Route 1 Edinburg, Virginia 22824
As I am a regular subscriber of Iron-Men Album, I thought I
would try and write a few lines of my experience in the harvest and
threshing season of the year of 1916 in and around the little town
of Byron, Oklahoma. I experienced in helping shocking the bundle
wheat and also helping with the heading machine.
I recall working for a gentleman by the name of Mr. John Jack
through the harvest before going into the threshing season. The
threshing rig was owned by a gentleman by the name of Mr. John
Coffman and I was employed as water baler, better known as
‘water monkey’ through the entire season. I do not recall
the make of the separator as 1916 is quite awhile ago, but the
steam engine as I remember was an ‘Emmerson Brenningham’ 20
Hp.
The Mr. John Jack was a brother-in-law to Mr. John Coffman and
formerly the Coffmans known as Mr. Ben Coffman family and were
originally from Liberty Furnace, Virginia.
I recall the family of Mr. and Mrs. John Jack as having several
sons and one daughter, she being approximately 10 or 12 years old
at that time by the name of Beulah, but can’t remember any of
the boys names. This family was a real happy and affectionate one
and the mother was a splendid cook and housekeeper. If any of these
folks care to drop me a few lines I would appreciate it.
On the threshing rig, we worked from early morning until sundown
and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I must not forget to
mention the real cook in our cook car, a Mrs. Jackson who was a
kind and affectionate lady.
