Since we have a great deal of copy and ads we won’t put the
Lost In The Files pictures in this time, but I have a few letters
and I hate to hold them over till next issue.
WILLIAM S. STRAYER, R. D. 1, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania 17019,
sends along this bit of information: ‘Picture No. 13R69, page
31 of March-April 1969 I do not know how the picture came about but
the bailer does not show, it was a 10-20 McCormick Deering 24′
x 42’ Case thresher, Kinzer stacker. If correct, it was taken
facing north on the Johnson potato farm, west of Camp Hill, north
of Route 11. This farm was planted to potatoes then seeded to rye
in alternating years. When this picture was taken about 1935, the
field contained 100 acres of tall rye and 6 acres of wheat. This
was one of the most frustrating jobs I ever attempted.
‘It was all city help (apparently W.P.A. rejects) who
appeared around 9 o’clock, started to prepare for their
departure at 4’ o’clock and the job lasted one week.
‘The farm was located in a loop of the Condoguinet Creek and
was very level, fertile soil, but now is completely covered with
streets and dwellings.’
Elmer was telling me later that he and Mr. Strayer more or less
thought it was right about where Ritzman’s home is now. As you
look out their front window the mountain view is exactly the
same.
ROY H. ERNST of Wayland, Iowa, writes: ‘Lost in the Files of
May-June 69 issue, the picture 4M69 – I am the man with the straw
hat and the other man is Leon Vanderort. 9M69 is my 12 hp. Russell
and two men, Neil McClure of Colchester, Illinois, is the man with
cap and the other is Ray Trout from Douds, Iowa. Then in Jan.-Feb.
1970, picture 7F70 is 22 hp. Advance Rumely and man on it is Clark
Everts, the owner of it.’ Thanks a lot Roy for your interest in
identifying these pictures for us.
FRANK H. WARNOCK of 422 Euclid Ave., Peoria, Illinois 61614,
sends this letter: ‘The picture 7R70 in the March-April
Iron-Men is a picture of the engine parade at Pontiac, Illinois. I
may or may not have sent in this picture, as it is a popular spot
to take this shot from but I think I did!’
So keep the letters coming fellows, if you can tell us anything
about these pictures. Everyone seems to be interested.
WM. H. SCHWIEBERT, R. R. 1, Box 67, Hamler, Ohio 43524, says:
‘1 received my Iron-Men Album and see you have one of my
pictures in it. It is the picture No. 8-R70. It is a 25-75 Russell
engine and was bought new in 1918 and it is a 33-50 Peerless
Separator bought in 1914. Thought I would write you that I
recognized the picture.’
And I’m so glad you did this is what we want. I’ve had
some letters that you folks like this page, so if you do recognize
the snaps let us hear from you.
DENNIS SEMAN, R. R. 2, Greenville, Ohio 45331, sends us this
letter: ‘When I was going through Lost In The Files, I noticed
that in picture 9-R70 the Case engine has its front wheels
toed-outward and that it has a square axle. I have a 1904 12 hp.
Case and it is the same way. I wonder if any of your readers would
know of a way to fix this or if it was made to toe-out. I would
like a history of this engine.’
Now, there is a fellow that wants some help from the pros on
steam so let’ s not let him down.
Well, until next time, keep reading the magazine and writing us
letters.