Sleeping Beauty

Charlie Inman's circa-1913 20 HP Stickney as it looked the day it was removed from its 49-year slumber in Montana's Milk River.

Every now and then, an engine comes along that stops the entire old-iron community in its tracks. Charlie Inman's 20 HP Stickney is one of those engines.

By Richard Backus

Charlie Inman seems almost embarrassed when asked to talk about the remarkable 20 HP Stickney he fished out of Montana's Milk River. Ever since he got it running last year, the Havre, Mont., resident has become something of a celebrity in the old-iron community.

One of three 20 HP Stickneys known to exist, the history of Charlie's engine can be traced back to 1937. That was the year construction started on the Fresno Dam, 14 miles west of Havre in north central Montana.

Contractor's Special

In 1937, the Stickney was just an old engine, a contractor's beast of burden running a pump or a light plant, just one part of a contingent of machinery employed to dam the Milk River.

Charlie's dad, Bert, was a mechanic attached to the dam project, and Charlie remembers him saying the Stickney ran almost constantly. “Dad used to say that on a clear night you could hear that thing running, even though it was 2 miles away.”

The Stickney slowly comes to view as years of accumulated silt are removed and the engine i..ck on compression and firing it off almost every time. It was a sight to see, and one not soon forgotten.

Inspired by boyhood longings, Charlie undertook the restoration of this elegant giant to fulfill his own dream. In the process, however, and to his great surprise, he has inspired every engine owner lucky enough to witness the fruits of his labor.

Charlie would like to acknowledge the help and encouragement given to him by many people, without whom the restoration would not have been possible. Most importantly, he would like to thank his wife of 42 years, Burnie, for her unflinching support of his hobbies. He would also like to thank Dave Bestland, Myland and Monty Larson, Al Giarratano, Ed Banke and Fred Reetz. Contact Charlie Inman at: 38499 Road 6 N., Havre, MT 59501.

Charlie's grandson Marcus Inman at last year's Portland show.

At a Glance

• Built by Charles A. Stickney Co.,
  St. Paul, Minn.

• Serial number: 23943

• Year manufactured: Circa 1913*

• Horsepower: 20 at 225 rpm

• Bore and stroke: 10-by-15
   inches

• Ignition: Hit-and-miss, make
   and-break igniter

• Weight: 8,000 pounds

• Flywheels: 70 inches, 1,700
   pounds each

Charlie inspects the Stickney at the Portland show.

* The exact year this engine was made is uncertain. Although Stickney quit making engines in 1913, it is believed that until 1920 the company continued putting engines together from leftover inventory, stamping the serial number when the engine was sold. This engine is believed to have sold in 1916.