Ice Plant Fairbanks-Morse Oil Engine

hearing the constant hum of these engines throughout the night. It
is believed that the engine ran for at least 60 years. The last
time it was used to cool ice storage was in 1956. As late as 1955,
there was a regular city route in Hamilton.

The Hamilton ice plant was started in 1929 by F. J. Gaume. Prior
to use as an ice plant, the building had been a flour mill in the
late 1800’s. The Frank Clark Flour was widely known for three
decades until larger milling companies forced the closing of the
small mill. After the closing of the flour mill, Frank Clark
started the city’s first electric light plant.

There were five electric wells on the property, which were
adjacent to the railroad tracks. The wells furnished water for
passing trains for many years, as well as for the plants which were
housed on this property.

The ice plant stood idle for several years and was finally
demolished by Lloyd Connor, who purchased the property from the
Gaume family. In 1981 Wendell Moss purchased the Fairbanks-Morse
engine from Lester Gaume, son of Frank Gaume. Following
Wendell’s death in 1987, his long time friend, Bob Branson of
Hamilton, continued with attempts at starting the engine. Finally,
in August 1992, the engine proudly puffed smoke rings at the North
Missouri Steam and Gas Engine Show in Hamilton, Missouri.

The engine remains in the Moss family Wendell’s son, Shawn,
is pictured with it. Shawn’s grandfather, Russell Moss, was one
of the founders of the North Missouri Steam and Gas Engine
Association, along with several of Shawn’s uncles and cousins.
The Moss family continues their proud tradition. The engine has
been loaned to the North Missouri Steam and Gas Engine
Association’s annual show for as long as the association
remains in existence.

Information for this article was furnished by Elaine Moss
Curtis, part owner of the engine, and the Hamilton
Advocate-Hamiltonian. Photo was taken by Dennis Cox of the Hamilton
Advocate.