S.W. IOWA
Here is our 1973 show report. Sorry I’m late.
The 1973 S. W. Iowa Antique Machinery and Threshing Show, held
Aug. 3, 4, & 5 was a great success. The weather was in full
cooperation as we had 3 very pleasant days.
Despite the conflicts with other activities in our area we had a
very large increase in crowd size.
The large Corliss stationary steam engine performed flawlessly
and was one of the main attractions at the show.
The log cabin, school house, and depot were open and many
articles pertaining to the said buildings were on display along
with all the hundreds of items in the main building.
A. C. Eshelman’s 19 – 65 Port Huron steam traction engine
was repaired, tested, and put to work for the first time in 15 or
more years. It is a tandem compound and operates very smoothly.
A broom maker from Sheridan, Missouri was on hand showing how to
assemble a straw broom but no one seemed interested in using
one.
For the pleasure of all who visited the large museum building, a
player piano belted out good old time tunes that set the toe a
tapping.
Many old tractors and engines were brought onto the show grounds
and displayed along with the ones owned by the Eshelmans’.
Ben Wilson brought his newly restored 20-40 opposed Case
tractor, to the pleasure of all tractors buffs. Henry Carstens
returned with his 12-25 Avery and Harold Wilson had his old
reliable 25-45 Case cross mount.
The steam engines took turns on the baker fan and the Wood Bros,
threshing machine while the CC Case was belted to the John Deere
stationary baler and baled the straw as it came from the
separator.
Members from the Central Hawkeye Gas Engine and Tractor Club
that were not obligated otherwise, were on hand to help operate
tractors and engines. Many brought their favorite engines and
displayed them. This all tends to make a very fine show.
On Saturday night there was a talent and variety show in the
Pilot Grove County Park followed by a square dance and round dance.
Most of the campers from the camping area were on hand for some
clapping and stomping.
As the sun rose Sunday morning and the show area and park began
to come alive again, Rev. David Wendell of Elliott, held church
services in the park shelter. We hope this will become another
annual event connected with the show weekend which will be held
August 2, 3, & 4, 1974.
The Eshelman family wants to entend our very sincere thanks to
everyone who attended our show and to everyone who displayed and
helped to make it a most successful show. Without your support and
help our show would be much less than it is.
I would like to mention all the names of people who helped and
displayed but I’d miss many so again, thanks to everyone and we
hope to see you in 1974.
