The picture was taken when threshing in 1896 on the Fred Oak
farm 5 miles south-east of Darling-ford, Manitoba. Owner of the
outfit was Mr. Orrin Pickle, whose son is standing at the front
wheel of the engine with the small bore shot gun. In those days
there were prairie chickens on every stack.
I cannot identify that engine but do admire it and I’d give
that engineman a job any day …. why? You will note there is more
grease on his pants than there is on the engine …. he was proud
of his work. Note the cross brace chains between the road wheels in
common use a t that time.
One of the teams shown on bundle hauling were driven west from
Ontario.
W. E. DEARING, 33 Qu’Appelle Apts., Regina, Saskatchewan
LETTER
I am sending you pictures of my Gaar -Scott before and after I
worked on the engine some difference, isn’t there?
It took 6 months to get as far as I have on it. This engine came
into this country in 1914, new, and was used to plow with, although
it was used some for threshing.
The last people that owned the engine parked it where I found it
in 1936 and that’s where it has been up until 1960, when I
moved it into the shop and decided to repair the engine.
I put an inner shell inside the barrel of the boiler ‘
thick. I put all new stay rods, new tubes, new front tube sheet,
smoke box, stack and it’s all been riveted. The unit has been
sand-blasted, new water tanks, new coal tenders, platform, new
hitches and new canopy. When I had the boiler tested, I put 1601b.
cold water test on boiler, plan to carry 125 lb. on engine. The
number of the engine is 15471 made in 1914, 25 horse, rear-mounted
double 7 x 11.
Those two props at the back of cab in picture do not belong on
the engine, as we had those up there temporary while I was putting
the cab up and forgot to remove them.
I am a service man for Big Chief Dilg Co., Oklahoma City. Of
course, I really enjoy working on these engines as a hobby. I have
three others besides this one a 40Case, 22 Horse Universal
Advance-Rumely and a 24-75 Port Huron.
Ivan E. Burns, 2660 S. W. 61st St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
WE LIKE THIS……
Just can’t do without ‘IRON-MEN ALBUM’, and am glad
to add 50cent for Canadian exchange, or to protect you from
‘high international finance’ or something; therefore
enclose Bank money order, $3.50, U.S. funds.
I know something of publishing costs, and we, too, found it
necessary to raise the price on particular item, ‘Matthews’
List’, to $45.00 per year last January. (Previously $35.00 per
year.)
Good luck, and for the lovapete don’t give up your mag. It
has saved me a coupla nervous breakdowns in this high pressure
(always over the legal limit stamped on the little lead seal on the
safety valve, here at least) business world in which I foolishly or
otherwise earn a living for my wife, two sons and myself.
SYD MATTHEWS, Toronto, Canada
A PROBLEM
Here is a letter which is typical of several we have received
and some expressed verbally their feelings in this matter
personally.
There is a problem here. Let us face it for a few minutes. We
have to be careful about who runs an engine. If they get hurt who
is to blame. If others – who is to pay? When a stranger comes up
and wants to operate the engine what will you say? Many only want
to run the engine reverse it, etc. others want to use it in
traction.
It would seem to me that first of all you could talk to the
stranger, asking about himself. You may find out he knows something
about steam. Second, I see no reason with an experienced man on the
engine you could permit the stranger some liberty in operating the
engine. Should he do something out of line the man in charge could
stop the engine.
Let me say this to the stranger. Take some time to get
acquainted. These engine men are of a necessity under orders.
Don’t expect too much. If you were in charge you might be just
as conservative.
Let’s get acquainted. It may take a year, but we’ll have
a good time when we do.
One of our Reunions keeps a couple of engines on a special lot
with men in charge. Anyone showing his membership card may operate
the engine. Many a father takes his son or family for a ride. All
are happy.
You might be surprised how popular this feature is.
-Elmer
LETTER
I have been slow on writing since the summer Reunions. I was to
two of them and then quit. I always said I would attend all of
them, but with the way strangers were greeted, I couldn’t take
it any more. Tell me, why the men that handled the engine, are so
reserved to letting any old men that has spent their years on
engines and steamers of all makes, touch or run one awhile. Well, I
didn’t get to even ride on one of them, so I’ll stay away
and not hurt myself anymore.
I was going to buy one, then said, ‘No, I couldn’t take
it any place and not have people or older men still try their hand
at it.’
In Iron-Men ALBUM, I see where some have written in to have a
class to teach them. Well, I would love that as I have taught here
in Omaha and have a nice bunch of engineers and still give advice
to them.
I was 18 years with B. of E. at this school. All engineers came
to me from other schools. I retired in 1960, in June.
I came from Missouri and at 14 years of age had a Gaar-Scott, 16
hp sawing lumber, then J. I. Case later, but left there in 1914. I
have had only two jobs in Omaha the rest of the 40 years.
I may help put a 16 hp Russell in shape for Show next summer.
Hope I feel like it as 73 years young, can’t plan too far
ahead.
I still like my Iron-Men Album and enjoy reading and looking
through same.
Roy E. Mitchell, 3500 – 8th Ave., Council Bluffs, Iowa
