SHOW REPORT

Mr. Charles Hope of Arlington, Va., our Master of Ceremonies
requested everyone to come to the central area about 10 A.M.
Friday. He introduced Mayor Miller Ingram who gave a brief
welcoming address. Senator Anthony Harris then introduced Mrs. John
West. Lt. Governor John West is hopefully the next Governor of
S.C.

A form of massive renaissance erupted soon after my closest
neighbor and close friend, the Executive V.P. of Chamber of
Commerce, a retired yankee strolled down into our valley. The
exhibitor nearest the entrance was another friendly yankee from
Bradford, Pa. Bradford is also the home office of my retired
neighbors oil company, and after an hour or two of exchanging
truths, (???) my neighbor retreated uptown and promptly returned
with the city government (Mayor and City Fathers). Several T.V. and
radio stations were phoned, and within the day we were being
televised and broadcast across the Carolinas. This steam-up was
some thing new for South Carolinans. They did not know what it was
all about, but they did know that they liked it, and they wanted
more people to see it.

Mr. & Mrs. D. C. Sage, Bradford, Pa., with their oil well
rig, three gas engines, and two scale steam units, arrived in
advance of opening date. Right then everyone could ‘feel’
that South Carolina’s first show would be a near, if not total
success. From time to time, I asked Mrs. Sage if I could get her a
more comfortable chair or a cold drink of water or anything. Her
repeated reply was that she just wanted to sit and bask in the
sunshine. She had left 18 inches of snow and here she was two days
later reared back in a chair, shoes removed, toes wiggling, and
looking at acres and acres and thousands and thousands of flowering
dogwood, azaleas, iris, wisteria, etc. bordering on about two miles
of pathways.

Being a paid up member of Eastern Shore, R & T, West
minister, Williams Grove, Berryville, Sarasota, etc., I am adding
one more task to presidents Layton, Brubaker, Hull, Herndon, etc. I
am asking that they advise me on the proper selection of a form of
appropriate appreciation for our ‘first exhibit’ by Mr.
& Mrs. D. C. Sage of Bradford, Pa.

Arriving soon thereafter was Col. and Mrs. Houston Herndon from
Sarasota, Fla. They brought the first hot air engine ever to be
seen in this area. Their smooth running engines combined with warm
sunshine lulled the Col. to sleep now and then. If anyone has a
picture of the Col. wearing cowboy boots and Texas hat stretched
out on the soft carpet of green grass, and snoring away, please
send me a copy with authorization to send it to
‘Irene.’

Recording the arrival sequence of others was interrupted by my
doing a few other chores. In event anyone has doubts about other
chores, ask your local officers and directors. They do a lot of
work. Never again will I leave a show without expressing
appropriate appreciation for their hard work.

Walter Clements (Ph.D.) of Auburn, Ala., brought a hot air
engine.

Mr. & Mrs. Denis McCormack photographed most of the
activities. They timed a return from their Florida home to their
Baltimore home to coincide with our show. Their portable steam
powered battery charger was another unheard of item in Cheraw.

Charles Hope of Arlington, was just plain M.C. until his
masterful control of the mike and his ability to keep things moving
earned for him the distinction of, and he will hereafter be
entitled MASTER – M.C.

Robert La Porte and Charles Hope installed an elaborate speaker
system consisting of a lot of little speakers tied together with a
mile or two of T.V. wire instead of a few big speakers that could
not penetrate the magnolias, etc. Robert is from Hartsville, S.C.,
and brought a F.M.Z. Engine. He has a nice collection.

Mr. & Mrs. Ted Gowl of Baltimore operated their scale saw
mill.

Mr. and Mrs. James P. Riley of Rising Sun, Maryland, had an
eight cycle aero-motor engine.

Mr. & Mrs. Everett ‘Bus’ Longrod (Editor of Flywheel
News, WNYCSEA) fought their way through snow to mid Virginia to
bring their models. Read the ‘Fly Wheel News’ to get their
most complimentary viewpoint.

Bill Grimley of Durham, N.C., operated a pick-up load of engines
that included a tulip hopper aeromotor and a household type cooling
fan powered by ‘heat.’

Jimmy Thomas of Cheraw had a scale model train engine that was
built in Cheraw by his father.

Steve Parker, Richfield, N.C., operated a pea thresher
alternately powered by three engines.

Max Wigington of Easley, S.C., loaned us his Wade drag saw.

Mrs. C. C. Idol of Winston Salem, N.C., sewed name tags with a
sewing machine powered by a steam engine, of which Mr. Idol was
engineer.

Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Nipper from Warrenville, S.C., (down on the
Georgia line) brought two small steam traction engines, and giving
rides to people created unusual interest.

Paul Russell of Apex, N.C., had a number of gas engines.

Lloyd McGowen of Easley, S.C., had a pick-up load of gas
engines.

Robert Miller & Archie Cline of near Mocksville, N.C.,
alternately operated our double Frick that hauled hundreds and
hundreds around the grounds.

Robert Lyerly and Arnold Broadway of Mocksville, N.C., operated
some of our stationary steam units.

Robert Rogers, III, our son, alternately operated the Moline
Universal and about a dozen stationary steam engines including our
upright Westinghouse steam traction engine. Bobby needs help. Why
don’t a few of you experienced ‘Engineers’ and
‘Iron-Men’ come down next April and spell Bobby. He will
gladly give you an operator’s plaque.

Roland Wicker of Cheraw was in charge of our Titan 10-20, our 8
hp. upright Root & Vandervoot, and about a dozen other gas
units, as well as helping visiting exhibitors with special stubborn
gas units. Roland will have about sixty ‘Operator’s
Plaques’ for experienced gas engine operators. Just bring your
friendship and your adjusting tools. We furnish the engines.

Jack Williamson of Cheraw was in charge of our mule powered up
and down scale saw mill as well as general trouble shooting. Jack
also operated the old style shingle mill, and a wood splitter. Many
people in the South still use the old wood burning stoves in the
winter as this was the only space heat provided for in
kitchens.

Mr. & Mrs. Keith Oderkirk of Haynes City, Fla., had some
nice whistles, lubricators, etc., and when I said had, I mean had
all were sold!!

We fell for Oderkirks suggestion that his four barrel three foot
long whistle (from the model T days) would go good on the Moline
Universal that we plan to use in parades.

Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Daniels of Warminister, Pa., parked their
trailer by a ‘live oak’ tree. A Live oak tree is a
spreading evergreen oak that is the worlds elite. No other tree can
compare for year round beauty or shade. Alfred brought down a steam
boat whistle eight feet high. He carried back a stack of legal
tender about yeah feet high.

Miss Gail Clem and Mrs. Clem of Manassas, Va. and Mrs. Charles
Hope of Arlington, Va., registered guests and generally assisted
Charles Hope in announcements, etc. They also sold subscriptions
and back issues of IMA and GEM.

Claude Brown of Florence, S.C., James Shelbaer of Charlotte,
N.C., Hills Antiques of Clio, S.C., David Turner of Windmill
Antiques, Charlotte, N.C., had most interesting displays of
antiques.

Harold Weldon of Cheraw displayed nursery plants for sale.

Elnora Eastland of Cheraw made soap, from wood ashes and old
fat, from the kitchen.

Antique cars were displayed by Roy Parnell, Robert Johnson,
Dowell Coker and 0. R. Thomas all from Cheraw.

Present in spirit if not in person; Irene, Earlene, Anna Mae;
Rev. Ritzman, Uncle Jake, Donald Knowles and all others that bring
us together and then hold us together with year round reading
enjoyment.

One of the most futuristic developments of this meet, is that
subsequent thereto, many people without our area have notified us
that next year they will help operate some of the equipment that
did not operate often enough or not at all.

Mrs. Rebekah Jacobs of Cheraw was in charge of interior
registration and the newly formed mini-museum. She demonstrated the
dog-powered churn, the grandma-powered churn, the cash monitor and
other operating items.

A few minutes before 10 A. M. Sunday, Charles Hope (M.C.) asked
that all engines be stopped and requested everyone to come to the
central area. ‘Peb’ Huntley opened with a prayer which was
followed by a brief sermon by William Thrower.

Eight mules powered our sweep, that operated a scale up and down
saw mill. Souvenier collectors carried away every piece sawed.

The water wheel also powers the up and down saw. The mule
powered hay press works like it was new.

The water pumping system was shut down during the day in order
for guests to walk paths. The system pumps water through about two
miles of pipe at the rate of 3,000,000 gallons per day. Our pump
collection is powered by gas, electricity, steam, water and
man.

Judging from letters received from exhibitors, their wives are
coming back next year to see the Gardens whether hubby can come or
not.

