Hi! Well – this is the May-June issue coming up but we surely
are far from that kind of weather, but this issue will start the
Shows and they’ll be in operation for the next few months in
fact, last issue had quite a few show dates entered. So hurry, get
the polishing done and a drop of oil here, and a dab of paint there
oops don’t miss that spot there and I know you are all eagerly
say good-by for awhile and head for the reunions and lots of luck
to you and may you meet many new friends and renew your
acquaintances from other years.
OOPS! I almost forgot to tell you the great
news. We have a new baby around and it’s wonderful. Our
daughter Keli and Mike Gaffney had a little girl. Statistics in
steam language are: No. 1-9-79, weight 8 lb., 12 oz., length
20′ – model Kortni Lynn. Condition of little steamer A-1 shape.
She’s a beauty and quite vociferous. This is our fourth
grandchild, but the others are ages 12, 10 and 9.I don’t know
about you but to me children are a gift of God lent to usquite a
joy and a loving responsibility to raise them to know God.
On some letters CLYDE C. MONIHAN, St. Joseph, Missouri sends
this letter ‘There have been some very interesting articles in
the Iron-Men Album about old machinery manufacturers. I wish some
of the readers would write a history of the Emerson Branting-ham
Geiser Works of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, when they started
business and when and why they quit. Also would like to know
everything they manufactured, etc. I am sure some of the readers in
the East could give a good history of the company. I have never
heard much about the company, but know that they built some very
fine machinery possibly the best in its day.
I enjoy reading your magazine very much. (Thanks Clyde and
here’s hoping some of the readers take you up on your
suggestion.
ALLAN I. BRANHAM, P.O. Box 518, Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521 is
planning a new home this Spring and he would like to make it as
self sufficient as possible. He has been thinking of a small steam
engine as he has all the wood he needs for fuel; powering it with a
110-220 volt generator. He would like to know if this would be
feasible. (If you have any ideas, please write him.)
STANLEY J. MOUSER, R.F.D. 1, Wellman, Iowa 52356 sends the
following: ‘The No. 4 picture on page 33, in the unclassified
photos, in the Jan.-Feb. 1979 issue of The Iron-Men Album was taken
some time ago at the Mid-West Old Settlers and Threshers Reunion in
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Bill Sater, who was then the president of the
association, is operating the Prony Brake. I am sure the engine in
the belt is a 20 HP Advance Rumley, owned by Dean Shellhouse, whose
address was then Lavonia, Michigan; but, is now Fair-field,
Iowa.
I am not able to recognize any of the other people, nor the two
engines standing in the background, however, the large metal
building in the right background is the antique car building and
the tent-like structure in the left background is the steam
operated carousel.’
This letter comes from WALT THAYER, Box 2175, Wenatchee,
Washington: ‘Just received my Jan.-Feb. 79 I.M.A. and the best
photo in the magazine (centerfold) has no title or description of
any kind. It looks very much like the tractors that replaced the
’20 Mule Teams’ to haul Borax out of Death Valley for what
is now the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The tractors resemble early
day Best, Holt or Reeves and similar tractors by Best & Holt
were used to skid logs in early days of logging in the West and
Northwest.
I believe the name of the fellow who discovered Borax in Death
Valley, California was a fellow who became known as F. M. (Borax)
Smith and was as well known as that former uncanny mystery Death
Valley Scotty. Both men, with various photos, are described in two
very good books (Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California) by
David Mywick and published by Howell-North books of Berkely,
California. Railfans and lovers of old engines will enjoy these two
fine books. (This only sounds like one book to me fellows, but this
is exactly what was written in the letter. Hope it’s clearer to
you.)
A letter of gratitude from CARL B. ERWIN, 106 South Elm Street,
Newkirk, Oklalhoma 74647: ‘That certainly was a fine job of
displaying pictures and presenting the story of Steam Engines in
France thanks a million! There was one mistake it was my fault as I
misspelled the name of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Please accept my
correction and my apology to the people of Eau Claire.
A lot of good machinery is built in Wisconsin, both wood working
and threshing machines. Again sincere thanks and best wishes to
all.’
BROOKS JONES, Swansboro, North Carolina 28584 sends this along:
‘My brother and I cannot understand the explanation under the
picture of the Holt traction engine, page 13 in Jan.-Feb. Iron Men
Album. It says (‘Holt removed the wheels and replaced them with
a pair of tracks in 1904. Hold figured the tracks had as much
bearing surface as wheels 75 feet in diameter.’)
The picture shows two large rear wheels and one wheel in front.
The idea of tracks is something we cannot fit into the whole
engine. We just can’t understand it. Can anyone clear this up
by giving an explanation in the next issue? (Well, I don’t
understand it but perhaps one of our readers could explain it would
be appreciated.)
I often make beef stew as my family likes it I don’t think
too much of it, but then I really do not care for meat, but this
recipe seems a little different comes from one of our readers
I’m going to try it next time. It is called Stew Hot Dish.
2 pounds beef stew cubes 2 large carrots
1 large onion
2 potatoes
1/2 package frozen peas
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 can golden mushroom soup
Chunk carrots, onion and potatoes and mix all ingredients in 2
quart casserole. Cover and bake for 5 hours at 275. (You can also
add one can of water chestnuts for variety in texture.) MRS. ROBERT
L. STREET, Route 4, Decorah, Iowa 52101.
Another letter from WALT THAYER, Box 2175, Wenatchee, Washington
just arrived with some explanation on the unclassified photos:
‘No. 1 looks very much like a horse drawn Russell, like one
owned by Mel Anderson, 532 Tyee Street, Okanogan, Washington. No. 2
is a nice looking Case belted up and ready to thresh. No. 3 After
the big wind stopped blowing, probably in 1920s or early 30s. No. 4
I’d say it’s a Case with water wagon and grain wagons and a
good sized straw stack. No. 5 – looks like a small Russell or
Minneapolis and somebody forgot to test the ‘bridge’ or
‘plank’ it as a safety measure. A lot of men
‘cooked’ on the boiler head this way, during the steam
power days.’
MRS. WAYNE WACHAL, c/o NORTHERN LAB, 4701 Custer Street,
Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220 needs some help could you help her?
‘We have two Eagle tractors which were made in Appelton,
Wisconsin. They are a 1930 B and a 1935 Eagle. We would like to
know the color of the tractor and also the color of the lettering
on the tractor.’ (I thought some of our veteran readers might
be able to help Mrs. Wachal.)
Thought maybe you might like this story An ambitious farmer,
unhappy about the yield of his crops, heard of a highly recommended
new seed corn. He bought some and produced a crop that was so
abundant his astonished neighbors came and asked him to sell them
some of the new seed. But the farmer, afraid that he would lose a
profitable competitive advantage, refused to sell the seed to his
neighbors.
The second year the new seed did not produce quite so good a
crop for the farmer. And when the third year crop was still worse,
it suddenly dawned upon the farmer that his prize corn was being
pollinated by the inferior grade of corn from his neighbors’
fields. This came from Wellsprings of Wisdom Ralph L. Woods. (I
really enjoy these short stories that have a message hope you
do.)
I guess that does it for this time and in closing It is not how
long you live, but for what you live that counts It is better to
make a good life than a good livingFaith Makes all
things possible. Hope Makes all things bright.
Love Makes all things easy.
Bye Bye Love Ya!
