MARSHAL BADGE READY TO MOVE ON

HORACE W. LOOMIS

CHIEF DEPUTY, US MARSHAL

NEW MEXICO TERRITORY

1886 - 1896

This badge has been the Crown Jewel of my collection up until now. It was a fabulous find nearly a decade ago, when I found it in an antique store. I couldn't let it sit there, even though it wasn't from my primary focus - Newark, N.J.  I am always looking for that City. 

When I first purchased it, I reached out to a couple auction houses, and had all sorts of dollar value set on it - heck one even thought five figures was possible. We all know "Beauty" is in the hands of the beholder. So, I will not be asking five figures, but I would like  $3999.00 or b/o to build my wife's retirement fund. Believe me,  She is encouraging me to sell this piece of history.  

Now, before you close the page, just take a moment, and look  at what is being offered closely. 

FIRST, the picture below. It is an up close "front view" of a beautiful six point star. It shows four panels that read:  UNITED STATES, DEPUTY MARSHAL, NEW MEXICO, TERR.  

At center is an early styled Seal with a red, white and blue stars and stripes surrounded by a small wreath. The picture reveals this badge to be in very very good condition.

SECOND are two pictures of the "rear view" of this silver star.  This is where the "important information" is located. 

Starting in the upper left, there is the word "Sterling."  It is quite small,  and is best seen in the zoomed in photo. To make sure you know it is silver, the word sterling is also spread out on the right side of the second panel. That makes two markings for silver.  

On the Right side, of the top panel, are the letters "A & G" which is the makers mark or the Hallmark. On the left t side of the second panel are some engraved markings. To my eye this is a date: 1101 11,  or 'NKG." It took me years to find, and try to identify it. I can't say for sure that it is a date, but that is my  best guess.

Look at the bottom panel. Inside are the letters: "H W LOOMIS."  This was his badge, as his name is inside it. There is no doubt as to who's badge this once was. From the appearance, this is not a "working or duty badge,"  but a Presentation Badge. It rests in a presentation box as shown above.

Look at the bottom panel. Inside are the letters: "H W LOOMIS."  This was his badge, as his name is inside it. There is no doubt as to who's badge this once was. From the appearance, this is not a "working or duty badge,"  but a Presentation Badge. It rests in a presentation box as shown above

I do not know exactly when this badge was made, but because it is marked "TERR." I am assuming it was made before New Mexico became a State in 1912.  I know from contact with the Dept. of Justice, that Horace "Will" Loomis left the Marshal's Service in 1896 as Chief Deputy. 

Shortly before leaving the Marshal's Office, Loomis was riding as a passenger from Gallup, NM to Albuquerque, NM. When the train stopped at a Water Station there was some unusual noise outside the train cars. Loomis didn't know it at first, but the train was being robbed. He got off the train with his shotgun. He walked along the track until he saw an outlaw, later identified as Code(y) Young,  a member of a well known gang called the High Fives. 

This gang made a lot of successful bank and train robberies prior to Oct. 3 1893. That day was not a success story for the 19 year old robber.  Young died in Rio Puerco N.M. as his outlaw buddies scattered. They were soon killed or captured, with the exception of  George Musgrave  who lived until 1947. His History is chronicled in the book:  "Last of the Oldtime Outlaws"  (Karen & John Tanner, University of Oklahoma Press.)" 

While there is more to the story of Will Loomis, his badge is the only memorabilia that I possess. Now it is time to let it go.
    
So the asking price is $3999.00

Contact Dennis at:    jerseychief@gmail.com

NEW YEARS GREETINGS

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2020 is here. Best wishes to all.

I trust this will be a good and a healthy year for those of us in the hobby. I have in the past enjoyed going to the various shows in S.E. USA, and hope to do so again. Health is the key.

The wife and I are going to be changing who rides "Shotgun" in a couple of weeks. We are starting a full attack on Cataracts. It is something that seems to be hitting a lot of my friends, but we rebound quickly. I'll do the same (I hope).  Thank God for Insurance.

IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO HAVE ENDED THEIR WATCH

It has been a several years since one of my friends answered his last call.  In his memory his grand-daughter drew the picture below. It still makes a very nice memory. 

  Miss you guys!

*****

TOP COP: TRENTON

TOP COP: TRENTON, NJ,  DEPUTY CHIEF

By  Dennis Beyer

Okay, it has been a while since I wrote about those badges in my "Top Cop Collection." So I am catching up, and noted here is only two left. So here is the next one. It is from Trenton, NJ.

Trenton is New Jersey's Capital, and a pretty important City in our National History. It's fame started initially with George Washington, and his troops, successfully pulling off a surprise attack on Hessian Soldiers on Christmas Eve Dec. 25, 1776. This battle turned the Revolutionary War around setting us Rebels on the path for Victory against Britain.

Washington will always be remembered for leading his men, in that famous frigid cruise, across the  Delaware River. In the years that followed,  Trenton served as a meeting  place for delegates working to establish a new country. In fact Trenton actually served as our Capital for two months in late 1784. It was also a major candidate to be our permanent Capital, but settled to be the State Capital instead.

