Re: (erielack) RE: "F.P.Bunnell & Son"

["Dlw1el2_@_aol.com"]

Schuyler, and Dick

You are correct or just about everything you have stated Dick except that,
Both
Watson W. Bunnell, and William W. Barry, W is the middel initial for both men,
were employed at the same time.  Barry did not replace Bunnell.  I've spoke
with John Willever on this many times myself, and I don't think its a proven
fact that Barry used the Jr. to differentiate himself from Bunnell, but
conjecture.

Per John, Watson W. Bunnell was employed by the Lackawanna from about 1905 to
1919 when he was let go, a fact that he was quite bitter over.  All his
negatives are in the A through G series, with the A, B and C being the most
numerous.  Most of these are at Syracuse University and are of the 8 x10 size.
The F series are the really large negatives, and the E the smaller box camera
size. Most of these are also at Syracuse.  Most but not all Bunnell negatives
have a B in a circle, or  ---B--- inscripted on them. 

There are a few negatives that have the Letter A which Bunnell allowed Jack
Annamen to put on if he actually took the photo.  He was Bunnells assistant
99%of the time until he went into the service during World War one.  When he
came out of the service he never helped again.

William W. Barry was employed by the Lackawanna from about 1907 to 1933. In
later years it was on a contract basis.  All his negatives are in the X
series.  He often initialled his negatives WWB Jr, and Occasionally it would
be on the negative reversed, so that it would appear correct as if you were
looking into a mirror.  All attempts by John to find the where abouts of
William Barry or his surviving relations have been futile.

I'm pleased to say that about 14 or 15 years ago The Tri State Railroad
Historical Society sponsored John Willever, and myself,  along with three very
old and knowledgeable retired Railroaders.  We spent five days inside the
George Arentz Library annex building cataloging a portion of the C collection
of negatives.  In a very worth wild project, over 500 negatives  were
cataloged that week, and I have fond memories working with those men. Many of
the negatives would never have been able to be corectly identified, if it
hadn't been for the knowledgfe of the railroad 50 years past that those men
showed.   Unfortunately  that figure is only a small fraction of what is
there, and  not cataloged. Its also unfortunate to state that all three of
those men are no longer with us.  I would also like to mentioned credit where
credit is due.  The Syracuse Chapter of the NRHS put several of us up in there
homes that week, thus Tri State  was spared a large lodging bill.  A big thank
you is still extended to them for that hospitality.

So in regard to your question about F.P. Bunnell Schuyler its not really known
if he was related to Watson or not. John has stated that a couple of Bunnells
negatives did become postcards, noteing one at the Water Gap Station. The
number 2847 could be a negative number. There does exist a Richard Bunnell,
who's step grandfather was Watson.  His last known address is over 10 years
old, but I am going to try to contact him later this week.  I'll let you know
if there is anything positive.

Bob

PS.  A big thank you should be extended to John Willever for researching
through    
        the years, all three Lackawanna Photographers.  Although its not
stated,  the   
        works of these three men  are very prevelent in the Tabor Books.

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