The first call was from Ron Williams of Manhattan, Kan. He thought the stacker was built by Jayhawk Mfg. in Great Bend, Kan., but had no details. The second call was from John Wetter, a farmer near Norton, Kan. He indicated that the stacker was built by Clem Robbins in Norton. He didn't think many of the stackers were built; the few made were marketed under the Norton Mfg. name. (This confirms the recollection of my father, who called it a Norton stacker.)
The third communication was a letter from Wally Harris of Americus, Kan. He reported he saw a restored stacker in the Sunflower Pioneer Power Association Show, Almena, Kan. I thought that possibly a member of that club might contact me with more information. At this point, no one has contacted me.
This project started when a Wichita (Kan.) Eagle newspaper reporter, Phyllis Jacobs Griekspore, ran an article and picture about George and Bertha Herd's wheat harvest on their farm near Coldwater, Kan. I saved the article and decided to see if I could learn more about the old stacker. I contacted The Wichita Eagle's reporter and was directed to George Herd's son, James, who lives in Wichita. James still had the farm harvest scene picture and had a copy made for me. The results have been very interesting.
Superior Sanitary churn a family heirloom
Here are pictures of my old, restored 10-gallon crock churn. Printed on the front is "Superior Sanitary Churn, Superior Sanitary Churn Co., Northville, Mich.; patented 12-18-1910."
The churn is in mint condition, except the big top glass lid is cracked. I would like to get a new glass lid. Could anyone tell me if the company still exists and where, or if these glass lids are available anywhere?
My parents purchased the churn before 1918, and I will be 90 years old in November. I well remember standing behind it when I was 6 years old and pushing the handles back and forth to turn the churn around and around for my mother. I couldn't reach the top, so I held on to the sides to operate it. The hole on the churn to drain the buttermilk off was at the bottom and was stopped with a cork or corncob with cloth.
- Quinter R. Miller, 209 Carmi Court, Cerro Gordo, IL 61818
Felins tying machine knotter know-how sought
In response to the vintage Felins tying machine ad sent by Marshal Futney of Rosehill, Kan.: I have one of those machines made between 1932 and 1933. I worked at a farm that had 25 acres of asparagus. I was about 14 years old. The tying machine never worked too well on asparagus because the company wanted two strings on a bunch. Some say it works like a knotter on a wheat binder, but could someone tell me exactly how the Felins tying machine knotter works?
- Ray Hartge, 9208 Meadowbrook Lane, St. Louis, MO 63114; (913) 426-7566