MTFCA Forum

Rich Bingham

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Rich Bingham

Very true Rich. In spite of Dick F.'s unassailable mathematics, there's much difficulty connecting the Canarys to the Klamitboffer family. KD himself was violently allergic to feathers, for one thing. Another hurdle is reconciling the various shades of meaning between calamities and catsasstrophes. ...

Rich Bingham

Dick, your logic in this instance is air-tight. Thank you for this valuable contribution to the history.

Rich Bingham

Probably dust-bowl era, or perhaps last year ?
Seems everyone's coming here lately.

Rich Bingham

Burger, your dedication to pure research into the topics relevant to the life and times of Kalamity Dick has made your contributions invaluable. Heinrich and the entire Institute staff wish to extend their grateful appreciation, and as well to all who read these annals and have generously contribute...

Rich Bingham

Perhaps it was a subconscious choice Horner Klamitboffer made based on his given name, or perhaps the night wrangler pulled a prank on him by giving him a bum steer ? In any case, Perry, it was NOT a lot of bull. Two left stirrups made it possible for Horner to mount from either side. Only problem w...

Rich Bingham

Kalamity Dick's extended family was pretty much scattered around the country from Mexicali to Nome, and Skagway to Smathers Beach; Bathurst to Lompoc. This accounted for their not exactly being a close-knit tribe. KD was elated to receive a telegram from Horner Klamitboffer, nephew of his third cous...

Rich Bingham

Identify ? Photo notes say the building houses The Wood River Times newspaper.

Rich Bingham

Here's a TT from 1927 (photo date). Eames Trucking

Rich Bingham

Hooey was one of the first to adapt a carbide lamp to his miner's helmet, but the method (shown in the above photo) did not shed a lot of light, and had the unfortunate side effect of scorching his ears. A benefit, however, was that he never had to pay for a haircut. Errata: Bartholomew just placed ...

Rich Bingham

The pickled ferret craze actually started with the barrel of ferrets KD and Cuthbert brought back from Washington, D. C. When baggage and freight was unloaded at the Medicine Bow depot, the barrel of ferrets was mistakenly delivered to Ernie's Saloon. The ferrets got loose in the cellar, and thirsty...

Rich Bingham

That explains the two friends' absence during that period in '03. Thanks, Rich. It also explains Cuthbert's subsequent penchant for saying, "Bully ! Bully for you !" in situations where previously he would have most likely said, "Aw, horseshit." Apparently the delicate diplomacy required to defuse t...

Rich Bingham

Great news ! Thanks for posting that, Steve. I'm sure more information will follow as to how we colonials can order them, expected delivery times, and the actual cost, delivered.

Rich Bingham

Does anyone know the story of how Kalamity Dick came to impersonate Teddy Roosevelt ? Bartholomew excised this from the Trunk of Values on Ash Wednesday. That's Cuthbert Maddox driving the team, or I'll eat your hat.

Rich Bingham

Great pix Herb ! Thank you. Looks like seven brand new 9-N Ford tractors !
"Cook by wire" seems an odd slogan now but maybe made sense when electrification was a novelty ? Is that a Packard ?

Rich Bingham

Herb, others may know for sure, but I'd be willing to bet the Pope Toledo coach work was wood. I recall reading that Pierce Arrow was remarkable for having cast aluminum body work, and I believe that was a bit later than '05.

Rich Bingham

Ma Pucker was known throughout the Basin for raising spirits and motivating the depressed with her cheery exhortation "Keep your pecker up !" Few know that Ma Pucker greatly inspired a youthful Ben Turpin before he left the Tri-burgs for Tinsel-town. Eye-crossing contests were popular in the Tri-bur...

Rich Bingham

Identify this "skunk wagon" please ? Photo date unknown, as are the tribesmen.

Rich Bingham

Can't tell if it's a T (probably not). And you guys with an 8" snowfall are complaining ??

Rich Bingham

Cuthbert generally held himself aloof of family relationships, no doubt a result of having been orphaned at an early age. Imagine his inner turmoil when his great uncle Carborundum X. Maddox turned up unexpectedly before the annual Saddlestring Snail Festival and unformed him they were related to th...

Rich Bingham

Beautiful play of color ! Makes a stunning painting.

Real life own one ? Big car, big troubles. Fun for some, not for all ! Ts are best for guys like me. Took me 50 years to figure that out.

Rich Bingham

The Frizzles' neighbor, Buff Orpington, had a large poultry flock from whence came Zeke, Elmo's cherished pet. Problem was, Zeke regularly left the Frizzle place to romance Buff's hens. Once he was among the flock, Elmo never could tell which rooster was his. As an act of kindness, Buff fashioned th...

Rich Bingham

Good work Herb. Yes indeed, there is a tie-in to the Tri-burg saga. Old Coriander Frizzle loved beer, but detested crowds. Unsociable in the extreme, he began perfecting home brew for his own use, using local mushrooms instead of hops. Ultimately the brew he perfected reached an alcohol content over...

Rich Bingham

It's worth mentioning that Cuthbert's banana, nut and pickle sandwich spread was also used as a poultice with remarkable healing properties. Applied to bruises and simultaneously ingested in sandwich form, it was nearly as good for one's health as chicken soup.

Rich Bingham

Photo from c. 1920 claims it's a 1909 model T, but a few items have been changed out. Australia, SW.

Rich Bingham

'Twas legal if they could do it !!

Rich Bingham

It seems odd there were limericks sorinkled into the mix. By his own admission, Cuthbert never knew any limericks that were not downright dirty. Apparently, the surfeit of topsoil provided the fertility necessary for the trees to sprout. During reforestation efforts of the 1930's the CCC approached ...

Rich Bingham

Moral: some processes are best left to real professionals.

Rich Bingham

The successful accidental silo launch prompted several others, the advantage of having a place for the rockets ready and waiting for landing was all too obvious. The regularity of the tandem launches was a boon for Elmo Ferndip, cross-eyed basin sign painter who had botched an order for several "out...

Rich Bingham

Best one can do is guess. The Model T seems to be a brass car, but not enough shows for me to be very positive of its year of manufacture. Likely 1915-16, possibly earlier. All that does is tell us the photo can't be any older than that. It could be as recent as 1930's, but the ladies' dresses seem ...

Rich Bingham

Here's a really spiffy coach on a White chassis (I think I'm right about this one

)

Rich Bingham

Herb - OUCH !!

Rich Bingham

I'm going blind !!! Couldn't read FWD on the radiator. What a neat truck. Thanks for the additional pictures and info, fellows !

Rich Bingham

A really handsome REO. Any idea of the model and year ?

Rich Bingham

"Two mushroom moss sandwiches"? Really? KD never consumed more than one mushroom moss sandwich. Overeating played hob with his dyspepsia. On rare occasions he would order two so as to share one with Cuthbert when he forgot the bagels. A funny thing about that. Once Cuthbert showed up at lunch with ...

Rich Bingham

That's great, Rich ! Thanks for adding to the story. I've been finding lots of interesting things on an Idaho history forum, this was one. The ad for Studebaker (and Doc Grisman's car) make me think the photo I posted is earlier than 1915. It's fun to speculate.

Rich Bingham

Larry, I hope you'll post some photos of your stove restoration in the "Off Topic" thread. Maybe others will join in too ! I restored a Great Western parlor stove back in '84. It's been keeping us warm every winter since !

Rich Bingham

Whatever the method, wheels are difficult to paint. As I recall from previous posts, wheels were dipped then "spin-dried" in the factory. Like most factory methods, not necessarily practical for the home restorer. I have always painted artillery wheels after assembly, both by spray painting and with...

Rich Bingham

Inside the Albright Garage, Moscow, Idaho 1915. Doc Gritman's 1911 (or earlier ?) torn down for a thorough overhaul. That's proprietor Raliegh Albright on the left, he and his helper look very young ! Kids up to speed with the newest methods. I hope those whippersnappers know what they're about !

Rich Bingham

Regular visitors to this topic have no doubt noticed the hiatus in informative posts through the past week, perhaps the longest pause in over two years. Please do not be alarmed, as we have scarcely scratched surface where the annals of KD's accomplishments and adventures are concerned. Through the ...

Rich Bingham

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:04 am
Are the chains for snow, or mud?

It's Idaho Steve. Yes !!

Rich Bingham

Definitely a using roadster. House paint maybe ?

