Not My Victrola

Courtesy of ILoveJenni47.

Get Out And Shoot!

Mr. Completely wants all of the entries for his e-Postal match in by Midnight Sunday, so get your targets and head to the range if you haven't done so already.  I know you can beat my entry, but you have to enter to prove it.  The practice will do you good!

PS: Mrs. True Blue Sam entered, too.  She was born near-sighted, has had retinal detachments in both eyes, and has had cataract surgery in both eyes.  She is not a good pistol shooter, but she can put it on the paper most of the time.  If she can shoot it, you should, too! 

Weekend Steam

Another Oldie!! Here is the writeup from the YouTube post by mrpitv.  "We tracked down the earliest example of motoring technology that can still be found. Hidden away in the English Countryside near Cambridge was a part of automotive history, an 1884 DeDion et Bouton, and Trepardeux. It was a coal fired steam propelled carriage. Its probably the oldest auto still running anywhere in the world. It was invented before the first gasoline powered car. and...An update on this vehicle. The world’s oldest running motor car, a historic 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout, entered the history books, on October 6, 2011, selling for an impressive $4.62 million before a packed house at RM Auctions’ Hershey, Pennsylvania sale. The impressive sale price more than doubled its original pre-sale estimate and represents a new world record for an early motor car sold at auction."

Crankin' It Up

Ben Selvin was one of the most prolific recording artists ever, and this Vocalion disc provides a pleasant glimpse of his work. There is a good article about Mr. Selvin HERE, and you should go read about the man. Argentine was recorded in February, 1923. Next week, the flip side.

Catching Up With Ruger

Ruger keeps introducing new products, (This week, a takedown version of the 10/22!) and in looking back through the shooting posts, I realized that I missed these videos by Hickok45 from a year ago, right after the SR1911 was announced. It's always fun to watch Mr. Hickok45 shoot, and after his videos, take a look at Ruger's Dave Spaulding as he discusses re-holstering with a Ruger SR1911.

Eastern Tent Caterpillar

Eastern tent caterpillar is an annually occurring insect pest throughout hardwood forests in the eastern US.  As these caterpillars progress through their instar phases they will totally strip cherry trees, often causing concern with forest landowners.  Cherry is pretty well adapted to these pests, and new leaves will pop when the larval stages are done.  They were in the news several years ago because of the toxicity of cherry leaves to livestock.  It seems that the droppings from the caterpillars are poisonous also, and they caused pregnant horses to abort in the Bluegrass of Kentucky.  It's a good lesson for anyone who keeps horses or cattle.  Don't allow cherry trees to grow in a pasture, or hang over the fence from the outside.  Farm kids used to know that from an early age, learning it from their elders, but not too many people are aware of the problem today.

On a related note, Ohio buckeye is making a comeback in some areas.  Buckeyes are toxic, and can kill a cow.  Settlers worked on eliminating buckeyes as they moved west, but now that cattle very seldom are allowed to roam in timber, the species is multiplying in many locales.  Buckeye is a light, easily carved wood, and it was used for making artificial limbs in the pre-plastic eras.  The Civil War, and Nineteenth Century railroading kept a lot of woodcarvers busy with chunks of Ohio buckeye.

Old Allis

Dilapidated WC Allis out in the sticks; Hamilton County.

More Spring Cleanup

This root sprung white pine declined during the dry spell of 2010, then died during the summer of 2011. We dropped it recently and made a 7" x 7" timber out of the first 14 feet. We used two cameras so you can see the chainsaw action from different vantage points.

I Want To Be A Veneer Tree...

 Tree often need pruning to improve quality and form, and one of the first rules you learn is that trees must be looked at from the top down for pruning priorities.  A stag-headed tree is not a candidate to ever be merchantable, unless you can perform remedial measures.  Some trees are so bad that you just cut them off a few inches above the ground so you can grow new sprouts, others can be fixed with duct tape and your pruning shears.

 Evaluate your spreading leaders....

 ...and choose your best bet to make a straight top.

 Wrap several passes of duct tape around the leader you have chosen, and one or more competing leaders in order to pull your choice into a vertical position.  Cut the top of the competitors to take away their dominance.

