Program Chairman Strum, Wisconsin 54770
A few words reporting the third annual Steam Engine Day
observance held Aug. 13-14 here at Strum may be of interest. The
village, about 750 population, is located in the west central part
of Wisconsin, on U.S. Hwy. 10 in the Beef River valley.
Steam Engine Days, a community-wide promotion has been headed
the past three years by Burnie Ness as General Chairman, all
service clubs cooperating, net proceeds go into a common fund for
betterment projects. No admission is charged, however the board
controls and operates all concessions, a policy which requires both
good administration and planning as 260 women and girls working in
4 hour shifts were required to handle the food stands on Sunday the
big day.
The Power program began on Sat. at 10 A.M. with an unusual
display of Minneapolis equipment. An old Minneapolis Victory
separator (2170) purchased new in 1887 was operated by Elmer
Everson of Blair, Wis. a son of the first owner, who really put the
32′ machine to work in spite of his 74 years. It was only
natural that a vintage Minneapolis steamer should furnish power so
Mort Moe of Mondovi, who has operated his 25 hp engine every season
since it was new in 1913 was belted up for power in a nostalgic
scene. Everson stated the Victory has been shedded on the home farm
since its purchase 79 years ago and that it was in use every season
until 1942, a span of 55 years. The steamer according to Mr. Moe,
has been operated by him in each of its 53 seasons, both are good
for years of service.
As this was a predominant Case country four of these engines
were on hand, Alfred Gunderson of Osseo, Ed Slabik of Whitehall,
Merle Mc Cart of Mondovi and Sig Rice of Strum operated the
Racine products. Besides Moe’s Mpls, a Rumely owned by Geo
Loomis of Mondovi, and a 30-60 Oil-pull owned by Ed Huppert of
Ellsworth furnished power for Lumber sawing, a shingle Mill, fan
and two grain separators. Harold Churchill of Elmwood with his
steam powered drag saw and Lloyd Loomis’ model steamer and
sawmill drew many interested spectators. Gortons working models
came in for their share of comment.
Threatening weather curtailed the Saturday afternoon show, altho
a modern day tractor pulling contest on a soil cemented runway was
completed before the rains came. Cancellation of an elaborate
evening program resulted curtailing attendance greatly. Rains
continued until Sunday at 7 A.M., Mop-up of bleacher seats began at
once and by nine o’clock 7 to 800 gathered in the stands for
the church service heard a rousing sermon on a frontier theme by
Pastor Luther Monson.
Patches of blue sky were appearing shortly after 10 and with
clearing weather came streams of autos from four directions. State
and county police assisted by 38 men parking cars were busy until
early afternoon handling traffic By 1:30 a crowd estimated in
excess of 30,000 jammed a 14 block route for the Grande Parade with
its ‘Century of Change’ theme. Seventy-five units, all
invitational passed in review during the hour and twenty minutes
allotted for this part of the program. Nearly fifty portrayed the
‘Old and New’ in farm operations, probably the most
illustrative of the great ‘Change’ was provided by the
threshing phase. Naturally the reaper, bundle tiers, the vintage
Minneapolis machines, water wagon, twenty men as crew and a kitchen
scene with three ladies as cooks furnished marked contrast to the
Modern self-propelled combine and grain truck with an operator for
each. Four announcers at spaced positions acquainted watchers with
detail and color as the units passed. The fine St. Paul Police band
concluded the parade.
Sky diving, stage acts and the regular steam show followed on
congested grounds until evening. A 10 o’clock program ended the
event.
We have had many favorable comments on our attempts to present
the great change in farm power, operation and living. A steam
program however, seems to be strictly a mans show, our
committees’ will plan and direct efforts toward portraying the
part women played in this great phase of progress. Any suggestions
are always welcome.
