SOOT IN THE FLUES

'Before citing the date of 1887 in my article, I tried to find a second source which would confirm that year. I turned to Jack Norbeck's Encyclopedia of American Steam Traction Engines, which, on page 214, states, 'The Reeves Company...was established in 1874 and incorporated in 1888. About 1885, being builders of threshers since 1874, the company bought Ritchie & Dyer Company, to get an engine to team up with their threshers.' Norbeck's tentative expression 'about 1885' and his assertion that Reeves incorporated in 1888 seemed to confirm Cone's statement in his History of Hamilton. It stood to reason that Reeves formally acquired Ritchie & Dyer in 1887 ('about 1885') and, with an engine to accompany the firm's thresher, incorporated the following year. A researcher is only as good as the sources at hand.

'I am indebted to Dan Greger for bringing to light stronger sources. Thanks, Dan!'

These songs came from JOSEPH & ROSETTA KUESTER, 7 Eighth Street, Clintonville, Wisconsin 54929 with this note: 'We surely do enjoy the IMA, just as it is, but I'd like to add a little wit and humor for your next edition. I thought you'd agree and like to have the enclosed poems. I found them in an old, very old, antique, ancient, or what-have-you pamphlet. I am 83 years old and I've had the pamphlet way over 65 yearsso you can see of what I speak (or write). It is still in excellent condition, though a little bit weatherworn, or year-worn, I should say!

'The pamphlet is interesting and was given to me compliments of Advance-Rumely Thresher Company, LaPorte, Indiana. It is called 'A Book of Songs.' The pamphlet shows a picture of an Advance Rumely, of course, and the slogan beneath saying, 'Keep the OilPull a rolling along.'

'They must have had a good sense of humor in those past years, too, and we would like to pass this on to our fellow IMA readers of your fine magazines! The steam engine buffs and the OilPull lovers will appreciate these songs and witty tunes. We will be looking forward to seeing them printed. A little SPICE!!!

Ideal Separator Song

(To tune of 'Turkey in the Straw)

Oh! The OilPull is driving with a long, steady draw
And the separator's separating wheat from the straw.
Now, this outfit is leading all the others in the game,
And adding more glory to the Rumely fame.
Chicken in the straw, started looking swell;
Soon that chicken was looking like well!
He dug and he scratched and scattered straw a mile
But, we starved him to a shadow on our big straw pile.
If you want to have a thresher that will save you all the grain,
That is built to stand the racket and to weather every strain
Get the Ideal or the Junior as your everlasting bet.
Those who bought them forty years ago declare they're running yet.
Chicken in the straw, starting looking swell;
Soon that chicken was looking like well!
He dug and he scratched and scattered straw a mile
But we starved him to a shadow on our big straw pile!
D. F. Thomas