black651
Full Member
- May 6, 2009
- 247
- 11
- Detector(s) used
- Bounty Hunter Pioneer 505, Whites Coinmaster, Bounty Hunter LRP
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
I recently found a trade token (my first ever) and was trying to look up some information on it's background - but was not successful. Sent the photos to some local MN token experts but they hadn't seen this one before.
I started to do some sleuthing on my own. First I looked up the street address - but this street no longer exists - as they had changed the name to Kellogg after 1920 or so. (Helps date the token though!) Next I ran the name "C.E. Banker through some search engines - again with very little luck. I did manage to find a person listed as serving with the 13th MN Volunteers in the Spanish-american war. This person did come home and was discharged and continued to live in Saint Paul. Two Census listings has him as a "Clerk". Another search of a private database of the MN Historical Society has a person by this name working as a patrol officer in the Saint Paul Police Department - and I even found a photo. The "4" on his helmet matches the duty roster from 1895 - as a patrolman with the name of "Chas. E. Banker", shield #4". Perhaps this person could have worked both as a clerk AND with the police?
I intend to go down to the main branch of the ST. Paul public library and search through the business directories to see if I can find a listing for "C.E. Banker". The library has an archive of directories going back to the 1840's.
Anyone have any other hints or advice on how to dredge up some information on this token?
Still, I have been having a great time looking up all this history and finding a photo that may be the person was a huge bonus to me. It's like looking back in time and seeing the person who may have been holding this very same token in his hand at one time. Love this hobby!!
I started to do some sleuthing on my own. First I looked up the street address - but this street no longer exists - as they had changed the name to Kellogg after 1920 or so. (Helps date the token though!) Next I ran the name "C.E. Banker through some search engines - again with very little luck. I did manage to find a person listed as serving with the 13th MN Volunteers in the Spanish-american war. This person did come home and was discharged and continued to live in Saint Paul. Two Census listings has him as a "Clerk". Another search of a private database of the MN Historical Society has a person by this name working as a patrol officer in the Saint Paul Police Department - and I even found a photo. The "4" on his helmet matches the duty roster from 1895 - as a patrolman with the name of "Chas. E. Banker", shield #4". Perhaps this person could have worked both as a clerk AND with the police?
I intend to go down to the main branch of the ST. Paul public library and search through the business directories to see if I can find a listing for "C.E. Banker". The library has an archive of directories going back to the 1840's.
Anyone have any other hints or advice on how to dredge up some information on this token?
Still, I have been having a great time looking up all this history and finding a photo that may be the person was a huge bonus to me. It's like looking back in time and seeing the person who may have been holding this very same token in his hand at one time. Love this hobby!!
