Rt 2, Box 295-A, Kearney, Nebraska 68847
The first time I met my Special Friend was at a hobby and craft
show in Wilcox, Nebraska. He was running a little ? scale Case
steam engine, which I fell in love with immediately. Having grown
up in Kearney, Nebraska, I had my first encounter with little ?
scale Case steam engines when I was about eight. One was owned by
Ed Jacobs of Smith Center, Kansas and one belonged to Emil Baden
hoop. I was entranced by these little engines, but after a few
years my interests changed and contact with these engines
disappeared. Therefore at the age of 25, to meet this Special
Friend running a ? scale engine, it was only natural that a
wonderful friendship of 17 years would begin.
A year later this little community had another show and again my
Special Friend was there with his little Case. This time I asked
more questions. He answered willingly our bond was growing! The
show was over and as I was ready to leave. He said, ‘Come see
me sometime.’ (Are your kidding? I could hardly wait!) The day
came (what joy!). I met his wife and she jokingly said, ‘Oh,
you’re another one of those crazy engine guys.’ Well, as a
matter of fact, yes, I guess I am. We drove out to his farm, he
opened the door to a little garage and there sat the little Case
and about half a dozen gas engines. We talked, my interest level
grew to new highs, then I asked the big question? Will you sell it
? He said, ‘No, no, not yet, but maybe someday.’ My heart
began pumping normal. We visited more, then it was time to go. I
said goodbye and hope to see you soon.
As I drove home, I knew that I just had to have a steam engine.
When I got home that evening, I opened up my Iron Men Album and
began to read the ‘for sale’ section. There were no scale
models, but wait the ad said ‘for sale one 60 HP Case steam
engine.’ Then I thought, why not make a call to the owner? Yes,
why not? I might just as well learn with a full size. I called my
Special Friend, and asked him. He replied, ‘You’re
interested in what? Sure, I’d love to ride along.’ Victory
at last! An engine was mine, and our bond grew!
That fall my Special Friend approached me with an idea,
‘Would you still be interested in the little ? scale? I would
like to buy one of Ternings scale Case’s so I’ll sell you
the ? scale, if you’re still interested.’ I said okay!
The next summer brought the estate sale of Roy Kite’s
engines. I didn’t need another engine, but I called my Special
Friend and said, ‘Let’s go, we can always eat some
pie.’ The pie sold well, but not all of the engines. I bought
the 65 Case, why not? We needed something to talk about on the way
home.
I sold the 60 Case and we attended more shows, each time my
Special Friend was there. I had a growing interest in owning a
scale. I found one in Manitoba, Canada. Again I asked my Special
Friend to ride along, our friendship growing.
That summer proved to be somewhat scary. My Special Friend and I
had taken our engines to a parade and threshing bee at Gothenberg,
Nebraska, hosted by Miles Butterbaugh and his wife. The next day,
my Special Friend’s wife called and told me that he’d had a
heart attack. He had surgery and after about six to seven months he
was back on his feet. The doctor told him he needed to stay away
from the heat and smoke, so engine running came to a halt for my
Special Friend. Meanwhile, I had sold the 65 Case and had purchased
a 50 HP Case from the 1880 train museum in southern South Dakota.
The following spring and summer, my Special Friend found that
running the half scale was more than he wanted to do and the doctor
had told him not to. I sold the ? scale and bought the scale. We
continued our show going and my Special Friend rekindled his
interest with some scale model gas engines. He continued to enjoy
these engines up until his death just a few short weeks ago.
By now, many of you readers know who my Special Friend was. He
was John Sanger of Franklin, Nebraska. As I write these lines, the
tears seem to keep coming. It was extremely hard to lose him, but I
feel deeply blessed in having 17 years with my Special Friend. He
was not only kind and loving to me and my family, but to everyone
he knew and met. He touched the lives of so many, possibly never
knowing how so many felt. I believe this love and tenderness came
from his early years in life having served in the Army Air Force
and seeing so many of his own special friends lose their lives
defending our country.
John, We Love You, We Miss You, May God Bless…
