Posted 12 years ago
Hardbrake
(30 items)
The display pictured above is made up of items which once belong to Mr. John W. Adams a Corporal in Companies A and B of the Frontier Battalion,(records also list him as a Sergeant) of the Texas Rangers in the 1870's. Mr. Adams is believed to be the first owner of this model 1874 Remington in 44 American Caliber which has had its barrel shorten by a gun smith. He also carried this sterling silver cigar case, match safe and pocket watch watch. Items like this were commonly carried by Cowboys and other men of the times. Most Texas Rangers when not employed as Texas Rangers were Cowboys. I have researched Mr. John W. Adams as much as I could as well as his Uncle, Captain Ira Long. Captain Ira Long who's 1899 Obituary is pictured above, I have on display along side the other items. I recovered this obituary from a 1870's photo album along with over a dozen tintypes of Texas Rangers and Cowboys. The family Photo Album or Bible were a command storage location for loved ones Obituaries and or locks of their hair which this album had both. In my research of John Adams I found in the book "Jeff Milton,Good Man with a Gun" University of Oklahoma press that John Adams read all dispatches as well as the paper to Captain Ira Long as part of his daily routine. Jeff Milton also reported in his book that Captain Long could not read which was not uncommon for the times. The book relates that John Adams was Ira Long son in law but this fact is reported in error, he was his Nephew. I have displayed a Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, awarded to John Adams in the amount of 20 dollars a month. This is a very small sum today but would have helped out in 1919 when awarded. The Pension certificate has "Indian Wars act of March 4, 1917" stamped in the top margin. The Obituary of Captain Long is a shocking and depressing obituary, when the taking of a human life is so casually discussed. In my research of the Lost Valley fight which both Adams a Captain Long were a part of, I could not feel anything but sadness for their foe, the American Indian. The 1870's in Texas were hard times on both sides but none harder then on the American Indian. Hardbrake
Wonderful ensemble and account! Congratulations! Thank you!
Thank You I failed to add to the description that if a viewer would like to read the account of the Lost Valley fight it can by Googled, Hardbrake
Very nice collection and made even more interesting by the research you provided. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks: Investigating into an item or items is the real enjoyment of collecting for me, not to bring up the photography and writing. Hardbrake
This has been around? Everybody is partial to the Colt, as I am, by reputation, but the Remington was a stronger pistol.
You correct Colt captured the market Remington made a fine hand gun but it was heavy and a lot of them had their barrel shortened as did this one. The stuff under the barrel added to the weight but it is a fine looking gun. I have shot this one with black power ONLY and it was fun to shoot. I used 7 factory black power rounds made a long time ago and one did not fire. Dead primer what did I expect after over at least 65 years on the ammo. Hardbrake
That little extra weight under the barrel made it more accurate.
I came across this while doing research into my gg-grandmother Emaline Long Glenn's brother, Capt. Ira Long. He has been a bit of a blank spot in our family history. If you have any info, photos, etc of his family..I would very much appreciate any help. Thank you so much for putting this out where we can all enjoy it. Shannon Parnell
Yes I do have some photographs and information regarding Captain Ira Long. I am sorry to report that I do not have a picture of him but in one of my listing on Collectors Weekly I have a picture (tin type) of John Westley Adams, Captain Long nephew. I also have a picture of John Adams sister as well as several other family members. These tin types are not posted. As you research Captain Long, the book, "Jeff Milton good man with a gun" briefly discusses Captain Long. Captain Ira Long lived and died in the Decatur, Texas area. I have a question for you do you have any pictures of your gg grandmother and if so do you have them in digital format? Their is also a book about Decatur, Texas which has a picture of Captain Long in it in his older years, in it. If you would like to contact me via e-mail please fell free to do so. My e-mail address is goldendigor@gmail.com. Thank you Hardbrake
I am Captain Ira Long's Great Granddaughter. I have a very large oval framed photo in storage of him. I am considering donating it to the Texas museum in Austin. I wonder how you got these items? I feel they should be in a museum.
Missed this one, thanks pops for bringing it to the top
Thank you, I received this item from my step-father upon his passing. Ira Long would have been his great uncle as John W. Adams was his grandfather. I have sent the Texas ranger Hall of Fame copies of several Texas Rangers of the 1870's as well a copy of a letter written in 1916, I also have listed on Collector Weekly. I collect the American West and these items are the west. A side note I have fired the Remington revolver, which is in 44 cal. American. I have had a long love affair with the American West both Indian and Cowboys. I would fell I sent off my right arm if I gave it away. Maybe in time, I still enjoy them for now. I have and am working on some old photo's dealing with the west now, I will be sending some of them to the Texas Hall of fame when I am done. Hardbrake
Annie,
Ira Long was my g-g-grandmother's brother. If you have any information or photos of that family I would love to get in touch.
Also.."Hardbrake"..did I ever send you a photo of my g-g-grandmother, Emaline Long Glenn? I can't remember...I know I meant to. Let me know and I'll get on that.
Shannon Parnell
"Cauldron, cauldron - boil and bubble".
Come on people, get together & share all of this with us! Fascinating slice of history.
Shannon: I have a picture (tin type) of a lady with the same last name (Parnell) in one of the old photo albums. I will scan it with in the week and if you want I will e-mail you a copy of it. The original tin type is in fair to good condition so when you receive it you should be able to make a good print. My e-mail address is goldendigor@gmail.com I have some pictures of unidentified people mostly young men whom I do not know if they were family or friend of the Adams or Parnell's. I will send them also in hopes of someone on you end can identify one or more. John AKA( Hardbrake).
thanks for sharing!
I have enjoyed collecting item of the American west both Cowboy and Indian but I have also loved researching the west. I have dozens of book both old and new regarding Cowboys and Indians sometime I learn more from personal interviews with people of knowledge on items I have picked. That leads me to why I am posting this statement would the lady "annielong" please e-mail me at "goldendigor@gmail.com" my personal e-mail address so we could exchange information, thank you Hardbrake