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The rifle is discussed in several of the included primary source documents. For example, the story discussed above written by Faucett noted that after returning to Deadwood, “We each received a Peabody Martini rifle with one hundred cartridges of 45 calibre and seventy grains of powder for the guns. The rifles were expressed from Providence R.I. A present from Mr. Zack Chafee, Jr. and were suitably engraved. My rifle bore the following inscription: H.S. Faucett for services, 1877. From Z. Chafee. Jr. Providence. R.I. The engraving on Mr. Wormwood’s rifle was similar. This rifle I still have and hold it dearly as an old faithful friend that has been with me on man
a long journey laid beside me at the camp-fire and I trust that we will continue so until the red current of life ceases to course my veins, and death ends the hunter, and my varied and eventful career.” He notes that around June 20, 1913, Chafee visited with him at the City Market House
in Kansas City, Missouri. The first time they had met in person since 1877, but copies of many of the numerous letters they exchanged over the years show they had remained in touch. These letters too occasionally
reference the rifle.
A letter by Faucett addressed from Deadwood, Dakota Territory, on September 2, 1877, to Z. Chafee Jr. that begins with “Dear Friend Zack” discusses Chafee having asked if they would like anything of Newton’s to remember him by and states that they would like a photograph of Newton if possible and also noting that the ramrod and wiper of Chafee’s rifle were left at the stable in Sydney. The end of the letter is marked “Z.C. Providence 9th mo 11th 1877 The best presents will be two ‘Providence Tool Co Rifle’ properly engraved” with the last two words underlined several times followed by “Burough.” On November 22, 1877, from Deadwood, Faucett again wrote to “Dear Friend Zack” telling him he had received the guns.
“I am well pleased with my gun and must congratulate you on our good judgment in choosing a gun for the frontier more especially on account of the calibre amount of powder &c. I am unable to express my feelings of regards to the giver, for such unmerited tokens of friendship, but suffice to say I will ever keep my gun in in grateful remembrance of the giver and trust Hank will do the same...I have not had any photos taken yet,
but as soon as I get rested and cleaned up a little, (get some of the ruff off ) I will have some taken, hand , and I went to get some taken together before he left but the artist was only taking ster view. The one Hank sent
was taken at RC agcy, but in
a short time I will send you one. I don’t want
to get any unless they are good ones, and the artist here now is not good. But there is a new gallery fitting up as soon as tis done, I will sit for
a negative.” A copy of a photograph of Faucett dressed in buckskins with a cartridge belt, knife, revolver and this rifle presented across his legs is included. This is likely the same portrait he
had taken to send to his friend Zack in the East.
The rifle is also mentioned in a letter from April 27, 1913, when Faucett was working on writing about his frontier experiences he wrote to Chafee noting that “I still have the old rifle you sent me and love it as a true
and tried old friend.” Another letter in 1918 requests Chafee send him a replacement peep sight for the rifle noting that “I am now 73 years of age, but there is a betting chance that we will yet have to fight the Germans here at home, and in this event, I am ready to go and help the boys. My great grandfather served in the Revolution. My grandfather fought the British and Indians under Genl. Harrison, 1811-1812 and I am ready to
do my bit. What are you doing? Suppose you are turning out guns and ammunition by the ship load; we of the West know but little what is being done in the East.” He ends, “P.S. The peep sight I want is for the back sight.
I have all in place but the peep or thumbscrew sight.” His drawing shows that he was looking for a replacement for the absent peep from the ladder of the rifle. Later letters indicate some of Faucett’s family members were killed in World War I, and Chafee noted that his company had produced machinery and tooling for manufacturing rifles, airplanes, trucks, tractors, turbine engines for destroyers, and more during the war and also noting that about 18% of the men from his shops enlisted and 10% of
those were killed.
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