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All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> New to the Collection >> Neat Sad Story

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Neat Sad Story - 6/25/2008 1:10:00 AM    Penn Digger Posts: 1669 Joined: 5/12/2008 From: PA woods Status: offline I am not a collector of milks normally.  Joe The Crow and I dug shards of a very rare local milk several years ago.  It was a local pint bottle...Clover Leaf Dairy..Bradford...(PA) with a three leaf clover on it....embossed.  Mentioned it over the years to several long term die hard bottle and milk collectors and inquired at the local historical society.  Supposedly it was only in existence for a year or so around 1915-16. A few bottle diggers from the 1960's said OHHH...rarer than a hen's tooth..The local milk bottle guru doesn't even have one.  I wanted this milk just because it was so rare and nobody had one except a very humble local 60's digger (Ernie Hurd). Over the last couple of years Ernie's son-in-law would call up and order food to go from our restaurant for Ernie, who was by then homebound.  I inquired dozens of times about the bottle with absolutely no reception from him.  I did not know Ernie as I only met him once for a brief moment years ago.  He was an old time digger who dug all the early dumps from here to Buffalo in the 60's and 70's, rumored to have "thousands" of bottles. Last Friday morning Ernie was taken to the local hospital by ambulance.  He died Saturday night. On Monday, I was helping with the lunch rush at the restaurant and received a phone call from Ernie's son-in-law.  I told him I was sorry to read of Ernie's passing in the paper that morning.  He asked how long I would be there and said he would be right down to talk to me about something. He walked through the door 10 minutes later, sat at the counter, and handed me the infamous Clover Leaf Dairy bottle.  He explained that between the trip to hospital and his passing the next night, Ernie made a list of things he wanted.  One of them was to give me the bottle I had inquired about so many times.  I offered to buy him lunch.  He said NO, Ernie wanted you to have it and walked out. Thank you Ernie and God Bless You.  Rest In Peace. PD < Message edited by Penn Digger -- 6/26/2008 7:28:40 AM > Post #: 1

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/25/2008 1:34:31 AM    popster Posts: 23 Joined: 6/9/2008 Status: offline Very nice story-Thanks for sharing it. R.I.P. Ernie Hurd (in reply to Penn Digger) Post #: 2

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/25/2008 2:12:26 AM    capsoda Posts: 9823 Joined: 11/15/2005 From: Seminole,Alabama, USA Status: offline Apparently Tom, You were meant to have it. I had an elderly gentileman who came into a jewelry store where I did watch and jewelry work every 2 months to get a battery for his watch. I think he was just lonely because there was nothing wrong with the watch but he insisted it needed a battery just the same. He always talked about some old bottles he had in his barn that were for his grand children, nieces and nephews. One day on the scheduled day for his battery change his daughter came in, handed me an old paper bag and told me that a week before he had died in his sleep. After she had gotten him taken care of she got the bottles ready for the kids, each set of bottles in its own bag with the childs name on it in pencil and there was one that said, "Warren the watch battery man". When I opened the bag it had three deco sodas in it and one was a very rare Chero Cola bottle from Pensacola, Florida. It is the only Chero Cola bottle that I know of that has any real value to it and the only other one I have ever seen was purchased by a good friend for 100 bucks. I have the bag sealed in plastic and put away and I have all there bottles and when I go the story, bag and bottles will got to one of my grand children. Like I said, sometimes your just meant to have it. < Message edited by capsoda -- 6/25/2008 2:28:27 AM > _____________________________ Warren Diggin down in Dixie, USA Work is for people who don't dig bottles President, Panhandle Cruisers http://www.panhandlecruisers.org/ http://www.bornagainamerican.org (in reply to popster) Post #: 3

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/25/2008 5:39:55 AM    RICKJJ59W Posts: 10975 Joined: 3/8/2007 From: Lehigh Valley US of A Status: offline Nice story to start the day with _____________________________ My web site. Lots of privy and dump dig pictures.(New look) Also dig story's I wrote, published in Antique Bottle & Glass Collector magazine. www.19thcenturybottlediggers.com (in reply to Penn Digger) Post #: 4

