EVELYN CROW of Charleroi, Pennsylvania died unexpectedly June
14, 1986 at her home. She was 83, and a lifelong resident of
Somerset and Fallowfield Townships, Washington County,
Pennsylvania. A graduate of Bentleyville High School and California
Normal School (now the University of California), she had been a
teacher in the Somerset Township schools until the time of her
First Christian Church of Monongahela, Pennsylvania, the last
charter member of The Fallow field Community Club, and had served
as treasurer of The Tri State Historical Steam Engine Association,
Inc. for 25 years. Her husband, Paul F. Crow, is one of the trio
who founded this association.
Submitted by her daughter, Frances C. Zollars, RD #1,
Charleroi, Pennsylvania 15022, Secretary /Treasurer of the
Tri-State Historical Steam Engine Association, Inc.
Long time steam lover FORREST V. CUNNINGHAM of Harrodsburg,
Kentucky died May 25, 1987. He had been a farmer and lived on the
farm where he was born. He was 93 years old. In World War I he
fired the heavy 2-8-2 J-1 class locomotives for the Louisville
& Nashville R.R. He and his wife Irene were married April 12,
1942. He had every copy of the Iron Men Album, most of American
Threshermen, Trains, Railroad and Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers magazines. He had a small library of books pertaining to
locomotives and steam traction engines, was an authority on both,
and he and Irene traveled extensively visiting steam shows and
places where steam locomotives were displayed. He was always ready
to help anyone with information about their engines and
corresponded with many people. He was a member of the Pioneer
Engineers Club of Rushville, Indiana and was a member of the Reeves
Historical Society for many years. He owned a 20-75 double rear
mount Nichols & Shepard for years and in later years was a
partner with Dick Gibson in a 65 HP Case. His favorite engine was
the Reeves, followed by the Nichols & Shepard, Frick and
Keck-Gonnerman. He was Iron Man of the Month in the
November/December 1972 issue of the Iron-Men Album.
The steam fraternity has lost a valuable member who can’t be
replaced. The writer was one of many that cherished him as a
personal friend. We shall all miss this kind and good man.
Submitted by Billy M. Byrd, 369 S. Harrig Street,
Madisonville, Kentucky 42431.
On May 18, 1987, funeral services were held for JAMES HERBERT
HOLMES, 88, in Moundsville, WV. In a couple of months he and his
wife Emma would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.
Herb was a long-time reader of this magazine and attended many
meets and club events in this area. He was a charter member of the
Stump town Steam Threshers Club, and was a member of Gabel’s
Threshing Bee, Tuscara was Valley, Hooks town and several other
steam and gas engine clubs.
For several years Herb owned a 16 HP Huber and a 12 HP Peerless
steam engine. The Peerless engine was unique, being the mystic home
of a rattlesnake which would pop its head out of the smokestack,
especially when the late ‘Whitey’ Beechy who was M.C. for
the Dover show would talk about Herb being from West Virginia.
Born and raised on a farm, he and Emma farmed until Herb went to
work in industry, and his interest in steam and gas engines was
with him throughout his life. He was helpful to many in the hobby,
and kept a keen and knowledgeable interest that benefited many. His
common sense enabled him to carry on an intelligent conversation of
many current events and topics of the day. Herb had a habit, when
finished with a gas engine, of disconnecting the spark plug to
avoid any possibility of an untimely start. All his engines have
the ignitions disconnected, and his final disconnect was as he
would have desired. Herb will be sadly missed by his family and
many friends.
Submitted by Dan J. Bihler, R.D. 1, Box 134, Moundsville,
West Virginia 26041 and William Flowers, Secretary of the Stumptown
Steam Threshers Club, Route 1, Box 332, Adena, Ohio 43901.
