I have been receiving the ALBUM since 1947 when the Late Arthur
Young, Kinzer, Pennsylvania gave me a copy of a story written by
Mr. Ritzman, dated July 29, 1946 titled ‘Steam Engines Are My
Hobby.’
My interest in steam goes back to the early 1900s when my family
operated a felspar quarry and chicken grit plant, using steam power
shop during World War II which made steam freight elevators fro the
Dupont powder plants. The machinery was run by steam. In 1949 I
purchased an 8 x 10 Frick traction engine for $250.
Make – Smith, Myers & Schnier. Date – unknown. Cyl. 16′
dia. X 20′ stroke. Flywheel, 96′ dia. and 24′ wide.
Boiler made by Johnson -Michigan, formerly used in a Great Lakes
dredge.
This engine powered a sawmill at Goshen, Indiana until the mill
burned down in 1901. Engine was sent to Sanders Sawmill in South
Bend, Indiana where it operated until 1924 when a large engine was
needed. This engine was stored, dismantled, until January 1970 when
it was acquired by the La Porte Society. It is now an operating
exhibit.