Sidewalk Supt., Macedonia, Iowa
Some fifty years ago this 45-HP International Titan roamed the
hills and valleys near Emerson, Iowa. With its companion separator,
it completed the year’s grain harvest for many of the local
farmers.
According to comments obtained from other sidewalk
to the factory for overhaul, and the addition of a one cylinder
auxiliary starting engine.
After its return to Emerson, the history becomes a little more
clear. The Titan continued its labor for a Mr. Honeyman, after
which it was sold to a man reportedly from Harlan, Iowa. He began
the long overland drive, up a side road. At a point two miles
northwest of Emerson, the old Titan chugged to a painful stop, and
was abandoned.
It stood idly by the road side for a period of time, until the
adjoining farmer hooked 4 head of horses to the brute and dragged
it down a hill and into a ravine. During a severe rain storm, trees
and wire piled up against the Titan, and the water force was
sufficient to move it down stream some 15 rods to a wooden
bridge.
The bridge was later replaced by a shallow culvert and the giant
was silted under, there to remain safe from the cutting torch for
some forty years.
Only the tip of its stack was exposed to intrigue collectors who
from time to time visited the site. They usually grubbed around
with spades, speculating how to lift the giant Titan out.
With the coming of the new relocated highway No. 34, which will
put a high grade over the spot, speculation became more intense as
time began to run out.
On March 5th, Albert Eschelman of Elliot, Iowa, set a TD 18 to
the task of getting it out. After damming the creek and removing
several feet of dirt, the mud was so soft that a ‘Backhoe’
was tried. This machine failed and a dragline was hauled in. The
dragline made short work of the mud, as it dug a trench around all
four sides. Mr. Kinzer of Griswold, Iowa, who has a ‘King
size’ wrecker, had been called, and was waiting. After hitching
a tow cable and anchoring the wrecker with the ‘Cat’, the
tug of war began. All four wheels were frozen with rust, but the
one inch cable was insistent and successful. Now the muddy giant
rests on high, dry ground.
What now??? At least the Giant Titan of old, now has a new
friend
