OFFERS CONSIDERED FOR H. W. LOOMIS GUN

In 1896 this gun belonged to US Marshal Horace W. Loomis. It has been in my collection for seven years or so.

According to the New York Times, Loomis using his revolver shot and killed the outlaw Code (y) Young during a failed train robbery in Rio Puerco, New Mexico in October of 1896. 

The truth is the NY Times was wrong in their account of the killing of Mr. Young. Research reveals that Young was nailed by Loomis using a shotgun. I don't have that weapon, but it would have been nice to see it hanging on my wall too.

The Wells Fargo Company kept a chronological record of famous robberies. They described this as Robbery number 62. The incident has also been described in a book entitled: "The Last of the Old Time Outlaws." Its' focus was on the only surviving member of the gang - Will Musgrave. He lived until 1947.

Eleven years after the robbery incident (1907)  William Pinkerton, in an address to the International Association of Chief's of Police in Jamestown Va. described this train robbery again, the fate of the five outlaws, and the hero - H W Loomis. Pinkerton concluded his remarks that history shows "Crime does not pay." This weapon is a nice reflection of the history to which Pinkerton was referring. It is nice to look at, and to occasionally hold. It is History.

For me it is time to let this old gun move on. If you have an interest send me a note at "jerseychief@gmail.com." I am also open to trade offers (want badges from Newark, NJ). 

MINICIPALS: "S" IS FOR SOUTH BRUNSWICK

MUNICIPALS: "S" IS FOR SOUTH BRUNSWICK

This is the 33rd different community in my Municipal Collection - in alphabetical order. I assume  by now you knew that already.

It is from South Brunswick , NJ. The Community is a Township which surrounds New Brunswick (the City). 

This municipality apparently wants everyone to know who they are hence the word "South" got prime attention in the upper panel of  the badge. It is stamped in abbreviated form.  The word "Twp" is also present and stamped in abbreviated form. When it comes to the main name, "Brunswick,"  there is no room on the top panel to spelle it out.  It appears as "Bruns." Maybe this is why this item is obsolete.

Another thought for being so deliberate with the words "South" and "Twp"   is because there are four Brunswick's. One is New, and the others are just: North,  South and  East. The New  is the City, while the remaining three are towns or townships.

Even though I worked around this town I really know little about it. I understand the ancient Indians from Newark made some trails through here in the 1600-1700's. These trails are probably the main highways today. I do know that the Indians would be shocked if they saw all that traffic that is present today.

The bottom line here is this is a nice badge, and a good fit in my collection. It simply reads: South Bruns. TWP,  Police,  # 34. It is a keeper.
 

BUY, SELL, OR TRADE

B.O.L.O. for items wanted to buy, or items to sell.

This blog has made it clear my interest is Newark. There is always room for one more, so friends take a look in your collection and see if you have one like that pictured below. If so I want it. 

Send an email with your specifics.

The picture is an old (25-30 years) replica that I do have as part of a full set of Newark Replica Editions. I seek the real McCoy.

I also have a badge pictured below from Trenton. It is the State Capital and this is one of its' early badges. I have a couple and so I can move this by sale or trade. If anyone is interested send an email.

Here is the picture.

"S" IS FOR SCOTCH PLAINES

This is number 32 ! That is 32nd different community in my "Municipal Collection." This "S" is for Scotch Plains.

Scotch Plains is a nice community in a suburban location about 15-20 miles West of Newark. It is a "Township" nestled at the bottom of the Watchung Mountains. In other words very nice.

It used to be nicer (my opinion) before the construction of Interstate - 78. That road  circles around, and over, some beautiful Mountains and good communities. Too bad it has a few exits letting all kinds of cars, trucks and people off.

The traffic can be a pain, especially in the communities on the receiving end. If you live there you understand. All is never quiet, however some of  the noise is from great activities in this area.

Some 14 years ago I lived over the mountain. I enjoyed it, but after retiring I found Naples more to my liking. I also found a doctor down here who, of all things, grew up in Scotch Plains. We talk about this connection, the pictured badge, and my collection in general. He kinda softens me up prior to giving me my quarterly pain shot. When he is done I appreciate everything especially the trip home to this badge.  

I have it in my display. Like the others I see it daily. It reminds me of the "old days." Those are nice memories.

