NORTH CAROLINA STEAM HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
By Charles C. Idol
Winston Salem, North Carolina
This year the reunion of the North Carolina Steam Historical Association was practically rained out; although between showers we had saw-milling, wheat threshing and the Baker fan in operation. We had visitors attending from five different states.
We were happy to have Mr. and Mrs. Harry Krantz and daughter, Nancy and Jim Moss, all from Frederick, Maryland visit with us in our home before the show. Don't for once think that Harry and Jim were the only ones to get a thrill out of handling the engines. Nancy Krantz amused everyone by her operating the Case steam engine.
Here is a picture of a horse power baler owned by my father. This was taken in 1907 on the Billy Grove Farm near Fairview, Penna. My father, Wm. B. Cowan, is standing on the baler. This was a "Lightening" Baler made at Kansas City, Missouri. The team of horses were just as tired as they look. A neighbor and I own and operated a horse power baler that was at the Burgettstown Historical Steam Engine Exhibition on Rt. 18, Burgettstown, Penna. on September 20th and 21st, 1963.
It was so nice that Mr. Ritzman and family also came to the Frontier Village at Boone for the occasion. It is a most wonderful place for a reunion. There are picnic tables by the Creek. Here the Krantz and Ritzmans, along with a group of North Carolina steam enthusiasts, all of whom were previously acquainted, had a most wonderful fellowship over a picnic supper.
Here is a picture of two old thresher men in uniform. I am on the left and was raised in Sumner County, Kansas. Mr. Jenson from Belleville, Nebraska is on the right. We work on the Seattle waterfront. Our job is to stand watch on grain ships from all over the world. Most new ships are steam turbines with a steam whistle which we love to hear.
Before returning home Mr. Ritzman, Earlene and Marsha visited us in our home. Here it was supper time so Earlene went to the corn patch and pulled the only ear of corn she had ever taken from a stalk. It was quite a thrill to her.
H. G. Bomhoff's model 3x4" Case, left, and Russell Hofman's 4x5" Case at the Harry Landweir show at Waukonis, Oklahoma, 1962.
Here is a picture of the home-made steam engine owned by Charles Vorholt. This was taken in June, 1963 at his home near Solan, Iowa. The boy with him is Jim Willis of Kennedyville, Maryland, who was on vacation with us.
We already knew what Elmer's thrill would be. Again we had a peach cobbler which he called a "horse pie." He had liked it so well when he visited us before.
We were fortunate to have Mr. Ritzman a second time to preach at our church at the 11 o'clock service on Sunday morning. Since then several people have told us how much they enjoyed his sermon.