CARLINVILLE, Ill. – Bob Emery collects many things, with well pumps being one of the most notable. Growing up on a farm in Macoupin County, Ill., Emery followed in his father Orville’s footsteps. Orville was an avid collector of Indian artifacts. Today Emery has an award-winning collection of arrowheads, axes and more.

Graduating from Carlinville high school in 1960, Emery farmed briefly with his dad before joining the army. After the army, he worked in a print shop. He met his future wife Sharlyne on a blind date. They married and had two kids, Scott and Tammy. Emery went to work selling steel for KS Steel, and as a carpenter before retiring on to the farm.

Emery started collecting pump jacks around 1995 and has amassed an amazing collection since then. This is a family affair; besides Orville, Emery’s son Scott also collects. The family collection is profiled in a book created by his sister Tammy Bolino showcasing each family member’s well pumps. The book is a cherished item today. The book provides a complete inventory of the family collections. Besides the book, Bolino also painted one of the large ornate pumps in a variety of colors, making it one of the family favorites.

Over the years Emery bought pumps mostly in pieces, then restored them. He gives away duplicates, keeping his collection updated. The collection includes small pumps along with large ones. His first well pump was a Peters Co. two-cylinder pump. The collection represents a variety of companies including Blue Star, Wistrand, Hayes, Planter, F.E. Meyers Brothers along with Red Jackets and some without company names being identified. His collection includes force pumps, full body pumps, and small pitcher pumps.

One of the ornate pumps has leaves and a frog on the spout. The company hasn’t been identified, but this pump is Emery’s favorite. “I found it at a flea market. I have about 100 well pumps in all,” he said.

His collection includes a rare salesman sample, and a Meyers water pump used for steam engines. “This pumped water from a water wagon or creek or pond to the steam tractor.”

Emery said his oldest pump, dating to the 1800s, is a post pump made from a hollowed-out post. Found in an antique store, the pump’s handle and spout are made of metal. “This was originally used by pioneers on the prairie,” Emery added.

Another unusual pump is the Arkansas bucket, which was used in the rocky terrain.

Besides flea markets and antique stores, several pumps have been gifts from friends or people that knew he collected them.

Emery’s collections extend to tools, cans, key chains, and the collection of native artifacts. At first Emery said he wasn’t really interested in what he considered his father’s hobby. He caught the bug during a squirrel hunting trip where he found his first artifact. The collection isn’t identified by Indian tribes, it is by time periods, the paleo, archaic and Woodland. “That is how you categorize them,” Emery said.

He found most of his artifacts near his home. Many by Beaver Dam, and in nearby creeks and creek banks that landowners allowed him to hunt on. “I have found mostly arrow heads and knives for shooting game and axes. Axes Emery explained changed over time. “The older axes have grooved surfaces all the way around, then they learned that a three-quarter groove works just as well.”

Eventually, the axes changed to smaller sharper, no grooved shapes. Not all stone artifacts were used for work. Emery also has a Dissedial stone used for a gambling game that he found close to home. “The stone was thrown or rolled like a bowling ball, then the Native Americans would shoot arrows or spears.”

Other stones were used as pendants that identified the tribe, and the rank of the tribal member. Emery said you can tell an original one if it was drilled on both sides rather than all the way through for the hole placement.

One of the most unusual items he has is a Banner stone. Banner stones he said, “Could have served three purposes: as counterweights on atlatls, as ceremonial pieces, or as a combination of the two.”

Another very cool artifact Emery called the “flying goose drill” that was used to cut holes in leather. This was made from knife river flint and came from North Dakota. Other stones show grooves where axes, etc., were sharpened on sandstone.

Kenny Farnsworth, a retired state of Illinois archaeologist, convinced Emery and his son Scott to bring their collection to a show. He didn’t realize they were being judged. At the end of the day, they received an award of excellence. A proud moment that he displays in the cases that this carpenter created to hold his collection. Some of the items in Emery’s collection have changed history like the arrowhead that came from Southern Illinois, an area not identified in the past as a collection area.

Rounding out his collection is a farm toy and truck exhibit housed in two cabinets with two very special sentimental items. One is a Willy’s jeep that an uncle brought back from the Korean War, and the other is another jeep a different uncle brought back from World War II.

These days Emery’s health doesn’t allow him to go and hunt new items for his amazing collection; however, he loves to share his collection with friends and family and pour over the items that have brought him and his family so much joy.