The badge itself is neat. It is on the plain side, but in good shape.  It does not have a New Jersey State Seal. In fact there is no Seal at all. The number "18" is just below center point and the word "POLICE" is just above that position.  

At the top of the badge is the stamped word: "Auxiliary". The township name is also stamped on the badge at the  bottom: "Scotch Plains, NJ."

I am glad to have it, and consider it a "keeper." 

"R" IS FOR ROSELLE

Wow, this is a biggie. It is "R" for Roselle. This is number 31 in alphabetical order by municipality.

The "R" means I have finally completed those "P's". I started on them in  February, but it seems like longer then that. Maybe time is catching up on me.

This community of 20,000 +/- has a "Borough" form of government. It is located in Union County reasonably close to the Newark area. Its' incorporation dates back to 1894.

It was the first community in the United States to have overhead electric wiring and lighting. This was done by Thomas Edison as a demonstration project to push his lighting business. His work was a success.

Like most NJ communities Roselle has a police department. Its' roots can be traced back to the early 1900's. The area that they have to patrol is relatively small at just under 3 square miles.

The beautiful badge from this community is old for sure. It is from the 1940's plus or minus a decade. It is a great New York style and was made for the police auxiliary  "Director." 

It is in good condition, has a locking clasp, and an old style State Seal  which is about the size of a dime. It is on the small side, but authentic.

This badge has been in my hands for close to 25 years. Only after retiring did I find a nice spot for it in my "Municipal Collection." That is the spot where I put non-cities which continues to be my primary interest.

It sits under glass in a huge display case where I view it daily and admire the reverse blue letters that mark it: Roselle Auxiliary, Police and the title - Director.

This Badge is a keeper. It reminds me of the area surrounding Roselle and the friends who lived there a Century ago.

MUNICIPALS "P" IS FOR PISCATAWAY

Another "P."  This one is for Piscataway. This is a "Township" so it is a fit in my Municipal Collection.

The place is real, and the name seems to have some roots going back to early settlers in the 1700's. To my knowledge George Washington did not sleep here.

Today, believe it or not, there are over 50,000 inhabitants in Town. Many of them work here. When I worked I had an office in the community.  

While there is a major interstate nearby it seems to be bringing people here to jobs, rather then they other way around. The area has many research labs as well as a major Hospital that provide work.

Rutgers University, my Alma mater,  has its' major campus here and neighboring New Brunswick.  I had an office in New Brunswick too.  When I worked I was very much aware of Rutgers and its' football program. The thing is I just can't tell any stories about those memories. They do, however, bring a smile to my face when I think back to another day.

I also smile when I obtain a badge as nice as this for my collection. I consider it a Jersey major for sure, and I do like this old design.

It is a simple traditional shield with twin panels at the top. It is a generic item until the letters are stamped into. This one reads Piscataway and Police.  At the bottom is the number box where # 87 was put in place before plating.

The Jersey State Seal was part of the generic package and is perfectly  placed at center point. Over all the condition is very good to excellent. Certainly it is a keeper.

MUNICIPALS "P" IS FOR PASSAIC TOWNSHIP

This old badge comes from Passaic Township in New Jersey. It is another "P" in the Municipal Collection that I have been writing about for what seems, to me, forever. Following my alphabetical layout it is the 29th community in the display.

It might sound familiar to you, but you are probably thinking of the City of Passaic. The "Township" is definitely not the same place. It is the Same State, but a world apart. In reality only 25 miles, but still a different time zone.

The two Passaic's do have something in common. They are on, near or sometimes under the Passaic River. That is the connection.

Near the source of the river is this "Township."  It is a rural area with just over eight thousand people living in it. The horses and rabbits enjoy a larger population. 

On the map there are communities such as Gillette, Millington, Meyersville, and Sterling. They are all part of this Morris County community. 

Around twenty years ago the voters changed the Townships' name to Long Hill Twp. The reason was to offer distinction from that other Passaic located down stream.

When the name changed the badge pictured above became extinct. Somehow I caught hold of it, and have been taking care of it ever since.

It is a simple oval that merges with eagles wings. It is silver tone in color and has four panels. They are stamped with black recessed letters that read: PASSAIC,  TOWNSHIP,  POLICE,  and last N.J. In the center is a plated N.J. State Seal.