Right in the middle of 1970 means right in the middle of the
glorious Gas-Ups and Gab Sessions that are all part of these
wonderful reunions. At least we are in keeping with the times to
have these ‘demonstrations’ (careful how you use that word)
which result in ‘riots’ of laughter, and fun. No
‘generation gap’ at these rallies other than in the effect
of birthdays, for everyone enjoys the noise and smoke of these
historical, educational and entertaining gatherings. The only
‘guards’ used are those to protect anyone handling the
interesting machinery. May we look forward to many years of these
fascinating sessions of get-togethers.
We were happy to have the pleasure of a visit from Mr. and Mrs.
Denis McCormack of 404 W. Timonium Rd., Timonium, Baltimore,
Maryland. They stopped here one afternoon and visited Elmer at the
Blue Ridge Nursing Home, then visited with Irene at the office and
later came to chat with us a bit. We were happy to make their
acquaintance.
A letter from GERALD JACOBSON, 212 South Cedar, Marshfield,
Wisconsin 54449, who writes:
‘Special to Anna Mae;
The first thing to get straightened out is the ‘dogs’
that are attached to a flywheel. The proper term for this is
‘ratchet.’ It is simply a hook that locks into a notched
wheel and will only hold in one direction. Such as the gadget in a
clock that will let you turn the key in one direction and holds it
from backing up. Simple, wouldn’t you say?’ (O.K. If you
say so Gerald. I still don’t understand too well about it. —
Anna Mae)
Richard Frazer of Preston is trying to give me a bad time. There
was an engine made with a strap starter and a rewind, but it
wasn’t the little Associated. The ‘dog’ in the engine
is bolted to the drum and does not throw out when the engine
starts. There is no rewind spring and no place for one. You would
have to have some stationary part to fasten the spring to, to hold
the tension for a rewind, and there is no place for this on the
little Associated.
Just one more. Morris Blomgren must have used the new math when
he figured out the speed of Dan Patch. If poor Dan had gotten up to
60 M.P.H. he would have flipped a shoe. The record shows that he
made a mile in 1 minute 55 seconds. The figures out to 31.304313
M.P.H.’
M. E. BRISON, Route 1, Box 192, Millersport, Ohio 43046, sends
us these two bits of information: 1. Profanity and the gas engine
are no longer companions. The gas engine no longer requires verbal
persuasion. — This from the editorial page of the Gas Review
Magazine of October 1915. AND 2. Attention! Magneto Repairmen.
There is very little profit in pulling the magneto off your machine
and taking it apart simply because the fuel tank is empty. — This
from the editorial page of Tractor & Gas Review of August
1918.
Congratulations to one of our subscribers, LESTER ROOS of 328
North State Street, Geneseo, Illinois 61254, who was recently
elected Mayor of Geneseo. Best of luck to you Lester!
Information comes to us from WM. SCHWAB, Columbus Junction, Iowa
52738. Bill writes: ‘I sure like your magazine but it does not
come often enough. Have any of your readers ever heard of, or have,
a Kelley. Gas Engine? They were manufactured in Iowa City, Iowa,
about the year of 1906 or later.
‘I notice that two people want a little information on their
engines. I have two Monitors, their numbers are 26734 and 47073,
type V.J. There is hardly any paint on them but it looks like they
were painted gray. I also have an Economy No. 332750. They were
sold by Sears Roebuck and were painted red.
A party wants to know about his Witte engine. I have one that
looks exactly like it. The serial No. is 96311 and it has Special
on the name plate. It is a log saw outfit. Mine has a clutch pulley
on it. His probably was on a saw at one time and they put it on
this truck. The water hopper is just like the one on my engine as
when you are sawing logs, one end is higher than the
other.’
ARTHUR DEKALB of 1223 West-over Drive, Danville, Virginia 24541,
would like to know: ‘I have seen ads for ‘Woodpecker’
engines around 1914 which say they were electric starting and show
a woman starting the engine by pushing a switch. They were run by a
buzz coil-spark plug ignition. Does anyone know how this electric
starting worked? Also, does anyone know where to get old cast iron
meat grinders, cherry pitters, etc., tin plated as they were
originally?’ (If you can help Arthur, please let him know.)
PRESTON FOSTER of Warren City Schools, 200 Loveless, Southwest,
Warren, Ohio 44485, sends us this statement: ‘So glad you used
our article and pictures and we were happy we made the cover too.
Students and administration think it’s wonderful and I am sure
that your printing my article will greatly help my program.
1 have already had several letters and phone calls from people
offering help. I would especially like to thank Mr. John Wilson for
his generous offer of an engine and also a thanks to George Bunting
who has supplied us with a parts engine so that we can get our
Mogul running.
I am sure that there will be many others who will deserve a word
of thanks but because of your deadline for the forthcoming issue,
we will just have to make a blanket one for all those who have
helped.’
That about winds it up for this time, so do have fun and
don’t forget: Summer is the season when there’s not much on
radio, television or the girls at the beach.
