My wife and I had just visited the Dewight Eisenhower farm in Gettysburg, Pa. As we walked around I caught site of a 2 steam engine bells in the garden. One of these bells had Frisco logos on the sides and Presidential Seals on front and back. None of the Park Rangers knew anything about the history of the bell. I hope some of you Frisco Folks can help. Thanks Mike.P
Mike, I think we discussed this years ago in one of the FMIG Newsletters after Sandy and I took the same tour and saw the same bell. Memory is dim, but I think maybe Lee Buffington said that the Frisco gave it to them as a gift. Doug
Lee told me also that the Frisco created a lot of goodwill by giving away those steam engine bells and had so many requests, that they even purchased more bells to give away! Tom
There were two Frisco bells on churches in Webster Groves that I know of. Don't forget the "Frisco Bell" that Kirkwood and W.G. football teams fight over each Thanksgiving.
Thanks everyone. I've seen the Webster Groves,Kirkwood bell, went to a few of those football games. Mike.P
We also got a "football bell" for Fort Smith Senior High (now Northside High). I don't know whatever happened to it, but will be at my 50th reunion later this month and will find out! It had a coonskin nicely etched on the front. Gordon
http://cgi.ebay.com/FRISCO-RAILROAD-PRESIDENT-HUNGERFORD-RETIRED-BELL-PHOTO-/320587023847?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa479c5e7&BackToListReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fmy.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dll%3FMyEbayBeta Looks like a presidential seal on it.
Don I wonder who the "Friends of Steam" was. Being Washington, I suspect that it had nothing to do with a fascination with steam locomotives, but more likely was some combination of coal interests and the BLF&E. I'm curious. Gordon
1522; That's the bell in the garden at Ike's farm. It's a little tarnished, but looks good. Thanks for sharing, I don't go to ?bay. Mike.P
I am the Band Director of the Moolah Shriner's Band in St. Louis. We have a Frisco bell that was given the band many years ago, and has the coonskin but no number on it. I have no further information, but would love to get anything I can on it. Chuck McKenzie tubastogo