JWB and his pipe!

[L Verge]

This reminds me of Abraham Lincoln's favorite walking cane Mary sent to Frederick Douglass. I can't help it but I cannot imagine Abraham Lincoln voluntarily walking with a "dandy" cane (and it must have been an extraordinary long one). I wonder if this cane, or a photo of it, still exists? Douglass wrote: "She [MTL] sent it to me at Rochester, and I have it in my house today, and expect to keep it there as long as I live."

Frederick Douglass' wonderful home, Cedar Hill, still stands in Anacostia today and is maintained by the National Park Service. It is filled with many of Douglass' things. A check with the site might tell us if they still have the Lincoln cane. When I have time, I'll try to check on it -- or Jim Garrett can feel free to contact Cedar Hill (hint, hint).

I did check with the NPS officials in charge of Frederick Douglass' home, and they do have the Lincoln cane that Mary Lincoln gave to Mr. Douglass on display there.