Rose Bushel, an amateur genealogical researcher,...

Rose Bushel, an amateur genealogical researcher, discovered that her
presidential husband's great-great uncle, Gunther Bushel, a fellow lacking
in character, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Texas in
1889. The only known photograph of Gunther shows him standing on the
gallows. On the back of the picture is this inscription:


"Gunther Bushel; horse thief, sent to Tennessee Prison 1885, escaped 1887,
robbed the Tennessee Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton Detectives,
convicted and hanged in 1889."


After letting her husband and his political staff of professional image
consultants peruse the findings, they decided to crop Gunther's picture,
scan it in as an enlarged image, and edited it with image processing
software so that all that's seen is a head shot.


The following accompanying biographical sketch was sent to the Associated
Press:


"Gunther Bushel was a famous rancher in early Texas history. His business
empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and
intimate dealings with the Texas railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted
several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally
taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a
key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective
Agency. In 1889, Gunther passed away during an important civic function
held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed."