R. D. 2, #93, Claysville, Pennsylvania 15323
On June 6, 1977, a group of collectors held a meeting to discuss
the forming of a club which would sponsor an annual exhibition that
would demonstrate to the public, the antique equipment and the
manner in which they were used. Since 1977 the club has grown from
the original nine members, and now has a membership of 118. The
members have worked hard and on June 24 and 25, 1978, the
Washington County Antique Engines and Collectors Association, held
its first annual exhibition at the fairgrounds, West Alexander,
Pennsylvania.
Beginning Saturday, the show opened with 118 gas engines,
several tractors and a few antique autos, but as the day went by
more and more exhibits kept coming in. The day was beautiful! The
skies were clear and blue and everything went smoothly. The members
of the club all took turns at the gate greeting everyone that came
to the show. That evening the members, campers and even the
security guards joined in a bon fire. Everyone sat around the fire,
roasting hot dogs and eating ‘mountain pies’, which was a
first for me…..! It was 1 a.m. before everyone quieted down for
the night.
Sunday was opened with services offered by a visiting minister
from the Cumberland Gap area. This got everyone off to a good start
for the day. By noon there were 180 gas engines present. Some of
the rarest engines were: 13 HP Domestic, 2 cylinder; 12 HP Witte
diesel electric; Sandow 1? HP, 2 cycle upright; Standard Scale
& Supply (S.S.S.) 1? HP upright; Bovard-Sofang 4 HP upright;
Freeport (Stover) 4 HP upright; Reid 5 HP and a C.H.E. These, along
with the more common models, all made for a terrific show!
Antique automobiles were present with a variety of 21 types to
choose from. Two major surprises of the day included the 1899
Schacht, owned by Fred McCoy of Blacksville, West Virginia,
claiming the title of the oldest antique auto in all of West
Virginia. The second surprise was a 1928 Model A Ford Pickup. Now
this was something to see all right, but the car was driven from
Phoenix, Arizona. Needless to say, the owner, Al Coffield, was
awarded an honorary membership as a prize for the exhibitor that
traveled the farthest.
Speaking of 1928’s. Also present was the 1928 Model A Ford
4-door sedan, owned by Carl and Donna Chadwick of Washington,
Pennsylvania. This was the second place winner at the 1977 National
Meet, held at Hershey, PA.
The antique autos pretty well held their own. Ford was nicely
represented by T’s, A’s, B’s, and early V-8’s;
Chevrolets by 1939 2-door sedan; Chrysler by a 1931 4-door sedan;
Mercury by a 1950 2-door sedan; a 1919 5-ton White truck with stake
body; a 1951 Mack flat bed. Also on hand was a beautifully restored
1948 4-wheel drive, Ford Firetruck which captivated the audience
during the parade.
Many tractors were on hand to add to the show too: 1934 Allis
Chalmers WC; 1926 John Deere model D; three Fordsons; 1928 with
tracks, 1926 with side mounted mower, and a 1919 mounted on solid
rubber; 1920 8-16 International; 1937 F-12; 1934 F-14; 1936
F-30.
Walking tractors were a plenty too with such makes as Bolens,
Choremaster, Standard, Garden Aid, and a nicely homemade tractor
that sure made its way around the show grounds.
All the members of the association worked very hard, and that
was obvious in the faces of the spectators. Without such team work,
this show would not have been such a success.
I would like to take this time to thank everyone of you that
contributed in any way to the success and smooth running of this
first show. And to all of you spectators, rest assured, there will
be another show for 1979. Same time, same place. Hope ya’ll
come.