Herman ‘Slim’ Watson and his wife MYRTA, who lived near
McLouth in Leavenworth County, Kansas, always had a warm spot in
their hearts for the old ‘Iron Horse’ or the great steam
engines and threshing machines. They decided to invite other
‘Iron Horse’ owners to their farm to show off their engines
and machines. This is how the Steam Engine Show and Threshing Bee
got started back in 1957.
The show was traditionally held at the Watson farm. In 1965 it
came under the authority of The Heart of America Antique Steam
Engine and Model Assoc., Inc. or simply called ‘The
Association’ by the local residents and was relocated to their
present show site, on the south edge of McLouth, Kansas.
Our dear MYRTA WATSON passed away September 9, 1989 following an
ever so brief illness. She was born September 30, 1903.
Our brother CALVIN ‘CAB’ HANSEN passed away June 10,
1989, also after a short illness. He was born January 21, 1903. Cab
had been the hired hand for the Watson family 57 years. He was
always considered part of the family and gave a lifetime of love,
devotion, and dedicated service while living with the Watsons.
The officers, directors, members and friends so loved them and
they shall never be forgotten.
Submitted by Doug McQuitty, President of Heart of America
Antique Steam Engine and Model Assoc. Inc. McLouth, Kansas
66054.
Memorial services for JOHN OWEN STACKHOUSE, JR., 75, Geneva,
Iowa, were held Monday, October 2, 1989 in Hampton, Iowa.
Mr. Stackhouse died of cancer Thursday, September 28 at his
home. Born in 1914, at Hampton, the son of John Owen Stackhouse and
Leannah (Stacy), he attended a rural school in Reeve Township.
On November 5, 1932 he married Maxine Bullard. He served in
World War II and was a carpenter and contractor in the area until
his retirement in 1979, after which time he collected and repaired
gas engines. He was an active member of the Franklin County
Historial Society.
Survivors include his wife Maxine, Geneva; four daughters; 12
grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Submitted by Mrs. O. J. Stackhouse, 602 Front Street, P. O.
Box 175, Geneva, Iowa 50633.
ERNEST ANDES of Brooklyn, Iowa passed away May 27, 1989, of
cancer.
He served with the U.S. Army in WWII from 1943 to 1946. Later he
became a Standard Oil agent and operated Andes Oil Company for 30
years, retiring in 1974.
He had an avid interest in gas engines and enjoyed the Mt.
Pleasant Old Threshers Reunion every year, as well as many other
shows. He loved to buy, sell and trade vintage engines. In later
years, he sold some engines to beginners and friends very
reasonably, to help them get started in this marvelous hobby.
He was a member of Central Iowa Hawkeye Club, Flywheel Gas
Engine and Tractor Club, Arizona Early Day Tractor and Gas Engine
Club, Mid Iowa Antique Power Association and several others.
Ernie made many friends in the clubs and at the meets and
enjoyed them all a great deal. Those of us who had the pleasure of
knowing Ernie will miss him and his wisdom and wit in the years to
come.
The above was compiled from notes submitted by Harold S.
Kimberley, Rural Route 1, U.S. Highway 30, Colo, Iowa 50056, and by
Art and Barb Landayt, 608 Clark St., Williamsburg, Iowa
52361.
TOIVO ARMAS ANDERSON, born in 1909, near Trochu, Alberta,
Canada, passed away September 16, 1989. A good steam engineer, he
owned a Case steamer, 1912, 28×80. He traveled with friends to
Pionera in Saskatoon, Sask. for many years. He was the founding and
life member of the Pioneer Acres Ploughmen’s &
Threshermen’s Club of Irricana, Alberta. He is survived by his
loving wife Elsie, daughter Ilona, son-in-law Phil Noble, and two
grandchildren. He will be missed by many.
Submitted by Arlo Jurney, 1524 49th St. SE, Calgary,
Alberta, Canada T2A 1S1.
TREVA L. DEPOY, 69, of Dunkirk, Indiana passed away on July 10,
1989 after an extended illness.
She was a member of Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor
Association, the Jay County Historical Society, and many other
clubs and organizations.
For many years she accompanied her husband Robert (Bob) to many
shows across the states of Indiana and Ohio. In addition to her
husband, she is survived by two sisters, one son, two daughters,
and five grandchildren. She and her smiling face will be missed by
her friends and family.
Submitted by her grandson, Chad E. Depoy, Box 28,
Hardinsburg, Indiana 47125.
Just two weeks before the opening of the 12th Annual Marion
County Steam and Gas Engine Show, past president and lifetime
member DELBERT RUSH passed away on June 4, 1989. Delbert was a
charter member of the club and in 1987 he and his wife Dorothy,
were presented life membership in recognition and appreciation of
all their many contributions to the club’s growth.
Until ill health forced him to sell some of his gas engines and
his 12 HP Advance steam engine, he was seen at many shows in Ohio.
His interest in music was quite evident in promoting these
activities and then recording them to share with others. An early
pioneer in aviation, he owned his own aircraft at one time. At the
time of his death, he still owned an antique Harley Davidson
motorcycle with a side car. This interest was instrumental to the
vintage motorcycle display held each year in Marion. He will be
greatly missed by his large circle of friends.
Submitted by Stan & Emma Winch, Marion County Steam and
Gas Engine Society, 585 Cleveland Avenue, Marion, Ohio
43302.
He was truly a legend in his own time. He didn’t intend to
be, it’s just the way he was.
JIM RABAS SR., 80, of Algoma, Wisconsin died unexpectedly August
27, 1989.
Jim owned, collected and ran several steam traction engines and
related equipment. This did not start out as a hobby but as a way
of life, custom threshing in Northeastern Wisconsin.
At the age of 17 he purchased his first steam engine, a 75 HP,
Minneapolis known as ‘The Big Jim’. Jim’s favorite
place to be was on his steam engine pulling a polka band on a wagon
in a parade. On one occasion he hitched the engine up to a canopied
wagon with enough seats for an entire wedding party, with its
shrieking whistle sounding, he gave them a tour of downtown.
He was founder of the Wisconsin Historical Steam Rodeo, Inc.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred; two daughters, two sons and
daughter-in-law, 13 grandchildren and one brother, Joseph
Rabas.
Submitted by Bruce Vanderwest, N 8193 Cty C, Casco,
Wisconsin 54205 with information from the Algoma Record
Herald.
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ MCLACHLIN, 80, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
passed away July 15, 1989. He was a retired carpenter who created
some imaginative and beautiful finished work in his lifetime. He
was always willing to show his fine collection of over 40 restored
antique engines and other collectibles to any interested person.
Bill did his part to preserve a part of American heritage for
future generations to enjoy. He was always glad to help in any way
and share his wealth of knowledge with anyone who might benefit.
His wisdom will be missed by all who knew him.
Submitted by George A. Carr, 775 N. Homer Road, Midland,
Michigan 48640.
