Lee Gibbs is pictured working in the saw mill in Scotts Mill County Park.
By Bruce Rolfe
He was easy to pick out at Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association events.
A bearded man wearing overalls, masterfully operating old equipment for visitors to get a glimpse of how farming and living on a homestead many years ago was like.
Whether it was operating machinery in the saw mill, an old steam engine, or working in the blacksmith shop, Lee Gibbs loved working with older equipment.
He helped form, and was an original member of the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association that started in 1996.
Gibbs had an influence on many and now one of those younger club members he had an impact on is happy to follow in his footsteps operating a steam engine Gibbs gave him before he died August 28.
Zach Selby, a member of the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association, enjoyed showing and operating the scale model of a larger Case steam engine Gibbs gave the Scotts man at the club’s Fall Fest October 4 at Scotts Mill County Park, capturing the attention of many visitors.
He was easy to pick out at Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association events.
A bearded man wearing overalls, masterfully operating old equipment for visitors to get a glimpse of how farming and living on a homestead many years ago was like.
Whether it was operating machinery in the saw mill, an old steam engine, or working in the blacksmith shop, Lee Gibbs loved working with older equipment.
He helped form, and was an original member of the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association that started in 1996.
Gibbs had an influence on many and now one of those younger club members he had an impact on is happy to follow in his footsteps operating a steam engine Gibbs gave him before he died August 28.
Zach Selby, a member of the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association, enjoyed showing and operating the scale model of a larger Case steam engine Gibbs gave the Scotts man at the club’s Fall Fest October 4 at Scotts Mill County Park, capturing the attention of many visitors.
Zach Selby (left) is pictured at the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association Fall Festival October 4 at Scotts Mill County Park next to the scale model of a larger Case steam engine that the late Lee Gibbs gave him.
A Climax-Scotts High School graduate, Selby proudly explained to visitors how the steam engine operated, just like Gibbs used to.
A block of wood displayed on the back of the steam engine reads “In Memory Of Lee Gibbs.”
Selby said the steam engine he thought was a 110 scale, was built by Anson Wattles in 1987. He said Wattles sold it to Gibbs in 1988, “Anson was not pleased with how it turned out. So he sold this engine to Lee. He completely started over and reconstructed another one that he was a lot happier with. It had more of the bells and whistles, and was a little more authentic,” explained Selby, who also serves on the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association Board of Directors.
Gibbs’ wife Marian, said her husband made a connection with Selby and the couple became very close to the Scotts man. She said she’s glad Selby is able to carry on a tradition operating old equipment at tractor shows like Gibbs enjoyed.
“He’s kind of like our grandson. We’re very close to him. Through Lee’s sickness and everything, his illness, Zach was always there to be helpful. I don’t know what we would have done without him,” said Marian.
Selby, who grew up attending old tractor and steam engine shows at Scotts Mill County Park and later became a member of the tractor club, said it means a lot to him personally to carry on a tradition in the tractor club Gibbs helped start. Operating and educating visitors about the scale model steam engine Gibbs operated at many tractor club shows means a lot to him.
“It’s extremely important and not only that, it’s a huge weight to hold, honestly. The man (Gibbs) had a large foot print here. Hopefully, I can fill his shoes,” said Selby.
The Scotts man adds he’s also happy to operate the steam engine Gibbs gave him at shows with his friend Jake Soule, who operates a steam engine his grandfather Lloyd Youngs gave him.
“It’s sad in a way that times have passed. But it’s a new adventure for both me and Jake to start together, and it’s just nice that both of these engines were passed down and are still being used at shows. I’m just very ecstatic to see that,” said Selby.
A block of wood displayed on the back of the steam engine reads “In Memory Of Lee Gibbs.”
Selby said the steam engine he thought was a 110 scale, was built by Anson Wattles in 1987. He said Wattles sold it to Gibbs in 1988, “Anson was not pleased with how it turned out. So he sold this engine to Lee. He completely started over and reconstructed another one that he was a lot happier with. It had more of the bells and whistles, and was a little more authentic,” explained Selby, who also serves on the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association Board of Directors.
Gibbs’ wife Marian, said her husband made a connection with Selby and the couple became very close to the Scotts man. She said she’s glad Selby is able to carry on a tradition operating old equipment at tractor shows like Gibbs enjoyed.
“He’s kind of like our grandson. We’re very close to him. Through Lee’s sickness and everything, his illness, Zach was always there to be helpful. I don’t know what we would have done without him,” said Marian.
Selby, who grew up attending old tractor and steam engine shows at Scotts Mill County Park and later became a member of the tractor club, said it means a lot to him personally to carry on a tradition in the tractor club Gibbs helped start. Operating and educating visitors about the scale model steam engine Gibbs operated at many tractor club shows means a lot to him.
“It’s extremely important and not only that, it’s a huge weight to hold, honestly. The man (Gibbs) had a large foot print here. Hopefully, I can fill his shoes,” said Selby.
The Scotts man adds he’s also happy to operate the steam engine Gibbs gave him at shows with his friend Jake Soule, who operates a steam engine his grandfather Lloyd Youngs gave him.
“It’s sad in a way that times have passed. But it’s a new adventure for both me and Jake to start together, and it’s just nice that both of these engines were passed down and are still being used at shows. I’m just very ecstatic to see that,” said Selby.
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