[SEL] The Gig on the Dig - Part II

[Paul Waugh]

Totally, totally fascinating .... what believe and determination.  I am glad 
you had an idea of what you where looking for.  Congratulations

Paul in IN
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Judge Tommy Turner" <Lcjudge at scrtc.com>
To: <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2008 11:00 PM
Subject: [SEL] The Gig on the Dig - Part II


>I had emails from several of you asking me to keep you informed on the "Gig 
>on the Dig" in regards to searching for the balance of the parts on the 
>Type B Springfield I have.   The possibility of giving the dig a shot last 
>week came together rather quickly, over the span of a few days.  I 
>appreciate all the offers of assistance several of you gave me to come and 
>help and there may be another chance yet!
>
> Here's a bit of background:  A man named Hannebaum lived in Billings, 
> Missouri in the late 1800's.  He was a machinist, inventor, and from all 
> accounts and information found, a mechanical genius for his time.  In the 
> early 1890's Hannebaum designed an internal combustion engine.  He went to 
> work at a foundry and machine shop in Springfield, OH.  While there are 
> records of him living in Springfield and his grandchildren know of the 
> accounts of him living there,  there is no record of where he worked.  I 
> have a strong suspicion that the company was the Springfield Engine 
> Company.
>
> I believe the Type B Springfield was actually designed by Hannebaum.  The 
> Type B's were evidently a failure in terms of sales as of the Springfields 
> that survive, only 3 (up till now) were the Type B's.
>
> Hannebaum returned to Billings, MO after his stint in OH.  One of two 
> things occurred however.  Hannebaum either brought the Type B Springfield 
> patterns with him or brought unused castings back to MO to build engines.
>
> One of the engines, probably rated around 4 to 6 HP, was installed in a 
> grain elevator in Billings.  It remained in service until the early 1940's 
> when the elevator was torn down.  The Malice family purchased the engine 
> and took it to the farm where they lived.  Richard Malachi's father 
> eventually took the engine apart, scattering the pieces among the piles of 
> scrap iron on the family farm.  The base, cylinder, crank, flywheels, 
> piston, rod, sideshaft and sideshaft supports and brackets remained 
> together.
>
> After numerous years of trying, the engine was acquired about 3 years ago 
> by a collector who lived in the area.  After seeing the task to bring the 
> engine back to life (and determining it may be a bit much), I was able 
> acquire the engine from him.  Mr. Malachi gave permission for us to search 
> the property as he was confident the parts were located somewhere on the 
> farm.
>
> Last week the stars finally aligned to make the first attempt to locate 
> parts.  Some were found but the main item still missing is the intake 
> valve cage.  Maybe another dig is in the future?
>
> If you will go to this site, you can look through the photos and read the 
> captions under each to follow the progress on The Dig.
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/Lcjudge/TheGigOnTheDig
>
> Tommy Turner
> Magnolia, KY
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