Coverage of the Fourth Annual Show

By Staff
Published on May 1, 1975
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Courtesy of Frank Snyder, R.D. 1, Whitney Point, New York 13862
Courtesy of Frank Snyder, R.D. 1, Whitney Point, New York 13862
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Courtesy of Edwin Bredemeier, Steinauer, Nebraska 68441
Courtesy of Edwin Bredemeier, Steinauer, Nebraska 68441
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Central Kentucky Steam & Gas Engine Assn. Inc. Paris,
Kentucky

Memory and the ability to learn are possibly the most worthwhile
and enjoyable possessions available to the people of this age.
Certainly the ability to remember things as they were is used and
enjoyed by older people every day. These memories, in turn, create
learning situations for those, like myself, who did not know this
world and this life before the 1950s. Through these memories,
pieces of history that cannot be remembered because of lack of age
can be enjoyed all the same.

The members of the Central Steam & Gas Engine Assn., Inc.,
are bringing back a lot of memories for a lot of people, and a lot
of new experiences for an even greater number. Each year, just
outside of Paris, Kentucky, the members of this organization devote
a lot of time, money, and hard work in order to present antique
farm equipment, machines, implements, automobiles, trucks, and
engines of all kinds as they should be presented – fully restored,
explained, and performing the type of work they have performed
since the early 1900s. It is a memorable experience to spend a day
or week-end with machines and people who have been the mainstay of
this country for over three-quarters of a century. It’s
fascinating to compare a machine 70 years old to the same machine
manufactured in 1975, especially when you can see, touch, and even
ride on the machines you’re comparing.

Gas engines at Show and Reunion in 1974 of the Central Kentucky
Steam and Gas Engine Assn. Picture by Jodie Watkins, Paris,
Kentucky 40361.

Gas engine display of Billy Joe Broaddus, R.R. 2, Lancaster,
Kentucky 40444. Note: The rare Hoosier engine on left. Taken at the
Central Kentucky Steam and Gas Engine Assn. Show in July of 1974.
Photo by Jodie Watkins, Paris, Kentucky 40361.

Each July, several acres adjoining the Paris Stockyards are
filled with thousands of people from all over the country. Some
from as far south as Florida, as far north as the Canadian border,
east to New York, and as far west as Iowa. All these people come to
see and enjoy the past. And the past is there in the form of
machines. If you like old tractors, you can see any kind you can
think of. Whether you’re interested in John Deere or Waterloo
Boy, Ford or Case, Farmall or International, Minneapolis or Hu-ber
they’ll all be there. They simply sit to be admired, parade the
grounds, stretch fence, or perform any kind of work that needs to
be done around the showgrounds.

A lot of people come to see the big steam engines. These engines
weigh around 25,000 pounds and sit on steel wheels 6 to 7 feet
tall. The power of these big machines is amazing. This club is
fortunate to have so many steam engines available for their shows.
Keck Gonner-man and Case, Minneapolis and Advance Rumely, Baker and
Port Huron are on hand to be ridden, played with and enjoyed.

Always a big part of the exhibits are small gasoline engines.
These are rows of engines of all types and sizes, all restored and
all running beautifully, from the small 1/2 horsepower on up to the
big 25 horsepower engines. These engines do everything from
grinding corn meal to pumping gas and oil. One of the more complete
exhibits in the gasoline engine line is a group of Hagan engines
that were manufactured about 25 miles from Paris in the town of
Winchester, Kentucky.

Apart from the exhibits, there is a lot of work going on. The
sawmill is always in action; men loading wheat on wagons pulled by
the tractors and steam engines; some are busy threshing wheat; and
someone is always operating the shingle mill.

It you run out of farm machines to look at, you could always
turn your attention to the antique cars and trucks. Last year there
were over 75 antique cars and trucks on hand, dating from the
earliest models into the early 1950s.

If the real thing doesn’t hold your interest, there are many
exhibits of scale model machinery, some for sale and others just
for looking.

To get away from the gas and steam engines there are many other
interests covered. Enjoy a demonstration of antique rifles,
shotguns and pistols. Watch a man operate an old broom-making
machine; or compare a 1915 Dexter washing machine to the modern
machine you have at home. You can just sit under a canopy and enjoy
the food from the concessions, a fish sand-which or let the ladies
serve you soup beans and cornbread.

If you like flea markets, this show offers a fine one. Buy
anything you see: household items, old tools, glassware, paintings
or pottery, or leather crafts. Anything you can think of, you can
probably find.

If you enjoy Bluegrass or country, or fiddling music, stay
around in the evenings to listen.

No matter what interest of the past you enjoy, come and relive
it at the Central Kentucky Steam and Gas Engine Assn., Inc.’s
annual show in Paris, Kentucky. This year’s dates: July 11, 12,
& 13.

