Stumptown Threshers Association, Inc. 1992 Show

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P.O. Box 382 St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950

Smoke billowed from the stacks of nine steam engines as the sun rose from behind the hills. The smell of breakfast was in the air as many workers gathered at the New Athens Fire Department meal stand for breakfast. It appeared the 1992 Stumptown Steam Threshers 30th annual Show and Reunion was preparing to get underway. By 8:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 12, a line of vehicles transporting gas engines, tractors, and other equipment was trailing through the gate. The parking lot was beginning to fill with cars. The flea market vendors were preparing their items for sale.

At 9:30 A.M. the show officially opened. Under a sunny and clear sky the opening prayer was given by Lester Nabb, and the Cadiz Boy Scouts displayed the Stars and Stripes. By 9:45 everyone was ready to go. A traction engine had been belted up to the sawmill, and the shingle bolts were being cut. Many single cylinder gas engines could be heard popping and putting. Richard Carnes' Band Wagon played many melodious tunes as the morning moved on. After the shingle bolts were ready, Richard Firth began to cut shingles which were given to spectators as souvenirs. Henry Shores kept Doc Saffell's corn sheller and Fred Rogers' burr mill in motion as corn meal was ground and bagged with the help of Harmon Harris.

Throughout the morning many traction engines, gas tractors, and lawn tractors could be seen riding around the grounds as the spectators steadily flowed through the gate. The Ladies Auxiliary had many items for sale, as well as tickets for the quilt drawing.

At 12 noon the officers and directors gathered on the stage to dedicate the noon whistle blow to William Flowers, in honor of his retirement from 18 years of service as club secretary. After the whistle blow everyone took a break for lunch. The New Athens Fire Department had been cooking soup beans over an open fire during the morning, which were served with homemade corn bread. Many other delicious items were offered by the Fire Department and the Weirton Lions Club. For dessert, many folks stopped by for some ice cream at Bibbee's ice cream stand.

At 12:45 the royalties were crowned for this year's show, by the Ladies Auxiliary. Vivian Culler was crowned Queen and Glenn Kroft was named Thresherman of the Year. Following the ceremonies, the couple took the traditional ride around the grounds in Ralph Jones' Model T truck, which was driven this year by the queen, Vivian Culler, under the supervision of Ralph Jones.

At 1:00 all activities were ready to get back in to full swing. A slow engine race was staged, with Doug Scheetz of Massillon, Ohio, being able to crawl to the finish line last, on Joe Harrison's 20 HP Russell to win the full scale class. Russ Dye managed to maintain his slow motion on the Arnold family scale Case to win the scaled-down class. Chris Weikart of Leetonia, Ohio, on her Port Huron, managed to outlast Gayle Jackowski of Flushing, Ohio, on her Peerless, to win the 'powder-puff' slow engine race. Bill Applegarth of New Athens, Ohio, won the slow tractor race on William Flowers' John Deere L. John McDowell of Plain-field, Ohio, showed the crowd his skills as he maneuvered his Baker to win the block race.