LETTERS
The picture was taken when threshing in 1896 on the Fred Oak farm 5 miles south-east of Darling-ford, Manitoba. Owner of the outfit was Mr. Orrin Pickle, whose son is standing at the front wheel of the engine with the small bore shot gun. In those days there were prairie chickens on every stack.
See Mr. Dearing's letter.
I cannot identify that engine but do admire it and I'd give that engineman a job any day .... why? You will note there is more grease on his pants than there is on the engine .... he was proud of his work. Note the cross brace chains between the road wheels in common use a t that time.
One of the teams shown on bundle hauling were driven west from Ontario.
W. E. DEARING, 33 Qu'Appelle Apts., Regina, Saskatchewan
LETTER
I am sending you pictures of my Gaar -Scott before and after I worked on the engine some difference, isn't there?
It took 6 months to get as far as I have on it. This engine came into this country in 1914, new, and was used to plow with, although it was used some for threshing.
This is the engine before I moved it in I960. It set in this one spot since 1936.
The last people that owned the engine parked it where I found it in 1936 and that's where it has been up until 1960, when I moved it into the shop and decided to repair the engine.
I put an inner shell inside the barrel of the boiler " thick. I put all new stay rods, new tubes, new front tube sheet, smoke box, stack and it's all been riveted. The unit has been sand-blasted, new water tanks, new coal tenders, platform, new hitches and new canopy. When I had the boiler tested, I put 1601b. cold water test on boiler, plan to carry 125 lb. on engine. The number of the engine is 15471 made in 1914, 25 horse, rear-mounted double 7 x 11.
This is the Gaar-Scott No. 15471. double rear-mounted 7 x 11 double. Made in 1914.
Those two props at the back of cab in picture do not belong on the engine, as we had those up there temporary while I was putting the cab up and forgot to remove them.
I am a service man for Big Chief Dilg Co., Oklahoma City. Of course, I really enjoy working on these engines as a hobby. I have three others besides this one a 40Case, 22 Horse Universal Advance-Rumely and a 24-75 Port Huron.
Ivan E. Burns, 2660 S. W. 61st St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
WE LIKE THIS......
Just can't do without "IRON-MEN ALBUM", and am glad to add 50cent for Canadian exchange, or to protect you from "high international finance" or something; therefore enclose Bank money order, $3.50, U.S. funds.
I know something of publishing costs, and we, too, found it necessary to raise the price on particular item, "Matthews' List", to $45.00 per year last January. (Previously $35.00 per year.)
Good luck, and for the lovapete don't give up your mag. It has saved me a coupla nervous breakdowns in this high pressure (always over the legal limit stamped on the little lead seal on the safety valve, here at least) business world in which I foolishly or otherwise earn a living for my wife, two sons and myself.
SYD MATTHEWS, Toronto, Canada
A PROBLEM
Here is a letter which is typical of several we have received and some expressed verbally their feelings in this matter personally.
There is a problem here. Let us face it for a few minutes. We have to be careful about who runs an engine. If they get hurt who is to blame. If others - who is to pay? When a stranger comes up and wants to operate the engine what will you say? Many only want to run the engine reverse it, etc. others want to use it in traction.
It would seem to me that first of all you could talk to the stranger, asking about himself. You may find out he knows something about steam. Second, I see no reason with an experienced man on the engine you could permit the stranger some liberty in operating the engine. Should he do something out of line the man in charge could stop the engine.
Let me say this to the stranger. Take some time to get acquainted. These engine men are of a necessity under orders. Don't expect too much. If you were in charge you might be just as conservative.
Let's get acquainted. It may take a year, but we'll have a good time when we do.
One of our Reunions keeps a couple of engines on a special lot with men in charge. Anyone showing his membership card may operate the engine. Many a father takes his son or family for a ride. All are happy.
You might be surprised how popular this feature is.
-Elmer
LETTER
I have been slow on writing since the summer Reunions. I was to two of them and then quit. I always said I would attend all of them, but with the way strangers were greeted, I couldn't take it any more. Tell me, why the men that handled the engine, are so reserved to letting any old men that has spent their years on engines and steamers of all makes, touch or run one awhile. Well, I didn't get to even ride on one of them, so I'll stay away and not hurt myself anymore.
I was going to buy one, then said, "No, I couldn't take it any place and not have people or older men still try their hand at it."
In Iron-Men ALBUM, I see where some have written in to have a class to teach them. Well, I would love that as I have taught here in Omaha and have a nice bunch of engineers and still give advice to them.
I was 18 years with B. of E. at this school. All engineers came to me from other schools. I retired in 1960, in June.
I came from Missouri and at 14 years of age had a Gaar-Scott, 16 hp sawing lumber, then J. I. Case later, but left there in 1914. I have had only two jobs in Omaha the rest of the 40 years.
I may help put a 16 hp Russell in shape for Show next summer. Hope I feel like it as 73 years young, can't plan too far ahead.
I still like my Iron-Men Album and enjoy reading and looking through same.
Roy E. Mitchell, 3500 - 8th Ave., Council Bluffs, Iowa