P.O. Box 12, Pekin, Indiana
I have just received your last copy of the Iron Men Album and
think it is wonderful. I don’t see how I can or could get along
without it. I see a note from an old engineer that he is 78 years
old. Now turn his age around to 87 and you will have my age.
I started running steam engines when a lad of 12 years old. It
owned was a 10 HP Frick. The first wages I ever received for this
type of work was 40 cents a day. I have operated many different
makes, even a Lansing four wheel drive that used sprocket chain
drive.
My grandfather, Linza Anderson, bought the first steam engine
that ever came to this Washington County. It was a 6 HP Gaar-Scott
and he moved it around with a yoke of oxen and a new Three Rivers
Separator and, of course, a hand fed machine with a drag straw
stacker or carrier.
I have operated many different makes of steam engines and find
that they all will do their work if properly cared for. Of course,
I have my preference to the Case and Baker. I say this without any
grievance to anyone. I have operated the Oil Pull Tractor, but
steam is my preference to any kind of power. I was asked if I would
go with those guys to the moon and I said not unless a steam engine
pulled the ship.