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Match # 1- Conjured Chest vs. Cane Gun

There are over 500,000 artifacts and documents and countless images in our collections here at the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS). Among those, there are some unusual items. Many of these items were perfectly normal in their day, but are a little strange to those of us living now. We came up with a small sampling of items that we believe are unique and want to know which ones you think are the most unusual.

We are now down to the Elite 8 items, which will face off in 4 matches. Vote for the items you find the most unique, strange, interesting or intriguing!

Question Title

Conjured Chest, date unknown
"Flapdoodle, Trust & Obey," by Alice Hegan Rice states that this chest was hand-carved by an African-American slave named Hosea, who belonged to Jacob Cooley, a cruel man. After seeing the finished chest, Cooley was displeased for an unknown reason, and beat Hosea so badly that Hosea died several days later. Cooley's other slaves met with a "conjure man" who placed a curse on the chest. In all, 17 people who had contact with or stored their clothing in the chest met with an untimely demise. One owner of the chest, a Mrs. Hudson, sought help from a friend of hers, who told her to perform a ritual and put owl feathers in the top drawer to stop the curse. The chest is currently on display at the Old State Capitol in the “Great Revivals” exhibition.
Donated by Virginia Mayne, 1980.20.1.

Conjured Chest, date unknown <br>"Flapdoodle, Trust &amp; Obey," by Alice Hegan Rice states that this chest was hand-carved by an African-American slave named Hosea, who belonged to Jacob Cooley, a cruel man. After seeing the finished chest, Cooley was displeased for an unknown reason, and beat Hosea so badly that Hosea died several days later. Cooley's other slaves met with a "conjure man" who placed a curse on the chest. In all, 17 people who had contact with or stored their clothing in the chest met with an untimely demise. One owner of the chest, a Mrs. Hudson, sought help from a friend of hers, who told her to perform a ritual and put owl feathers in the top drawer to stop the curse. The chest is currently on display at the Old State Capitol in the “Great Revivals” exhibition.<br>Donated by Virginia Mayne, 1980.20.1.

Question Title

Cane Gun, ca. 1962
The donor of this artifact retired from the U.S. Army as a General. He received this weapon from his son-in-law, whose father was acquainted with President Kennedy. After the Bay of Pigs incident, the donor's son-in-law's father was sent to Cuba and acquired this cane gun there.
Donated by Robert Goetzman, 1994.34.24.

Cane Gun, ca. 1962 <br>The donor of this artifact retired from the U.S. Army as a General. He received this weapon from his son-in-law, whose father was acquainted with President Kennedy. After the Bay of Pigs incident, the donor's son-in-law's father was sent to Cuba and acquired this cane gun there.<br>Donated by Robert Goetzman, 1994.34.24.

Question Title

* 1. Which KHS artifact is more unusual?

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