They liked the setting, the millions of blooms that inspire and
exhilarate, like only spring bloom can give. This is Margaret’s
department. She works hard all year at planting, mowing grass, weed
pulling, etc. that is, until I tell her I will be away for about a
month, that I am going to Va., Maryland, Pa., Ohio and around to
see some steam shows. I will bet any of you veterans of steam that
has at least 25 years seniority on me as to steam-up, that my wife
can change from gardening attire into steam attire, quicker than
your wife can. We thoroughly enjoy your shows.

A late cold spring prevented the reconnecting, after relocating
five water rams, that continuously water certain dry areas in the
gardens.

The latest and coldest spring in 25 years also delayed getting
into operation three water wheels we purchased in the Kinzer, Pa.,
area while attending R & T last year.

Also postponed until next year due to a cold late spring was
installation of a large Corliss that was hauled in sometime in
February. The cylinder is 16′ x 48′. Can someone tell me
the hp. After erection, the flywheel will be 14 feet in the
air.

Exhibitors from Florida to Pennsylvania had charmed and awakened
local attendants.

Thanks to the inspiration exuded by out of area exhibitors,
Cheraw now has eight interested instead of one
collector-exhibitor-sponsor.

Now that you exhibitors and attendants have so inspired and so
enthused so many local people, this is a special solicitation that
you again inspire and enthuse in 1971.

Running neck and neck, and yet to be determined is, did I get
more pleasure from instigating South Carolinas first steam up, or
am I now getting more pleasure from exhibitors letters stating that
they will be back next year. On second thought, the letters should
win, because the letters are for the future, they will promote
LIVING HISTORY, of which this wonderful country of ours can use
more of.

Two most unexpected but highly welcome attendants to our show
was writers and photographers for an ‘area’ magazine that
has 600,000 circulation. The article is to be properly timed to
publicize our second annual show next April. I believe that if Miss
Clem, Mrs. Clem and Mrs. Hope will again write subscriptions to IMA
and GEM, that they can write enough new subscribers for Rev.
Ritzman to say ‘come hail or high water, I will be in S.C. next
year.’

Eighty six new memberships were gained. A few days after the
show, Mayor Miller Ingram on Behalf of the People of Cheraw wrote a
personal letter: Emphasizing ‘Thank you for coming and please
come back’ to all out of state registrants. We hope that all
attendants will register next year.

We ask that the attendants from the states of Kansas, Oregon,
and Washington write us an authorization to enroll them on our
register. Several people talked with you but no one seems to
remember your names and addresses, and you did not sign the
register. The Mayor of Cheraw, on behalf of the people of Cheraw,
desires to write and thank you for coming. We can then be proud of;
registered signatures from 24 states, D.C. and Canada.

I join the thousands and thousands of steam and gas fans that
have united to create a LIVING HISTORY of which we are all
proud.

I also join you in being proud of the media that brought us
together; IMA, GEM, E & E, WE and others, for without them,
this report would never have been written.

Now in finalizing this report, I can say to those attending and
to those that exhibited, I think I know some of the feelings you
carried home, however I have no doubts about knowing all the
feelings that you left here; you left a totally inspired and
enlightened people.

You did a wonderful thing by coming.

Show Report

By Bill Hopkins Union Mills, Maryland 21157

The Fourteenth Annual Steam Show of the Maryland Steam
Historical Society, Upperco, Maryland was held at the Arcadia Fire
Department’s Show Grounds, Arcadia, Maryland; on September 11,
12, 13, and 14, 1969. The usual hustle and bustle was evident for
the last minute preparations are the most trying for President
Gilbert Wisner and his staff of Directors and those people who
serve without titles. The real spirit that makes s show tick is
derived from every person who serves with the utmost, giving time
and energy and time at the fullest and going home dead tired only
to return the following day, until the show closed on Sunday.

The weather was watched with anxious eyes, for rainy weather
will spell disaster and twelve months of preparation are gone down
the drain. We must at least break even for the money spent for
organization of the show is gambled on our most fickle of all
elements, the Weather Man. Twelve months to prepare a show seems a
lot of time, but believe me at times it is not enough. We failed to
complete a miniature diesel train and set up the track for show
time, so this is number one for the show in 1970. Preparation for
the 1970 show began September 14, 1969.

