Old Jim Rides Again

My friend pictured here is Old Jim. Jim is the alter ego of my great grandfather James Henry Lemens (1876 – 1974).   After posting this, my aunt, Linda Burk Kemp (keeper of the family history), added some crucial details.

• Greatdad taught himself ventriloquism late in life. By her estimation he was in his 80s when he acquired the skill!
• Being a man of many talents, Greatdad would write a poem to be recited at his annual birthday party. He would memorize the poem and Old Jim would recite it. The poems were touching, funny and are unfortunately lost to time.

Old Jim was given to my father, Biff Kuykendall, a few years after I was born (roughly 1969). Originally he had a brown handmade jacket that was moth eaten and was well-worn by the time he came to stay with us. My mother elected to change his brown jacket for my recently outgrown bright orange UT jacket. While I would love to have had the original jacket, you do have to give mom credit for the choice of safety orange corduroy. Warm, stylish and no natural fibers were harmed in the making of the jacket.

So far, this provides you with two interesting details:

1. He’s old.
2. The UT jacket should not be considered vintage since I actually wore it.

I think the most fascinating thing about all the items created by greatdad is the attention to detail, the mechanical execution and a certain crudeness that makes it so endearing.  I will detail a few of the more interesting features that go into the operation of my lifelong friend.

Quick Video of Old Jim in Action

Ok, the man did not own a file. Old Jim requires a blood sacrifice upon every use.
Notice the small wooden dowel for your thumb. Holding him is quite comfortable once the bleeding stops.

.