7197 Mississippi St., Merrillville, Indiana 46410
This year was the greatest show they have ever had at the show
grounds about 9 miles west of Springfield, Missouri and 3 miles
east of Republic, Missouri on Highway U.S. 60. When you enter the
show grounds, you are in another world. Steam Engines are being
groomed for a show which will take you into the land of yesterday.
Gas Engines are undergoing tune-ups and Tractors enjoying the same
tender loving care. Earl Smith is hustling about making last minute
tests and improvements and checks on the Public Address system so
necessary at a show of this size and so large of area. Earl tells
the Engineers what the next event is to be and tells the spectators
where to migrate in order to have a good vantage point to see the
event. Harry Kloppen-burg is grading gravel under the steam engine
motel.
During this preparatory period, as Clovis Burrel so accurately
describes it, ‘We do a lot of talking’, and we do!
The Show this year was especially tailored to be of interest to
all ages, both sexes and all folks with wide divergence of
interests.
There were in excess of 150 vintage gasoline engines displayed
by The Early Day Gas Engine and Antique Tractor Assn., under the
able direction of James Haynie (President) and Rich Phillips
(Vice-President) of Branch #16. There were some real gems among
these engines as well as some most interesting accessories.
The show could boast of having TWO genuine full size Hot Air
Engines. There are always new innovations at this show every
year.
President, Charles Stark, photo, is warming up his 20-40
Oil Pull in preparation for the parade.
Howard Miekley with his ‘Farm Hand’ Stacker on his John
Deere tractor. Howard gave a professional account of himself with
this practical rig. Howard also enjoyed lunch with us one day.
Charles Stark and Jim McCauley almost had to coax him to get back
to work.
Charles Stark lives at RFD 2, Republic, Mo. Howard lives in
Billings, Mo.
A real added attraction this year was the VILLAGE BLACKSMITH.
And did he ever put on a show! It took me some time to choose
a time when it was not too crowded to get a picture. This man was a
real showman with authenticity. His ‘Place of business’ was
named, Gunners’s Smithy of Mound City, Kansas.
There were such activities at threshing, baling (with a wire tie
baler); lumber sawing through courtesy of the SPRINGFIELD MACHINERY
CO., with the able help of other people on the grounds. A Shingle
mill was pulled by Clovis Burrel’s stationary Case steamer.
Wood ‘buzzing’ was done by a group of volunteers using
Charles Stark’s saw pulled by the only Chase gasoline engine I
have ever seen. A ‘Baker’ fan for loading steamers &
tractors was kept busy.
A Peerless Steam Engine with wood-spoked driver wheels (in
operation) was another first for a lot of people.
The show was punctuated with daily parades. Each piece in the
parade was stopped in front of the bleachers long enough for
Charles or his substitute to fully tell about it.
The pictures furnished as a part of this article will pick up
where the write-up leaves off.
It is with a great deal of pride that the women sprouted out
this year with a new Arts and Crafts building and some first class
concrete picnic tables. Incidentally, the ladies raked, mowed and
cleaned their area without a call or wail for help. They turned the
area around their building and in the picnic grove from a patch of
tall grass into a thing of clean and orderly beauty. – BY
THEMSELVES!
Ollie and Mrs. Knepper were there with their booth selling
magazines subscriptions and many reprints of booklets relating to
steam and gas engines as well as old autos and also books with
stories of the Past. They have a very large collection of watch
fobs with engine motifs. Caps with engine emblems are also
available there.
The writer, Bernie Hines displayed Hit and Miss gasoline
miniature engines along with a Hot air Engine miniature. All were
free lance models. Actually only one could be called a true model,
that was a 1/2 scale one cylinder Maytag. The others were not
modeled after any specific full size engines.
This picture is of a Domestic side-shaft gasoline engine geared
directly to a double diaphragm slurry pump. This is the only
assembly exactly like that I have ever been able to see even though
I go to several shows. This machine is owned by Everett Sharp of
707 No. Park St., Springfield, Mo. This was built in 1926.
Gunner s Smithy of Mound City, Kansas was a real draw. It took a
long time of patient waiting to get a picture. This attraction was
truly one of the high interest points at the show. The sign in the
right reads ‘In God We Trust, All others Cash.’ The Smithy
made small horse shoes as momentos of the show.