Clip off any other branches that will hurt the quality of your tree, but try not to remove more than 30% of the crown in one visit.  Come back in a year, cut off the duct tape, and prune the stub back to the main stem.

Fresh Corn Pone For Monday Morning!

Back To The Old Grind!

Grinder video by  Tuinhekje1000

Not My Victrola

VictrolaMan has posted "Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go With Friday On Saturday Night," one of my all time favorite songs.  We have this one on vinyl, and it's good to see an original disc in good shape.

Time Is Getting Short For The March e-Postal Contest

This is the last full weekend of March, and you have only until next Saturday to shoot your targets and submit them to Mr. Completely.  Click Here to go to Mr. C's March e-Postal rules, and the link to print your target.  Remember, this month you score points by missing the flies! Perfect for folks like me who haven't been practicing over the winter!

Weekend Steam

It's spring, and we are starting to think about steam and gas engine shows. Get a load of this Russel engine pulling the sled at National Threshers Reunion at Wauseon, Ohio. Check out the show directory under Stoke Up on the left side of the page to build your show itinerary.  Video courtesy of FarmallDoctor.

Crankin' It Up

I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle by TrueBlueSam

Last week's record was a re-post while I was away from the Old Brunswick, so this week you all get both sides of a nice little jazz record from 1925. Perry Bradford and His Jazz Phools recorded both sides on November 2 of that year.


LucieLong by TrueBlueSam

While I Was Away...

...up in Iowa with Mom, Gary Bahre had a late winter Crank-Up for some of his engine buddies. Click over HERE to see the post on SmokStak.

Video by Robgill2008.

Spring Cleanup

 We had some trees give up the ghost during the summer last year, and we are cleaning them up now, along with the regular pruning chores around the yard.  This white pine yielded a 7" X 7" timber 14 feet long.  We even have it stashed in the barn already, and nobody got hurt.

 We built up a pretty good brush pile over the last few months, and burning it down made for a little celebration; the first wienie roast of the year.

From Grandma's Album

Bea's mother took a lot of pictures over the years, and Mom ended up with quite a few of them.  Most of the photos are family members, but there are a few like the steamboat, and this Jenny that have a wider appeal.

It looks like this barnstormer found a sponsor to help with his expenses.  I am pretty sure that my grandmother didn't get a ride in this old crate, because the only flight I have heard her talk about was in a Piper Cub owned by a family friend.

I'm coveting the barn with square corners, straight walls, and a tight roof. 

The old Kodak wasn't very good at stop-action photos, but you can see that the tail has come up.

Comments

Folks on other blogs have been complaining about the word verification on Blogger, and I have to agree that the images are difficult to read.  Anyhow, I dropped word verification and moderation from the blog for a few days, and immediately received several spams from Pakistan and other exotic places.  You can post comments without modertation now, but I did have to put word verification back into play. 

Hickok45's Reloading Bench

Don't Miss The Current Postings! Click Here To See The Latest At True Blue Sam!



I've been loading my own ammo since the late 1970's, and have stuck to a single stage press through the years. After watching Mr. Hickok45 crank out ammo on his progressive press, I am wondering if I should buy some new equipment. I don't shoot all that much, but loading on a single stage press actually discourages shooting to some degree, because you end up with so much time invested per round. It's something to think about.  If you are thinking about getting into cowboy action shooting, or Steel Challenge, a progressive press is a must because of the large number for rounds you will burn every week.

Click the header to go to current posts!


If you want to start reloading, but don't want to pay the price for a progressive setup, check out Lee's Breech Lock and Turret presses. These presses save your die settings for you, eliminating the need to adjust each die when you change operations. The Breech Lock press is what my mom uses, and it allows her to reload without any help from me, once I have adjusted the dies for her.

Click the header to go to current posts!

Have A Hearty Breakfast To Start The Week!

Back To The Old Grind!

Grinding buckwheat; makes great cakes!

Not My Victrola

cdbpdx had just uploaded 'I Ain't Got Nobody' by Ted Lewis in 1928, as I clicked into YouTube, and I nailed the first play!  This is one of my all-time-favorite songs, by one of my all-time-favorite bands, so I didn't look any further for a Sunday song.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.




