SHOW TIME

By Jerry Moorman
Published on March 1, 1977
article image
12 HP J. I. Case, return flue, straw burner, center crank owned by Calvin Whitaker. A real unusual engine!

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.

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388