Just for Fun: Postmaster “Blair’s Boner”

This Friday, here’s some fun history for ya!

From “The Lesser-Known Follies of Lincoln’s Cabinet” courtesy of the Whim Quarterly comes this gem on Postmaster General Montgomery Blair, circa 1864:

BLAIR’S BONER

The folly: In the fall of 1864, Postmaster General Montgomery Blair shot a mail thief to death. That wasn’t the mistake—in fact, to this day, stealing mail remains a federal offense punishable by firing squad—but after firing, he handed the still-loaded pistol to Charles J. Guiteau.

The fallout: Guiteau shot President James Garfield to death in 1881. Though in fairness, Garfield had it coming.

I guess the lesson here is to always be careful who you give a loaded gun!