The Mocksville Threshing Reunion & Engine Show Reunion
January/February 1974
Gene L. McLaughlin
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Robert Lyerly's 40 HP Case being limbered up - just prior to the 4th of July Show.
Gene L
|
The wheels of progress were reversed a trifle on Independence
Day, 1973, at the Robert Lyerly farm, on the Green Hill road, 2
miles South West of Mocksville, N. C.
The largest crowd ever to attend this reunion brought visitors
from many different states. An Antique car club brought several
superbly restored autos. They ranged in age from a very early Ford
Model 'T' to a finely restored Plymouth built in the late
30's.
There were 40 antique gas engines on display this year and most
were restored to like new condition and were running. Some supplied
power to machines, such as a wood saw, grist mill, or a washing
machine. Whenever possible, the shade trees were put to good use by
the gasoline engine owners and operators. The shade does come in
real handy during July in Carolina.
Those who brought in and operated gasoline engines were Bobby
Cartner, Woodleaf, N.C, Willard Moore, Jamestown, N.C, Bill
Grimley, Durham, N.C, Charlie Dyson, Statesville, N.C, Jeff
Hutchings Elizabethton, Tenn., Jimmy Garner, Richfield, N.C, Walter
Koontz, Welcome, N.C, Robert Sr., Robert Jr. and Robert Hammer 3rd.
of Conover, N.C, Robert Varner, Ashboro, N.C. Bill Payne, Madison,
N.C, Hoy Lee Tucker, Charlotte, N.C, Karl Seamon, Charlotte, and
John Klutz of Charlotte, N.C.
This year's wheat supply was grown on the farm of Mr. Archie
Cline and was cut and bound by him. He made a couple of trips to
bring it to the reunion grounds. Mr. Cline and Bobby Miller, both
of (Gold Hill N.C, are the two main steam engineers and they come
up before show time to check over the engines completely as well as
all equipment to be powered by the steam engines. They, and Mr.
Lyerly always make sure there is ample wood for firing the engines,
wheat for threshing, logs for sawing, etc., and any repairs they
may need in the course of the activities.
Mr. Lyerly has also added a nice refreshment stand especially
for the threshing reunions. Mr. Lyerly puts in a lot of hard work
in getting the large tract of land in which the reunion is held on
in nice shape for this occasion. His work, of course, starts right
after the reunion as he gets things cleaned up and put away until
they start getting ready for the next one.
This years saw-milling was done by means of Mr. Lyerly's 22
h. p. Keck Gonnerman traction engine pulling his 00 Frick sawmill.
Although Archie Cline and Bobby Miller were the main sawyers,
several sawmill men from the crowd took their turn at the
'lever'; among them, Mr. Levi Trivet, a steam engineer and
owner of several fine steam engines.
Mr. Lyerly's 16 h.p. Frick traction engine belted to his
22-36 Case wind stacker threshing machine did a fine job of
separating the wheat from the chaff. A portable hay baler, of the
hand operated wire tying variety was on display along with the
thresher; however, since no baling wire was found it was not
operated. It is hoped that it can be used on future
exhibitions.