And another first play! I first heard 'The Darktown Strutters' Ball' on a Wurlitzer band organ, and it's been one of my ear worms ever since. Ted really nails this one down with his clarinet.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

MechanicMusic45 shares a classic with us for St. Paddy's Day.
"This is QRS roll #1254 played by Frank Milne. The song was first published in 1912. Written by Chauncey Olcott and George Graff Jr. with music by Ernest Ball for the show "The Isle O' Dreams". John McCormack recorded the song during the First World War. It is another St. Patricks Day favorite, played here on my 1923 Harrington player piano."

Weekend Steam

"Uploaded by shafferfox on Nov 28, 2008

An excursion run leaving Owosso, Michigan, late in the afternoon on November 28, 2008. The train is pulled by the 800,000 pound (including tender) Pere Marquette 1225 locomotive ― the largest operating steam engine locomotive in Michigan. Steven Spielberg's production company filmed the exterior sights and sounds of the 1225 for the computer rendering of the movie, "Polar Express," and Lionel Model Trains has also recorded the sounds of the 1225 for its new electric toy model train, "The 1225" ― the namesake of Owosso's 1225.

Owosso, Michigan, is the headquarters of the Steam Railroading Institute, which includes a museum and other facilities. The institute's 3.5 acre grounds also hold a roundhouse, the Pere Marquette 1225, the 82,000 pound Flagg Coal Company steam switch engine, the 136,000 pound Mississippian steam locomotive (under restoration), plus many train cars and other rolling stock from railroads in the United States and Canada.

The Owosso-based Steam Railroading Institute was the location of TrainFestival 2009, which was celebrated from July 24th thru July 26th, 2009. The festival drew approximately 36,000 visitors to Owosso from around the world. On display were additional steam-era equipment, including the 1225's sister steam locomotive - Nickel Plate Road's 765 - and The Southern Pacific Number 4449: The Daylight.

Owosso, Michigan, is also the headquarters of the Great Lakes Central Railroad, which provides freight service to Northern and Southern Michigan, and chartered passenger rail service. The Great Lakes Central Railroad will soon be providing daily commuter rail passenger service in Michigan as well."



"Uploaded by ndisbro on Nov 26, 2007

Pere Marquette 1225 Polar Express on the way to Saginaw County Fairgrounds and Santa's Workshop."

Crankin' It Up

The Original Dixieland Jazz Band performs on Victor disc number 18483-A. Played on the old Brunswick phonograph.

Fired Up For Falks

One of the engines that we did not get rid of is a 5 Horsepower Falk engine that I acquired when I was in high school. The piston was stuck from being out in the weather, and I learned a lot tearing it down and rebuilding it. It hasn't run in over forty years, having been neglected since I left home for college, but it has always been stored inside. It is back on my list of projects that must be tended to, along with our 9 Horsepower Sears and the player piano. There are a couple videos on YouTube that show the neat action of the machinery on the sideshaft.



Uploaded by gasenginemagazine on Sep 19, 2008

1910 3 HP Falk (Rumely Special) owned by Dick Merritt, Weston, GA; Shown at 2008 Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show, Portland, IN.



Uploaded by steamer123 on Sep 15, 2009

Falk sideshaft engine built in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Prestona: Company E’s First Encounter With A Contraband

    William Tweed, Private, Company E, 10th Illinois Infantry

 One hundred fifty years ago, in February 1862, Company E, Tenth Illinois Infantry (My grandfather William Tweed’s regiment) managed to get in the middle of the conflict over slavery early in their service. We have found three separate accounts of the Company E hiding a runaway slave; Matthew H. Jamison’s book Recollections of Pioneer and Army Life, The Oquawka Spectator from February 1862, and Memoirs of the War by Captain Ephraim A. Wilson.

