420 Lori Lynn Schertz, Texas 78154.
The Fredericksburg, Texas Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club
hosted its seventh annual show in very nice weather on June 27 and
28, 1992, this year featuring Case tractors in honor of their 150th
anniversary. The Case line-up sported many fine examples, starting
with some of the oldest: a sharp looking 40 HP Case steamer
Ellison of Kerrville, and ending with a new 7120 Magnum shown by
the Fredericksburg Equipment Company.
We were very proud to have in attendance Helen Case Brigham, the
great-granddaughter of the company’s founder, J. I. Case. This
grand lady seemed to really enjoy herself as she did not hesitate
to jump aboard some of those huge, old behemoths and wheel them
down the parade route. Helen was promoting the Case Heritage
Foundation, of which we have an area representative, Harry
Seidensticker.
I must mention all the other makes and their attending
enthusiasts, close to 80 or so tractors, all ranging from shiny,
new polish to retired working clothes.
To go along with the antique tractor pulls, we tried something
new this yeara kiddie pedal-power pull-sled event. It brought many
smiles to old and young alike. You just wouldn’t believe those
straining little faces determined to get those ribbons.
Steam powered wheat threshing was demonstrated by the Albert
Meier/Bill Scripps crew. This was followed by horse-drawn baling by
James Ottmers of Fredericksburg.
New this year to the permanent show grounds is a 1,000 square
foot blacksmith shop looking 100 years old on its first showing.
The weathered old barn lumber did the trick. Master Blacksmith
James Honig, of Hondo, did his hammering and forging demonstrations
for the curious spectators. James was amused about using an old,
tall, hand-made trip hammer constructed many years ago and still
working. Model ‘T’ rod, hit and miss crankshaft and
railroad pieces, etc., were used for construction by some
blacksmith engineer of long ago.
Many very nice antique engine and machinery displays were to be
seen. Exhibitors from every corner of Texas and beyond came out to
play. I do believe we saw the most ever of a rare type of engine to
be shown at one time. As I recall, there were seven San
Antonio-built Krueger-Atlas engines. These aren’t even shown in
Wendel’s ‘bible.’
Other not so commonly seen engines included an 1890 10 HP Otto
owned by Jim Pace of Austin, and an 1889 Robinson hot air engine
and an 1899 York gas engine owned by Ray Ellison, just to mention a
few.
The shows exhibitors were just too many to give deserved credit
to everyone’s fine showing. The largest engine to be
demonstrated was a 270 HP four cylinder Fairbanks-Morse shown by
Robert and Bill Hensarling of Uvalde. Talk about a heavy thumper
when that giant was fired up! The low-boy semi-tractor rig it was
mounted on did quite a dance when Robert shot the throttle a
little!
A permanent bronze plaque/podium was dedicated to the Albert
Meier familya show of appreciation by the club members for the 33
acre show site.
If ever you’re down Texas Hill Country way in the spring,
come by the show and visitwe’re always looking for new
friends.
The show site is located halfway between Fredericksburg and
Johnson City, on Highway 290 across from the LBJ State Park.
