great muscular power and activity. Ills
features are regular, and rather proposes
sing. He has sharp, keen, blue eye,
dark chestnut hair, inclined to curl, with
full beard and moustache, shade lighter
than bis hair. On his entering, he was
Immediately surrounded, and several per.
sons were introduced to him. Col Blu.
cbanan, U. S. A., who has been for some
time in California, approached the trappcr
and said, "seth, do you know me?"
The trappcr, after scanning his features,
made q movement Of surprise and pleas
ure towards the Colonel, and said, "Yes,
it is not easy to forget your sign-you are
Col. Buchanan, and 1 am right glad to
see you" The two heartily shook hands,
and inquiries were made after mutual
friends.
poueR6e %Re gseE ggseea 'rIs"hsi sIs sppe putting Els
hand upon a square leather bag which
hung, with other trappings, over his
shoulder.
"I do we'll" replied the Colonel, "and
while 1 acknowledge its services, l have
no longing to be one Of its companions
again, under similar circumstances. I can
fully endorse you, Seth"
The trapper then passed on, and took
his position by the side Of the elk-horn
chair, leaning upon his rifle, and the as
scmbly formed large circle around him.
The President, entering from the main
corridor, was then announced, and the cir
Gle opened to receive him. Gen. Denver
stepped forward, and formerly presented
Mr.. Kinman to the President. Mr.. Blu.
chanan took the ,rappcr by the hand, and
cordially welcomed him, saying, al be-
lievc you arc from Bsrks county, Penn.
sylvania."
"No, sir" replied the trappcr, in
low and modest tone, al am from old
Union. That's my native county. l
left it, in 1880, for tho West, and have
since then twice crossed the Rocky Noun
tains. return to the States, for tho first
time, with the only purpose Of presenting
to you, sir, this chair. l killed the elks
myself-four of 'em-and it took some
time before l could get the antlers that l
wanted. This, sir, is the first piece Of
cabinet making that ever tried my hand
st. [Great laughter by the audicnce,]
You will find it steadfast and true, [put-
tug bis hand upon the chair ] and it is
bound together by tho native iron Of Cali
fornia. 1 assure you, sir, it will give you
a safe support to the end Of your life,
which hope will be a prolonged and o
happy one."
The President, in reply, said: ~ ac-
cept this chair with great pleasure. l
shall value it highly. It will serve to re-
mind me of the wilds of California and
the Californians. They arc men that can
be coaxed, but can not be driven. 1 Twill
carry it home with me to Pennsylvania,
after I retro from the Presidency,
and prize it as one Of the most pleasing
"reminiscences of my official career"
Then, turning his attention to tho rifle
of the trapper, Dir. Buchanan said, "What
do you call your gun!"
"Long Tom," answered tho trapper,
"and many time has my life depended
on her and a steady nerve, or l would
have been p;ped out long ago"
Again reverting to the chair, the trap
per said: 81 have never permitted any
man to sit in this chair, as l determined
you should be the frst. 1 hope, Mr..
President, you will now take scat in it,
" alok oa- yo,,