Well, here we are well into the New Year of 1963wonder
what’s in store for you and me? One thing, for right now, I
believe we’re all tolerating a good old fashioned winter and I
can just visualize all you steam folks sitting by your fires and
dreaming up new ideas for the summer of 1963 and the Reunions which
incidentally, really are not so far away, for as it has been said
behind?’
I have several letters I would like to quote from one is from
John T. Offutt of 101 Main St., Parkville, Missouri who states,
‘I have some information on Valve Gears. Only can find the date
on the Walschant this was invented in Belgium by Eddie Welschant in
1844 and came into common use in the U. S. about 1905.’ Thanks
John, hope this is an interesting note to our fans.
Had a letter from Stanley H. Boyd of22613-7th Ave. So., Des
Moines, Washington and quote in part, ‘By the way Why can’t
the Steam Associations in the East recognize us as associates? Wife
and I have visited steam-up in Michigan with our WSFA badges in
full view and were required to pay admission to the meet as did the
other non-members. Out in the Golden West, everybody is welcome. We
catch quite a number of new members honey, not vinegar.’ Could
be this is a point for discussion don’t know, I’m just
quoting. Mr. Boyd is also interested in hearing from an owner of a
Brian Steam Tractor. How about it?
Get out the back ALBUMS and check with this information from Joe
W. Schindler, Berne, Indiana who states, ‘There is an engine in
the March-April 1962 ALBUM on page 23-The man did not know what
make it is and I am quite sure it is a Robison and was made in
Richmond, Indiana. I have been there, but it was a small factory
and I don’t think long in lasting. I worked for the man almost
3 years. He also, had a machine the same make it was fed by hand.
The engine was a 14 hp. and he later got a 18 hp on a trade. I
helped him unload and put the old one on the car in Seneca, Ind.
They both had the band wheel on the left side and steering wheel on
the right side and on back wheel the smoke box between the wheel
and boiler, we could cook a meal, if you were not particular what
you ate. The engines worked nice and and look like the one in the
picture.’
And a point of debate with Walter Thomas of Route 4, Ottawa,
Illinois who writes us, ‘I wish you would look into the picture
and article on page 30 of July-August issue (1962) and it says that
this is a Buffalo-Pitts plowing outfit. I think that there has been
a mix-up some place. I would bet that is a 25 or 30 hp. double
cylinder Nichols and Shepard engine on that 12 bottom plow. See if
I’m not right?’ Well, anyone care to write Walter and argue
the point?
Since the price has been raised on the magazine we have had no
complaints, which makes us of course, feel mighty proud of our
ALBUM family, for, from that we surely take it they understand our
point of view realizing the price raise was inevitable. Just for
the heck of it, we kept record of the first renewal to come in at
$3.00 and it was from Bert W. Johnson of 411N. E. First St., Gelva,
I11., received Dec. 10 and the first new subscriber at $3.00 was
Steve Keim of Box 7, Wilmot, Ohio, received Dec. 15. And since
then, they have been coming in pretty regularly. Thank you all for
being so cooperative and let’s keep it a Happy Iron-Men Album
Family.
And that about brings me to the closing lines of the column and
a few interesting remarks such as – It’s much safer to drive if
both the weather and the driver are dry – – -What this country
needs is less stress on dollars and more on sense – You can’t
clean up in this world with soft soap; it takes grit – Nowadays our
necessities are too luxurious and our luxuries are too necessary –
AND Ha! Ha! – When a man and a woman marry, they become one. The
trouble starts when they try to decide which one.
Sincerely, Anna Mae