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/25/2008 10:31:09 AM    glass man Posts: 7554 Joined: 1/30/2008 From: GEORGIA Status: offline COOL! THE clover leaf milk will always be more than just another rare bottle. _____________________________ LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED ! IF YOU NEED A BLESSING OR A SONG THAT WILL PICK YOU UP PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS SONG FROM"VAN THE MAN"MORRISON! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi4R2YXv_AE (in reply to RICKJJ59W) Post #: 5

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/25/2008 4:22:38 PM    sweetrelease Posts: 1174 Joined: 7/20/2006 From: newport, nj Status: offline nice story! there is an old man who lives across the way from me. one day he saw me out front "washing" some of my dug bottles.he walks over to me and asked what i was doing and i told him. he never said much and just walked away two days later he knocks on my door and handed me a box,inside were about a dozen bottles. he told me" remember when you cut my grass two years ago when i was in the hospital"? "well ,thank you these are yours". there were some nice local stuff,but the thought that it took from him to give me them was what mattered to me. anyway nice story and hold on to that milk bottle ,matt < Message edited by sweetrelease -- 6/25/2008 4:24:05 PM > (in reply to glass man) Post #: 6

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/25/2008 11:35:17 PM    JOETHECROW Posts: 9278 Joined: 9/3/2005 From: Northwestern Pa. (Near scenic Lake Perfidy) Status: offline Here's the pics Tom... Attachment (1) _____________________________ Joe ``````````````````````````````````` In the woods we return to reason and faith. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooTyuRd9zSg&feature=related (in reply to sweetrelease) Post #: 7

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/25/2008 11:37:58 PM    JOETHECROW Posts: 9278 Joined: 9/3/2005 From: Northwestern Pa. (Near scenic Lake Perfidy) Status: offline Another... Attachment (1) _____________________________ Joe ``````````````````````````````````` In the woods we return to reason and faith. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooTyuRd9zSg&feature=related (in reply to JOETHECROW) Post #: 8

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/26/2008 7:31:02 AM    Penn Digger Posts: 1669 Joined: 5/12/2008 From: PA woods Status: offline Thanks again Joe.  You're a good friend.  Don't forget to bring the bottles back..LOL (in reply to JOETHECROW) Post #: 9

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/26/2008 8:33:31 AM    lobeycat Posts: 6697 Joined: 9/8/2003 From: RED SOX Nation Status: offline I've been given a few bottles over the years. In all the cases I can remember something was always wanted in return. Whether they wanted a bottle in exchange or some work done around their home, it was always something. Until recently that is.....A few weeks ago (been working on the house 12-14 hours a day the last month or so, so time's a little messed up) I was contacted by a member of this very forum about a bottle I saw here and admired. I barely remembered commenting on it but this gentleman who shall remain nameless ~Bob~ remembered my comment when he found another and asked me if I'd like to have it. I thanked him and said sure and a few days later a package arrived. When I popped the box open there was the bottle, a figural turtle and two others! An anchor strap side and a southern med. Along with these a little note. I was touched and floored by his ~Bob's~ generosity. I thanked him privately ~Bob~ but this seemed like a good post to do it again. Never too old to be amazed by the good side of human nature..... _____________________________ http://youtu.be/YkdOqdpSc0A makes a man cry it does lol. (in reply to Penn Digger) Post #: 10

