Ralph Fuller looks over the old steam whistle that used to be
sounded at noon and 6 p. m. at the Jackman Mills in the early days
of Minneapolis.
The old whistle has been lying in the dirt and mud on the river
bank since the mill was torn down years’ ago. Fuller recently
inquired about the old time whistle at the Minneapolis Grain
Milton, Lott, employee at the elevator, remembered seeing the
whistle lying in the dirt, and was able to lead Fuller to it. Max
Guipre, elevator manager, then gave Fuller the whistle to do with
as he pleased.
Fuller has since cleaned and repaired the relic, and has it in
working order. He connected it to his old steam engine to give it a
try. However, a stay bolt on the old engine blew out so he
couldn’t build up sufficient steam pressure. He did get one
‘blow’ out of it proving that the whistle. is now in
working order.
When he gets his steamer repaired, Fuller plans to give the
tooter a good blow. ‘It has a deep voice, sounding like a steam
boat whistle,’ he said. ‘When I give it a good test, the
whistle will be heard ail over town.’
A one and a half inch steam pipe is connected to the whistle.
The whistle, has a 4×16 inch bell of brass and copper. It is a
mocking bird type whistle, meaning that a level can be moved which,
will change the pitch of the sound.
Notice will be given when the whistle is to be tried again, so
everyone will know what the unusual sound is. Its sound will
probably bring back memories to the old timers of the
community.
Fuller has had wide publicity on his many models of old time
steam engines which he creates out of odds and ends with a minimum
of tools. Much of his model work is done with a hack saw and a
file. His present endeavors in the model field is an original type
James A. Watt beam steam engine which was made in England 175 years
ago, before this country was using steam for power.