Louisiana has an Antique Engine Club

By Staff
1 / 6
Sonny Boudreaux's pair of Evinrudes.
Sonny Boudreaux's pair of Evinrudes.
2 / 6
3 / 6
Ralph Olmsted's Domestic at Club Meet in Schrieuex, La., October 27, 1979.
Ralph Olmsted's Domestic at Club Meet in Schrieuex, La., October 27, 1979.
4 / 6
Rodney Leger's F.M. Eclipse.
Rodney Leger's F.M. Eclipse.
5 / 6
Ralph Olmsted's vertical Stover at June show.
Ralph Olmsted's vertical Stover at June show.
6 / 6
Dick Gibbens in 75 year old 'Olie Mae' powered by 2 HP Lockwood Ash owned by Rodney Leger.
Dick Gibbens in 75 year old 'Olie Mae' powered by 2 HP Lockwood Ash owned by Rodney Leger.

Schriever,Louisiana 70395

On the weekend of June 30 a handful of ‘Old Engine
Friends’ met at a small farm outside of Lafayette. There was
good food, soft drinks and the first antique engine show this state
has ever had! Represented were 19th and 20th century Fairbanks
Morse, Waterloo, Bessemer, Fairmont, Stover, Leiroy, Domestic,
Novo, Cushman and Jaeger, Rock Island, Lockwood Ash, John Deere gas
engines. There was also a Golden cane mill, a rice mill and an
Avery steam engine. Exhibitors and guests alike had a ball, asking
and answering questions and showing off once-upon-a-time workers
turned toys! Most of the guests had never known of such a hobby,
much less attended a show of machinery that has played an important
part in our history. Stories abounded! One man told me about a
stern-wheel boat his uncle had used to pull logs to the sawmill
that they called the boat ‘SNORTIN’ BILLY’ because of
the characteristic sound of its one cylinder 6 HP gas engine. His
voice conveyed a fond memory of a happy time and a sincere
thankfullness that we are preserving the machines that revive those
memories.

Our first show lasted all day Saturday and Sunday and was one
continuous sound of engines ticking away. A 12 HP Fairbanks Morse
model N chugged along at 60 RPM making a hit stroke to about 30
miss strokes! It was the heaviest, slowest and oldest gas engine at
the show. A 15 HP screen cooled Fairbanks Morse Z model on trucks
was surely the most powerful and was beautifully restored to
original. A vertical FM T model puffed out its song on a trailer
alongside a vertical 3 HP 1907 Bessemer. A long line of open crank,
one cylinder engines puffed, rattled and monkey-motioned their
share of attention from the guests and exhibitors. A 1? HP FM
fitted with a 2′ straight exhaust and a rich kerosene mixture
regularly puffed out smoke rings. To the amazement of its lady
owner, a small poodle dog leaped into the air trying to bite the
curious white rings! The show ended with all in attendance having
been well entertained. Interest in our hobby zoomed!! Collectors
and guests asked ‘when’s the next one?’

 ‘The next one’ was October 27th in the form of a
private meet at a member’s home. From a handful of ‘engine
friends’ we have grown to ‘The Bayou Old Time Engine and
Power Association.’ Our club has 20 members with an inventory
of more than 150 engines. The October 27th meet had new members
with impressive displays. Palmer, Nadler, Lockwood Ash, Evinrude,
Detroit and Cali were marine engines exhibited. Hercules, Witte,
McCormick Deering, Brownwall, Eclipse and Fairbanks Morse were one
lungers shown. There were 47 engines at the meet. The ‘Olie
Mae,’ a turn of the century skiff powered by a 2? HP Lockwood
Ash spent most of the day put-putting up and down the nearby Bayou,
showing off its ease of reversing. A flag, nicely lettered,
‘The Bayou Old Time Engine and Power Association, was at full
mast.

Yes sir, Louisiana engine nuts have a club. Collecting is good
down here-a wide variety is still out in the bush waiting to dress
up for our next show!

We welcome comments from you about forming a new club and we
welcome applicants to our club. Our president is Ralph Olmstad, 120
Guadalajara, New Iberia, Louisiana 70560.

  • Published on Mar 1, 1980
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388