Looking For Info on Old Brass Device from Oil City, PA

I was probing for info and have eliminated rectorotors. This is the original version of Rectorotor; the later deluxe version came with a coupling for an electric drill but few of those were sold after reports surfaced regarding accidents during use. Hope you can un-see this if you find the image painful!

 

OH MY!!!!
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Or better yet...someone else's.

 

What I'm suggesting is there is another part, that is missing, that screwed on then that cap screwed over it. No reason the threads wouldn't be the same.

 

All that is missing is the wick and fuel

 

Who knew?

 

......those it was used on......

 

Catatonic.

 

I can't get in without a subscription; but my googling led to a couple of old articles mentioning an engineer by the name of A.A. Parkhurst who was killed in a railroad collision. I'm guessing this may be a ceremonial piece made for his widow.

 

Here it is:
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9F03E5D61239E733A25755C0A9649C946197D6CF

 

Cool-the story has changed it from an ordinary tool- thing into an historical artifact which should sell in a higher price range. There are lots of railroadiana collectors but I don't think they are generally big spenders.

 

Fascinating. Ribaldry & research. All part of life's rich tapestry. Thanks so much.

 

"RECTOROTOR - In a Class By Itself!"

God! No kidding!

 

Perhaps it held the guy's ashes?

 

asses to ashes.......