Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania 17022.
Harry E. Bechtold of Columbia, R. 2, Pennsylvania often drove
past Harvey Hoffman’s place in Rheems and admired the steam
engine there, little dreaming that one day he would own it.
Iron-Men readers may remember a recent article about old-time
thresherman Hoffman and his steam engine. Harvey died recently and
on Saturday, July 31, his estate was auctioned off.
The prize item at the sale, of course, was the 1920 steam
engine, a 16′, 14-ton Frick ‘Eclipse.’
Bechtold says he isn’t too good at estimating crowds, but
wouldn’t be surprised if there were nearly 1,000 people at the
auction.
Hoffman’s engine was rather well known throughout the area,
which may help to explain the size of the crowd. Several steam
engine collectors began bidding. As the bids jumped up in steps of
$5,000 the competitors soon dwindled down to two, Bechtold and
Titus Brubaker of Rohrerstown. At $14,200 Brubaker called it quits
and the engine was Bechtold’s for $14,300.
He plans to exhibit the machine at local events. Before the new
owner even took it home, Hoffman’s sons ran it over to Kinzers
for the annual Rough and Tumble show. Bechtold, incidentally, says
he hasn’t missed a Kinzers event since the 1950s.
Original cost of the engine when Hoffman bought it new in 1921
was $3,800. Hoffman traded two engines in, and paid $1,800 in cash
to make the purchase.
Bechtold has a 10 acre farm and plans to use the engine for
threshing and baling. In addition to the farm he has a section of
woodland and may hook the ‘Eclipse’ up to his sawmill every
now and then.
Bechtold has four other engines which he acquired in the
’50s-two Fricks and two Peerlesses. These are in rough shape
and he won’t exhibit them in this condition.
Bechtold has another hobby. He catches rattlesnakes.
Years ago he developed an interest in photography and wanted
especially to photograph rattlers. He went along on hunts and
‘caught the bug.’ He claims to have bagged 5 rattlesnakes
in 18.2 seconds.
Bechtold and a partner won the state rattlesnake huntin
championship in 1974 and 75 at Sinnemahong in Cameron County.
Bechtold held the bag so agrees that he can be called the state
champion rattlesnake sacker.
He has a business of his own, manufacturing wooden skids and
industrial pallets. He is never at a loss for something to do what
with his business, his steam engines, rattlesnake hunting, farming
and clearing off his woodland. In addition he has a wife and a
family of six children, ranging in age from 28 to 11.
Some other prices at the Hoffman auction may be of interest. A
Dutch cupboard went for $1,700, a rolltop desk for $375, a blanket
chest for $110 and a baling machine for $310.
Readers may recall an article about Hoffman’s friend, John
Kauffman, model builder and painter. A threshing machine scene by
Kauffman which hung on Harvey Hoffman’s living room wall went
at the auction for $500.
Bechtold knew both Kauffman and Hoffman. Harvey would be glad to
know that his engine is in good hands.
