R. 1, Milton, Iowa
If not too late, could you please find space in the July-August
issue of THE IRON-MEN ALBUM for this news item?
For some time now, the restoration and preservation of the old
time Single Cylinder Gasoline Engines and the Early Tractors have
claimed the attention of many of the younger generation of
engine associations. It was with this idea in view that John M.
Achey and Dale M. Perrill took time out and brought about the
forming of what is now known as the ‘Middle States Early Gas
Engine and Tractor Association’. About in with the days of the
steam traction engine the one cylinder gasoline engine with its two
fly-wheels was a familiar sight and sound on many an American farm
In fact, many were the times this writer eased the steam into the
cylinders of a steam traction engine, said steam being evaporated
from water pumped by these faithful if sometimes aggravating but
handy little engines when the wind failed to turn the
wind-mill.
Like our beloved steam engines, these gasoline engines and the
pioneer internal combustion tractors are all but gone from the farm
and field as well as their associate belt driven machinery from the
household belt driven churns and washing machines to other small
power tools as used in the by-gone days. As much as we all hold the
majestic steam engine in highest esteem from fond recollections,
especially those of us who were associated with them, there still
seems to be some who frown on the preservation of the internal
combustion tractor as in their somewhat narrow minded view they
regard these tractors as the means that brought about the passing
of the steam engine. This writer will not argue that matter pro or
con; even if there was any truth in that idea. But will say the
early day internal combustion tractor enjoyed even a shorter
popularity that the steam engine did before it in turn was
discarded in favor of the more modern row-crop tractor we now have
before us. Even this has undergone many changes in more ways than
one during the last decade. Noticing already wherever power is
available, the electric motor has nosed out the internal combustion
type of engine in the march of progress. Therefore, let us not
blame one type of power or another which after all is said, is no
more important to the average person than the age-old question of
whether the ‘hen or the egg was first’. But let us organize
and save what may still be saved for posterity of all types of
these wonderful machines of days gone by before all vanish from the
scene.
This is the purpose of the ‘Middle-States Early Gas Engine
and Tractor Association’ which, though as yet not completely
organized as necessarily all work so far has been done entirely by
mail. After the name was suggested and chosen by ballot, the
officers were elected and other matters were arrived at the same
way. The officers are, John H. Achley, Box 447, Dresser, Wisconsin,
president; Wendell Fertig, R. 2, Box 14, Lamed, Kansas,
vice-president; F. L. Williams, The Oaks, Cordova, Ill., asst.,
vice-president; Alden R. Moural, R. 1, Milton, Iowa, secretary; and
Dale M. Perrill, 5080 Winkler Mill Road, Rochester, Michigan,
treasurer. Any one owning an internal combustion engine or tractor
of 20 years or older, any type steam engine, other early day
non-automotive machinery, is invited to join the group by paying a
$1.50 fee for annual dues and $5.00 for a year’s subscription
for the ‘Engineers and Engines’, if not already a
subscriber, as this paper was chosen as the official organ of the
association. For further particulars as of now available write the
secretary or any of the other officers as space prohibits further
details.
