V1950-CE

Civil Engineer Mead KS 1950-1951

Move to Mead: Moving our Resident Engineers office to Meade KS should not have come as a surprise, our work out of Leoti was coming to an end. SE of Meade KS they were to repair the earth grade that washed out on the north side of a bridge crossing the Cimarron river. Mary & I initially moved into a basement apartment, then moved to a much nicer apartment in the home of an elderly couple. Fellows on the surveying crew helped us move the heavy stuff down, then back up the first basement stairs. These fellows had been to our wedding in Oberlin and were more than glad to help. Mary took a job working part time helping Marvin Cox, our Resident Engineer, and became acquainted with the fellows while helping testing materials samples. They knew she liked cats and brought her a stray they found. They called it Irene, from a popular song at the time “Good Night Irene”. It was a weird cat and we finally left it off in a different town with a “good night Irene” send off.

New Piano: While in the first basement apartment a piano salesman followed up on our looking at pianos in Garden City on our way to Meade. We ended up buying a new piano, but only after considerable negotiating. We traded in the large upright Mary’s mother had given her, plus my Conn Trumpet, and Mary’s Clarinet. It was our first “luxury” item and we still have it.

One of our first jobs was setting stakes at 100 feet intervals on a road where they would hauling gravel in preparation of redoing the black top. The surveying job near the Cimarron River bridge was much more interesting and unique.

The Cimarron River: The Cimarron River carries water from the eastern slopes of mountains in CO eventually to the Gulf. Some water is always flowing, often under the surface. During periodic floods the stream whips snake like between high banks two miles apart, randomly leaving traces of it’s prior main stream. It was known there was “no bottom” to support a piling foundation for a bridges.

Just before WW II SW of Garden City KS the railroad had lost three box cars they had placed on top a a railroad bridge trying to hold it in place while CO flood waters passed. The bridge went out and the box cars down into the sand below. The railroad made attempts to auger down and find traces of the cars, in order collect insurance. One car was loaded with tractors and two with beer – they never found a trace of the cars!! Uncle Francis Barclay told me of this when her drove me to see how a contractor was doing. They were extricating a large CAT that had become stuck out in the sand. They had two steel cables extended to the CAT from wench trucks up on the south bank. The CAT driver was still in the his machine, which had sunk up over it’s large tracks leaving him only inches above the wet sand. They pulled and pulled for hours, inching the CAT through the wet sand. I was reminded of this as we walked about on the dry wet sand where we set stakes for rebuilding the washed out north approach to an existing highway bridge that survived a recent flood.

When setting stakes, there was nothing to indicate we were walking on a crust of sand floating on water flowing through the sand below. Most of the river stream flowed out of sight.

We staked out the location of Jetty Units to be placed up stream of the new embankment to the bridge. We then placed stakes up on the hill, from which the Jetty Units could be aligned, aware our first set of stakes would be wiped out when the earth abutment was rebuilt. We puzzled on what the Jetty Units looked like and how the contractor was going to do the job.

CAT’s Traverse Quick Sand: The earthwork contractor moved in shortly after we set the slope stakes. At first all went well as the large CATs moved across the dry sand crust, making a sweeping return trip for more dirt. The contractor was using standard crawl tractors to pull large scoops filled with dirt. A push Cat helped the pull Cat fill his scoop. The pull Cat increased speed as he pulled his load to dump it, slowly rebuilding the mound of dirt grade to the bridge. We noticed, the crawler cats out on the sand were moving in “dishes”, depressions of sand that moved with them! So long as they kept moving and did not stop they progressed as if on plastic sand floating on water. We watched as one Cat stalled and started to sink – but he quickly got it started and climbed his way up, continuing as if always climbing to the upper edge of his weight created “dish” of floating sand. I could understand how that Cat, of many years before, had been caught in the sand. I’m sure these Cat operators and contractors were experienced in this kind of work, as they paid very close attention to what they were doing. I wish we had a video image of what we watched – it would be quite difficult to stage such a scene. We could almost feel the drivers sense of urgency in getting his machine started again. After that all operators kept their engines at higher rpm so as not to stall. We could readily understand the predicament of moving TX cattle north to rail roads – to get there, they had to cross the Cimarron. A herd could start across on what seemed dry sand, then with more weigh out on the crust worked by many churning hoofs, the crust start to dish and break up. Many cattle could readily be caught in “quick sand”, with almost no way to get them out. I wondered if in prior times large herds of buffalo could had trapped themselves in quick sand – they like those box cars would be out of sight below. Now that would be an archeological dig to rival the CA tar pits.

