This shot was taken at the four day Pioneer Show at Austin,
Manitoba. Approximately eighteen of us have formed a club known as
the Young Pioneers. Our goal is not only to help out during the
show but to do various jobs, such as restoring engines throughout
the summer. The majority of us come 30 to 100 miles or more to work
at the Museum throughout the summer. From left to right with the
front are: Jim Down, Howard Knibbs, Doug Pratt and Gordon Down of
Holland, Manitoba. Our float consisted of the walking which was set
among fresh pieces of sod turned up by the 110 Case and 12 furrow
breaking plow. A bag of seed to represent sowing the land and a few
sheaves and a flail to represent threshing the crop.
Boilermakers Lyle Hoffmaster, Dwight Crazier and Ed Thomas are
renewing a set of flues on this Cross Compound 32-120 Reeves
Canadian Special Engine. These men worked night and day until the
job was completed-the boiler water tested, door ring back in place
and the engine ready to fire. Here Lyle Hoffmaster is grinding the
burrs from the front flue sheet This 50000 pounds of engine was
built in 1920 and is owned by A. E. Rixman, of Oklahoma City. It
made the show in Mt. Pleasant, on time!
This snapshot was taken at Garwood, Idaho in 1934. It was the
start of a 75 mile trip that took four days over mountain roads and
one river crossing on a ferry. The engine was a Russell 18
compound. The 1924 Ford truck was tanker, wood carrier and also
chuck wagon. My brother E. W. (on engine) was killed in mill fire
in 1958. My father, (in front of truck) passed away in 1966 at the
age of 94. I’m holding our pet dog. I’m 60 now and have
been around steam engines most of my life.
It is a 25 Hp. Minneapolis of 1914 vintage. The separator is a
36 x 60 Russell. The man standing at left of engine is Jim
O’Dell, one of the pitchers. Man on engine at left is Emmons
Taylor, the engineer. He is now deceased. The man at right is the
fireman – unknown.
Picture was taken September 1946. Owner of the outfit is my
brother George of Osseo, Minn.
This picture is a reproduction from a picture that appeared in
the American Thresherman in 1907. Picture was taken in 1906 at
Granville, North Dakota and it is a typical No. Dak. threshing
scene of the days when large steam outfits roamed the vast wheat
fields of North Dakota. Apparently this rig was nearly new when
this picture was taken.
This engine is apparently a Reeves of about 30 Hp., double
simple.
My wife, Katherine, is standing at rear platform of engine.
Small boy is sitting on platform is my grandson, Bobert Bergquist,
now 20 years old.
