Cedar Valley MEMORIES OSAGE, IOWA
(Page 2 of 2)
May/June 2000
Larry G. Creed
The largest piece of equipment at the show is a Reeves 40-140
cross compound steam engine. The engine has two side mounted water
tanks and a large fuel/water tank on the rear platform. Seven feet
above the rear platform is the operator's cab from which the
engine controls and the damper chain for draft are operated. After
having the opportunity to steer the 40 HP Reeves, I found the steam
power steering to work very well. A small lever on the right side
of the operator's cab is all that is needed to steer the
engine.
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A John Deere 14 bottom plow made a good load for the Case 110 HP
engine at the show. When the Reeves 40 HP took its turn, I
didn't notice the governor did not need to operate. Ed Smolik
feels the Reeves could easily handle a 24-bottom plow in their
plowing conditions. Merrill Johnson brought his 42'. Aultman
Taylor threshing machine and Case 65 HP steam engine, which have
been paired together for many years, and put on a good threshing
demonstration.
The show has three commercial knitting machines, which came from
a factory in Osage, knitting socks which are given away to the
spectators.
A 1910 Phoenix log hauler built at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. A
two-cylinder steam engine is located on each side of the boiler.
The hauler was designed to pull logging sleighs, a ski front end
replaced the front wheels for work in snow and ice.
A good view of the Reeves operator's cab sitting above the
eight feet diameter rear wheels. The side by side compound
cylinders are 9 and 14 inch bores with a 15' stroke. The engine
is equipped with piston balanced valves.
In 1991, Ed Smolik and his late wife Evelyn and brother Ray
Smolik donated their collection to the Mitchell County Historical
Society. The collection can be viewed from 1:00-5:00 p.m. daily
anytime you are in the Osage area.
Larry Creed of R R #13 Box 209, Brazil, Indiana 47834 sent this
picture of a 1914 Reeves 40-140 cross compound at Cedar Valley
Memories in Osage, Iowa. The engine is pulling a 14 bottom
plow.
Cedar Valley Memories is located on Highway 9, l miles west of
Osage, Iowa, and will host their 5th annual show in August 2000. Be
sure to look up Ed Smolik. Ed does not operate any of the steam
equipment due to his age, but he has a lifetime of stories to tell
about restoring and operating steam engines.
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