R. R. 6, Greensburg, Indiana 47240.
The Pioneer Engineers Club of Indiana held their 28th annual
reunion at the Rush County Conservation Club grounds near
Rushville, Indiana on August 6, 7, 8, 1976. Twenty-two large
traction engines and over fifty tractors and oil pulls and numerous
model engines were exhibited.
This year’s feature engine was an 80 H. P. Case owned by
Lawrence Walker of Morgantown, Indiana. There were a variety of
other Case engines on display. They were: a 9 H.P. Case owned by
Davis Sullivan of Markleville, a 50 HP Case owned by Jerry Moorman
of Greensburg, and a 60 H.P. Case owned by Henry Youngblood of
Monrovia. Perhaps the most unusual and rare engine was an 1898
return flue, centercrank J. I. Case strawburner owned by Calvin
Whitaker of Pendleton. It is a real showpiece and created quite an
attraction at our show. Mr. Whitaker restored and cleaned this
engine to look like a new one.
Other large engines were: 12, 16, and 20 H.P. Russells; 2- 18
H.P. Hubers; a 20 H.P. Aultman Taylor; 2 – 20 H.P. Advance Rumelys;
an 18, 19, 21-75, and a 23-90 Bakers; 19 H.P. Keck Gonnerman; 18
H.P. Gaar Scott double; 20 H.P. Double Rumely; 24 H. P. Port Huron
compound; and the R.D.S. road locomotive owned by Roscoe
Shiverdecker of Greenville, Ohio.
One engine that was a welcome return attraction was a little 12
H.P. Russell owned by Bruce Atkinson of Monrovia. This engine was
formerly owned by our President Ray Jones and he exhibited this for
many years.
The entire week before the show, good weather allowed the club
to ready the grounds for one of the best shows; however, by Friday
morning the rain started and forced all activities to a standstill.
Friday afternoon a little sawing was done with Jerry Moorman’s
18 H.P. Baker, but this was the only engine that ran that day. All
other equipment was halted so that when the rain stopped, the
grounds could dry off.
Saturday and Sunday the sun came out and made it ideal show
weather. There was no fire danger and it was cool, pleasant
temperatures. Both days were full of activities and all machinery
operating. Lawrence Porter of Rushville provided the grain and
separator for the threshing; a parade was held both days, and the
Baker tan was operating throughout the days.
Saturday evening the Fiddlers’ Contest was held with 8
contestants from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Immediately
afterwards a spark show was put on by Charles Geisler and his 18
H.P. Huber.
Both Saturday and Sunday were big days. Large crowds filled the
grounds both days. Those who stayed away on Friday turned out on
the last two days. Traffic backed up into Rushville, one mile away,
but everyone who had to wait to get in said it was worth it.
Next year’s show will be held on August 5,6,7. Officers
elected at our annual October meeting for 1977 are: president, Ray
Jones; vice president, Lawrence Porter; secretay- treasurer, Jerry
Moorman. New Directors are Denis Schrank and Robert Crowell of
Batesville, and Earl Walker of Paragon. The club thanks all who
made the show the huge success and invites everyone back next year
for our 29th reunion.
