LAST MONTH
Let me launch into this newsletter, by saying "Thanks" to my dear friends, Mark McNee, and his sweet wife, Marty . . . . . from all of us at the Kalamazoo Antique Bottle Club!
Thanks to both of you! Thanks for making our last meeting so interesting and fun!
How about those names? Doesn’t that have a smooth and satisfying ring to it, “ Mark & Marty"
It is better than Barbie & Ken, Sonny & Cher, Bonnie & Clyde!
(I have always wanted to say that!)
Mark shared with us his early ‘picker’ beginnings and greatest success stories!
Mark was busy buying and selling, both collectables and antiques, at a very early age!
If he had spotted a box of “It’s A Boy,” cigars in the delivery room, on day one, he would have started even earlier!
Mark supplied each of us with a 10 page, well-written, and fun-to-read account of his early start and his most amazing deals!
I wasn’t surprised to learn of the teamwork of this husband and wife team . . . to maximize success!
Actually, that was God’s plan, right from the second chapter of the earth’s oldest book,
“And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone;
I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Genesis 2:18
Mark, does what he does best, buying! Marty is the crackerjack at selling! What a team!
Someone has to stock the shelves and another to sell.
I mentioned to a stock-boy at Harding’s Market back in the 60's.
“Man, do you realize you work in a big tunnel?"
“How so dude?”
"Well, Product comes in the back and flows out the front?”
He responded, “That’s freaking far-out- man! . . . I can dig what your sayin!”
Also, Mark shared a special skill set that is really part of his God-given nature,
that is to be fair and respectful to everyone.
I have considered Mark as one of the great antique pickers! And wow! for such a very long time!
Good people are the key ingredient to a successful club and this group has been blessed for certain.
Did you know that Mark was one of the first club newsletter writers!
Many of you who have followed this newsletter over the last 25 years, have heard me mention our club founders, Jack Short, and, Ernie Lawson . . . often!
It warmed my heart to hear Mark describe Ernie as “one of the nicest guys he has ever known, a man who was a reflection of Christ.”
Well, that is true. Both Ernie and Jack became my best friends, and losing them, was hard. Jack’s passing from this life was sudden and unexpected.
Ernie called to tell me of Jack’s passing. Jack was blessed to be active, strong and independent right up to the end.
It was late fall, and Jack and Betty had decided to wait until January, to head for their winter retreat in Alabama. Jack had stock-piled a load of firewood, a gift from a friend, and it had been in a big pile,
un-split, and seasoning behind his barn.
That barn was another story! It contained cases of antique bottles, which Jack had dug.
There was a big sign on the outside of his red barn, one I think, Jack got in trade for some photography work. It came off the Kalamazoo Coal & Ice building located on Kalamazoo Ave, which read in large letters “ARTIFICIAL ICE.”
Of course that referenced 'man-made' ice, opposed to ice blocks harvested from a frozen lake.
So, Jack was busy splitting and stacking his seasoned hardwood. After putting in a hard day’s work, he came inside for supper, then soon dozed off in his favorite chair, and there, quietly passed on into Glory.
Jack was 82 years young.
Both Ernie and I took it hard, but it was really hard on Betty Short, and Ernie’s wife Irene. From that point on, life made an abrupt turn for them. Property was sold, and all three were fortunate enough to get into Friendship Village, right near where I live.
I was able to visit with them often, and Ernie did what he loved doing best, ministering to others and sharing God’s Love.
At the senior living home he was busy reading to the blind, and leading Hymn singing. He liked to have me come in and put on talks about antique bottles (I was his student) antique toys, from time to time to preach the Gospel in the Chapel.
The most fun we had was doing a presentation on my scale model of Noah’s Ark.
That was one talk that Ernie really promoted. It was a scheduled event, and Ernie promoted it like it was a traveling side show!
I was a shocked when I saw the crowd! It was packed! There were people rolled in on wheel chairs and hospital beds! Even most of the support staff was in the audience!
All Ernie asked, was for me to display and talk about a wooden scale model of Noah’s Ark, and tell the story behind why I had built it. And to talk about my State Fair experience, and winning second place in adult woodworking.
I had a dear pastor friend who once told me, “whenever you teach from any part of God’s word, even if it is in Genesis, make sure every talk leads directly to the Cross and finishes with an invite to "escape judgment". . . which was the entire purpose of the Noah’s Ark.
Friendship Village is a somewhat expensive retirement home, and frankly it is an amazingly beautiful place.
Ernie had warned me saying, “This will be a tough crowd! These people are retired doctors, lawyers, engineers, college professors . . . and a lot of them do not believe as we do, so don’t be surprised.”
It all worked out extremely well! I was asked many questions, but only a couple challenged the scripture account. It goes to illustrate there really are no atheist in fox holes . . . or very few!
Mark and Marty, thank you so much for blessing us! May God continue to bless you!