Rich Bingham

. . . You'll never win an argument on the internet as some expert . . . will know more than all of us combined. :lol: So true ! So often contradictory opinions seem to prevent posts from actually providing good answers to the questions posed. As for re-surfacing heads and blocks, my question is whe...

Rich Bingham

Very often, identifying personalities from photographs presents difficulties for one or another reason; lighting, view angle, focus, all can obscure identifying features past the point of certainty. In this case, one might presume the visible presence of the wire canoe on a flatcar equipped with the...

Rich Bingham

Player pianos ? I could swear that's a load of hay.

I wonder if the nattily dressed feller pitched that load wearing his straw skimmer and bow tie ?

Great picture Herb ! Thanks much.

Rich Bingham

Rudy, thanks for your post. You deserve a medal for sticking with the Holsman after the tornado tried to take it to Oz !

Rich Bingham

More clues possibly ? Is it sitting on a chassis ? Could the chassis belong to it ? If so, are there any earmarks that could identify the chassis ? There appears to be fenders inside the body (cream colored) if they belong to the body perhaps they will help with an identification. Fun to find such s...

Rich Bingham

Thanks for that detail Bob !

Rich Bingham

got to love the lucky '13s !!

Rich Bingham

I hope Mr. McKrill is demonstrating that the rear seat problems of the 1913 touring car have been solved !! Magic Valley area, Idaho. I'll see if I can find more on McKrill, Ford agent.

Rich Bingham

They had not yet heard of the Ackermann principle. Perhaps we should discuss that in the KD thread? :lol: Thanks Herb ! One of the things I find most gratifying about this forum is the opportunity to learn so many new things. I had never before heard of the Ackerman Principle, so thanks to you, now...

Rich Bingham

Heinrich and Sebastian just crossed my desk with a wealth of information on Ackermann. It seems he was a very active organization type in the Basin; minutes of the Tri-burg Mudge Chewers Assn., Moss Growers for Better Slurry, and Ernie's Wednesday Night darts team all mention him as being chairman o...

Rich Bingham

Erik, I'm sure you are right. Being a high-wheeler novice I was ignorant of the pertinent facts of the mass of early individual experimenters vs. actual commercial attempts. Wayne's post cleared that right up ! Wayne, the photo came from an Idaho history forum. No date nor any pertinent information,...

Rich Bingham

I never thought of these as actual automobiles and because of that I pretty much overlooked them as I "studied" old cars. Can anyone identify this little cutie ?? No wonder they terrified horses !

Rich Bingham

I just can't let a reference to "Gone With the Mudge" pass without remarking on the inspirational scene of the burning of Absaroka. Also, it's a shame Betty Grable never got an Oscar. Her performance in the role of Red Buttons was truly legendary. Many people don't realize the pompano was the inspir...

Rich Bingham

Lots of cross-reference material here. The Spadaford Gang managed to elude capture by holing up on the Paprika Ranch mostly because Sheriff Dumbrow was violently allergic to Paprika, in spite of his Hungarian ancestry. Mudge was a popular chewable in the Basin, mostly because no spittoons were requi...

Rich Bingham

Interesting point of view, Allan. There are probably more than a few of us who somehow relate to the little nuances inherent in old hardware. There's just "something about them" that defies reproduction. Of course, when the original methods (and often materials) are beyond the capability of the mode...

Rich Bingham

. . . A horse can only maintain a gallup so long. The farm-geared TT could to it all day and never get winded. AND do it with far more load than one could ever haul with a horse . . . Burger, I've always enjoyed your perspectives on "Model Tee-ing" from your point of view as a TT owner who works wi...

Rich Bingham

The The Saddlestring Gazette ran several ads during this period placed by Slim Cudlip, brand inspector at the Saddlestring stockyards wherein he offered to de-horn helmets of all sizes for $ 1.55 each. Apparently his side business was a brisk one for a time, the ad ran most of the summer. Folks in S...

Rich Bingham

Thanks Rich. I wish the first photo had been better. Funny, no one seems interested in identifying the breed of horses in the second photo.

(I think the big drafter is a Belgian

)

Rich Bingham

A treat to see Rich! Thank you. Suggested title, "Now What ?!?"

Rich Bingham

Jenkins' business only a few short years before the above photo:

Rich Bingham

Here's a fun picture. Not Fords (not Russia either

) probably mid-teens ?
Can anyone identify the cars in their "stable" ?

