Grafton, Illinois
I received my May-June ALBUM and as usual read it with much
interest, especially B. B. Brown’s article on the antique
engine. I am not far from the 70th mile post in life and have owned
many pieces of machinery of various makes which included one 10 hp.
Ritchie & Dyer made at Hamilton, Ohio. After reading the
would say this particular engine came from the Ohio factory. As the
old saying goes ‘It has all the ear marks’ of the Dyer
factory.
There were several Ritchie & Dyer engines in Jersey and
adjoining counties and were usually called Hamilton engines,
because of the name of the city where they were made. Engines we
had here were of course tractions not to run on rails. I would like
to relate some of the ear marks such as location of cylinder,
position of cylinder and governors, small tall dome, flat steam
chest on top of cylinder, smoke box door, the design of guides,
steering chain roll brackets – -of course my engine had a 44×7′
belt pulley or fly wheel same location. Compensation on rear axle
water tank, built in with and under the platform, but the
eccentrics were – – – – together and was located inside the crank
disc. My engine was demonstrated in Jersey County in the fall about
Sept. 1890 at the County Fair. It was sold to Herman Grophel of
Rosedale, Township. My father-in-law the late Lewis Hinson, was
operator of it for some time. The drive wheels were cast rims,
10′ face with no brace from hub and did require a rear wheel
occasionally. However, it did give good service for about 25
years.
In closing I will cast my vote as to a (Hamilton) Dyer engine,
an Owens, Lane & Dyer product. Also if the editor thinks this
may be of interest, to see it in print. Of course I fully agree
with Mr. Brown it is a Dyer machine or product.