     Matthew Jamison’s account: “ During the winter of 1861-62 general orders were issued for the concentration of troops at Bird’s Point, opposite Cairo, in Missouri, and on the Kentucky and Illinois shores in that vicinity, for a projected movement down the Mississippi under General John Pope, and a similar movement up the Tennessee against Fort Donelson, and on to Pittsburg Landing, under General U. S. Grant. Preparatory to these movements and for the purpose of confusing the enemy, our regiment became part of the 4th Brigade of 10,000 men, under the command of Gen. John A. McClernand, to threaten the fortified rebel post at Columbus. It was a mid-winter march, the weather was severe, with a considerable fall of snow and rain, and the reconnaissance, while it fulfilled its purpose, was far from a round of pleasure; the rough clay roads, worked into an almost impassable condition by the artillery and trains, made the progress of the infantry slow and difficult. While in camp at Fort Holt, after our return from this detour, an incident occurred which will throw light on the status of the slave at the opening of the war. We were still splitting hairs over the question, whether we were fighting to save the Union as it is, or as it ought to be. We had men on both sides of this question, and while the majority, if put to the test, undoubtedly were anti-slavery, the North through observation had become so accustomed to the “peculiar institution” that many doubted whether we might or could get rid of it. Ben Butler had not as yet defined the slave as contraband who had taken refuge within our lines.”
     From an anonymous contributor to the Oquawka Spectator, who signed his letters “On To Memphis”: “Pvt. Rice of Company E was performing his morning ablutions when he spied the runaway. “Hello there, you raven!”
     “Yes Sir! Dat’s me! Just up from de south! Started ‘fore daylight this morning. Massa whipped me. Massa gwine to sell wheat to them Rebels at Columbus. Prestona wouldn’t help; no sir, wouldn’t help. Prestona trabelled!”

     Captain Ephraim A. Wilson, Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, the sister regiment to the Tenth, also wrote about Prestona in his 1893 book, Memoirs of the War. “ After our return to Fort Jefferson on the banks of the Mississippi, where we awaited transportation for several days, an incident occurred that changed the history of the Regiment for the war, and, no doubt, luckily decided the fate of many of its men and officers….
…A slave escaped from his master and was given refuge in Company E. He was the first of his kind our men had received, and by his plantation songs, dances, and talk, was a source of much amusement to his protectors. The master learning where his man was, sought the assistance of General McClernand for his recovery. This suggested to the General, then commanding the Camp, the necessity for a field order that in substance forbade the harboring of slaves within the lines, and their peaceable surrender to their lawful owners. This was then in accordance with the policy of the government and complied with orders from Washington. Armed with this order the master returned to our Regimental Camp for his man, but his friends in Company E had concealed him the woods, and any amount of searching was of no avail. The day the Camp was broken up the slave-master was on hand to take his man but the men of Company E again foiled him by getting the slave in a tent and rolling him up in it when it was taken down, and in this shape he was loaded into the company wagon. His master was satisfied that some stratagem had been played to conceal his slave, and offered a reward of fifty dollars to any one who would tell where he was. Shame to say a man mean enough to take his money was found in the Camp. The master went to Gen. McClernand with his information, and when the team of Company E was about to be put on the steamer, McClernand stopped it, had it unloaded, the tent unrolled and the negro came out of it smoking hot, to meet his master and return to slavery—doubtless, to to a cruel whipping, and, perhaps, a transfer to the auction block at New Orleans.
     It could not be shown that Capt. Cowen was in the least responsible. It appeared to be wholly the work of some enlisted men and without the knowledge of the officers. But the spirit shown by Gen. McClernand in the matter, provoked the indignation of the officers of the Regiment, and a petition was generally signed asking Gen. Grant to assign the Regiment to some other Brigade. The 10th Illinois Infantry, at that time, was the brag Regiment of the celebrated Illinois Brigade, and held their right of the line. It was taken from that place of honor and ordered to Bird’s Point, where it was doing garrison duty and chasing Jeff Thompson, until ordered to Pope’s Command at New Madrid. Had that slave remained at home and suppressed his yearning for liberty, the 10th Illinois Infantry would have continued to hold the right of line of the Illinois Brigade, and would have been in the attack on Donelson, in the line where the 18th Illinois lost the flower of its officers and men. The contrast of that hot place and the quiet of garrison duty at Bird’s Point, is very great. Later on our Regiment went to New Madrid, Island No. 10, and Fort Pillow, instead of being at Shiloh, with its comrades of that first march in Kentucky to the rear of Columbus.”
     …And, returning to Matthew Jamison’s narrative: This incident had a marked effect on our personal fortunes….our regiment was omitted from the troops selected to fight the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. But for that colored boy doubtless the bones of many of us would now be resolving to earth on those famous fields.”
     The men of Company E changed the fate of the 10th Illinois Infantry, no doubt. Instead of going to Tennessee, (From Matthew Jamison): “On the 12th of March, 1862, in the evening twilight, our brigade formed and silently moved out from the camp, the artillery muffled, and the men cautioned against making unusual noise.”

