message in a butt plate

[maldito gringo]

I have an 1889 Remington 10ga that I bought online about 10 years ago, grade 1, barrels cut down to 24". I have shot this gun hundreds of times, but, as I have aged, my shoulder has aged along with me. I thought I might try a "Kick Buster" lace on pad from Cabelas. The largest size turned out to be a tad small for the stock. Looking the situation over, I thought it might fit better without the butt plate. I have had this gun completely apart several times, spring tuning, lock lubrication etc, but I never had occasion to take the butt plate off. When I removed it, there was a piece of yellowed paper glued inside. It reads:
BIRTHDAY
MAY-22
21 YEARS
OLD - 1879
JACOB B CAMP
FATHER
JOSEPH B CAMP
BORN 12 - 6 - 1821
DIED APRIL 28
1903

I assume Jacob was born in 1879 wich would make him 21 in 1900. A gift from his father? 58 seems a bit old to start a family. The gun must have been sold at some point and cut down by an express co- there is a stamping on the water table LF&CO EX. Anyway, Jacob, I'm glad to here from you,
I like your gun!

[Shotgun Franklin]

You might see if you can find out more about the gun and it's prior owner. I think this kinda stuff is great and worth checking into.

[GunClick Rick]

Check sociel security records,man i would take that paper and have it preserved,you were supposed to get it and they are glad you have it..Got a pic of the note?

[Trailrider]

The stamping on the water table is interesting. Are you certain it is "LF&CO EXP"?  Trying to think what express company besides Adams, American, Wells Fargo would have initials "LF".  Any idea where the gun came from? Might give a clue where to look for these gentlemen in census records, etc.  Are there any numbers, other than a serial number, near the LF&CO EXP?  Might be an inventory number.  Might be associated with a railroad.  Good luck and have fun! I've tracke some people associated with guns off and on for over 20 years. Finally found the gent...or at least his grave!

[Will Penny]

there are a few muzzleloaders "not Antiques" out there with my old hunting lic. under the butt plate...got the idea when a friend of mine bought a old 22 from a gun show and when he tore it down to redo he found a old lic, from in the 1920s if I remember correct..but you have a very excellent find there, the historical value is super.

[GunClick Rick]

good place to stash an extra 20 too.Inside of book binders you can find bills or notes,my grandpa from the dust bowl would tell me he would stash money in a can or jar under fence post,then cut the top of the post to match the others.I was real small when he told me that leaning on a posted fence with wire. That's a good thing to know if your metal detecting..

[Stu Kettle]

"Trying to think what express company besides Adams, American, Wells Fargo would have initials "LF". 

Loomis, Fargo & Company perhaps?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

From wikipedia.org;

Loomis Fargo & Company

On July 15, 1996, Borg-Warner Security agreed to consolidate its Wells Fargo Armored Service with Loomis Armored Inc. Employing 8,500 and providing armored transportation, cash services and automated teller machine maintenance, the new concern was named Loomis Fargo & Company.[9] The transaction was completed in 1997.

About a Century too late for the ol' Ten-Gauge. But maybe these guys

http://www.myspace.com/theloomisfargogang

[Trailrider]

Loomis established his company in 1912, but probably wouldn't have termed it "LF&CO EX" inless he originally named it something like "Loomis Freight & CO Express".  Since Loomis established it in Oregon, you might want to check into that, and see if the Camps were from that area in that timeframe.