Clinton News-Record, 1984-09-05, Page 34Page 14
Visitors ``rough it"
By Anne 141arejl„Co ' •
A love:for the outdoors and its open space
is all part of being a thresherman. During
the Threshermen's Reunion, visitors share
their affection for nature by enjoying a
weekend of camping.
Last year over 200 people pitched their
tents, set up their campers and made use of
their mobile homes as they "roughed it" on
the Blyth Community Centre grounds. This
year organizers hope to add an additional
10-12 camp sites as the Reunion and its
visitors continue to grow.
Even though the sites are distributed on a
first come, first served basis, campers .can
be confident that they will have a spot to
spend the night.
"We never turn anyone away. Somehow
' y
we always seem to find room," commented
camping co-ordinator, Bob Cook of
Goderich.
Hydro and water are available throughout
the grounds as special lines have been set
up. The $6 fee applies whether the utilities
are used or not.
Exhibitors start to arrive Thursday night
as they prepare to show off their machinery
while visitors will start pitching their tents
on Friday. According to Mr. Cook, some of
the campers enjoy themselves so much they
stay until Sunday afternoon.
Camping provides the opportunity for peo-
ple who share the same interests to mingle.
What better way is there to hear the
threshermen's tales, then sitting around a
camp site?
The"Thresher Reunion is a time to chat with old friends, to sit back and watch the action.
Steam engine enthusiastsirom across Ontario and in the United States will meet in Blyth
on September 7, 8 and 9 for the 23rd annual showing. (Shelley McPhee photo)
Early steam engines
Steam power finally took the place of
horse -power and it was about 1873 before the
steam engine was used for driving
machinery.
Have you ever thought why the term
"horse power" is used whenspeaking of
enigines? In England in 1769, James Watt
patented his steam engine, but in trying to
sell his invention to replace horses for
puling or lifting heavy loads, he found it dif-
ficult to make them understand the meaning
of pounds of steam pressure. He, therefore,
made experiments which showed that one
horse could lift a weight of 33,000 pounds one
foot in one minute. In other words, this was
"one horse power."
In speaking to his prospective clients, he
spoke of the engine's power in terms of the
number of horses it could replace. This term
is still used today.
A variety of steam engines were used for
threshing, and a few of them are:
The Waterous -Steam Engine, built in
Brantford, is equal in power to 12 horses.
When .moving from place to place, this
engine was drawn by , two horses, and
because of its old upright boiler, it was given
the nickname of "Ink Bottle." '
Threshing as this stage became quite an
event. The chug -chugging threshing outfit,
which consisted, of the steam engine pulling
the separator and water tank, did its,rounds
of the farms. Seeing this steam engine in ac-
tion is something else.
Locomotive type Steam Engine, is an 18
horse power steam threshing engine with a
locomotive type boiler. It was built by John,
Goodison and Sons in Sarnia. This engine
was drawn by three horses.
Twenty Horse Power Engine, is a very
powerful traction engine, having a high
pre"ssure boiler and carrying approximately
175 pounds of steam pressure. It was used
for threshing as well as operating a saw
Mill, and filling silos. It was'also built by
John , Goodison and Sons. The powerful.
steam engine was a favourite among
farmers.
Threshing Suppiy Tanks, were used to
supply water for the steam engines. It took
two of these tanks for each full day of
threshing.
( This. information is courtesy of the Huron
County's Pioneer Museum's research
team.)
WELCOME
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To The
23rd Anneal
THRESHER'S
REUNION . .
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MANNINO'S
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523 4305
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The lumber cutting operation is an impressive site and a popular display at the thresher
reunion. You'll always find a crowd gathered around this operation, to watch the giant
saw slice through logs. ( Shelley McPhee photo) ,
20,000 men wanted:
for Western harvest
August 12, 1909
Clinton News -Record
1'o meet the demand for farm laborers in
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta,
special second class excursions will be run
by the, Canadian Pacific Railway" from all
Ontario stations.
Cost of one-way ticket to Winnipeg is
$10.00 and from Winnipeg to points Were •
laborers contract to work they will' be car-
ried without charge.
After. at least one month's work in. the
• harvest field, a ticket back to Ontario star-
ting point will be issued at $18. Tickets are
only good on Farm Laborer's special trains.
Tickets will also be issued to women, but no
half -rate for children.
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Welcome
to the
23rd Annual
PIONEER
THRESHERMEN
REUNION
September 7th, 8th and 9th
carie Decorating
Wellington St. Blyth 523-4525
3 Blocks Basi
off Main Si: