Greener Shotgun

[matt45]

A friend has a WW Greener Shotgun, SN 32352, built in May of 1889 for E.S.S.; Chicago Illinois.  Anybody out there have any idea on who ESS was, or how I can research it further?

[LongWalker]

Greener probably still has the records of the order, and may be able to put a name with the initials. 

[Dave T]

What a great piece of history from right in the middle of the Western settlement era.  If he wants to sell it you should make him an offer.  I would if I was younger and he was my neighbor.  (smile)

Dave

[matt45]

Greener no longer supplies information on past individual orders/ purchases.  That was my first idea.  If I could figure out how to send pictures from phones to this site, I'd post some picture for ya'll.

[Mogorilla]

There are some historic discussion groups on the web that specialize in Chicago, posting on one of those may help     Other thought is looking to see if you can find scans of a Chicago based newspaper online.  Advertisements may be your best bet.   This kind of research can be a bit tedious, but can pay off.     Another thought is contacting the Chicago Historical Society.    Good luck.   Would love to see pictures of the Greener.

[matt45]

My thought is that whoever ESS was, he was probably wealthy, so I've contacted The Chicago Historical Society both for any social registry, and possibly sponsorship for the 1890 World Fair. Does anyone else find it weird that so many official records (in this case the 1890 census) are destroyed in fires?

[Major 2]

Conspiracies' theory blames "ol lady O'Leary and a clumsy cow, despite being cleared in the official report.

[matt45]

Trying to get this on the board

[Cap'n Redneck]

Might the "ESS" possibly mean for example "Evans' Sporting Supply", or something along that line....?

[Baltimore Ed]

Might try asking around over to the Shotgun World Forum too. They are knowledgeable on all things shotgun.

[LongWalker]

See if you can find results of Chicago-area live pigeon shoots of the day.  You may find a competitor with those initials.

[38OVI]

The 1890 Census was partially destroyed in a fire in Washington, D.C. after it was taken.  The "powers that be" at that time decided to destroy the rest of the 1890 Census.  The only part that was not destroyed was the "Veterans Census" portion, but I do not know if it is online.  It was to be the first census to be tabulated by an early form of a computer.

[matt45]

So far, a perusal of The Chicago Blue Book from the year shows an Earl S. Shlacht, who lived in Hyde Park- at least he is the most obvious candidate.

[Story]

So far, a perusal of The Chicago Blue Book from the year shows an Earl S. Shlacht, who lived in Hyde Park- at least he is the most obvious candidate.

That's as good a start as any - I'd suggesting finding someone with a newspapers.com account and running that last name for Chicago area papers with a 1875-1935 time span. Second search would be for Shlacht and guns/shotguns/somesuch.

I get notzink, Lebowski, in the 1900 Chicago Directory (most sources charge, but here's free copies). See pg 1735
https://www.chicagoancestors.org/sites/default/files/downloads/1900s.pdf
Closest in 1892 is SHLACK. See pg 1374
https://www.chicagoancestors.org/sites/default/files/downloads/1892s.pdf
Nuthin in 1885. See pg 1261
https://www.chicagoancestors.org/sites/default/files/downloads/1885s.pdf

Because I was there, I checked phoenetic misspellings SChlack/SChlackks. No Earls, p.1217
https://www.chicagoancestors.org/sites/default/files/downloads/1885s.pdf
No Earls in 1892, pg 1326
https://www.chicagoancestors.org/sites/default/files/downloads/1892s.pdf
Nor 1900, pg 1675
https://www.chicagoancestors.org/sites/default/files/downloads/1900s.pdf
The existing gun clubs in Hyde Park weren't founded until around 1940, so maybe he'd show up on the membership roles of this (defunct) club?
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2021/5/28/22457525/lincoln-park-gun-club-park-district-skeet-trap-shooting-shotgun-wadding-lake-michigan

[matt45]

Thanks

[Story]

Thanks

You're welcome, but where's my Social Credit "Like"?  I hear that if I get enough of them, I can exchange them for 'cookies'.