NEW JERSEY PROBATION COLLECTION: U IS FOR UNION COUNTY

U IS FOR UNION COUNTY.

This is (finally) the last badge in the New Jersey Probation Collection. It has taken forty or so years to fill the collection that now has 13 of 21 counties represented. Not every county issued badges to their probation officers so the number missing is less than eight. My best guess is 3 counties are still on the search list.

Union County is a major county in N.J. Its' county seat is Elizabeth. That City shares a Port and Airport with its' better known neighbor - Newark.

Most (28) of my career was in Newark. During that time it was not rare that my job carried me into the neighboring county. I made a number of friend there.

Over the years many hours were devoted to "union business" as well as the actual job. Because Union was bordered on a couple of counties I found myself living only a half mile from its' border. I lived in Morris County, far from Newark, but just a stones throw across the mighty Passaic River, to the City of Summit and Union County.

This town, now home to my daughter, was also home to a Union County Officer who frequently car pooled with me to meetings in Trenton. It seemed like every month we would drive to our Capital to hear the Prophets speak their words of wisdom. We discussed the Gospel on the way home, maybe stop and have a beer, and most certainly enjoy a laugh here and there.

Naturally I used this friendship to acquire the above badge. It took a while. As I recall it was something like four or five years, but I got one. That is all that matters.

The badge is gold finish with an Eagle at the top. The recessed letters are in a circle. At center point is a State Multi Color Seal. There isn't a mark on the badge and, in its' display case, it adds to those fine memories that I have also collected.

CITY COLLECTION: U IS FOR UNION CITY

U is for UNION CITY.

This community is strangely enough nowhere near Union County. It is in Hudson County, NJ., and is part of the New York Metropolitan area.

This city is relatively small geographically. It is reported to be 1.25 square miles plus or minus a yard or two. It is close to the Hudson River, but short from its' shore by a good mile or so. This is good because New York crime can't wash up on Union City Crime reports.

As one would expect, in such a small land area, there is a large population. It is around 67,000 people, and rankled in the top three most densely populated communities in the United States. That means there are a lot of people in this place.

I believe I drove through this City a few times always going somewhere else. I remember the roads, and the traffic. That comes with population density. I can't recall any spot that caused me to stop. I probably never had a beer here. That is sad. Somewhere I acquired the badge that is pictured above. I don't recall "How, Where or When" this item joined my collection, but I have owned for many years and enjoy having it in my City Collection.

It is a traditional design with the State Seal stamped into the middle of the shield with the letters "N & J" at the sides. At the top are recessed letters simply reading "Union City Police." Number 100 appears in the bottom panel finishing off this nice antique badge.

GOOD TIME AT TITUSVILLE

Only in Florida would this writer drive close to three hundred miles to go to a Badge and Patch Show. The trip, up hill all the way, was well worth the chill of the Winter Air.

The gang checked into a Best Western around 3:00PM. We located the Elks Club and then enjoyed a good old home style cooking meal and a drink (maybe a couple) to warm up the weary old bones.

The next morning we rose early to set up our "Jersey" exhibit and be ready for 9:00AM Showtime.

Set up was fairly easy because of my ladies who served as my deputies during the show. They had major guard duty during the day and also got the nice blue and gold table clothes set just right.

The exhibit include badges from "Cities" in NJ, Badges from "Newark", Badges from NJ Probation" as well as a great piece of history - A gun and sterling silver badge that belonged to US Marshall Horace "Will" Loomis. The Marshal thwarted a train robbery in 1896.

On the table was a news clipping from the New York Times detailing this major robbery attempt. The Times reported: "Loomis drew his revolver and fired several shots;" ... "One ....dropped dead with a bullet through his brain;" ... "The dead outlaw was recognized as Cole Young, a noted desperado and leader of the gang."

Even in 1896 the NY Times got the robbery story wrong. The facts are that Loomis killed the outlaw with a shotgun ( I wish it were the hand gun in my collection). Four other outlaws, members of the "High Five Gang" escaped.

A number of attendees were interested in the history attached to this gun and badge which is prominently displayed on a wall in my home. It is the only badge that I have that is from the Old West.

The day ended just before 3:00PM. During the day an Atlantic City (NJ) badge was picked up from another collector. It has been added to the collection of badges from New Jersey Cities. This acquisition made the trip well worthwhile.