603 Fremont St. Middleville, Michigan 49333
The last year I farmed I had this unusual experience. Started
combine at work and were in field with other tractor and wagon to
be used for hauling grain to barn. Had 2 feed sacks tightly packed
full of similar cotton sacks, to be used for sacking the grain.
They had hung from the rafters of the tool shed since the year
before. On emptying them out, found a place about 4 inches across
in the center of one was all charred and burst into flame as soon
as exposed to the air. Apparently spontaneous combustion of
vegetable oils in the grain, though it doesn’t seem like there
would be enough for that. Has anyone else ever had a similar
experience?
When I was a very small boy my father had a hollow wedge which
he could fill with gunpowder and shoot it off to split obstinate
chunks of wood. I never knew if he made it or bought it. On
inquiring more recently among some old-timers who have had
experience in woods, they say they never heard of such a thing.
I’ve heard him tell it was dangerous to use. He used to light
the fuse and run, and results were rather unpredictable. On one
occasion he was unable to find it and after considerable looking (I
really don’t know how much) it came down out of the sky and
went through the hen-house roof cornice. The last time he used it,
he never was able to find it. Recently I read that in the west they
sometimes use powder to split some of the large logs, and wondered
if perhaps they meant with a similar device. Does anyone know of
anything of the sort? If so please send answer to GEM.
Lloyd I. Birckelbaw passed away recently. He was born in
1892 and was a long time resident of South Lyon, Michigan. He
graduated from the University of Michigan School of Engineering in
1914 and served in World War I. He was an original and active
member of the Early Engine Club at the Henry Ford Museum and will
be missed by all of us. Submitted by Thomas R. Stockton, Box 2053,
Dearborn, Michigan 48121.
Matthew E. O’Brien of 1055 Hutton Road, London,
Ontario, a live steam hobbyist for over forty years passed away
very suddenly on July 15, 1971. He was 63.
Submitted by R. G. Thoman, London, Ontario,
Canada