ON HAND,
To enjoy the meeting we saw the sparkling faces of ;
Mark Mcnee, Marty McNee, Juli Sheaffer, Dan Louis, Ashley Carlson, Lynn Kozik, Scott Hendrichsen, Vincent Grossi, Eddie Nickerson, Kevin Siegfried, Hanna Jones, Mary Gale, Katie Wages, Brian Wages,
Al Holden.
We didn’t see as many member treasures as I had suspected we would.
Brian Wages, had a very unsettling device, a slave collar! I say unsettling because items like this, although collectable, are a reminder of a dark side of man’s history.
These slave related items, and Confederate Civil War items, have become so valuable, that they have given birth to the reproduction industry. Some of the counterfeit, reproduction pieces, are good enough to fool the experts! In fact, just such a thing put a dark cloud over the PBS Antiques Road Show just a few years back!
I have seen high risk convicts shackled with wrist restraints and ankle restraints.
Back in the late 1950's and early 1960's I remember, in Fort Myers Florida, seeing shackled chain- gangs working on highway projects.
I also remember seeing bathrooms and water fountains labeled “COLORED.”
Brian also had a sweet strap-side coffin flask in a beautiful honey-amber with a tooled double-ring top! A real beauty!
Kevin Siegfried displayed a super cool
C & NW RAILROAD fire grenade!
More like a fire bomb! This “grenade” was an early fire-extinguishing device used by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, to combat fires, on both passenger and freight cars, as well as in rail yards during the late 1800's.
The Chicago and North Western Railway was chartered on June 7, 1859.
At one time, the Chicago and Northwestern was the largest land owner in Michigan . . . especially in the Western U.P.
My story; “Gandy Dancers” was written 25 years ago about a Chicago & NW, railroad camp adventure.
Another Great Picker!
Is our friend, Kevin Siegfried! Like Mark, Kevin lives-out his love of treasure hunting, by using his skill in helping people sort through a lifetime of accumulating stuff! It is a much needed service! In most cases the pay-back is well worth the cost! And the job can be overwhelming and even heart breaking for some.
I have seen several times where someone brings in a metal detector, one that some family had for sale in an estate sale. Someone buys it, comes to see me because they want some help with it, or maybe needs a battery holder. What they purchased for $10.00, would have been a sweet deal for $1,000.00 dollars!
Kevin knows I am a Great Lakes Ship Nerd, and I collect Antique Christian Books. Often these items are overlooked in sales, so he thinks of me!
At the last meeting, he gave me a couple postcards one showed a iced over freighter loading at the Ore Docks at Duluth Minnesota.
I doubt this card is rare because, Great Lakes Freighters have long been popular images on postcards. You could actually build a collection of ‘only ice covered freighters’ because there are many!
I have rubbed elbows with post card sellers, and I don't think most take the time to read the message. In fact, most wish the card was unused!
I found this card to be especially interesting. It was sent by a man named, Norm, to his friend, Phil Holt, in Elkhart In. mailed in the spring of 1948.
Norm is advising Phil of his new mailing address. This was important because, Post Cards were the social media of that day. You might say in this case, "Hitting the Send Button cost a penny!"
So, if you wanted to stay in-touch with Norm, his new address was "Str. Joseph Wood, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan."
Meaning he has signed on, as likely a deck hand, fireman (coal stoker) or cook on the steamer the Joseph Wood. The card reads;
"Hi Phil, hope things are OK with you. I am in Duluth, Minn. My new address is ‘Str. Joseph Wood, Sault Ste Marie, MI.’
I have got to go, on the water now. Write . . . Norm
You see, it doesn't take much to entertain me.
The Joseph Wood was built in 1910 and sailed until 1968 when she was scrapped. In 1957 she was sold and renamed the Sullivan Brothers.
| Gandy Dancer is a term used for early railroad
workers in the United States, for laying and
maintaining track sections. Often one of the
men would lead in a song to keep workers in
unison during team labor. |
GANDY DANCERS! < YouTube Link
By Allan C. Holden
George didn't realize it, but the music-like sound he was enjoying was one that his great-grandchildren would refer to as "endangered." This "music" wasn't coming from a brass or stringed orchestra, but from the mode of transportation of his day. Two teams of strong, work horses pulling heavy wagons up the steep incline leading into the camp. The symphony of sounds came from the rhythmic hoof beats, jingle of metal harness hardware, wheel bands of iron crushing stone, and the creaking, tortured oak frame of an overloaded wagon.
Combined, they created a sound which would one day be replaced by rattling, smelly, diesel
engines.
Little did they know, the men were employed on a job that would one day play a part in winning two terrible World Wars! The iron rails they were laying through the heart of Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula would carry needed iron ore and lumber to a country that was growing fast.
George worked as camp cook. To hear some talk, he was the best cook the railroad had ever hired.
