ACADEMY AND CITY HALL

These were taken a couple of years ago. Since I focus on Newark with my collecting I thought I'd post the seat of  government as well as the Police Academy Building. 

The City Hall is on the bottom.

MUNICIPALS: "S" IS FOR SOUTH HACKENSACK

This "S" is for SOUTH HACKENSACK in my Municipal Collection. It is the 34th in alphabetical sequence by community.

For years I craved a badge of this shape from the neighboring "City." Forty plus years collecting and no dice. Then two badges became available and I was able to get both - A City and A Township.

The Township is tiny. I think there are maybe 2500 people tops living (or just sleeping) in South Hackensack. It is less than one square mile, and is described as a "suburb" of New York City. Some people think that suburb is all of New Jersey.

The City (Hackensack) is not much bigger in terms of land, but has twenty times as many people living there. It too is considered part of NYC. Everyone forgets that there is a big river separating Jersey from the Big apple.

I am familiar with the general area. I occasionally appeared in Court in the City, which is the County Seat of Bergen County. I remember passing an old US Navy Submarine parked (legally) at a pier on the Hackensack.  River. It was the "USS Ling."

The Sub is now a tourist attraction. It has been reported to be in great condition having been fully restored. I am sorry I never went on board it.

Like the submarine the two badges I acquired are also in good condition also. They look alike from a distance. They are both made in the shape that I seek for my display.

The top pictured badge simply reads "South Hackensack" followed by "Police" with the number "55" in the bottom number box.

The "City" badge varies slightly.  Both have the State Seal stamped into it from the rear. The City, Hackensack, Badge has number "111" in the number box. They are both keepers, and are presently in the appropriate display cases.

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.