Old Massillon Steamer Is Good ‘Hand’

Now a part of Griscom-Russell Co., the old Russell Co. of
Massillon manufactured farm machinery.

On the farm of A. H. Fasnacht of 1140 Jackson Ave. NW, just
north-east of here, the last steam engine to leave the Russell
plant was being used to thresh wheat.

As Mr. Fasnacht and his son, Alvin, of 1126 Jackson Ave. NW,
shoveled coal into the engine’s firebox, workers inside a barn
fed wheat into a huge, old-fashioned threshing machine which was
driven by a long belt coupled to the engine.

The threshing machine is owned by Alvin.

At least a dozen spectators had turned out for the occasion, all
of them to view a part of the nation’s agrarian history. The
steam engine and thresher now are relics of ‘the good old
days.’

A generation ago, both machines were the latest in farming
machinery.

And yet today, Mr. Fasnacht’s steam engine, to one who
appreciates such an apparatus as he does, is a thing of beauty.

Both machines are in almost mint condition. The steam engine,
with bright yellow wheels and crimson flywheel, is very colorful.
It sparkled in the bright fall sun as it poured out black smoke and
occasionally blew off steam into the crisp air.

Alvin’s Thresher, a Huber built in Marion, was an advanced
model of its day. Mr. Fasnacht said it was complete with feeder,
weigher to ‘sack’ the grain, and blower to expel the
chaff.

Ten years ago, a group of men bought the steamer, Mr. Fasnacht
said. However, he since has bought out the interests of the
others.

Although the machine can be driven on its large metal wheels,
its owner said he does not move it from the farm.

Several ‘fans’ milled around as the engine entertained
them. Among the spectators was Henry Jeanneret who had come from
Orrville. H. L. Snyder of 838 State Ave. NE was there. He was with
the old Russell Co. before it became part of Griscom-Russell Co.
and later was president and general manager of Russell Service Co.
which serviced the steam engines.

Also nearby was Frank Tehegen of 326 23rd St. NW, the last
foreman in the Russell Co. test house, where the engines were
tested before selling.

The center of attraction Thursday has a 12 horsepower rating and
builds up 125 pounds of steam pressure, Mr. Fasnacht said. It was
built in 1913 but remained in stock 14 years before being sold.

Alvin is the fourth generation of the Fasnacht family in the
business of farming, threshing and sawmilling.

While threshing wheat is work to most farmers, it was evident
Mr. Fasnacht and his son and the other enthusiasts who helped them
were enjoying their hobby.

‘We’re kind of old fashioned,’ Mr. Fasnacht
remarked. ‘Most people use a combine but we enjoy the old
method.’