The March-April issue coming out. You know what that means? Spring can’t be too far behind now. And people are ready for
spring. Reunion dates are starting to come in, and everyone is looking
eagerly to the outdoors and the noise of the meets and the laughter
of their friends as they get together another summer and enjoy
their common interests in gas engines.
I suppose the flu has made its appearance in every section of
the country — seemed to be a prominent but unwanted guest all over
the nation. But by now we hope everyone is on the mend and thinking
of more interesting things to do than recuperate from one of the
viruses.
A letter from Carleton M. Mull in Seattle,
Washington: “In the May-June 1967 Gas Engine Magazine, Mr.
Thomas C. Graves of Tigard, Oregon mentioned the small cast iron
paperweight in the replica of the Fairbanks-Morse Type ‘Z’
engine and the fact that I owned one. It was interesting to see the
picture of the little model sitting on the rim of the flywheel of
the 4 hp engine.
My library is quite complete on Fairbanks Morse gasoline engines
with sales bulletins, instruction books, and repair parts lists,
beginning with their earliest model engines.’ (Carleton sent
along a colored slide of the weight sitting on the end of a
cake of Lava soap to show us another
comparison. It did protrude over each end but not by very
much. We would show you but we can’t do much with the colored
slide in the magazine. Thanks Carleton. Glad you were
interested in our pictures. Probably brought back a lot of memories
to you.)
We want to send our condolences to our good friend Joe
Fahnestock, who when he sent in his article dated January 27
wrote: “I lost my older brother unexpectedly this past week. I
miss him very much as we worked together a lot, studying music and
other good subjects over the years. He was James Karol Fahnestock,
a pianist and composer in WHO’S WHO. Lived at Richmond,
Indiana. He broadcasted many musical programs. Hence this story was
written between pangs of grief and sorrow.” We know what you
mean Joe, and our prayers are with you. We’re so sorry and may
the Lord comfort you in your dark hours.
And a letter from Jeff Cain of Mt. Holly, New
Jersey: “I once started to write an
article for your magazine but I did not think it was good enough
and did not send it, so here is my second try.
I have only two engines as I am a beginner and am short on
funds. One is a Fairbanks Morse (Model Z 3 hp @ 800 rpm) kerosene
carb, splash oil system, inside crankcase, which is enclosed. My
questions are (1) What did the gas tank look like? (2) When was it
made? (3) Does anyone have any information, literature, manuals on
it? (4) Where can I get decals if there were any? (5) What did it
look like when new?
A good friend of mine, Mr. L. E. Caufmann of Moorestown, N.J. and I became acquainted at the Bullington County
Farm Fair where his engines were on display. Mr. Caufmann and I
went on a trip to hunt up an engine and we found my Fairbanks. He
offered twenty dollars for it but didn’t buy, so I did. I am
now restoring it for display.
Here’s a tip: Those of you who have the old set of
builder’s guides AUDELS, look in the 4th volume of the Plumbers
and Steam Fitters Guide and there is a section on gas engines. I
think this could be reproduced to be like the Gas Engine
Guide.”
Any of you folks that can help Jeff out, he would be glad to
hear from you.
Well, I think that’s all the news I have for now and just
think by next issue the spring onions will be up and on the tables
already and the engines will be going through their practice
sessions for the oncoming events of the season. So until next time
remember: The Christian life is like an airplane; when you stop
you drop.
If you must kill time, work it to death.
He who does
not sacrifice is not likely to succeed.
There is no free tuition
in the school of experience.