W. S. Jenkins & Sons established the Moscow Livery Stable, made the transition into the motor age and remained in business. I imagine there were many that did as well.

Rich Bingham

Good. There was a fellow in just now wearing a buffalo horn hat requesting a hall pass. He was stripped to the waist and appeared anxious and in a hurry. I'll let him know. As for the podium, prospective buyers should know it reeks heavily of skunks. A quart of tomato juice in its crankcase should c...

Rich Bingham

Nice to know these trucks had lousy brakes, driving without having a 'headache rack' :lol: Very true. However, it's hard for us moderns to realize just how slow these pioneer trucks actually traveled. Besides not being able to stop on a dime, the beast in the picture probably never traveled above 1...

Rich Bingham

Wayne Sheldon wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 04, 2021 5:51 am
Ever used one of those posthole augers?
I have.

Yup. Mixed results. Usually ended up doing it the "hard" way.

Rich Bingham

Photo dated "1936"

Rich Bingham

Fenn's Posthole Auger gets a positive review in a Wyoming Farmer issue in 1914. I'm sorry to say I can't agree.

i don't think I've ever seen a commercial body like this - in person or in photos. Great photo, thanks for posting.

Rich Bingham

Kudos for Larry are overdue. He's taken flak for being a "purist". A gentleman and a man of few words, he's always generous, willing to help and truly knows his stuff. Thanks as well to our forum members who do likewise. It's not hard to tell who's "the real deal", and we all benefit from their cont...

Rich Bingham

Pressurizing the system would have more benefit for T owners at higher altitudes. Boiling point lowers to 202F at 5000' of elevation. The problem is that the system was never designed to be pressurized, so most model Ts would probably exhibit leaks in the cooling system they never had before. Fun to...

Rich Bingham

. . . I suppose until modern overhead valve engines became common design, maybe "Henrys" term "pushrod" would have been okay . . . I find it interesting that Buick's 1904 model B was (arguably) the first mass-produced OHV automobile engine. Overhead valves were a Buick hallmark from then on. When i...

Rich Bingham

Good observation. Bears are always dependable. Linus just telefaxed this photo of Wizzborn's wife Clamantha and his daughters Cassava and Aspidistra on a shopping trip in downtown Chugwater, accompanied by their family pet. Linus swears it's a bear, but I have some doubts. If it was a bear, Jackingh...

Rich Bingham

Mongering iron isn't as easy as it looks. So very true, Rich. For our readers' edification Sebastian has transcribed this photo of Mongo Montgolfier at the helm of the "Steel Elephant" which powered the transorbital twist trunions. It's a generally accepted fact in the Tri-burgs that Mr. Montgolfie...

Rich Bingham

I use one pint.

Remember, all opinions are absolutes, so be sure to follow all forum recommendations to the letter !

Rich Bingham

I have spent most of my adult life working with paint, pigments, and the formulations thereof, mostly from the point of view of fine art applications and authentic replications of materials and methods that were concurrent in the carriage and wagon trade c. 1880s-1920s. No matter. Anyone with an opi...

Rich Bingham

Interesting aside, Cliff's brother John slipped on a banana peel outside the Biogram Theater one summer evening in 1935 and broke his sterno. Wanted for multiple parking tickets he was attempting to avoid Officer Quincy Caltrop at the time, but the constable had him dead to rights. More pertinent tr...

Rich Bingham

Indeed, Dave. They were still herding the cats at this stage.

Rich Bingham

Harnessing could be stressful.

Rich Bingham

Here's an odd couple - sheep camp and a state highway GMC truck. I've no idea the year of the truck, trucks always fool me as they tend to look older than their year of manufacture. No explanation or notes on the photo.

Rich Bingham

That's a wonderful view of Cuthbert Maddox's corral. KD gifted Cuthbert's hired man Spud Whiffletree with a fine pump organ on the condition that it would be kept and played near the corral, or in the horse barn during inclement weather. That's spade's wife Demelza and their kids in the photo. Demel...

Rich Bingham

. . . The bad: lots of brush marks, lots of runs, the grey primer shows through in places . . . Not to beat you up or be a smart-alec, Nacho, but regardless the method of application, the paint needs to be the proper viscosity to handle well, flow out, and "set" with an optimal "open time" before d...

