Mendon, Utah
Most of you have seen Mr. Wood going along with his model steam
engine in parades or county and state fairs. The settlers of Cache
Valley looked to the coming of the railroad and the evolution of
transportation. To drive a team from here to Salt Lake meant at
least two days each way. When the information reached Mendon, the
volunteered to hurry up the great event. Finally, late in the fall
of 1872, grading and laying of steel rails began to approach the
quiet settlement. In December of that year, the last rails were
layed northeast of town. Officials had sent word that on December
19th, the first train would reach Mendon.
The train was just a coach, flat car and engine. The engine was
nicknamed John W. Young, after one of the officials. On December
22, 1872, children were hauled out to Rocky Point in wagons and got
a ride on the flat car to Mendon.
Such hilarity and glee these young hearts were thrilled by the
new contrivances. They were safely landed home. A well preformed
reception greeted the railroad officials and workmen. Old and young
turned out to welcome the modern transportation. The meeting home
was decorated with long tables laden with good wholesome food. Such
a banquet started the festivities, after which speeches and music
from the fife and drum corps. Then the floor was cleared for the
Grand Ball.
A few people are still with us who took part in it and love to
tell there great grand children of the great event.
The old railroad warehouse still stands in Mendon. It is a
spacious two story building with elevator and basement, built large
enough to accommodate the freight to the first station. After the
railroad was abandoned, this building was used by the church to
store wheat, vegetables, fruits and dairy products. Tithing in
those days was paid in kind. Brother, David Brent, a convert and
immigrant from Scotland was employed as tithing clerk.
Two photos of an engine which I have stored for over 35 years.
This engine is a 1917 Model A with 6 cylinders 7 ‘ bore and a
9’ stroke of the Twin City make. It develops 140 B.H.P. on a
steady load. It is of the valve in head type, with 19 feed Detroit
oiler, K. W. high tension magneto and Kingston carburetor.
This is the same engine as used on the large 6 cylinder Twin
City Tractor except the cylinders. The tractor cylinders were of
the L head design with a bore 7′ and developed 90 hp. P. on
Kerosene. However the 7′ cylinders were used on the 4 cylinder
65 H.P. Tractors. I know of only one of the large 6 cylinder
engines on the large tractor. This has been scrapped.
I had a very good 110 hp. Case steamer and the large Twin City
motor would pull more on the belt. I also built two of the large
four engines into a single unit (with the help of the co.) As the
gasoline consumption was 22 gallons per hour, I had to replace it
with Diesel power.
I have had many steam engines of all types, saw mills, tractors,
etc. most all in the large size. Have always had a complete machine
shop for my equipment. I retired a few years ago and have only a
few things left.
