Ken Coogle is a man on a mission. He is assisting Westville in replacing historic parts of its animal-powered cotton baling press. With these new parts, the Village will be able to demonstrate cotton baling.
Mr. Coogle took up this mission when he was 83 years old. That was ten years ago. He finished construction on the screw earlier this year, and it has arrived at Westville. The delay was due mainly to finding trees of the length and diameter necessary to replace the original.
There still are parts to the press that Mr. Coogle is constructing, so the press is not ready yet.
The original materials of the press will be conserved and stored, a step Westville has needed to take for some time. Given the extreme rarity of the press---there are only half a dozen left in existence---this conservation takes high priority.
Mr. Coogle is a member of the Westville Board of Trustees. We extend to him and his wife, Lois, our thanks for their patience and work and this domination of their Atlanta garage for a decade! |
Ken Coogle wrangles the wooden screw which he prepared for Westville’s cotton baling press. Sue M. Moye commissioned this drawing by Columbus Ledger-Enquirer artist, Don Coker. Mr. Coogle’s work was a ten-year odyssey.
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Mr. Coogle’s wooden screw will be installed in the baling press at Westville, which dates about 1851.
The new cotton baling press screw, 