I loved the story. That block looks almost exactly like the one I got in Carlotta, Ca ( Humboldt county) before I moved to Trinidad,Colorado.
I am just starting to put together a small smithy to learn blacksmithing. I have a Champion rivet forge with a gear that has two missing teeth. Cannot find a replacement so will try brazing up and filing to get it to work. I just found this site and am happy to have a source of information.
P.S. am a retired welder, machinist and mechanic.