Deft Tones
Bronze Member
- Mar 24, 2016
- 1,547
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Message in a Bottle from the Heartland.
I’ve sat on this one since March. I was reminded of it again by a recent thread. I struggled a bit about sharing this one, but ultimately decided it needs sharing…
Approximately March 8th, 2016 I went scouting for a pre 1860-ish homestead site now located on public land. The prior week the Raccoon River had shed its banks for a pretty serious spring flood, and that had kept me from scouting it when I had originally planned. Finally, after road access was resumed, I headed out. My research has the site location established to within 100sq yards. Aerial photos show over time that one particular area within my search perimeter has not been altered in at least 90 years. To the grove I go.
The floods (past and present) ruined everything in many places with fresh silt 3”-6” deep in the low spots. There was trash and driftwood everywhere. On the way into the trees I had noticed a basket ball I intended to grab when leaving. As I walked along back towards the ball I was attempting to maintain a keen awareness to any subtle clues in the environment for indications of the old homestead. My eye caught the bottle and immediately the brain indicated “odd”. It seemed a bit confusing at first because it appeared the label was on the inside. Then I realized what it was- a message in a bottle!
My mind began to run wild thinking what could be written? By whom? Why? Is it going to be something negative, or something positive? Maybe it’s a real SOS?
SUPER COOL LET’S OPEN IT!
Upon inspection it was clear the bottle had a note inside along with a marble I could see and hear rolling around as I handled it. The Sun’s UV rays had made the plastic cork brittle and it crumbled apart remaining wedged in the mouth. Briefly I thought what am I going to do now? Psshhht, it’s good thing I brought along a bottle opener! (lower right corner)
It reads:
I sent an email out that day with all the requested information. A week later no reply, and I feared the worst. It didn’t take long to confirm I will never hear from Mr. Otto because he’s now deceased.
Obituary page for James Otto October 9, 1944 - March 25, 2012 Aged 77.
It's been 5 months and I’ve not heard from the family. I asked the funeral home to contact them on my behalf and have yet to hear a word. I still have the note and marble should they ever wish to claim it.
To Mr. Otto - thank you, Sir.
I’ve sat on this one since March. I was reminded of it again by a recent thread. I struggled a bit about sharing this one, but ultimately decided it needs sharing…
Approximately March 8th, 2016 I went scouting for a pre 1860-ish homestead site now located on public land. The prior week the Raccoon River had shed its banks for a pretty serious spring flood, and that had kept me from scouting it when I had originally planned. Finally, after road access was resumed, I headed out. My research has the site location established to within 100sq yards. Aerial photos show over time that one particular area within my search perimeter has not been altered in at least 90 years. To the grove I go.
The floods (past and present) ruined everything in many places with fresh silt 3”-6” deep in the low spots. There was trash and driftwood everywhere. On the way into the trees I had noticed a basket ball I intended to grab when leaving. As I walked along back towards the ball I was attempting to maintain a keen awareness to any subtle clues in the environment for indications of the old homestead. My eye caught the bottle and immediately the brain indicated “odd”. It seemed a bit confusing at first because it appeared the label was on the inside. Then I realized what it was- a message in a bottle!
My mind began to run wild thinking what could be written? By whom? Why? Is it going to be something negative, or something positive? Maybe it’s a real SOS?
SUPER COOL LET’S OPEN IT!
Upon inspection it was clear the bottle had a note inside along with a marble I could see and hear rolling around as I handled it. The Sun’s UV rays had made the plastic cork brittle and it crumbled apart remaining wedged in the mouth. Briefly I thought what am I going to do now? Psshhht, it’s good thing I brought along a bottle opener! (lower right corner)
It reads:
I sent an email out that day with all the requested information. A week later no reply, and I feared the worst. It didn’t take long to confirm I will never hear from Mr. Otto because he’s now deceased.
Obituary page for James Otto October 9, 1944 - March 25, 2012 Aged 77.
It's been 5 months and I’ve not heard from the family. I asked the funeral home to contact them on my behalf and have yet to hear a word. I still have the note and marble should they ever wish to claim it.
To Mr. Otto - thank you, Sir.
