Fuller & Johnson Comes Home

Steam-O-Rama makes its pick

David joined the Southwest Missouri Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Assn. in 2004. At a recent meeting, he listened to a friendly debate over what type of engine would best represent the group. A photograph of that engine was to be put on refrigerator magnets to be handed out as keepsakes at the 50th anniversary of the “Steam-O-Rama” celebration planned for September 2011. The event features displays of stationary gas engines and antique tractors along with steam engine demonstrations by members of the Ozarks Steam Engine Assn. at the steam engine grounds east of Republic, Mo.

David listened as members discussed several makes of gasoline engines featured at previous shows. He was surprised to hear that the club had never put a Fuller & Johnson on one of their collectible magnets. The club voted to feature Fuller & Johnson on the anniversary magnet, only to realize that the only club member known to own a Fuller & Johnson had his engines featured on the magnet for the previous two years.

One of the group’s junior members hesitantly spoke up. Knowing that his handsome dark green engine wouldn’t mind getting its picture taken, David said, “I have my grandpa’s old Fuller & Johnson and it has a good paint job.” 

David Allen, who had been at the right place at the right time on more than one occasion, will be rewarded for his good fortune when his engine represents the organization on its 50th anniversary magnet. He hopes to demonstrate corn milling at the show in September, belting his grandfather’s old Fuller & Johnson and grist mill together for the first time in nearly 70 years.

With his kind of luck, I wonder how well David does at the horse track? FC 

For more information: David Allen, 1220 E. Farm Road 80, Springfield, MO 65803; phone (417) 849-5076; e-mail: Davida@cityutilities.net. 

50th anniversary Ozarks Steam Engine Assn./Southwest Missouri EDGE&TA Branch 16 Steam-O-Rama, Sept. 15-18, Republic, Mo. Contact Jeff Ruth, 8984 St. Hwy. U, Rogersville, MO 65742; (417) 767-4632; online at www.steamorama.com. 

Dan Manning is the son, grandson and great-grandson of central Kansas hardware men. He is the miller at the historic Wommack Mill in Fair Grove, Mo. His favorite photographer and long-time friend is Ron McGinnis. His works can be seen at www.RonMcGinnis.com.