National President,Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor
Association, Inc.,3935 Cooley Drive, NE, Salem, Oregon 97305
In 1914 Wells Fargo Company installed in their Redding,
California office a 10 HP, 2 cylinder, vertical sideshaft Frisco
Standard engine. It was used as standby power for many years before
finally being removed. As it was setup for standby, it does not
have any wear on it. At the present time I know of only two other 2
cylinder Friscos. One here in Oregon and one in northern
California.
This engine changed hands several times before being acquired by
the present owner. Several years ago Jim Everest of Weaverville,
California owned it, keeping it for some time and then traded it to
Ed Edwards of Big Bend, California. Ed kept it for awhile, then
traded it to Marvin Maitre, Des Moines, Iowa. Marvin had it for a
couple of years then traded it to the present owner. You will
notice that I have mentioned the word trade. To my knowledge no one
actually paid for the engine. It was traded for every time. (The
great American barter system!)
Going to the National Meet of the Early Day Gas Engine and
Tractor Association last year I stopped by Marvin’s and picked
up my new acquisition. Then went to the National in Minnesota.
While at the National we decided that it should be run. Okay
let’s start it up. Took both ignitors out and cleaned them,
hooked up the ignition, primed it and pulled it through. The third
time over and it was running. Gee, this engine sure runs quiet,
then pop, out comes a tennis ball from the muffler- someone put it
in there to keep out the vermits.
At present it sits by the shop door (inside). Very enjoyable to
start it up and listen to it run while working on some other
project. The only sad thing about this engine is that the generator
did not follow it through with the other owners.
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