The Western Steam Fiends Assoc. have suffered a heavy loss in
the death of their secretary – treasurer, W. O. (Bill) Druffel,
Colton, Washington, age 68, who died December 12, 1962. He gave so
freely of his time without charge to the association in keeping up
the records and correspondence of some 300 members.
At the time of his death he was manager of the Security State
School Board and also Whitman Co. Commissioner.
He was a native of Colton for 59 years. A veteran of World War
One. He was a steam fan all of his life. His father was a custom
steam thresherman and Bill ran the engine in the latter years of
the steam threshing era.
Lawrence A. Hansen of Second & Walnut, Rolfe, Iowa, age 67,
died in October 1962 of a heart attack while doing chores. Born at
Rochelle, Ill., he was reared there and at Havelock.
For a number of years Mr. Hansen operated a road maintainer in
this area. He was also known for his hobby of collecting steam
engines and steam automobiles, and had displayed them at various
shows.
George R. Snoddy, 73, of R.R. 4, Brookville, Indiana died
recently at his home. Mr. Snoddy was born in Franklin County and
had lived the greater part of his life in Laurel, where he operated
a sawmill.
He was a member of the Pioneer Engineers Club of Indiana, Inc.
and was interested in steam and attended many of the club meetings
and the reunions.
Edmond Mitchell (Ed) Peacock, 71, well-known collector of old
steam engines and founder of the annual steam engine show and
threshing bee at Fulton, Missouri died November 27, 1962. He had
been ill most of the year, and in the hospital for six weeks.
He operated the farm on which he was born all of his life with
his brother, James. The dozen or so steam engines lined up near
their home on Highway 54 have been a tourist attraction for many
years.
Six years ago the brothers began their annual steam engine shows
with assistance from the Fulton Lions Club and Ed Peacock presided
as usual during the show held in Sept. of this year.
