I need to set the record streight on George. Last week I received an email from George's son about George, his clock and his paintings. It seems, among other things, George was a real story teller and the stories he told me during my visit were great stories but not exactly factual. Here's the factual info from the son:
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"Jim, I am George Heinemann's son, Dr. George Heinemann, Jr. I read a post U wrote tonight on a Kentucky Rifle website. My Dad died Sept 2008 & my Mother recently passed in March.
I am in the process of settling their estate at the home you stayed at in New Hampshire. FYI, the clock you bought at aucton, was not my parents. Their clock, built by Oswald Stennes in Massachusetts, was purchased in 1965 & is the only grandmother clock in their homes.. That clock is now in my home along with two others I own. My Dad was quite the story teller, we did not live on beans to buy the clock.. I was in high school (graduated in 1967) and enjoyed sailing on their 27 foot sailboat during those years, eating & drinking well. My father always claimed nobody had any interest in his guns or beautiful art. His view was his only!!!!! I grew up competing at Fort Ticonderoga & Monroe, NY in black powder competition & in several .22 leagues as a teenager. Our family was very successful in wins and my father became bored with competition & took up sailing & gave that up in the late 70's, boredom. He continued to build Kentucky rifles into his late 70's (died at 84) and was always helping others at the range or in their shops with black powder rifles. In my 20's until now, I shoot several benchrest rifles, all custom built, and handguns....I went in a different direction than my Dad & for this he felt none of his family cared about his hobby. I took up trapshooting in 1996, was our states Rookie of the Year and had high average for a few years. I am proud to say I have run 200x200 from the 27 yard line. I became bored with the sport 10 years ago like my Dad did w/ blackpowder competition & stopped competing for cheap prizes. However, I remain a firearm recreational enthusiast shooting several days a week, reloading and tweaking the groups, all because of my intense interest in firearms from my upbringing. My Dad made me a left-handed flintlock about 30 years ago. I shot it several times & retired it to the wall because I do not enjoy black powder shooting/cleaning etc.; this really disturbed Dad I have it along with 3 others that remained in his collection hanging proudly in my home. Dad never accepted all the deer I take with an in-line Ruger with a Leupold scope. My three children, who all shot muzzle loaders w/ Dad, are not interested in firearms, although we shoot sporting clays and handguns a few times a year at my club together. I do not hold their lack of interest in firearms or my love to play golf (they do not) against them. They are adults and have their own interest. However, all my children want one of Grandpa's rifles in their homes. Regarding the beautiful nautical artwork we all loved, they are hanging in our homes. Straight story from George's son. I do appreciate all his skills and the basics he gave me to find my own ways. Best, George Jr. (age 62)"
