653 W. Westview Springfield, MO 65807
Yes, when we heard about this 125 HP 2 cylinder
Cooper-Besserman, it was to be sold for scrap iron.
When Vance West advised our club (Branch 16) of this engine, the
club members appointed Vance and myself to check and see if we
could buy this engine for our club.
When we arrived at the Milk Plant, where it was located, we were
surprised to see one still in operation on a refrigeration
unit.
When their foreman took us to their warehouse, there was this
engine all stripped down, but he stated all the parts were there,
and it was running when they removed it from one of their other
plants.
After talking to the manager, and explaining to him we wanted it
as a club project, he was nice enough to let us have it at scrap
iron price.
When the day arrived to haul it home on Jim McCauley’s low
boy, we found out their fork lifts could not lift the 14,300
pounds, so we had to winch it on the trailer.
When we arrived at the show grounds the problem was how to get
unloaded. This was soon solved when Charlie Stark fired up his 20
HP Advance Rumely and we skidded it off.
With a lot of work, and fun, from a number of members, we soon
had it reassembled.
As this engine is started on one cylinder with compressed air,
Everett Sharp donated a Cooper-Besserman air compressor. We soon
had it running and under a new shed. It takes this kind of
fellowship with club members to make a good club.
With a new coat of paint, after removing about seven coats, it
would be putting it mildly to say it sure is a crowd pleaser and a
great addition to our club.