Jetty Units: The Jetty Units were large tumble weeds of angle iron bolted together. These were connected using surplus steel cable from oil wells. On a very cold winter day the contractor showed up with a large crew. You could tell they were experienced workers as they moved rapidly, knowing what they were doing. They bolted the several 12 foot long angle irons together, threaded and fastened steel cable to them and scooted them, using temporary 2x4 skids, out on sheet ice recently formed. The environment was just right and in one day they had these angle iron tumble weeds tied and in place. Some four rows deep to protect the new bridge abutment. The idea was to slow any flood water, causing sediment to drop and build a sand bank about these units. Over the years many methods had been tried such as lashing junked cars together for such a purpose. Later we had occasion to see these after a modest flood. They had certainly done their job, most had sunk in the sand leaving only an upper segments showing, all were obviously still inter connected and had indeed built a sand bar that protected and directed flood water to flow under the large bridge. Someone had determined how to do this task right.

Prairie Fire: One day as we drove to the job we saw a fire that had just started, spreading across a pasture, A fellow burning tumble weeds allowed it to get out of hand. I instantly recalled a fast moving wheat fire we’d fought when I was in high school when helping my Uncle Earl Talley harvest wheat. I knew something had to be done fast. I wheeled our Carry All about and aimed to a point where I thought our fellows could do the most good. Our guys were immediately out using anything available to stamp out the line of fire, which by then was the length of a football field and growing. As we battled the low but persistent flames moved across buffalo grass toward thicker more vulnerable fields, we were jointed by others who had seen the smoke, and were racing to help block it’s advance. We worked very hard for about three hours, leaving when assured those remaining had it under control. Everyone on our crew was pooped as we drove on to our job – we didn’t talk till later. Everyone knew we’d been at the right place at the right time, before it got completely out of hand.

Pen Full of Bulls: There was a mile square field of young wheat NE of the bridge to be built across a creek just north of Buffalo OK on the KS side. Grazing on this lush green wheat were some 50 white face young bulls, these animals were in prime condition. It was necessary to get out in that field to set elevation and alignment stakes for the bridge. As a kid working at the sale barn in Oberlin I was accustomed to working with cattle. For some reason I was never afraid of working around bulls, but I was apprehensive moving about large horses. A fellow, Joe Martin an excellent high school athlete, had been killed when a horse leaned into him, pinning him to the side of it’s stall in the barn. There were many stories of men having problems with bulls, but it had been my experience they would generally move away from a person if they could. Horses seemed a bit more like a cat, with a mind of it’s own, and much more powerful. Those on our crew did not want to get out in that field full of bulls, I was wary but it didn’t bother me, except for once. I had gone out in the field with an instrument while others placed range poles or rod where needed. I was leaning into the instrument making adjustments and sightings when I heard sounds behind me. I lost my intent to focus and complete the task, I looked behind me. Three young bulls were running toward me from the main bunch further out in the field. When I turned about and looked at them, they abruptly stopped and we stared at each other. On previous occasions they watched as I moved about, but would give way and let me move through them. These three young bulls seemed curious about what I was doing. I turn to look through the instrument, I was almost done – then heard rapid movement toward me! I quickly looked about, one of the young bulls was running right at me! I wasn’t sure what to do, except pick up the instrument and get out of there. That bull didn’t give me any time to make planes – my instincts were to yell at him and raise my arms to scare him, but I didn’t. These bulls had shown no sign of being afraid of anything. With foolish confidence I stood my ground, abruptly he stopped, about three feet in front of me – I remained motionless as our eyes locked on the other. He looked at me like a huge puppy dog as if wanting to play! Perhaps foolishly I spoke to him, saying I don’t want to play now, I need one more sighting and I’ll get out of here. I looked back once more to see if he’d moved, he was still looking but now the entire herd was moving toward me to see what was going on. I quickly finished before they reached me and started milling about, even if I was OK the instrument could have been damaged – those playful young bulls don’t know their own strength.