I enjoyed many experiences in Trenton during my career. It was the home of the Supreme Court, and its Administrative Offices.  They ruled my life first as a Probation Officer, and ultimately as Chief Probation Officer. I never had contact with the City's Police. That's because I always behaved myself despite what the Court may think. 

Lets take a look at the nice badge I got from another collector a few years ago. It is a "sunburst" with an "Eagle" on top. There is a panel at the top that  reads "DEPUTY CHIEF." 

In the center is a gold tone ring with the words: "POLICE DEPT. TRENTON NJ." 

At the center of this badge, in blue with reverse blue lettering, is the "City Seal." The tiny words are "Seal of the City of Trenton, 1788."  Trenton is one of only a few Cities that uses a "City Seal" on their badges. Most use the N.J.  State Seal.

Studying this fine badge, and a couple other beautiful shields from my Capital City, I do recall one fabulous memory in 1994. It was a terrible day as far as weather goes. We had a meeting early in the morning. One usually has to stay at these sessions until around 4:00 PM. On this day the powers to be, waiting until 2:00 PM,  determined we were in a blizzard and sent everyone home. Great it was cold, and traffic was terrible on US 1. It took me hours to get home. It is one of those horrible memories that stick with you.When I did get home there was a message from my County Court: "They closed at 12:00 Noon", and wanted "to make sure I knew." I got this message at 7:00 PM!  That was thrilling to hear, and certainly is one of those memories I have.

The two badges below are not "Top Cops." They are early Trenton Badges that I have as part of my City Collection. I thought they would be a nice fit to go with my featured Deputy Chief Badge. Note these badges also have the City Seal at the center. Enjoy looking at them. I know I do.

CHRISTMAS TRINKETS FOR SALE SALE

Christmas Season is upon us, and  "now is the time for this Collector to clean out his collection, and move some fine badges on to others in the Hobby.
 

This set of two badges, pictured above,  comes from my New Jersey Marshall Collection. They are duplicates, and not actually in the Display. I have built "My Marshal's"over the years and in so doing I accumulated some extras. Now I can move these two on to another collector.

These Badges were made in the early 1900's following N.J.'s creating the "Borough" form of Government. When communities created "Police Departments" these badges were phased out. The above Badges are from the Communities of CARLSTADT and TENAFLY, NJ

ASKING  $125  (For Above Set of Two)
CONTACT: Dennis at  "jerseychief@gmail.com

NCIS PARENT BADGE

I found this badge in Orlando. It was on a collector's table "for sale." One look and I had to have it. Of course I cajoled Mr. H. to let it go cheap.

Now, this "AGENT" for the "NAVAL INTELLIGENCE" sits in the hutch on my desk. That's where I keep treasures that are not my main focus - Newark, NJ.

I trust you enjoy looking at this picture of this great looking badge, which I am told was the forerunner of the current NCIS Badge. I like the TV show too.

If somebody likes it, I could be persuaded to let it go to another good home. Send an offer to:

 "jerseychief@gmail.com"

*****

COLLECTING MEMORIES - POLICE SURGEON

I obtained this beautiful Badge a couple of months ago from another collector. He is downsizing, as am I. My wife wonders, " How can you downsize, if you keep on buying Stuff?"

Well, this Newark "POLICE SURGEON" item hardly falls in the category of "Stuff." Just give it a "quick eyeball", and you will observe, that this Badge is made in the very rare design used for the making of The Chief's Badge. Of course there are no stars across the top.

Giving this shield a closer look,  one will note that, it is heavy. It is gold plated, but that doesn't give it the weight,  that I mentioned to my wife. I just knew saying "solid gold finish" sounded better to her,  then truthfully saying, gold plated. The point is, this Badge has a real nice finish on its' solid frame.

A quick flip, to the rear,  reveals a nice smooth back, with a locking pin. The closer look, with my big magnifying glass, showed the name "Blackinton."  That was the correct makers mark. It appears in the upper right rear corner of third picture. 

Looking at the front of the Badge the eye will see a Blue Ring about the size of a "half-dollar." It is large, and surrounds the City Seal. The words around the ring read: Police Department, City Of Newark, NJ.  Beneath this ring with the Seal, is a single panel that simply reads "SURGEON."

I traced the existence of this title back to the late 1800's. I was able to review a Newark Police "Annual Report for 1893", and at that time there was one Surgeon listed in the table of organization. That would be J. Henry Clarke, M.D.

Dr. Clarke, for the year ending Dec. 31, 1893,   submitted a three page report.  He stated that for that year he complied  "... responded to all calls from the four precincts, day and night, and he has endeavored to give all necessary, prompt and proper attention to every case."  His statistics shows he handled for the year a "total number of cases - 1134."


It would appear that Dr. Clarke, judging from his sharp words, was a strong advocate for  Police Officers. He wrote about work conditions and chastised the Board of Police Commissioners for failing "to obtain a new and suitable building and location for the Second Precinct." "I would condemn the present building and location."

This bit of History by Dr. Clarke really made my old bones feel good. The Good Surgeon was doing the same for Newark Police Officers one hundred years ago. I'll be sure to remember that, when I look at this fine Badge which has now joined my Collection. I am proud to have this POLICE SURGEON Badge hanging on my wall in a fitting glass display.