HISTORY IN MOTION

some time and sharing their interest in historical preservation, we
had readily accepted their invitation not only to take photographs
but to enjoy the excitement of the day with them. Arriving early in
the morning at the Nolan’s farm we were surprised to find many
cars and horse and buggies already parked in the field, pasture,
and along the side of the road. It was evident that there was going
to be a heavy turnout which, at the end of the day, did number over
a thousand people. Black smoke, which we had been watching for the
past seven miles, was billowing up through the many shade trees as
the steam traction engineers were stoking their fires, filling
their grease cups and I suppose swapping their stories as to which
engine was the easiest to fire as evidenced by the first pound of
steam pressure. My wife, Gail and I having had a hurried breakfast
headed immediately for the Lakefork Christian Church’s food
stand to purchase a hot cup of coffee and a sweet roll. This group
of people also had the best homemade ice cream I have ever tasted
which is backed up by the fact that they sold over fifty gallons of
ice cream alone during the day.

Free roasted and salted peanuts were continually poured into a
large apple butter kettle by Brenda Nolan for the visitors to
sample as they wished. The setting for this show, if you can
imagine, is picturesque of the Illinois prairie, highlighted in the
mid-nineteenth century when men such as Jacob R. Moore built
beautiful homes to outwardly display their prominence and stature
in the community. The grounds are well dotted with stately trees
planted by the hands of people of a bygone era. The home is styled
heavily in Italian Renensaince and has been cited by a State
Historical Survey Team as a potential historical landmark for the
State of Illinois. Also a nice hip-roof barn resides on the
premises and contains many articles of interest such as an 1850
child’s footman sleigh, gasoline motors, antique tractors,
etc.

Almost having finished our coffee, we were pleasantly surprised
by the many sounds of steam whistles as the engineers were
signalling they were ready for a hard day’s work. Black smoke
belching, gears growling, and steam cylinders hissing, the show was
about to get underway. The many sights and sounds that followed as
the day went on were music to our ears. My camera shutters were
constantly snapping one moment after another of ‘History in
Motion.’ The loud steady exhaust of the Nichols and Shepard on
the plow, to the distinct bark of the snappy Baker on the fan, to
the chuckle of the Case on the threshing machine, were all sounds
of yesteryear that were once again being heard by the young and old
of today.

As the various events occurred throughout the day it was evident
that there were two men that were always there when needed no
matter what was asked of them and were undoubtedly thoroughly
enjoying the day. Later in the day I asked Fred who these two men
were and he said that they were Dean Cole and Jim Jenkins of
Arcola, Illinois who had helped him day and night for the past few
months and without their help and the understanding and patience of
their wives this show would not have been possible.

I understand that the show has already been scheduled for July
21, 22, and 23, 1978 and that the official name will be
‘Douglas County Historical Steam and Gas Show, Inc.’ and
that it will be advertised in this publication, Iron-Men Album, as
show time approaches. It is a show that you will not want to miss
as the home will be open to the public for the first time and will
be complimented with rare period furnishings that I know you will
all enjoy. Also in the planning is the rebuilding of a rare Pat.
1889 Garr Scott double bladed sawmill which Fred hopes will be
operating at the 1978 show. The shelling of corn by steam engines
is also being planned.

I hope to see all of you at Arcola, Illinois in 1978 and also
hope you enjoy the photographs that Gail and I have sent along with
this article.