Gordon Ashurst This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. 09.29.02 Former GM machinist introduces youngsters to old-time machinery

   www.gjsentinel.com/news/newsfd - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/29/2002   Last Visited: 9/29/2002

   The rhythmic chugs and clanks lured hundreds of boys, men and machine heads to Gordon Ashurst's animated display of antique farm engines at the Fruita Fall Festival Saturday after- noon.
   
   The music, food and craft vendors and amusement rides continue today until 6 p.m. in downtown Fruita.
   
   Ashurst's machines are bright.
   
   They're orange, green, yellow and shiny silver.
   
   ...
   A retired General Motors machinist from Flint, Mich., Ashurst moved to Fruita 13 years ago. Mack farmer Chuck Roberts introduced Ashurst to antique engines four years later.
   ...
   Ashurst brings the engines, bolted to a flatbed trailer he hauls behind his pickup, to various events in western Colorado. He loves showing them off, and his favorite question people ask is: What are they?
   
   "Young people have never seen them," Ashurst said.
   
   More than 300 companies made engines at the height of manufacturing between 1900 and 1935, Ashurst said. The use of farm engines began to wane in the 1940s with the introduction of rural electrification.
   
   "These old-time gas engines used to pump water, grind grain - run anything you needed power for on a farm," Ashurst said.
   
   Ashurst's engines were one of 125 floats highlighting the festival's parade Saturday morning. The parade also featured more than 100 hors- es.
   
   Colorado Gov.