Halifax County

Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival

Hit & Miss Engines Return to Heritage Festival

   2010 Ride for hope trail ride and wagon train. (Danny Lamberth photo)

             While most of us enjoy running water and electricity in our homes, how many of us give either a second thought?  At the turn of the last century these were very rare commodities in this area of the country.  Since rural electrification was still years away from completion, small engines were a break through bringing modern conveniences to rural areas across the nation. 

In those long ago days, small hit and miss engines were used to pump water, saw wood, grind corn, and generate electricity allowing farmers to make a living and put food on their tables. 

            Joe Foster of Clover has a vast collection of hit and miss engines he and his son, Jay, will display at the Halifax County Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival.  Foster, retired from International Harvester with over 25 years service, has been collecting hit and miss engines for many years.  According to Foster, “After 27 years in the business, I guess you might say it’s in my blood.”  Foster’s passion also runs a little deeper.  He says, “Today’s youth just do not realize how their ancestors put food on the table.”

            Foster says his interest in hit and miss engines and the equipment they drive has lead him to meet many interesting people at engine shows where he has also found many interesting, old engines.      He has also helped many people identify various farm items found on their property, usually in a pile of rust, and has been able to restore some of them to operating condition.   Foster says, “It is fascinating to hear an old engine from the 1900’s come to life again.”