One Cow in a Pen Full of Bulls: As we arrived one morning we saw a cow running along the fence row. Her head was down, her tongue hanging out – she was exhausted! The cause was obvious, she was followed by a string of young bulls who had reached their prime. We wondered how long this had gone on – being chased by a never ending string of young bulls!! Dutch Lane spoke up, “that old cow’s is not going to make it if someone doesn’t get her out of there”. We expressed agreement as I drove up to the near by farmers home. The farmer came in response to my knock. I said, “Sir, you’d better get your cow out of that pen of bulls or she’s not going to make it.” The farmer didn’t waste time saying thanks, he just muttered, “that old cow got out once before, you’d think she’d know better”. As we drove away we wondered how that cow managed to get into pen of bulls in the first place. The call of the wild must have instilled exceptional determination – she must have found a week spot, more likely the bulls helped push wires to let her in. That was quite a sight, that old cow with udder flopping – she’d pause to catch her breath – then somehow find strength enough to move on again before another bull tried to mount. That poor cow was exhausted with nowhere to hide.

Red Soil: Red soil, like that in the Dakota Black Hills, was just below the surface. The piling being used was different than most we’d seen. It was usually long creosoted timbers, like big telephone poles, they would drive until they would no longer hammer them deeper. These piles were iron tubes corrugated and tapered. The contractor used water to flush displaced dirt up as the piling was driven down. Thus we saw red strata flush up once piling was driven half way down. Once the piling was driven to maximum depth it was filled with concrete. Unlike the Cimarron river, local creeks had firm foundations for anchoring a bridge.

Shop in a Trailer: I felt lost without a shop and aware we’d be caused to move about I decided to build a trailer for use as a mobile shop. I spoke of this to Mary’s father Archie. Arch thought it was a good idea and had Lloyd Waldo, then working for him, build a frame mounted on an axel for the under carriage. Lloyd did an excellent job & I towed it to Meade. I first bolted a 2x8 wood peripheral frame to the metal structure and laid down a quality groove joint floor. I then designed a 2x2 frame structure for the walls, with places for a side door and side windows to let in light. I bolted the frame members to the outside of the 2x8 perimeter and bolted 1x6 rafter pieces to the vertical side members. I used #9 wire to diagonally cross brace, pulling these braces tight using turnbuckles. I used tempered Masonite for siding and fastened it with corrosion resistant counter sunk screws. I placed sealant under all exterior joints before screwing them in place. On the inside I built a work bench across the front and soon had what shop tools I had, stored inside.

Decision, leave Civil Engineering: I had decided to leave the field of civil engineering and get back into mechanical engineering for which I was trained. I was restless for many reasons – the Korean war had started – I felt compelled to do more than what I was doing. This was not a snap decision, I didn’t feel mentally challenged and didn’t feel I was in the right occupation to pursued ideas on how to do things better. Though I never complained, I don’t believe those I worked for or with were surprised.

Trailer hauls Household: We used the trailer to move our belongings from Meade to storage in Oberlin pending getting settled in a new job. That trailer readily held and carried a very heavy load. This included a new piano, refrigerator, oven, couches and chairs, shop tools, etc etc. The trailer was later purchased by the Oberlin Gun Club and used for many years. Lloyd Waldo later bought it from them and used it on his farm. It proved it was well built by weathering the elements for years and years.

To KC, Looking for Employment: I made a trip to Kansas City MO and looked about for a job. I first interviewed Mobil Oil Co via friends of Archie who came to NW KS to hunt pheasant, but these were sales people. They were very nice, we had a good visit and parted – I was not interested in sales.

I next interviewed with TWA people and had a good visit with the head of their service depot – we spoke extensively of our B-29 experience with the R3350 engine as they were using the same engine, at half it’s capable horse power for airline use, deriving excellent results. I decided to do more checking.

To GM KCKS & F-84F Program: I checked with the employment office in KCMO. They seldom had fellows with engineering degrees coming to see them. They immediately directed me to the GM plant in KCKS, From the beginning interview this seemed an excellent choice, I accepted and was soon sent to GM Research Center Detroit as part of a start up team of engineers who were to return and build F-84F aircraft in the KCKS plant. Thus began another very different and interesting career, it would not be the last.