The Citizen, 1996-09-04, Page 23HURON PIONEER THRESHER ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS— Back row, from left: Jim Sloan,
Eldon Vines, George Underwood, Gordon Gross, Jack Van Egmond. Front: Jean Fox, Bill Vincent,
Bea Houston. Absent: Bruce Thomson.
Paul Steckle, M.P.
Huron-Bruce
Constituency Office
30 Victoria Street North
Goderich, Ontario
N7A 2R6
1-800-465-1726
(519) 524-6938
FAX (519) 524-9374
Office Hours: (Mon. - Fri.)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
It is with great pleasure that I extend to the Huron Pioneer Thresher & Hobby
Association, area residents and visitors my kindest regards and congratulations on
the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion in
Blyth.
May the celebration of this milestone be a tribute to the community's efforts,
heritage and tradition.
Best wishes,
Paul Steckle, M.P.
Huron-Bruce
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TIIE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1996. PAGE A-3.
35th Pioneer Thresher Reunion
Farmers form threshing syndicate in 1916
The Silver Creek Threshing Syndicate is a
familiar name to many Huron threshermen.
This organization, started in 1916, proved
quite profitable to its shareholders for
approximately 40 years.
During that year, about 20 East Wawanosh
farmers decided to form the syndicate, which
would run as a business during the threshing
season. Each man contributed funds, which
were put toward the purchase of a steam
engine, separator and corn-cutting box.
These items were bought second-hand from
Fred J. Cook.
The group hired a separator operator and
tank man, and charged an hourly rate to
farmers for their services, be it threshing or
silo-filling. Each November, when the
season ended, the group held a meeting. At
this meeting, all outstanding bills were
settled and profits were divided up.
In 1919, the flourishing organization
purchased a brand-new George White steam
engine. The machine served about 40
farmers for the next few years. The season
was long, lasting from July to November
(grain was stored in the barn until the
thresher could get to it. This kept it dry, and
prolonged the season.) Groups of up to 20
men worked sometimes 12-14 hours per day.
The pace of work was hectic. Two men,
holding bushel baskets, had to feed grain
from the separator to the granary. The steam
engine, which powered the separator used
three-fax lengths of hardwood, which were
cut by a saw mounted on the rear of the
machine. The tank man had to ensure the
supply of cooling water never ran out, while
at the same time taking care of any odd tasks
that no one else could do.
After the first frost, when the threshing
season ended, the corn box was put into use.
A work crew of about a dozen men worked
in corn fields with short hoes. They cut the
corn on the row immediately beside them,
and stacked the stalks in bundles, which
were then loaded onto wagons. All corn was
set down in the same direction, in order to
make its collection easier.
Four to six horse teams, and about 15 men,
were needed to get the corn into the silo.
They had to take the corn off the wagpns and
feed them into the corn box, which carried
them into the silo. Two men had to be in the
Continued on A-4
1996 EXECUTIVE — The executive of the Huron Pioneer Thresher
Association is, back row, from left: Past President, Jeff Thomson;
2nd Vice-President, George Underwood; Treasurer, Stephen Tiffin.
Front: President Mike Andrews; 1st Vice-President, Gary Courtney;
Secretary, Marian Hallahan.