     In our next visit to the 10th Illinois, we will be visiting New Madrid, Island No. 10, and Tiptonville, Tennessee.

Tipping Snags Again

I had one more raw video of a black oak snag being tipped, and I sure don't want it to go to waste. My cuts on the back didn't quite match, and it took a lot of wedging to tear the two halves apart, thus the doubled-up wedges. This one was too big for my bar, so you will note that the center has been cut out from the middle of the hinge. I really like dropping snags because they don't have a crown to decelerate the stem as it reaches the ground. They make a most thrilling thump as they smack down, and it is too bad that it doesn't come through on the vid. This tree had a coon living in the top of the stem, in a hollow spot. It survived the drop OK, and ran off to another hollow tree after it shook off the shock.

Recoil Management From Ruger's Dave Spaulding

"Uploaded by RugerFirearms on Mar 5, 2012

Dave Spaulding is back, this time with the Ruger SR1911™, to show some basic training tips designed to enhance your skills. In this episode Dave breaks down recoil management to attain the proper follow up shot."

No Monkeying Around!

Back To The Old Grind!

Not My Victrola: She's Crying For Me

"Uploaded by wolfiejazz on Jun 26, 2009

The line up of The New Orleans Rhythm Kings reads like a who's who of jazz when this track was recorded in 1925 in N.O. Paul Mares cnt, Santo Pecora tbn, Charlie Cordilla clt, among others. "She's Crying For Me" became a great favourite amongst the British trad bands in the 1950s. It's never been done better than this recording I think."

Hey!  Let's make it a double this week!



Gene Austin, posted by bsgs98.

Weekend Steam: The First

The Cugnot artillery wagon was the first steam powered vehicle, and even though it was not successful, (Primarily because of poor weight distribution.) it was an incredible invention. The original still sits in a museum, and this reproduction wagon gives us a thrilling look at a turning point in history.

Crankin' It Up

78 RPM Victor record 19372-A. Violin with piano, Country Dances played by A C Eck Robertson. Acoustic recording.

More Training From Ruger and Dave Spaulding!

Ruger Says: "Dave Spaulding is back, this time with the Ruger SR1911™, to show some basic training tips designed to enhance your skills. In this episode Dave discusses how to position your body to get the best results with your Ruger SR1911™."

Slowly We Turn

 We picked up an Auto Piano player nearly thirty years ago, and it has been patiently waiting for us to tear into it.  We finally got up the gumption to start, and have begun tearing down the pnuematic stack.  The pneumatics are glued in three ranks and it requires patience and care to break them out without actually breaking them.

 The pouches are made of fine, soft leather, and they appear to be in great shape.  When the player roll uncovers a hole in the bar, air comes down a tube and inflates these leather discs from the opposite side, which causes them to push on a valve, which opens the vacuum chamber to the corresponding pneumatic.  It actually isn't terribly complicated, but there is a lot of repetition.

This is the place to get your player parts.  I was fortunate to visit this warehouse/store back in the early 1970's.  I sure am glad they are still in business.

Here's A Bucking Method You Should Practice

I learned the motions for this bucking method many years ago, and I practice it once in a while, but it isn't something I use much in cutting firewood.  It is most useful when you are bucking logs that are bigger than your bar, when you want your upper and lower cuts to match, and for those times when the log is on the ground and you must cut from the bottom.

