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- The Janesville Gazette, September 1, 2007
- by Carla McCann
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EDGERTON -- Nathan Hayden and Clayton Esch may be among the next generation to keep the Rock River Thresheree an annual event.
The boys, ages 9 and 8 respectively, are skilled drivers of antique steam engines.
On Saturday, Nathan and Clayton were among the many engineers who steered engines around the 51st annual thresheree, which runs through Monday at Thresherman's Park on Highway 51 between Janesville and Edgerton.
Nathan was driving a 1912 Case steam engine under the watchful eye of John Mullarkey as the co-pilot. The engine, which is owned by Mullarkey of Oregon, was running just fine, Nathan said.
[Image] With his face dirtied by soot, Connor Esch, 5, of Yorkville cracks a smile as he stands on the back of a 1917 Case engine his father, Rory, used to power the sawmill at the Rock River Thresheree on Saturday. The event continues through Monday at Thresherman's Park on Highway 51 between Edgerton and Janesville.
But it takes some effort to get it going, Nathan said.
"You have to take a lot of wood and coal and stuff it in the firebox," Nathan said. "And put some paper on it to get the fire started."
Dressed in bib overalls and work boots, the Cary, Ill., boy came prepared for the job.
The best part of being an engineer, however, is steering, Nathan said.
"You've got to keep going fast or the tires won't turn enough," Nathan said while driving a straight course around one of the lanes at the park.
Mullarkey and Nathan's family are longtime friends.
"When we were kids, we'd flag John down and beg for rides on his engines," said Karen Taylor, Nathan's aunt. "He always gave us a ride."
[Image] Nathan Hayden, 9, of Cary, Ill., engineers a 1912 Case steam engine for family friend John Mullarkey at the Rock River Thresheree on Saturday. The thresheree, which runs through Monday, is being held at Thresherman's Park on Highway 51 between Janesville and Edgerton.
Mark Eyster of Edgerton, another avid fan of antique tractors and engines and a longtime supporter of the thresheree, said it pleased him to see Nathan show such a deep interest in the antique machinery.
"He's young enough that he can help preserve the history of steam engines," Eyster said.
While Nathan was taking his steam engine for a spin, Clayton and his 5-year-old brother, Connor, were helping their dad, Rory, operate his 1917 J. I. Case Steam Engine.
Rory has taught Clayton to operate and drive the massive piece of equipment.
He knows that steering the engine is a big responsibility, said his mother, Marcia.
"Clayton knows more than I do about operating the engine," she said.
The first antique steam engine Rory bought was paid for with money saved for a down payment on a house, Marcia said.
Owning and operating steam engines appears to be a genetic trait that has been passed on to the boys from their father, Marcia joked, adding that it must be in the blood.
When Clayton grows up and has children of his own, he wants to teach them the joy of driving a steam engine.
"I want them to know how to do it, too," he said.
But for now, the best part of being at the thresheree simply is meeting new friends, Clayton said.
