Antique steam engines, tractors chug into town

By DAVID J. COEHRS

Enterprise Staff Writer

Eighty-year-old Phyllis Smith of Fremont couldn't put her finger on exactly what fired up her, her husband and son to attend the 64th Annual Reunion of the National Threshers Association (NTA). She only knows she loves the old steam engines and the way they come to life with a roar, like her father's did.

"It takes you back, in a way," she said.

Smith and other enthusiasts gathered in hot, humid weather to admire dozens of antique steam engines and gas-powered tractors at the Fulton County Fairgrounds June 26-29. The obsolete farm equipment arrives each summer in Wauseon as examples of machinery that NTA President David Schramm said "helped make this country what it is."

Exhibitors from as far as Italy oiled and pampered the 55 threshers and 300 tractors on display, occasionally charging them up with a plume of steam or black smoke and a whistle blast. The owners say they have a brotherhood of sorts that leads to camaraderie and a lot of fun.

"We all work together, like they did in the old days," Jim Lashaway of Perrysburg said. He was exhibiting his father LeRoy's 1926 A D Baker model manufactured in Swanton. Both were drawn into the world of antique steam engines by Lashaway's grandfather, Elmer Morlock.

"We enjoy rebuilding them," he said. "We spend more time rebuilding them than we do running them."

A 1914 Aultman Taylor owned by Van Gasper of New Boston, Mich., has been exhibited for about five years. His son, John, shows it at two venues a year, and will continue until old age slows him down.

He said his interest lies mainly in watching "to see this kind of power out of something this old. It's something you don't see too often. It's not like cars."

This year the event, which transferred to the fairgrounds in 1965 from a site in Montpelier, features an inoperable Canton-Monitor from the mid-1800s, possibly the oldest steam engine on display. There is also a Shelby tractor, unique because it's the last known one of its kind.

Event director Bill Grieser estimates the combined worth of the steam engines and tractors in the millions of dollars.

"The price of this equipment has really come up. Most people like to exhibit it, but some just like to invest in it," he said.

Still, it's a relatively inexpensive hobby to maintain, although expenses can crop up, Dave Tyler said. He recently had to spruce up the front of his father's 1919 Russell steam engine with special $400 heat-resistant paint.

But Russell, who's been involved with the event since he was a year old, said it's worth the time and effort.

"It's just fun. Everyone meets together and has fun with our toys. It's like other people with their boats and jet skis. It's our hobby. We have fun steaming," he said.

Schramm was concerned increasing fuel prices would affect attendance, but said attendance hasn't declined.

"Interest is not waning," he said. "In fact, I'm pleased at how it's picked up. We have a lot of young people getting interested in the hobby and carrying it on."

This kind of hobby requires a lot of cooperation and help from your friends, he added.

"That's what makes (it) so fun - working with your friends to get a good job done, just like they had to in the old days."