When making bucking cuts you normally want to cut on the compressed side of the log first, and finish on the tensioned side.  Logs on the ground are sometimes hard to dope out, and you should have a wedge and hammer handy for those times when you get it wrong.  Start your bucking cut on the top, then rotate the saw over the top to cut the far side.  After you have the off side cut, bring your saw back to your side and draw the bar out most of the way, then cut downward.  Next you punch the bar through the lower side of the log, then continue down until you feel the saw take out the bark.  The bark will also throw chips of a different color, but you will feel it if you are paying attention.  You then have to decide if you want to cut upward to finish, or go back to the top and cut down.  Guess wrong, and the worst that can happen is you have to free your bar with a wedge. 

If you are bucking to make lumber out of your logs, you should keep the cuts 90 degrees to the center line of the log, but if you are making firewood, clearing fire breaks, and etc., you make your work easier by angling a bit.  The angles allow the chunks to roll free, which will be greatly appreciated by your swampers that have to move them after you cut them.

Eastern Kentucky Tornado Damage

 Photo Credit: Allen Bolling

We talked to our friends in Eastern Kentucky on Sunday, and the tornado was up close to them, destroying many homes and businesses near them, but they weren't even aware of the twister when it passed near them.  Here is a link to some photos of the damage.

Introduction To Reloading by Hickok45

This video is a good introduction for folks who are thinking about getting into reloading. Hickok45 followed this intro with videos showing various handloading operations, and we will post some of those in the weeks ahead. Hickok makes a good point that you won't save a lot of money by rolling your own, and that has been my experience also. When you load your own ammo, you will enjoy shooting more, and you will shoot more. That will make you a better shooter, and you will gain more enjoyment from the guns you own.

Are Your Mondays This Much Fun?

Back To The Old Grind!

I really like the way the power broom works.  I have seen these in catalogs, but had never seen one in operation.  It looks like this thing would be effective for building fire line in hardwood leaf litter.

Lessons FromThe Harrisburg Tornado

Click over to this story from WSIL TV3, and write your own sermon.  Possible titles include, "Some Kids", and "What Is A Neighbor."

Not My Victrola

BSGS98 shared this copy of Alabamy Bound, by Isham Jones from 1925...

...and WarholSoup100 provided a copy of Al Jolson's 1947 performance.

Weekend Steam

UPDATED!!!
A photo album from Mom's parents has this tattered, but interesting photo of the "CIty of Nauvoo" from an unknown year during the 1920's.  The only information with the photo is 'Montana' written beneath it.  Mom has no idea who in our family went to Montana back then, and since she is the eldest 'Old Timer' now, I guess we will never know.  I bet there would have been good stories if we had only known to ask when Mom's folks were alive.

The New Info!!  We did some searching for this boat, and found a great website with lots of information about steamboats.  The "City of Nauvoo" was launched in 1885 at Rock Island, and worked for fifty-six years in the Nauvoo, Illinois and MONTROSE, Iowa area. (Southeastern Iowa).  So...When my grandmother pasted this photo in her book, she meant to say Montrose, not Montana.  It all makes sense now.  I still would like to hear about the trip.  Did they take a train, drive in a Model T, or ride in a horsedrawn wagon?  I am betting on the T, but that information isn't likely to be forthcoming.  Here is another picture of the "City of Nauvoo" from Riverboat Dave's steamboat site.

Crankin' It Up

Hen Cackle is the flip side of last week's square dance, and was recorded in late 1924 or early 1925 by Bill Chitwood and Bud Landress. Trim your toenails before you hit Play so nobody gets hurt.

2012 e-Postal Matches Have Begun!

Mr. Completely is hosting his first e-Postal match of the year.  CLICK HERE to go to Mr. C's place for the rules and the link to the target.  Think that the flies are too hard to hit?  Well, you're in luck! The object of this contest is to miss all of the flies as many times as you can!  I might actually have a chance to look good on this one!

Help Me Out Here

 I saw this cast iron item recently, and no matter how much I study the photos, I can't figure out what it is.  If you can figure it out, please leave a comment with the answer; or at least your best guess.

I am going to cheat and do a search for the Taylor and Boggis Foundry in Cleveland.


UPDATE!  Drang was right on top of this one.  This item is the base and fuel tank for a kerosene camp stove.  Some very good photos of a restored stove are Right Here, along with a wishful price.