Merlin Crownover writes . . . . . . . . .
I would like to tell you about some of my threshing experiences.
I was raised up on a thresher or a sawmill. My father had a Case 50
HP Steam Engine and a Case Thresher and Baler, so I started
threshing myself. I have owned 5 McCormick-Deering Threshers and
Balers. I bought a WK 40 McCormick-Deering Tractor and a 1D 9
Diesel Tractor, which was the next thing to steam power, to thresh
with. The last threshing machine I had was a Case and all my
threshers were 28 x 46.
I quit threshing in 1950 when combining took over. I have a 10 x
12 Farquar portable steam engine with a double lap high pressure
boiler, year of 1924.
Here is a picture of my engine. We had it, a Farmall 20, a
shingle mill and a 816 International tractor made in the year of
1918 at the Indiana County Fair.
We also have a 1927 Fords on Tractor. These tractors are all in
running order. We have an 8 HP Farquar Ajax Portable Engine. Hope
some day to have a Case Traction Engine.
Marlin Crownover, Star Route Spring Church, Penna.
Mr. Eston H. Teter writes . . . . . . . .
Here is a picture of my road locomotive I have just about
completed. I have been a steam fan for years and have collected the
parts for this locomotive over a period of 15 years. I have spent
the past two years putting it together. The boiler is a Frick butt
strap, 32 flue boiler, 15 H. P., I think. It is mounted on a 152
inch truck chassis. The engine is a Soule steam feed engine, 5 in.
bore by 6 in. stroke double. The bevel gear is made from an
automobile differential which is connected to a four speed
transmission. It has a two speed axle under it which comes in good
because of the wide range of gears. The head light and marker
lights are from a steam locomotive and they are operated by a
locomotive type turbine which, of course, came from a steam
locomotive.
This engine really runs and sounds good and has been much in
demand for parades in our area since, its ‘maiden voyage’
this past 4th of July. With this array of whistles we can really
let the crowd know that they are not attending a funeral
procession.
Eston H. Teter, Fort Seybert, West Virginia
Roy R. Alff writes . . . . . . . .
In the September-October 1962 Album you have a picture of the
Annis Iron Works, Cherry Creek, New York and I understand you are
interested in more of its history. Here is some information I have
copied from the ‘Cherry Creek News’ of February 28, 1907
which I have. The factory was about 4 miles from my home. Mr.
Annis’son, Arthur D., is still in business in Cherry Creek.
‘THE ANNIS IRON WORKS’
One of the important industries of this villeage is the Annis
Iron Works. Alfha Annis, the Proprietor, was born at Portland, New
York, May 12, 1864.
He received his education in the public schools and the Chili
Seminary. For fifteen years he conducted a factory on the north
road about three miles from this village. At first he ran a saw
mill, which, after three years he enlarged into a machine shop and
foundry. On the eleventh of December, 1904, his mill burned down
and on the 17th of the same month he moved to this villege where he
has since conducted his business on North Main Street.
The factory does all kinds of machine work, rebuilds old
machinery, manufactures gasoline engines, steam engines, boilers,
sugar arches, etc. One of the achievements to be accredited to Mr.
Annis is the gasoline engine which he designed and is now
manufacturing. These engines are of vertical type, is simple in
construction, has a speed regulator which can be operated while the
engine is in motion. These engines are sold at a moderate price.
Mr. Annis has also designed a sugar arch which has been on the
market for 12 years and has had a large sale. They are built in
several sizes, have steel fronts that will not crack and have heavy
grates. A foundry is also conducted in connection with the business
and frequent heats make possible good accommodations for those
wishing castings made.
Mr. Annis was married December 28, 1885 to Miss Carrie R. Smith
of Cherry Creek. They have two children, Morris M. and Arthur D.
The former assists his father in the factory and is regarded as an
expert machinist as well as his father.
Roy R. Alff, South Dayton, New York