Early forms of power have been my interest for about six years
now. I started collecting ‘one lung’ engines in 1969 and
have increased my collection to almost 100 now. Most of my engines
are common, but I do have two or three good ones.

Pictured is a miniature ‘toy’ hot air engine
manufactured by the Thermo Engine Co., Chicago, Illinois. This is
an external combustion engine. It is approximately 16′ high and
the flywheels are 4-3/4′ in diameter. The engine has two
pistons [one displacer and one power piston] in one 7/8′
cylinder and is of the Sterling type hot air engine. In other
words, it uses the same air over and over again. The engine can be
disassembled in a few minutes and packed into a suitcase. All the
parts are brass except for the cylinder which is steel. Since the
engine can be so easily disassembled, I believe that it belonged to
a salesman. It was probably used as an aid to help sell this kind
of engine to the farmer. This little jewel will now be retired to
the fireplace mantel where it will rest along beside my
grandfather’s toy Weeden Steam Engine.

Shows the same engine restored and on display at our show. This
engine tipped the scales at 8410 lbs., less the fuel system and
muffler

The picture of the little engine  is a 1-1/2 HP Jaeger. It
is similar to the Economy but made by the Jaeger Machine Co.,
Columbus, Ohio, Circa 1918. This engine was used as an anchor for a
boat dock. We found it on a ranch in Central Oregon. It has since
been restored.

Have been taking GEM for some time now and have not seen too
many articles about people or happenings here on the west coast. So
I want to drop you a line and see if I can help this problem a
little. I normally read GEM from cover to cover at least twice
before I even think of putting it down. It is very informative and
enjoyable to read.

Several years ago while out on weekends hunting for old iron, I
kept running into this ‘nut’ looking for the same things
that I was, What a battle! Two guys trying to do the same thing! So
we sat down over a cup of coffee and discussed our situation. We
decided to do it together. At present we have quite a collection of
stationary engines ranging in sizes from a 3/4 HP Stover to a 55 HP
diesel. We also have a few gas tractors to complement the other
engines. Enclosed are two pictures showing what lengths we have
gone to get an engine. We do all our own machine work, painting,
mag repair and detail work. At our show this last fall there were
around 160 stationary engines on display, and about 50 gas and
steam tractors. A good time was had by all. I want to say that all
your readers are welcome to come out and visit us during our show.-
Aug. 2 & 3 – Aug. 9& 10. As I said before, GEM is very
enjoyable, so keep up the good work and keep-um coming.

Courtesy of Jack Versteeg, 3935 Cooley Drive, N.E., Salem,
Oregon 97303

Bruce Smith and Karen Ball of Uh-bridge, Ontario, Canada – 20-40
Rumely.

Large Twin City at Albany Jubilee, North of Sabetha, Kansas in
July 1974. Needs restoring when parts are found and it is owned by
Albany Museum.

28 x 50 HP Hart-Parr tractor at the Jubilee. It is owned by Gay
DuRec, Omaha, Nebraska.

Neglected and forgotten this old International screen-cooler
gathers rust and dust in a weed patch near a Spokane [Wash.] farm
along about 1955. One of thousands of this type j that did their
part in winning the west, this 10 HP one-banger slowly erodes under
a hot summer sun and at this stage of the game it would appear that
it’s the end of the trail for the old mill. But, for old
#F-2764 at least, it was a happy day and shortly after she was
hauled from oblivion with the fine results shown in the second
photo.

Now, on July 4, 1974, her screen sparkling in the sun and
fly-wheels rotating at gentle idle the old girl awaits her entry
into the show ring at an annual celebration. A spectator gives
close scrutiny to the business end of the famous and apparently the
racket of the exhaust was too much for the neighborhood cat who
found, at the far left of the picture, safety in an onlooker’s
arms. Mills of this type fired on kerosene and were kept under
control with a hit and miss governor coupled into a low-tension
oscillating mag. A fine example of what can be done to preserve
these fine engines of a by-gone era. While his wife Alice patiently
awaits him for lunch, Clarence Harsch, Millwood, Washington gas
buff, steals yet another look at the nude figure-head he has
installed on one of his OIL-PULLS. With this two ‘OILERS’
and the International Screen Cooler [pictured here] as some of the
results of his ability to bring machines back to life the INLAND
EMPIRE STEAM AND GAS BUFFS, Inc., is indeed proud to bring
acknowledgment of this work to the attention and enjoyment of fans
everywhere.

Courtesy of J. Swan, Reporter, Inland Empire Steam & Gas
Buffs Box 325 Millwood Branch, Spokane, Washington 99212.

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