[TheForge] book review

[terry l. ridder]

hello;

sorry, i wrote that as i was getting ready to run some errands.

echos from the oil country - volume 1
echos from the oil country - volume 2
echos from the oil country - volume 3

the three volumes cover the time period of july 1900 through june 1902.

lindsay books has collected and reprinted three volumes of the articles
written by a mr. w. osborne. the articles were published originally
between july 1900 & 1904 in the american machinist magazine. mr. w.
osborne, was a blacksmith/machinist in the pennsylvania oil country in
the late 1800s. the articles are about clients, troublesome steam pumps,
his helpers. the stories he tells are humorous. below are a few examples:

<begin quote>
when charley was told to go over to the nitro-glycerine factory and fix
the engine, he was not exactly tickled to death over it. of course he
was not except to find anything very hard to do about the engine.
indeed, he knew very well that they purposely used cheap stuff there, so
that when the factory blew up the loss would not be great. it was this
idea of loss that bothered him; believing that the stock of good
mechanics was not any too large, the thought of having the shop and the
world get along without one of the best of them rather disturbed him.
then on the other hand, he had often thought of the nice things the
neighbors would say when that calamity did take place...
<end   quote>

<begin quote>
i went with him and billy, the second man, the next morning to repair
an engine running on a lease. when we got there we found the engine (a
9x12) running, and that they ran it continuously day and night, and as
the wells were hurt by standing, it was desirable to not stop any longer
than necessary.

we looked things over and found the main bearing and crosshead needed
babbitting, the brasses needed skimming up, eccentric straps taken up,
lost motion taken out of the link, valve set, piston rings set out, and
a few minor details looked after.

mr. smith asked me: "how long will it take to fix her?" i replied,
"about fourteen hours for us three." smith laughed...

it was then 8 o'clock a.m. we had brought a few tools, a pot and ladle
and some babbit with us. in a very few short minutes the belt was off,
the key out of the pulley... and the pulley off. the rod and crosshead
and pillow block caps off, and with the help of a piece of plank under
the flywheel the crank shaft was rolled out of its bearings and the
babbit knocked out.
<end   quote>

<begin quote>
and so you are bringing the corn sheller back, are you? don't like it,
and think it not any good , eh? tested it and found it not satisfactory,
and so return it? what kind of test did you have that bent this handle
and pushed the side out? a hemlock knot got mixed with the corn,  and
both of you were pullling, and your backs were much stronger than your
minds that you did not stop to see what was the trouble. now, i did no
make that thing to shell hemlock knots, and you can hardly blame me
because your colt broke loose in the barn and upset things and broke the
hopper off. when i get it fixed you can come get it, and i will send the
bill for it, and for the repairs, to your father. you might kindly mind
to test it next time with a wedge and beetle, or try to use it as a
stone crusher. a few drops of oil might keep it from squeaking some.
i see you never used any yet. it will be ready for you day after
tomorrow. good day.
<end   quote>

it is like reading a handwritten letter from an old friend.

On Mon, 6 Jan 2003, Dave Brown wrote:

dave> 
dave> Terry,
dave> 
dave> Would you please give is a little more information regarding the story 
dave> line?  What was it that you found so so interesting/great about it?
dave> 
dave> Thanks,
dave> Dave
dave> 
At 15:23 01/06/03 -0600, terrylr wrote:
terrylr>
terrylr> hello;
terrylr>
terrylr> a book from lindsay books entitled "echos from the oil country".
terrylr> it was written by a blacksmith/machnist who worked the pennsylvania oil
terrylr> fields during the 1890s. excellent book and great reading.
terrylr>
terrylr> Terry L. Ridder ><>
terrylr>

-- 
Terry L. Ridder ><>