Rich Bingham

. . . The part of the building it occupies in the above picture is no longer there . . . The entire half of that block west of the alley is no longer there. I should know but don't remember when the old buildings were razed for a new structure and parking lot which housed the US Bank (now indefinit...

Rich Bingham

Thanks Hap !!

Rich Bingham

Here's a photo of a lineup of early Ts taken on West Center St. in Pocatello, Idaho, date unknown. Our members can doubtless identify the year of the Ts, and whether that's an "N", "R", or "S" at the end if the row. I'm surprised to see evidence of so many early Ts in southeast Idaho. There certainl...

Rich Bingham

I'm sure you're right, Steve. Probably happens even when the hitch point is around the frame member as it is in this old photo. Many Ts got "help" hitched around the axle.

Rich Bingham

Right you are Perry. The game board idea was appropriated by "Mister Melvin", who finally got approval from KD to use it for the game he invented after several thousand boxes had already been printed. KD consented on condition that the critical magneto condyle flux resistance circuit be eliminated t...

Rich Bingham

Sharp eyes may be able to tell if this is a TT or a truck conversion. Perhaps the year of the plate, photo noted as being an Idaho scene. That plucky little T has a huge load on, kids and all, looks like it's got an additional 2hp up front to help with it.

Rich Bingham

As ever, the consensus is: Yes ! Definitely. Use oil in your Model T !!

Rich Bingham

Frank. Dim light bulb flickering here. :lol: Your concern for the "cold range" of soluble oil seems to indicate your thought is for filling the cooling system with soluble oil ?? Perhaps that's a possibility, but I'm unaware of such use. For my part, I use a pint of soluble oil in Lizzie's cooling s...

Rich Bingham

Frank, soluble oil is, well, soluble. It dissolves into the water giving it a milky appearance, and doesn't separate from solution. If it has any capability to lower the freezing point of water it is minimal. Antifreeze it is not ! I've used it in cooling systems for years with good results. Opinion...

Rich Bingham

First question for "shaving" a stock head is whether it has been resurfaced in the past (more than once, possibly ?) and how much you think you want to take off. Do the math first. Just how much greater will the compression ratio be when you're done ? Best way to greatly increase the compression rat...

Rich Bingham

Here's a fun photo. Any idea what make truck ? Can anyone make out the license plate ? Supposed to be an Idaho scene.

Rich Bingham

Curiously, the "witless protection program" evolved from another less-known organizational construct known as the "Windlass Protection Assn." As usual, Kalamity Dick figured large in the narrative. When development of the alpahbet mines progressed to the excavation of stopes and vertical shafts foll...

Rich Bingham

Kalamity Dick was fond of word play. It's no surprise "alligator wrestling" was a triple entender for him. First, was the literal fact ; the Tri-burg Moss Improvement Board had hired him to remove a pair of alligators from the upper terrace pond. No one was sure where the reptiles had come from, but...

Rich Bingham

I agree with Stan. Holes wander off center when haggled out progressively larger. Also agree that you need good tooling. A lot of hardware "hobbyist" bits may work in wood, but not for the machinist. I'm a little surprised no one mentioned annealing a work-hardened piece. Another thing to watch is r...

Rich Bingham

In the interest of historical backgrounds, it's worth mentioning that Kalamity Dick's inventive genius was a trait that ran strong in the Klamitboffer family. For example, Dick's uncle Columbus Hercules Klamitboffer (aka Uncle Lumby) left his home town in Westconsin for Wyoming in the 1860's. Record...

Rich Bingham

Kalamity Dick rarely had interpersonal difficulties with anyone, which is amazing considering his vast impact on all aspects of Basin industry in those early years. Binford was the sole exception. His conflict with KD centered on the downturn in his business owing to a decrease in salvage sparking r...

Rich Bingham

Oh boy !! Good news indeed. Thanks for keeping up with this, Steve !
(I do hope they don't change that listed price, though.

)

Rich Bingham

Testimonial: A concentrated dose over a four year period was so powerful, I was able to go 50 years without any symptoms of boredom, lethargy, ennui or malaise. However, the addictive properties were so powerful even after half a century, the only thing that would ameliorate the strong cravings, spe...

Rich Bingham

Kaiser wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 11, 2020 6:39 am
. . . this place is 'a quiet place' to retreat to . . .

Until Marvel Mystery Oil is mentioned !

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