Steam Engine Joe's

Steam Engine Joe passed a way many years ago 30+ I would believe. His collection sat idle and rusting with the occasional use as a roosting spot for the birds that flew overhead. Joe loved to go to auctions and buy up Steam Engines for scrap price. He had a huge number of different engines.

Some engines were sold prior to his passing and the rest sits on his property today. His children couldn't part with any of his possessions. I was told they were having problems with the money it would bring. Some of the engine parts were removed in the middle of the night, like the brass whistles etc.

At this time I'm not sure the fate of his collection. I was told that his children are in there 80's now and some have passed away. I guess it is just a matter of time before the equipment is sold as scrap or to some lucky collector.

I remember as a small child some 40 years ago going to Joe's place for a thrashing demonstration. Joe fired up his favorite Engine and belted it up to a Thrasher. His small farm was a gathering place for people from miles around. I'm not sure but I think it was just one way to get his grain thrashed and hauled away with the minimum amount of labor, while giving all the folks a chance to see how it was really done.

Being one of the first in this part of the country to hold such a thrashing party, he was known to many people for miles around the area.

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