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/26/2008 7:01:40 PM    Penn Digger Posts: 1669 Joined: 5/12/2008 From: PA woods Status: offline At our restauant, I have a row of nice antique bottles of varying color in the front window.  It has been good advertising, like a flashing light to bring in old bottles.  When we first opened nearly two years ago, a man gave us a box of local embossed meds (a few of which I did not have already).  Numerous local and far away blobs and hutch sodas have been donated mostly one at a time by customers.  A nice early Dr. Wistars too.  A lot of plain, clear machine made junk has come in too, but I act like I appreciate it too and give people some pointers on seams, embossing and color.  Two weeks ago two seperate blobs were dropped off when I was not there and another fairly rare local painted milk.  Last week, the Clover Leaf bottle, but that was different as a I mentioned above.  I've had some nice keepers brought in, but I have also turned around and given a few doubles away. Of all these people coming in, only one asked for money.  When I told him what I thought it was worth, he left with it. There was a guy in a van a year or so ago who saw me downtown near a place Joe The Crow and I have dug many times.  He called me over and said "you collect bottles don't you?"  He ended up giving me an early whiskey and Albany Glass Works flask.  I gave the whiskey to Joe. People have been generous in giving me antique bottles, including Joe.  I am very grateful to have met so many giving people in a world that sometimes seems filled with takers.    P D < Message edited by Penn Digger -- 6/27/2008 10:06:49 AM > (in reply to lobeycat) Post #: 11

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/26/2008 10:30:08 PM    texasdigger Posts: 624 Joined: 1/6/2006 From: Roanoke Texas Status: offline There are some really nice stories in this thread guys.  Thanks for sharing.  It is nice to see that people are still capable of selfless generosity.  In my bottle digging and collceting career  I have yet to experience any of this.  All of the people I have run into have had a castoria or prices extracts, and thought I was going to pay them big bucks for them.  When I explained value, age, rarity and color they had already tuned me out.  It seems like as soon as someone thinks something old has value that is all they want to hear.  When I ask for permission to dig somewhere value is something I never mention.  As soon as they realise some bottles are truly valuble they decide "we are going to dig that stuff up".  I am always polite, and willing to share bottles with em.  But some nuts can be very hard to crack. Great stories guys!  Have an awesome friday.  Man am I glad the weekend is alomost here.  It has been one hot hot work week down here in Tejas. Brad (in reply to Penn Digger) Post #: 12

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/26/2008 10:42:14 PM    capsoda Posts: 9823 Joined: 11/15/2005 From: Seminole,Alabama, USA Status: offline I have recieved many bottles free from forum members who sent them for various reasons. To many to name and don't know if they would want to be named. You can be assured that I remember exactly who sent what and when I am showing my bottles of to folks I always tell them which friend sent what. Some times they notice them befor I can tell them anything about them. Most of my bottles are grouped, local sodas, local meds, ACLs, Whiskeys ect.... and the mixed up group is called my "bottle friends collection". There are some great folks on this forum!!! _____________________________ Warren Diggin down in Dixie, USA Work is for people who don't dig bottles President, Panhandle Cruisers http://www.panhandlecruisers.org/ http://www.bornagainamerican.org (in reply to texasdigger) Post #: 13

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/27/2008 10:14:46 PM    deer4x4 Posts: 368 Joined: 1/2/2008 From: san jose ca. Status: offline who you talken bout this was a nice post and strange things do happen the most i have found out is how diffrent people of the bottle world are my sense has been i dont want to take it to the grave and who better but a person that appreciates the meaning of a gift and bottle also it by far feels great to make some people smile in life even after life is gone there is always the memories of it you all have a good day  hey lobeycat here's a pic for ya i was gettin robbed bob Attachment (1) < Message edited by deer4x4 -- 6/27/2008 10:16:01 PM > (in reply to lobeycat) Post #: 14

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/27/2008 10:45:57 PM    lobeycat Posts: 6697 Joined: 9/8/2003 From: RED SOX Nation Status: offline BobDude I wrestled one of those once. Least I think it was a bear. Might have been a bouncer with a heavy coat in a bar up in Maine. It was pretty dark in there. Very cool pic Bobcat! That hat looks great on you _____________________________ http://youtu.be/YkdOqdpSc0A makes a man cry it does lol. (in reply to deer4x4) Post #: 15

RE: Neat Sad Story - 6/27/2008 11:51:50 PM    NorCalBottleHunter Posts: 353 Joined: 5/22/2008 From: Rio Vista,ca Status: offline wow.......  that was a great story (in reply to Penn Digger) Post #: 16

