SOME OF MY HISTORY-
Find enclosed my check for $4.00 for two years subscription to
your fine little magazine.
I will now try to give you some of my history as a thresherman.
First, it runs in my family. My grandfather was a thresherman when
they poled the straw away and cleaned the grain by hand.
Grandfather operated for 56 falls. He bought and operated the third
engine built by Robinson & Co., Richmond, Indiana, for 21
falls.
My father passed on to thresherman’s reward at an early
stage of life. I had three uncles and three cousins who run
threshing outfits and I put in thirty-three falls myself. Made my
last run in 1940. None of us got rich-nor did any of us go broke.
My last outfit was a Case 50 hp. engine and a 32×54 thresher, one
of the sweetest running outfits ever built. I have spent most of my
life working with machinery of some kind, the war years and quite
awhile after I was a tool maker. Now I am back in the auto repair
work. Also in my spare time I am making an exact model of the Case
steamer I used to run.
I hope you can make out my letter. Who would expect an old
Thresherman (60 years) to be able to spell anything anyway.
I wish you the best of luck
GUY R. MANIFOLD, Modoc, Indiana.
I CAN SMELL HOT OIL-
I don’t think you have received a word from me since I first
subscribed to the ALBUM. Enclosed is $2.00 for another year. Each
year, about the time it is due I can smell hot oil and chaff gets
in my eyes, and I can hear the engineer blowing the whistle for the
water monkey to show up. I can see the separator man all dust and
grime lacing a broken belt.
Keep up the good work and I often wonder how you do it. I only
wish I could get it every week.
J. MORTLOCK, Box 101, Gary, Indiana
WE QUIT THRESHING IN 1956-
Have been getting your magazine for quite a few years and really
enjoy it since I was in the steam threshing business for a number
of years. We quit threshing with the outfit in 1956 after being in
operation as a company since 1914 and threshing each year. Lack of
labor and modern machines forced us out.
The outfit consisted of 25 hp. Russell and 36×58 Minneapolis
separator, elevator, grain and tank wagon. I believe this is the
last company owned in the midwest. We are now selling the engine
which I hate to see go as it is like taking leave of a good and
faithful friend.
LEROY YORK, Stewartsville, Minnesota
ORVILLE C. ESTES WRITES-
I don’t want to miss a single copy of the ALBUM as you have
the best Hobby magazine put out. My wife even enjoys it. When it
comes we sit down and read it right there.
I belong to the Saginaw Valley Live Steam Assn., here in Flint.
We now have 40 members and have everything from pop corn engines to
a live steamboat, of which I am the proud owner.
Wish the magazine came more often
ORVILLE C. ESTES, 1145 W. Harvard Avenue, Flint, Michigan
THE SWELL GUYS I HAVE MET-
It seems to be a custom that when renewing your subscription to
THE IRON-MEN ALBUM to write and tell how much we have enjoyed
reading the magazine. Therefore, enclosed find my two dollars to
renew my subscription and although I have enjoyed reading the
ALBUM, the thing I have liked is the swell guys I’ve met
through the ALBUM.
While stories were running in the ALBUM about the Club I belong
to, The Saginaw Valley Live Steam Association, We received lots of
mail and every letter was answered and through these stories our
convention was a success. We have 5 new members who have joined
because of these stories and we have made lots of good live steam
friends.
So, I, on behalf of our Club, join all the rest who
say-Don’t let me miss a single issue of THE IRON-MEN ALBUM.
J. BULLOCK, 5309 Susan Street, Flint 5, Michigan
GOOD BUGGY RAKE-
Sending very much delayed money order for renewal of ALBUM.
Enclosing stamp for reply giving me Mr. Elwood A. Frey’s
address in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as I wish to find out where he
is.
I have some good photos of threshing engines and scenes which I
might send you but wish them returned as they are treasures to
me.
The ALBUM is very interesting when I can get a little time to
read it. How I would have enjoyed having all the early issues of
it.
I have a good grain separator, bought new 50 years ago this
spring, hand feed, straw carrier, bagger. Always shedded when not
in use and kept well protected by canvas cover at night when in use
and outside. Also have a good buggy rake to shove ahead of you by
hand to pick up cradled grain-it must be 80 years or more old. My
father bought it over 55 years ago. There should be a demand and a
good price for these, with some Reunions or old time threshers
association. I have nearly all the belts for this grain thresher in
good condition.
Sure would love to meet both of you and become acquainted. I
have never had a chance to attend any of the Reunions.
GEORGE W. HATCH, 106 Forest Hills Road, Sand Lake, Michigan
FROM JOE PILSUDSKI-
In renewing, just a note to compliment on your fine magazine and
accomplishments in behalf of helping to promote a most active and
interesting hobby. It is indeed most gratifying-keep up the good
work. I might say, however, I would like to see more space devoted
to steam traction models and problems encountered. My warmest
congratulations on your most interesting publication.
JOE PILSUDSKI, Chicago. Ilinois
I AM AN OLD TIMER-
I am enclosing my check for $4.00 for subscription. I am nearing
70 and do not want to miss a copy of your wonderful magazine.
I am an old-timer, threshed and hulled clover, shelled corn for
over 45 years and am still sawing lumber. I still have a 20 hp.
Double N & S that you took a picture of several years ago when
you were here.
The combines took over here so I junked a separator, clover
huller and corn sheller last week. It hurt to see them burning down
but there was no place for them in this fast advancing world. The
same as us old men so we just move out of the way.
Wishing you lots of success.
LOUIS KLOEPPER, Effingham, Kansas