George's day started two hours before the others. This morning, after the tall, quiet, Swede slipped into his clothes, he silently opened the cabin door. Suddenly, before stepping out the door, George stopped cold--- as if he had turned to stone.
When he lifted his eyes in the direction his stove-wood pile, he saw four deer checking out camp. What really stopped George wasn't the four Whitetail does, it was what stood behind them. Just beyond the rail grade, stood the largest buck he had ever seen!
Slowly, reaching back inside the door, he felt for his loaded .38-55 rifle that he kept leaning against his bunk. The rifle was always loaded for just this sort of work. Up until now, his new rifle had been used to chase off troublesome bears and occasionally wolves. But this time, with any luck, it would change the camp menu!
Carefully, with slow smooth movements, he raised the gun and took careful aim. Very slowly he squeezed the trigger. . . the gun gave off its thundering report! The once peaceful forest seemed to echo back ten shots in return for his one! The ear splitting discharge from the rifle was still echoing as George saw his target bound off out-of-site down the opposite side of the grade.
As he ran in the direction of his prey, right behind him were some angry, puzzled men. Most were only clad in their sweat-stained red flannels. By the time the men caught up with George, they were awake enough to figure out what had just happened.
When atop the grade, they stopped cold. Each one stared in disbelief at George who was kneeling by a giant buck! Each man smiled as he realized that this meant a break from the usual jerky and beans!
Without the camp boss saying a word, the workers took over the task of dressing the buck. As George walked through the group returning to his morning duties, he received slaps of "Great job," on his back.
All that, was over fourteen hours ago. Tonight, as the wagons pulled into camp with the tired, track laying,"Gandy Dancers," there was very little talk. Despite their tired condition, each face wore a smile. Perhaps that was because the air was filled with the aroma of hot venison stew and biscuits, something the men had looked forward to all day.
Today, the only thing left of the old rail camp is the now trackless grade itself. The shallow indentations in the ground where buildings once stood are almost invisible.
Beep! Beep! My detector sounded off, signaling a buried target. I swept the target again watching the I.D. screen. The readout suggested a coin target at over six inches deep. After scrapping away a layer of leaves and decaying pine needles, I pinpointed the target, then started to dig. What I found was a very old copper shell casing. I knew it was old, but I didn't take the time to examine it closely. Several feet away from the first target, I received another coin-like reading. However, when I switched into the pinpoint mode, I quickly realized the target was very large.
When on an average coin hunt, I would have moved on to the next target. This, however, was a relic hunt and any old tool or antique hardware would be exciting to find. Digging this target was more difficult because of a tangled layer of roots. My prize turned out to be a huge, old, flattened cooking pot, I am sure dated to the early railroad days.
Well, many of my friends ask about my vacation and the usual question is "Did you find any treasure?" The answer is yes! I got a chance to ‘touch the past' at the old railroad camp. It may have been just another day for Bob, but it is a treasured memory for me.
As for the 38-55 shell casing, was it the same shell ejected from the camp cook's gun? Was the old stew kettle the same one George used to prepare that meal over a century ago?
You could never convince me otherwise! I learned that the.38-55 was invented in 1884. The gun enjoyed an excellent reputation as a deer and black bear cartridge for woods hunting. Many hunters were forever convinced that due to the .38-55's greater bullet diameter it was a far more effective "big game cartridge." In its high velocity loading, it pushed a 255 grain bullet along at over 1500 feet per second.
You see, there can be much you can learn from the little items we find. And with a little imagination you can really "Touch the past!"
What a great hobby!
This Month
Was to be a Encore presentation by our beloved, Gordy Hubenet, speaking about antique medicine and medicine bottles. Gordy had a mix-up in scheduling, so he had to change plans.
So, as not to disappoint, (depending on your view point,) I have volunteered to present a program on the topic of;
Understanding Metal Detectors. This is the key, and very important to opening the door to much greater treasure hunting success!
Also, I have several treasure hunting stories to share.
These workshops are normally $1,000.00 per hour, but is free with your membership!
Which reminds me!
Vincent says the Dues for 2026 are past due! This could be your last club newsletter! Club dues are still unchanged, at only $10.00 per year for single membership or $15.00 for couple (Family membership)
Please mail your dues to:
LEN SHEAFFER
665 Lake 16 Drive
Allegan, MI 49010
phone 269-512-2640
The
Kalamazoo Antique Bottle
Club
Meets At the
Otsego Historic Society
Museum
Meeting date is
February, 10, 2026
at 7:00 pm
The Museum is located at
218 N. Farmer St. Otsego, MI 49078
Meeting starts at 7:00
Information
Meets At the
Otsego Historic Society
Museum
Meeting date is
February, 10, 2026
at 7:00 pm
The Museum is located at
218 N. Farmer St. Otsego, MI 49078
Meeting starts at 7:00
Information
e-mail: kzooantiquebottleclub@gmail.com
prostock@net-link.net