Possible early military dog tag?

[pennyfarmer]

I found this tag today and I was wondering what everyone thought about it. On the front it says "Thos. Temple Garfield Utah" it is stamped on the back with B.G.BY Any assistance is appreciated.

 

[Dman]

I am not sure if it is a dog tag but it is a neat find.
Congrats
Dman

 

[Mackaydon]

I believe this is a railroad ID tag for Thos. Temple.
The complete explanation follows, including the "B.G. BY" which is probably "B. G. RY" (as in railroad).
Thomas TEMPLE was born on 23 July 1882 in Britt, Hancock, IA. In April 1910 he was a railway office clerk in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT In 1918 Thomas was an accountant for the Bingham and Garfield Railroad in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT. In January 1920 he was a railroad clerk in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT. In April 1930 he was a steam railroad accountant in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT. In April 1940 Thomas was a railway chief clerk in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT. He died in November 1977 at the age of 95 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT. Buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UT, West Masonic_149_8. His parents were from Canada (father) and OH (mother). Parents: James TEMPLE and Susan Evangeline (Eva) MC CULLOW.
Don.........
Source: http://www.temple-genealogy.com/b2225.htm

 

[pennyfarmer]

Mackaydon, I think you are correct. I was debating if it was a BY or RY.

Does anyone know why there would be a personalized tag like this? Why would it say Garfield Utah? Was it the destination for a trip?

Still a cool piece of railroad history in Utah. Looks like that rail company went away sometime in the 20's.

Thanks again.

 

[Mackaydon]

Garfield was a town and the railroad ran through it.
Here's a postcard showing both the RR and the town back in the day.
Garfield, Utah - 30559
Click on the pic for enlargement.
Don.........