SOOT IN THE FLUES

See where at a Reunion (or Rally) they had in Australia they had
something really different at least I think so I quote: ‘For
the first time an egg and spoon race was included in the programme
of ring events and all engines reached the finish line without a
single egg broken, proving the skill of the crews and that a
traction engine can be smooth and gentle. Now on to our
letters.

J. A. SILLARS, 414 So. 5th St., Sac City, Iowa 50583 writes:
‘We have an old potato cutter and have no idea how old it is.
We have taken the following information that is on it. Potato
cutter (hand) Aspinwall patents – Aspinwall Mfg. Co., Jackson,
Michigan. (This is to cut potatoes to plant). No. 190 was on the
frame. Another number 164N – 166N – 168N – 169N. I would like to
find out how old this cutter is, if possible and if it would be of
any value as an antique.’

I’m sure we must have some potato farmers in our Iron-Men
Family – how about it?? Do you have the answers for Mr.
Sillars?

A letter from across the waters from JOHN A. NORRIS, Box 21
Walkerville, South Australia 5081 in which he says: ‘I receive
the IRON-MEN ALBUM regularly and really enjoy it.’ John also
sent us a program of their Rally held last Nov. Dates for this year
by the way are November 6 and 7, 1971 and it is The Lake Goldsmith
Steam Engine Preservation Society that holds it. And like John
said, ‘You never know there may be enthusiasts from the U.S.A.
visiting Australia and we would certainly welcome them to our
show.’

THEODORE HAXALL, 4644 Hanover Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23226
writes: ‘I am searching for a picture and over all dimensions
of an A. B. Farquhar Co. 15 HP farm steam engine and boiler mounted
on skids (stationary) or on wheels (portable) horsedrawn built
sometime between 1850 and 1890. A. B. Farquhar manufactured steam
engines at York, Pa. during this period according to information I
have, but not yet verified.’

Anybody out there that can help Ted find the picture he is
seeking. I’m sure he will be glad to hear from you.

GALE L. WOLLENBERG of Hollenberg, Kansas 66946 writes us: ‘I
have a question that I haven’t found an answer for yet. Was
some sort of seal or gasket material used along the rivet seam to
avoid a leaky seam in constructing a steel boiler?’ (How about
it Fellows? I’m sure I don’t know but I surely can ask my
friends to give him the answer.)

Gale was in the Navy for four years and is now back home. He
says he has been interested in steam traction engines but until he
learned to run a lathe and a milling machine he was unable to do
anything about this hobby. But, while in the Navy and with
permission of superior officers he was able to use scrap metal to
begin construction on a 1′ scale model of a 75 HP Case Steam
Traction Engine in his spare time. He is now in the process of
assembling the parts. When he gets that engine completed he would
like to start on a model of the 1912 J. Kemna 230-310 HP Ploughing
Engine. This steam tractor was supposed to have been the most
powerful ever built. He would like to know where he could get
prints and dimensions on this German steamer.

We’ll be looking forward to pictures of your engines,
Gale.

C. M. REBELEIN, Keister, Minnesota 56651 wants to know: ‘I
am 75 years old and in February I had 28 years of steam threshing
behind me. That girl standing on the side step oiling the steam
engine I want to ask her a question and would like an answer. When
she fires up a steam engine, what is the first thing she does or is
supposed to do? (This picture Mr. Rebelein refers to is on the
cover of Nov-Dec. 1970 and the young lady is Mary Jane Mixon.)

Any answer Mary Jane or anyone else? I bet we would get a lot of
different answers.

Our sympathy to PAUL B. CURTIS, R. 3, Fredericktown, Ohio 43019
who had the misfortune of having a fire in January. He says his
house wasn’t totally destroyed but he lost practically all of
his pictures, catalogs and instruction manuals and most of his
ALBUMS and GEMS. Many of you will understand how he feels and we
wish him well and hope he can rebuild his hobby again.

DAVID GERWIN, 2369 State Route 300, Gibsonburg, Ohio 43431 tells
us: ‘I have several Better Farming With Better Tractors
advertising booklets of the J. I. Case T. M. Co. In one of these a
40-72 tractor is described. Its weight is listed as 21,200 lbs. I
would be very interested in learning if any of these tractors are
in existence today as I would imagine that there were not very many
made.

Write Dave if you know of any of these monsters around.

ROY D. SHEETS, 4894 Infirmary Rd., Miamisburg, Ohio 45342 is
restoring a 1914 40 HP Case Steam Engine. He would like some help.
He needs the dimensions of the fuel bunkers and canopy which covers
the engine. Send information to him if you have it he will greatly
appreciate it.

W. MONCUR, Administrator, Manitoba Agricultural Museum, Inc.,
Box 10, Austin, Manitoba, Canada is looking for some data re his
letter: ‘We will be restoring some Rumely machinery in the near
future such as Rumely steamers, plows and threshing machines. We
were wondering if you could tell us the original colors of these
items as we would like to paint them as they were when they were
being used.

We would also like to get some colored literature of these
articles if possible. If you have any available or know where we
could get some, we would certainly appreciate any
information.’

I’m sure some of you old-timers can help them out on these
requests.

That’s it for this time except a few quotations A handful of
common sense is worth a bushel of learning.—The only people you
should try to get even with are those who helped you.—No person
really lives until he learns to love.

Bye bye and by the time this magazine is read and re-read well
be raking leaves and answering ‘Trick or Treat’
doorbells.