‘Old Nancy’ is a 1905 Case steam traction engine which
has hosts of admirers on the campus of Auburn University in
Alabama.
Her story is rather remarkable for an engine that started
working 76 years ago, was retired, and then became a beloved
fixture in the life of an institution of higher learning.
She is Case engine #15035, rated at 12 HP, an 8 x 10′
cylinder simple traction engine that has been completely restored
by Auburn engineering students. She gets deluxe treatment that
makes Auburn seem like ‘engine heaven’.
‘Old Nancy’ was purchased by J. W. Dupree in 1906 for
use in his sawmill in Lee County, Georgia. Dupree had seen a Case
on display at the St. Louis Exposition in 1905 and felt it would
make a good stationary power source. The engine arrived in Opelika
by train and was driven to the Dupree home, south of
Beauregard.
She got her name fast. Dupree named her in honor of the steam
railway locomotive, ‘Nancy Hanks’ which operated on the
line between Atlanta and Columbus, Ga.
She served two generations, providing power for the sawmill. In
1954, the engine was driven in the Opelika Centennial parade. On
July 4 in 1956 and 1957, ‘Nancy’ was operated as part of
the Independence Day celebrations.
After that it was parked on the lawn of the Whatley farm, which
was now operated by Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy L. Whatley. Mrs. Whatley was
Dupree’s daughter.
On May 23, 1973, Dr. Eugene W. Rochester, a member of the Auburn
Agricultural Engineering Department, wrote a letter to family
members, suggesting that ‘Nancy’ be placed at the
university. The family was agreeable. On January 3, 1974, an
agreement was signed between Auburn and the engine’s owners,
Mrs. A. C. Whatley, and her children, J. Arthur Whatley, Lillie B.
Gowder and Oleta W. Parker.
The agreement specified that the engine was to remain on loan to
Auburn and the Lee County Historical Society at least 25 years, and
that its exterior appearance was to be restored. But then the move
started to restore the ‘innards’ as well. The boiler was in
urgent need of repair; it was necessary to find pressure gauges to
fit the engine.
Students from Auburn University in Alabama are shown with their
beloved project, ‘Old Nancy’, a 1905 Case steam traction
engine. ‘Old Nancy’ now has the distinction of being
designated a significant landmark by the Alabama Historical
Commission.
Students went at it with vigor, under Dr. Rochester’s
direction. The boiler was repaired by a Birmingham boiler works,
and the boiler came back to Auburn in January, 1976. J. Arthur
Whatley acquired a working pressure gauge from an old steam
locomotive in Oregon.
After the major repairs were accomplished, ‘Nancy’ was
given a new coat of paint and the engine was put in working order.
She officially came out of retirement in February, 1978, when the
first public demonstration was given at Auburn University’s
annual Engineering Day activities.
She has one addition that enables her to be fully mobile without
tearing up turf or roads a set of tank cleats donated by the
National Guard. Most engineering students have taken part in the
restoration, and the luckiest ones are the ones who serve as crew
or are given a free ride.
Working with Dr. Rochester in guidance of the restorers have
been Dr. Roy Young and Prof. Walter Clement. Financial assistance
for the project has been received from J. I. Case, Kelley
Manufacturing Co., the Auburn engineering faculty and staff, and
students.
The photo was taken in 1944 and shows original owner, J. W.
Dupree with his engine in Lee County. The above pictures of
‘Old Nancy’ at different stages of her life.
‘Old Nancy’ has a further distinction. She was
designated a significant landmark, and placed on the Alabama
Register of Landmarks and Heritage, by the Alabama Historical
Commission in 1978. Not many engines get an honor like that.
The Alabama Section of the American Society of Agricultural
Engineers has also cooperated in the restoration enterprise. The
student branch of the ASAE was awarded first runner-up award for
its program, highlighted by the restoration, at the annual Farm and
Industrial Equipment Institute’s Trophies Competition in Logan,
Utah, in 1978.
We are indebted to David O. Whitten, managing editor of the
Wall Street Review of Books, for telling us about ‘Nancy’,
and Prof. Rochester for furnishing further information and
photos.
