 |
 |
|
||
- Edgerton Reporter, Thursday, August 23, 1956
- by Helen M. Owens
|
|
|
||
Pictured
above is an Advance-Rumely Steam Engine, model of 1916, with John
Horton, owner at left and his neighbor, August Handtke whose oats
was [were] threshed by the same machine. Acting as Engineer is
the son, Jack Horton. -- Reporter Photo
A Steam Engine, a hobby of Mr. John Horton, created quite an interesting afternoon on July 27th, when he threshed the oats of August Handtke, his neighbor.
This Advance-Rumely engine of 1916 was discovered by Mr. Horton as it was idle behind a bar in Stoughton. It had belonged to a "threshing ring," who when the only member who could run it passed on, left it to be forgotten. After several trips and much dickering, as hobbyists are inclined to dicker, the engine was transported to the Horton farm on County trunk "M" and Miles road, between Edgerton and Janesville.
Being a subscriber to many steam engine Magazines, and a regular attender of the Illinois and Iowa Thresher's Reunions each year, making the repairs to the Advance-Rumely was not too much of a challenge. With the aid of his son, Jack, and August Handtke, John replaced three worn out flues, secured the smoke stack, and made many other necessary repairs. Mrs. Horton made the remark, "His main ambition to further his hobby, is to build a working model of this steam engine."
John, less than a year old, came to live on the present farm in 1910, when his father, Richard Horton, became the owner of this property. John purchased his first steam engine at the age of 16 for $10.00, and has had one or two engines around ever since. He now boasts of a 36 year old John Deere tractor which is still used often on the farm.
One would expect a hobbyist to have a gate to his home, a little different from the average; and John's is just that. The gate itself is composed of a harness hame welded with horseshoes to make an interesting design, while the arch overhead, is entirely of horseshoes welded in on oblong shaped semicircle. Two horseshoes meet in such a manner that they form the lock of the gate.
Approximately 100 friends and spectators were on hand to see the steam engine do its part in the threshing and to hear that old whistle screech, listen to hiss of steam and wonder about by-gone days. In this instance, a hobby proved very useful as well as interesting and fun for many.
