The headline read "1860 fire engine yields $126,000 at museum sale". The date was incorrect but this partially restored engine, #409, a fifth size Silsby built in 1873 did bring that handsome sum at auction in 1986. The engine which served as fire protection for Carson City, NV. was in the collection of Bill Harrah's Pony Express Museum and loaned to a fire museum in Reno, NV. When the collection was sold the small fire museum was unable to raise the funds needed to purchase the engine.
As a result it was sold at
auction to the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in California
where it may be seen today. In 1976 the engine was on temporary
loan to the Smithsonian Institution where it was given a partial
cosmetic restoration. Mr. Steve Frady who was curator of the museum
in Reno was extremely helpful in the restoration of the Silsby
engine #483 which is in our museum in Honesdale, PA. Though smaller
this engine is quite similar to the Honesdale Engine. The Autry
Museum may be found on the net at www.autry-museum.org
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