Remember the movie "Walking Tall?" The Sheriff was a guy named Buford H. Pusser. He was best known for carrying a "big stick." The man served as a Police Officer and Sheriff. He became a one man crusade against crime.
During his tour of duty Pusser became a folk hero. He was definitely a macho guy, who knew how to use his legendary wooden club. Armed with his Walking Stick Buford became a legendary salesman for Law and Order.
In 1964 Pusser (at 26) became the youngest person
elected Sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee. He got a fine looking badge with his
name on the top panel. With this title he relentlessly attacked the
mob in West Tennessee.
The Sheriff's stick was more like a small tree. In the movie he carried it to encourage the wayward to walk a lawful path. For his efforts he was shot eight times. If that wasn't enough to seek early retirement he was also stabbed seven times. Guess some people didn't like him.
Bullets and Knives could not kill this guy. Like a man on a mission Bufford Pusser just kept coming at the bad guys. Unfortunately he saw his wife (1967) become the victim of an assassin's bullet that was intended for him. Seven years later a car "accident" finally claimed his life.
The "walking stick" pictured above is nothing like the one used by Sheriff Pusser in the 1960's. It is smaller. It is older. It is a work of art. This "Walking Stick" was finely crafted from Irish Bog Wood well over a hundred years ago.
Once cut it was shaped and sized to be part of the policeman's accessories. These Irish Sticks were routinely made for relatives who traveled across the"pond" to find work in the U.S. Many became police officers.
Wherever there were a large number Irish on a police force one would always find pieces of "equipment" that was made in Ireland. The above pictured walking stick is believed to have made its' way to the Newark Police Department in N.J. There it was used by officers' with rank.
The original owner of this beautiful stick could easily have been a Brennan, a Donaghy, a Lynch, or an O'Neill. They were all part of the old N.P.D.
At first glance one may not think too much of this black piece of wood. Careful examination shows it to be a wonderful antique, and a fine piece of police memorabilia.
The engravings, I am told, have unique meaning. There is a "Shamrock" seems to offers luck, and well being. There is also a "Harp" that is finely carved near the handle. One can only sense the message it is sending.
Regardless of the messages, I am sure this "Walking Stick" holds
many fine memories, and I am glad to have them in my collection. Today it has a prominent location on the wall of my Den where I can gaze it every day.
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