yet another mystery tag

[McCDig]

Detecting a Baltimore City Park June 29, 2018 on the next to last day city parks were open for metal detecting I dug a brass "badge" with the number 36 imprinted. Back to the very same park on Sept. 4th, now the 4th day since parks re-opened for detecting, and within 20 feet of the first tag I dug number 48. Shapes are identical and both bear the initials J.W.G. Perhaps these are employee tags or luggage tags, or livestock tags but for certain they remain a mystery to me. The initials could be a company or institution or farmer. That they could be connected to John Work Garrett, a famous Baltimorean is a distinct possibility. Perhaps one of you have seen this before and can solve the puzzle.
An 1882 map of Baltimore by E. Robinson shows the J. W. Garrett property within a quarter mile of where tags were found.


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[A2coins]

Nice find be fun to figure it out.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Tommy! I think this is one that will go unsolved and remain a "What's it?"

 

[creskol]

Years ago, back it the late 1960's, I found a numbered fob with that same shape in Union Square that was thought to be associated with the B&O railroad. It didn't have any letters on it though.

 

[Rookster]

I still believe they are Pickers claim check tags.
Some examples

nice finds.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks creskol! That is great input as your find came from Baltimore and, as you recall, has a similar shape.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Rook. I can see your point with the initials on the tags.

 

[jeff of pa]

Could be a Baggage or cow Tag though a Pretty High number for a Cow Tag.


in the 1880's John W. Garrett was known as a Railroad king & Millionaire

in 1922 a John W. Garrett ran for senator ? https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...rett&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
.

no idea if the same or if connected

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Jeff! The John W. Garrett you referenced in the link was the grandson of John W. Garrett who was president of the B&O railroad.
The map I included with my original post shows the land holding of a John W. Garrett. The map dates from the early 1880s. John W. Garrett, the president of the B&O RR, was son to Robert Garrett who emigrated from Ireland. Thanks for the link.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_W._Garrett_(diplomat)​

 

[Bramblefind]

Neat find! I think the John Work Garrett association is a good lead. The tags being numbered 36 and 48 might just be a coincidence or maybe have meaning - multiples of 12 used for easier shipping.

I came across this question / answer page for railroad associated items - maybe you could post there and someone there might have an idea-

Question & Answer Board: Railroadiana Online Website

 

[A2coins]

What about John wayne gaseys prison tag lol I don't remember what he did but whatever it was he was not a good person....

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Tommy! I'm looking for a J.W.G. connection but Gacy is not our man....a real troubled soul. Not certain how he kept all that secret for so long.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Bramblefind! Good idea on the "multiple of 12" interpretation of the tags. It would have been a second identifier of his luggage. I did post to Railroadiana recently and may try same on other railroad forums.

 

[Bramblefind]

I did a little research and found that John Work Garrett did have a flock of sheep and some were sent to Druid Hill Park - which also had a flock. Is this the same park you were detecting?

This is from 1879 and mentions the numbered brass tags used for the sheep. And the 2nd article is an excerpt form 1900 about the history of the sheep in Druid Hill Park which mentions Garrett.

 

[DCMatt]

I did a little research and found that John Work Garrett did have a flock of sheep and some were sent to Druid Hill Park - which also had a flock. Is this the same park you were detecting?

This is from 1879 and mentions the numbered brass tags used for the sheep. And the 2nd article is an excerpt form 1900 about the history of the sheep in Druid Hill Park which mentions Garrett.

And Bramblefind knocks off another one from the Treasurenet grassy knoll...

That is some terrific research!

 

[HuntinDog]

Awesome tags and even more Awesome history!!

 

[McCDig]

Well done research Bramblefind! I know of the sheep that were maintained at Druid Hill. An Irishman who was a shepherd of the flock lived in Hampden and walked to and from work, crossing the Jones Falls River twice a day. Druid Hill Park is not the location where these tags were dug. They were dug in north central Baltimore City, above Johns Hopkins University. What I believe to be the farm of John W. Garrett was close to this location. You have now made another connection for me and another avenue to investigate; this open up the possibility of these being livestock tags, which has always be one of the several options. Thanks for your interest and time devoted to the search!