RE: Neat Sad Story - 10/29/2009 4:19:50 AM    glass man Posts: 7554 Joined: 1/30/2008 From: GEORGIA Status: offline JUST HAPPENED TO RUN UP ON THIS STORY AGAIN! IT IS A CLASSIC! MAN WE NEED MANY MORE STORIES LIKE THIS! JAMIE _____________________________ LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED ! IF YOU NEED A BLESSING OR A SONG THAT WILL PICK YOU UP PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS SONG FROM"VAN THE MAN"MORRISON! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi4R2YXv_AE (in reply to NorCalBottleHunter) Post #: 17

RE: Neat Sad Story - 10/30/2009 12:10:41 AM    Penn Digger Posts: 1669 Joined: 5/12/2008 From: PA woods Status: offline Jamie, Since you brought this old post up I will do a brief follow up.  Ernie's family later invited Joe (the Crow) and I to be some of the first to take a look at some of Ernie's bottles they wanted to part with.  The rumor of thousands of bottles was definately true.  Rooms full of bottles!!!!!!  One room was packed full of boxes with tiny dividers in them for small meds, boxes and boxes of milks, whiskeys...and many blobs...mostly Buffalo, NY stuff.  Another room was packed full of (buckets stacked upon buckets) 5 gallon buckets full of dirty bottles, many never even washed.  It was like he brought buckets of bottles home from digging and just kept filling up the room.  A lot of stoneware beers. Joe and I did our best to look through as many as we could.  It took several visits.  There were some nice ones there, out of my honest price range.  He went to a lot of shows over the years and sold bottles, so I couldn't believe he still had this many left when he passed away!!! Joe picked up some meds and I was HAPPY to pick up about 40 to 50 mainly local bottles, some new variants and some I didn't even have or know existed.  The family was very generous with pricing.  Thanks! Thanks again Ernie for your love of bottles, they still live on!  R I P.  In fact he will be credited in an upcoming local bottle and brewery book that's in the works.  The Clover Leaf Dairy bottle will be in it. PD < Message edited by Penn Digger -- 10/30/2009 12:14:09 AM > (in reply to glass man) Post #: 18

RE: Neat Sad Story - 10/30/2009 12:53:11 AM    blobbottlebob Posts: 3354 Joined: 12/20/2005 From: Wisconsin Status: online Hey everyone. What a great thread! I'm sorry to hear about Ernie's passing, but it was really nice of him to give you the milk. Okay, here's a similar (though less dramatic example) of a friend giving me a bottle. My diving buddy Jim and I met in the off season (ie. winter) to share dive stories and compare a box of our favorite bottles. He pulled out a rare quart hutch. I did not yet have any quart hutches from my state and this was a good one. I was awed by it and told him how great it was. He said "Take it. If you like it that much it's yours." Wow. What a great friend. I ended up giving him a bunch of stuff back but it's a good feeling to have friends that are that nice. (Thanks again Jimmy if you see this!)   I always try to pass along a bottle or two to anyone interested in what we are doing at the launches. If I meet someone with the last name of Miller (for example), I'll give them an example . . . (in reply to Penn Digger) Post #: 19

RE: Neat Sad Story - 10/30/2009 3:08:03 AM    glass man Posts: 7554 Joined: 1/30/2008 From: GEORGIA Status: offline THANKS TOM SO MUCH FOR THE UPDATE! SOUNDS LIKE HE JUST ENJOYED THE DIGGING OF OLD BOTTLES! I WAS SO GLAD TO SEE THIS AGAIN LAST NIGHT IT PICKED ME UP! THANKS FOR THE ADD ON BOB! THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT HAVE EVER GIVEN ME ANY BOTTLES ARE RIGHT HERE ON THIS FORUM!! [OOPS AND ASHLIE AND DEAN MY BROTHER IN LAW!] JAMIE < Message edited by glass man -- 10/30/2009 5:07:35 PM > _____________________________ LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED ! IF YOU NEED A BLESSING OR A SONG THAT WILL PICK YOU UP PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS SONG FROM"VAN THE MAN"MORRISON! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi4R2YXv_AE (in reply to blobbottlebob) Post #: 20

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