The Threshers Are Coming

By Leo J. Fitzpatrick
Published on July 1, 2004
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A threshing crew pauses for the camera somewhere in central Michigan, date unknown. The engine is a Nichols & Shepard.
A threshing crew pauses for the camera somewhere in central Michigan, date unknown. The engine is a Nichols & Shepard.
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Ford Barber’s threshing rig and crew at the C.W. Perry farm southwest of Clare, Mich. The engine appears to be an early 20 HP Port Huron.
Ford Barber’s threshing rig and crew at the C.W. Perry farm southwest of Clare, Mich. The engine appears to be an early 20 HP Port Huron.
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Threshing at Jess Newman's farm in Clare County, circa 1920. Charlie Fitzpatrick engineered the 14 HP Port Huron.
Threshing at Jess Newman's farm in Clare County, circa 1920. Charlie Fitzpatrick engineered the 14 HP Port Huron.
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William ''Bill'' Fitzpatrick and his early Rumely, the first engine the Fitzpatricks owned, circa 1900.
William ''Bill'' Fitzpatrick and his early Rumely, the first engine the Fitzpatricks owned, circa 1900.

Threshing grain was the big day of the summer on the farm.

The grain was cut and shocked, and if it looked like it might be two or three weeks before the thresher would get to the farm, the grain bundles were stacked. Wood to fire the steam engine was hauled in and piled near where the engine would be belted to the grain thresher.

Threshing day was an exciting day for the children, and everyone was up early that morning. The children would run out in the road to see if the rig was coming, and then there it was, coming down the road to the farm. As it got closer, they could hear the engine puffing and the grinding sound of the iron wheels on the road. Then it stopped in front of the house.

The kids looked in awe at this big, hissing, iron monster. The thresher man stepped down from the engine and walked toward the barn where he met Grandpa. Together, they would look over where the set was to be made. While this was going on, the water wagon pulled alongside the engine and filled the water barrels. Then it was off to the river to pump the tank full of water again.

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