PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE IN THE OFFICE Through TUESDAY 09/16,
AFTER That Date, We Will Be OUT OF THE OFFICE from WEDNESDAY 09/17 until TUESDAY OCTOBER 7th!!
Ron Will Be OUT OF THE OFFICE from WEDNESDAY 09/10 until FRIDAY OCTOBER 10th!!
So there MAY be SHIPPING DELAYS on MILITARIA Orders Placed AFTER 09/10 through 10/10!!
BUT We Will DEFINITELY Be ABLE TO SHIP Orders Placed Through TUESDAY 09/09,
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Update 09/09/25: WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH non-PayPal CREDIT CARD PURCHASES!!
BIG WEBSITE CHANGES are in the works and this Issue WILL BE CORRECTED sometime in OCTOBER!!
If you would like to PAY for an Artifact valued at OVER $100.00 with a CREDIT CARD, please email and I will get an invoice emailed to you ASAP!
We are HAPPY TO ACCEPT YOUR ORDERS during this time, and we will promptly SHIP MOST orders within ONE Business Day of Receipt of Payment!
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That DISCOUNT also applies to PayPal GIFT (Fee-Free), Check, and Money Order payments!!
Thank you for visiting. We hope you will find some vintage artifacts here on our site to add to your collection.
We look forward to serving your collecting needs, Ron & Kanae
ARTIFACT:
Wonderful & Iconic 1903 Shawnee Co. Kansas full Sheriff Presentation Suspension Badge. When I first started collecting badges 30 years ago, the most iconic badge one could ever hope to find form the Old West was a Suspension badge, often worn by a City Marshal or full Sheriff of a County. This type for badge is called as "Suspension" badge because of the construction with the shield "suspended" from the top bar. It is one of the truly classic & iconic type of badges form the old west. Over the years I was able to find one for myself, and this is just the second example of such type of badge to come my way. And it doesn't get much more "western" than Shawnee County, Kansas!
This badge was presented by Friends upon two term, Sheriff Porter S. Cook's retirement, apparently in January of 1903, hence the date, as Cook's term technically ended with the year 1902. It looks like there may have been some discrepancy on the date of presentation, as it appears the date on reverse was re-engraved. Badge Appears to be rolled rose gold with a sheet brass interior. The suspension bar reads: "PORTER S. COOK" and the center of the intricately detailed badge reads: "SHERIFF SHAWNEE COUNTY KANSAS 1898-1903" and the reverse reads: "FROM YOUR FRIENDS 1903"
Sheriff Cook Photo (in slideshow) - Credit Kansas Historical Society
Sheriff Cook was born in Pennsylvania and later migrated West with his new family. Cook operated the livery stable until he ran for Sheriff of Shawnee County, defeating Robert B. Kepley by a narrow margin, and Kepley contested the election results, but Cook prevailed. Sheriff Cook had rare occasion to host the infamous Carrie Nation in his jail after a Topeka officer arrested her while destroying the Senate saloon. "Ms. Nation said of Sheriff Cook, "Mr. Cook was Sheriff and I was treated very nicely by him and Mrs. Cook. Mrs. Cook's mother was visiting them at this time, a woman thoroughly in sympathy with my work, and I believe that the influence of this good woman was the cause of my being treated so well, for after she left things were very different." (page 60)
April 7, 1898 – The Topeka Daily Capital
Headline: DAY OF SORROW FOR JOINTISTS RAID SILENTLY PLANNED AND FEARLESSLY EXECUTED
Three raids, three wagon loads of liquor, and six of the biggest jointists under $300 bond each, are the net results of two hours' fast work yesterday afternoon by six of Sheriff Cook's deputies. Mum was the word. No 'tip' was given to the three victims. The work was well planned and fearlessly executed by the deputy sheriffs. Liquor in large quantities was taken from Lon Townsend, Harry Croft, and Walt Richards and all three were arrested. Sheriff Cook swore to the complaints under the nuisance law, Judge Hazen issued the search and seizure warrants, and County Attorney Jetmore issued the warrants for arrest (pg. 65)
The information above is courtesy of the Kansas City Sheriff's Department (see two web addresses below)
http://www.shawneesheriff.org/sh/document/150th_Anniversary_Part_1.pdf
http://www.shawneesheriff.org/sh/document/150th_Anniversary_Part_2.pdf
VINTAGE:
Circa 1903
SIZE:
Approximately: 2-3/16" x 1-3/8"
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Appears to be rolled rose gold with a sheet brass interior.
ATTACHMENT:
Horizontal pin with drop in swivel locking catch.
MARKINGS:
None.
ITEM NOTES:
This is from an Old West Lawman police and law enforcement collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. CON-KDB-20-15 LDGEJX10/15 SDJJJX1/16
CONDITION:
8+ (Excellent): The badge shows minor to moderate wear, nearly all the rose gold details remain intact, overall excellent condition.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