Our September Show makes it possible for our members to visit
many of the Shows in the Eastern part of The United States and from
them we try to improve our Show. We thank many of these shows for
they give us new ideas and entertainment. Our New Train Car, pulled
by a Steam Engine, hauled fifty persons at a trip and was held up
by Bandits operating an antique white buick touring car. The white
buick was occupied by four desperate men. These same bandits robbed
the ticket booth, but the Sheriff and his two Deputies captured the
Bandits after much shooting and chasing only to get the money bags
and then lose the Bandits in the crowd of about six to seven
thousand people. These same Bandits returned the second day
(Sunday) they did the same feat only to be caught again; this time
being forced to leave their antique white buick, the engine failed
to start, after stalling. The Bandits fled on foot with the
Sheriffs in pursuit. Needlessly to say the Sheriffs were out of
ammunition and again the crowd swallowed the Bandits up and no
further trace could be found of them.

The Sunday Show was not planned, but at the request of numerous
people who returned on that day; we put on the robbery and capture.
Our thanks to Cliff Sullivan, the venerable conductor of the train
car, who sustained the shock of being held up, but who bravely
defended his passengers only to lose his money sack. The kids
cheered and demanded that the Bandits be shot on the spot, but the
Sheriffs bungled and the Bandits got away the second time, losing
themselves in the huge crowd. The Bandits were known to-be Sterling
Walsh, Haystack Weaver, Billy Burk, Tom Wickline and Grason Cooper,
being later identified by Sheriffs Paul Hahn, Glen Rex and Bill
Hopkins, who were operating a Model A Ford Pick Up. Many readers
will recall the twenty fifth re-union of the National Threshers
Association, Wauseon, Ohio, this year who’s main attraction was
the three Hillbillies operating an old Model T Ford touring car.
These three men put on a good show. This gave us an idea to create
some new interest and excitement, at our own show.

This year we purchased a live steer weighing 1160 lbs. The steer
dressed out only 445 lbs., to this we added 255 lbs., from this
total the meat was processed into 110 lbs., for roast, hamburger
and barbecue. I noticed that there were no half eaten hamburger
rolls, and the platters contained no meat scraps. Every bit of meat
was sold before closing time on Sunday. I personally ate hamburger
platters, roast beef platters and barbecue and on Sunday I wanted
one more bit of that good beef in the form of a barbecue, but Bob
Gearheart our Food Man-agree (M-S-H-S Director) informed me that
only one spoon full was left from the 700 lbs., of beef. Soft
drinks were drank by the truck load. I have never seen a hungrier
or thirstier crowd. Needlessly to say we ran out of cider this
year; the other item mentioned in last years show held out to the
last. My wife baked cakes and by the time I ate supper every slice
had been sold. The French Fry People were very happy at their
stand. They too had to go for more potatoes each day. If you could
see what people will buy, just stop at our flea marts. Next year we
will move our model steam engine tables to another location to give
these people more room. We hosted many trailers, hooking up
additional outlets for their convenience. It seems that many people
are traveling from one show to the other these days, via campers
and enjoying the smell of coal smoke and steam cylinder oil and
enjoying the huffing and puffing of the old steam traction engines.
Twenty three steam engines were here at the show. Other units on
display were gasoline tractors, threshers, reapers, saw mill,
shingle mill, baker fans and the dynamometer were in full swing.
The Belt Holding Gang Members were here also, but failed to have
any one to initiate this year. This part of our organization is a
very exclusive group. This Show has produced another exclusive
group of members, who contribute $100.00 for membership. Among this
first membership is none other than the Wizzard of Fowblesburg,
Walter Armacost, who joined after some dickering. We hope more will
be able to join this exclusive group.

Our show would not be the success, if it were not for members of
the two other Maryland Associations, who attend and bring their
Steam Engines. One great showman, Oil Pull Pete Lovelace from the
land of pleasant living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland; brought
up his sassy Nichols Shepherd steam engine and we were honored by
the presence of Albert Cooper, the President of the Mason-Dixon
Historical Society, Westminster, Md. Last, but not least we enjoyed
having Reverend Elmer L. Ritzman, Editor of the Iron Man Album,
with us. His presence is very inspiring. Space does not permit me
to list all who attended the show, so please do not feel
slighted.

The Oil Pull Tractor has always been some what of a mystery to
me. I have had some doubts of just whether it was like a steam
engine or a gasoline engine. After our show was. over, one member
failed to move his oil pull tractor and I have submitted what I
think is sufficient proof that it is more steam than oil pull.
Looking closely at the picture you will note that a pile of coal
ashes lies slightly under the rear platform. I have reasoned that
the stack is used to create some kind of draft to consume the burnt
coal smoke and make it smell like kerosene fumes. Well that is my
deduction anyway, correct me if I am wrong. The picture is as good
as a thousand words, so the Chinese say.

We are looking forward to our 1970 show held the week end
following Labor Day in September.