Forest Grove Trailer Park Ontario, N.Y. 14519
It is important, especially in these times of unrest and change, that we take a little time and think back to the start of our country. We are all interested in the machines that were used a few years ago, and we are all doing our best to preserve them for our children and grandchildren. This is all very important, but there are other matters of importance also, which should be handed down to future generations. This country was founded by men and women who believed in freedom of religion, freedom of speech and an equal opportunity for all; when the poorest boy could become a millionaire and anyone could become President. At times, I wonder what the future has in store for us as a country, but I have an abiding faith in the people of these United States and that we will remain the greatest country in the world.
It is interesting to me, and I hope to you also, to look back at some of the historical and geographical facts of our country. These were known to us at one time, but over the years they may have been forgotten or not thought of. The names of places in the country reflect its history down through the years. Such Indian names as Susquehanna, Michigan, Canandaigua and Skaneateles are familiar. The early settlers brought names from their native lands such as Boston and New Jersey from England; Rensselaer and Tappan Zee from Holland; Lititz and Hamburg from Germany; Santa Fe and Los Angeles from Spain; Baton Rouge and Eau Claire from France; and in Alaska there are names such as Pribilof and Baranof from Russia. The modern space age has given us Atomic City, Idaho.
Many towns, rivers and mountains are named after military and political heros: Washington, Jefferson, Perry, Lincoln and Houston. The nature of the land suggested descriptive names such as Boiling Springs, High Point, Palm Beach and Bald Knob. Penn Yan was made up because it was settled by families from Pennsylvania and Yankees from New England. The gold and silver rush resulted in such names as Silver City and Gold Creek. The hardy and rough pioneers of the West were responsible for such names as Tombstone, Last Chance, Two Bit Gulch and Chicken Thief Flat. Baltimore, Rochester, Dayton and Cleveland were named after prominent landowners. It is interesting to look at a map and try to figure out the history or reason for the names of the towns, rivers, etc.
A Model W 1922 Cletrac owned by Glen Orbaker, Fairville, N. Y. which was shown at the 1967 Reunion of the PIONEER GAS ENGINE ASSOCIATION, INC. It was used for farming until about 1932. It was then stored in a barn until Glen purchased it in 1962. He had to tighten the tracks and steering bands and install a new magneto.
This 27-44 Twin City tractor, owned by David Shearns of Marion, New York, was shown for the first time at the 1967 Reunion of the Pioneer Gas Engine Association, Inc. It was purchased from David Shearer of Carlisle, Pa., who used it for twelve years on a sawmill. It is a four cylinder, 16 valve motor. David put in a complete set of timing gears and some new shafts.
In March, on a weekend trip into Pennsylvania, we paid a call on George Kempher of Emporium. He is a fellow gas engine collector, and has many just waiting for the day when he retires, so he can go to work on them and do a restoration job. As I have said before, anyone with an interesting hobby does not have to worry about what to do on retirement.
I received an interesting letter which I would like to share with you. It is from Mrs. James Baughn Sr., Route 3, Palmer Rd., Washington Court House, Ohio. She says, ‘I enjoy reading the Ladies Page of GEM. Yes, you guessed it; my husband is an engine man. Has several, also a Model T tractor that he is very proud of. I didn’t write to talk about engines. I am a nut for weaving and spinning. You stated that you had to go to a museum to see this art. I am President of the Cincinnati, Ohio Weaver’s Guild and we have around 150 members, a large group of which have their own spinning wheels and use them.
I have just received an award for a hanging made from my own and my sister’s sheep wool. There are so many different colors; grey, brown, black and brown, grey and white, and black and white; all natural colors. I love the different wools. My sister and I have gone to several shows. (Last year I went to Glenford, Ohio to an engine show and did weaving and made bobbin lace. Another lady did the spinning. I have spun linen, wool, Lama, Mohair, dog hair and even tried my own hair, just to say I did it.) As I started to say, my sister and I go to fairs and shows of all kinds and give demonstrations. I am also enclosing a receipe for my favorite cake.’
BUTTERMILK SPICE CAKE
Sift the following ingredients together: 2 cups flour, 1? cups sugar, 1 tsp. soda, 1 tsp. each nutmeg and allspice, ? tsp. salt. Make a hole in the center and add: 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup cooking oil, 3 whole eggs, 1 cup each nuts and raisins. Bake at 350 degrees about 40 min. in a long loaf pan. Sauce: 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp. soda. 3/4 cup buttermilk, ? stick butter. Bring to a boil. Add 1 tsp. vanilla. Pour over cake as soon as it is removed from the oven. (It will not fall.)
Thank you, Mrs. Baughn. The cake is delicious. She also invites visitors to stop and see the engines and her spinning wheels. How about some more of your favorite receipes?
Our closing thought is a quote from Benjamin Franklin. ‘Keep your head cool by temperance, your feet warm by exercise, rise early and go soon to bed: and if you are inclined to get fleshy, keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.’
Hope to see many of you at the Reunions this summer!
A Case 25-45 Tractor owned by Eldon Nash of Mainsburg, Pa., as it was shown at the 1967 Reunion of The Tioga County Early Days, Inc., at Mansfield, Pa. This tractor was used to pull a road grader and other road machinery. It later ran a sawmill at Newville, Pa. Eldon bought it in May, 1967. No restoration was necessary except welding of the manifold and a paint job.
This sawmill is owned by the members of the Tioga County Early Days, Inc., Mansfield, Pa. It is an Emerson Brantingham, made at the Geiser Works in Waynesboro, Pa. before the turn of the century. It was all rewooded except the carriage. It has a double friction feed with rack and pinion drive. It will be rest at their new location at the Whitneyville Fair Grounds, Whitneyville, Pa. on Route 6, midway between Mansfield and Wellsboro. The dates for the 1968 Reunion are August 22, 23, 24, and 25th. For more information contact the Secretary, Mrs. Florence Campbell, R.R. 1, Mansfield, Pa. 16933.