Earl Rains of 209 N. Olive St., Eldon Missouri with two of his
fine hit and miss gas engines. One on the left is pumping
water.
Models of the table top variety were an interesting feature of
The Ozark Reunion.
Paul J. Prosser proudly displaying his vertical free lance steam
engine. This was a superb piece of workmanship. Paul lives at
Phillipsburg, Missouri 65722.
This well restored Duro engine was exhibited at The Cumberland
Covered Bridge Festival at Mathews, Ind. 1975. It is owned and
operated by Mr. & Mrs. Zane Prifogle of R.R. #6 Connersville,
Ind. 47331. It is approximately 1/2 H.P. This was only one of
several fine engines on exhibit by The Prifogles.
Clyde Johnson of R.R.#2, Valparaiso, Ind. 46383 stands proudly
beside his 3 H.P. vertical International Famous tank cooled engine
at The Cumberland Covered Bridge Festival at Mathews, Indiana in
1975. This engine is unique in that it is all original. Clyde
believes this engine is about 1910 vintage. There was a good go at
this show, Lots to do and lots to see. We’re glad we went.
If your subscription is out or close, you can place a new or
renewal right there on the grounds. Many people receive their first
introduction to these types of magazines through the efforts of
‘THE KNEPPERS’.
As the pictures will attest, there were a variety of models from
1/2 scale down to the table top size. I was happy to see the
husband and wife teams working together. Some of the photos will
show this.
Mrs. Sevart was offering a variety of muffler castings for the
gas engine people as well as other items oriented to the desires of
the clientele who frequent these wonderful shows.
Howard Miekley of Billings, Missouri had his ‘Farm-Hand’
stacker mounted on his John Deere. His help with this machine was
of incalculable value to handle a variety of lifting tasks.
A note of sadness was felt for the passing of John Bary of Ash
Grove, Missouri. John was the President of Branch 16 of The Early
Day Gas Engine and Antique Tractor Assn. John was a man whom
everyone instinctively liked. His presence will be missed.
Jim McCauley was busy as a one arm paper hanger doing anything
that needed doing. It was good to see Frank Stark on the grounds
from time to time.
In closing, it is incumbent upon me to tell you that we had
Spectators and Exhibitors from Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas,
Oklahoma, Tennessee and of course from Missouri, up Kansas city and
Laddonia way. I could be wrong but I believe Texas was the farthest
state represented.
There were more Models this year. There were several each of Gas
engine models, steam engine models and two hot air engine
models.
Team-work was quite common at this show. On left above are John
and Otillie Wiebe of 319 Highland St., Newton, Kansas with a
shallow well picher pump driven by a Fairbanks Model Z gasoline
engine. The interesting aspect of this set-up was the use of a
Scotch Yoke as a means of converting the rotary motion to the
reciprocating motion required to make up and down pump
operation.
Margaret and Bud Renner [affectionately known as ‘Uncle
Bud’] working as a team to fire Raymond Snider’s Advance
steamer. Margaret and Bud live at Oakland Star Route, Lebanon,
Missouri.
A modest Flea Market was set up and selling, for the most part,
types of items most likely to interest the people present.
When I go to this show, it is like going home. God willing,
I’ll be there again next year. These folks care that you enjoy
yourselves at their show. The people reciprocate by returning and
bringing their friends. Let’s see you next year!
Roy Jones of R.R. #1 Box 164 North Salem, Ind.
46165 came to The Cumberland Covered Bridge Festival in 1975,
hauling this load of Field engine. It is 15 H.P. and has 8-1/4′
bore with 12′ stroke. It weighs 4200 lb. Year built, 1907.
