New Ashford, Massachusetts 01237
Here is a picture of an old Buffalo Springfield steam roller I
worked on one summer vacation period. If memory serves me right it
was 1922. I was a big kid willing to work and make $1.50 for a
nine-hour day and I thought that was really good. I was what was
known on most jobs as the ‘boy.’ It was ‘boy do
helper learning to be a fireman on the roller and as water boy for
the gang, as both the roller and gang needed water. I still
remember the engineer. I tried hard but never could do anything
right. Later I realized he was not an old grouch, but a good
teacher.
The water pail and dipper were used by one and all and were so
dirty and beat up one had to be real thirsty to use them. Mild
complaints were made to the boss, but jobs were scarce so no one
said very much. Most of the time I could get a good drink when we
filled the tank, but did not like to use the regular supply. So one
Saturday night while in town I bought a new 12-quart galvanized
pail for 25c and a shiny new tin dipper for 15c. Monday morning
when these appeared on the job they really created a lot of
remarks. When they found out I bought them with my own money, I
really became one of the gang.
The payoff came when the engineer who held a steam license was
in demand for other part time jobs when this roller was not
working. He made arrangements with the superintendent to take me
with him resulting in new experiences on several other larger
three-wheel type rollers. Before the summer was over I knew it was
not a picnic on a hot day in July and August rolling down hot
pavement when the roller is really working hard. It became so hot
even the wheels and water tank got hot plus the operator and
fireman.
In the course of time I could make and keep a good fire. Also
the engineer would let me take the roller to the parking place and
fire it up and bring it back in the morning. All in all, I thought
I did very well that summer.
The man on the roller in the picture was the general
superintendent. He was over 70 years old at the time. A few years
ago his daughter, who was then over 80, gave me this picture.