Our 32nd Annual Tuscarawas Valley Pioneer Power Show was held
August 18, 19 and 20 at the fairgrounds in Dover, Ohio. The weather
was dry, but hot.
The 32nd show featured the Russell line of equipment which was
manufactured 25 miles north up the Tuscarawas River in Massillon,
Ohio. In the steam area Russell was represented with the 6 HP
portable. In the tractor area we were blessed with two Russell gas
tractors, a 10-20 built in 1917 and owned by my brother and me, and
a 20-40 owned by Earl Scheetz of Massillon, Ohio, and built in
1924. Earl started to restore her 25 years ago but because of the
demands of working for a living she had to wait till his recent
retirement, making it in time to make our Russell show with this
rare Russell.
Special thanks to the Massillon Museum for their fine display of
Russell items, and for loaning us the weathervane which was on the
Russell office building. Also on display were items and parts from
a Russell steam shovel which was scrapped years ago near
neighboring Baltic, Ohio.
Though Russell was the featured equipment line, there was much
more to see than Russells. In addition to the eight Russell steam
traction engines on the saw mill, Baker fans and power eater, 15
other traction engines representing seven different manufacturers
were also kept busy. The Erie steam shovel moved dirt all three
days, and there was a road roller or two running around.
In addition to the two Russell gas tractors, I would guess there
were at least 200 tractors, with the Greens and Reds being in the
majority. Not to be outdone, the stationary steam area and gas
engine area were very busy as always, and I am not sure I ever made
it through the complete area!
I would like to invite everyone to our 33rd show which will be
held August 16, 17 and 18. This year we will be hosting the 1996
Hart Parr-Oliver Collectors Association summer show.