This engine is a Model V Ideal and is owned by Tim Holtzleiter
who lives at 11815E-850S Hartford City, Indiana 47348. This is all
the information Tim has on the engine. He would welcome any
information on other specs and would also like to know what it was
likely used for. Brother Bill is keeping careful watch on the
engine at The Cumberland Covered Bridge Festival at Mathews Ind. in
1975.
A Rider Ericsson – engine actually pumping water. This engine is
the proud property of Virginia and Jack Folta [a real team of
exhibitors]. The Foltas live in Laddonia Missouri. This is only one
of the several collectors engines they own.
The show could point with pride to two full size genuine working
Hot Air pumping engines both in real good show condition.
A real good specimen of a Lansing Mfg. Co. Economy Hot air
Pumping Engine. Beside this engine is Edwin LaSanskp. P. O. Box
#517 Kimberling, Missouri 65686.
Jack & Virginia’s engine uses solid fuels, Edwin’s
engine is gas fired.
Douglas Etzkorn of R.R. #6 Wapekoneta, Ohio 45895 displayed the
beautiful Vim gas Engine [never heard of one before] at the 1975
Cumberland Covered Bridge Festival at Mathews Indiana. This engine
is 1/2 H.P. It was built in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
Ray Zuber 445 No. Main St. Spencerville, Ohio 45887 Exhibited
this load of well restored engines at The Cumberland Covered Bridge
Festival at Mathews Indiana in 1975. He is resting his arm on a
Scott & Ewing 1 H.P. Tank Cooled Vertical Engine. It develops
H.P. at 450 R.P.M.
A photo of a Cushman Model C, 4 HP engine, restored and owned by
me. The picture was taken at the Franklinville, New York 1975 Maple
Syrup Festival.
Four years ago, I bought a 10 HP Sandwich engine from Joe Durant
near Amherst, Wisconsin. It was sunk in the sand and rusted for
forty years. After soaking it all winter and the next summer, I got
it loose and I had to make a governor for it. I was lucky to find
an igniter and magneto in a tavern across the street from me.
I made a gas tank and connected the fuel pump. The carburetor
was a mess and which still has some parts missing, but I got it
running and painted it up and showed it in the Wisconsin Steam
Antique Engine Show at Chilton, Wisconsin.
I would like to know more about this engine. There is no
nameplate on it. It has a 7-1/2′ bore and 11′ stroke and a
throttling governor.
I wonder if some reader can come up with some information.
This is my 25-50 Baker, S. N. 30245, 5-1/2′ bore by 7′
stroke, 24′ wide rear steel. This is a very big tractor, with
the radiator cap being about 6-1/2 feet off the ground. I purchased
this tractor in Michigan in 1974, completely restored. Showed it at
the Sycamore and Pinckneyville, Illinois shows before I finally got
it home. Checked serial numbers with my other 25-50 Baker purchased
in Ohio. They were close – 30243 and 30245. There must have been
one tractor between them on the assembly line.
Supposedly, the first two digits of the serial
number refer to the year they were made. That would make them 45
years old. They are big tractors, being taller and heavier than a
40-62 Huber or 27-44 TC. They were made with individual wheel
brakes and a fast coupler.
At bottom is my gas engine display at Rock River Thresheree,
Janes-ville, Wisconsin in September 1974.
Two pictures the readers may enjoy seeing of an unrestored yard
roller powered by a small fractional horsepower air-cooled engine
and it is still in use here in Northern Vermont. Note that the
wooden box contains batteries and coil. The engine has no name
plate or identification numbers. The two boys in the picture are my
unrestored sons, Albert John and Mark Jeremy.
Approximately 131U Vintage Mfg. at Eldon, Iowa. Only a few were
made. Supposed to have had Geyser boiler and a vertical engine in
front of boiler. Was built for road building and stump pulling. It
had a winch driver mounted on center and an automatic level winch
attachment on drum. Owned by Joe Wenger of Sabetha, Kansas. Anyone
evr see one of these or know anything about it?
This picture is part of the tractor line-up just before the
parade at Trugerts Steam Show, August 10, southeast of Exeter,
Nebraska.
